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Scaffolding - Best practice guideline for scaffolding in New Zealand

Contents
Pro ces s fo r the review o f this do cument

No tice o f is s ue

Sectio n 1: Intro ductio n

1.1 Definitio n o f key co ncepts

1.2 Des ign requirements

1.3 Legis la tive a nd regula to ry co ntext

1.4 Sca ffo lding termino lo gy

Sectio n 2: Sa fety in s ca ffo lding

2.1 Fa ll preventio n

2.2 Ha rnes s s ys tems

2.3 Wo rk po s itio ning s ys tems

2.4 Tra vel res trictio n/res tra int s ys tems

2.5 Fa ll a rres t s ys tems

2.6 Pers o na l pro tective equipment (PPE)

2.7. Sa fe wo rking pra ctice

2.8 Ha za rd identifica tio n a nd ma na gement

Sectio n 3: G eneric s ca ffo lding requirements

3.1 To o ls o f the tra de

3.2 Co mmo n s ca ffo lding bends a nd hitches

3.3 Fo unda tio ns

Sectio n 4: Tube a nd fitting s ca ffo lding

4.1 Intro ductio n

4.2 Tube a nd fitting s ca ffo lding co mpo nents

4.3 Ba s ing o ut tube a nd fitting s ca ffo lds

4.4 Sta ggering o f s ta nda rds a nd ledgers

4.5 Sca ffo lding ties

4.6 Bra cing

4.7. Erecting wo rking a nd a cces s pla tfo rms

Sectio n 5: Pro prieta ry s ca ffo lding

5.1 Mo dula r pro prieta ry s ys tems (prefa brica ted)

5.2 Aluminium fra me a nd bra ce to wer s ys tems

5.3 Pro prieta ry s ys tems with a dditio na l co mpo nents

Sectio n 6: Pa rticula r s ca ffo lds a nd s ca ffo lding s tructures

6.1 Mo bile s ca ffo lds

6.2 Ra kers a nd o utriggers

6.3 Sca ffo lds fo r ro o f edge pro tectio n (gua rdra iling)

6.4 Sca ffo lding o ver vera nda hs , ga ntries o r ro o fs

6.5 Ca ntilevered s ca ffo lds


6.6 Hea vy duty ga ntries

6.7 Ves s el s ca ffo lds

6.8 Ha nging s ca ffo lds

6.9 Screening o r co nta inment s heeting

6.10 Mecha nica l lifting a pplia nces o n a s ca ffo ld

6.11 Ma s t-climbing wo rk pla tfo rms

6.12 Ba rro w ra mps

6.13 Fa ls ewo rk o r pro pping

6.14 Timber s ca ffo lds

Sectio n 7: Sus pended s ca ffo lding

7.1 Sco pe

7.2 Mo tive po wer

7.3 Ancho ring a nd co ns tructio n

Sectio n 8: Tra ining a nd co mpetency

8.1 Na tio na l certifica tes in s ca ffo lding

8.2 Certifica tes o f co mpetence

Sectio n 9: Ins pectio n a nd do cumenta ry needs

9.1 Bes t pra ctice reference do cuments

9.2 No tifica tio n, ins pectio ns a nd regis ters

9.3 Appendix: Do cuments fo r us e in the field

Process for the review of this document


The genera l pro ces s fo r the review o f the Bes t Pra ctice G uideline fo r Sca ffo lding in New Z ea la nd (BPG ) is a s fo llo ws . This pro ces s wa s fo llo wed fo r this
revis io n.

Formation and composition of review committee


Under the lea ders hip o f Sca ffo lding a nd Rigging New Z ea la nd (SARNZ ), up to nine repres enta tives fro m SARNZ a nd s ta keho lder gro ups invo lved with the
s upply, erectio n, des ign, ma nufa cture o r us e o f s ca ffo lding a re s elected to fo rm the review co mmittee. To this gro up is a dded a Wo rkSa fe NZ
repres enta tive a nd a n independent cha irpers o n. The co mmittee la s ts three yea rs a nd is then dis s o lved a nd refo rmed fo llo wing the s a me pro ces s .

Repres enta tives mus t be a ble to s ho w they receive directio n fro m the gro up they repres ent i.e. they do no t repres ent jus t their o wn individua l o r
co mpa ny interes ts .
Only o ne repres enta tive will be fro m ea ch s ta keho lder gro up.
The co mmittee ca n co -o pt individua ls fro m o uts ide the co mmittee to dis cus s s ubmis s io ns o r to pro vide technica l o r o ther expertis e.

Process
1. SARNZ a dvertis es , via the Na tio na l Pres s , G a zette a nd direct ma il to s ta keho lder da ta ba s e a nd Wo rkSa fe NZ , tha t a review is to ta ke pla ce a nd tha t
it will receive s ubmis s io ns fo r members hip o f the review co mmittee a nd fo r cha nges o r a dditio ns to the BPG . SARNZ then receives thes e
s ubmis s io ns .
2. SARNZ a nd Wo rkSa fe NZ vet no mina tio ns a nd fo rm the review co mmittee a s a bo ve.
3. The co mmittee meets to dis cus s a nd review s ubmis s io ns . This ma y include brea king into wo rking gro ups a nd/o r co -o pting technica l s uppo rt if
required. Submis s io ns a re a ccepted fro m a ny interes ted pers o n, co mpa ny o r o rga nis a tio n.
4. The co mmittee pro duces a dra ft revis ed do cument a nd relea s es it fo r public co mment.
5. The co mmittee reviews public co mment a nd ma kes a dditio na l cha nges to the dra ft a s needed.
6. Steps 4 a nd 5 ma y be repea ted a s neces s a ry.
7. The revis ed BPG is a ppro ved by the co mmittee a nd publis hed.

The Co mmittee ma y decide its o wn pro cedures , including res o lutio n o f a ny dis a greements o r dea dlo ck o n the co ntents o f the do cument, a nd ma y, a t its
dis cretio n, reco nvene fo r urgent o r pa rt revis io ns between s cheduled reviews .

Notice of issue
SCAFFOLDING & RIG G ING NEW Z EALAND INCORPORATED
The Bes t Pra ctice G uidelines fo r Sca ffo lding wa s firs t publis hed in 2002, a nd revis ed in 2003. It is a n indus try led s ta tement o f preferred wo rk pra ctices , o r
a rra ngements , fo r the purpo s e o f ens uring the highes t levels o f hea lth a nd s a fety fo r a ll tho s e a ffected by s ca ffo lding a ctivities in New Z ea la nd.
The 2009 Review ha s been co nducted by a co mmittee repres enting the s ca ffo lding indus try, s ca ffo ld us ers , tra ining pro viders , s a fety a dvis o rs , a nd the
Depa rtment o f La bo ur. The review pro ces s ha s been ro bus t with input fro m a bro a d ra nge o f s ta keho lders thro ugh public co ns ulta tio n. "Bes t Pra ctice
G uidelines fo r Sca ffo lding in New Z ea la nd" is a 'living do cument' which, thro ugh regula r reviews , will keep pa ce with cha nges a nd impro vements in the
indus try.
SARNZ wo uld like to tha nk a ll tho s e who ha ve co ntributed to the "Bes t Pra ctice G uidelines fo r Sca ffo lding in New Z ea la nd". The bro a d s uppo rt o f
s ta keho lders co nfirms this do cument a s the 'current s ta te o f kno wledge' fo r s ca ffo lding in New Z ea la nd.
G ra ha m Burke
Pres ident
Sca ffo lding & Rigging New Z ea la nd Inco rpo ra ted [SARNZ ]

The place and context of this document


While co mplia nce with the Bes t Pra ctice G uidelines fo r Sca ffo lding in New Z ea la nd is no t ma nda to ry, it repres ents current bes t pra ctice in the indus try a s
perceived by the indus try its elf a nd ma y be us ed a s evidence o f go o d pra ctice in co urt. Its co ntents s ho uld be s een a s a co mprehens ive a nd a utho rita tive
guide to wha t is co ns idered by the s ca ffo lding indus try to be preferred wo rk pra ctice o r a rra ngements , a nd includes pro cedures which co uld be ta ken into
a cco unt when deciding o n o ptima l a nd pra ctica ble s teps to be ta ken when s ca ffo lding.
SARNZ , in co njunctio n with the Bes t Pra ctice G uidelines fo r Sca ffo lding Wo rking Pa rty, ha s ma de every effo rt to ens ure tha t the info rma tio n co nta ined
within this publica tio n is a ccura te. Even s o , SARNZ welco mes yo ur co mments a nd s ugges tio ns to impro ve this do cument a nd its co ntents . It is SARNZ
intentio n to review the Bes t Pra ctice G uidelines regula rly. We believe this do cument s ho uld repres ent the cha nging na ture o f s ca ffo lding a nd reflect up to
da te bes t pra ctice fo r s ca ffo lding in New Z ea la nd.

Best practice guidelines for scaffolding in New Zealand review committee


The co mmittee res po ns ible fo r the revis io n co ns is ted o f repres enta tives fro m the:

Sca ffo lding indus try


Certified Builders As s o cia tio n o f New Z ea la nd
Depa rtment o f La bo ur
Ma s ter Pa inters New Z ea la nd Inc
Oppo rtunity - The Tra ining Orga nis a tio n
Regis tered Ma s ter Builders Federa tio n o f New Z ea la nd Inc
Ro o fing As s o cia tio n o f New Z ea la nd
Sca ffo lding, Rigging a nd Indus tria l Ro pe Acces s Indus try Tra ining Inc (SRIIT)
Sca ffo lding a nd Rigging New Z ea la nd Inc (SARNZ )
Site Sa fe New Z ea la nd Inc a nd
Ta i Po utini Po lytechnic (tra ining pro vider).

SARNZ wis hes to tha nk the wo rking pa rty a nd their emplo yers fo r their co mmitment, ha rd wo rk a nd pers evera nce in bringing this pro ject to co mpletio n.

Format t ing in t his document


The fo llo wing fo rma tting co nventio ns a re a do pted in this do cument:

In dia gra ms a nd dra wings , unles s o therwis e s ta ted, kickbo a rds a re excluded fo r cla rity.
'BPG ' a s us ed here refers to this do cument, The Bes t Pra ctice G uidelines fo r Sca ffo lding in New Z ea la nd.
Wherever pra ctica l Depa rtment o f La bo ur fo rma tting guidelines a re a do pted.

Section 1: Introduction

1.1 Definit ion of key concept s


1.1.1 Scaffolding
Fo r the purpo s es o f this do cument s ca ffo lding is defined a s :
Any s tructure o r fra mewo rk, s winging s ta ge, s us pended s ca ffo lding, o r bo a ts wa in's cha ir, o f a tempo ra ry na ture, us ed o r intended to be us ed fo r the
s uppo rt o r pro tectio n o f wo rkers fo r the purpo s e o f ca rrying o ut their wo rk o r fo r the s uppo rt o f ma teria ls us ed in co nnectio n with a ny s uch wo rk.
Sca ffo lding includes a ny s ca ffo lding erected a s s uch a nd no t dis ma ntled, whether o r no t it is being us ed a s s ca ffo lding; a nd a ls o includes a ny pla nk,
co upling, fa s tening, fitting, equipment, item o r device us ed in co nnectio n with the co ns tructio n, erectio n, dis ma ntling o r us e o f s ca ffo lding.
No te tha t the definitio n o f s ca ffo lding in the Hea lth a nd Sa fety in Emplo yment Regula tio ns 1995 under cla us e 1.3.2 ha s in view the interpreta tio n o f the
levels o f s ca ffo lding co nta ined in its umbrella legis la tio n, the Hea lth a nd Sa fety in Emplo yment Act 1992 a nd is therefo re a little different fro m tha t given
a bo ve.

1.1.2 Scaffolding process


Sca ffo lding pro ces s is defined a s :
The pla nning fo r a nd/o r the des ign, erectio n, ins pectio n, a ltera tio n, us e o r dis ma ntling o f a ny s ca ffo lding a nd/o r rela ted co mpo nents . This includes a ll
s tructures co ns tructed us ing s ca ffo lding co mpo nents , s uch a s fa ls ewo rk, tempo ra ry gra nds ta nds , lighting to wers a nd s ta ir a cces s to wers . [Thes e ha ve
been included in the s co pe o f the BPG if s ca ffo lding co mpo nents a re being us ed.]

1.2 Design requirement s


1.2.1 Principles of design
The des ign o f s ca ffo lds s ho uld ta ke into a cco unt the fo llo wing:

The s trength, s ta bility a nd rigidity o f the s uppo rting s tructure.


The ha ndling no rma lly a s s o cia ted with s ca ffo lding.
The s a fety o f pers o ns enga ged in the erectio n, a ltera tio n a nd dis ma ntling o f the s ca ffo ld.
The s a fety o f pers o ns us ing the s ca ffo ld.
The s a fety o f pers o ns in the vicinity o f the s ca ffo ld.
The s ca ffo lds fitnes s fo r its intended purpo s e.

1.2.1.1 St andards applicable t o scaffolding, scaffolding component s and relat ed act ivit ies
Releva nt s ta nda rds a re tho s e rela ted to :

1. The des ign a nd erectio n o f s ca ffo lding.


2. The na ture a nd integrity o f s tructura l members .
3. Sca ffo ld co mpo nents .
This includes but is no t limited to the fo llo wing:

AS 1577 Sca ffo ld pla nks


AS 1664.1 Aluminium s tructures (Limit s ta te des ign)
AS/NZ S 1170.0 Structura l des ign a ctio ns - G enera l principles
AS/NZ S 1170.1 Structura l des ign a ctio ns - Perma nent, impo s ed a nd o ther a ctio ns
AS/NZ S 1170.2 Structura l des ign a ctio ns - Wind a ctio ns
AS/NZ S 1170.3 Structura l des ign a ctio ns - Sno w a nd ice a ctio ns
NZ S 1170.5 Structura l des ign a ctio ns - Ea rthqua ke a ctio ns -New Z ea la nd
AS/NZ S 1554.1 Structura l s teel welding - Welding o f s teel s tructures
AS/NZ S 1554.2 Structura l s teel welding - Stud welding (s teel s tuds to s teel)
AS/NZ S 1554.4 Structura l s teel welding - Welding o f high s trength quenched a nd tempered s teels
AS/NZ S 1576.1 Sca ffo lding - G enera l requirements
AS/NZ S 1576.2 Sca ffo lding - Co uplers a nd a cces s o ries
AS/NZ S 1576.3 Sca ffo lding - Prefa brica ted a nd tube-a nd-co upler s ca ffo lding
AS/NZ S 1576.4 Sca ffo lding - Sus pended s ca ffo lding
AS/NZ S 1576.5 Sca ffo lding - Prefa brica ted s plithea ds a nd tres tles
AS/NZ S 1576.6 Sca ffo lding - Meta l tube-a nd-co upler-Deemed to co mply with AS/NZ S 1576.3
AS/NZ S 1665 Welding o f a luminium s tructures
AS/NZ S 1892.1 Po rta ble la dders -Meta l
AS/NZ S 1892.3 Po rta ble la dders -Reinfo rced pla s tic
AS/NZ S 1892.3 Po rta ble la dders -Selectio n, s a fe us e a nd ca re
AS/NZ S 3012 Electrica l ins ta lla tio ns -Co ns tructio n a nd demo litio n s ites
AS/NZ S 4576 G uidelines fo r s ca ffo lding
NZ S 3603 Timber s tructures s ta nda rd
NZ S 3608 Specifica tio n fo r timber la dders
NZ S 4711 Qua lifica tio n tes ts fo r meta l-a rc welders
NZ S 4781 Co de o f pra ctice fo r s a fety in welding a nd cutting

Sta nda rds rela ting to the des ign us e a nd ma intena nce o f indus tria l fa ll-a rres t s ys tems a nd devices include, but a re no t limited to :

AS/NZ S 1891.1 Indus tria l fa ll-a rres t s ys tems a nd devices - Ha rnes s es a nd a ncilla ry equipment
AS/NZ S 1891.2 Indus tria l fa ll-a rres t s ys tems a nd devices - Ho rizo nta l lifeline a nd ra il s ys tems
AS/NZ S 1891.2 Supp1 Indus tria l fa ll-a rres t s ys tems a nd devices - Pres cribed co nfigura tio ns fo r ho rizo nta l lifelines
AS/NZ S 1891.3 Indus tria l fa ll-a rres t s ys tems a nd devices - Fa ll-a rres t devices
AS/NZ S 1891.4 Indus tria l fa ll-a rres t s ys tems a nd devices - Selectio n, us e a nd ma intena nce

1.2.1.2 Task analysis


It is beco ming genera lly a ccepted tha t o n la rger s ites clients wa nt a ta s k a na lys is co mpleted a s pa rt o f the des ign pro ces s . This is genera lly pro vided in
co njunctio n with ha za rd identifica tio n.
A ta s k a na lys is s ho ws the s tep by s tep requirements to erect, a lter o r dis ma ntle a s ca ffo ld fo r a pa rticula r s ite. A ta s k a na lys is fo rm is a ppendixed in the
la s t s ectio n o f this do cument.

1.2.2 Loads in scaffolding


1.2.2.1 Load combinat ions
Sca ffo lding fo unda tio ns mus t be a ble to ca rry a nd dis tribute a ll the weight o f the s ca ffo ld, including a ny extra lo a ds pla ced o n the s ca ffo ld. To fa cilita te this ,
when s ca ffo lding is des igned pa rticula r a ttentio n s ho uld be given to gro und co nditio ns (s ubs idence, wa ter co urs es , level, the na ture o f gro und ma teria ls
etc.) a nd to the lo a dings o n the s ca ffo ld.
Sca ffo lding s ho uld be des igned fo r the mo s t a dvers e co mbina tio n o f dea d lo a ds , live lo a ds a nd enviro nmenta l lo a ds tha t ca n rea s o na bly be expected
during the perio d tha t the s ca ffo ld is expected to be in s ervice.
Lo a d co mbina tio ns fo r s trength limit s ta tes s ho uld be in a cco rda nce with AS/NZ S 1170.0 a nd its s upplements , except tha t dea d a nd live lo a d co mbina tio ns
need to be a s fo llo ws :
2.0G + 2.0Q [Where G = dea d lo a d a nd Q = live lo a d (including impa ct, if a ny)].
Where enviro nmenta l lo a ds will be s uch tha t wo rk is unlikely to pro ceed under tho s e co nditio ns , then the lo a ding ca lcula tio n a t tha t po int in time ma y be
res tricted to dea d lo a ds , expected live lo a ds fro m s ta cked ma teria ls a nd enviro nmenta l lo a ds . When wo rk res umes the lo a ding will cha nge.
Fo r permis s ible s tres s des ign, the s um o f the dea d a nd live lo a ds a pplied s ha ll be increa s ed by 15 percent, to a llo w fo r re-us e o f ma teria ls .

1.2.2.2 Dead loads


The dea d lo a d (G ) is the s elf-weight o f the s ca ffo lding. Tha t is , a ll s tructura l co mpo nents a nd equipment tha t fo rm the s ca ffo ld. It is genera lly a s ta tic lo a d.

1.2.2.3 Environment al loads


Where a ppro pria te, the enviro nmenta l lo a ds s ha ll include the fo llo wing:

Wind lo a ds in a cco rda nce with AS/NZ S 1170 (a nd s upplements ) impo s ed o n the s ca ffo ld, including a ny gua rdra ils , to ebo a rds , s ta cked ma teria ls ,
s creens , s heeting, pla tfo rm ro pes , guy wires a nd o ther a tta chments .
Sno w lo a ds in a cco rda nce with AS/NZ S 1170 (a nd s upplements ).
Ra in a nd ice lo a ds , where it is co ns idered likely tha t the s ca ffo ld a nd cla ddings will be s ubjected to ra in o r a build-up o f ice.
Ea rthqua ke lo a ds in a cco rda nce with AS/NZ S 1170 (a nd s upplements ).

1.2.2.4 Live loads


The live lo a d (Q) is the tempo ra ry lo a ds impo s ed o n a s ca ffo ld. Thes e include but a re no t limited to :

Duty lo a ds (light, medium, hea vy, s pecia l) s uch a s pers o ns a nd/o r ma teria ls .
Enviro nmenta l lo a ds (wind, s no w etc).
Impa ct lo a ds thro ugh s ho rt, s udden lo a dings s uch a s lo a ding ma teria ls in/o ut fro m a pla tfo rm a nd mecha nica l ho is t o pera tio n.

Sca ffo lds s ho uld no t be us ed to s uppo rt fo rmwo rk a nd pla nt, s uch a s ho is t to wers a nd co ncrete pumping equipment, unles s the s ca ffo ld is s pecifica lly
des igned to do this .
Duty live loads
The live lo a d a pplied to a wo rking pla tfo rm is ca tego ris ed by the fo llo wing duty co nditio ns :

Light-duty - a lo a d o f 2.2 kN (225 kg) per ba y tha t includes a s ingle co ncentra ted lo a d o f 1 kN (100 kg).
Medium-duty - a lo a d o f 4.4 kN (450 kg) per ba y tha t includes a s ingle co ncentra ted lo a d o f 1.5 kN (150 kg).
Hea vy-duty - a lo a d o f 6.6 kN (675 kg) per ba y tha t includes a s ingle co ncentra ted lo a d o f 2.0 kN (200 kg).
Specia l-duty - the la rges t intended lo a d but no t les s tha n hea vy-duty.

Fo r des ign purpo s es the s ingle co ncentra ted lo a d s ho uld be a s s umed to be in the mo s t a dvers e po s itio n within the ba y.
AS 1576 ela bo ra tes o n lo a ds in s ca ffo lding.

1.2.2.5 Load calculat ions


Ca lcula tio n us ed fo r live lo a ds
Live lo a ds o n s ta nda rds will va ry fo r different ba ys a nd pla tfo rms . The expla na tio n belo w rela tes to ca lcula tio ns fo r a ny o ne pa rticula r ba y o n o ne pla tfo rm
level.
To ca lcula te the live lo a d o n a s ta nda rd, a s s ume tha t ea ch s ta nda rd in tha t ba y s uppo rts o ne third o f the duty live lo a d o n ea ch pla tfo rm in ea ch a djo ining
ba y. This is to a llo w fo r o ff centre lo a ding o f pla tfo rms a nd co ncentra ted lo a ds pla ced clo s er to a s ta nda rd.
Fo r exa mple, co ns ider a medium duty s ca ffo ld.
The live lo a d o n a ny o ne s ta nda rd (between two ba ys ea ch o f 4.4 kN - 450kg) ba s ed o n the wo rs t po s s ible lo a ding in a dja cent ba ys
= 4.4 kN (450kg) X 2 3 = 2.9 kN (300kg)
As s ume tha t the dea d lo a d o f the s ca ffo ld s uppo rted by the s ta nda rd is 3.5 kN (350kg).
Then the des ign lo a d fo r this s ta nda rd
= 2.9 kN (300kg) + 3.5 kN (350kg) = 6.4 kN (650kg)

Calculation used for non standard soleboard lengths


No w tha t the des ign lo a d o n the s ta nda rd is kno wn i.e. 6.4 kN (650kg), the minimum length o f the s o lebo a rd ca n be determined fo r a kno wn gro und o r
flo o r lo a d ca pa city.
As s ume the gro und lo a d ca pa city is 2500kg/m 2 a nd a typica l timber pla nk 225mm wide will be us ed.
Therefo re, the minimum a ccepta ble length o f the s o lebo a rd is :
650kg 2500kg/ m 2 0.225m = 1.16m.
The minimum length s o lebo a rd required fo r the a bo ve co nditio ns is thus 1.16m lo ng.

1.2.2.6 Mass of persons and general mat erial


The fo llo wing ta ble gives the a ppro xima te ma s s es o f pers o ns a nd genera l ma teria ls likely to be s uppo rted fro m s ca ffo lds .
Table 1: Mass of persons and general mat erials for use when scaffolding
It ems Approximat e Mass

Bricks 4.0 kg per brick


Cement 40.0 kg per bag
Concret e block 400 x 200 x 200mm hollow 19.0 kg per block
Concret e block 400 x 200 x 150mm hollow 16.0 kg per block
Concret e block 400 x 200 x 100mm hollow 13.0 kg per block
Concret e block 400 x 200 x 100mm solid 16.0 kg per block
Concret e ready mixed wet 2550.0 kg per cubic met re (m)
Concret e in wheelbarrow 140.0 kg
Drums empt y 200 lit re 13.0 kg
Marble 2700.0 kg per cubic met re (m)
Paint (except red and whit e lead) five lit res 10.5 kg
Paint red and whit e lead five lit res 15.0 kg
Persons single 100.0 kg
Persons plus wheelbarrow wit h concret e 220.0 kg
Plast er fibrous 1.6 kg per square met re (m)
Plast er bag 38.0 kg
Plywood 17.0mm 10.0 kg per square met re (m)
Sand 2000.0 kg per cubic met re (m)
Shale 2600.0 kg per cubic met re (m)
St eel rods 6.5mm diamet er 25.0 kg per 100.0m
St eel rods 10.0mm diamet er 67.0 kg per 100.0m
St eel rods 12.0mm diamet er 89.0 kg per 100.0m
St eel rods 16.0mm diamet er 158.0 kg per 100.0m
St eel rods 20.0mm diamet er 247.0 kg per 100.0m
St eel rods 25.0mm diamet er 358.0 kg per 100.0m
Tiles t erra cot t a 3.5 kg per t ile
Tiles concret e 3.75 kg per t ile
Timber hardwoods 1100.0 kg per cubic met re (m)
Timber soft woods 640.0 kg per cubic met re (m)
Wat er (excluding cont ainer) 1.0 kg per lit re
Double coupler 1.0 kg
Single coupler 0.6 kg
Joiner 0.8 kg
Swivel coupler 1.2 kg
3.0m laminat ed t imber plank 18.0 kg
48.3mm galvanised scaffold t ube 1.0m 4.4 kg per met re

1.2.3 Structures supporting scaffolding


The s uppo rting s tructure s ho uld be ca pa ble o f s uppo rting the mo s t a dvers e co mbina tio n o f lo a ds a pplied by the s ca ffo ld during the perio d o f its s ervice.
Where the s uppo rting s tructure is no t ca pa ble o f s uppo rting the mo s t a dvers e co mbina tio n o f expected lo a ds it ma y need to be s trengthened by pro pping
o r o ther mea ns .
So lebo a rds a nd ba s epla tes ca n a ls o be us ed to evenly dis tribute the lo a d fro m the s ca ffo ld to the s uppo rting s urfa ce. Bo th s o lebo a rds a nd ba s epla tes
ma y be required fo r us e o n les s s ta ble s urfa ces , s uch a s s o il o r gra vel. The us e o f s o lebo a rds a nd/o r ba s epla tes s ho uld be co ns idered in the des ign o f the
s ca ffo ld.

1.2.3.1 St abilit y
Sca ffo ld s ta bility ma y be a chieved by:

Tying the s ca ffo ld to a s uppo rting s tructure.


G uying to a s uppo rting s tructure.
Increa s ing the dea d lo a d by s ecurely a tta ching co unterweights nea r the ba s e.
Adding ba ys to increa s e the ba s e dimens io n.

1.2.3.2 Bracket s
Prefabricated scaffold brackets
Prefa brica ted s ca ffo ld bra ckets tha t a re a tta ched to a s tructure to pro vide s uppo rt fo r a wo rking pla tfo rm mus t:

1. Ha ve a dequa te a nd s uita ble mea ns o f a tta chment to pro vide vertica l s uppo rt a nd to res is t a ccidenta l s idewa ys mo vement.
2. Be s ta ble in the lo ngitudina l directio n o f the pla tfo rm under the a pplied ho rizo nta l fo rce a nd ha ve a fa cto r o f s a fety o f no t les s tha n 1.5.
3. Be fitted with gua rdra ils , midra ils a nd to ebo a rds o n a ll pla tfo rms .

Ladder brackets
La dder bra ckets tha t a re us ed fo r s uppo rting a wo rking pla tfo rm fo r the purpo s e o f pa inting o nly mus t s a tis fy the fo llo wing requirements :

1. Bra ckets a re a tta ched to la dders no t inferio r to the requirements s et o ut in NZ S: 3609 Timber la dders o r NZ S 5233 Po rta ble la dders (o ther tha n
timber la dders ).
2. The la dders us ed fo r a tta ching the bra ckets do no t exceed a ma ximum wo rking length o f 7.8m.
3. The to p rung to which ea ch bra cket is a tta ched is no t mo re tha n three-qua rters o f the la dder's wo rking length fro m the fo o t o f the la dder.
4. Preca utio ns a re ta ken to ens ure tha t the feet a nd to ps o f la dders a re s o s uppo rted tha t the la dders will no t s lide s idewa ys o r o utwa rds .
5. Only o ne pers o n wo rks o n the pla tfo rm a t o ne time a nd, if the pla tfo rm is being us ed in a public pla ce, a s eco nd wo rker is o n ha nd to a s s is t if
mis ha ps o ccur a nd in s etting up a nd mo ving la dders , bra ckets a nd s ca ffo ld pla nks .
6. The s pa n a nd qua lity o f the pla nk us ed co mplies with the pro vis io ns rela ting to light-duty wo rking pla tfo rms .
7. As a wo rking pla tfo rm edge pro tectio n is required. While this is no t impo s s ible to a chieve it is s ugges ted tha t a lterna tive, mo re pra ctica ble a nd
s a fer metho ds be utilis ed s uch a s s cis s o r ho is ts , tube a nd clip o r pro prieta ry s ca ffo lding.

1.2.3.3 Trest les and t ripods


Definitions
A tres tle is a s elf s uppo rting meta l o r timber s ta nd, inco rpo ra ting o ne o r mo re ho rizo nta l member, o n which a wo rking pla tfo rm ma y be la id. Steel tres tles
a re o ften teles co pic a nd o f the fo lding type.
A tripo d is a three-legged s ta nd fo r s uppo rting o ne end o f a ho rizo nta l bea m o n which a wo rking pla tfo rm ma y be la id.

Special requirements
1. The des ign a nd co ns tructio n o f s teel tres tles needs to be to a reco gnis ed s ta nda rd. Refer to AS/NZ S 1892.1 Sectio n 6 Pa rticula r requirements fo r
tres tle la dders a nd to AS/NZ S 1576.5 Prefa brica ted s plithea ds a nd tres tles .
2. The lo a ding o f wo rking pla tfo rms is genera lly res tricted to light duty (225kg). Lo a dings fo r pla nks a nd ma nufa cturer's ins tructio ns mus t be a dhered
to .
3. The ra tio o f height o f tres tle to s prea d o f legs s ho uld no t exceed 3. Fo r s a fe erectio n a nd us e refer to ma nufa cturer's ins tructio ns .
4. The ma ximum s pa n o f timber s ca ffo ld pla nks a ble to be us ed o n tres tles is 2.4m.
5. Tres tles s ho uld be erected o n firm a nd level gro und to pro vide ma ximum s uppo rt.
6. As a wo rking pla tfo rm edge pro tectio n is required. While this is no t impo s s ible to a chieve it is s ugges ted tha t a lterna tive, mo re pra ctica ble a nd
s a fer metho ds be utilis ed s uch a s s cis s o r ho is ts , tube a nd clip o r pro prieta ry s ca ffo lding.

1.3 Legislat ive and regulat ory cont ext


1.3.1 The Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992
Object of t he Act
The o bject o f the HSE Act is the preventio n o f ha rm to a ll pers o ns a t wo rk a nd o ther pers o ns in, o r in the vicinity o f, a pla ce o f wo rk. To do this , it impo s es
duties o n emplo yers , emplo yees , principa ls a nd o thers , a nd pro mo tes excellence in hea lth a nd s a fety ma na gement by emplo yers . It a ls o pro vides fo r the
ma king o f regula tio ns a nd co des o f pra ctice.

Employers' dut ies


Emplo yers ha ve the mo s t duties to perfo rm to ens ure the hea lth a nd s a fety o f emplo yees . Emplo yers ha ve a genera l duty to ta ke a ll pra ctica ble s teps to
ens ure the s a fety o f emplo yees a t wo rk. In pa rticula r, they a re required to ta ke a ll pra ctica ble s teps to :

Pro vide a nd ma inta in a s a fe wo rking enviro nment.


Pro vide a nd ma inta in fa cilities fo r the s a fety a nd hea lth o f emplo yees a t wo rk.
Ens ure tha t the ma chinery a nd equipment is s a fe fo r emplo yees .
Pro vide pro tective clo thing a nd equipment.
Ens ure tha t wo rking a rra ngements a re no t ha za rdo us to emplo yees .
Pro vide pro cedures to dea l with emergencies tha t ma y a ris e while emplo yees a re a t wo rk.

Ta king "a ll pra ctica ble s teps ", mea ns ta king a ll s teps to ma inta in hea lth a nd s a fety tha t ca n rea s o na bly be expected in the circums ta nces , ha ving rega rd to
the:

Na ture a nd the s everity o f the ha rm tha t ma y be s uffered if the duty o f ca re is no t perfo rmed.
Current s ta te o f kno wledge a bo ut the likeliho o d tha t ha rm o f tha t na ture a nd s everity co uld o ccur if hea lth a nd s a fety is no t ma inta ined.
Current s ta te o f kno wledge a bo ut ha rm o f tha t na ture.
Current s ta te o f kno wledge a bo ut the mea ns a va ila ble to a chieve s a fe a nd hea lthy res ults , a nd a bo ut the likely effica cy o f ta king s uch a ctio n.
Ava ila bility a nd co s t o f ea ch o f thes e mea ns , to ens ure s a fety.

Hazard management
Emplo yers mus t identify a nd regula rly review ha za rds in the pla ce o f wo rk (exis ting, new a nd po tentia l) to determine whether they a re s ignifica nt ha za rds
a nd require further a ctio n.
Emplo yers a re required to reco rd deta ils o f ha rm o r s itua tio ns tha t co uld ha ve ca us ed ha rm in their pla ce o f wo rk. Emplo yers a re a ls o required to
inves tiga te incidents where s erio us ha rm o ccurs to determine if it wa s ca us ed by o r a ro s e fro m a s ignifica nt ha za rd.
This is pa rticula rly co ncerned with:

Serio us ha rm; o r
Ha rm (being mo re tha n trivia l) where the s everity o f effects o n a ny pers o n depends (entirely o r a mo ng o ther things ) o n the extent o r frequency o f
the pers o ns expo s ure to the ha za rd; o r
Ha rm tha t do es no t us ua lly o ccur, o r us ua lly is no t ea s ily detecta ble, until a s ignifica nt time a fter expo s ure to the ha za rd.

Where the ha za rd is s ignifica nt the HSE Act s ets o ut s teps fo r emplo yers to ta ke, na mely:

Where pra ctica ble, elimina te the ha za rd.


If elimina tio n is no t pra ctica ble, is o la te the ha za rd.
If it is impra ctica ble to elimina te o r is o la te the ha za rd co mpletely, then the emplo yer mus t minimis e the ha za rd to emplo yees .

Where a ha za rd ca nno t be elimina ted o r is o la ted emplo yers mus t in a dditio n, where a ppro pria te:

Ens ure tha t pro tective clo thing a nd equipment is pro vided, a cces s ible a nd us ed.
Mo nito r emplo yees ' expo s ure to the ha za rd.
Seek the co ns ent o f emplo yees to mo nito r their hea lth.
With info rmed co ns ent, mo nito r emplo yees ' hea lth.

Informat ion for employees


Befo re emplo yees begin wo rk, they mus t be info rmed by their emplo yers o f:

Ha za rds they ma y be expo s ed to while a t wo rk.


Ha za rds they ma y crea te tha t co uld ha rm o ther peo ple.
Ho w to minimis e thes e ha za rds beco ming a s o urce o f ha rm to thems elves a nd o thers .
The lo ca tio n o f s a fety equipment.
Emergency pro cedures .

Emplo yers a re a ls o required to info rm emplo yees o f the res ults o f a ny hea lth a nd s a fety mo nito ring. In do ing s o , the priva cy o f individua l emplo yees mus t
be pro tected.
Employers t o involve employees in developing healt h and safet y procedures
Emplo yers mus t pro vide rea s o na ble o ppo rtunity fo r their emplo yees to pa rticipa te in o ngo ing pro ces s es fo r the impro vement o f hea lth a nd s a fety in their
pla ce o f wo rk.

Training for employees


Emplo yers mus t ens ure emplo yees a re either s ufficiently experienced to do their wo rk o r a re a dequa tely s upervis ed by a n experienced pers o n. In a dditio n
emplo yees mus t be a dequa tely tra ined in the s a fe us e o f equipment in the wo rkpla ce, including pro tective clo thing a nd s a fety equipment.

Safet y of people who are not employees


Emplo yers a re a ls o res po ns ible fo r the hea lth a nd s a fety o f peo ple who a re no t emplo yees . Emplo yers mus t ta ke a ll pra ctica ble s teps to ens ure tha t
emplo yees do no t ha rm a ny o ther pers o n while they a re a t wo rk, including members o f the public o r vis ito rs to the pla ce o f wo rk.

Dut ies of employees and self employed persons


Emplo yees a nd s elf-emplo yed pers o ns a re res po ns ible fo r their o wn s a fety a nd hea lth while a t wo rk. They mus t a ls o ens ure tha t their a ctio ns do no t ha rm
a nyo ne els e. Ho wever, their res po ns ibilities do no t detra ct fro m tho s e o f the emplo yer o r principa l.

Dut ies of principals, cont ract ors, scaffolding erect ors and users of scaffolds
All tho s e invo lved in the erectio n, a ltera tio n, us e a nd dis ma ntling o f s ca ffo lding ha ve res po ns ibilities under the HSE Act, bo th fo r the s ca ffo lding pro ces s
a nd fo r the pro tectio n o f tho s e who us e the s ca ffo ld in the co urs e o f their wo rk. While the a ctua l s ca ffo lding pro ces s ca n va ry fro m pro ject to pro ject, it is
up to tho s e invo lved to cla rify their va rio us res po ns ibilities .
No te tha t a pa rty ca n ha ve res po ns ibilities s imulta neo us ly a s bo th a principa l a nd a n emplo yer.
Specific duties o f ea ch pa rty to the s ca ffo lding pro ces s ma y include the fo llo wing.

A. Pro perty develo pers , pro ject ma na gement co ns ulta nts , o wners , a nd pers o ns who co ntro l the wo rkpla ce need to ens ure tha t:
Adequa tely qua lified co ntra cto rs a nd co ns ulta nts a re emplo yed o n the pro ject.
Sufficient mo nies a re a va ila ble to fund the wo rks a nd the tempo ra ry wo rks s o tha t pro vis io ns ca n be ma de to pro tect emplo yers ,
emplo yees a nd o thers a ga ins t the va rio us ha za rds tha t ma y a ris e.

B. Ma in co ntra cto rs , pro ject ma na gement co ns ulta nts o r s ubco ntra cto rs who enga ge o thers o r co ntra ct fo r the erectio n o f a s ca ffo ld need to :
Pla n the wo rk to be ca rried o ut fro m the s ca ffo ld a nd s pecify a ny s pecia l requirements fo r the s ca ffo ld, e.g. a ny lo a ds the s ca ffo ld ma y be
expected to ca rry.
Co o rdina te the erectio n, us e a nd dis ma ntling o f the s ca ffo ld.
Ens ure the s a fety o f o thers who ma y be in the vicinity o f the s ca ffo ld, including members o f the public.
Pro vide fo r public pro tectio n, including ga ntries a nd s creening. This ma y include co o rdina tio n with lo ca l a utho rities a nd o bta ining permits
a s neces s a ry.
Pro vide info rma tio n a bo ut fo unda tio n co nditio ns fo r the s ca ffo ld including, if neces s a ry, info rma tio n a bo ut the s trength o f vera nda hs a nd
s us pended s la bs upo n which the s ca ffo ld is to be erected.
Pro vide info rma tio n a bo ut the pro ximity o f po werlines a nd pro tective metho ds .
Clea rly co mmunica te to the s ca ffo lding erecto r via s pecifica tio ns , dra wings , o r o ther info rma tio n, the s co pe a nd a ll requirements fo r the
s ca ffo ld.
Co o rdina te/delega te a ll s ubs equent ins pectio ns a nd a ltera tio ns needed to ens ure the s a fety o f the s ca ffo ld a nd tho s e us ing it. This includes
the need to ens ure tha t a s ca ffo ld regis ter o r s ca ffo ld reco rd s ys tem is kept up to da te.
Ens ure pro tectio n o f the s ca ffo ld fro m co ns tructio n vehicles o r o ther vehicles in the vicinity, including co o rdina tio n o f cra ne a ctivities o ver
the s ca ffo ld.

C. Sca ffo lding erectio n co mpa nies mus t:


Develo p a clea r unders ta nding o f the s ca ffo ld required a nd the wo rk tha t is to be ca rried o ut fro m the s ca ffo ld, including the need fo r
pro tective ga ntries , s creening, fo unda tio n co nditio ns , po wer ca bles , etc.
Des ign a nd pla n the s ca ffo ld a nd the erectio n pro ces s , including co o rdina tio n with o ther emplo yers who a re in the vicinity, to ens ure s a fety
during co ns tructio n, us e, a ltera tio n a nd la ter dis ma ntling o f the s ca ffo ld.
Pro vide a s ca ffo ld tha t co mplies with the ma nufa cturer's s pecifica tio n a nd the BPG .
On co mpletio n o f the erectio n o f the s ca ffo ld, ins pect a nd certify tha t it is s a fe fo r us e a nd ha nd o ver the s ca ffo ld to the principa l. The ha nd
o ver mus t include a ny info rma tio n tha t co uld a ffect s ubs equent us ers o f the s ca ffo ld a nd a ny limita tio ns o n the s ca ffo ld.
Co o rdina te with the principa l o n the need fo r s ubs equent ins pectio ns a nd a ltera tio ns a s wo rk pro ceeds o n the pro ject e.g. a ltera tio n o f
wo rking pla tfo rms , increa s ing the height o f the s ca ffo ld, etc.

D. Us ers o f the s ca ffo ld mus t:


Unders ta nd a ny limita tio ns o f the s ca ffo ld tha t co uld a ffect their wo rk, e.g. lo a d limits .
No t a lter the s ca ffo ld in a ny wa y.
Lia is e with the ma in co ntra cto r o r the s ca ffo ld erecto r to ha ve ties , wo rking pla tfo rms , etc relo ca ted o r a ltered a s neces s a ry.
Ca rry o ut their o wn wo rk s o a s no t to enda nger o thers in the vicinity.

Accident s and serious harm (records and not ificat ions)


The HSE Act requires emplo yers , principa ls a nd s elf-emplo yed peo ple to keep a regis ter o f a ll wo rk-rela ted a ccidents a nd s erio us ha rm. This includes every
a ccident tha t ha rmed o r might ha ve ha rmed a pers o n.
Emplo yers , principa ls a nd s elf-emplo yed peo ple a re a ls o required to inves tiga te a ll a ccidents , ha rm a nd nea r mis s es to determine whether they were
ca us ed by a s ignifica nt ha za rd.
Emplo yers , principa ls a nd s elf-emplo yed peo ple a re required to no tify s erio us ha rm tha t o ccurs to peo ple in the wo rkpla ce, o r in rela tio n to the wo rk being
co nducted to Wo rkSa fe NZ a s s o o n a s po s s ible. Wo rkSa fe NZ will a dvis e whether it wis hes to inves tiga te the a ccident a nd wha t a ctio n ma y be ta ken in
the mea ntime.

No tify s erio us ha rm

1.3.2 The Health and Safety in Employment Regulations 1995


Regula tio ns a re pro mulga ted fro m time to time under the HSE Act. Lega lly, the requirements o f bo th the Act a nd its regula tio ns mus t be co mplied with.
Regula tio ns ma y, a mo ng o ther things , impo s e duties o n emplo yers , emplo yees , des igners , ma nufa cturers , a nd o thers rela ting to hea lth a nd s a fety. Thes e
regula tio ns ma y a pply with res pect to pla ces o f wo rk, pla nt, pro ces s es o r s ubs ta nces a nd ma y dea l with pa rticula r pro blems tha t ha ve a ris en.
The ma in regula tio ns a pplying to s ca ffo lding a re the Hea lth a nd Sa fety in Emplo yment Regula tio ns 1995.
The Hea lth a nd Sa fety in Emplo yment Regula tio ns define s ca ffo lding a s :
Any a dva nced s ca ffo lding, ba s ic s ca ffo lding, o r s us pended s ca ffo lding o r a ny fra mewo rk o r s tructure, o f a tempo ra ry na ture, us ed o r intended to be us ed
fo r: the s uppo rt o r pro tectio n o f pers o ns ca rrying o ut co ns tructio n wo rk o r wo rk co nnected with co ns tructio n wo rk, fo r the purpo s e o f ca rrying o ut tha t
wo rk o r; the s uppo rt o f ma teria ls us ed in co nnectio n with a ny s uch wo rk. This includes a ny s ca ffo lding co ns tructed a s s uch a nd no t dis ma ntled, whether o r
no t it is being us ed a s s ca ffo lding, a nd a ls o includes a ny co upling, device, fa s tening, fitting, o r pla nk us ed in co nnectio n with the co ns tructio n, erectio n, o r
us e o f s ca ffo lding.
Other regula tio ns which ma y be releva nt to s ca ffo lding wo rk include tho s e rela ted to building a nd co ns tructio n, pro duct a nd ma teria l s pecifica tio ns , s a fety,
us e o f da ngero us pro ducts (including a s bes to s ) a nd res o urce ma na gement.
Regula tio ns a nd legis la tio n ma y be s ea rched a nd a cces s ed via the link belo w.
http://www.legis la tio n.go vt.nz/

1.3.3 Scope of scaffolding work in the HSE Regulations


Basic scaffolding includes:
Fa ll a rres t s ys tems .
Free s ta nding mo dula r s ca ffo lding s ys tems .
G in wheels .
Ro pes .
Sta tic lines .

Suspended scaffolding includes:


Bo a ts wa in's cha irs , whether ha nd ha uled o r mecha nica l.
Swing s ta ges , whether ha nd ha uled o r mecha nica l.

Advanced scaffolding includes:


Ba s ic s ca ffo lding.
Sus pended s ca ffo lding.
Ba rro w ra mps .
Bra cket s ca ffo lds fo r ta nk wo rk a nd fo rmwo rk.
Ca ntilevered s ca ffo lds .
Ca tch nets .
Ho is ts tha t a re ca ntilevered fro m a s ca ffo ld, ha ve a lo a d limit no t exceeding 250kg a nd a re us ed fo r ma teria ls o nly.
Hung s ca ffo lding, including s ca ffo lding hung fro m a cha in, tube o r wire ro pe
Lo a d pla tfo rms ca ntilevered fro m a s ca ffo ld.
Ma s t climbers .
Sa fety nets fo r public pro tectio n.
Sca ffo lding a s s o cia ted with perimeter s a fety s creens o r s hutters .
Slo ping pla tfo rms .
Spurred s ca ffo lds .
Tube a nd fitting s ca ffo lding, including co vered wa ys o r ga ntries ma de o f tube a nd fitting s ca ffo lding.
Bo a ts wa in's cha irs , whether ha nd ha uled o r mecha nica l.
Swing s ta ges , whether ha nd ha uled o r mecha nica l.

1.3.4 Duty in relation to scaffolding under the HSE Regulations


Sca ffo lding mus t be:

Suita ble fo r the purpo s e fo r which it is to be us ed.


Pro perly co ns tructed o f s o und ma teria ls .
Co ns tructed with s ufficient res erve o f s trength ha ving rega rd to the lo a ds a nd s tres s es to which it ma y be s ubjected.
Sufficient in a mo unt fo r the purpo s e fo r which it is to be us ed.

Thes e duties a re the prima ry res po ns ibility o f the emplo yer under the Hea lth a nd Sa fety Regula tio ns .

Requirement s of t he scaffolder:
Ha ve a tho ro ugh kno wledge o f the us e o r us es in rega rd to the type o r types o f s ca ffo lding being erected, a ltered o r dis ma ntled.
Ha ve a tho ro ugh kno wledge o f the erectio n, ma intena nce, repa ir a nd dis ma ntling in rega rd to the type o r types o f s ca ffo lding being emplo yed.
Ha ve a tho ro ugh kno wledge o f the pra ctices tha t mus t be fo llo wed in rega rd to the type o r types o f s ca ffo lding being erected, a ltered o r
dis ma ntled.
Ha ve s uita ble tra ining, including recent experience, in the us e, erectio n, ma intena nce a nd dis ma ntling o f s ca ffo lding in rega rd to the type o r types o f
s ca ffo lding being emplo yed.

Thes e duties a re a pplied with rega rd to ea ch cla s s o f certifica te o f co mpetence a s prerequis ites fo r its is s ue o r renewa l.

1.4 Scaffolding t erminology


A-B | C-D | E-F | G -H | I-J | K-L | M-N | O-P | Q-R | S-T | U-V | W-X-Y-Z

A-B
Acces s o ry: A fitting tha t is a ble to be a tta ched to a s tructura l member o f a s ca ffo ld, o r to jo in a s tructura l member to s o mething els e.
Acces s pla tfo rm: A pla tfo rm tha t gives a cces s to a nd fro m pla ces o f wo rk fo r pers o ns , ma teria ls o r equipment.
Act: The Hea lth a nd Sa fety in Emplo yment Act 1992.
Adjus ta ble ba s epla te: A ba s epla te with a n a djus ta ble leg.
Adjus ta ble leg: A threa ded ba r o r tube with nut des igned to fit ins ide a s ta nda rd to s uppo rt the lo a d fro m the s ta nda rd. Us ed fo r levelling in co njunctio n
with a ba s epla te, U-hea d o r ca s to r.
Adjus ta ble wrench: Cres cent o r s hifter.
Ancho ra ge: Co mpo nents ca s t o r fixed (tempo ra rily o r perma nently into the building o r s tructure fo r the purpo s e o f a tta ching a s ca ffo ld tie a nd/o r a
ha rnes s s ys tem.
Als o refers to the ho lding do wn s ys tem fo r ca ntilevered bea ms when referring to s us pended s ca ffo lds o r ca ntilevered s ca ffo ld.
Ba rro w ra mp: Sca ffo ld des igned with a s lo ping ra mp with clea ts to prevent s lipping. Us ed to pus h a wheel-ba rro w up a nd do wn o n. A type o f s lo ping
pla tfo rm.
Ba s eja ck: Adjus ta ble ba s epla te.
Ba s epla te: A pla te o f s teel tha t is a ble to dis tribute the lo a d fro m a lo a d-bea ring member to a s uppo rting s tructure.
Ba y length: The ho rizo nta l dis ta nce between two lo ngitudina l-a dja cent s ta nda rds o r the ho rizo nta l dis ta nce between s uppo rt po ints o n a s us pended
s winging s ta ge.
Ba y width: The ho rizo nta l dis ta nce between a ny two tra ns vers ely a dja cent s ta nda rds o r the width o f a s us pended s wing s ta ge.
Bea m cha ffer: A s ho rt length o f ma teria l, s o metimes ha lf ro und us ed to pro tect the s ha rp edge o f a bea m when us ing ro pes s lings o r cha ins .
Bea m cla mp: A fitting tha t is a ble to s ecure tube, s ling o r cha in to a univers a l bea m (UB) ro lled s teel jo is t (RSJ) o r ta pered fla nge bea m.
Birdca ge s ca ffo ld: An independent s ca ffo ld genera lly us ed to a cces s a la rge a rea like a ceiling. Sca ffo ld us ed to fill in a vo id.
Building Ma intena nce Unit (BMU): Prefa brica ted s winging s ta ge perma nently fixed o n a building.
Bo a rds : Sca ffo ld pla nk.
Bo a ts wa in's cha ir: A s us pended s ca ffo ld o f which the pla tfo rm is a cha ir o r s imila r device s uita ble fo r o ne pers o n. It ca n be ra is ed o r lo wered mecha nica lly
o r by ha nd ha ula ge.
Bo x tie: A tie a s s embly tha t is po s itively fixed to every s ide o f a co lumn o r bea m.
Bra ce: A member fixed dia go na lly to two o r mo re members o f a s ca ffo ld to pro vide rigidity to the s ca ffo ld.
Bra cket: Engineer des igned bra cket tha t is a tta ched to a s tructure to s uppo rt a s ca ffo ld.
Brickgua rd: A mes hed pa nel s ecured between s ta nda rds tha t ha ngs between the to p gua rdra il to the deck level. It s o metimes inco rpo ra tes a to ebo a rd.
Butt: A s ho rt length o f tube co mmo nly fixed to a s ca ffo ld a nd butted up a ga ins t a no ther s tructure.
Butterfly co upler: Single do uble fla p co upler.
Butt pla nk: Sta nda rd s ca ffo ld pla nks butted end to end a s o ppo s ed to la pping.
To p

C-D
Ca ntilevered s ca ffo ld: A s ca ffo ld tha t is s uppo rted o n lo a d-bea ring members tha t a re extended fro m the s tructure a nd held within the s tructure by thro ugh
bo lts o r pro pping.
Ca s to r: A s wivelling wheel a tta ched to the lo wer end o f a s ta nda rd, fo r the purpo s e o f s uppo rting a mo ving s ca ffo ld.
Ca tch fa n: A ca ntilevered pla tfo rm o r s tructure a tta ched to a s ca ffo ld to co nta in fa lling debris a nd pro vide pro tectio n belo w the s ca ffo lding. Als o us ed
generica lly fo r ca tch pla tfo rms & ca tch s creens
Ca tch pla tfo rm: A pla tfo rm a tta ched to a s ca ffo ld, to co nta in fa lling debris .
Ca tch s creen: A s creen a tta ched to a s ca ffo ld to , to co nta in fa lling debris .
Certifica te o f Co mpetence: Under New Z ea la nd la w a s ca ffo lder requires a current Certifica te o f Co mpetence to erect, a lter a nd dis ma ntle no tifia ble
s ca ffo lds . Certifica tes o f Co mpetence a re is s ued in Ba s ic, Adva nced a nd Sus pended ca tego ries a nd a re endo rs ed fo r different types o f s ca ffo lding.
Cha rtered Engineer: A Cha rtered Pro fes s io na l Engineer (CPEng) is a s ta tuto ry qua lity ma rk tha t indica tes a pro fes s io na l engineer's current co mpetence to
pra ctice in New Z ea la nd. Cha rtered Pro fes s io na l Engineers a re lis ted publicly o n the CPEng regis ter a t www.ipenz.o rg.nz/ipenz/
Check co upler: A right a ngle co upler o r s wivel co upler tha t is fixed ha rd up a ga ins t a lo a d bea ring co upler to res trict o r prevent s lippa ge o f the lo a d
bea ring co upler a lo ng the tube.
Cho rd: A principa l lo ngitudina l member o f a s ca ffo ld bea m o r trus s .
Co lumn tie: Refer bo x tie.
Co mpetent pers o n: A pers o n who ha s the kno wledge a nd s kills to ca rry o ut a pa rticula r ta s k. Skills a nd kno wledge ma y be a cquired thro ugh tra ining,
qua lifica tio n, o r experience, o r a co mbina tio n o f thes e.
Co nta inment s heeting: Screening a tta ched to a s ca ffo ld to prevent the dis lo dgment o f to o ls a nd ma teria ls fro m a wo rking pla tfo rm o r to pro tect the
peo ple us ing the s ca ffo ld fro m the elements .
Co unter weight: A weight o r s eries o f weights tha t co unterba la nce a s ca ffo ld a ga ins t o verturning.
Co upler: A fitting tha t jo ins two tubes .
Cra dle: The po rtio n o f a s us pended s ca ffo ld tha t inco rpo ra tes a s us pended pla tfo rm.
Cra ne: A mecha nica l lifting ma chine (to wer cra ne o r mo bile cra ne).
Direct s upervis io n: In this co ntext direct s upervis io n mea ns within rea ch, o r within vis ua l co nta ct to ens ure immedia te a s s is ta nce ca n be pro vided in the
event o f a n emergency.
Dis ma ntle: To dis a s s emble a s ca ffo ld.
Do g leg bra ce: A tra ns vers e bra ce.
DOL: The Depa rtment o f La bo ur
Do uble co upler: A right a ngle co upler.
Do uble ro pe s us pens io n s ys tem: A metho d o f s us pending a s winging s ta ge o r bo a ts wa ins cha ir us ing two ro pes per s us pens io n po int.
Dro p s ca ffo ld o r Dro pper: A ha nging s ca ffo ld o r hung s ca ffo ld.
Dunna ge: Pa cking us ed under a lo a d to a llo w fo rklift a cces s o r to a llo w s linging devices to be pa s s ed under the lo a d. Ca n be us ed to dis tribute the lo a d o r
to s uppo rt pa rt o f the lo a d.
Duty s ca ffo ld: Live lo a ds permitted o n a s ca ffo ld ba y, (light, medium, hea vy o r s pecia l) peo ple, pla nt a nd ma teria ls .

E-F
Edge pro tectio n: A ba rrier o r s ys tem to prevent a fa ll fro m height.
Egres s : Exit a n a rea o r wo rk pla tfo rm. (Oppo s ite to a cces s ).
Electrica l co nducto r wires : Po wer lines .
End to end co upler: A co upler us ed to jo in two tubes end to end (jo iner, interna l o r externa l).
Erectio n: To a s s emble a s ca ffo ld.
Externa l jo iner: A co upler us ed to jo in two tubes end to end tha t fit o ver the o uts ide o f the tubes (mus t ha ve a s epa ra tio n pla te between the tubes ).
Eye bo lt: A co mpo nent tha t a tta ches to a s tructure with a n eye to ena ble s o mething to be s ecured.
Fa ce bra ce: A lo ngitudina l bra ce.
Fa cto r o f s a fety: The ra tio between the ultima te a nd permis s ible s tres s .
Fa ls e s ta nda rd: A puncheo n.
Fa ls ewo rk: Any tempo ra ry s tructure us ed to s uppo rt a perma nent s tructure while the perma nent s tructure is no t s elf s uppo rting.
Fibre ro pe: A na tura l fibre ro pe us ed fo r ha nd ha ula ge.
Fla nge cla mp: A lo a d-bea ring cla mp fo r co nnecting tube to a fla nge o f a s tructura l s teel member.
Fo o twea r: Sa fety s ho es o r bo o ts us ed o n co ns tructio n s ites .
Fo rkhea d: U-Hea d ja ck us ed fo r s uppo rting a nd lo ca ting a s ta nda rd o ver a bea rer o r a bea rer o ver a s ta nda rd.
Fo unda tio ns : The s uppo rt benea th a s ca ffo ld o r s tructure tha t dis tributes the impo s ed lo a ds (gro und).
Fra me s ca ffo ld: A s ca ffo ld a s s embled fro m prefa brica ted fra mes , bra ces a nd a cces s o ries .
Frees ta nding s ca ffo ld: A s ca ffo ld tha t is no t a tta ched to a ny o ther s tructure a nd is s ta ble a ga ins t o verturning o n its o wn a cco unt o r if neces s a ry a s s is ted
by s ta bilis ers , o utriggers , o r ra ker o r bo ls ter ba ys .
Fulcrum po int: The po int o f pivo t nea res t the o uts ide edge o f a s us pens io n rig a nd a bo ut which the ba la ncing mo ments o f a s us pens io n rig a re ca lcula ted.
To p

G-H
G a ntry: A s tructure tha t is prima rily intended to s uppo rt a pro tectio n deck o r po rta ble building. A ga ntry ca n be co ns tructed fro m s ca ffo lding, s tructura l
s teel o r timber.
G irder clip: A fla nge clip o r bea m cla mp.
G irder tro lley: An a s s embly tha t lo cks o ver a s teel fla nge but ca n be ro lled a lo ng the fla nge.
G in wheel: A wheel hung fro m a s ca ffo ld tha t a ro pe runs thro ugh to ra is e a nd lo wer ma teria ls .
G ua rdra il: A ho rizo nta l s tructura l member to prevent pers o ns fro m fa lling o ff a ny pla tfo rm, wa lkwa y, s ta irs o r la nding.
H Fra me: A prefa brica ted fra me in the s ha pe o f a n H.
Ha mmer: Sca ffo lders ' po dger ha mmer.
Ha nd ba lling: Pa s s ing equipment fro m o ne level o f a s ca ffo ld to a no ther.
Ha nd o ver certifica te: A certifica te certifying a s ca ffo ld s a fe a nd giving its individua l s pecifica tio ns tha t the client s igns a nd returns .
Ha nd ra il: A ra il to pro vide ha ndho ld o n a pla tfo rm o r s ta irwa y. It ma y fo rm pa rt o f a gua rdra il.
To pHa nging s ca ffo ld: A wo rking pla tfo rm hung by tubes , bo lts , fixed ro pe s lings o r o ther metho ds a nd no t intended fo r ra is ing o r lo wering while in us e.
Als o kno wn a s hung s ca ffo ld.
Height: The dis ta nce a pers o n ca n fa ll fro m a s ca ffo ld.
Height o f s ca ffo ld: The vertica l dis ta nce fro m the s uppo rting s tructure to the highes t wo rking pla tfo rm.
Hea vy duty: The duty lo a ding o f a s ca ffo ld to 675kg per ba y (men, ma teria ls a nd pla nt).
Hemping: The pro ces s o f jo ining a dditio na l s ta nda rds to the to p o f exis ting s ta nda rds . Als o referred to a s to pping up.
Ho a rdings : Pa nels us ed to pa rtitio n a rea s like wa lkwa ys a nd perimeter fences - us ed to co nta in a nd pro tect.
Ho is t: Mecha nica l a s s embly fo r ra is ing a nd lo wering pers o nnel o r ma teria ls (s winging s ta ge mo to r).

I-J
Inbo a rd: The po rtio n o f a s us pens io n rig tha t is o n the ins ide o f the fulcrum (ta il length) o f a n o utrigger o r needle.
Ins ide Dia meter (ID): The dis ta nce a cro s s the ins ide o f a circula r o bject, pipe o r s imila r.
Interna l jo iner: An interna l end to end co upler fo r jo ining two tubes .
Jo iner: A co upler fo r jo ining two tubes end to end (externa l a nd interna l).
Jo int pin: Sa me a s interna l jo iner.

K-L
Keeper clip: A check co upler.
Key: Sca ffo ld s pa nner.
Kickbo a rd: A to ebo a rd.
La dder: An a pplia nce o n which a pers o n ma y a s cend o r des cend, co ns is ting o f two s tiles jo ined a t regula r interva ls by cro s s pieces (clea ts , rungs s teps o r
trea ds ).
La dder a cces s to wer: An independent s ca ffo ld ba y a tta ched to a s ca ffo ld with interna l la dder a cces s pro vided.
La dder bea m: A s ca ffo ld bea m with cho rd s tiffeners a t right a ngles to the cho rds (a bea m in the ba s ic s ha pe a s a la dder o n its s ide).
La dder bra cket: A bra cket s ca ffo ld co ns is ting o f two o r mo re la dders tha t s uppo rt pla nks by mea ns o f bra ckets , to pro vide a wo rking pla tfo rm.
La dder cla mp: A fitting inco rpo ra ting a bo lt a nd a nut us ed to s ecure a la dder to a s ca ffo ld tube.
La nding: A level a rea pro viding a cces s to a s ta irwa y o r la dder, o r lo ca ted a t a n intermedia te level in a s ys tem o f s ta irwa ys a nd la ndings .
La nya rd: An a s s embly des igned to co nnect a ha rnes s to a n a ncho r po int.
Ledger: A ho rizo nta l s tructura l member tha t lo ngitudina lly s pa ns between a dja cent s ta nda rds .
To pLevel: A device us ed to find the vertica l, ho rizo nta l a nd s o metimes 45 degrees o f a s ca ffo lding member.
Lever a rm: The dis ta nce between the fulcrum po int a nd the centre o f gra vity o f a s us pens io n rig.
Lift: The vertica l dis ta nce fro m the s uppo rting s urfa ce to the lo wes t ledger o f a s ca ffo ld o r level a t which a pla tfo rm ca n be co ns tructed.
Als o , the vertica l dis ta nce between a dja cent ledgers o f a s ca ffo ld a t which a pla tfo rm ca n be co ns tructed (a vera ge lift 2.0m).
Light duty: The duty lo a ding o f a s ca ffo ld to 225kg per ba y (men, ma teria ls a nd pla nt).
Lo a d limiting device: A device tha t limits the lifting ca pa city o f a s ca ffo ld ho is t - us ua lly to a lo a d lighter tha n the s ta lling lo a d o f the ho is t.
Lo a ding ba y: A pla tfo rm o n a s ca ffo ld fo r the s to ra ge o f ma teria ls a nd pla nt. Als o kno wn a s a lo a ding pla tfo rm.
Lo ngitudina l bra ce: A bra ce in the vertica l pla ne o n the fa ce o f a s ca ffo ld to s to p lo ngitudina l mo vement o f the s ca ffo ld.

M-N
Ma s t climber: A ma s t climbing wo rk pla tfo rm. A wo rk pla tfo rm us ed fo r tempo ra ry purpo s es to ra is e pers o nnel a nd ma teria ls to a wo rking po s itio n, o r to a
wo rking flo o r level by mea ns s uch a s a ra ck a nd pinio n drive mo unted o n a n extenda ble ma s t, which ca n be tied to a building.
Medium duty: The duty lo a ding o f a s ca ffo ld to 450kg per ba y (men, ma teria ls a nd pla nt).
Member: Anything tha t fo rms pa rt o f the s ca ffo ld a s s embly.
Mes h: Screening us ed o n a s ca ffo ld to prevent dis lo dgment o f pla nt a nd ma teria ls a nd to pro tect wo rkers fro m enviro nmenta l co nditio ns .
Mes h pa nels : Sa me a s a Brickgua rd.
Mid ra il: A member fixed pa ra llel to a nd a bo ve a pla tfo rm, between the gua rdra il a nd the pla tfo rm.
Mo bile s ca ffo ld: An independent frees ta nding s ca ffo ld tha t is mo unted o n ca s to rs .
Mo dula r s ca ffo ld: A prefa brica ted s ca ffo ld a s s embly with individua l co mpo nents , bra ces a nd a cces s o ries o f s et s izes .
Needle: A ca ntilevered s tructura l member tha t s uppo rts a s ca ffo ld.
Ninety degree co upler: A right a ngle co upler.
Ninety degree co upler: A right a ngle co upler.
No de po int: A fixed junctio n between a ledger o r tra ns o m a nd a s ta nda rd.
No mina l Bo re (NB): The ins ide dia meter o f a tube (40mm NB).
No tifia ble wo rk: Pa rticula r ha za rdo us wo rk, a s lis ted in the Hea lth a nd Sa fety in Emplo yment Regula tio ns , tha t mus t be no tified to DOL by wa y o f a written
no tifica tio n fo rm.

O-P
Outbo a rd: The po rtio n o f a s us pens io n rig tha t is o n the o uts ide o f the fulcrum po int (o verha ng).
To pOutrigger: The member o f a s us pens io n rig tha t a cts a s a needle o r a co mpo nent tha t increa s es the effective ba s e dimens io n o f a to wer a nd is
a tta ched to a vertica l lo a d bea ring member.
Outs ide Dia meter (OD): The dis ta nce a cro s s the o uts ide o f a circula r o bject.
Pa ra llel co upler: A lo a d bea ring co upler fo r ma king a la p o r s plice jo int between tubes .
Pa ra pet: A vertica l element us ua lly lo ca ted a t the edge o f a ba lco ny, ro o f, bridge o r s imila r.
Pa ra pet ho o k: A cla mp o r bra cket pla ced o ver a pa ra pet fro m which to s us pend a s ca ffo ld.
Pers o nnel ho is t: A mecha nica l ho is t des igned to ca rry peo ple.
Pintle: A pro jectio n a t the to p o f a ca s to r tha t is us ed to lo ca te the vertica l member o f a mo bile s ca ffo ld (150mm minimum s tem).
Pla n bra ce: A bra ce in the ho rizo nta l pla ne tha t is a tta ched to s ta nda rds o n o ppo s ite s ides o f a s ca ffo ld.
Pla nk: A co mpo nent us ed to fo rm a wo rking pla tfo rm o r deck.
Pla tfo rm: An eleva ted s urfa ce.
Pla tfo rm bra cket: A bra cket a tta ched to a s ca ffo ld tha t a llo ws a pla tfo rm to be pla ced between the s ca ffo ld a nd the building o r s tructure.
Po dger ha mmer: A s teel to o l us ed fo r the lo cking a nd relea s ing o f typica l mo dula r s ca ffo lding fixing devices . Ma y ha ve a ta pered lo ca ting end fo r centring
ho les in two o bjects pla ced to gether.
Prefa brica ted pla tfo rm: A fra med a s s embly o f o ne ba y length, inco rpo ra ting a wa lking s urfa ce, tha t is ca pa ble o f co nnecting to its s uppo rt s tructure (deck
o r ha tch deck).
Prefa brica ted s ca ffo ld: A s ca ffo ld a s s embly fro m prefa brica ted co mpo nents a nd ma nufa ctured s o tha t the co mpo nents o f the s ca ffo ld a re predetermined.
Pro ducer s ta tement: A s uite o f do cuments (PS1-PS4) to pro vide Building Co ns ent Autho rities (BCAs ) with rea s o na ble gro unds fo r the is s ue o f a Building
Co ns ent o r a Co de Co mplia nce Certifica te.
Pro p: A s ca ffo ld a s s embly us ed to s uppo rt a lo a d tha t is a djus ta ble.
Puncheo n: A vertica l s uppo rting member s uppo rted fro m a no ther s tructura l member o f a s ca ffo ld.
Putlo g: A ho rizo nta l s tructura l member s pa nning between ledgers o r s ta nda rds (tube tra ns o m) tha t is intended to s uppo rt a pla tfo rm.
Putlo g co upler: A co upler fo r fixing a putlo g to a ledger (s ingle co upler).

Q-R
Ra fter clip: A fitting tha t is a ble to fix a timber bea rer to a s ca ffo ld (e.g. butterfly co upler).
Ra ker: A co mpo nent tha t increa s es the effective ba s e dimens io n o f a s ca ffo ld.
Reductio n co upler: A right a ngle co upler o r s wivel tha t is a ble to jo in two tubes o f different o uts ide dia meters (3x2 co upler). It s ho uld be ma rked a nd
clea rly identifia ble. .
Return: A pa rt o f a s ca ffo ld s et up a ro und a co rner o f a building o r s tructure.
Return tra ns o m: A tra ns o m us ed in mo dula r s ca ffo lding tha t is a ble to fix a s ca ffo ld return a t right a ngles to the run o f s ca ffo ld by being s ecured to o r being
pa rt o f a ledger.
To pRevea l: Interna l s ide s urfa ce o f a n o pening o r reces s .
Revea l tie: A s ca ffo lding a s s embly us ed in co mpres s io n within a revea l to s ecure a s ca ffo ld to a s tructure.
Right Angle Co upler (RA): A no n s wivel lo a d bea ring co upler, o ther tha n a putlo g co upler, fo r co nnecting two tubes a t right a ngles .
Ro o f edge pro tectio n: A ba rrier o r s ys tem to prevent wo rkers fa lling fro m the ro o f.
To p

S-T
Sa fety ha rnes s : Fa ll a rres t device fo r a rres ting a fa ll, co ns is ting o f ha rnes s , la nya rd, s ho ck a bs o rber a nd s ca ffo ld ho o k.
Sa fety helmet: Pro tective hea dwea r.
Sa fety po licy: Sta tement o f intent a nd co mmitment to pro vide a s a fe pla ce o f wo rk a nd is no rma lly s igned by s enio r ma na gement.
Sa fety ro pe: A s eco nda ry ro pe.
Sa fe Wo rking Lo a d (SWL): The ma ximum lo a d pla ced upo n a n item o r a s s embly tha t is deemed s a fe, which is well belo w the brea king lo a d, fa ilure lo a d o r
ma ximum lo a d permitted o n the item o r a s s embly.
Sca ffo ld: Refer to s ectio n 1.1 a bo ve.
Sca ffo lder: A pers o n enga ged in erecting, a ltering o r dis ma ntling s ca ffo lding.
Sca ffo lding equipment: Any co mpo nent, a s s embly o r ma chine us ed fo r the co ns tructio n o f s ca ffo lding.
Sca ffo lding ho is t: A lifting a pplia nce (ma nua lly o pera ted o r po wer o pera ted) thro ugh which the s us pens io n ro pe pa s s es .
Screening: Mes h us ed o n a s ca ffo ld to prevent dis lo dgement o f pla nt a nd ma teria ls a nd to pro tect wo rkers fro m enviro nmenta l co nditio ns .
Seco nda ry ro pe: A ro pe no t no rma lly ca rrying the weight o f a cra dle, s us pended wo rk pla tfo rm o r impo s ed lo a d but rigged fo r us e a s a s eco nda ry
pro tective device.
Sha ckle: A ra ted co mpo nent with a remo va ble pin des igned to co nnect a "ca ble" to a s uppo rting s tructure (e.g. D s ha ckle o r Bo w s ha ckle).
Shutter bra cket s ca ffo ld: A bra cket s ca ffo ld where the bra ckets a re a tta ched to fo rmwo rk s hutters .
Side ra il: A s tile o n a la dder.
Single co upler: A putlo g co upler either s ingle bla de o r do uble bla ded.
Sleeve co upler: An externa l end to end co upler.
Sling: A lifting device (e.g. web s ling, cha ins , wire ro pes a nd ro pes ).
So lebo a rd o r s o lepla te: A member us ed to dis tribute a lo a d thro ugh a ba s epla te to the s uppo rting s urfa ce o r s uppo rting s tructure.
Slo ping pla tfo rm: Pla tfo rms fo rmed when s ca ffo lding is erected a t a n a ngle up o r do wn o n o r fro m a co nventio na l level s ca ffo ld.
Spa n: The dis ta nce mea s ured a lo ng a member between the centre lines o f s uppo rt po ints (e.g., bea rers s uppo rting a s ca ffo ld pla nk).
To pSpa nner: A s ca ffo lding to o l fo r a djus ting nuts .
Spirit level: A device us ed to find the vertica l, ho rizo nta l a nd s o metimes 45 degrees o f a s ca ffo lding member.
Spur: An inclined lo a d-bea ring member tha t tra ns mits a lo a d to a no ther s tructura l member o f the s ca ffo ld o r to a s uppo rting s tructure.
Spurred s ca ffo ld: A s ca ffo ld tha t is pa rtia lly s uppo rted by inclined lo a d-bea ring members .
Sta bility: Security o f a s ca ffo ld a ga ins t mo vement a nd o verturning.
Sta bilis er: A co mpo nent tha t increa s es the effective ba s e dimens io ns o f a to wer a nd is a tta ched to a vertica l lo a d-bea ring member.
Sta ir trea d bra cket o r fitting A fitting us ed to fix a s tringer in o rder to s uppo rt a s ta ir trea d to ma ke pa rt o f a s ta ir unit.
Sta ir unit: An a s s embly o f s tringers , trea ds , gua rdra ils a nd la ndings us ed o n a s ca ffo ld to tra ns po rt men, ma teria l a nd pla nt fro m o ne level to a no ther.
Sta nchio n: A vertica l member us ed to s uppo rt a gua rdra il, mes h pa nel o r s imila r.
Sta nda rd: A vertica l s tructura l member tha t tra ns mits a lo a d to a s uppo rting s urfa ce o r s tructure
Stile: A member in a la dder tha t s uppo rts rungs , s teps o r trea ds .
Stilla ge: A s ca ffo ld ba s ket o r fra mewo rk des igned to ho ld s ca ffo lding co mpo nents .
Sto p: An a tta chment tha t will limit tra vers ing o f a s us pended wo rk pla tfo rm.
Sto p end: G ua rdra ils fitted to a s ca ffo ld between s ta nda rds a t the end o f a ba y.
Stringer: An inclined member us ed to s uppo rt s ta ir trea ds .
Strut: A s ca ffo lding member tha t s uppo rts a co mpres s ive fo rce.
Stud bra cket s ca ffo ld: A bra cket s ca ffo ld o f which the bra ckets a re a tta ched to s tuds o f a timber fra me building.
Suppo rting s tructure: A s tructure, s tructura l member o r fo unda tio n tha t s uppo rts a s ca ffo ld.
Sus pens io n po int: A po int a t which a s us pens io n ro pe is co nnected to a s us pens io n rig.
Sus pens io n rig: A po rtio n o f a s tructure (including a tro lley tra ck) tha t is mo unted a t a higher level tha n tha t o f a cra dle a nd s uppo rts a nd po s itio ns the
cra dle.
Sus pens io n ro pe: A ro pe ca rrying the weight o f a cra dle a nd s uppo rting the impo s ed lo a ds .
Swinging s ta ge: A s us pended s ca ffo ld pla tfo rm tha t ca n be ra is ed o r lo wered mecha nica lly o r by ha nd ha ula ge.
Swivel co upler: A co upler fo r co nnecting two tubes a t a ny a ngle.
Ta nk bra cket s ca ffo ld: A bra cket s ca ffo ld o f which the bra ckets a re a ble to be a tta ched to the fa ce o f a meta l ta nk, duct, bo iler, s tructura l bea m o r s imila r.
Three by two : A right a ngle co upler o r s wivel tha t is a ble to jo in two tubes o f different o uts ide dia meters (3x2 co upler).
Thro ugh tie: A tie a s s embly tha t is po s itively fixed to bo th s ides o f a n o pening thro ugh a building o r s tructure.
To pTie: A member o r a s s embly o f members us ed to tie a s ca ffo ld to a s uppo rting s tructure.
Tie ba r: A member a ble to be fixed to the ca ntilevered end o f a pa ir o f pla tfo rm bra ckets (ho p up bra ckets ) to prevent the bra ckets fro m s prea ding a nd the
pla nks fro m beco ming dis lo dged.
To ebo a rd: A s ca ffo ld pla nk, kickbo a rd o r purpo s e des igned co mpo nent fixed o n edge a t the edge o f the pla tfo rm to prevent ma teria ls fa lling fro m the
pla tfo rm.
To ebo a rd clip: A fitting us ed to s ecure a to ebo a rd to a s ta nda rd o r s ta nchio n.
Tra inee: A tra inee s ca ffo lder.
Tra ns o m: A ho rizo nta l s tructura l member tra ns vers ely s pa nning a n independent s ca ffo ld between s ta nda rds .
Tra ns vers e bra ce: A bra ce in a pla ne tha t is vertica l a nd a t right a ngles to the building o r s tructure (e.g. do gleg o r pa ra llel bra ce).
Tra p do o r: A ha tch o r o pening pla tfo rm.
Tra vers ing s us pens io n rig: A s us pens io n rig mo unted o n wheels o r ca s to rs s uppo rting a cra dle.
Tres tle s ca ffo ld: A s ca ffo ld co ns is ting o f tres tles a nd pla nks .
Tro lley: A wheeled mecha nis m tha t is a ble to s uppo rt a n a eria l ho is t a nd is ca pa ble o f tra velling a lo ng a s us pended tra ck.
Tro lley tra ck: A s us pens io n ra il tha t s uppo rts a nd guides tro lleys in tra vers ing.
Tube a nd fitting co vered wa y: An independent tube a nd fitting s ca ffo ld tha t is prima rily intended to pro vide o verhea d pro tectio n.

U-V
Uhea d ja ck: A fo rk hea d ja ck.
Unifo rmly Dis tributed Lo a d (UDL): A lo a d dis tributed evenly a lo ng the length o f a member.
Unit bea m: A s ca ffo ld bea m tha t inco rpo ra tes dia go na l cho rd s tiffeners .
Ves s el s ca ffo lding: Sca ffo lding tha t is erected a ro und a s tructure with a curved pro file (e.g. a ta nk o r chimney). It genera lly enco mpa s s es the entire fa ce o f
the ves s el.

W-X-Y-Z
Webbing s lings : A s ling o r s ling device ma de o f webbing.
Whipping: The wra pping o r tying o f a n end o f cut ro pe to s to p fra ying o r unra velling.
Winch: Mecha nica l a s s embly fo r ra is ing a nd lo wering ma teria ls .
Wire ro pe grips : Bull do g clips .
Wo rking lo a d limit: The ma ximum wo rking lo a d tha t ma y be a pplied to a ny co mpo nent o r s ys tem, under genera l co nditio ns o f us e.
Wo rking pla tfo rm: A pla tfo rm tha t is intended to s uppo rt pers o ns , ma teria ls a nd equipment.

Section 2: Safety in scaffolding

2.1 Fall prevent ion


2.1.1 General approach
During the s ca ffo lding pro ces s , s ca ffo lders will no rma lly be fa ced with a po tentia l fa ll fro m height ha za rd. It is es s entia l tha t a ll pra ctica ble s teps a re ta ken
to co ntro l this ha za rd a nd tha t the hiera rchy o f co ntro l is a pplied to the ha za rd ma na gement pro ces s .
In a dditio n, a cces s a nd egres s to a rea s o f a building o r s tructure where s ca ffo lding is to o ccur s o metimes pres ents the ha za rd o f a fa ll. Pa rt o f the ta s k
a na lys is pro ces s is to identify this a nd develo p co ntro ls rela ting to the ha za rds .
Sa fety ha rnes s es mus t be wo rn a t a ll times when wo rking o n a ll s ca ffo lds a bo ve 5.0m high. They a re pa rt o f a s ca ffo lder's pers o na l pro tectio n equipment.
If a s a fety ha rnes s is no t being wo rn, the s ca ffo lder is no t a dequa tely prepa red to limit the ha rm tha t co uld res ult fro m a fa ll. Prepa rednes s is wea ring a
ha rnes s a nd being a ble to s ecure the la nya rd to a n a ncho r po int.
The fo llo wing lo o ks a t the hiera rchy o f ris k ma na gement o ptio ns when s ca ffo lding to co mply with ha za rd ma na gement requirements (the pro cedures ca n
be a ltered to s uit a ny s ca ffo ld s ys tem).

2.1.2 Eliminating fall hazards


The na ture o f the s ca ffo lding pro ces s mea ns tha t elimina ting the fa ll ha za rd will no t be pra ctica ble in ma ny ca s es . Ho wever, co ns idera tio n mus t be given
to this metho d befo re rejecting it. With go o d pla nning (including befo re yo u get to the s ite) yo u ma y us e elimina tio n a s a mea ns o f keeping s ca ffo lders
free fro m the ris k o f a fa ll. Co ns ider the fo llo wing (this is no t a co mplete lis t):

Wha t a re yo u trying to a chieve a nd fo r wha t purpo s e is the s ca ffo ld required? Ca n the ris k o f a fa ll be elimina ted by cha nging the des ign o f the
s ca ffo ld o r the pro cedure o f the wo rk to be ca rried o ut fro m the pro po s ed s ca ffo ld?
The preco ns tructio n o f a ll o r pa rt o f the s ca ffo ld ma y be po s s ible. The co mpleted s ca ffo ld o r s ca ffo ld co mpo nents ma y then be mo ved into the fina l
po s itio n by mea ns o f a cra ne o r ho is t.
Wha t a bo ut a tta ching s ca ffo ld pla tfo rms to a co mpo nent o f the perma nent s tructure o n the gro und befo re the s tructura l co mpo nent is mo ved into
the fina l po s itio n o n the s tructure by mea ns o f a cra ne o r ho is t mecha nis m?
If the s ca ffo ld is required yo u ma y s till be a ble to elimina te fa ll ris k a t po ints in the s ca ffo lding pro ces s , s uch a s a ltering erectio n metho ds a nd
wo rking thro ugh a ha tch deck when erecting gua rdra ils to the next pla tfo rm fo r ins ta nce.

Apa rt fro m the o bvio us lega l a nd s a fety co mplia nce benefits a no ther a dva nta ge o f elimina ting ha za rds is tha t it us ua lly lea ds to mo re pro ductive a nd
efficient metho ds o f s ca ffo lding.

2.1.3 Isolating fall hazards


Where elimina tio n metho ds ha ve been co ns idered a nd dis ca rded a s impra ctica ble, metho ds o f is o la ting fa ll ha za rds s ho uld be co ns idered. With go o d
pla nning (including befo re yo u get to the s ite) yo u ma y us e is o la tio n a s a mea ns o f keeping s ca ffo lders free fro m the ris k o f a fa ll, including but no t limited
to the fo llo wing exa mples .
1. The us e o f a po wer o pera ted eleva ting wo rk pla tfo rms (EWP) to rea ch a rea s a t height (s ee figure 1). This is a pa rticula rly us eful metho d fo r the
co ns tructio n o f ha nging a nd ca ntilevered s ca ffo lds . Ca utio n mus t be ta ken to ens ure tha t the SWL o f the pla tfo rm is a dhered to with rega rd to ca rrying o f
s ca ffo lding equipment. See a ls o AS 1418.10 Eleva ting Wo rk Pla tfo rms , the Appro ved Co de o f Pra ctice fo r Eleva ting Wo rk Pla tfo rms a nd DOL guidelines .

Figure 1: Acces s by EWP

2. Sca ffo lders ca n a do pt a metho d o f pro gres s ively ins ta lling a gua rdra il fro m the level belo w befo re ins ta lling the wo rk pla tfo rm (s ee figure 2). The
s ca ffo lder ca n then enter the pla tfo rm with the edge pro tectio n a lrea dy in pla ce. It is a ccepta ble to preins ta ll a s ingle to p ra il fro m belo w a nd co mplete the
mid ra il a nd o ther co mpo nents fro m the pla tfo rm.
Figure 2: Pro gres s ive gua rdra il ins ta lla tio n metho d

3. Adva nce gua rdra il s ys tems ca n be us ed to pro vide edge pro tectio n to s ca ffo ld pla tfo rms until the s ca ffo lders ha ve ins ta lled the perma nent gua rdra il
(s ee figure 3). Thes e s ys tems a re des igned with uprights o r s ta nchio ns tha t a tta ch to the s ca ffo ld s ta nda rds a nd teles co pic ra ils tha t a llo w ea ch s ta nchio n
to be mo ved up to the next pla tfo rm level while the s ca ffo lder rema ins within the co mpleted pla tfo rm belo w. All pla tfo rms gua rded by tempo ra ry
pro prieta ry gua rdra il s ys tems mus t be fully pla nked fro m belo w befo re s ca ffo lders mo ve up to tha t level to ins ta ll the pla tfo rm gua rdra ils .

Figure 3: Adva nced gua rdra il s ys tem

2.1.4 Minimising fall hazards


Minimis a tio n o f fa ll ha za rds mus t be co ns idered o nly a s a la s t res o rt. Minimis a tio n techniques will no t elimina te o r is o la te the ha za rd, but a re des igned to
pro tect wo rkers fro m the ha rmful effects tha t co uld o ccur. Thes e metho ds us ua lly ha ve s o me impa ct o n the mo bility a nd pro ductivity o f the s ca ffo lder a s
well a s requiring higher levels o f s upervis io n.
Minimis a tio n ca n include but is no t limited to , o ne o r a co mbina tio n o f:

Tra ining a nd inductio ns .


Ens uring o nly highly experienced s ca ffo lders underta ke the lea d build po s itio n.
Wo rking fro m fully pla nked pla tfo rms .
Sa fety nets .
Fa ll a rres t s ys tems .

Two ma in a ppro a ches to minimis ing fa ll ha za rds a re ta ken in the s ca ffo lding indus try. Firs tly, the o ptimum erectio n a nd dis ma ntling pro cedure is
emplo yed. This is kno wn a s "the tunnelling metho d" a nd is o utlined belo w. Seco ndly, s a fety ha rnes s es mus t be wo rn by a ll s ca ffo lders when wo rking o n
a ll s ca ffo lds a bo ve 5.0m high s o tha t fa ll a rres t s ys tems ca n be a cces s ed (s ee figure 4). No te tha t s a fety ha rnes s es with a 1.8m la nya rd co nnected to a
s ca ffo ld belo w 5.0m high will no t a rres t yo ur fa ll befo re hitting the gro und o r s uppo rting s tructure.
Figure 4: Sca ffo lders emplo ying fa ll a rres t s ys tems

2.1.5 The "tunnelling method" for minimising fall risk


The s ta nda rd erectio n a nd dis ma ntling pro cedure fo r minimis ing fa ll ris k is to ins ta ll a s ingle gua rdra il o n the deck a bo ve a s s o o n a s po s s ible. This is
kno wn a s the "tunnelling metho d". This metho d no t o nly pro tects the s ca ffo lder but pro vides a s a fe pla tfo rm fo r o thers to us e during a ltera tio n o r
dis ma ntling. The "tunnelling metho d" do es no t a dd a ny a dditio na l equipment to a s ca ffo ld o ther tha n a s ingle gua rdra il o n no n wo rking pla tfo rms . The
pro ces s is a s fo llo ws :

Ba s e o ut the s ca ffo ld a nd butt pla nk the ba s e lift (675mm minimum) fro m belo w.
La dders o r s ta irs s ho uld be erected in the s a me s equence a s the pla tfo rm.
The s ca ffo lder then climbs o nto the pla nked deck (675mm minimum) us ing the la dder o r s ta irs .
Once yo u a re s ta nding o n the ba s e lift yo u ca n o nly mo ve a lo ng the s ca ffo ld the ma ximum length o f yo ur lo nges t ledger (ho rizo nta l), i.e. 6.5m fo r
tube.
Yo ur firs t prio rity is to ins ta ll a s ingle gua rdra il a s s o o n a s po s s ible.
Equipment is pa s s ed to the s ca ffo lder to ins ta ll the firs t s ectio n o f gua rdra il a nd/o r s to p end.
The s ca ffo lder mus t ho o k his /her ha rnes s to the ins ide ledger a t fo o t level befo re a ny fittings a re a tta ched when wo rking a bo ve 5.0m high.
Sta ggered s ta nda rds a s s is t in ins ta lling the gua rdra il a s this reduces the need to hemp a ll exterio r s ta nda rds to co nnect the gua rdra il to .
The s ca ffo lder mus t ho o k his /her ha rnes s to the ins ide ledger befo re hemping a ny s ta nda rds o n a ungua rdra iled pla tfo rm a bo ve 5.0m high
Sca ffo lders mus t a do pt a metho d o f pro gres s ively ins ta lling a s ingle gua rdra il a s they mo ve fro m o ne end o f the s ca ffo ld to the o ther. Once yo u
ha ve erected a s ingle gua rdra il a nd a s to p end yo u ha ve crea ted a s a fe zo ne to wo rk fro m. All equipment s ho uld be received fro m belo w in this
s a fe zo ne then wa lked o ut a lo ng the s ca ffo ld.
Single gua rdra ils s ho uld be left in pla ce o n a ll no n wo rking pla tfo rms (dummy lifts ) to pro vide a s a fe enviro nment fo r a ltering a nd dis ma ntling the
s ca ffo ld.
Once a s ingle gua rdra il is ins ta lled the lift ca n be co mpleted witho ut the us e o f a s a fety ha rnes s - fo r the res t o f tha t pa rticula r lift.
If yo u need to ra is e the pla nks tha t yo u a re s ta nding o n o nce yo u ha ve co mpleted the lift, yo u mus t ho o k yo ur ha rnes s to the ins ide ledger a bo ve
when ra is ing the pla nks to prevent fa lling into the vo id yo u ha ve jus t crea ted.
The erectio n pro cedures a bo ve s ho uld be us ed in revers e when dis ma ntling the s ca ffo ld.
It is reco mmended tha t the pla nks be flipped up o n their edge prio r to remo va l to pro tect the eyes o f the s ca ffo lder fro m debris left o n the s ca ffo ld.
This ca n be do ne fro m the deck level its elf if o ne pla nk o nly a t a time is lifted up o nto its edge then repla ced to ma inta in the pla nked deck.

The pro cedure a bo ve ca n be a pplied to a ll s ca ffo lds . Ea ch type o f s ca ffo ld ha s its o wn requirements but the genera l "tunnelling metho d" mus t be fo llo wed.

2.2 Harness syst ems


G iven tha t fa ll ris k ca n no t a lwa ys be a vo ided fa ll a rres t s ys tems mus t a ls o be emplo yed. Such s ys tems a re ba s ed a ro und ha rnes s es by which s ca ffo lders
a re co nnected to fa ll a rres t devices . With the la rge s electio n o f belts a nd ha rnes s es a va ila ble, it is es s entia l tha t the co rrect ha rnes s is cho s en fo r the
intended us e. In pa rticula r belts a re no t s uita ble fo r a ny kind o f fa ll a rres t. Ho wever, full bo dy ha rnes s es des igned fo r fa ll a rres t ma y inco rpo ra te belts tha t
ca n be us ed fo r wo rk po s itio ning o r res tra int. Belts tha t inco rpo ra te to o l fro gs ma y a ls o be us eful a nd there ma y be requirements fo r full bo dy ha rnes s es
to a cco mmo da te a tta chments fo r a bs eiling, co nfined s pa ce entry, res cue, etc.
When co rrectly fitted, ha rnes s es s ho uld be firm but co mfo rta ble. Yo u s ho uld be a ble to s lide yo ur ha nd between the webbing a nd yo ur bo dy but no mo re.

2.2.1 When to use anchor points


As des cribed ea rlier ho o king o n ha rnes s es do es no t pro vide fa ll pro tectio n o n s ca ffo lds belo w 5.0m high o r when yo u ca n s us ta in a fa ll les s tha n 5.0m.
Thus in thes e circums ta nces the s ca ffo lder is no t required to ho o k the ha rnes s to a ny a ncho r po int. The tunnelling metho d o utlined a bo ve s ho uld s till be
us ed in the s ca ffo ld pro ces s , ho wever jus t o mit the us e o f the s a fety ha rnes s .
In a ll s itua tio ns o ther tha n a s des cribed immedia tely a bo ve s ca ffo lders mus t ho o k o nto the firs t a va ila ble a ncho r po int tha t is a t 5.0m o r a bo ve when:

Wo rking o n a n ungua rdra iled pla tfo rm.


No t wo rking within a 675mm wide pla nked a rea .
Climbing up a nd do wn the s ca ffo ld s tructure.
Wo rking directly o ff the un-pla nked s ca ffo ld s tructure.
Hemping.
Wo rking o ver a vo id a rea .
Wo rking o n a ha nging s ca ffo ld.
Wo rking o n a ca ntilever s ca ffo ld.

2.2.2 How to use anchor points


Sca ffo lders s ho uld a vo id a tta ching to the s ca ffo ld whenever po s s ible. If this is una vo ida ble yo u mus t co ns ider the s ta bility o f the s ca ffo ld s tructure with
rega rd to its a bility to s us ta in a fa ll a rres t lo a ding. Sa fety ha rnes s es s ho uld be a tta ched to a ncho r po ints o n the s ca ffo ld a bo ve s ho ulder height. Only if a
s a tis fa cto ry a ncho r po int is no t a va ila ble ma y it be a tta ched belo w s ho ulder height.
Alwa ys clip to the fo llo wing in preferentia l s equence:

Tra ns o ms s uppo rted by the ledgers a bo ve s ho ulder height (co nnect to the tra ns o m o r putlo g between the ledgers ).
Ledgers s uppo rted with lo a d bea ring co uplers (R/A co uplers ) a bo ve s ho ulder height.
G ua rdra ils s uppo rted with lo a d bea ring co uplers (R/A co uplers ).
Sta nda rds if a ppro ved a ncho r po ints a re kno wn (ma nufa cturers ' s pecifica tio ns ).
Tra ns o ms s uppo rted with lo a d bea ring co uplers (R/A co uplers ).

Never ho o k o n to :

Sta nda rds - unles s a ppro ved a ncho r po ints a re kno wn (per ma nufa cturer's s pecifica tio ns ).
Ledgers s uppo rted by s ingle co uplers .
Ledgers o r gua rdra ils within a ba y tha t ha s a jo in.
Tra ns o ms belo w fo o t level.
Tra ns o ms under s lung belo w ledgers .

The pro cedure a bo ve ca n be a pplied to a ll s ca ffo lds . Ea ch individua l type o f s ca ffo ld ha s its o wn requirements but the genera l pro cedure mus t be fo llo wed.

2.3 Work posit ioning syst ems


A wo rk po s itio ning s ys tem is a s ys tem tha t ena bles a pers o n to wo rk s uppo rted in a ha rnes s in tens io n in s uch a wa y tha t a fa ll is prevented (s ee AS/NZ S
1891.1). Wo rk po s itio ning s ys tems s ho uld be des igned a nd rigged to a llo w a pers o n to wo rk s a fely a nd in rea s o na ble co mfo rt.

2.4 Travel rest rict ion/rest raint syst ems


A tra vel-res trictio n/res tra int s ys tem co ns is ts o f a ha rnes s co nnected by a line to a n a ncho ra ge. The s ys tem s ho uld be rigged in s uch a wa y tha t it will s to p
a wo rker rea ching a po s itio n fro m which a free fa ll is po s s ible. If a free fa ll is po s s ible, a fa ll-a rres t s ys tem including a ha rnes s mus t be us ed, no t a tra vel-
res trictio n s ys tem.
Equipment s ho uld be a djus ted to reduce the res tra ined fa ll to the a bs o lute minimum. This mus t be les s tha n 600mm.

2.5 Fall arrest syst ems


Fa ll a rres t s ys tems a re des igned to s uppo rt a nd ho ld a pers o n in the event o f a fa ll. They a re no t des igned to s uppo rt a pers o n while wo rking. This wo uld
be a wo rk-po s itio ning s ys tem. An eva lua tio n o f the different types o f equipment co mbined with a ta s k a s s es s ment is needed to ma ke a pra ctica l a nd s a fe
s electio n fo r a pa rticula r jo b.
The a rres ting fo rce a pplied to the wo rker s ho uld a fa ll o ccur mus t be les s tha n 6 kN (610 kg). Emplo ying a 2 metre la nya rd inco rpo ra ting a n energy a bs o rber
o r a type 2 o r 3 fa ll a rres t device s ho uld a chieve this . Fo r the 2 metre la nya rd s ys tem the la nya rd o r a ncho r line mus t be a tta ched to the to p do rs a l
po s itio n (a t ches t height) o r the fro nta l ches t a tta chment. Ancho ra ges fo r a la nya rd s ho uld be fixed a s high a s pra ctica l but within ea s y rea ch. An
a ncho ra ge a t fo o t level will a llo w a pers o n to fa ll the length o f the la nya rd plus the dis ta nce between the a ncho ra ge a nd ha rnes s fixing po int.
All a tta chment ha rdwa re is to be des igned to withs ta nd a lo a d o f 15 kN (1530kg).

2.5.1 Hazards associated with fall arrest systems


Pro blems tha t ma y a ris e while emplo ying fa ll a rres t s ys tems include:

Atta ching to a ncho rs tha t a re ins ufficient in s trength res ulting in a ncho ra ge fa ilure.
Emplo ying a ncho r lines o r la nya rds pa ra llel to the fa ll edge res ulting in the pendulum effect.
Atta ching to a ncho rs tha t a re to o clo s e to the gro und res ulting in ins ufficient fa ll clea ra nce.
Atta ching to a ncho rs tha t a re to o clo s e to the fa ll edge res ulting in exces s ive free fa ll dis ta nce
Us ing ha rnes s es in ha za rdo us enviro nments tha t da ma ge equipment o r ca us e s ys tem fa ilure.
Impeded mo bility res ulting in s ca ffo lders dis co nnecting fro m a ncho rs .
Inco rrect co nnectio n o f a tta chment res ulting in fa ilure under lo a ding.

The pendulum effect


This is a po tentia l ha za rd when us ing individua l fa ll-a rres t s ys tems . It res ults in wo rkers s triking the gro und o r o ther o bs tructio ns during the fa ll a rres t
pro ces s . The "pendulum effect" requires co ns idera tio n prio r to deciding the lo ca tio n o f a ncho ra ge po ints .

Swing down
This ca n o ccur if a n inertia reel o r wo rk-po s itio ning device is extended dia go na lly s o tha t the line ma kes a n extreme a ngle with the perimeter edge o f the
s tructure. In this s itua tio n the fo rces genera ted in a n a rres ted fa ll o ver the edge will ca us e the line to ro ta te ba ck a lo ng the perimeter edge until it rea ches
a po s itio n directly in line with the a ncho ra ge po int o f the inertia reel a nd a t right a ngles with the perimeter edge.
As the line mo ves ba ck in this wa y, its uns uppo rted s ectio n lengthens , thus dro pping the a tta ched wo rker further tha n the o rigina l (a rres ted) fa ll dis ta nce. If
the length o f the uns uppo rted line equa ls the height a bo ve the gro und then the wo rker will hit the gro und.
To elimina te the pendulum effect pla ce the a ncho ra ge po int perpendicula r to the po s itio n o f the line a t the perimeter edge. At the mo s t, a n a ncho r po int
mus t be within 30 degrees o f the wo rk po s itio n. A mo bile a ncho ra ge helps here. The us e o f s eco nd a ncho ra ges a nd bela y devices is a no ther wa y o f
minimis ing this effect.

Swing back
In a n a rres ted fa ll, pa rticula rly fro m a perpendicula r edge, a pers o n will s wing ba ck into the building s tructure a nd co llide with a ny o bs tructio ns in the pa th
o f the s wing. If this s itua tio n ca n a ris e, the us e o f a n individua l fa ll-a rres t s ys tem s ho uld be re-a s s es s ed.

Fall clearance
It is es s entia l tha t us ers o f fa ll a rres t s ys tems a llo w s ufficient fa ll clea ra nce in their s ys tem des ign. Free fa ll dis ta nce mus t be ca lcula ted to ens ure yo u do
no t hit the gro und. A number o f fa cto rs need to be ta ken in to a cco unt. Thes e ma y include:

Height o f us er.
Sta rt po s itio n o f fa ll a rres t devices .
La tera l o ffs et o f a ncho r po int.
Length o f la nya rd.
Sho ck a bs o rber extens io n.
Fa ll a rres t device extens io n o r tra vel.
Extens io n o f unus ua lly lo ng a ncho r lines .
Sta tic line o r tempo ra ry lifeline deflectio n.
Res idua l clea ra nce.
Figure 5: Exa mple o f ca lcula tio n o f fa ll clea ra nce
In figure 5 the to ta l fa ll clea ra nce requirement when us ing a 2m la nya rd with s ho ck a bs o rber when a tta ching to a n a ncho r po int is 6.5m.

Figure 6: Impa ct o f ho rizo nta l s a fety line deflectio n o n minimum fa ll clea ra nce

Atta ching to a ho rizo nta l s a fety line mea ns a dditio na l dis ta nce mus t be included in clea ra nce ca lcula tio ns to a llo w fo r deflectio n o f the ho rizo nta l s a fety
line, a s indica ted in figure 6. Ma nufa cturer's info rma tio n mus t be referred to s o a s to determine the deflectio n o f a pa rticula r s ys tem.

Free fall dist ance


Free fa ll dis ta nce is the dis ta nce s o meo ne will fa ll befo re the s ys tem begins to a rres t the fa ll. Free fa ll dis ta nce mus t be ca lcula ted to ens ure ra ted
ca pa cities o f yo ur equipment a nd yo ur bo dy a re no t exceeded. In a ll ca s es the free fa ll dis ta nce s ho uld no t exceed 2.0m. Dis ta nces mo re tha n this will
exceed the equipment's des ign ca pa bilities a nd co uld res ult in fa ilure a nd exces s ive s ho ck lo a ding to the victim. Fa ll a rres t equipment, s pecifica lly ha rnes s
a nd la nya rd a s s emblies meeting the requirements o f AS/NZ S 1891, will no t neces s a rily be ca pa ble o f a rres ting fa lls in exces s o f 2.0m witho ut
co mpro mis ing the in-built s a fety fa cto r. It is critica l tha t a nyo ne us ing fa ll a rres t s ys tems ha s ca lcula ted their po tentia l free fa ll dis ta nce befo re they s et up
a nd begin wo rk.
Free fa ll dis ta nce fo r a s ca ffo lder us ing a 2m fixed length la nya rd is ca lcula ted fro m the fo llo wing:
L - S + H = Free fa ll dis ta nce.
L = the length o f the la nya rd befo re a ny s ho ck a bs o rber extens io n.
S = the s tra ight line dis ta nce between the a ncho r po int a nd the po int o n the edge o ver which the us er fa lls .
H = the ma ximum expected height o f the ha rnes s a tta chment po int when the us er is s ta nding up (1.5m).

Examples for calculat ing free fall dist ance


See a ls o figure 7 belo w.
Exa mple 1: L - S + H = Free-fa ll dis ta nce; 2.0 - 2.0 + 1.5 = 1.5 m Accepta ble

Exa mple 2: L - S + H = Free-fa ll dis ta nce; 2.0 - 1.5 + 1.5 = 2.0 m Accepta ble

Exa mple 3: L - S + H = Free-fa ll dis ta nce; 2.0 - 0.0 + 1.5 = 3.5 m Una ccepta ble

Figure 7: Ca lcula tio ns o f free fa ll dis ta nce

2.5.2 Type 1 fall arrest devices (inertia lock rope grab)


This co ns is ts o f a unit tha t will s lide up a nd do wn a n a ncho r line a nd will lo ck o nto the line in the event o f a pers o n fa lling. In perma nent a pplica tio ns no n-
co rro s ive ra ils a nd s ta inles s s teel lines ca n be a tta ched to s tructures s uch a s chimneys , to wers o r vertica l la dders . Other types o f a ncho r lines tha t ma y
degra de o ver a s ho rt-term perio d s ho uld be rigged ea ch time they a re needed.
The ma ximum length o f a la nya rd us ed between the ha rnes s a nd a type 1 fa ll-a rres t device, including the energy a bs o rber, is 2 metres . All la nya rds s ho uld
be rigged a nd us ed with the lea s t po s s ible s la ck by keeping the a rres t device a bo ve hea d height. Where a vertica l la dder ra il, o r s imila r s ys tem, is being
us ed fo r a res tra ined fa ll the la nya rd s ho uld be no lo nger tha n 300 mm.

2.5.3 Type 2 and type 3 fall arrest devices (inertia reels)


Thes e a re s pring-lo a ded reels tha t fix to a n a ncho ra ge. An a ncho r line pla ys o ut a s a pers o n mo ves a wa y fro m the reel a nd is reeled ba ck a s the pers o n
a ppro a ches . The difference between type 2 a nd type 3 is tha t type 3 ca n be us ed a s a winch to a llo w a pers o n to be wo und ba ck a fter lo a ding the unit. With
this equipment the a ncho r line is a tta ched directly to the do rs a l po s itio n o n the ha rnes s .
Do no t us e a la nya rd in co njunctio n with a Type 2 o r 3 a rres t device; the a ncho r line a tta ches directly to the ha rnes s .

2.5.4 Horizontal lifeline and rail systems


A s ta tic line is a ho rizo nta l line tha t is a ncho red a t bo th ends a nd rigged s o tha t a fa ll-a rres t device o r la nya rd ca n run a lo ng its length. AS/NZ S 1891.2 s ets
o ut a ccepta ble criteria fo r three types o f ho rizo nta l lifeline a nd ra il s ys tems . Thes e a re: pro prieta ry s ys tems , pres cribed co nfigura tio n s ys tems , a nd rigid life
ra il s ys tems . Refer to the s ta nda rd fo r further info rma tio n.
The fo rce o n the a ncho ra ge po ints o f a s ta tic line will be much grea ter tha n tho s e o n a n a ncho r line beca us e the a ncho r line is in direct tens io n a lo ng its
length while the s ta tic line is under tens io n a t right a ngles between the a ncho ra ges . Specia l s ho ck-a bs o rbing units tha t a tta ch to the s ta tic line a re
a va ila ble to reduce this fo rce to a n a ccepta ble level (s ee figure 8). Thes e a re no t the s a me units a s us ed in a la nya rd. The s ta tic line mus t ha ve a minimum
brea king s trength o f 44 kN (4490 kg) o r be a n engineered des ign.
Specia lis t a dvice a nd tra ining is needed in the rigging o f s ta tic lines .
When us ing s ta tic lines ca re s ho uld be ta ken to ens ure tha t lo o s e o bjects between the a ncho ra ge a nd the wo rker ca nno t be dis lo dged by mo vement o f
the lines .

Figure 8: Fixed s ta tic line with a s ho ck a bs o rber fo r us e with s a fety ha rnes s es a nd la nya rds

2.5.5 Design guidelines for static lines


When pla nning the s ite la yo ut a nd s equence o f co ns tructio n fo r ins ta lling a s ta tic s a fety line s ys tem co ns idera tio n s ho uld be given to the mo s t
a ppro pria te fa ll-a rres t s ys tem a nd metho d o f ins ta lla tio n. Do no t us e gua rdra ils a s a n a ncho r; they a re no t des igned to ta ke the fo rces invo lved in
a rres ting a fa ll. The co rrect tens io ning o f the s ta tic line ca n be a chieved by a fra med turnbuckle o r a remo va ble ra tchet a nd pa wl. The s ta tic line mus t be
co rrectly tens io ned. Where a s la ck s ta tic line is s uddenly pulled by a pers o n s lipping, this co uld jerk o thers o ff ba la nce, ca us ing ha rm. An o ver-tens io ned
line will exert to o much fo rce o n the a ncho ra ge po ints , a nd reduce the a mo unt a va ila ble to a rres t the fa ll.
Fo r guida nce o n s ta tic line s ys tems plea s e refer to AS/NZ S 1891.2 Supp1:2001 Indus tria l fa ll-a rres t s ys tems a nd devices - Ho rizo nta l lifeline a nd ra il
s ys tems .

2.5.6 Emergency procedures


This is the mo s t impo rta nt co mpo nent o f a ny fa ll a rres t s ys tem. The effects o f s us pens io n tra uma ca n be s erio us a nd s trike s o me peo ple very s wiftly. It is
es s entia l tha t a n emergency retrieva l pla n is in pla ce tha t ca n be quickly implemented by a nyo ne who ma y need to res cue a wo rkma te fro m a s us pended
s itua tio n.
Items tha t ma y be included in the res cue pla n a re:

Emergency s ervices ro le in the res cue. Do they kno w a bo ut yo ur o pera tio ns ? Do they ha ve a ppro pria te equipment tha t they ca n us e fo r res cue?
Wha t will be their res po ns e time?
Ha ve yo u ever been tra ined in o r ever pra ctis ed yo ur res cue pla n a nd techniques ?
Do es everyo ne kno w their res po ns ibilities in a n emergency s itua tio n?
Do yo u ha ve a ll the neces s a ry equipment o n ha nd, including firs t a id s upplies a nd a mea ns o f cutting a fa ll victim free fro m their s ys tem?
Ho w will yo u rea ch the victim? Po s s ibly with a cra ne lift pla tfo rm, cherry picker, s cis s o r lift o r la dder. Is this equipment a va ila ble? Do yo u ha ve ro pe
a cces s equipment a nd tra ined s ta ff to us e it s a fely?
Do yo u ha ve a mea ns o f co mmunica tio n?

2.5.7 Longevity and inspection of equipment


All fa ll a rres t equipment mus t be regula rly ins pected. The va rio us requirements fo r the ins pectio n o f pers o na l a nd co mmo n us e equipment a re
s umma ris ed in ta ble 2 (fro m AS/NZ S 1891.4). A co mpetent pers o n (this wo uld genera lly be the tra ined us er o r qua lified s upervis o r) s ho uld check ha rnes s es
a nd equipment prio r to every us e a nd a lo g bo o k s ho uld be ma inta ined do cumenting a n ins pectio n a t lea s t every s ix mo nths . Ins pectio n o f equipment
s ho uld include s ynthetic ma teria ls , checking fo r cuts , burns , fra ying, a bra s io ns , chemica l co nta mina tio n, mo uld o r mildew, s un ro t, a nd s tretching. Ha rdwa re
s ho uld be checked fo r cra cks , bends , defo rmity, co rro s io n, a nd to ens ure tha t a ll lo cks clo s e a nd enga ge. Check a ll s ewing a nd a ny s ho ck a bs o rbers fo r
s igns o f lo a ding.
Mo s t fa ll a rres t equipment in New Z ea la nd will ha ve a theo retica l s ervice life o f a bo ut 10 yea rs fro m the da te o f ma nufa cture. Ho wever, due to the ha rs h
wo rk enviro nments o n co ns tructio n s ites , the rea lity is tha t equipment ma y o nly la s t a few yea rs befo re it will ha ve to be dis ca rded. The us e o f ba gs o r
ca s es fo r the tra ns po rt a nd s to ra ge o f equipment ca n be a n a dva nta ge. Equipment s ho uld be ca refully s to red when no t in us e.
Keep equipment fro m expo s ure to :

Sunlight.
Hea t.
Mo is ture.
Chemica ls .
Sha rp edges a nd a bra s ives .
Hea vy o bjects .

The co ns tructio n, s electio n, rigging, a nd us e o f ha rnes s es , lines a nd fa ll a rres t devices mus t co mply with AS/NZ S 1891.1: Pa rts 1 - 4 o r equiva lent
interna tio na l s ta nda rd. All equipment except type 2 a nd 3 fa ll a rres t devices ma y be ins pected by peo ple who a re s uita bly tra ined to give equipment a
ca reful vis ua l ins pectio n. Type 2 a nd 3 fa ll a rres t devices mus t ha ve their 12 mo nth ins pectio n perfo rmed by a tra ined pro fes s io na l. (Co nta ct s upplier o r
ma nufa cturer fo r deta ils .)
Ta ble 2: Summa ry o f ins pectio n requirements fo r fa ll a rres t equipment

Act ivit y Applicat ion

Inspect ion by operat or


PPE including harnesses, lanyard assemblies, connect ors, and fall-arrest devices - including common
before and aft er each
use devices
use
3-mont hly inspect ion
Type 2 and 3 fall-arrest devices - ext ernal check only
by compet ent person
6-mont hly inspect ion
by compet ent Belt s, harnesses, lanyard assemblies and associat ed personal equipment
person*
12-mont hly Permanent ly inst alled anchoragesType 2 and 3 fall-arrest devices - full service including dismant ling
inspect ion/service by where indicat edHorizont al lifelines and rails, including int egral component s and permanent ly
compet ent person* inst alled mobile at t achment devices
In accordance wit h
Ropes and slings
ot her st andards
Inspect ion on ent ry or
All it ems of personal and common use equipment .
re-ent ry int o service
Inspect ion aft er a fall-
arrest (and before All it ems t hat have been st ressed as a result of a fall
furt her use)

* Or mo re frequently if reco mmended by the ma nufa cturer o r s upplier

2.5.8 Safety harness inspection list


Ta ble 3: Ins pectio n requirements fo r s a fety ha rnes s es

Component s Condit ion/ fault s t o be checked

Cut s or t ears
Abrasion damage, especially where t here is cont act wit h hardware
Webbing Excessive st ret ching
Damage due t o cont act wit h heat , corrosives or solvent s
Det eriorat ion due t o rot t ing, mildew or ult raviolet exposure
Dist ort ion of hook or lat ch
Cracks or forging folds
Snap hooks and Wear at swivel and lat ch pivot pin
karabiners Open rollersFree movement of t he lat ch over it s full t ravel
Broken, weak or misplaced lat ch springs
Free from dirt and rust
Excessive vert ical movement of t he st raight port ion of t he D-Ring
Cracks, especially at t he int ersect ion of t he st raight and curved
D-Ring port ions
Dist ort ion or ot her physical damage of t he D-Ring
Excessive loss of cross sect ion due t o wear
Dist ort ion or ot her physical damage
Cracks and forging laps where applicable
Buckles and adjust ers
Bent t ongues
Open rollers
Broken, cut or worn t hread
Sewing Damage or weakening of t hread due t o heat , corrosives, solvent s
or mildew
Cut sAbrasions or fraying
St ret ching
Ropes
Damage due t o heat , corrosives, solvent s, et c
Det eriorat ion due t o ult raviolet light or mildew

2.6 Personal prot ect ive equipment (PPE)


Indus tria l s a fety helmet (ha rd ha ts )
Indus tria l s a fety helmets co mplying with NZ S 5806 (o r s uita ble a ppro ved hea d pro tectio n) mus t be wo rn a t a ll times while o n s ite where there is a ris k o f
o bjects fa lling fro m a bo ve. In fa ct ha rd ha ts a re beco ming ma nda to ry o n mo s t s ites in New Z ea la nd. An ela s tic chins tra p is reco mmended to s ecure the
ha t a nd prevent dis lo dgement by the wind. Ha rd ha ts s ho uld be repla ced a fter dro pping fro m a height o r if there a re a ny vis ible s igns o f wea r a nd tea r.
Fo llo w the ma nufa cturer's ins tructio ns fo r repla cement (plea s e check expiry da tes ).

Sa fety fo o twea r (s a fety bo o ts )


Fo o twea r s ho uld be co mfo rta ble, pro vide ma ximum grip a nd give pro tectio n fro m pinching, ja mming a nd crus hing. A ra nge o f lightweight flexible fo o twea r
with s teel o r pla s tic pro tective to e ca ps is a va ila ble (s ee AS/NZ S 2210.1 o r 2210.2). So me s ites require s teel to e ca ps to be co vered to prevent the ris k o f
crea ting a s pa rk ha za rd s ho uld s teel co me in co nta ct with the expo s ed s teel ca p. Sa fety bo o ts a re beco ming ma nda to ry o n mo s t s ites in New Z ea la nd.

Fa ll a rres t ha rnes s (s a fety ha rnes s )


An a s s embly o f interco nnected s ho ulder a nd leg s tra ps , with o r witho ut a bo dy belt, tha t mus t be us ed where there is likeliho o d o f free o r res tra ined fa ll.
The full fa ll a rres t ha rnes s in a s s o cia tio n with a la nya rd, which includes a pers o na l energy (s ho ck) a bs o rber, is a tta ched to the ha rnes s . The la nya rd s ho uld
prefera bly ha ve a ma nulink, ka ra biner o r s na p ho o k des igned to a tta ch o ver a s ta nda rd s ca ffo ld tube. The ma ximum la nya rd length is 2.0m lo ng. Refer to
AS/NZ S 1891.1. See a ls o s ectio n 2.2.

Ha nd pro tectio n (glo ves )


Lea ther o r s plit lea ther s nug fitting glo ves a re reco mmended to pro tect s ca ffo lder's ha nds . They prevent s ca ffo lding co mpo nents s lipping thro ugh the
ha nds a nd pro tect a ga ins t cuts a nd a bra s io ns . In extreme co nditio ns the wea ring o f s pecia lis t glo ves ma y be required e.g. lined glo ves in co ld co nditio ns
o r glo ves to pro tect a ga ins t a cid o r ca us tic s pills .

Hea ring pro tectio n (ea r muffs o r ea r plugs )


No is e ha s been identified a s a s ignifica nt ha za rd in the wo rkpla ce. There a re a va riety o f ea r muffs , pa ds o r plugs a va ila ble. In New Z ea la nd to a id s electio n
a s ys tem o f cla s s es is us ed. Cla s s es a re numbered 1 to 5 with ea ch cla s s increa s e repres enting a n a dditio na l 5 decibels o f pro tectio n (s ee ta ble 4). So me
ea rmuffs ca n be a tta ched to yo ur s a fety helmet. Seek a dvice fro m yo ur s upplier rega rding genera l no is e pro tectio n.

Table 4: Grades of hearing prot ect ion


Class At t enuat ion For use in noise up t o:

1 6 Up t o 90 dB (A)
2 12 Up t o 95 dB (A)
3 18 Up t o 100 dB (A)
4 24 Up t o 105 dB (A)
5 30 Up t o 110 dB (A)

Eye pro tectio n (s a fety gla s s es )


Sa fety gla s s es s ho uld ha ve wide vis io n, UV pro tectio n, be s cra tch res is ta nt a nd ha ve integra l s ide s hields . This gives grea tes t pro tectio n fo r s ca ffo lders fo r
mo s t co nditio ns (s ee AS/NZ S 1337). See ma nufa cturer's ins tructio ns fo r s pecia l purpo s e gla s s es .
High vis ibility ves ts
Fluo res cent ves ts , po lyco tto n o r nylo n with 50mm reflective ta pe a llo w the wea rer to be s een under no rma l s ite co nditio ns . High vis ibility ves ts s ho uld
co nfo rm to AS/NZ S 4602 o r EN471, the Tra ns it New Z ea la nd Co de o f Pra ctice a nd lo ca l a utho rity requirements .

2.6.1 Specialist PPE


When wo rking in s o me ha za rdo us co nditio ns s pecia lis t equipment ma y be required to ens ure s a fety, fo r exa mple wo rking in a n a s bes to s enviro nment.
Firs tly a s certa in wha t ha za rdo us co nditio ns yo u will be expo s ed to . Then es ta blis h the s pecia lis t equipment yo u will require to wo rk s a fely in tha t
enviro nment. Seek s pecia lis t a dvice if required. Sa fety is pa ra mo unt. Exa mples o f s pecia lis t s a fety equipment include:

Brea thing Appa ra tus (BA).


Dis po s a ble o vera lls .
Res pira to ry pro tective equipment.
Specia lis t glo ves .

An emplo yer do es no t co mply with the Hea lth Sa fety a nd Emplo yment Act by pa ying a n a llo wa nce o r pa ying extra wa ges o r s a la ries ins tea d o f pro viding
pro tective clo thing a nd/o r equipment to a n emplo yee. If in do ubt s eek a dvice.

2.7. Safe working pract ice


2.7.1 General principles
1. Alwa ys remember tha t yo u ha ve a duty to wo rk in a s a fe ma nner a nd to ens ure the s a fety o f o ther wo rkers a nd the public.
2. Alwa ys wo rk in a lo gica l s equence.
3. Do no t thro w ma teria ls a bo ut. Alwa ys co ns ider the s a fety o f o thers .
4. Alwa ys lo wer ma teria ls in a pro per ma nner during dis ma ntling.
5. Ens ure a ll ma teria ls a re clea red fro m the s ite o r jo b lo ca tio n o n co mpletio n.
6. Co mplete a da ily ha za rd identifica tio n a nd co ntro ls repo rt when o n the jo b.

The Building Act, Building Regula tio ns , Building Co de, ma nufa cturers ' s pecifica tio ns , engineers ' des ign certifica tes , a nd cha rtered engineers ' pro ducer
s ta tements where s uch s ta tements a re required to be pro vided to a Building Co ns ent Autho rity (BCA) fo r the is s ue o f a Building Co ns ent o r a Co de
Co mplia nce Certifica te in rela tio n to the Building Act 2004, a s well a s thes e Bes t Pra ctice G uidelines , s ho uld be co ns idered to ens ure tha t a ll pra ctica ble
s teps a re ta ken to a s s ure the s a fety o f the s tructures a nd o f end us ers .

2.7.2 Before and during erection


1. Exa mine a ll ma teria ls o n a rriva l a t the s ite o r during unlo a ding a nd put a s ide a ny defective o r da ma ged items . Thes e items s ho uld be remo ved
fro m the s ite a s s o o n a s po s s ible a nd s ho uld no t be us ed in the co ns tructio n o f the s ca ffo ld.
2. Ma ke s ure tha t a ll ma teria ls to be us ed a re pro perly s ta cked in a s a fe pla ce, es pecia lly where wo rk o ver o r nea r a public tho ro ughfa re is being
ca rried o ut.
3. Ta ke a ny a nd a ll neces s a ry preca utio ns to ens ure tha t the public a re no t enda ngered. This ma y enta il the erectio n o f divers io n ba rriers a nd s igns .
4. Specia l ca re s ho uld be ta ken when wo rking in the clo s e vicinity o f o verhea d o r a dja cent po wer ca bles . All expo s ed ca bles a nd wires s ho uld be
trea ted a s live.
5. Ens ure tha t yo u a re in po s s es s io n o f a ll neces s a ry permits a nd ins tructio ns o r info rma tio n rela ting to the jo b prio r to co mmencing erectio n.
6. If po s s ible co nta ct s o meo ne in a utho rity o n s ite to info rm them tha t yo u a re co mmencing erectio n.
7. Alwa ys exa mine the building o r s tructure a ga ins t which yo u a re s ca ffo lding a nd if yo u ha ve a ny do ubts a bo ut a ny a s pect o f the jo b, fo r exa mple,
la ck o f tie po s itio ns , uns a fe wa lls o r co rnices , etc then s eek a dvice.
8. Ta ke ca re no t to o bs truct es s entia l s ervices s uch a s hydra nts , s ervice ma nho les o r fire exits .
9. Whenever lea ving the s ite o r jo b lo ca tio n, ma ke s ure tha t ma teria ls a re no t left in uns a fe lo ca tio ns s uch a s do o rwa ys , pa vements , kerb s ides etc.
Alwa ys s to re ma teria ls in a s a fe a nd s ecure lo ca tio n.
10. At the ea rlies t o ppo rtunity wa rning s igns o r no tices s uch a s "INCOMPLETE SCAFFOLD" o r "UNSAFE SCAFFOLD" s ho uld be pro minently dis pla yed.
Once the s ca ffo ld is s a fe a nd rea dy fo r us e "SAFE SCAFFOLD" s igns s ho uld be dis pla yed a t a cces s a nd egres s po ints .

2.7.3 During the use of the scaffold


During the us e o f s ca ffo lding it is impo rta nt to check tha t:

1. The s ta nda rds a re co rrectly a ligned a nd pro perly s uppo rted a t their ba s es .
2. There is no undue deflectio n in ledgers a nd tra ns o ms o r putlo gs .
3. No es s entia l member o f the s tructure ha s been remo ved.
4. All ties a nd bra ces a re in pla ce a nd a re effective in s ta bilis ing the s tructure.
5. All co uplers a re tightened pro perly.
6. All s ca ffo ld pla nks a re s o und a nd a re pro perly s uppo rted.
7. All gua rdra ils a nd to ebo a rds a re s ecured in pla ce.
8. All la dders a re in go o d co nditio n, pro perly s uppo rted a nd s ecured.

2.7.4 Before and during dismantling


1. Befo re dis ma ntling exa mine a nd check the s ca ffo ld to ens ure tha t a ll ties a nd bra cing a re effectively in po s itio n a nd tha t the s ca ffo ld is in a s ta ble
co nditio n. If pa rtia l dis ma ntling is being underta ken ens ure tha t the rema ining po rtio n is fully s a fe a nd s ta ble.
2. Suita ble wa rning no tices mus t be pla ced fo r public pro tectio n.
3. Dis ma ntling s ho uld be ca rried o ut pro gres s ively fro m the to p level do wnwa rds . Ties , bra ces , ledgers , tra ns o ms , pla nks a nd gua rdra ils mus t be
remo ved lift by lift with s ta nda rds fo llo wing a s jo int po s itio ns a re rea ched.
4. Where a building o r s tructure is being demo lis hed the s ca ffo ld s ho uld be dis ma ntled to ens ure tha t no mo re tha n 4.0m rema ins s ta nding a bo ve the
la s t vertica l tie po ints a t a ny time.
5. Ca re s ho uld be ta ken to a vo id mis ha ndling o f ma teria ls , a ll o f which s ho uld be lo wered regula rly a nd no t "bo mbed" during the dis ma ntle.
6. Sma ll a mo unts o f ma teria l ma y be tempo ra rily pla ced o n lo wer lifts fo r co nvenience during dis ma ntling but ca re s ho uld be ta ken no t to a llo w this
ma teria l to build up to a n una ccepta ble lo a d. Where s uch tempo ra ry pla cement a t lo w levels is ca rried o ut, it ma y be neces s a ry to pla ce ra king
tubes fro m the gro und level to the lo wer lift in o rder to s ta bilis e the s ca ffo ld.
7. During dis ma ntling ens ure tha t a ll s ca ffo lding ma teria ls a re remo ved fro m the building a nd tha t no lo o s e ma teria ls a re left o n ro o fs o r pro jecting
co rnices , etc.
2.7.5 Scaffolding near power lines or electrical conductors
Po wer lines a nd co nducto rs a re a po tentia l ha za rd to pers o ns erecting, wo rking fro m o r in the vicinity o f a s ca ffo ld. No s ca ffo ld s ho uld be erected clo s er to
a ny co nducto rs o f a n o verhea d electric line a t a dis ta nce, in a ny directio n, les s tha n tha t s ho wn in ta ble 5 (fro m NZ ECP 34.4.4).
No s ca ffo ld s ho uld be erected clo s er tha n 4.0m to po wer lines o r electrica l co nducto rs witho ut a ppro va l fro m the lo ca l electricity netwo rk co mpa ny.
Table 5: Minimum clearance dist ance in any direct ion for const ruct ion of scaffolding near

Line volt age (under normal condit ions) Minimum Dist ance

Not exceeding 66 kV (maximum span 125 met res) 4.0 met res
Exceeding 66 kV (maximum span 25 met res) 5.0 met res
Any volt age (span great er t han 125 met res but less t han 250 met res) 6.0 met res
Any volt age (span great er t han 250 met res but less t han 500 met res) 8.0 met res

Any volt age (span exceeding 500 met res) Not less t han 8.0 met res [1]

Recommended procedures
If during yo ur initia l s ite ins pectio n yo u find po wer lines o r co nducto rs in clo s e pro ximity to the po s itio n o f the intended s ca ffo ld, yo u o r yo ur client s ho uld
co nta ct the lo ca l electricity netwo rk co mpa ny. This co mpa ny will give yo u the expert a dvice yo u need.
They ma y:

Sleeve the lines .


De-energis e the lines .
Re-ro ute the lines .
Shield the lines us ing mo is ture res is ta nce no n-co nductive ma teria l.

The electricity netwo rk co mpa nies a re the experts . Ens ure tha t yo u get written a ppro va l fro m them s ta ting the intended s ca ffo ld is s a fe to erect a nd tha t
they ha ve ta ken a ll pra ctica l s teps to ens ure yo ur s a fety befo re a ny wo rk co mmences .

Footnotes
[1] o r a s a greed with the o wner

2.8 Hazard ident ificat ion and management


The s ca ffo lding indus try ha s lo ng put its wo rkers in ha za rdo us s itua tio ns to pro vide s a fe wo rking a rea s fo r o ther tra des a nd end us ers o f s ca ffo lding
s tructures . The fo llo wing lis t s ho ws ha za rds tha t ha ve been identified a nd the co ntro ls tha t need to be implemented in o rder to pro vide a s a fer wo rking
enviro nment fo r s ca ffo lders . This lis t is no t intended to be co mprehens ive a nd new ha za rdo us s itua tio ns will a ris e tha t will require new initia tives a nd
co ntro ls . This is therefo re a reference guide o nly. Co mpa nies a nd individua ls us ing this lis t s ho uld view it a s a ba s e fro m which to s ta rt their o wn ha za rd
ma na gement pro gra mme. Appendixed in the fina l s ectio n o f this do cument is a s a mple s heet tha t ca n be us ed to identify a nd co ntro l ha za rds - the
Ha za rd identifica tio n a nd co ntro ls repo rt.
When a s s es s ing ha za rds a s s o cia ted with s ca ffo lding thes e ca n be ca tego ris ed in o ne o r mo re o f the fo llo wing a rea s :

1. Ha za rds a s s o cia ted with the des ign o f the s ca ffo lding.
2. Ha za rds a s s o cia ted with the co ns tructio n o f the s ca ffo lding.
3. Ha za rds a s s o cia ted with the enviro nment in which the s ca ffo lding is s itua ted.
4. Ha za rds a s s o cia ted with the us e o f the s ca ffo lding.

2.8.1 Hazards associated with the design of the scaffold


A s ignifica nt ha za rd a s s o cia ted with s ca ffo lding is the co lla ps e o f the s tructure. This ha s the po tentia l to ca us e multiple fa ta lities , bo th to peo ple us ing the
s ca ffo lding a nd to o thers who ma y be in the a rea . Structure fa ilure ca n be a vo ided firs tly by identifying ha za rds a nd then implementing co ntro ls thro ugh
the des ign o f the s ca ffo ld.
To p
2.8.1.1 Foundat ions
Hazard:
Subs ta nda rd fo unda tio n co lla ps es a nd ca us es fa ilure o f s tructure.

Control:
All s ca ffo lding mus t be erected fro m s uita ble fo unda tio ns
Bea ring a rea s undernea th s ta nda rds mus t be:
1. Level.
2. Co mpa cted.
3. Ca pa ble o f ta king a ll impo s ed lo a ds - dea d, live a nd enviro nmenta l.
All fo unda tio ns mus t be s ta ble a ga ins t s ubs idence.
Suita ble bea ring ma teria l s uch a s s o lebo a rds a nd ba s epla tes mus t be us ed. Ina dequa te bea rers s uch a s co ncrete blo cks , bricks , unders ized
timbers mus t no t be us ed.
In the ca s e o f a s lo ping fo unda tio n a dditio na l bra cing a t the ba s e o f the s ca ffo lding ma y be required.
In the ca s e o f ha nging o r ca ntilevered s ca ffo lding the s uppo rting s tructure mus t be ca pa ble o f withs ta nding a ll impo s ed lo a ds .
Alwa ys , if in do ubt, s eek expert a dvice s uch a s fro m a cha rtered engineer.
2.8.1.2 St andards and ledgers
Hazard:
Inco rrect des ign a nd co ns tructio n o f s ta nda rds a nd ledgers lea ds to fa ilure o f the s tructure.
Sta nda rds a nd ledgers a re lo a d bea ring members co nnected by lo a d bea ring co uplers . Co uplers a re tes ted a nd ha ve a kno wn lo a d bea ring ca pa city when
us ed in a right a ngle co nfigura tio n (unles s es pecia lly des igned, s uch a s s wivel co uplers ). Right a ngle (90) co uplers ca n fa il if s ta nda rds a nd ledgers a re no t
s qua re. Inco rrect jo ining o f s ta nda rds a nd ledgers ca n a ls o lea d to fa ilure o f the s tructure. Inco rrect co ns tructio n o f the s ta nda rds , i.e. flo a ting s ta nda rds ,
ca n lea d to uneven bea ring o n the fo unda tio ns a nd ca n a ls o ca us e fa ilure o f the s tructure. Sta nda rds a nd ledgers tha t a re erected with o ver-s ized s pa ns
ca n a ls o lea d to o ver-s tres s ing o f the s tructure a nd po s s ible fa ilure.

Control:
All s ta nda rds mus t be erected s o a s to be vertica l; a ll ledgers mus t be erected s o a s to be ho rizo nta l. If in do ubt thes e members ca n be checked by
the us e o f a s pirit level. Ma ximum to lera nce no rma lly s pecified is + o r - 5 degrees .
All jo ins in s ta nda rds a nd ledgers mus t be in the co rrect po s itio n a nd mus t be ma de with the a ppro pria te co mpo nents .
Interna l jo int pins a re no t ra ted fo r tens io n lo a ds a nd mus t no t be us ed in ledgers if po s s ible.
AlTo pl s ta nda rds mus t bea r firmly a ga ins t ba s epla tes .
All s ta nda rds a nd ledgers mus t be co ns tructed with the a ppro pria te s pa n fo r the duty lo a dings o f the s ca ffo lding.

2.8.1.3 Decking
Hazard:
Pers o na l injury ca us ed by ina dequa te decking.
Serio us injuries fro m s ca ffo lding ha ve been ca us ed by ina dequa te decking, including:

1. To o na rro w wo rking pla tfo rm fo r men a nd ma teria ls .


2. The us e o f s ubs ta nda rd equipment.
3. Inco rrect s pa cing o f tra ns o ms ca us ing tra p ends o r po o r bea ring a rea o n pla nks .
4. Uns ecured decking.
5. Ins ufficient tra ns o ms o r o ver length s pa ns ca us ing o ver-s tres s ing o f pla nks .

Control:
All s ca ffo lders erecting wo rking pla tfo rms mus t be a wa re o f the intended (o r a ny o ther po s s ible) us e o f the s ca ffo lding. Co ns idera tio n mus t be
given to the number o f pers o nnel a nd a ny ma teria ls tha t will be s ta cked o r s to red o n the pla tfo rm (live lo a d).
All decking mus t be s uita ble fo r the intended purpo s e in terms o f width, length a nd height.
All tra ns o ms mus t be o f the co rrect length (no tra ns o m is to ha ve a jo iner ins erted in the s pa n) a nd mus t be s uita bly s pa ced to pro vide a dequa te
s uppo rt fo r the end us e o f the pla tfo rm. Als o the pla nks mus t be s uppo rted co rrectly a t the ends .

2.8.1.4 Access and egress


Hazard:
Pers o na l injury due to ina dequa te a cces s a nd egres s .
Ina dequa te a cces s to a nd fro m wo rking pla tfo rms ca n lea d to fa lls a nd s erio us ha rm. Co nditio ns tha t ca n lea d to this s itua tio n include the fo llo wing:

1. Uns uita ble fo unda tio n fo r the la dder.


2. Uns ecured la dder.
3. Equipment in po o r co nditio n.
4. To pInco rrect pla cement o f the la dder (inclined a ngle).
5. Wro ng s ize la dder.
6. Inco rrect us e o f the la dder.
7. Unpro tected la dder o penings .

Control:
All la dders mus t be fo unded o n a level ba s e. All la dders mus t be s ecured.
All la dders mus t be in go o d co nditio n a nd mus t be free fro m defects . All la dders mus t be po s itio ned a t the co rrect a ngle a nd mus t be pla ced s o a s
to be s uita ble fo r a cces s to the required a rea .
All la dders mus t extend a minimum o f 1.0m a bo ve the wo rking pla tfo rm, unles s a dequa te gua rdra ils s urro und the la dder o pening.
All pers o nnel climbing the la dder mus t fa ce the la dder a nd us e bo th ha nds . At no time s ho uld equipment be ca rried up the la dder.
During bus y perio ds pers o nnel mus t wa it until the la dder is clea r befo re a s cending o r des cending.

2.8.1.5 Edge prot ect ion


Hazard:
Pers o na l injury due to ina dequa te edge pro tectio n.
A po tentia lly da ngero us s itua tio n exis ts when a pers o n wo rks a t height witho ut s uita ble edge pro tectio n. Ha za rds include the fa ll o f pers o nnel a nd/o r
ma teria l.

Control:
All pla tfo rms mus t ha ve s uita ble gua rdra ils , kickbo a rds a nd, if required, s creening.
G ua rdra iling mus t be po s itio ned o n the o uts ide a nd ends o f every wo rking pla tfo rm o r a ny fa ce o f the s ca ffo ld tha t is mo re tha n 300mm fro m the
a rea to be wo rked o n.
Suita ble ba rriers mus t be pro vided to prevent a ccidenta l fa lls thro ugh la dder a cces s , deck o penings a nd building fa ca de penetra tio ns .
All s ca ffo lding mus t be fitted with gua rdra ils to bo th ends o f the pla tfo rm.
Where o vers ize pla nks a re us ed o n a pla tfo rm, s uita ble ba rriers mus t be erected s o a s to prevent pers o nnel s ta nding o n tra p ends .

2.8.1.6 St abilit y against overt urning


Hazard:
Pers o na l injury due to uns ta ble s ca ffo lding fa lling.
ITo pf a s ca ffo ld is erected with to o na rro w a ba s e there is a ris k o f the s tructure o verturning. Simila rly, if s ca ffo lding is erected with ins ufficient o r
ina dequa te ties then it co uld co lla ps e if expo s ed to to o much fo rce. Co nditio ns tha t co uld ca us e this s itua tio n include:

1. Inco rrect ba s e to height ra tio fo r free s ta nding s ca ffo lds .


2. Inco rrect ba s e to height ra tio fo r to wer s ca ffo lding expo s ed to high wind lo a ds .
3. Mo bile s ca ffo lding being us ed with unlo cked wheels .
4. Ins ufficient ties fo r the impo s ed lo a ds .
5. Ina dequa te ties .
6. Fa ilure o f the s uppo rting s tructure.
7. Inco rrect po s itio n o f la dder a cces s es to free s ta nding o r mo bile s ca ffo lding.
8. Increa s ed enviro nmenta l lo a dings due to s ha de clo th.

Control:
All free-s ta nding s ca ffo lds mus t be erected with the co rrect ba s e to height ra tio fo r the s ite co nditio ns . This ca n be a chieved thro ugh a va riety o f
metho ds e.g. us ing ra king tubes . [2]
Co ns idera tio n s ho uld be given to a ll expected live lo a ds a nd enviro nmenta l lo a ds . If in do ubt s eek the o pinio n o f a cha rtered engineer. All mo bile
s ca ffo lding mus t ha ve the wheels lo cked prio r to wo rk co mmencing o n the pla tfo rm.
All ties mus t be ca pa ble o f s us ta ining a ll expected impo s ed lo a ds - dea d, live a nd enviro nmenta l. All ties mus t be fixed to a dequa te s uppo rting
s tructures . All la dder a cces s fo r free-s ta nding o r mo bile s ca ffo lding s ho uld be interna l, unles s s pecifica lly des igned.
Where s tructures inco rpo ra te revea l ties thes e mus t a cco unt fo r no mo re tha n 50% o f ties us ed. The ba la nce need to be phys ica l ties i.e. lip, lo ck
o ff, bo x, o r rigid ties .

2.8.1.7 Rigidit y
Hazard:
Pers o na l injury ca us ed by co lla ps e o f s ca ffo lding due to ina dequa te bra cing
If a s ca ffo lding s tructure is to o flexible this ca n lea d to lo o s ening o f the co uplers a nd o verlo a ding o f the equipment. Simila rly if the pla tfo rm is uns ta ble a
co lla ps e o r fa ll co uld o ccur.

Control:
All s ca ffo lding mus t be a dequa tely bra ced in bo th the lo ngitudina l a nd tra ns vers e pla nes .
Occa s io na lly the us e o f pla n bra cing ma y be required s uch a s a t the ba s e o f a mo bile s ca ffo ld o r where to o grea t a s pa n exis ts between tie po ints .

To p

2.8.2 Hazards associated with erecting and dismantling scaffolding


Numero us ha za rds exis t tha t rela te to the co ns tructio n a nd dis ma ntling o f s ca ffo lding.

2.8.2.1 Loading of vehicles wit h scaffolding equipment


Hazard:
Pers o na l injury due to ma nua l ha ndling o f equipment. This ca n include ba ck, ha nd a nd fo o t injury.

Control:
All pers o nnel to us e co rrect lifting pro cedures . Lift with ba ck s tra ight a nd legs bent. Lift with lo a d in centre o f bo dy.
Never lift a nything to o hea vy.
All pers o nnel to be pro vided with a nd us e PPE e.g. ha rd ha ts a nd s a fety fo o twea r.

Hazard:
Pers o na l injury due to being crus hed by mo ving equipment.
Equipment s uch a s fo rklifts ha ve va rio us ha za rds a s s o cia ted with their us e s uch a s :

1. Po o r vis ibility.
2. Overturning o f the ma chine due to o verlo a ding, po o r gro und co nditio ns o r inco rrect tra velling pro cedure.

Control:
All pers o nnel us ing fo rklifts o r o ther ma chinery mus t be s uita bly qua lified. All ca re mus t be ta ken to a vo id tra velling into blind s po ts .
All drivers mus t be a wa re o f o ther peo ple in the a rea .
All lo a ds mus t be s ecure while tra velling a nd tra vel a s clo s e a s po s s ible to the gro und with the fo rks either level o r tilted ba ck.
All lo a ds mus t be co rrectly centred.

Hazard:
Pers o na l injury due to fa ll o f equipment fro m a truck.
To p
Control:
All equipment mus t be lo a ded a nd tra ns po rted in the co rrect ma nner. Tube mus t be s ta cked a ga ins t res tra ints .
Co uplers mus t be ba gged o r tra ns po rted in ca ges .
Pla nks mus t be lo a ded o nto dunna ge o r la id fla t in the ca s e o f ha nd lo a ding.
Sys tem s ca ffo lding mus t be tra ns po rted in s tilla ges , pa llets o r ca ges , o r the equipment mus t be s uita bly ba nded o r s tra pped to prevent mo vement.
All equipment mus t be s ecured with the a ppro pria te s tra ps o r tie do wns . All lo a d-binding equipment mus t be in go o d wo rking o rder.
No trucks a re to be o verlo a ded in terms o f height o r weight.
In the ca s e o f cra ne lo a ding o f equipment, a ll s linging mus t be ca rried o ut by s uita bly qua lified pers o nnel.
All cra nes mus t be o pera ted by qua lified pers o nnel.
Only o ne pers o n to give directio ns to cra ne driver.
Only o ne pers o n to give directio ns to cra ne driver.
All cra nes to be s et up by the co rrect metho d o n a dequa te fo unda tio ns . No cra ne s ho uld exceed lift limits o r be us ed to dra g equipment.

2.8.2.2 Erect ion and dismant ling of t he st ruct ure


Hazard:
Pers o na l injury due to fa ll o f equipment.
There a re s evera l fa cto rs tha t ca n ca us e this ha za rd s uch a s :

1. Inco rrect ha ndling o f equipment.


2. Inco rrect s ta cking o f equipment.
3. Inexperienced wo rkers .
4. Pers o nnel s ta nding undernea th equipment being lifted o r lo wered.
5. Fa ilure to ba rrica de the wo rking a rea .
6. Una utho ris ed entry o f o ther pers o nnel into the wo rking a rea .
7. Fa ilure to us e pro tective equipment.

Control:
All equipment mus t be ha ndled in the co rrect ma nner - no t thro wn o r dro pped.
No pers o nnel to a ttempt to lift a ny equipment tha t is to o hea vy.
WhTo pen us ed gin wheels a nd ro pes mus t be in go o d co nditio n a nd pro perly s ecured.
Co rrect kno ts , bends o r hitches mus t be us ed.
When equipment is being "ha ndba lled", pro per co mmunica tio n a nd go o d vis ibility mus t be ma inta ined between members o f the cha in. Lift o r
lo wer equipment fro m s ta ble, s a fe po s itio ns i.e. behind gua rdra ils , never fro m a n o pen s pa ce.
No pers o nnel a re to s ta nd directly under equipment tha t is being lifted o r lo wered. Once equipment is relea s ed pers o nnel mus t mo ve o ut o f the
a rea o r s eek co ver.
All equipment mus t be s ta cked pro perly a nd in a tidy ma nner.
All equipment mus t be kept a wa y fro m expo s ed a rea s .
No a rea o f the s ca ffo lding s ho uld be o verlo a ded with s urplus equipment.
All pers o nnel will be s upplied with a nd mus t us e pers o na l pro tectio n equipment s uita ble fo r the ta s k.
All a rea s belo w s ca ffo lding o pera tio ns mus t be s uita bly ba rrica ded a nd if required s igns mus t be erected.
Only pers o nnel invo lved with the wo rk will be a llo wed into the a rea .
No a cces s will be given to a ny s ca ffo lding under co ns tructio n o r in the pro ces s o f being dis ma ntled.

Hazard:
Pers o na l injury due to fa ll o f peo ple fro m s ca ffo lding.
Altho ugh this is very ra re in the indus try it ha s been kno wn to ha ppen a nd the co ns equences ca n be s evere, even fa ta l. This ha za rd ca n be a do uble-edged
s wo rd. No t o nly ca n a pers o n be hurt by fa lling; there is a ls o the ris k tha t they la nd o n s o mebo dy els e ca us ing multiple injuries .
Severa l fa cto rs ca n co ntribute to this s itua tio n s uch a s :

1. Po o r co mmunica tio n between wo rkers .


2. Inco rrect erectio n o r dis ma ntling pro cedures .
3. Po o r ho us ekeeping during erectio n o r dis ma ntling.
4. Ina dequa te s a fety pro cedures s uch a s po o r fa ll a rres t s ys tems o r s a fety ha rnes s es no t being us ed in high ris k a rea s .

Control:
All pers o nnel mus t be a wa re o f the a ctivities o f o thers invo lved e.g. if a po rtio n o f s ca ffo lding ha s been remo ved a nd this is no t kno wn, da nger ma y
be hidden.
All s ca ffo lding mus t be checked befo re dis ma ntling, to ens ure it is s a fe to pro ceed.
All pers o nnel mus t ma inta in co mmunica tio n lines .
All s ca ffo lding mus t be erected a nd dis ma ntled us ing the co rrect pro cedures . As a genera l rule wo rk mus t be co mpleted a s the wo rk pro gres s es .
To pDecking a nd gua rdra iling mus t be in pla ce.
La dders mus t be ins ta lled.
Ties a nd bra cing mus t be put in pla ce.
All equipment no t being immedia tely us ed mus t be s ta cked s a fely a nd tidily.
All pers o nnel mus t us e a ppro pria te s a fety equipment if required.
Fa ll a rres t s ys tems mus t be regula rly checked fo r defects .
Sta tic lines mus t be ins ta lled by qua lified pers o nnel a nd mus t be ca pa ble o f s us ta ining a ll lo a ds likely to be impo s ed o n them.
Fa ll a rres t s ys tems mus t be us ed in a ll vo id s itua tio ns s uch a s the erectio n a nd dis ma ntling o f ca ntilever s ca ffo lding, ha nging s ca ffo lding, etc.
Sa fety ha rnes s es mus t be wo rn by a ll s ca ffo lders wo rking o n s ca ffo lds a bo ve 5m.
Co rrectly s ecure a nd wea r s a fety ha rnes s es when o pera ting a s winging s ta ge.

Hazard:
Pers o nnel injury due to defective to o ls a nd equipment.
This ca n include injury to ha nds , eyes , feet a nd s erio us bo dy ha rm ca us ed by:

1. Fa ulty s pa nners (which ca n s lip o r brea k).


2. Fa ulty ha mmers (which ca n s plinter o r s ha tter).
3. Defective electrica l equipment.
4. Subs ta nda rd pla nks .
5. Co rro ded tube.
6. Defective fittings o r co uplers .
7. Defective ro pes a nd o ther lifting equipment.
8. Fa ulty o r under s trength pers o na l pro tective equipment.

Control:
All equipment us ed in the s ca ffo lding mus t be in go o d co nditio n a nd fit fo r its intended purpo s e.
All defective equipment mus t be is o la ted a nd no t us ed.
Bent tube mus t be cut do wn o r dis ca rded.
To pFa ulty pla nks mus t be cut do wn s o a s to be s a fe o r dis ca rded.
Fa ulty co uplers a nd fittings mus t be s erviced, repa ired o r dis ca rded.
Fa ulty to o ls mus t no t be us ed.
Fa ulty ro pes mus t be cut do wn s o a s to be s a fe o r be dis ca rded.
G in wheels mus t be o f s o lid co ns tructio n a nd ha ve a s uita ble wheel dia meter.
G in wheels mus t be free turning a nd ha ve a n a ppro pria te s hea ve s ize.
G in wheels mus t be a ble to be s ecured a cco rding to ma nufa cturer's s pecifica tio ns o r a ccepted indus try pra ctice.
G in wheels mus t no t be o verlo a ded a nd mus t be a tta ched to a n a ppro pria tely des igned a nd co ns tructed s uppo rt. No te tha t a dditio na l ties ma y be
required in the s ca ffo lding in o rder to s us ta in the impo s ed lo a d.
Sha ckles us ed to s ecure gin wheels mus t be mo us ed a nd prevented fro m mo vement a lo ng the s uppo rt.
All electrica l equipment mus t be in go o d co nditio n a nd regula rly checked fo r defects .
Electrica l equipment, including lea ds , mus t be us ed with is o la ting tra ns fo rmers , ea rth lea ka ge circuit brea kers o r RCDs . Thes e mus t a ls o be in go o d
co nditio n a nd regula rly checked fo r s uita bility.
All electrica l equipment, including lea ds , mus t be checked by a qua lified pers o n a minimum o f every 3 mo nths . Ea ch item mus t be ta gged s a fe with
the da te.
All electrica l equipment a nd electrica l ins ta lla tio ns o n co ns tructio n s ites mus t co mply with AS/NZ S 3012 Electrica l Ins ta lla tio ns - Co ns tructio n a nd
Demo litio n Sites . This required in Regula tio n 46 Electricity Regula tio n Co mpila tio n 2003.
Any defective electrica l equipment mus t be repa ired by a s uita bly qua lified pers o n.
All pers o na l PPE mus t be in go o d co nditio n a nd s uita ble fo r its intended purpo s e. Fa ulty PPE ca n lea d to a fa ls e s ens e o f s ecurity a nd mus t be
dis ca rded.

Hazard:
Pers o na l injury due to fa ll fro m s ca ffo lding ca us ed by s lippery equipment.
This ca n lea d to a va riety o f injuries fro m mo dera te to s evere. This co uld be a nything fro m a s lip fro m the bo tto m rung o f a la dder ca us ing a s pra ined a nkle
to a fa ll fro m height ca us ing s erio us injury o r dea th. In a dditio n a pers o n ha ndling equipment co uld s lip a nd relea s e the gea r lea ding to a ha za rdo us
s itua tio n fo r peo ple belo w.

Control:
No pers o nnel a re to ca rry o ut o pera tio ns a t height o n wet o r s lippery equipment. Any mino r wo rks tha t ca n be ca rried o ut within the co nfines o f a s a fe
wo rking pla tfo rm wo uld be permitted, ho wever a ll due ca re mus t be ta ken.

Hazard:
Pers o na l injury ca us ed by fa lling debris .
On ma ny o cca s io ns tra des peo ple us ing s ca ffo lding a re o blivio us to the ha za rd they ca n crea te by lea ving debris o r rubbis h o n s ca ffo lding pla tfo rms .
Welders o ften lea ve ro d ends , s la g, us ed grinding dis ks , etc. Pla s terers , blo To pckla yers a nd brickla yers o ften lea ve dried mo rta r o r blo ck o ff cuts . Ca rpenters
o ften lea ve timber o ff cuts , na ils , s crews , etc. This ma teria l ca n ca us e s erio us ha rm if dis lo dged o r dumped fro m height o nto peo ple belo w.

Control:
All rubbis h mus t be remo ved fro m s ca ffo lding decking a s s o o n a s pra ctica l, idea lly by the tra des tha t ca us ed it. Po o r ho us ekeeping is a ca us e o f
ma ny incidents .
When the s ca ffo ld deck is being lifted o r dis ma ntled a ll ca re mus t be ta ken to prevent dus t a nd debris fa lling o n peo ple belo w.
The a rea belo w the s ca ffo lding mus t be ba rrica ded a nd peo ple kept o ut o f the a rea .
All pers o nnel mus t us e PPE s uch a s ha rd ha ts , s a fety gla s s es a nd s a fety fo o twea r.
All tubes mus t a ls o be checked fo r hidden debris . Welding ro ds , s crewdrivers a nd o ther s ma ll items ca n beco me mis s iles if relea s ed thro ugh a tube.

2.8.3 Hazards from the environment in which the scaffold is situated


Often the s ca ffo lding s ite a nd its enviro ns crea te a s ma ny ha za rds a s the wo rk its elf.

2.8.3.1 General const ruct ion work


Hazard:
Pers o na l injury ca us ed by fa ll o f equipment. Po s s ible co nditio ns lea ding to this s itua tio n include:

1. Wo rking in the vicinity o f cra nes o r lo a ds being lifted by cra nes .


2. Wo rking undernea th, a dja cent to , o r a bo ve building o penings .
3. Wo rking undernea th o r a bo ve o ther tra des peo ple.

Control:
All pers o nnel mus t be a wa re o f a ny equipment o r ma teria l being lifted o verhea d. No s ta nding o r wo rking under cra ne lifted lo a ds is a llo wed.
Only s uita bly qua lified pers o nnel a re a llo wed to s ling lo a ds , direct o r o pera te cra nes . All s lings a nd cha ins mus t be in go o d co nditio n a nd mus t be
checked prio r to us e.
Under no rma l circums ta nces the res po ns ibility fo r cra ne lifted lo a ds will rema in with the co ns tructio n ma na gement. Lifting o pera tio ns mus t no t,
under a ny circums ta nces , be co nducted witho ut the permis s io n o f the s ite ma na gement.
Pers o na l pro tectio n equipment s uch a s ha rd ha ts mus t be us ed a t a ll times .
All pers o nnel mus t be a wa re o f building o penings a bo ve a nd belo w the wo rk a rea .
No equipment is to be s ta cked nea r o penings .
To pAll o penings mus t be fitted with gua rdra ils o r co vers .
All pers o nnel mus t be a wa re o f o ther tra des peo ple wo rking in the a rea .
Every effo rt mus t be ma de to a vo id wo rking in o r mo ving thro ugh a rea s tha t a re o ccupied by o ther tra des unles s this ca n be a chieved in a s a fe
ma nner.
All co nta iners us ed to lift equipment mus t be o f s uita ble des ign a nd s trength.

Hazard:
Pers o na l injury ca us ed by co nta ct with co mpres s ed a ir.
Ma ny s ites ma ke extens ive us e o f co mpres s ed a ir e.g. to po wer co ncrete brea king equipment. If us ed inco rrectly co mpres s ed a ir ca n ca us e s erio us injury
o r dea th. Co nditio ns tha t ca n lea d to this s itua tio n include:

1. Debris o r s plinters blo wn into eyes o r s kin.


2. Co nta ct with co mpres s ed a ir o n ba re s kin ca n lea d to a ir embo lis ms , i.e. a bubble o f a ir entering the blo o ds trea m - o ften ca us ing dea th.
3. Inco rrect o r fa ulty fittings o n a ir ho s es which ca n fa il under pres s ure. This ca n lea d to a ir ho s es mo ving wildly a nd co ming into co nta ct with
wo rkers .
Control:
All pers o nnel wo rking in the vicinity o f co mpres s ed a ir mus t wea r the a ppro pria te s a fety equipment s uch a s s a fety fo o twea r, glo ves , s a fety gla s s es
a nd o vera lls o r wris t to a nkle co ver.
No pers o nnel a re a llo wed to ta mper with a irline ho s es o r fittings .
At no time s ho uld co mpres s ed a ir be directed a t o ther pers o nnel.

Hazard:
Pers o na l injury ca us ed by co nta ct with live electrica l co nducto rs o r equipment.
Ma ny s ites us e tempo ra ry po wer s upplies which, if us ed inco rrectly, ca n be da ngero us . Electric s ho ck o r a rcing ca n lea d to s evere injuries o r even
electro cutio n (dea th).

Control:
Check a ll plugs , lea ds a nd equipment fo r defects . Fa ulty equipment mus t no t be us ed a nd ins tea d mus t be repa ired by a s uita bly qua lified pers o n.
All electrica l equipment mus t be us ed with is o la ting tra ns fo rmers o r s imila r.
All lea ds mus t be eleva ted a bo ve gro und o r if this is no t po s s ible run thro ugh a s uita ble co nduit a nd pro tected fro m crus hing.
All lea ds a nd electrica l equipment mus t be checked a nd ta gged three mo nthly by a s uita bly qua lified pers o n.
All electrica l equipment a nd electrica l ins ta lla tio ns o n co ns tructio n s ites mus t co mply with AS/NZ S 3012 Electrica l Ins ta lla tio ns - Co ns tructio n a nd
Demo litio n Sites . This required in Regula tio n 46 Electricity Regula tio n To pCo mpila tio n 2003.

Hazard:
Pers o na l injury ca us ed by pers o n fa lling.
Co ns tructio n s ites a re inherently da ngero us pla ces to wo rk a nd due to the unfinis hed na ture o f the a rea ha ve ma ny trip o r fa ll ha za rds . Thes e ma y include:

1. Obs tructed wa lkwa ys .


2. Trip ha za rds o bs cured by po o r lighting.
3. Flo o r o penings left with no co vers o r gua rdra ils in pla ce.
4. Po o r a cces s to upper o r lo wer flo o rs .
5. Wet o r s lippery wa lkwa ys .

Control:
All pers o nnel a re to ens ure tha t wo rk a rea s a re left in a clea n a nd tidy s ta te.
All pers o nnel a re to lea ve wo rk a rea s in a s a fe co nditio n e.g. co vers pla ced o ver flo o r a rea s a nd gua rdra ils reins ta ted.
No pers o n is permitted to wo rk in po o r vis ibility. Suita ble lighting is to be ins ta lled prio r to co mmencement.
Ens ure tha t s uita ble s ecured a cces s is us ed to tra vel between flo o r a rea s .
All ca re is to be ta ken when entering wet a rea s .

Hazard:
Pers o na l injury ca us ed by crus hing fro m mo ving ma chinery.
Co ns tructio n s ites o ften ma ke us e o f exca va tio n ma chinery, ho is ts , cra nes a nd o ther mo bile pla nt. This type o f equipment ca n be ha za rdo us if us ed
inco rrectly a nd if s a fety pro cedures a re no t fo llo wed.

Control:
No pers o nnel to enter the blind s po t o f mo ving ma chinery.
All pers o nnel to be a wa re o f mo ving ma chinery a nd to a vo id mo ving into its pa th.
A minimum s a fe dis ta nce mus t be kept fro m s winging lo a ds a nd wo rkers mus t be a wa re o f the mo vement o f cra ne ho o ks .
All mo bile pla nt mus t be o pera ted by s uita bly qua lified pers o nnel.

To p
Hazard:
Pers o na l injury due to inha la tio n o f fumes o r a s phyxia tio n.
So metimes o n co ns tructio n s ites , pers o nnel a re required to o pera te in co nfined s pa ces . Thes e a rea s a re no rma lly s ubject to po o r ventila tio n a nd ca n
beco me filled with fumes fro m ma chinery o r pro ces s es being ca rried o ut o n s ite.

Control:
A co nfined s pa ce entry inductio n mus t be pro vided befo re co mmencing wo rk (refer AS 2865).
All pers o nnel entering o r intending to wo rk in a co nfined s pa ce mus t ma ke s ure tha t the a rea is well ventila ted a nd free fro m fumes .
Ma chinery o pera to rs mus t ens ure tha t exha us t fumes ca nno t enter co nfined a rea s a nd tha t s ta tio na ry equipment s uch a s co mpres s o rs a re
s itua ted in well ventila ted a rea s .
Tra des peo ple ca rrying o ut o pera tio ns tha t invo lve the us e o f chemica ls mus t ens ure, if the pro ces s is likely to ca us e po tentia lly ha za rdo us fumes
o r o ther co nditio ns , tha t wa rning no tices a nd ba rrica des a re pla ced in s uita ble a rea s .
When wo rking in the vicinity o f ha za rdo us s ubs ta nces the Ha za rdo us Subs ta nces a nd New Orga nis ms Act 1996 a nd ERMA Co des o f Pra ctice a pply.

Hazard:
Pers o na l injury ca us ed by fire.
Fire is a lwa ys a po tentia l ha za rd o n co ns tructio n s ites . Ma ke every effo rt to a vo id it.

Control:
All wo rk a rea s mus t be kept clea n a nd free o f debris .
All ca re mus t be ta ken when us ing ma chinery o r pro ces s es tha t ca us e hea t.
All pers o nnel mus t be a wa re o f no s mo king a rea s o n s ite a nd mus t o bs erve wa rning s igns .
All pers o nnel when co mmencing wo rk o n s ite mus t ma ke s ure they a re a wa re o f the lo ca tio n o f fire extinguis hers a nd fire exits .
All fire es ca pe do o rs a nd fire hydra nts mus t be kept clea r o f ma teria ls a nd o ther o bs tructio ns .

Hazard:
Pers o na l injury due to co lla ps e o f fa ls ewo rk, pro pping o r fo rmwo rk s ys tems .
Co ns tructio n s ites o ften ma ke co ns idera ble us e o f fa ls ewo rk, pro pping a nd fo rmwo rk s ys tems . A co lla ps e o f o ne o f thes e s ys tems ca n lea d to s erio us
injury o r dea th.
Co To pnditio ns tha t ca n lea d to this s itua tio n include:

1. Uns uita ble fo unda tio ns .


2. Overlo a ding o f equipment.
3. Ina dequa te bra cing o r ties .
4. Po o r des ign.
5. Uns killed o pera to rs .
6. Una utho ris ed ta mpering o r interference with equipment.
7. Equipment in po o r co nditio n.

Control:
All pers o nnel invo lved with the erectio n, ma intena nce o r dis ma ntling o f thes e s ys tems mus t be s uita bly qua lified a nd ca pa ble o f ca rrying o ut the
wo rk a cco rding to s pecifica tio ns . No rma lly thes e s ys tems a re s ubject to ca lcula tio ns a nd engineering des ign a nd a ll dimens io ns a nd s pecifica tio ns
mus t be s trictly a dhered to .
No pers o nnel a re to interfere o r ta mper with equipment o f this type unles s under the direct s upervis io n o f a s uita bly qua lified pers o n a nd under
directio ns fro m the pro ject ma na gement.
All equipment o f this type mus t be in go o d co nditio n, s uita bly bra ced o r tied a nd ba s ed o ut o n s uita ble fo unda tio ns .
No fa ulty equipment is to be us ed.
All defective equipment is to be repa ired by s uita bly qua lified pers o nnel.
No equipment is to be o verlo a ded a nd is o nly to be us ed fo r its intended purpo s e. If in do ubt s eek the a dvice o f a s uita bly qua lified pers o n s uch a s
a cha rtered engineer.
The erectio n a nd dis ma ntling o f this type o f equipment ha s s imila r ha za rds to the erectio n a nd dis ma ntling o f s ca ffo lding s ys tems .
All ca re mus t be ta ken when wo rking a t height, a ro und o ther tra des o r wo rking undernea th cra ne lifted ma teria l.

Hazard:
Pers o na l injury due to expo s ure to welding, grinding o r ga s cutting, o pera tio ns .
This type o f wo rk pro duces hea t, s pa rks a nd po s s ibly infra -red ra ys (the ca us e o f "a rc eyes "), ha za rds a s s o cia ted with fumes a nd the po s s ibility o f fa lling
equipment.

Control:
All pers o nnel wo rking in the vicinity o f thes e o pera tio ns a re to ens ure tha t the wo rk is ba rrica ded o r is o la ted fro m them. It is a ls o go o d pra ctice fo r
tra des peo ple o f this type to erect s creens a ro und their wo rk a rea .
Never s ta re a t a n a rc welding o pera tio n.
To pMo ve o ut o f a ny a rea where the po s s ibility o f fa lling s pa rks o r s teel o ff cuts exis ts . See a ls o co ntro ls fo r electricity a nd fire.

Hazard:
Pers o na l injury due to being s truck with pro jectile fro m po wder po wered to o ls o r a na il gun.
Thes e to o ls ma ke us e o f either explo s ive ca rtridges o r co mpres s ed a ir to drive a na il o r pin into co ncrete, s teel o r timber. Co ns equently the pro jectile ca n
ha ve the s a me effect a s a bullet fired fro m a gun. Any bo dy pa rt s truck by the na il o r pin will s uffer a t lea s t a puncture wo und a nd po s s ibly o ther s erio us
injuries .

Control:
The us e o f po wder po wered to o ls is res tricted to ho lders o f a current certifica te o f co mpetence. Thes e peo ple ha ve been tra ined in the co rrect us e
o f the equipment including s a fety pro cedures .
No pers o nnel a re to o pera te this type o f equipment unles s they a re s uita bly qua lified.
No pers o nnel a re to ta mper o r interfere with this type o f equipment.
No defective equipment is to be us ed. All fa ulty equipment mus t be repa ired by a s uita bly qua lified pers o n.
All firing cha rges mus t be kept in a lo cked, s ecure a rea when no t being us ed.
All s pecified s a fety equipment s uch a s s a fety gla s s es , hea ring pro tectio n a nd s a fety bo o ts mus t be wo rn when this equipment is being us ed.
Opera to rs o f this type o f equipment mus t be a wa re o f o ther peo ple in the a rea a nd mus t never dis cha rge the firing unit in the directio n o f a ny o ther
pers o nnel, rega rdles s o f the ma teria l being fired into .
There ha ve been s evera l o cca s io ns where pro jectiles ha ve pa s s ed thro ugh the o bject being fired into , lea ding to a n unco ntro lled flight o f the na il
o r pin.

2.8.3.2 Demolit ion work


Demo litio n wo rk co uld be viewed a s the direct o ppo s ite o f co ns tructio n wo rk. Ho wever, when the two indus tries a re exa mined they ha ve s imila r ha za rds .
Fo r exa mple, bo th ha ve ha za rds due to po s s ible expo s ure to :

1. Fa lling equipment o r ma teria l.


2. Co mpres s ed a ir.
3. G a s cutting a nd o r welding a nd/o r grinding.
4. Peo ple fa lling.
5. Mo ving ma chinery.
6. Fire.
7. Live electrica l co nducto rs o r equipment.
8. Fa ilure o f tempo ra ry pro pping s ys tems .

To p
Hazard:
Injury to feet a nd ha nds due to co nta ct with timber with expo s ed na ils .
Demo litio n wo rk ca n lea d to la rge a mo unts o f timber being remo ved fro m buildings o ften with na ils o r s crews expo s ed. This ca n lea d to puncture wo unds
in ha nds o r feet when dea ling with s uch ma teria l.
Control:
All pers o nnel wo rking in the vicinity o f timber with pro truding na ils s ho uld wea r s a fety bo o ts a nd glo ves a nd ta ke a ll s teps to a vo id co ming into co nta ct
with the na ils . In the ca s e o f a n a bra s io n o r puncture wo und being s us ta ined, the injury s ha ll be trea ted immedia tely with the us e o f a ntis eptic a nd a
s uita ble ba nda ge. The injury mus t be repo rted to the s upervis o r a nd if neces s a ry further medica l trea tment mus t be s o ught.
No te: There is a lwa ys a po s s ibility o f co nta cting teta nus o r ha ving the wo und turn s eptic if no t trea ted pro perly. If in do ubt s eek medica l a dvice.

Hazard:
Pers o na l injury due to s ca ffo lding co lla ps e ca us ed by s ca ffo lding s uppo rt s tructure being demo lis hed a nd s uita ble a lterna tive ties no t being put in pla ce.
In the no rma l co urs e o f events s ca ffo lding will be erected o n a co ns tructio n s ite a s the building pro gres s es o r when the building s upers tructure is
co mplete. This pro ces s ens ures tha t the s ca ffo lding ca n be s a fely tied a s it is erected. In the ca s e o f demo litio n wo rk it is the o ppo s ite. Often a s ca ffo lding
s tructure tha t is being us ed to a s s is t with the demo litio n o f a building will be co mpletely erected a ro und the s tructure a nd then a s the building is
demo lis hed the s ca ffo lding is pro gres s ively dis ma ntled. There ha ve been o cca s io ns where s ca ffo lding ha s co lla ps ed o n demo litio n wo rk due to being left
expo s ed to o high a bo ve the la s t tie o ff po ints . This ca n lea d to ma jo r da ma ge a nd s erio us injury.

Control:
No s ca ffo lding is to be left free s ta nding mo re tha n 4.0m a bo ve the la s t tie po int.
All s ca ffo lding is to be erected with s uita ble bra cing. Additio na l do gleg bra cing ma y be required.
The s ca ffo lding s upervis o r mus t ens ure when underta king co ntra cts a s s o cia ted with demo litio n wo rk the demo litio n co ntra cto r is a wa re o f the
po tentia l ha za rds a s s o cia ted with free-s ta nding s ca ffo lding.
The s ca ffo lding s upervis o r mus t lia is e with the co ntra cto r a nd es ta blis h the pro gra mme o f wo rk.
The s ca ffo lding s upervis o r mus t ens ure tha t s ufficient ma npo wer is a va ila ble to ca rry o ut the dis ma ntling o f the s ca ffo lding when a nd a s required.
All s urplus equipment mus t be remo ved fro m s ite a s s o o n a s po s s ible. The s ca ffo lding s upervis o r mus t ens ure tha t s ufficient ties rema in in the
s ca ffo lding a t a ll times .

Hazard:
Pers o na l injury ca us ed by crus hing due to building co lla ps e.
There a re s evera l metho ds us ed fo r the demo litio n o f a building. So me a re rela tively pa s s ive s uch a s brick by brick demo litio n us ed with s o me buildings
with his to rica l s ignifica nce. So me a re vo la tile s uch a s the us e o f explo s ives o r pro gres s ive delibera te co lla ps e (felling) o f the s tructure. In the ca s e o f the
la tter there is a rea l da nger tha t the co lla ps e o f the building co uld beco me unco ntro lled o r ha ppen prema turely, po s s ibly tra pping wo rkers ins ide a nd
ca us ing s erio us injury.
To p
Control:
All pers o nnel a re to rema in o uts ide o f a ny a rea tha t ma y be s ubject to co lla ps e. Under no circums ta nces will entry be a llo wed.
All pers o na l pro tective equipment s uch a s s a fety gla s s es , fo o twea r, ha rd ha ts a nd, if required, hea ring pro tectio n, mus t be us ed a t a ll times o n
demo litio n s ites .

2.8.3.3 Work near asbest os


Hazard:
Pers o na l injury due to expo s ure to a s bes to s .
Altho ugh the ris k o f expo s ure to a s bes to s ha s been grea tly reduced o ver the la s t deca de, o cca s io na lly wo rkers invo lved in the co ns tructio n indus try will
be o n a s ite where a s bes to s pro ducts ha ve been lo ca ted e.g. refurbis hment pro jects . Mo s t res po ns ible building o wners ha ve ta ken s teps to reduce o r
elimina te thes e pro ducts o r a lterna tively ha ve co vered o r s ea led them s o a s to reduce the po s s ibility o f the relea s e o f the fine dus t o r fibres tha t ca n
ca us e a s bes to s is o r o ther rela ted injuries .
In the demo litio n indus try, wo rkers a re mo re likely to be expo s ed to the pro blem o f a s bes to s remo va l a nd co nta inment a nd a s s uch s pecia l preca utio ns
a re required. In s o me o lder buildings , a s bes to s wa s us ed fo r ins ula tio n a nd/o r fire pro o fing a s well a s a building ma teria l fo r ro o fing a nd wa ll cla dding.
The grea tes t ha za rd fro m cla dding type pro ducts co mes when the ma teria l is in a dry o r cra cked co nditio n o r is being cut fo r the purpo s e o f remo va l.
Simila rly, ha za rds exis t when ins ula tio n o r firepro o fing ma teria l is being s cra ped o ff s urfa ces . The co ncern is the relea s e o f a s bes to s pa rticles which ca n
lea d to medica l pro blems if inha led.

Control:
All pers o nnel invo lved in a s bes to s remo va l o r ha ndling mus t be s uita bly qua lified a nd a ll co ntro ls fo r the preventio n o f the relea s e o f a s bes to s
co nta ining dus t mus t be ca rried o ut a t a ll times e.g. co nta inment, a dequa te wetting do wn a nd a ppro ved remo va l a nd dis po s a l metho ds .
So me wo rk with a s bes to s is res tricted (wo rk with fria ble a s bes to s ) requiring a Limited Certifica te o f Co mpetence. This is no tifia ble wo rk to
Depa rtment o f La bo ur. Further info rma tio n ca n be fo und in the HSE As bes to s Regula tio ns 1998.
Occa s io na lly s ca ffo lding will be erected in o rder to ga in a cces s to a rea s co nta ining a s bes to s . If this is required then a ll pro tective mea s ures
emplo yed fo r the s a fe remo va l a nd ha ndling o f a s bes to s mus t be ta ken.
All pers o nnel who will be expo s ed to a s bes to s pro ducts mus t us e the a ppro pria te pers o na l pro tectio n s ys tem fo r the pro duct.
All pers o nnel mus t o bs erve a ll s ite s a fety rules with rega rd to the a s bes to s remo va l pro gra mme s uch a s the us e o f deco nta mina tio n a rea s , co rrect
dis po s a l o f s o iled o vera lls a nd the a ppro pria te cha ngeo ver times fo r ventila tio n equipment.
All pers o nnel enga ged in this wo rk will underta ke a n a ppro pria te inductio n co urs e a nd will identify a nd ta ke a ll pra ctica ble s teps to minimis e a ll
ha za rds prio r to co mmencement.
All res pira to ry equipment us ed mus t be o f a n a ppro pria te s ta nda rd fo r the wo rk being underta ken a nd mus t be in go o d wo rking o rder.
All pers o nnel us ing res pira to ry equipment mus t firs t undergo a n a ppro pria te ins tructio n co urs e in the co rrect us e, ma intena nce, clea ning a nd, if
required, dis po s a l.
At no time s ha ll a ny pers o n ha ving been in co nta ct with a s bes to s be a llo wed to co me in co nta ct with o ther wo rkers o r enter a ny a rea where there
is a po s s ibility o f co nta mina tio n o f the a rea witho ut the pro per deco nta mina tio n a nd co nta inment pro cedures ta king pla ce.
At a ll times pro vis io n mus t be ma de fo r the po s s ibility o f emergency a cces s o r egres s to the a rea .
To pIf po s s ible the ends o f s ca ffo lding tube us ed in a s s o cia tio n with a s bes to s rela ted wo rk s ho uld be ta ped o r blo cked in o rder to prevent the build
up o f a s bes to s pro duct ins ide the tube.
Befo re dis ma ntling s ca ffo ld mus t be clea n a nd free fro m a ny a s bes to s pa rticles prio r to the wo rk co mmencing. This wo rk mus t be ca rried o ut by
s uita bly qua lified peo ple a nd ma y be res tricted wo rk requiring no tifica tio n (a s a bo ve).

2.8.3.4 Work on ships, offshore inst allat ions and bridges


When s ca ffo lding wo rk is required in thes e a rea s mo s t o f the ha za rds a lrea dy co vered will need to be ma na ged fo r exa mple:

1. Ha za rds a s s o cia ted with the us e o f cra nes a nd o ther lifting equipment a nd mo ving ma chinery.
2. Ha za rds a s s o cia ted with wo rk in co nfined s pa ces .
3. Po s s ible ha za rds a s s o cia ted with the ris k o f fire.

In a dditio n to thes e (a nd ma ny o thers ) there a re the unique ha za rds a s s o cia ted with wo rk o ver wa ter.

Hazard:
Pers o na l injury due to fa ll fro m height into wa ter.
Wo rkers erecting o r dis ma ntling s ca ffo lding o ver the s ide o f a s hip, rig o r bridge ha ve the a dded difficulty o f trying to ca rry o ut their ta s k in a vo id s itua tio n
whereby they ca nno t wo rk fro m a rea dily a cces s ible pla tfo rm.

Control:
Pers o nnel invo lved in wo rking in a vo id s itua tio n mus t wea r the a ppro pria te PPE s uch a s s a fety ha rnes s es a nd, if required, life ja ckets .
All equipment o f this na ture mus t be in go o d wo rking o rder a nd regula rly checked fo r defects .
All equipment o f this type mus t be co rrectly ins ta lled by a s uita bly qua lified pers o n a nd mus t be to a s ta nda rd a ppro pria te fo r its intended purpo s e.
All pers o nnel us ing this type o f equipment mus t firs t undergo a n a ppro pria te ins tructio n co urs e in the us e a nd ma intena nce o f the equipment.
All pers o nnel invo lved in wo rk o ver wa ter mus t be fitted with reflective ves ts o r bright co lo ured o vera lls .
Emergency co ntingency pla ns mus t be in pla ce a t a ll times . Co ns idera tio n mus t be given to the fa ilure o f exis ting s a fety s ys tems a nd the po s s ible
requirement to ra pidly extra ct pers o nnel fro m the wa ter.
In the ca s e o f wo rk o ver wa ter, o pera tio ns a re no t to be ca rried o ut unles s there is pro vis io n fo r a res cue cra ft to be rea dily a va ila ble in the a rea .
No wo rk o f this na ture is no t to be ca rried o ut witho ut the permis s io n o f the o pera to rs o f the fa cility.
No wo rk o f this na ture is to co mmence witho ut a n emergency res us cita tio n pro cedure being rea dily a cces s ible.
Refer to Ma ritime New Z ea la nd fo r further info rma tio n.

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2.8.3.5 Work in chemical plant s, fact ories, st orage areas and processing facilit ies
Ma intena nce wo rk ca rried o ut in thes e a rea s ca n be pa rticula rly da ngero us due to the pro ces s es ca rried o ut a nd a ls o beca us e o f the go o ds pro duced o r
s to red in them.

Hazard:
Pers o na l injury due to expo s ure to hea t.
Ma ny pla nts o f the type des cribed a bo ve ha ve pro ces s es tha t ca n pro duce la rge a mo unts o f hea t. Exa mples include s teel mills , s melters a nd
petro chemica l pla nts with refo rmers .
The two ma in ha za rds a s s o cia ted with wo rk a dja cent to hea t a re:

1. The po s s ibility o f burn injuries ; a nd


2. The po s s ibility o f dehydra tio n a nd hea t s icknes s .

Control:
All pers o nnel wo rking in ho t a rea s mus t us e a ll a ppro pria te s a fety equipment s uch a s s a fety bo o ts , o vera lls , glo ves a nd ha rd ha ts in o rder to
prevent s kin co ming into co nta ct with ho t equipment.
All pers o nnel enga ged in this type o f wo rk mus t be s upplied with o r ha ve rea dy a cces s to a n a dequa te s upply o f who les o me drinking wa ter. Ea ch
pers o n s ho uld ha ve his o r her o wn drinking ves s el.
Pers o nnel wo rking in thes e a rea s mus t ta ke wo rk brea ks a s a nd when required.
Empha s is mus t be pla ced o n the a vo ida nce o f injury o r s icknes s ca us ed by o ver expo s ure to hea t.
Emergency pla ns mus t be in pla ce a t a ll times with empha s is o n the po s s ibility o f ra pid extra ctio n o f pers o nnel fro m the a rea .
Any wo rker s uffering fro m the effects o f o ver expo s ure to hea t mus t lea ve the a rea immedia tely a nd mus t no t return until fully res ted a nd
reco vered.
At no time a re a ny pers o nnel to enter ho t a rea s witho ut permis s io n fro m the pla nt o pera to r.
At a ll times a ll s ite s a fety pro cedures mus t be a dhered to a nd a ny brea ch o f thes e rules is to be trea ted a s a s erio us brea ch o f co nduct.
All pers o nnel mus t ta ke a ll ca re when ha ndling equipment tha t ha s been expo s ed to hea t.
All equipment us ed in the vicinity o f ho t a rea s mus t be s uita ble fo r its intended purpo s e a nd mus t be in go o d co nditio n.
Timber pla nks o r o ther fla mma ble ma teria l mus t be us ed with ca utio n a nd ma teria l mus t never be left in a po s itio n whereby exces s ive hea t
build up co uld lea d to co mbus tio n.
All rubbis h a nd debris mus t be remo ved fro m the a rea .
Steel decking mus t a ls o be us ed with ca utio n a nd if required mus t be co vered with ma teria l tha t will ena ble the pla tfo rm to be us ed witho ut
undue dis co mfo rt o r hea t build up fo r the end us ers o f the s ca ffo lding.
Timber pla nks us ed in ho t a rea s mus t be checked regula rly fo r wa rping o r undue deflectio n.
All pers o nnel mus t a ttend a ppro pria te inductio n a nd s a fety tra ining co urs es prio r to entering ho t a rea s .
When wo rking in the vicinity o f ha za rdo us s ubs ta nces the Ha za rdo us Subs ta nces a nd New Orga nis ms Act 1996 a nd ERMA Co des o f Pra ctice a pply.

To p
Hazard:
Pers o na l injury due to expo s ure to co ld.
So me pro ces s ing a nd s to ra ge pla nts ma ke us e o f refrigera tio n a rea s . The degree o f co ld is dependent o n the pro duct being ma nufa ctured o r s to red;
ho wever a ll a rea s with mo re tha n mild refrigera tio n s ho uld be trea ted a s ha za rdo us a nd preca utio ns mus t be ta ken to prevent hypo thermia o r o ther co ld
rela ted injuries .

Control:
All pers o nnel invo lved in pro lo nged expo s ure to co ld a rea s mus t us e a ppro pria te s a fety equipment s uch a s glo ves , a ppro ved fo o twea r a nd
s uita ble hea dwea r.
Pro lo nged expo s ure to co ld ma y a ls o require the pro vis io n a nd wea ring o f therma l clo thing.
Pers o nnel invo lved in wo rk in thes e a rea s mus t ta ke wo rk brea ks a s a nd when required.
All pers o nnel ca rrying o ut wo rk in co ld a rea s mus t ta ke a ll ca utio n. Co ld, wet a rea s ca n lea d to the fo rma tio n o f ice a nd wo rkers mus t ta ke a ll s teps
to a vo id s lipping o r lo s ing their ba la nce o n the ice.
Equipment us ed in thes e a rea s ca n beco me s lippery a nd difficult to ha ndle. All ca re mus t be ta ken when pa s s ing o r tra ns po rting equipment.
All equipment us ed in co ld a rea s mus t be in go o d co nditio n a nd s uita ble fo r its intended purpo s e. If po s s ible decking us ed in co ld a rea s s ho uld be
co vered with a nti s lip ma teria l s uch a s chicken mes h wire.
So me pla nts ma ke us e o f a mmo nia a s a refrigera tio n a gent. All pers o nnel invo lved in wo rk nea r pipes o r ves s els us ed to co nvey a mmo nia mus t
ta ke a ll preca utio ns neces s a ry to a vo id co ming into co nta ct with this type o f pla nt.
Piping us ed fo r co o ling s ys tems ca n beco me co vered in ice a nd ca n deterio ra te if no t regula rly ma inta ined. Thes e pipes ca n wea ken due to rus t
build up a nd o cca s io na lly ca n fra cture, lea ding to a relea s e o f a mmo nia .
At a ll times in thes e a rea s emergency pla ns mus t be in pla ce.
Empha s is mus t be given to the ra pid extra ctio n o f pers o nnel a nd a ls o to res us cita tio n metho ds .
No pers o nnel a re to enter thes e a rea s witho ut the permis s io n o f the pla nt o pera to rs .
At a ll times a ll s ite s a fety pro cedures mus t be s trictly o bs erved.
Wo rkers entering a ny a rea where there is a po s s ibility o f a n a mmo nia relea s e mus t ca rry a nd be tra ined in the us e o f emergency brea thing
a ppa ra tus (BA).
All pers o nnel entering co ld a rea s mus t a ttend a n a ppro pria te inductio n co urs e prio r to co mmencement o f wo rk.
Any pers o n s uffering fro m the effects o f o ver expo s ure to co ld mus t immedia tely lea ve the a rea a nd mus t no t return until fully reco vered.

Hazard:
Pers o na l injury due to expo s ure to exces s ive no is e levels .
Ma ny pla nts ma ke us e o f ma chinery o r equipment tha t pro duces no is e in exces s o f reco gnis ed s a fe expo s ure thres ho lds . Pro lo nged expo s ure to
exces s ive no is e ca n lea d to hea ring lo s s a nd s tres s rela ted pro blems . In genera l terms a 'high no is e a rea is a ny a rea where yo u ca nno t co mmunica te to
a no ther pers o n 600mm a wa y fro m yo u witho ut ra is ing yo ur vo ice.
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Control:
All pers o nnel entering a high no is e a rea mus t us e a n a ppro pria te hea ring pro tectio n s ys tem.
The type o f equipment us ed will depend o n the level o f no is e in the a rea .
All equipment us ed mus t be in go o d co nditio n a nd s uita ble fo r the requirements o f the a rea .
All equipment mus t be ma nufa ctured to a n a ppro ved s ta nda rd a nd mus t be regula rly checked fo r defects .
Ea r muffs mus t be kept clea n a nd mus t be well fitting.
Pers o nnel expo s ed to high no is e levels o ver a pro lo nged perio d o f time s ho uld ha ve regula r hea ring tes ts .

Hazard:
Pers o na l injury due to explo s io n/s in a wo rk a rea .
Ma ny pla nts a nd s to ra ge fa cilities pro duce o r ha ndle vo la tile ma teria ls tha t in pa rticula r circums ta nces ca n beco me explo s ive. Fo r ins ta nce petro chemica l
pla nts pro duce highly fla mma ble liquids a nd ga s es a nd chemica l pla nts ca n pro duce s imila r s ubs ta nces . Other pla nts ca n ma nufa cture pro ducts tha t a t
firs t ca n a ppea r to be rela tively ha rmles s but in the wro ng co nditio n o r a tmo s phere (o r when mixed with o ther ma teria l) ma y a ls o beco me uns ta ble o r
po tentia lly explo s ive. Exa mples o f pro ducts tha t a re highly fla mma ble a re metha no l, petro leum, CNG , LPG etc.
Dus t explo s io ns ca n a ls o be pro blema tic. A dus t explo s io n will no rma lly o ccur in a co nfined s pa ce s uch a s a s ilo o r ves s el a nd is a ctua lly two explo s io ns
tha t o ccur s imulta neo us ly. The firs t ca n be a mino r o ne ca us ed by a s pa rk o r expo s ure to a hea t s o urce. This will ignite a s ma ll qua ntity o f ma teria l a nd
ca us e a s ho ck wa ve. This s ho ck wa ve will hit the wa ll o f the ves s el ca us ing the relea s e o f mo re dus t into the a lrea dy hea ted a tmo s phere. A s eco nd
explo s io n will no w o ccur due to the la rger fuel s o urce, o xygen rich a tmo s phere a nd hea t s o urce. Exa mples o f pro ducts tha t a re kno wn to be invo lved in
pa rticle o r dus t explo s io ns a re co a l, s a wdus t, flo ur, whea t, co ffee a nd a luminium. As mentio ned a bo ve o n the s urfa ce thes e items a ppea r to be una ble to
ca us e much ha rm, but when thes e pro ducts a re s to red o r being tra ns po rted there is likely to be dus t build up.

Control:
All pers o nnel intending to wo rk in thes e a rea s mus t a ttend a s ite inductio n co urs e prio r to co mmencement o f wo rk.
All pers o nnel mus t no tify pla nt o pera to rs when entering o r lea ving high ris k a rea s .
All pers o nnel mus t o bta in neces s a ry permits to enter a nd wo rk in high ris k a rea s .
If neces s a ry po tentia l high-ris k a rea s s ho uld be ga s tes ted o r flus hed prio r to entry.
Cellula r pho nes o r ra dio telepho nes s ho uld be checked with the pla nt o pera to r. G enera lly they a re no t permitted in po tentia lly explo s ive
enviro nments .
All vehicles entering a ny pro ces s o r high-ris k a rea s mus t co mply with a ll permit requirements a nd if neces s a ry mus t be fitted with a nti s pa rk devices
s uch a s rubber ba ttery co vers a nd exha us t co vers .
All vehicles mus t be o f a n a ppro ved type, s uita ble fo r the a rea a nd mus t be in go o d co nditio n.
Ta ke s pecia l preca utio ns when wo rking in high ris k a rea s e.g. the us e o f rubber ma llets fo r the erectio n o f s ys tem o r mo dula r wedge type
s ca ffo lding.
Prio r to co mmencement o f wo rk a deta iled s a fety pla n mus t be prepa red tha t includes the identifica tio n o f a ll ha za rds a nd a ll mea s ures to be
ta ken to co ntro l thes e ha za rds . This s a fety pla n mus t be a greed upo n a nd To punders to o d by bo th wo rkers a bo ut to enga ge in a ctivity in the a rea
a nd by the pla nt o pera to rs .
An emergency co ntingency pla n mus t be in pla ce a t a ll times .
All pers o nnel mus t be equipped with a nd us e a ll a ppro pria te s a fety equipment a nd a ll equipment mus t be in go o d co nditio n a nd free fro m defects .
All ga s tes ting o r mo nito ring equipment mus t be regula rly checked a nd ca libra ted a nd mus t be s uita ble fo r its intended purpo s e.
If required a s a fety wa tch ma y be po s itio ned o n the exterio r o f a ta nk o r ves s el. The s a fety wa tch pers o nnel s ho uld be tra ined in eva cua tio n
pro cedures a nd mus t be in co mmunica tio n with the pla nt o pera to rs .
All ta nks a nd ves s els mus t be well ventila ted when pers o nnel a re wo rking ins ide thes e a rea s . This ma y mea n tha t externa l blo wers o r s uctio n units
ma y ha ve to be po s itio ned a t ma nho les o r o ther o penings

Hazard:
Pers o na l injury due to expo s ure to to xic chemica ls , ga s es o r ca us tic pro ducts .
So me pla nts a nd s to ra ge a rea s pro duce o r ha ndle s ubs ta nces tha t ca n be ha za rdo us either by thems elves o r when mixed with o thers o r when the
co mpo s itio n is cha nged, fo r exa mple in the ca s e o f a fire in the a rea . The degree o f ha rm ca us ed by chemica ls a nd ga s es will depend o n the to xicity o f the
s ubs ta nce, the expo s ure to it a nd s o metimes the metho d in which it enters the pers o n.
While ga s es a re inha led, chemica ls ca n be da ngero us in a va riety o f wa ys . So me chemica ls pro duce fumes tha t ma y be inha led. So me ca n be s wa llo wed
(inges ted) e.g. if a pers o n wa s wo rking with chemica ls witho ut glo ves a nd then fa iled to wa s h their ha nds befo re ea ting a s ma ll qua ntity ma y be pa s s ed
fro m the ha nds to the fo o d to the pers o n. So me chemica ls ca n enter thro ugh the s kin, either thro ugh a bs o rptio n o r by entering a puncture wo und o r o pen
expo s ed cut. Orga no -pho s pha tes a re a n exa mple o f a chemica l tha t ca n be rela tively ha rmles s if expo s ed to the s kin o r a lterna tively there a re s o me
types whereby even a s ma ll a mo unt o n the s kin ca n be dea dly.
Chemica l fumes a nd to xic ga s es ca n pres ent s imila r ha za rds to explo s ive ga s es in tha t they ca n a ccumula te in co nfined s pa ces . So me a re hea vier tha n a ir
a nd ca n build up in pits o r ducts o r o ther undergro und a rea s . So me a re lighter tha n a ir a nd s imila rly ca n build up in ceilings o r ro o f ca vities .

Control:
Pers o nnel intending to wo rk in thes e a rea s mus t a ttend a s ite inductio n co urs e befo re s ta rting wo rk. This mus t co ver a ll ha za rds po s ed by
chemica ls o r ga s es us ed in the pro ductio n pro ces s es o r tha t a re pro duced o r s to red in the pla nt.
All pers o nnel mus t be s a tis fied tha t there a re a dequa te co ntro ls to prevent a ny ha rm co ming to them.
All pers o nnel mus t no tify pla nt o pera to rs when entering o r lea ving high ris k a rea .
All pers o nnel mus t o bta in neces s a ry permits to enter a nd wo rk in high ris k a rea s .
All vehicles entering high-ris k a rea s mus t co mply with a ll permit requirements . If neces s a ry vehicles mus t be wa s hed do wn o r trea ted to a vo id the
po s s ible co nta mina tio n o f o ther a rea s .
All wa s h do wn a rea s mus t be s elf-co nta ined a nd mus t no t dra in into s to rm wa ter s ys tems o r o ther o pen dra ina ge s ys tems .
If neces s a ry a ll ves s els o r ta nks mus t be tes ted fo r to xic res idue a nd wa s hed do wn us ing a ppro ved pro cedures prio r to entering the a rea .
All vehicles wo rking in high ris k a rea s mus t ta ke a ll ca utio n to a vo id da ma ge to a ny co nta iners , va lves o r pro ces s ma chinery. Any da ma ge mus t be
repo rted immedia tely to the pla nt o pera to rs o r a ppro pria te s upervis o r.
All pers o nnel mus t ta ke s pecia l preca utio ns when wo rking in high ris k a rea s . This ma y mea n the wea ring o f dis po s a ble o vera lls o r a pro ns o r the
wea ring o f s uita ble wa ter o r chemica l pro o f o vera lls .
To pOther equipment tha t ma y be needed includes s pecia l glo ves , bo o ts , hea d o r fa ce co ver, ma s ks , etc.
All s a fety equipment mus t be s uita ble fo r its intended purpo s e a nd mus t be in go o d co nditio n.
Empha s is mus t be given to ens uring tha t no ha za rdo us chemica ls co me into co nta ct with pers o nnel.
So me pla nts ma ke us e o f va rio us a cids fo r clea ning purpo s es o r o ther pro ductio n us es . Thes e s ubs ta nces mus t be trea ted with a ll ca re a nd mus t
no t be a llo wed to co me into co nta ct with pers o nnel.
An emergency co ntingency pla n mus t be in pla ce a t a ll times with empha s is given to extra ctio n o f pers o nnel fro m the a rea a nd co nta inment o f
s pilled s ubs ta nces .
A deta iled s a fety pla n mus t be prepa red tha t identifies a ll ha za rds a s s o cia ted with s ubs ta nces in the a rea . Us e s ho uld be ma de o f ma teria l s a fety
da ta s heets tha t s ho w the identity o f the s ubs ta nce a nd the co ntro ls needed fo r its s a fe us e.
All wo rk a rea s , es pecia lly ta nks a nd ves s els , mus t be well ventila ted when wo rking in the a rea . This ma y require the pla cement o f externa l blo wers
o r extra ctio n units .

Hazard:
Pers o na l injury due to expo s ure to ra dia tio n
So me pla nts ma ke us e o f ra dia tio n pro ducing equipment a s pa rt o f their pro ces s ing. The a mo unt o f po tentia l expo s ure with will depend o n the type a nd
intens ity o f ra dia tio n pro duced. An exa mple o f a ha za rd to pers o nnel po s ed by ra dia tio n ma y be s ta ff wo rking a ro und X-ra y equipment e.g. in the medica l
a nd no n-des tructive tes ting indus tries . Pro lo nged expo s ure to this type o f equipment ca n lea d to medica l pro blems .

Control:
All pers o nnel mus t a ttend a n a ppro pria te inductio n co urs e prio r to entering a nd wo rking in a ny high-ris k a rea .
All ra dia tio n pro ducing equipment mus t o nly be o pera ted by tra ined s ta ff a nd mus t be is o la ted fro m o ther pers o nnel in the a rea . Wa rning s igns a nd
o ther ba rriers mus t be erected a nd no una utho ris ed entry is permitted to high ris k a rea s .

2.8.3.6 Work on roof areas


Hazard:
Pers o na l injury due to a fa ll fro m o r thro ugh a ro o f a rea o f s ta ff o r ma teria ls . There a re ma ny times when wo rking o n a ro o f co uld be ha za rdo us , fo r
exa mple:

1. A s lip o n a ro o f co uld lea d to s liding o ff a n unpro tected edge a nd fa lling.


2. A s lip co uld lea d to the relea s e o f equipment, lea ding to it fa lling a nd po s ing a da nger fo r pers o nnel belo w.
3. A pers o n wo rking o r wa lking o n a brittle ro o f ma y s ta nd o n a wea k a rea a nd fa ll thro ugh po s ing a da nger to thems elves a nd o ther peo ple belo w.
Simila rly equipment dro pped o nto a wea k s ectio n co uld a ls o penetra te the a rea .

Control:
To pAll pers o ns invo lved with ins pectio n a nd wo rk o n ro o f a rea s mus t be s uita bly qua lified a nd experienced in the ta s k/s to be ca rried o ut.
Edge pro tectio n s ho uld be a tta ched to a ll ro o f a rea s where pers o nnel a re go ing to wo rk o r a lterna tively fa ll a rres t s ys tems mus t be us ed. Fa ll
a rres t s ys tems s uch a s s a fety ha rnes s es a nd s ta tic lines mus t be ca pa ble o f ca rrying a ll impo s ed lo a ds .
All pers o nnel us ing s a fety ha rnes s es mus t be tra ined in their s a fe us e.
All s ta tic lines a nd s a fety nets mus t be ins ta lled a nd checked by s uita bly qua lified pers o nnel.
Where pra ctica l wo rk nea r guttering a nd ro o f edges s ho uld be ca rried o ut fro m mo bile s ca ffo lding, cherry pickers , s cis s o r lifts , o r s imila r type
equipment.
No wo rk o n brittle ro o fs s ho uld be ca rried o ut witho ut a n ins pectio n to determine a ll ha za rdo us a rea s .
All a rea s s uch a s s kylights , rus ted meta l s ectio ns a nd o ther brittle s ectio ns s ho uld be co vered with decking o r a lterna tive mea s ures ta ken to
ens ure tha t pers o nnel ca nno t fa ll thro ugh.
If decking o r wo rking pla tfo rms a re erected o n ro o f a rea s mea s ures mus t be ta ken to pro tect pers o nnel during ins ta lla tio n a nd remo va l. Decking
o r wo rking pla tfo rms mus t extend to ra fters o r o ther ro o f s uppo rts ca pa ble o f ta king a ll lo a ds .
A s uita ble mea ns o f a cces s mus t be ma inta ined o n a ll ro o f a rea s .
All equipment s to red o n ro o f a rea s mus t be s to red in a ma nner tha t is tidy, s o a s to prevent a ccidenta l tripping o r dis lo dgement o f equipment.
No equipment is to be s to red nea r ro o f edges , o r o n wea kened s ectio ns o f ro o f.

2.8.3.7 Work near power lines


Hazard:
Pers o na l injury due to electric s ho ck fro m co nta ct with po wer lines .
Fo r ins ta nce this ca n o ccur when:

1. Ho mes tha t require pa inting need s ca ffo lding to be erected in o rder to ga in a cces s to high a rea s . Wo rkers invo lved in the erectio n a nd dis ma ntling
o f s ca ffo lding to thes e a rea s (a nd a ny o thers with expo s ed po wer lines ) ris k electric s ho ck o r dea th by electro cutio n ca us ed by co nta ct with wires .
2. Exca va tio n wo rk unco vers undergro und po wer lines ca us ing unexpected co nta ct.
3. Pers o nnel us ing mo bile s ca ffo lding, cra nes , Hia b trucks a nd o ther mecha nica l pla nt a re una wa re o f o verhea d po wer lines a nd mo ve pa rts o f the
equipment s o a s to ca us e co nta ct with the lines .

Control:
No s ca ffo lding is permitted to be erected within 4.0m o f a ny live po wer lines witho ut written permis s io n fro m the lo ca l electricity netwo rk co mpa ny
o r line o wner.
The a ctua l clea r dis ta nce required depends o n the vo lta ge a nd s pa n o f the line, fo r exa mple a ny line with a s pa n o f 250m requires a clea r s pa n o f
8.0m.
Any lines tha t will pa s s thro ugh o r a dja cent to s ca ffo lding (within the minimum clea ra nce) will require is o la tio n fo r the full length o f the s ca ffo lding
a nd fo r a rea s o na ble dis ta nce fro m bo th ends . Co ns idera tio n mus t be given to the mo vement o f lines in windy co nditio ns .
To pNo pa rt o f a ny mo va ble ma chinery o r pla nt, s uch a s cra ne bo o ms o r winch lines , Hia b lifting a ppa ra tus o r mo bile s ca ffo lding mus t be mo ved o r
o pera ted within 4.0m o f po wer lines .
All ca re mus t be ta ken when exca va tio n wo rks o r digging o ut fo r fo unda tio ns is being underta ken nea r undergro und po wer lines .

2.8.3.8 Work out doors


Hazard:
Pers o na l injury due to o ver expo s ure to ultra vio let ra dia tio n.
In recent yea rs o ver expo s ure to the s un ha s been a s s o cia ted with a va riety o f medica l pro blems fro m tempo ra ry pa in ca us ed by s unburn to s kin ca ncers
like mela no ma s . Ma ny o f the s erio us dis o rders ma y no t be a ppa rent fo r a number o f yea rs a nd then ca n ca us e ma jo r pro blems a nd in s o me ca s es dea th.

Control:
The o nly effective mea ns o f preventing pro blems a s s o cia ted with o ver expo s ure to the s un is to s ta y o ut o f it. Unfo rtuna tely mo s t s ca ffo lding wo rk
is ca rried o ut o utdo o rs a nd s o o ther mea ns o f pro tectio n mus t be us ed to minimis e the ris k.
All pers o nnel wo rking in a rea s tha t a re likely to ca us e s unburn mus t wea r s uita ble pro tective clo thing a nd us e a n a ppro ved s un blo ck a pplied to a ll
expo s ed bo dy pa rts .
A pers o n's eyes ca n a ls o be da ma ged thro ugh o ver expo s ure to the s un a nd hence pro tective eyewea r with UV pro tectio n mus t be wo rn.

Hazard:
Pers o na l injury due to expo s ure to high wind co nditio ns .
Wo rk s ho uld o nly be ca rried o ut in high winds if it is s a fe to do s o . A ha za rd a na lys is s ho uld be co mpleted to determine this . Fo r exa mple high wind
co nditio ns ca n lea d to :

1. Pers o nnel wo rking a lo ft lo s ing their ba la nce a nd fa lling.


2. Pers o nnel wo rking a lo ft, lo s ing co ntro l o f equipment.
3. Dus t a nd debris blo wing a ro und a nd po s s ibly entering the eyes .
4. Lo s s o f co ntro l o f cra ne lifted ma teria l.

Control:
Ta ke a ll mea s ures to a vo id the fa ll o f pers o nnel o r equipment fro m height.
All pers o nnel mus t ma ke us e o f s a fety ha rnes s es o r o ther fa ll a rres t s ys tems while wo rking a lo ft in high wind co nditio ns .
All equipment mus t be s to red s o a s to be s a fe fro m dis lo dgement a nd a ll pla nks mus t be s ecured a ga ins t ho rizo nta l dis pla cement a nd vertica l
uplift.
To pIf the s ca ffo lding s tructure is to be s creened, then a dditio na l ties ma y need to be a dded to the s tructure. All s creened s ca ffo lding in high wind
a rea s mus t be des igned by a cha rtered engineer.
No cra ne lifting o pera tio ns s ho uld be ca rried o ut in high wind co nditio ns even with ta g lines .
All neces s a ry s a fety equipment mus t be us ed in high wind co nditio ns . If required to wo rk in a dus ty enviro nment the us e o f s a fety gla s s es is
reco mmended.
If us ing ha rd ha ts then chin s tra ps o r s imila r res tra ints mus t be us ed to a vo id ha rd ha ts being blo wn o ff.

2.8.3.9 Work near roads and heavy t raffic areas


Occa s io na lly s ca ffo lding will be required in high ris k a rea s s uch a s mo to rwa ys , (fo r bridge repa irs o r co ns tructio n) o r a dja cent to o ther pla ces with hea vy
tra ffic flo ws , s uch a s o n fo o tpa th a rea s next to ro a dwa ys . Any vehicle mo vement ca n be the s o urce o f ma ny ha za rds a nd pers o nnel invo lved in wo rk
a ro und thes e a rea s mus t ta ke a ll preca utio ns to ens ure their o wn s a fety a nd tha t o f o thers in the a rea . Refer to Tra ns it New Z ea la nd Co de o f Pra ctice
a nd/o r a ny lo ca l a utho rity requirements

Hazard:
Pers o na l injury due to vehicle co lliding with s ca ffo lding.
"The ma in ca us e o f a ccidents a t ro a d wo rks is ina dequa te s ignpo s ting a nd lighting a nd drivers fa iling to no tice ro a d wo rkers " (DOL G uidelines fo r the
pro vis io n o f fa cilities a nd genera l s a fety in the co ns tructio n indus try). This ca n a pply equa lly to s ca ffo lders ca rrying o ut o pera tio ns o n o r nea r ro a dwa ys . If
a vehicle were to co llide with a s ca ffo lding s tructure the co ns equences co uld be s evere.

Control:
All s teps mus t be ta ken to a vo id the co llis io n o f a vehicle with a s ca ffo lding s tructure.
On bus y ro a dwa ys o r mo to rwa ys , s ca ffo lding s ho uld be erected behind a ppro ved ba rriers , o r a lterna tively in a po s itio n where there is no po s s ibility
o f impa ct.
Sca ffo lding erected o n fo o tpa th a rea s nea r ro a dwa ys mus t be erected a t lea s t 500mm fro m the kerb edge, o r wha tever minimum dis ta nce is
required by lo ca l a utho rities , in o rder to prevent ca rs o r trucks ba cking into the ba s e a s s embly.
If the 500mm clea ra nce is no t a va ila ble o r pra ctica ble due to s pa ce co ns tra ints then a lterna tive mea s ures s uch a s cra s h ba rriers o r fenders mus t be
erected to deflect a ny tra ffic. Any s ys tem o f this na ture mus t be des igned a nd checked by a cha rtered engineer.
In the ca s e o f s ca ffo lding nea r ro a dwa ys s uita ble lighting mus t be ma inta ined a t a ll times to illumina te a ll po tentia l ha za rds .
Suita ble wa rning s igns s ho uld be po s ted well in a dva nce o f the s ca ffo lding a rea to wa rn o nco ming mo to ris ts o f the ha za rds in the a rea a nd a ls o o f
a ny s peed res trictio ns tha t ma y a pply.
Tra ffic ma na gement pla ns mus t be in pla ce a t a ll times fo r wo rk a dja cent to high s peed a rea s . If required po lice a nd lo ca l a utho rities mus t be
info rmed o f a ny na rro wing o f ro a dwa ys ca us ed by the pla cement o f ba rriers o r o ther res tra ints . Pa rticula r a ttentio n mus t be pa id to permits is s ued
fo r o vers ized o r o ver width lo a ds tha t ma y be tra velling in the a rea .
All pers o nnel mus t be a wa re o f the ha za rds invo lved in wo rking o ver ro a dwa ys a nd a ll ca re ta ken to prevent the dro pping o f equipment into tra ffic
a rea s .

Hazard:
To pPers o na l injury due to vehicle co lliding with pers o nnel o r pedes tria ns .
When s ca ffo lding wo rk is being ca rried o ut a bo ve pedes tria n a rea s a dja cent to tra ffic flo ws , the s ca ffo lding crew is res po ns ible no t o nly fo r ens uring their
o wn s a fety but a ls o the pro tectio n o f o ther peo ple in the a rea . In o rder to prevent po s s ible ha rm to o thers tha t co uld be ca us ed by fa lling o bjects ,
pers o nnel will no rma lly erect s o me fo rm o f ba rrier to prevent pedes tria ns fro m entering the a rea belo w the o pera tio ns . In a rea s limited by s pa ce, this ma y
neces s ita te diverting them o nto ro a dwa ys . This s itua tio n ca n be very da ngero us a nd co uld lea d to peo ple being run o ver o r kno cked do wn.

Control:
All pers o nnel invo lved in wo rk a lo ngs ide bus y ro a dwa ys o r mo to rwa y a rea s mus t ma ke us e o f high vis ibility ga rments .
All wo rk in thes e a rea s s ho uld be ca rried o ut during lo w tra ffic flo w times , i.e., between 9.00 a m a nd 4.00 pm, o r a lterna tively fro m 9.00 pm to 7.00 a m
if a dequa te lighting ca n be ma inta ined. All lighting us ed in a rea s a dja cent to mo to rwa ys mus t be pla ced in s uch a ma nner a s to a vo id dis tra cting
mo to ris ts .
Wo rk nea r ro a ds mus t a lwa ys be a ppro ved by the lo ca l a utho rity o r ro a d o wner.
If pedes tria ns ha ve to be diverted into tra ffic flo ws then a ll s teps mus t be ta ken to pro tect them a lo ng the entire a lterna tive ro ute. This ma y require
the erectio n o f tempo ra ry ho a rdings , wa rning lights o r externa l lighting if the divers io n is a t night, wa rning s igns , ba rrica des , ra mps o ver o bs ta cle
a rea s , etc.
It mus t a lwa ys be remembered tha t s o me pedes tria ns a re dis a bled a nd tha t the a lterna tive ro ute ma y a ls o be us ed by peo ple with pus hcha irs o r
pra ms . All s teps mus t be ta ken to prevent o bs ta cles o r trip ha za rds being put in their wa y.
All pers o nnel invo lved in wo rk nea r mo to rwa ys o r ro a dwa ys mus t ha ve a tra ffic ma na gement pla n tha t will ena ble no t o nly the s a fe delivery a nd
pick up o f ma teria ls a nd equipment, but a ls o s a fe a cces s to the a rea fo r pers o nnel.
All ca re mus t be ta ken when ha ndling equipment nea r thes e a rea s . No equipment ca n be a llo wed to pro ject into the pa th o f o nco ming tra ffic.

Hazard:
Pers o na l injury due to drivers beco ming dis tra cted a nd co lliding with o ther vehicles .
A ma jo r ha za rd invo lved with wo rk nea r ro a dwa ys is tha t drivers ca n beco me dis tra cted by o pera tio ns being ca rried o ut o n the s ide o f the ro a d a nd lo s e
co ncentra tio n. This ca n lea d to drivers lo s ing co ntro l o f the vehicle o r co lliding with o ther vehicles .

Control:
All wo rks being ca rried o ut nea r mo to rwa ys o r bus y ro a ds s ho uld be a dvertis ed by wa y o f s igns pla ced well in a dva nce o f the wo rk.
If neces s a ry s peed res trictio ns s ho uld be pla ced o n the a rea while wo rk is being ca rried o ut. Speed res trictio ns mus t be rea lis tic a nd kept a s high
a s po s s ible.
All s igns a nd ba rriers mus t be remo ved when the wo rk ha s been co mpleted. Drivers will tend to igno re res trictio ns tha t a re unrea lis tic o r exces s ive.
If they ca n s ee tha t no wo rk is being ca rried o ut in s ignpo s ted o r ba rrica ded a rea s , then thes e will s o o n be igno red a s well. This ca n lea d to
co mpla cency a nd a po tentia lly ha za rdo us s itua tio n if s igns a re igno red in a n a ctua l wo rk s itua tio n.
It is a dvis a ble to enga ge the s ervices o f a tra ffic ma na gement co mpa ny o r a co mpa ny experienced in s uch wo rk when underta king a ny wo rk in
high ris k a rea s .

To p
2.8.3.10 Work near ot hers under t he influence of drugs or alcohol or act ing irrat ionally
Hazard:
Pers o nnel under the influence o f drugs o r a lco ho l ca n be o pera ting with impa ired judgement. This ca n lea d to a lo s s o f co ncentra tio n, which in certa in
a rea s ca n be da ngero us o r even fa ta l.
Simila rly, peo ple ca rrying o ut pra ctica l jo kes o r a cting irra tio na lly o n a wo rk s ite ca n s o metimes under es tima te the effect o f their a ctio ns a nd ca us e
s evere ha rm to o ther pers o nnel a nd thems elves .

Control:
No pers o n under the influence o f drugs o r a lco ho l s ho uld be a llo wed to ca rry o ut a ny duties a t a pla ce o f wo rk. Simila rly no pra ctica l jo kes o r
ho rs epla y s ho uld be permitted o n a ny wo rk s ite.
Any pers o n fo und to be in brea ch o f thes e rules mus t be remo ved fro m the s ite a nd fa ce s us pens io n o r o ther s erio us co ns equences .

2.8.3.11 Work in dirt y areas


Hazard:
Pers o nnel expo s ed to dirty wo rk co nditio ns ca n develo p infectio ns in exis ting o r new wo unds if ca re is no t ta ken. Simila rly, dis ea s es s uch a s hepa titis ca n
be s prea d thro ugh fa ilure to ens ure pers o na l hygiene.

Control:
All injuries mus t be trea ted a s s o o n a s po s s ible. Scra tches , cuts a nd puncture wo unds mus t be clea ned, prefera bly trea ted with a ntis eptic a nd
pro perly dres s ed.
All pers o nnel mus t ens ure their o wn pers o na l hygiene. Wa s h ha nds befo re ea ting a nd a fter us ing the to ilet.
All pers o nnel a re to keep lunchro o ms a nd o ther fa cilities nea t a nd tidy.
All rubbis h mus t be remo ved fro m lunchro o m a rea s .
All pers o nnel s ho uld ha ve rea dy a cces s to a firs t a id kit s uita ble fo r the trea tment o f mino r injuries . In ca s e o f a s erio us injury, qua lified firs t a id
pers o nnel o r medica l a s s is ta nce mus t be s o ught.

2.8.4 Hazards associated with the use of scaffolding


Mo s t a ccidents tha t o ccur fro m us e o f s ca ffo lding pla tfo rms ca n be a ttributed to o ne o r mo re o f the fo llo wing fa cto rs :

1. Impa tience o f the us er.


2. Unqua lified pers o nnel a ltering the s ca ffo lding.
3. Po o r des ign o r co ns tructio n o f s ca ffo lding.
4. Overlo a ding o f the s tructure.
5. Remo va l o f built in s a fegua rds .

To p
Hazard:
Pers o na l injury due to unqua lified pers o nnel a ltering the s ca ffo lding.
Often o n a wo rk s ite a s ca ffo ld will need a ltering. If a n unqua lified o r inexperienced wo rker ca rries o ut a ltera tio ns to a s tructure there is a ris k tha t they will
lo s e co ntro l o f the equipment o r remo ve o r lo o s en a vita l pa rt o f the s tructure a nd no t repla ce it. Bo th o f thes e s itua tio ns a re da ngero us a nd ca n lea d to
s erio us injury.

Control:
All clients a nd end us ers o f s ca ffo lding mus t be ma de a wa re o f the ha za rds they ma y expo s e thems elves o r o thers to if they a ttempt to a lter a n
exis ting s tructure.
All erecting, dis ma ntling a nd a ltera tio n o f s ca ffo lding o ver 5 metres high mus t be ca rried o ut by s uita bly qua lified pers o nnel.
When the s ca ffo lding is in us e the fo llo wing ma y no t be remo ved: ties o r bra ces , decking (unles s the a rea ca n be s uita bly ba rrica ded to prevent
fa lls ), s tructura l pa rts o f the s ca ffo lding. Als o no exca va tio ns a re to be ca rried o ut nea r fo unda tio ns . Ho wever, this wo rk ma y be ca rried o ut by
qua lified pers o nnel.

Hazard:
Pers o na l injury due to co lla ps e o f s tructure due to po o r des ign o r co ns tructio n o r o verlo a ding o f the s ca ffo lding s tructure.
Po o rly des igned o r co ns tructed s ca ffo ld s tructures co uld be s ubject to co lla ps e if expo s ed to a dvers e co nditio ns . Simila rly s tructures tha t a re o verlo a ded
by s ta cked ma teria ls , la rge numbers o f pers o nnel us ing them, o r enviro nmenta l co nditio ns , co uld co lla ps e.

Control:
The DOL is to be no tified prio r to co mmencement o f no tifia ble wo rk.
All s ca ffo lds mus t be des igned a nd erected by s uita bly qua lified pers o nnel. All exis ting a nd po s s ible s ite co nditio ns mus t be ta ken into
co ns idera tio n when des igning the s ca ffo lding.
All lo a ding fa cto rs mus t be ta ken into co ns idera tio n when des igning the s tructure.
No o verlo a ding o f the s tructure ma y be permitted. All lo a ding criteria a nd res tra ints mus t be ma de kno wn to the client a nd end us ers o f the
s ca ffo lding.
As s o o n a s erectio n is co mpleted a full ins pectio n mus t be ma de o f a ll wo rk a rea s to ens ure co mplia nce with the client's s pecifica tio ns a nd
s ta tuto ry requirements . A regis ter fo r the s ca ffo lding mus t be co mpleted fo r no tifia ble wo rk.
The s ca ffo ld mus t be checked by a s uita bly qua lified pers o n o n a regula r ba s is a s per s ta tuto ry requirements .
All s ca ffo lding mus t be erected in a cco rda nce with the BPG .

Footnotes
[2] Ra king tubes mus t be a tta ched with lo a d bea ring co uplers a nd be bra ced ba ck to the s ca ffo ld. Swivels , while no t reco mmended, ca n be us ed.

Section 3: Generic scaffolding requirements

3.1 Tools of t he t rade


The to o ls a nd equipment co mmo nly us ed to erect, ma inta in a nd dis ma ntle s ca ffo lding a re des cribed in this s ectio n.

Sca ffo ld s pa nner: "Sca ffo ld s pa nners " o r "s ca ffo ld keys " a re the preferred to o l fo r tightening a nd relea s ing nuts o n s ca ffo ld fittings o r co uplers .
Swing o ver s pa nner: A s ta nda rd s ca ffo lding s pa nner with a hea d to fit 7/16" o r " nuts with the hea d a tta ched to the ha ndle with a pin o r ba ll a nd
s o cket a s s embly. The ha ndle is between 200mm a nd 250mm lo ng.
Ra tchet s pa nner: A s ca ffo ld s pa nner s imila r to a s ta nda rd s o cket s et ra tchet with the hea d to fit 7/16" o r " nuts . The s o cket is either ma de a s pa rt o f
the ra tchet o r is s ecured to the ra tchet. The ha ndle is between 200mm a nd 250mm lo ng.
Po dger ha mmer: The s ta nda rd po dger ha mmer is ma de o f mild s teel a nd ha s a s tra ight ha ndle between 200mm a nd 250mm with a ta pering po dger
end o f the ha ndle between 30 a nd 45 degrees to the ha ndle. Po dger ha mmers a re the preferred to o l fo r genera l ha mmering, ta pping in wedges o n
s ys tem s ca ffo lding, lo cking a nd relea s ing the cups o n cuplo ck s ca ffo lding, twis ting a nd tightening the wire o n wire ties , etc. Po dger ha mmers ca n
be us ed fo r lo ca ting o r a ligning ho les o n s teelwo rk.
Adjus ta ble wrenches (cres cent o r s hifter): An a djus ta ble wrench, cres cent o r s hifter is no rma lly us ed where a n o bs tructio n prevents the us e o f a
s ca ffo ld s pa nner. A s pa nner fits o ver the nut; a n a djus ta ble wrench s lides a ro und a nut. The us e o f a n a djus ta ble wrench s ho uld be kept to a
minimum a s it ha s a tendency to ro und o ff the nuts . The a rm o f a n a djus ta ble wrench s ho uld be between 200mm a nd 250mm lo ng.
Spirit level: A s pirit level is us ua lly no lo nger tha n 300mm lo ng with level bubbles s ho wing vertica l, ho rizo nta l a nd s o metimes 45 degrees . They ca n
be ma gnetic to a s s is t in ho lding to meta l tube during levelling. Spirit levels a re us ed to check tha t s ca ffo lding members a re ho rizo nta l, vertica l o r a t
45 degrees .
Ta pe mea s ures o r rules : A s ta nda rd retra cta ble ta pe mea s ure o r fo ld o ut rule is a us eful to o l fo r mea s uring dis ta nce o ff wa lls , ba y lengths , lift
heights , etc.
Indus tria l wire nips o r cutters : A fla t ended s et o f wire cutters a ls o us ed to gra b, twis t a nd tens io n wire. Thes e a re us eful fo r cutting la s hing fo r pla nks
a nd cutting a nd tens io ning "s teelies " wire fo r s creening.
Sca ffo ld belts : A s ca ffo ld belt is us ed to ca rry s ca ffo ld to o ls s a fely a nd s ecurely but s till a llo w ea s y a cces s to the to o ls . The belt s ho uld be ma de o f
s turdy lea ther, ca nva s webbing o r s imila r. Lea ther, ca nva s o r wire fro gs s ho uld be us ed to s ecure s ca ffo ld s pa nners , po dger ha mmers , a djus ta ble
wrenches a nd nips . Rules , ta pe mea s ures , a nd s pirit levels s ho uld be s ecured in po uches to prevent dis pla cement (s ee figure 9).

Figure 9: Typica l s ca ffo lders belt

3.1.1 Inspection of used equipment


Us ed s ca ffo lding equipment s ho uld be ins pected to identify items tha t a re uns uita ble o r tha t fa il to co mply with releva nt s ta nda rds . Us e the s upplier's o r
ma nufa cturer's guidelines to determine the s uita bility o f s ca ffo lding equipment fo r further us e.
Us ed s ca ffo lding equipment s ho uld be checked a nd gra ded in the fo llo wing s ca le:

Checked a nd is s uita ble fo r no rma l o pera tio ns .


Repa ired e.g. repla cing bo lts o n co uplers o r repla cing wedges o n mo dula r s ca ffo lding.
Reduce length o r cut do wn e.g. s ho rtening o f tubes , pla nks cut do wn.
Do wngra ding e.g. do wngra ding a s ca ffo ld pla nk to a s o lebo a rd.
Scra pped - ta ken o ut o f s ervice a nd dis po s ed o f to prevent reintro ducing s ub-s ta nda rd equipment ba ck into s ervice.

3.1.1.1 What t o look for when equipment is defect ive


Table 6: Indicat ions t hat equipment is defect ive

It em Flaw or defect
Out side diamet er less t han 47.5mm
St eel wall t hickness for galvanised st eel less t han 2.9mm
Aluminium wall t hickness less t han 4.2mm
Ends cut not square t o t he axis
Scaffold t ube
Ends flame cut
Unduly pit t ed
Heavily corroded
Dist ort ed, t wist ed, bent or split
No manufact urer's or supplier's mark
Dist ort ed, st ret ched or cracked
Bent or st ret ched rivet s or pins
Couplers
Threaded blind holes
St ripped t hreads on bolt s or nut s
Seized bolt s or nut s
Bent or dist ort ed t o prevent an even bearing
Thickness less t han 6mm
Baseplat es
Surface area less t han 225 square cm (less t han 150mm x 150mm)
Spigot less t han 50mm long
Ext ension exceeds 600mm
Missing fixed st op enabling less t han 150mm lengt h of spigot t o remain in t he st andard
Clearance bet ween t he inside diamet er of t he t ube and t he out side diamet er of t he spigot
Adjust able leg/
of more t han 5mm
baseplat e/cast or
Spigot dist ort ed causing it t o jam in t he t ube
Seized nut s
Thread damaged
No manufact urer's or supplier's mark
Safe working load or working load limit not marked
Fit t ed wit h pneumat ic t yres
Wheel diamet er less t han 125mm
Cast ors
Pint le lengt h (spigot ) eit her int ernal or ext ernal less t han 150mm
Diamet rical clearance bet ween t he pint le (spigot ) and t he st andard more t han 5mm
Wheel brake ineffect ive or missing
No means t o posit ively fix cast or t o t he st andard.
Ends flame cut
But t welded wit hin it s lengt h
Unduly pit t ed
Prefabricat ed st ruct ural
Heavily corroded
component s
Dist ort ed, t wist ed, bent or split
Welds cracked, broken or missing
Locking devices damaged, inoperat ive, unrest rained or missing
Widt h less t han 225mm
Nominal t hickness reduced by 10%
Laminat ions in laminat ed planks are separat ing
Warped, t wist ed, broken, split or worn
End fixings missing or damaged
Timber planks Paint ed or t reat ed in any way t hat may hide defect s
Deep burns
Oil st ains or slippery surface
Nails project ing
Rot of any kind
Saw cut s
Widt h less t han 225mm
Dist ort ed, t wist ed, bent , split or crushed
Heavily corroded
Met al scaffold planks
Welds cracked, broken or missing
Rivet broken or missing
End pieces crushed or missing
Safe Working Limit not marked
For suspended scaffolding hoist s, any visible broken wires
For hung scaffolds, more t han 10% of t he visible wires broken in a lengt h equal t o eight rope
diamet ers
One or more broken wires immediat ely below a met alled socket
St eel wire ropes Out er wires worn more t han 33% of t he nominal diamet er
Bird caging or bird nest ing
Core popped
Wire rope grips or bull dog clips have been used on t he rope
Thimbles dist ort ed
Evidence of corrosion
Safe Working Limit not marked
Links deformed, chipped, nicked, cracked or st ret ched
Chains
Nominal diamet er or dimension reduced by more t han 10%
Evidence of corrosion
Safe Working Limit not marked
Crown or pin diamet er reduced by more t han 10%
Shackles Bolt used in place of a shackle pin
Dist ort ion or overst raining evident
Evidence of corrosion

3.2 Common scaffolding bends and hit ches


Ro lling hitch: The reco mmended hitch us ed to ra is e a nd lo wer tube when us ed in co njunctio n with a ha lf hitch.

Clo ve hitch: The clo ve hitch ha s been s upers eded by the ro lling hitch a s the reco mmended hitch fo r ra is ing a nd lo wering tube. If us ed it s ho uld be us ed in
co njunctio n with a ha lf hitch.

Sheet bend: A s imple metho d o f s ecuring two different s izes o f ro pes to gether.
Buntline hitch: Secure metho d o f s ecuring a ro pe to a ring o r tube.

Timber o r pla nk hitch: The reco mmended hitch us ed to ra is e a nd lo wer pla nks o r timber. The ro pes ta il ca n be wra pped a ro und the no o s e up to five o r s ix
times if required, depending o n the thicknes s o f the ro pe a nd in co njunctio n with a ha lf hitch if required.

Single bo wline: A very s imple metho d o f crea ting a tempo ra ry eye a t the end o f a ro pe.

Squa re la s hing: Us ed to s ecure a la dder to a tube fo r exa mple.

Figure 8 kno t: A quick a nd co nvenient genera l purpo s e kno t tha t is the ba s is o f ma ny o ther kno ts .
3.3 Foundat ions
The fo unda tio n o f a s ca ffo ld needs to be a dequa te to ca rry a nd dis tribute the lo a ds it will bea r.

3.3.1 General information


The fo unda tio ns o f a s ca ffo ld mus t be a dequa te to ca rry a nd dis tribute the lo a ds impo s ed a t ea ch s ta nda rd a nd o ver the who le lo a ded s ca ffo ld. On ha rd
level s urfa ces s uch a s s teel o r co ncrete s ta nda rds s ho uld be s uppo rted o n ba s epla tes , ho wever s o lebo a rds ma y no t be neces s a ry if the s urfa ce do es no t
require pro tectio n. When us ing s o lebo a rds , the gro und co nditio ns under the pro po s ed s ca ffo ld s ho uld be checked to determine the s o lebo a rd
dimens io ns required to pro vide a n a dequa te co nta ct a rea to s uppo rt the to ta l lo a d tra ns ferred do wn the s ca ffo ld s ta nda rds .
Co mmo n types o f gro und co nditio ns include: co ncrete flo o r s la bs , ta rs ea l o r bitumen drives / ca r pa rks , co mpa cted fill, uneven gro und / ro ugh terra in,
s lo ping fo unda tio ns , s o ft s o ils / s a nd. Pa rticula r a ttentio n mus t be pa id to :

Sca ffo lds erected a dja cent to trenches a nd o n s lo pes . Pres s ure exerted by the s ca ffo ld fo unda tio n ma y lea d to s ubs idence.
Area s pro ne to run-o ff o r flo o ding. Wa ter mo vement o r s a tura tio n ma y ca us e s ubs idence o r undermining.

To determine the s ize o f the s o lebo a rd required to s uppo rt a s ta nda rd, info rma tio n o n the bea ring ca pa city o f the gro und a nd the to ta l des ign lo a d o f the
s ta nda rd is required. The bea ring ca pa city o f the s uppo rting s urfa ce ma y be determined us ing ta ble 7 a s a guide.

Table 7: Load bearing capacit y of different ground condit ions

Ground Condit ions Nominal Bearing Capacit y (kg/m2)

Soft clay - moulded by light finger pressure 2000


Sand 5000
St iff Clay - Moulded by st rong finger pressure 7500
Hard Clay - difficult t o indent wit h t humb 10,000
Rock 50,000

If yo u a re uns ure o f the gro und bea ring ca pa city, check with a cha rtered engineer o r ha ve the gro und tes ted to give a pres s ure bea ring ca pa city.
Two fa cto rs determine the to ta l des ign lo a d o f the s ta nda rd:

1. The dea d lo a d o f the s ca ffo ld. This includes the weight o f the s ta nda rd a nd a ll a tta ched co mpo nents including ledgers , tra ns o ms , putlo gs , bra ces ,
ties , pla nks , gua rdra ils , a nd a tta chments s uch a s s heeting. The weight o f co mmo n s ca ffo lding co mpo nents is given in ta ble 1 (s ectio n 1.2.2.6).
2. The live lo a d o n a ny o ne s ta nda rd ba s ed o n the wo rs t po s s ible lo a ding co nfigura tio n i.e. full duty lo a ding in a dja cent ba ys . The s ingle s ta nda rd live
lo a d is ca lcula ted a s 2/3 o f the s ca ffo ld duty lo a ding.

3.3.2 Foundations on sloping ground

Figure 10: Us e o f s lo ping ledger o n s lo ping gro und


Alterna tively the s ta nda rds ca n be held in pla ce by us ing a s lo ping bra ce co nnected directly to the s ta nda rds with s wivel co uplers .

Figure 11: Fo unda tio ns o n s lo ping gro und - ho w no t to do it.


A. Sta nda rds no t centred o n the ba s epla te o r s o lebo a rd
B. So lebo a rd no t fully bedded
C. Sta nda rd no t evenly bea ring o n ba s epla te, s o lebo a rd a nd ba s epla te no t ho rizo nta l

3.3.3 Soleboards
Sca ffo lding fo unda tio ns mus t be a dequa te to ca rry the co mbined weight o f the s ca ffo ld, including the impo s ed lo a ds . So lebo a rds , a ls o kno wn a s
ba s ebo a rds o r s o lepla tes , need to be us ed under mo s t s ta nda rds in co njunctio n with ba s epla tes o r ba s eja cks . Timber s o lebo a rds mus t no t be les s tha n
200mm wide x 500mm lo ng x 38mm deep. The s o lebo a rds a re us ed to dis tribute the lo a d o f the s ta nda rd o ver a la rger gro und a rea tha n jus t ba s epla tes o r
ba s eja cks .
So lebo a rds mus t s it fla t under the s ta nda rd. This ma y neces s ita te digging into the gro und o r pa cking up the gro und to give a ho rizo nta l bea ring s urfa ce
fo r the s o lebo a rd. Figure 12 s ho ws s o me different co mbina tio ns o f s o lebo a rds a nd ho w they ca n be us ed to help dis tribute the po int lo a ding o n
s ta nda rds .

Figure 12: Us e o f s o lebo a rds in different co mbina tio ns

The fo rmula to determine the gro und co nta ct a rea fo r the s o lebo a rd is :
Vertica l Lo a d Bea ring Ca pa city + Minimum Co nta ct Area
Fo r exa mple, a s s ume the s ca ffo ld is being erected o n a s tiff cla y s urfa ce a nd ea ch s ta nda rd ha s a des ign lo a d o f 860kg. The ca lcula tio n wo uld be:
860kg 7500kg/m2 + 0.115m2
Us ing a timber s ca ffo ld pla nk 225mm wide a s a s o lebo a rd mea ns the a ppro xima te length fo r this exa mple is 500mm (0.225 x 0.5m = 0.1125m2).

So lebo a rds s ho uld idea lly be ma de fro m timber s uch a s pinus ra dia ta , ha rdwo o ds o r la mina ted ply. Such ma teria ls a s s ta cked timber 100mm x 50mm,
co ncrete blo cks , bricks o r pa llets mus t no t be us ed. It is genera lly a ccepted tha t s ta nda rd s ca ffo ld pla nks cut to s ize ca n be us ed fo r light duty s ca ffo ld
o nly. No te tha t thes e cut pla nks tend to s plit a lo ng the la mina tio ns if pla ced upo n uneven s urfa ces .
When the fo unda tio n is levelled co ncrete o f a dequa te thicknes s o r a s imila r ha rd s urfa ce s uch a s s teel, s o lebo a rds ca n be o mitted, but ba s epla tes ,
s crewja cks o r ca s to rs mus t a lwa ys be us ed a t the bo tto m o f a ll s ta nda rds .

3.3.4 Baseplates
Steel ba s epla tes mus t be us ed under a ll s ta nda rds tha t do no t ha ve a ca s to r o r ba s eja ck (s crewja ck).
Ba s epla tes mus t be ma de fro m s teel (us ua lly mild s teel) a nd be a minimum o f 225 s qua re centimetres x 6mm thick.
The ba s epla te mus t ha ve a centra l s pigo t a minimum o f 50mm lo ng to centre the s ta nda rd. The s pigo t mus t be s ufficient to lo ca te the s ta nda rd
(reco mmended 16mm).
G enera lly ba s epla tes ha ve 2 o r 4 ho les drilled into the ba s epla te to ena ble the ba s epla te to be s ecured to a s o lebo a rd by na ils o r s imila r.
Ba s epla tes s ho uld a lwa ys be a cco mpa nied by a s o lebo a rd unles s the ba s epla te is pla ced directly o n co ncrete o f the co rrect depth (minimum 100mm) a nd
s trength to ta ke the impo s ed lo a ds , o r directly o nto s teel.
3.3.5 Basejacks
Adjus ta ble ba s eja cks , a ls o kno wn a s s crewja cks o r a djus ta ble ba s epla tes , a re us ed under s ta nda rds to pro vide a ba s epla te with the a bility to be a djus ted
vertica lly.
The ba s epla te pa rt o f the ba s eja ck ha s the s a me minimum co nditio ns a s the ba s epla te. The s pigo t o r s tem o f the ba s eja ck which is fixed to the ba s epla te
mus t no t ha ve mo re tha n 600mm threa ded extens io n a nd mus t ha ve a minimum o f 150mm length o f s pigo t o r s tem to be ins erted in the s ta nda rd. Lo nger
extens io ns ca n be us ed, but thes e mus t be to ma nufa cturer's s pecifica tio ns o r be des igned by a cha rtered engineer.
It is reco mmended tha t the threa ded extens io n, while ma inta ining a minimum 150mm-s pigo t o r s tem in o r o ver the s ta nda rd, s ho uld ha ve a ma ximum
extens io n tha t do es no t exceed ha lf o f the to ta l extens io n. Fo r exa mple a ca s to r with 500mm extens io n s ho uld prefera bly be kept to a ma ximum o f
250mm extens io n but ca n be us ed o ut to 350mm extens io n. The threa ded s pigo t o r s tem ha s a threa ded s ectio n with a po s itio ning nut. The nut genera lly
ha s a s ma ll ha ndle o n two o r mo re s ides o f the nut to a s s is t in turning the nut fo r a djus tment. The s pigo t o r s tem mus t ha ve no mo re tha n 5mm clea ra nce
between the ins ide dia meter o f the s ta nda rd a nd the to p o f the s pigo t o r s tem. This is why s pa cer nuts a re pla ced o n the to p o f the s pigo t o r s tem when
s ta nda rd ba s eja cks a re us ed in 60mm o uts ide dia meter tubes like s ho relo a d fra mes . This s pa cer nut keeps the s pigo t o r s tem co ncentric in the wider
dia meter s ta nda rd.
Ba s eja cks ca n be us ed in co njunctio n with a U-hea d pla te to a ct a s a Uhea d ja ck.
Ba s eja cks ca n a ls o be us ed ho rizo nta lly to pla ce a s ca ffo ld in co mpres s io n, a s when they a re us ed in co njunctio n with a tube in a windo w fra me to fo rm a
revea l tie. Tra ditio na lly ba s eja cks a re mo re co mmo nly us ed in pro prieta ry s ys tem type s ca ffo lds .

Section 4: Tube and fitting scaffolding

4.1 Int roduct ion


Tube a nd fitting s ca ffo lds a re genera lly no t co vered by ma nufa cturer's s pecifica tio ns , engineer's certifica tes o r pro ducer s ta tements , hence the need to
ha ve genera l s ca ffo lding requirements fo r them. Thes e genera l s ca ffo lding requirements mus t a ls o be us ed when a ltering pro prieta ry s ca ffo lds with tube
a nd fitting co mpo nents when the ma nufa cturer's s pecifica tio ns o r engineer's requirement do no t include thes e a ltera tio ns .

Figure 13: Sta nda rd tube a nd fitting s ca ffo ld s ho wing genera l s ca ffo lding termino lo gy
[Ins ide gua rdra ils ha ve been o mitted fo r cla rity.]

4.1.1 General descriptions


Bay lengt h
The ho rizo nta l dis ta nce between s ta nda rds running pa ra llel to the wo rk fa ce o r in the lo ngitudina l pla ne o f the s ca ffo ld. Ma ximum ba y length permitted fo r
no n pro prieta ry s ca ffo lds is 2.4m.

Bay widt h
The ho rizo nta l dis ta nce between s ta nda rds running perpendicula r to the wo rk fa ce o r o n the tra ns vers e pla ne o f the s ca ffo ld. Ma ximum ba y width
permitted fo r no n pro prieta ry s ca ffo lds is 1.575m.

Scaffold lift s
The vertica l dis ta nce between s tructura l ledgers o r wo rk pla tfo rms .
Fo r clea ra nce purpo s es a ba s e lift s ho uld ha ve a ma ximum height o f 3.0m to the firs t wo rk pla tfo rm o r s tructura l ledger. Wo rking lifts a re genera lly 1.8m to
2.1m a pa rt. It is reco mmended tha t a ba s e lift (o r kicker lift) s ho uld be us ed within 1.0m o f the s uppo rting s tructure.
A dummy lift is a level o f s tructura l ledgers tha t do es no t ha ve a wo rk pla tfo rm. Fo r ins ta nce if a s ca ffo ld ha s wo rking pla tfo rms a t 2.1m a nd 6.1m, the 4.1m
lift between them is no t pla nked a nd is ca lled a dummy lift. The To p Wo rking Pla tfo rm (TWP) is a ls o kno wn a s the To p Lift.

Scaffold area
The ho rizo nta l length o f a s ca ffo ld in metres times the a vera ge height o f the s ca ffo ld will give the s ca ffo ld a rea in s qua re metres . So :
Length (m) x Avera ge Height (m) = Area (m 2)
The height o f the s ca ffo ld ma y be ta ken fro m o f the height o f the to p-wo rking pla tfo rm o r a lterna tively fro m the to p gua rdra il.
Example
A s ca ffo ld is 10.0m high to the to p wo rking pla tfo rm a t o ne end a nd 5.0m high to the to p wo rking pla tfo rm a t the o ther end. The s ca ffo ld is 24.0m lo ng (s ee
figure 14).
Length: 24m
Avera ge height: 10.0m + 5.0m = 15m 2 = 7.5m
Area o f s ca ffo ld: 24m x 7.5m = 180 m 2

Figure 14: Ca lcula ting the a rea o f a s ca ffo ld

4.2 Tube and fit t ing scaffolding component s


4.2.1 Tubes
Thes e a re the mo s t ba s ic s ca ffo lding co mpo nents . Ta ble 8 s ets o ut the dimens io ns a nd pro perties o f s ca ffo ld tubes fro m releva nt s ta nda rds . Tube
lo a dings a re dea lt with la ter.

Table 8: Dimensions and propert ies of scaffold t ubes


Dimension and St eel t ubes t o BS 1139 or Galvanised st eel t ube t o Aluminium t ubes t o BS 1139; or
propert ies AS/NZS 1576.3 BS 6323 AS/NZS 1576.3

Out side diamet er


48.3 ( 0.5 t olerance) 48.3 ( 0.5 t olerance) 48.3 ( 0.5 t olerance)
(mm)
Thickness
4.0 ( 0.5 t olerance) 3.2 ( 0.48 t olerance) 4.47 ( 0.56 t olerance)
(mm)seamless
Thickness
4.0 ( 0.8; g - 0.4 t olerance) 3.2 ( 0.32 t olerance)
(mm)welded
Mass per linear
4.37 kg/m 3.56 kg/m 1.67 kg/m
met re
Minimum t ensile
340 MPa 360 MPa 295 MPa
st rengt h
Yield st rengt h 210 MPa 215 MPa 255 MPa
Radius of gyrat ion 15.7 mm 16.0 mm 15.6 mm

Cross-sect ional area 557 mm2 453 mm2 615 mm2

Moment of inert ia 138,000 mm4 116,000 mm4 149,000 mm4

Elast ic modulus 5700 mm3 4800 mm3 6180 mm3

4.2.2 Fittings (couplers)


Right a ngle co upler (R/A), 90 degree co upler o r do uble co upler: The mo s t co mmo nly us ed lo a d-bea ring co upler. Us ed to co nnect tubes a t right a ngles .
They co me in ma ny different des igns tha t ha ve their o wn preferred us e in co nnecting s ta nda rds to ledgers . Ma de o f ca s t, fo rged o r pres s ed s teel.
Permis s ible lo a d (s lip a lo ng a tube): 6.2kN (630kg)
Swivel co upler: Co upler us ed to co nnect two tubes to gether a t a ny a ngle. Ma de o f ca s t, fo rged o r pres s ed s teel. Permis s ible lo a d (s lip a lo ng a tube): 6.2kN
(630kg). No t cla s s ified a s a lo a d bea ring co upler due to the centre pin.

Putlo g co upler o r s ingle co upler (two types ): Co upler us ed to co nnect two tubes a t right a ngles (putlo gs to ledgers ). Ma de o f ca s t, fo rged o r pres s ed s teel.
Permis s ible lo a d; (fo rce to pull tube a xia lly o ut o f the co upler): 0.59kN (60kg). The a xia l lo a d permitted o n a putlo g co upler is 1/10 o f the a xia l lo a d
permitted o n a do uble co upler.

Two s ta nda rd types o f putlo g co upler a re the bla de, ha lf ha nd o r pigs ea r a nd the do uble fla p o r butterfly. The do uble fla p type is no t to be us ed to co nnect
a putlo g to a ledger if ins ide pla nks a re to be us ed. Do uble fla ps o r butterflies ca n be us ed to co nnect timber to s ca ffo lds .
Sleeve o r externa l jo iner: Co upler us ed to co nnect two tubes end to end. Ea ch s ide o f the jo iner mus t be individua lly tightened. The jo iner mus t ha ve a n
interna l pa rtitio n o r s to pper to centre the fitting.

Pin o r interna l jo iner: Co upler us ed to co nnect two tubes end to end. Ha s a pin a rra ngement, which expa nds in the tube. Mus t us e s a me thicknes s tube
a nd s a me ins ide dia meter (ID). Tube mus t be circula r a nd regula r with the s a me no mina l bo re (NB).

Table 9: Safe working loads for fit t ings (couplers) t o BS 1139 or AS/NZS
1576.2
Descript ion of fit t ing Type of loading Safe working load

Right -angle couplers Slip along t ube 6.25 kN (640 kg)


Swivel couplers Slip along t ube 6.25 kN (640 kg)
Joint pins (expanding spigot couplers) Shear st rengt h 21 kN (2140 kg)
Sleeve couplers Tension 3.1 kN (315 kg)
Adjust able baseplat e Axial 30 kN (3058 kg)

4.2.3 Planks
Sca ffo lding pla tfo rms , erected to s uppo rt wo rkers a nd/o r ma teria l a re o ften ma de o f pla nks . Refer to the fo llo wing pla nk s ta nda rds fo r qua lity criteria .
AS/NZ S1576.1 Duty lo a ds
AS/NZ S 1576.3 Prefa brica ted pla tfo rms
AS 1577 Sca ffo ld pla nks
AS/NZ S 4357 Structura l la mina ted veneer lumber (LVL pla nks )
AS/NZ S 4576 G uidelines fo r s ca ffo lding
In the a bs ence o f a NZ s ta nda rd it is reco mmended tha t pla nks meet the requirements o f AS 1577 o r equiva lent, with the exceptio n o f vertica lly la mina ted
pla nks , which s ho uld ha ve ea ch la mina te the full length o f the pla nk.
Ho rizo nta lly la mina ted pla nks s ho uld be ma nufa ctured to AS/NZ S 4357 a nd mus t meet the perfo rma nce criteria o f AS 1577 o r equiva lent. All pla nk
ma nufa cturers s ho uld ha ve a third pa rty a udito r to ins pect their ma nufa cturing a nd tes ting s ta nda rds . All pla nks mus t bea r the s ea l o f a n independent,
na tio na lly reco gnis ed third pa rty ins pectio n a gency.
Pla nks in s ervice s ho uld be tes ted in a cco rda nce with the ma nufa cturer's s pecifica tio ns a nd/o r the in s ervice pla nk tes ting metho ds des cribed belo w.
Width: Minimum 225mm wide
Depth: Minimum 38mm deep
Sca ffo ld pla nks mus t be vis ua lly checked ea ch time they a re us ed o n a s ca ffo ld. Lo o k fo r:

Twis ts o r wa rping.
Splits .
Brea ks .
Wea r a nd tea r.
Sa w cuts .
No tch cut o ut.
Na ils .
Deep o il depo s its .
Build up o f co ncrete a nd mo rta r.
Deep burns .
Ro t.

4.2.3.1 General maint enance of planks


Pla nks s ho uld be fillet s ta cked a fter ea ch us e. This will a llo w the pla nk to dry befo re being s ta cked under co ver rea dy fo r us e. During the filleting a vis ua l
ins pectio n a nd a s s es s ment o f ea ch pla nk ca n be ma de identifying a ny pro blems a s lis ted a bo ve. Pla nks ca n be cut do wn to elimina te the a ffected a rea s .

In service plank t est ing


It is reco mmended tha t pla nks be tes ted a nnua lly thro ugh a n a ppro ved tes ting ma chine. This is to ens ure a ll pra ctica ble s teps ha ve been ta ken to s ee tha t
the pla nk is s uita ble fo r its intended purpo s e. With the remo va l o f NZ S 3620 by Sta nda rds New Z ea la nd a nnua l tes ting o f pla nks is reco mmended a s the
qua lity o f pla nks ma y co me into ques tio n.
There a re three ba s ic tes ts fo r pla nks in us e:

1. Simply s uppo rted impa ct tes t.


2. Ca ntilevered impa ct tes t (refer AS/NZ S 4576).
3. Fo ur po int bending tes t a s des cribed belo w.

Four point bending t est


A s ca ffo ld pla nk is pla ced o ver two ro llers 2.4m a pa rt. A UDL lo a d o f 2.2 kN (225kg) is a pplied o ver a cra dle 300mm either s ide o f the centre o f the pla nk. The
lo a d s ho uld be a pplied fo r 1 to 3 s eco nds o n either s ide o f the pla nk.
The tes t is s ucces s ful if the pla nk ca rries the lo a d witho ut s igns o f dis tres s o r perma nent s et. Plea s e refer to the ma nufa cturer's s pecifica tio ns /o pera ting
pro cedures to ens ure co mplia nce.
Thus , a s ca ffo ld pla nk s ho uld be ca pa ble o f s us ta ining a to ta l wo rking lo a d o f 2.2 kN (225kg) a pplied to the full width o f the pla nk a t two equa l lo a ds 300mm
o n either s ide o f the centre o f the s pa n when it is s imply s uppo rted a t 2.4m centres .

Figure 15: In s ervice tes ting o f s ca ffo ld pla nks fo r s trength


Thus , a s ca ffo ld pla nk s ho uld be ca pa ble o f s us ta ining a to ta l wo rking lo a d o f 2.2 kN (225kg) a pplied to the full width o f the pla nk a t two equa l lo a ds 300mm
o n either s ide o f the centre o f the s pa n when it is s imply s uppo rted a t 2.4m centres .

4.3 Basing out t ube and fit t ing scaffolds


4.3.1 Two pole return
Ba s ing o ut a tube a nd fitting s ca ffo ld ca n lea d to a va riety o f metho ds fo r the pla cement o f s ta nda rds in a co rner o r return. It is reco mmended tha t two
s ta nda rds a re po s itio ned a t ea ch co rner o r return. Figure 16 s ho ws a light duty s ca ffo ld with bo th left a nd right returns a nd ins ide a nd o uts ide co rners . All
a re two po le returns with a minimum o f two s ta nda rds a t ea ch co rner.
Rule o f thumb: "If the s ca ffo ld turns to the right; two s ta nda rds go o n the left. If the s ca ffo ld turns to the left; two s ta nda rds go o n the right"
Figure 16: Ba s ing o ut two po le returns

4.3.2 Single pole return


Single po le (o ne s ta nda rd) co rners ca n be us ed if a s et o f s ta nda rds in o ne directio n a re within 2.4m o f the externa l s ingle po le co rner a nd within 1.575m in
the o ther directio n i.e. light duty (s ee figure 17).

Figure 17: Ba s ing o ut s ingle po le returns

Lo ngitudina l bra cing (fa ce bra cing) mus t be us ed in bo th directio ns fro m a s lo w a s po s s ible o n the s ingle po le return. The lo ngitudina l bra cing mus t run
fro m the bo tto m o f the s ingle exterio r s ta nda rd a ngling up a lo ng ea ch fa ce o f the s ca ffo ld.
This is to ens ure tha t if the s ingle po le is undermined o r da ma ged the lo ngitudina l bra cing will s uppo rt the co rner o f the s ca ffo ld a nd tra ns fer the weight o f
the co rner to the o ther s ets o f s ta nda rds - o ne within 2.4m o f the co rner a nd o ne within 1.575m o f the co rner.
This metho d ha s the a dva nta ge o f being a ble to dis ma ntle o ne eleva tio n o r run o f the s ca ffo ld a nd no t ha ving to a dd a n a dditio na l s ta nda rd to the
s ca ffo ld. G enera lly o n a n externa l return the two ins ide s ta nda rds a re po s itio ned a ppro xima tely 300mm o n either s ide o f the building being s ca ffo lded. If
o ne eleva tio n o r run is dis ma ntled, the two s ta nda rds 300mm fro m the co rner a re us ed a nd o nly s to p ends a re required to co mplete the end o f the
s ca ffo ld. The end us er o f the s ca ffo ld ca n rea ch 300mm to the co rner o f the building.

4.3.3 Basing out over obstructions or trenches


Figure 18 s ho ws ho w yo u ca n ba s e o ut o ver a n o bs tructio n o r trench by us ing lo nger s o lebo a rds to dis tribute the lo a d o n the s ta nda rds clo s es t to the
trench a nd to s pur up the s ta nda rds clo s es t to the trench. This will a ls o tra ns fer the lo a d fro m thes e s ta nda rds to s ta nda rds no t a ffected by the trench.
Figure 18: Ba s ing o ut o ver a trench

4.4 St aggering of st andards and ledgers


4.4.1 Staggering standards
On a tube a nd fitting s ca ffo ld, s ta nda rds mus t be s ta ggered if the to p wo rking pla tfo rm is higher tha n the lo nges t length o f tube.
To s ta gger s ta nda rds mea ns to erect s ta nda rds s o tha t o nly o ne s ta nda rd in a pa ir finis hes in a ny o ne vertica l lift. Idea lly us e o ne s ho rt s ta nda rd o n the
ins ide with o ne lo ng s ta nda rd o n the o uts ide, then a lterna te tha t o n the next s et o f s ta nda rds - o ne lo ng s ta nda rd o n the ins ide with o ne s ho rt s ta nda rd
o n the o uts ide (s ee figure 19).
Try to keep the s ta nda rd jo ins a s clo s e a s pra ctica l a bo ve the deck level. This will grea tly a s s is t the to pping o ff o r hemping o f the next s ta nda rd. Ea ch s et o f
s ta nda rds s ho uld ha ve a putlo g within 300mm o f the s ta nda rds .
Figure 19: Sta ggering o f s ta nda rds a nd ledgers

4.4.2 Staggering ledgers


On a tube a nd fitting s ca ffo ld, s ta gger the ledgers s o tha t, fo r exa mple, o ne ins ide ledger finis hes in a ba y a nd the next ledger finis hes in a no ther ba y (s ee
figure 19).
Try to keep a ll ledger jo ins within 300mm o f the s ta nda rds . G ua rdra ils s ho uld be s ta ggered in the s a me wa y a s s ta nda rds a nd ledgers .

4.5 Scaffolding t ies


A tie is the a tta chment by which s ca ffo lding is co nnected to a s tructure. A tie tha t is no t ca pa ble o f tra ns mitting tens io n a nd co mpres s io n mus t be us ed in
co njunctio n with a s prea der o r putlo g extens io n. They mus t be pla ced clo s e to ea ch o ther a nd be a dequa tely held in po s itio n.

4.5.1 Requirements for scaffolding ties


Ties a re neces s a ry to prevent inwa rd o r o utwa rd mo vement o f the s ca ffo ld a nd to a s s is t the s ta nda rds to a ct a s lo a d-ca rrying members . To fa cilita te
s ta bility ties mus t be:

Fixed to the s ta nda rd a s clo s e a s pra ctica l to the ledger inters ectio n. If ties ca n't be fixed to the s ta nda rd they ca n be fixed a cro s s ledgers with
do uble co uplers .
Ca pa ble o f s a fely withs ta nding a ho rizo nta l fo rce equiva lent to 10 percent o f the weight o f the s ca ffo ld plus the full live lo a d o n the a rea o f
s ca ffo lding in the vicinity o f ea ch tie, a nd the enviro nmenta l lo a d.
Ca pa ble o f s uppo rting a ll lo a ds a nd fo rces tha t bea r o n it. The s a fe wo rking lo a d o n a tie mus t no t exceed o ne qua rter o f the brea king lo a d o f the
tie a nd a ncho ra ge. Als o the s tructure yo u a re tying to mus t be ca pa ble o f s uppo rting the lo a dings pla ced o n it.
Us ed with s prea ders o r extended putlo gs to the building o r s tructure where they a re o f a type tha t is no t ca pa ble o f tra ns mitting tens io n a nd
co mpres s io n, s uch a s wire ties .

Wire ties us ing 3.14mm bla ck tie wire ha ve tra ditio na lly been the a ccepted tie metho d. Ho wever, where po s s ible, thes e ties s ho uld be repla ced with a rigid
tie.

4.5.1.1 Tie spacings


It is reco mmended tha t ties be s pa ced a t a ma ximum o f 4.8m in the ho rizo nta l pla ne a nd 4.2m in the vertica l. Idea lly a lterna te the ties a t every s eco nd lift
a nd s et o f s ta nda rds . Tie s pa cings ca n be increa s ed if required but a dditio na l s trengthening o f the s ca ffo ld ma y be needed. Fo r exa mple, pla n bra cing a lift
a t the tie height wo uld mea n yo u co uld increa s e the tie s pa cings to 9.6m in the ho rizo nta l. The reco mmended s pa cings ca n a ls o be increa s ed by us ing
ra king tubes o r ra ker ba ys (bo ls ter ba ys ) a t the ba s e o f the s ca ffo ld to increa s e its ba s e width.
Spa cing dis ta nces ma y differ fo r s evera l rea s o ns . So me exa mples include:

Us e o f s creen mes h o r o ther ma teria l which a dds a wind lo a ding.


Other enviro nmenta l lo a ds .
Lifting a pplia nces a tta ched to a s ca ffo ld.
Thro ugh lo a d tra ns fer to the s ca ffo ld ba s e, lo wer s ta nda rds s uppo rting high dea d a nd/o r live lo a ds .
Us e o f pla n bra cing,
Us e o f ra ker bra cing to the gro und o r o ther s ubs ta ntive s uppo rt s urfa ce.
Tie s ys tems des igned to s uppo rt pro prieta ry s ca ffo lds .

In mo s t ins ta nces thes e tie s pa cings a re determined by des ign.

4.5.2 Rigid ties


A rigid tie is a s ca ffo ld tube e.g. a pro p inner with a ba s epla te, with the s a me dimens io ns a nd s pecifica tio ns a s a s ta nda rd ba s epla te, fixed to the end. The
tube s ho uld be lo ng eno ugh to be fixed to s ta nda rds a nd ledgers a nd butt the building o r s tructure, but ca n be us ed fro m o ne s ta nda rd o r ledger if
neces s a ry. The ba s epla te ha s two o r fo ur ho les o f a ppro xima tely 12mm to 16mm dia meter drilled into the pla te. The ho les a re ma rked thro ugh the pla te
o nto the s tructure o r building a nd the rigid tie s lid ba ck thro ugh the do uble co uplers to ena ble the ho les to be drilled. The rigid tie is s lid ba ck into po s itio n
a nd a n a ppro ved a ncho r is ins erted a nd then tightened o ver the ba s epla te. All ties s ho uld be co nnected to the s ca ffo ld with do uble co uplers . Only us e
lo a d-bea ring co uplers (do uble co uplers ) to a tta ch ties to s ca ffo lds . A rigid tie a s s embly is s ho wn a t figure 20.
Co mmo nly us ed a ncho rs fo r rigid ties include dyna bo lts , tru bo lts , bo a co ils a nd chems et bo lts . Alwa ys fo llo w the ma nufa cturer's s pecifica tio ns a nd
des ign lo a ds permitted o n a ncho rs .
Figure 20: Rigid tie a s s embly bo lted to a wa ll [3]

4.5.3 Other types of ties


A va riety o f o ther tie types a re s ho wn in the figures belo w.

Figure 21: Co lumn o r bo x tie

Figure 22: Lip o r o pening tie


Figure 23: Sta nda rd revea l tie
No te tha t in the revea l tie s ho wn in figure 23 a ba s eja ck tube a nd ba s epla te ha ve been us ed

Wire t ies

Figure 24: Wire tie s ys tem


Figure 24 s ho ws a wire tie s ys tem wa iting fo r the wire to be twis ted. This will pla ce the wire in tens io n a nd the putlo g tube butted a ga ins t the wa ll in
co mpres s io n. It is reco mmended tha t the tube butting the wa ll be no further tha n 300mm fro m the tie a s s embly.

Loading on wire t ies


Tie wire, do uble 3.14mm "bla ck" wire twis ted 2 turns : SWL 160kg o r 1.6kN
Tie wire, do uble 3.14mm "ga lva nis ed twis ted 2 turns : SWL 160kg o r 1.6kN
Tie wire, do uble 3.14mm "ga lva nis ed twis ted 3 turns : SWL 250kg o r 2.5kN
Tie wire, do uble 3.14mm "ga lva nis ed twis ted 4 turns : SWL 300kg o r 3.0kN
AS/NZ S 4576 requires tha t ea ch tie a s s embly ha ve a minimum tens ile a nd co mpres s ive wo rking lo a d ca pa city o f 6.0kN (610kg). It is therefo re
reco mmended tha t a dditio na l wire ties be us ed to ga in the 6.0kN (610kg) s a fe wo rking lo a d ca pa city o r, prefera bly, tha t wire ties be repla ced with rigid ties .

Footnotes
[3] This is the preferred tie metho d in mo s t circums ta nces

4.6 Bracing
All s ca ffo ld s tructures s ho uld be bra ced in a t lea s t two directio ns o r pla nes . All bra cing s ho uld co mmence a s clo s e a s pra ctica ble to the gro und a nd
inters ect with the s ca ffo ld no de po ints if po s s ible.

4.6.1 Longitudinal bracing or face bracing


Lo ngitudina l bra cing o r fa ce bra cing is us ua lly fixed to the o uts ide o f the s ca ffo ld to prevent the ho rizo nta l mo vement o f the s ca ffo ld, a ls o termed "s wa y
bra ce".
Figures 25 - 28 s ho w different co nfigura tio ns o f lo ngitudina l bra cing tha t runs pa ra llel to the wo rk fa ce. Lo ngitudina l bra cing ca n be a tta ched to putlo gs o r
tra ns o ms us ing do uble o r R/A co uplers . This is the mo s t widely us ed metho d, but o n a s ta nda rd 2.4m lo ng ba y x 2.0m high lift the a ngle o f the lo ngitudina l
bra ce is les s tha n 45 degrees to the ho rizo nta l. Therefo re, a lterna tively, lo ngitudina l bra cing ca n be a tta ched to the s ta nda rds directly by us ing s wivel
co uplers a llo wing the lo ngitudina l bra ce to be po s itio ned a s clo s e a s pra ctica ble to 45 degrees (> 40 degrees a nd < 50 degrees ).
Lo ngitudina l bra cing s ho uld be pla ced a s clo s e a s pra ctica ble to the ba s e o f the s ca ffo ld - run the lo ngitudina l bra ce to the gro und if po s s ible. This will a dd
to the s ta bility o f the s ca ffo ld a nd reduce a ny ho rizo nta l mo vement belo w the lo ngitudina l bra ce. G enera lly lo ngitudina l bra cing, either do gleg o r pa ra llel,
is co nnected fro m s ta nda rd to s ta nda rd in o ne s ca ffo ld ba y.
Fo r tube a nd fitting s ca ffo lds lo ngitudina l bra cing s ho uld be s pa ced a ma ximum o f every s ixth s et o f s ta nda rds (ma ximum s pa cing 14.4m) a nd run to the
to p wo rking pla tfo rm where po s s ible. Fo r pro prieta ry s ca ffo lds lo ngitudina l bra cing s ho uld fo llo w the ma nufa cturer's s pecifica tio ns .
Figure 25: Spa cing fo r lo ngitudina l bra cing

Figure 26: Do g leg lo ngitudina l bra cing

Figure 27: Dia mo nd lo ngitudina l bra cing


Figure 28: Pa ra llel lo ngitudina l bra cing

4.6.2 Plan bracing


Pla n bra cing is us ed to s ta bilis e a s ca ffo ld in the ho rizo nta l pla ne. Atta ching bra ces a cro s s s ta nda rds a s in figure 29 a nd us ing do uble co uplers (R/A
co uplers ) fo llo ws the s a me principle a s tra ns vers e a nd lo ngitudina l bra cing.
On s uch s ca ffo lds a s a ta ll circula r ves s el exterio r s ca ffo ld (chimney s ca ffo ld), pla n bra cing ca n be us ed to prevent the ro ta tio n o f the s ca ffo ld when o nly
butt ties ca n be us ed a ga ins t the ves s el. Further, when tie s pa cings ca nno t be a dhered to pla n bra cing ca n be us ed to reduce the number o f ties required.

Figure 29: Principles o f pla n bra cing

4.6.3 Transverse bracing


Idea lly, tra ns vers e bra cing s ho uld be a tta ched fro m the unders ide o f the ledger a bo ve the lift with a do uble co upler (R/A co upler) to a bo ve the ledger a t
the pla tfo rm height. Alterna tively, tra ns vers e bra cing ca n be a tta ched fro m the ledger a bo ve the lift with a do uble co upler to the s ta nda rd with a s wivel
co upler. This ma y be neces s a ry to clea r kickbo a rds fo r exa mple. Tra ns vers e bra cing ma y a ls o be a tta ched fro m s ta nda rd to s ta nda rd with s wivel co uplers .
Fo r tube a nd fitting s ca ffo lds it is reco mmended tha t tra ns vers e bra cing be pla ced a ma ximum o f every fo urth s et o f s ta nda rds a nd run to the to p wo rking
pla tfo rm where po s s ible. The frequency o f tra ns vers e bra cing will a ls o be dependent o n the tie s pa cings .

4.6.4 Dog leg bracing


This is the mo s t co mmo nly us ed fo rm o f tra ns vers e bra cing. When it is impra ctica l to fit ties a t vertica l s pa cings , do gleg bra cings s ho uld be us ed.
Tempo ra ry ties ma y be required to ens ure the s ta bility o f the s ca ffo ld during erectio n a nd dis ma ntling. When us ing do gleg bra cing ens ure ties a re ca pa ble
o f ca rrying the s ubs ta ntia l lo a ds required o f them.
Figure 30: Do g leg bra cing

4.6.5 Parallel bracing


When tra ns vers e bra cing is es ta blis hed dia go na lly between inner a nd o uter s ta nda rds o n multiple levels it fo rms a pa ra llel bra ce, a s s een in figure 31.
Idea lly get the tra ns vers e bra ce a t the ba s e o f the s ca ffo ld a s clo s e a s po s s ible to the gro und. The s ta bility o f the ba s e o f the s ca ffo ld will be grea tly
impro ved if the bra ce ca n be either:

Butted to the ba s e o f the wa ll yo u a re s ca ffo lding; o r


Fo rced into the s urfa ce yo u a re s ca ffo lding fro m.

It is a ccepta ble o n light duty s ca ffo ld to co nnect the lo wer s ectio n o f the bra ce to the s ta nda rd by us ing a s ho rt butt tube o ff the s ta nda rd with do uble
co uplers . Then co nnect the bra ce with a do uble co upler a s clo s e a s pra ctica ble to the s ta nda rd in the event o f ha ving no s wivels .

Figure 31: Pa ra llel bra cing (s ho wn in two directio ns )

4.7. Erect ing working and access plat forms


4.7.1 Specifications of working platforms and access platforms
A pla tfo rm is a s tructure o r deck o n a s ca ffo ld to s uppo rt wo rkers , ma teria l o r pla nt.
Wo rking pla tfo rms a nd a cces s pla tfo rms (o ther tha n s us pended wo rk pla tfo rms ) s ho uld be erected us ing either s ca ffo ld pla nks o r prefa brica ted pla tfo rm
units . Ea ch wo rking pla tfo rm s ho uld be des igned a nd co ns tructed to s uppo rt the intended lo a ds impo s ed o n it. Every wo rking pla tfo rm s ho uld be decked
a s clo s e a s pra ctica ble to the wo rk fa ce o f the s tructure it is being us ed with.

Working plat forms


Wo rking pla tfo rms need to be wide eno ugh to a cco mmo da te wo rkers , ma teria ls a nd pla nt - a minimum o f 675mm wide (deck width) fo r no n pro prieta ry
s ca ffo lds , but ma inta ining a clea r uno bs tructed a cces s o f no t les s tha n 450mm wide fo r a ll s ca ffo lds . Fo r exa mple, if ma teria l o r pla nt 500mm wide is
intended to be s ta cked o n the wo rking pla tfo rm, the wo rking pla tfo rm (deck width) wo uld ha ve to be a minimum o f 950mm wide. This will a llo w a minimum
clea r uno bs tructed a cces s o f no t les s tha n 450mm.

Access plat forms


Acces s pla tfo rms s ho uld be a minimum o f 675mm wide fo r no n pro prieta ry s ca ffo lds .

4.7.1.1 Proximit y t o t he working face


Pla nks o r decking fo rming the s urfa ce o f a wo rk o r a cces s pla tfo rm s ho uld be a s clo s e a s pra ctica ble to the wo rk fa ce. The ma ximum permis s ible ga p
between the wo rking pla tfo rm a nd the wo rk fa ce is 300mm. As a ro ugh guide, then, a s ca ffo ld s ta nda rd with 48.3mm o uts ide dia meter s ho uld no t exceed
250mm fro m the wo rk fa ce to the s ta nda rd. If the s ca ffo ld is required to be mo re tha n 300mm fro m the wo rking pla tfo rm, ins ide gua rdra ils o r a n a lterna tive
mea ns o f edge pro tectio n is required (s ee figure 32).
The ma ximum ga p permitted o n a wo rking o r a cces s pla tfo rm its elf is 50mm.

Figure 32: Pro ximity o f s ca ffo lding to the wo rking fa ce

4.7.1.2 Inside planks


On a pla nked light duty tube a nd fitting s ca ffo ld it is a ccepta ble to ha ve o ne o r two ins ide pla nks ca ntilevered o nto a n extended putlo g tube o r tra ns o m.
G enera lly o n a butt pla nked s ca ffo ld the putlo gs a re co nnected to the ledgers with s ingle (putlo g) co uplers . Do no t us e do uble fla p o r butterfly s ingle
co uplers o n a ny ca ntilevered tube unles s it is s uppo rted by a bra ce preventing uplift. If yo u a re required to erect three o r mo re ins ide pla nks o n a butt
pla nk s ca ffo ld the ca ntilevered tube needs to be s uppo rted by a bra ce. Under s ling a n a dditio na l ledger under the ca ntilevered putlo g tubes o r tra ns o ms
with do uble co uplers (R/A co uplers ) then a tta ch the bra ce to the lo wer ledger a s s ho wn in figure 33. Pla nks mus t be s ecured to prevent dis pla cement.

Figure 33: Ins ide pla nks a nd their s uppo rt

4.7.1.3 Guardrails and midrails


G ua rdra ils , including midra ils , mus t be pro vided o n the expo s ed s ides a nd end o f a ll wo rking pla tfo rms rega rdles s o f height. The height o f the midra il
s ho uld be equidis ta nt between the to p gua rdra il a nd the wo rking pla tfo rm o r a lterna tively equidis ta nt between the to p o f the to ebo a rd a nd the to p o f the
gua rdra il.
Fo r no n pro prieta ry s ca ffo lds , the height o f the to p gua rdra il mus t be no les s tha n 0.9m a nd no mo re tha n 1.1m fro m the pla tfo rm.
When s ecured to the s ta nda rd o r upright member, ea ch gua rdra il mus t be ca pa ble o f independently s us ta ining a t a ny po int a 700N (71kg) vertica l fo rce o r a
450N (46kg) ho rizo nta l fo rce witho ut fa ilure, undue deflectio n, o r perma nent res et o f the po s itio n o f the gua rdra il.
G ua rdra ils fo r H-Fra me s ca ffo lds s ho uld ha ve the inters ectio n o f the cro s s bra ces a t a ppro xima tely 1.0m a bo ve the wo rking pla tfo rm.
The midra il s ho uld then be pla ced a t a ppro xima tely 0.5m a bo ve the wo rking pla tfo rm. Midra ils ma y be excluded o n lifts tha t do no t include wo rking
pla tfo rms .

4.7.1.4 Toeboards or kickboards


A to ebo a rd o r equiva lent pro tectio n mus t be fitted to the o uts ide a nd end o f every pla tfo rm. The to ebo a rd mus t pro trude a minimum o f 150mm a bo ve the
wo rking pla tfo rm to prevent dis lo dgement o f ma teria ls a nd to o ls .
To ebo a rd s ho uld be s ecured to s ta nda rds with wire, s ingle co uplers o r s pecia lis ed to ebo a rd fittings . Idea lly to ebo a rds s ho uld extend no les s tha n 150mm
a bo ve the intended to o ls o r ma teria ls s ta cked o n the wo rking pla tfo rm e.g. if ma teria ls a re s ta cked 350mm high o n a wo rking pla tfo rm, to ebo a rds s ho uld
be a minimum o f 500mm high.
Sca ffo lds erected in high pedes tria n a rea s s ho uld us e bo th to ebo a rds a nd s creening.

4.7.1.5 Maximum height of scaffolds and working plat forms


The ma ximum height o f a s ca ffo ld co ns tructed in a cco rda nce with thes e guidelines is 33.0m to the to p-wo rking pla tfo rm. Sca ffo lds tha t exceed 33.0m in
height mus t be co ns tructed to : a cha rtered engineer's des ign s ta tement, certifica te o r letter; o r a pro ducer s ta tement where s uch a s ta tement is required
to be pro vided to a Building Co ns ent Autho rity fo r the is s ue o f a Building Co ns ent o r a Co de Co mplia nce Certifica te in rela tio n to the Building Act 2004; o r,
fo r pro prieta ry s ca ffo lds , the ma nufa cturer's s pecifica tio ns .
If the invo lvement o f a cha rtered engineer is required, genera lly yo u will ha ve to pro vide the fo llo wing info rma tio n:

Deta iled pla n view, s ho wing dimens io ns a nd s ca ffo ld ba y la yo ut.


Deta iled cro s s s ectio n o f the s ca ffo ld in rela tio n to the wo rk fa ce, s ho wing tra ns vers e bra cing a nd pla nk levels .
Deta iled eleva tio n s ho wing lo ngitudina l bra cing a nd po s itio n o f ties .
Deta iled s ectio n o f the pro po s ed ties a nd wha t the ties a re co nnected to o .
Deta iled lis t o f s ca ffo ld co mpo nents a nd their weights .
Screening info rma tio n, s uch a s weight a nd po ro s ity, ma y be required to wo rk o ut the wind lo a d o n the s ca ffo ld.
The intended us e o f the s ca ffo ld.
The duty lo a ding o f the s ca ffo ld.

The engineer ma y a ls o require s o il s a mples to a s certa in the lo a d ca pa city o f the gro und the s ca ffo ld is to be erected o n a nd fo r the des ign o f a dequa te
s o lebo a rds . No te tha t if a s ca ffo ld exceeding 33.0m to the to p wo rking pla tfo rm is a ltered s tructura lly by the s ca ffo lder witho ut a ppro va l o f the engineer
the lia bility fo r the s ca ffo ld des ign tra ns fers directly to the s ca ffo lder ma king the una utho ris ed cha nges .
Fo r the s ta bility o f s ca ffo lds a bo ve 33.0m a dditio na l tra ns vers e bra cing (do gleg o r pa ra llel), ties a nd do uble o r s eco nda ry s ta nda rds (ins ta lled within
300mm o f ea ch prima ry s ta nda rd) a re genera lly required up a t lea s t o ne third o f the s ca ffo ld height. Seco nda ry s ta nda rds ca n be a tta ched to the ledgers o f
the s ca ffo ld with do uble co uplers (R/A) o r to the prima ry s ta nda rds with s wivels . Do uble s ta nda rds o r s eco nda ry s ta nda rds help reduce the lo a ds impo s ed
o n the prima ry s ta nda rds .

4.7.2 Use of planks in erecting a platform or decks


A pla tfo rm o n a s ca ffo ld is to s uppo rt wo rkers a nd/o r ma teria ls a nd pla nt. A pla tfo rm ca n be ma de fro m a va riety o f ma teria ls s uch a s : s ta nda rd timber
s ca ffo ld pla nks , prefa brica ted ply decks , a luminium grill decks , a luminium s pa ce o r s pa n decks , s teel decks o r pla nks .
Fo r no n pro prieta ry s ca ffo lds , the pla tfo rm mus t be a minimum o f:
Light duty: 675mm wide
Medium duty: 675mm wide
Hea vy duty: 675mm wide
All s ca ffo lds mus t ma inta in a clea r a nd uno bs tructed a cces s o f no t les s tha n 450mm.
Pla nks o r decking fo rming a pla tfo rm s ho uld be o f unifo rm thicknes s , s lip res is ta nt, pitched a t a n a ngle no t exceeding 7 degrees to the ho rizo nta l (s lo pe 1
to 8) a nd s ecured to prevent dis pla cement in no rma l us e a nd po s itio ned to a vo id s ignifica nt ga ps a nd trip ha za rds . Pla nks s ho uld be butted no t la pped
except a t returns , curved fa ces o r unus ua l pro files . La pped pla nks o ther tha n returns , curved fa ces o r unus ua l pro files , s ho uld be fitted with wedge clea ts to
reduce the ris k o f tripping. End o verha ng o f pla nks mus t be 80mm minimum to 220mm ma ximum (s ee figure 34).

Figure 34: Butted pla nks

The s ecuring o f pla nks o r decking a ga ins t dis pla cement is a chieved by a tta ching them/it to the s ca ffo ld s tructure (putlo g, tra ns o m, ledger, o r rung etc). This
ca n be do ne us ing:

La s hing o r s imila r.
Wire.
Steel o r pla s tic s tra pping.
Sca ffo ld fittings .
Spring lo a ded ho o k a rra ngements etc.

This s ignifica ntly reduces ga ps in wo rking pla tfo rms a nd prevents pla nks lifting due to tra p ends a nd wind uplift etc. To ebo a rds running a cro s s a wo rking
pla tfo rm ca n a ls o be us ed to s ecure the pla tfo rm to prevent vertica l uplift.
Idea lly s ecuring pla nks a nd decking will a ls o prevent the una utho ris ed remo va l o r mo vement o f decking by the end us er o f the s ca ffo ld a nd a t lea s t
a uto ma tica lly s ho w if a pla nk o r decking fo rming a pla tfo rm ha s been mo ved between ins pectio ns .
Pla nk fa ilure
Pla nk fa ilure o r brea ka ge is a s ignifica nt ha za rd in s ca ffo lding. To reduce pla nk fa ilure butt s ca ffo ld pla nks o n a s ca ffo ld a s o ppo s ed to la p pla nking the
s ca ffo ld. Fo r exa mple o n a light duty butt pla nked s ca ffo ld with 2.4m ba ys , three putlo gs wo uld s uppo rt 1 x 3.0m lo ng pla nk (ma ximum putlo g s pa cing o n a
butt pla nked s ca ffo ld = 1.42m) but it is reco mmended tha t 1.2m be us ed. On a la p pla nked s ca ffo ld o nly 2 putlo gs s uppo rt the 3.0m lo ng pla nk a t 2.4m
centres .
If a s ho ck (impa ct) lo a d wa s a pplied to a butt pla nk s ca ffo ld a nd the s a me s ho ck (impa ct) lo a d wa s a pplied to a la p pla nk s ca ffo ld the ris k o f a pla nk fa ilure
is s ignifica ntly increa s ed o n a la p pla nk s ca ffo ld due to the grea ter putlo g s pa cings .

4.7.3 Duty loadings on working platforms


The duty live lo a ding fo r a s ca ffo ld is ca lcula ted a s the ma ximum lo a d permitted (men a nd ma teria ls ) in a ny o ne s ca ffo ld ba y.

4.7.3.1 Light dut y working plat forms


The ma ximum duty lo a ding per ba y permitted o n a light duty s ca ffo ld is 225kg (2.2 kN).
The 225kg is ca lcula ted a s a Unifo rmly Dis tributed Lo a d (UDL) o ver the full ba y. The ma ximum po int lo a d o r co ncentra ted lo a d permitted is 100kg per ba y
a s pa rt o f the ma ximum 225kg.

Addit ional requirement s for a light dut y working plat form


Ma ximum s ta nda rd s pa cing fo r light duty no n pro prieta ry s ca ffo lds (s ee figure 35):
Lo ngitudina l s ta nda rd s pa cing - 2400mm (ba y length).
Tra ns vers e s ta nda rd s pa cing - 1575mm (ba y width).
The minimum width o f a wo rking pla tfo rm is 675mm fo r no n pro prieta ry s ca ffo lds while ma inta ining uno bs tructed a cces s o f 450mm fo r a ll s ca ffo lds .
The ma ximum number o f wo rking pla tfo rms us ea ble co ncurrently in a ny o ne ba y is :
Sca ffo ld height up to 13.5m high - 4 lifts o r wo rking pla tfo rms per ba y.
Sca ffo ld height up to 33.0m high - 2 lifts o r wo rking pla tfo rms per ba y.
Ma ximum putlo g s pa cing is 2.4m

Figure 35: Light duty wo rking pla tfo rms - ma ximum a nd minimum s ta nda rd s pa cings

4.7.3.2 Medium dut y working plat forms


The ma ximum duty lo a ding per ba y permitted o n a medium duty s ca ffo ld is 450kg (4.4 kN).
The 450kg is ca lcula ted a s a Unifo rmly Dis tributed Lo a d (UDL) o ver the full ba y. The ma ximum po int lo a d o r co ncentra ted lo a d permitted is 150kg per ba y
a s pa rt o f the ma ximum 450kg.

Addit ional requirement s for a medium dut y working plat form


Ma ximum s ta nda rd s pa cing fo r medium duty no n pro prieta ry s ca ffo lds (s ee figure 36):
Lo ngitudina l s ta nda rd s pa cing - 2400mm (ba y length).
Tra ns vers e s ta nda rd s pa cing - 1275mm (ba y width).
The minimum width o f a wo rking pla tfo rm is 675mm fo r no n pro prieta ry s ca ffo lds while ma inta ining uno bs tructed a cces s o f 450mm fo r a ll s ca ffo lds .
The ma ximum number o f wo rking pla tfo rms us ea ble co ncurrently in a ny o ne ba y is :
Sca ffo ld height up to 13.5m high - 2 lifts o r wo rking pla tfo rms per ba y.
Sca ffo ld height up to 33.0m high - 1 lifts o r wo rking pla tfo rms per ba y.
Ma ximum putlo g s pa cing is 1.2m

Figure 36: Medium duty wo rking pla tfo rms - ma ximum a nd minimum s ta nda rd s pa cings

4.7.3.3 Heavy dut y working plat forms


The ma ximum duty lo a ding per ba y permitted o n a hea vy duty s ca ffo ld is 675kg (6.6 kN).
The 675kg is ca lcula ted a s a Unifo rmly Dis tributed Lo a d (UDL) o ver the full ba y.
The ma ximum po int lo a d o r co ncentra ted lo a d permitted is 200kg per ba y a s pa rt o f the ma ximum 675kg.
Addit ional requirement s for a heavy dut y working plat form
Ma ximum s ta nda rd s pa cing fo r hea vy duty no n pro prieta ry s ca ffo lds (s ee figure 37):
Lo ngitudina l s ta nda rd s pa cing - 1800mm (ba y length).
Tra ns vers e s ta nda rd s pa cing - 1275mm (ba y width).
The minimum width o f a wo rking pla tfo rm is 675mm fo r no n pro prieta ry s ca ffo lds while ma inta ining uno bs tructed a cces s o f 450mm fo r a ll s ca ffo lds .
The ma ximum number o f wo rking pla tfo rms us ea ble co ncurrently in a ny o ne ba y is :
Sca ffo ld height up to 13.5m high - 2 lifts o r wo rking pla tfo rms per ba y.
Sca ffo ld height up to 33.0m high - 1 lifts o r wo rking pla tfo rms per ba y.
Ma ximum putlo g s pa cing is 0.9m

Figure 37: Hea vy duty wo rking pla tfo rms - ma ximum a nd minimum s ta nda rd s pa cings

4.7.3.4 Special dut y scaffolds


A s pecia l duty s ca ffo ld is a wo rking pla tfo rm tha t do es no t co mply with the genera l requirements o f a light, medium o r hea vy duty wo rking pla tfo rm with
res pect to lo a dings a nd/o r dimens io ns . Specia l duty s ca ffo lds s ho uld be no tified to the DOL. There is a templa te fo r this in the a ppendix a t the end o f
thes e guidelines .
So me exa mples o f s pecia l duty s ca ffo lds include:

Ba y widths tha t do no t meet the minimum o r ma ximum width requirements .


Ba y lengths tha t do no t meet the minimum o r ma ximum width requirements .
Lift heights tha t do no t meet the minimum o r ma ximum height requirements .
The exclus io n o f o ne o r bo th gua rdra ils .
The exclus io n o f to ebo a rds o r kickbo a rds .
Vertica l la dder o n no n pro prieta ry s ca ffo lds .
Sca ffo lds with a ga p grea ter tha n 300mm to the wo rkfa ce witho ut ins ide gua rdra ils .
Limited a cces s s ca ffo lds .
Co ncentra ted weight s ca ffo lds .
Specia l duty lo a ding pla tfo rms .
Specia l duty ca ntilever s ca ffo lds .
Specia l duty ha nging s ca ffo lds .
Specia l duty fa ls ewo rk (pro pping).
No n pro prieta ry s ca ffo lds o ver 33.0m.
Sca ffo lds erected fro m pro prieta ry equipment tha t fa ll o uts ide the ma nufa cturer's s pecifica tio ns .
Specia l duty bridging s ca ffo lds .
Specia l duty ro o f s a ddle s ca ffo lds .

An exa mple is if yo u require a s ingle pla nk s ca ffo ld to a cces s a res tricted a rea between two buildings . The regula tio ns require yo u to no tify the s ca ffo ld a s
a s pecia l duty s ca ffo ld to the DOL s ta ting the rea s o n yo u ca nno t pro vide a minimum o f 450mm clea r a cces s .
Additio na lly s o me s pecia l duty s ca ffo lds require the des ign to be checked by a cha rtered engineer. Fo r ins ta nce:

No n pro prieta ry s ca ffo lds o ver 33.0m high.


Sca ffo lds tha t exceed the ma ximum permitted height fo r pro prieta ry s ca ffo lds .
Sca ffo lds us ing s creening in very high wind a rea s .
Sca ffo lds tha t require the s uppo rting s tructure to be checked by a cha rtered engineer with rega rd to po int lo a ds , tie s pa cings etc.
Sca ffo lds erected directly fro m a s uppo rting s tructure, ro o f, vera nda h o r ba lco ny.

4.7.4 Permitted loads on scaffold tube


4.7.4.1 Galvanised st eel t ube 48.3mm out side diamet er; 3.2mm wall t hickness
Ta ble 10 gives the lo a ds tha t a re permitted in New Z ea la nd to be a pplied to ga lva nis ed s teel s ca ffo ld tubes with 48.3mm OD x 3.2mm wa ll thicknes s
co mplying with BS 6323.1. It ta kes into a cco unt a 15% reductio n fo r reus e a nd the s elf-weight o f the tube.
Table 10: Maximum permit t ed loads on galvanised st eel t ube
Tube as a Beam Tube as a St rut
Simply support ed beam Cant ilevered beam
ClearSpan St rut lengt h Concent ric load
Point load UDL Point load UDL
mm kg kg kg kg mm kg

225 917 1835 229 459


300 687 1373 172 343 300 3870
450 456 914 114 228
600 343 684 86 171 600 3740
675 304 610
900 230 456 900 3522
1125 181 363
1200 170 341 1200 3190
1350 159 301
1500 134 270 1500 2770
1575 128 254
1800 110 221 1800 2275
2050 98 196
2100 94 187 2100 1809
2250 88 173
2400 82 162 2400 1442
2700 72 143 2700 1164
3000 64 127

Not es
Ca ntilevered s pa ns (bea m) exceeding 600mm a re no t reco mmended.
UDL = Unifo rmly Dis tributed Lo a d.

Example
The bo ld type a bo ve demo ns tra tes the fo llo wing us ing a clea r s pa n o f 600mm:

A 600mm tube s imply s uppo rted a t either end 600mm a pa rt ca n s us ta in a ma ximum Sa fe Wo rking Lo a d (SWL) a t o ne po int (Po int lo a d) o f 343kg a nd
ca n s uppo rt a ma ximum Unifo rmly Dis tributed Lo a d (UDL) o f 684kg.
A 600mm tube ca ntilevered fro m a s ingle s uppo rt ca n s us ta in a ma ximum SWL a t o ne po int o f 86kg a nd ca n s uppo rt a ma ximum UDL o f 171kg.
A 600mm tube us ed a s a s trut o r pro p ca n s us ta in a lo a d o f 3740kg.

4.7.4.2 Aluminium scaffold t ube 48.3mm out side diamet er; 4.45mm wall t hickness
Ta ble 11 gives the lo a ds tha t a re permitted in New Z ea la nd to be a pplied to a luminium s ca ffo ld tubes with 48.3mm OD x 4.45mm wa ll thicknes s co mplying
with AS/NZ S 1576.3. It ta kes into a cco unt a 15% reductio n fo r reus e a nd the s elf-weight o f the tube a nd limits the deflectio n o f bea ms to 1/150 o f the s pa n.
Table 11: Maximum permit t ed loads on aluminium t ube
Tube as a Beam Tube as a St rut
Simply support ed beam Cant ilevered beam
ClearSpan St rut lengt h Concent ric load
Point load UDL Point Load UDL
mm kg kg kg kg mm kg

225 1633 3266 3229 354 225 6750


300 1224 2449 199 531 300 6527
450 816 1632 88 236 450 6082
600 612 1224 600 5637
675 544 1007 675 5414
900 354 566 900 4746
1125 226 361 1125 3595
1200 198 317 1200 3159
1350 156 250 1350 2496
1500 126 202 1500 2020
1575 114 183 1575 1834
1800 87 139 1800 1404
2050 68 109 2025 1109
2100 63 101 2100 1032
2250 55 88 2250 899
2400 48 76 2400 790
2700 37 59 2700 624
3000 29 47 3000 505

Not es
Ca ntilevered s pa ns (bea m) exceeding 450mm a re no t reco mmended.
UDL = Unifo rmly Dis tributed Lo a d.

Example
The bo ld type a bo ve demo ns tra tes the fo llo wing us ing a clea r s pa n o f 450mm:

A 600mm a luminium tube s imply s uppo rted a t either end 450mm a pa rt ca n s us ta in a ma ximum Sa fe Wo rking Lo a d (SWL) a t o ne po int (Po int lo a d)
o f 816kg a nd ca n s uppo rt a ma ximum Unifo rmly Dis tributed Lo a d (UDL) o f 1632kg.
A 450mm a luminium tube ca ntilevered fro m a s ingle s uppo rt ca n s us ta in a ma ximum SWL a t o ne po int o f 88kg a nd ca n s uppo rt a ma ximum UDL o f
236kg.
A 600mm a luminium tube us ed a s a s trut o r pro p ca n s us ta in a lo a d o f 6082kg.

4.7.5 Butt plank scaffold


When erecting a typica l butt pla nk s ca ffo ld the ba s e lift ha s putlo gs co nnected with do uble co uplers to the s ta nda rd benea th the ledger. The ledger is
co nnected to the s ta nda rd with do uble co uplers . The putlo gs fo r butt pla nking a re co nnected o n to p o f the ledger with s ingle co uplers .
This a llo ws fo r the ba s e lift to ha ve the ledgers co nnected to the s ta nda rds a nd the putlo gs under the ledgers to a ct a s check clips . This pro vides
a dditio na l s trength in bo th the tra ns vers e a nd lo ngitudina l pla ne via us e o f do uble co uplers .
All a dditio na l lifts a re erected with the ledger co nnected to the s ta nda rd with do uble co uplers a nd the putlo gs fo r butt pla nking co nnected to the ledger
with s ingle co uplers . A putlo g mus t be within 300mm o f the s ta nda rds .
Figure 38 s ho ws putlo gs co nnected to the s ta nda rds benea th the ba s e ledgers . All the o ther putlo gs a re co nnected to the ledgers with s ingles .

Figure 38: Putlo g po s itio ning fo r butt pla nk s ca ffo lds

4.7.6 Access to working platforms


Acces s to wo rking pla tfo rms mus t be a dequa te a nd s a fe fo r the wo rking co nditio ns a nd type o f wo rk to be ca rried o ut. Es pecia lly co ns ider the number o f
peo ple us ing a s ca ffo ld a nd whether they need to ca rry ma teria ls o r to o ls to the wo rk pla tfo rm. So me o f the o ptio ns fo r pro viding a cces s to wo rking
pla tfo rms a re o utlined belo w.

4.7.6.1 Ladders
Depending o n the a pplica tio n, la dders a re tra ditio na lly ma de fro m a luminium, timber o r fibregla s s . In pro viding la dder a cces s to wo rking pla tfo rms :

La dders s ho uld be pitched a t a s lo pe o f no t les s tha n 1 in 4 a nd no t mo re tha n 1 in 6. Tho ugh it is no t reco mmended, it is a ccepta ble to ha ve a
pitched la dder s to p a t the wo rking pla tfo rm height if s ufficient gua rdra ils (s to p ends ) a re in pla ce tha t ca n be us ed to ho ld o nto fo r a cces s a nd
egres s to a nd fro m the la dder.
If po s s ible la dders s ho uld be s ecurely tied to prevent mo vement to p a nd bo tto m.
La dders s ho uld extend a t lea s t 1.0m a bo ve the wo rking pla tfo rm, la nding o r exit po int.
La dders mus t be in go o d s tructura l co nditio n.
The ma ximum height between wo rking pla tfo rms o r la ndings mus t no t exceed 5.1m o r a ma ximum o f 2 lifts .
La dders mus t be o ffs et to prevent a s ingle co ntinuo us la dder. This reduces the dis ta nce a pers o n co uld fa ll to a ma ximum o f 5.1m (2 lifts ).
Where po s s ible la dders s ho uld be erected in a n independent s ca ffo ld ba y. This is the preferred metho d, a s it do es no t interfere with the wo rking
pla tfo rm.
All la dder a cces s o penings in a pla tfo rm mus t be pro tected by either a ha tch, ga te o r by to rtured pa th.

Gaining and securing ext ernal ladder access


It is a ccepta ble to s ecure a la dder to the o uts ide o f a s ca ffo ld fro m gro und level to the 1s t a nd 2nd lift (5.1m ma ximum wo rking pla tfo rm). This is us ua lly
a chieved by extending a putlo g to which the to p o f the la dder is then s ecured.
In terms o f s ecuring a cces s fro m a n externa l la dder, there a re two o ptio ns bo th invo lving the ins ta lla tio n in the s ca ffo ld o f a n inwa rd o pening s elf clo s ing
ga te o r ba rrier. A prefa brica ted s elf clo s ing ga te ma y be ins ta lled a t the lift height to a llo w a nd pro tect a cces s . This is the preferred metho d o f a cces s fo r
externa l la dders up to the s eco nd lift. Alterna tively ga ining a cces s to wo rking pla tfo rms fro m a la dder o n the o uts ide o f the s ca ffo ld ca n be a chieved by a
s ho rt length o f tube (a ppro xima tely 1.2m) with s wivel co uplers to fo rm a ga te a rra ngement. Yo u lift the ga te to ga in a cces s to the wo rking pla tfo rm a nd
put it ba ck in pla ce to ma inta in the gua rdra il to prevent fa lling fro m the wo rking pla tfo rm.

Prefabricat ed ladder gat e arrangement


Figure 39 s ho ws a n externa l la dder us ed up to the s eco nd lift o f a s ca ffo ld (5.1m ma ximum height) with a prefa brica ted s elf clo s ing ga te ins ta lled a t the lift
height to a llo w a cces s . This is the preferred metho d o f a cces s fo r externa l la dders up to the s eco nd lift.

Figure 39: Prefa brica ted la dder ga te

Swivel fit t ing ladder gat e arrangement


Figure 40 s ho ws a n externa l la dder us ed up to the s eco nd lift o f a s ca ffo ld (5.1m ma ximum height) with the to p gua rdra il a tta ched with a s wivel fitting tha t
ca n be ra is ed to a cces s the wo rking pla tfo rm a nd lo wered to pro tect the wo rking pla tfo rm. This ga te mus t a ls o be s elf clo s ing.
Figure 40: Swivel fitting la dder ga te

Gaining and securing int ernal ladder access


Interna l la dder a cces s is a ccepta ble if the la dder a cces s ho le is pla ced in pa rt o f the wo rking pla tfo rm a nd the minimum 675mm wo rking pla tfo rm width is
ma inta ined. Any ho le o r vo id in a wo rking pla tfo rm mus t either ha ve a dequa te gua rdra ils o r a tra pdo o r a rra ngement mus t be us ed. This is to prevent
s tepping into the ho le o r vo id.
Vertica l la dders s ho uld be a vo ided if po s s ible. They ca n be us ed o n a s pecia l duty s ca ffo ld if a cces s is res tricted, s uch a s in a ta nk o r ducting. G ua rdra iling
o r tra pdo o r s ys tems mus t be us ed in co njunctio n with vertica l la dders .

Ladder hat ch arrangement


Figure 41 s ho ws a la dder pro truding thro ugh a wo rking pla tfo rm with a ha tch a rra ngement to ens ure tha t no vo id is left in a wo rking pla tfo rm. It ma y be
neces s a ry to s uppo rt the o uts ide o f the ha tch if the ha tch do es no t ha ve a n o uts ide pla nk to s uppo rt it. A s ingle co upler ca n be a tta ched to the o uts ide
ledger to a cco mplis h this . The hinge a rra ngements ca n be s ta nda rd hinges o r hea vy duty ca rpet o r s imila r. It is reco mmended tha t the ha tch be la pped a
minimum o f 32mm o nto the a dja cent pla nks .

Figure 41: Interna l la dder ha tch

Tort ured pat h


Abo ve the s eco nd lift o f a s ca ffo ld a ll la dders mus t be erected within the fra mewo rk o f the s ca ffo ld o r in a dedica ted la dder a cces s ba y. The o pening to the
wo rk pla tfo rm ca n be pro tected by the la dder ha tch a rra ngement a s s ho wn in figure 41. Fo r a dedica ted la dder a cces s ba y crea ting a ba rrier tha t a pers o n
mus t wa lk a ro und to a cces s the la dder o pening is ca lled a to rtured pa th. This ca n ea s ily be erected us ing tube a nd fittings o r pro prieta ry co mpo nents . The
o bjective is to prevent a pers o n s tepping ba ck fro m a pla tfo rm into the la dder o pening (s ee figure 42).

Figure 42: To rtured pa th metho d fo r co ns tructing la dder a cces s ba ys

4.7.6.2 St airs
Tra ditio na lly s ta irs a re ma de fro m a luminium, timber o r s teel. They us ua lly co me in a 's ta ir unit' co mpris ed o f a number o f s ta irs .
Sta ir units a re us ua lly a tta ched to a s ca ffo ld by ho o king o ver a tube o r by s itting in a tra ns o m o n a s ys tem type s ca ffo ld. Other co nnecting metho ds , while
us ed, a re no t a s co mmo n. Sta irs a re us ua lly pla ced in a s epa ra te ba y a ga ins t a wo rking pla tfo rm. Slo ping gua rdra ils mus t be us ed to give s o mething to
ho ld o nto when a s cending o r des cending the s ta irs .
Sta irs genera lly co me in 1.5m lifts a s they ca n be fitted within a 2.4m lo ng ba y ma inta ining the co rrect s tep dimens io ns a nd la nding dimens io ns to turn
a ro und o n. Beca us e 1.5m ris e s ta irs do no t ma tch no rma l s ca ffo ld lifts it ma y be neces s a ry to pro vide a s tepping pla tfo rm fro m the wo rking pla tfo rm to
the s ta irs .
Sta ir units tha t co me in 2.0m lifts mus t either us e a ba y length o f grea ter tha n 2.4m o r the la ndings mus t be extended o r ca ntilevered fro m the 2.4m ba y.
Sta irs ca n be ma de up us ing s ta ir bra ckets , pla nks a nd tubes . While this is a ccepta ble, s tructures mus t be checked to ens ure a ll s teps a re level, s ecure fro m
mo vement, a nd ca n ta ke the live lo a ds impo s ed - like a 100kg ma n running do wn the s ta irs ! Us ing ply fro m the fro nt edge o f the to p s tep to the ba ck edge
o f the lo wer s tep fo rms a co mplete unit tha t will prevent the s tep fro m ro ta ting fo rwa rd o r ba ckwa rds .
Acces s fro m a s ta ir unit to the wo rk pla tfo rm mus t be ma inta ined like a la dder a cces s . A gua rdra il o r ga te a rra ngement mus t be kept in pla ce to prevent
peo ple wa lking fro m a wo rking pla tfo rm into a s ta ir o pening.
Figure 43 s ho ws a pro prieta ry a luminium mo bile s ta ir a cces s to wer.
Figure 43: Pro prieta ry mo bile s ta ir a cces s to wer

Figure 44 s ho ws bo th a typica l externa l la dder a cces s to wer a nd a n externa l s ta ir a cces s to wer a tta ched to the s a me s ca ffo ld. Ea ch fo rms a s epa ra te
a cces s ba y.
Figure 44: Co mbined la dder a nd s ta ir a cces s

Section 5: Proprietary scaffolding


This s ectio n co vers pro prieta ry s ca ffo lds (mo dula r s ca ffo lds ). Pro prieta ry s ca ffo lds ha ve been des igned by a cha rtered engineer a s reflected in the
ma nufa cturer's s pecifica tio ns fo r the des ign a nd us e o f the equipment. The ma nufa cturer's s pecifica tio ns mus t be us ed in the erectio n, us e a nd
dis ma ntling o f pro prieta ry s ca ffo lds .
Pro prieta ry s ca ffo lds ca n be s epa ra ted into two s pecific ca tego ries .
1. Pro prieta ry s ys tems s o lely co mpris ed o f prefa brica ted co mpo nents . Here ma nufa cturer's s pecifica tio ns a nd ins tructio ns fo r s a fe erectio n mus t be
fo llo wed.
2. Pro prieta ry s ys tems co mpris ed prima rily o f prefa brica ted co mpo nents , but with a dditio na l s ca ffo lding co mpo nents tha t a re no t co vered by the
ma nufa cturer's s pecifica tio ns . Here the a dditio ns to the pro prieta ry s ca ffo ld s ho uld fo llo w the genera l requirements o f the BPG . If this ca n no t be a chieved
s ca ffo lds co ns tructed us ing thes e s ys tems s ho uld be cla s s ified a s s pecia l duty s ca ffo lds .
The indus try reco mmends tha t a ll s pecia l duty s ca ffo lds be no tified to the DOL. There is a templa te fo r this in the a ppendix a t the end o f thes e guidelines .

5.1 Modular propriet ary syst ems (prefabricat ed)


Pro prieta ry equipment ha s been prefa brica ted to a unique des ign fo r us e a s s ca ffo lding. Figure 45 s ho ws the no de o r co nnectio n po ints fo r fo ur
pro prieta ry s ys tems .
Figure 45: Co nnectio n s ys tems fo r fo ur different prefa brica ted pro prieta ry s ys tems

Ring s ca ffo ld no de o r co nnectio n po int

Kwiks ta ge o r s ys tem s ca ffo ld no de


Ra pid s ca ffo ld no de o r co nnectio n po int

Cuplo ck s ca ffo ld no de o r co nnectio n po int

Figure 46 s ho ws a s ta nda rd s ys tem o r Kwiks ta ge pro prieta ry s ca ffo ld s ho wing s o me genera l s ca ffo lding termino lo gy

Figure 46: G enera l s ca ffo lding terms a pplied to pro prieta ry s ca ffo lding

5.2 Aluminium frame and brace t ower syst ems


Aluminium (lightweight) fra me a nd bra ce pro prieta ry s ys tems a re co mmo nly ca lled a luminium to wers o r a luminium s ca ffo lds . They a re either fixed (s ta tic)
o r mo bile.
Aluminium s ca ffo lds a re genera lly co mpris ed o f the fo llo wing prefa brica ted co mpo nents :

Ca s to rs o r ba s eja cks .
Aluminium end fra mes (genera lly with ho rizo nta l rungs ).
Aluminium bra ces - dia go na l, ho rizo nta l a nd pla n.
Prefa brica ted ca ptive decks a nd ha tch decks .
Aluminium prefa brica ted la dders o r s ta irs .
Aluminium o utriggers .

All prefa brica ted a luminium s ca ffo lds mus t be erected per the ma nufa cturer's s pecifica tio ns a nd ins tructio ns .
Aluminium s ys tems in us e to da y ha ve a n extens ive ra nge o f pro ducts tha t ca n be us ed in mo s t s ca ffo lding a pplica tio ns . While a luminium mo bile s ca ffo lds
a re us ed mo re tha n a luminium fixed o r s ta tic s ca ffo lds , mo s t o f thes e s ys tems utilis e the s a me equipment.
An a luminium s ca ffo ld tha t is mo re tha n o ne ba y lo ng mus t ma inta in unimpeded a cces s . Climbing thro ugh the s ca ffo ld's fra me rung is no t permitted. Wa lk
thro ugh fra mes o r s pa ce fra mes mus t be us ed. La dder o r s ta ir a cces s mus t be pro vided to a ll wo rking pla tfo rms . Alwa ys check the ma nufa cturer's
s pecifica tio ns , pa rticula rly re:

Erectio n ins tructio ns .


Ma ximum lo a ds permitted per ba y.
Ma ximum height to which the s ys tem ca n be erected.

In the ca s e o f a mo bile a luminium s ca ffo ld, if the lo wes t wo rking pla tfo rm us ing prefa brica ted decks is a bo ve 3.0m fro m the s uppo rting s tructure, then pla n
bra cing mus t be pro vided a t the ba s e o f the s ca ffo ld. Plea s e no te the a luminium fra me mus t be fully decked (ca ptive) a t the lo wes t wo rking pla tfo rm o r a
pla n bra ce mus t be us ed. Check the ma nufa cturer's ins tructio ns .
Pa rticula r a ttentio n mus t be ta ken to a s certa in the intended us e o f the a luminium s ca ffo ld, in pa rticula r the des igned s a fe wo rking lo a ds per ba y.
Aluminium is genera lly lighter tha n o ther s ca ffo lds a nd is therefo re mo re pro ne to the impa ct o f uneven lo a ds o r wind lo a ds .
When s ta cked o ne o n to p o f the o ther a luminium fra mes mus t ha ve a po s itive co nnectio n. This is a cco mplis hed by co nnecting fra mes with a n exterio r
jo iner o r lo cking pin, o r by bra cing o ver the fra me jo in o n bo th s ides o f the fra me.

5.3 Propriet ary syst ems wit h addit ional component s


Pro prieta ry s ca ffo ld ca n be us ed to crea te ha nging s ca ffo lds , ca ntilevered s ca ffo lds , bridges , etc. As a bo ve, if a pro prieta ry s ys tem includes a dditio na l
s ca ffo lding co mpo nents tha t a re no t co vered by the ma nufa cturer's s pecifica tio ns the a dditio na l co mpo nents s ho uld be us ed co ns is tent with the genera l
requirements o f the BPG . If this ca n no t be a chieved the res ulting s ca ffo ld mus t be cla s s ified a s a s pecia l duty s ca ffo ld.

5.3.1 Requirements for system combinations


Co mpo nents fro m different prefa brica ted s ca ffo lding s ys tems mus t no t be mixed unles s the lo a d ca pa city o f the mixed s ca ffo lding s ys tems ha s been
pro ved by theo retica l a na lys is o r tes ting in a cco rda nce with AS/NZ S 1576 a nd the:

Co mpo nents a re o f co mpa tible s ize a nd s trength.


Co mpo nents ha ve co mpa tible deflectio n cha ra cteris tics .
Fixing devices a re co mpa tible.
Mixing do es no t les s en the s ca ffo ld's s trength, s ta bility, s tiffnes s o r s uita bility.

The fo llo wing s ys tem co mbina tio ns mus t no t be us ed unles s des igned in a cco rda nce with engineer's requirements o r s pecifica tio ns in AS/NZ S 1576 o r
o ther reco gnis ed s ta nda rds :

Steel prefa brica ted s ca ffo lding s ys tems us ed in co njunctio n with a luminium prefa brica ted s ca ffo lding s ys tems .
Aluminium s ca ffo ld tubes us ed a s principa l s tructura l members in a s teel prefa brica ted s ca ffo ld.
Steel s ca ffo ld tubes us ed a s principa l s tructura l members in a luminium prefa brica ted s ca ffo ld. This do es no t a pply to the us e o f tie tubes o r
members s uch a s gua rdra ils .

St andards
On a s ys tem o r pro prieta ry type s ca ffo ld (excluding fra me s ca ffo lds ) s ta nda rds mus t be s ta ggered if the to p wo rking pla tfo rm is higher tha n the lo nges t
s ta nda rd, fo llo wing the principle o f a tube a nd fitting s ca ffo ld. Alwa ys fo llo w the ma nufa cturer's s pecifica tio ns fo r pro prieta ry co mpo nents .

Ledgers
On a s ys tem o r pro prieta ry type (tube) s ca ffo ld ledgers ca nno t genera lly be s ta ggered a s they a re res tricted in length between the s ta nda rds .

5.3.1.1 Bracket scaffold for t ank work or form work


Bra cket s ca ffo lds a re s ca ffo lds erected fro m a n engineer's des igned bra cket s ys tem des igned fo r the purpo s e. The bra ckets a re prefa brica ted a nd fixed to
the perimeter o f a ta nk o r ves s el. They a re us ua lly either welded o r bo lted to the s uppo rting s tructure.
G enera lly a tube a nd fitting s ca ffo ld is erected o n the s uppo rting bra ckets to fo rm a wo rking pla tfo rm, tho ugh this do es no t exclude a pro prieta ry s ca ffo ld
s ys tem being s uppo rted by the bra ckets . The fixing o f thes e prefa brica ted bra ckets needs to be checked a s do es the s uita bility o f the ta nk o r ves s el to
s uppo rt the intended s ca ffo ld.

5.3.1.2 Temporary grandst and seat ing


Tempo ra ry gra nds ta nd s ea ting is co vered under the Building Act a nd building co des .
Aga in, if a dditio na l co mpo nents a re included in a pro prieta ry s ys tem thes e s ho uld be us ed co ns is tent with the genera l requirements o f the BPG . If this ca n
no t be a chieved, the res ulting s ca ffo ld mus t be cla s s ified a s a s pecia l duty s ca ffo ld.

5.3.1.3 St age plat forms


Tempo ra ry s ta ge pla tfo rms ca n be erected o ut o f mo s t types o f s ca ffo lding. Pro prieta ry s ta ge pla tfo rms mus t be erected per the ma nufa cturer's
s pecifica tio ns . Des igning a nd erecting s ta ge pla tfo rms to s uppo rt peo ple a nd ma teria ls genera lly wo uld be cla s s ified a s a s pecia l duty s ca ffo ld a nd
no tified a s s uch. Thes e s tructures ma y need to withs ta nd co ns idera ble lo a ds o n a co ncentra ted a rea a nd individua l ba ys a re difficult to reco gnis e, s o a ll
ca re mus t be ta ken in ca lcula ting lo a dings . Tempo ra ry s ta ge pla tfo rms mus t a ls o co mply with the Building Act a nd the Res o urce Ma na gement Act.

Section 6: Particular scaffolds and scaffolding structures

6.1 Mobile scaffolds


A mo bile s ca ffo ld is a type o f free s ta nding s ca ffo ld s uppo rted o n wheels , ca s to rs o r o ther devices fo r ea s e o f mo vement o n a firm level s uppo rting
s tructure. Mo bile s ca ffo lds ca n be erected fro m a va riety o f co mpo nents o r s ys tems , including:

Aluminium prefa brica ted s ys tems .


Fibregla s s prefa brica ted s ys tems (no n co nductive).
Steel fra me s ca ffo lds (H fra me).
Sys tem o r mo dula r s teel s ca ffo lds .
Tube a nd fitting s ca ffo lds , etc.

Impo rta nt po ints


So me impo rta nt po ints to remember when dea ling with mo bile s ca ffo lds include:

They s ho uld be erected, ma inta ined, a ltered a nd dis ma ntled by a certifica ted s ca ffo lder o f the co rrect cla s s if they a re mo re tha n five metres in
height.
They s ho uld be erected, ma inta ined, a ltered a nd dis ma ntled by a co mpetent pers o n if les s tha n five metres in height.
They s ho uld be erected to the ma nufa cturer's ins tructio ns .
They s ho uld be us ed o n a s o und, clea r a nd level s urfa ce.
They s ho uld be us ed o n a s o und, clea r a nd level s urfa ce.
Ens ure wo rking pla tfo rms a re decked to the full width a nd a dequa tely res tra ined a ga ins t dis pla cement.
Ens ure to p a nd mid gua rdra ils a re erected o n pla tfo rms .
Erect pla tfo rm to ebo a rds to prevent items o n the pla tfo rm fa lling o n peo ple belo w.
Pro vide s a fe mea ns o f a cces s to wo rk pla tfo rms .
Where the pla tfo rm inco rpo ra tes a ha tch do o r, ens ure the ha tch is clo s ed except during a cces s o r egres s .

6.1.1 Stability
All frees ta nding s ca ffo lds , whether mo bile o r s ta tic, need to be s ta bilis ed a ga ins t o verturning fo rces . Mo bile s ca ffo lds in pa rticula r a re pro ne to tip o ver
during us e fo r a va riety o f rea s o ns , including:

Sudden s to ps while being mo ved. This is a key rea s o n why they mus t no t be ridden while being mo ved.
Height to the to p mo s t pla tfo rm is grea ter tha n three times the minimum ba s e dimens io n.
Peo ple s ta nding a t o r nea r the edge o f the pla tfo rm in co njunctio n with a s udden mo vement o r a ctio n. This crea tes a tempo ra ry high po int
lo a ding.
Ca pa city being ba s ed o n a dis tributed lo a d, no t a po int lo a d a t the edge. This mea ns o verturning ca n o ccur even when the des ign lo a d ca pa city o f
the pla tfo rm is no t exceeded.
The na rro wer a nd lighter the s ca ffo ld, the mo re likely tha t it will tip o ver.

G enera l principles to impro ve s ta bility

1. The height o f the to p wo rking pla tfo rm mus t be no mo re tha n three times the minimum ba s e dimens io n o f the s tructure fo r s ca ffo lds o ver 1.8
metres in height.
2. The height o f the to p wo rking pla tfo rm mus t be no mo re tha n two times the minimum ba s e dimens io n o f the s tructure fo r s ca ffo lds under 1.8
metres in height.

Thes e ba s e to height ra tio s a re o nly a ccepta ble under no rma l wea ther co nditio ns . Additio na l preca utio ns mus t be ta ken if a dvers e wea ther co nditio ns a re
expected. Further, it is a ccepted pra ctice to us e ra kers , o utriggers , o r la rger ba s e fra mes to increa s e the minimum ba s e dimens io n.
Mo bile s ca ffo lds genera lly need to be bra ced o n a ll s ides . All mo biles mus t a ls o be pla n bra ced to prevent the to wer fro m defo rming in s ha pe
(pa ra llelo gra m), except in the ca s e o f a mo bile a luminium fra med s ca ffo ld where the lo wes t fully decked pla tfo rm is belo w 3 metres high.

Specific recommendat ions t o improve st abilit y


Po s itio n the s ca ffo ld a s clo s e a s po s s ible to the a rea being wo rked o n.
Apply the ca s to r bra kes while the s ca ffo ld is in us e.
Do n't ride the s ca ffo ld while it is being mo ved.
Ma inta in the height to width ra tio .
Us e o utrigger bra cing.
Add weight to the s ca ffo ld ba s e to impro ve s ta bility.
Es ta blis h with the ma nufa cturer exa ctly wha t the es ta blis hed s a fe wo rking lo a d rela tes to .
Where po s s ible us e a lterna tive mo re s ta ble equipment, s uch a s a s cis s o r ho is t.

6.1.2 Non adjustable castors


Ca s to rs a llo w a s ca ffo ld to be mo ved o r be mo bile. Ca s to rs mus t:

Be a ble to s uppo rt the dea d a nd live lo a ds impo s ed upo n the s ca ffo ld.
Be a minimum o f 125mm in dia meter a nd be s ecured to the s ta nda rd. This ca n be do ne by us ing a n expa nding interna l s pigo t tha t fits into the
s ta nda rd o r by us ing a lo cking device o n a s leeve type externa l fitting o ver the s ta nda rd. This is to prevent a ca s to r fro m fa lling o ut o f the s ta nda rd
when wheeled o ver uneven s urfa ces .
Ha ve the SWL (Sa fe Wo rking Lo a d) clea rly s ho wn o n them.
Ha ve s o me kind o f bra king o r lo cking s ys tem. This ca n co me in a ra nge o f types s uch a s s crew a nd co mpres s io n devices o n the a ctua l ca s to r its elf.
Ha ve a minimum 150mm s pigo t o r pintle length (interna l s pigo t length o r externa l s o cket length) in o r o ver the s ta nda rd.

6.1.3 Adjustable castors


Adjus ta ble ca s to rs ha ve the s a me requirements a s a no rma l ca s to r but ca n be a djus ted vertica lly by wa y o f a threa ded s pigo t o r s tem with a po s itio ning
nut. The threa ded extens io n, while ma inta ining a minimum o f 150mm s pigo t o r pintle length in o r o ver the s ta nda rd, mus t no t exceed 600mm a djus tment.
Ca s to rs ca n a ls o be us ed ho rizo nta lly a s a running device to keep a mo bile s ca ffo ld o ff a s urfa ce.
It is reco mmended tha t the threa ded extens io n, while ma inta ining a minimum 150mm s pigo t o r pintle length in o r o ver the s ta nda rd, s ho uld ha ve a
ma ximum extens io n tha t do es no t exceed ha lf o f the to ta l extens io n. Fo r exa mple a ca s to r with 500mm extens io n s ho uld prefera bly be kept to a
ma ximum o f 250mm extens io n, but ca n be us ed o ut to 350mm extens io n. Adjus ta ble ca s to rs do no t need to be s ecured to the s ta nda rd if the s pigo t o r
pintle length is grea ter tha n 300mm.
As s ta ted ea rlier, in the fo llo wing dia gra ms kickbo a rds a re o mitted fo r cla rity.
Figure 47: Single deck width mo bile with o utriggers

Figure 48: Do uble deck width mo bile


Figure 49: Five deck wide mo bile

Figure 50: Do uble deck width mo bile. Ba s e extended with ra kers


Figure 51: Two do uble deck mo biles with pro prieta ry bridge (s pa n deck)

Figure 52: Tube a nd fitting mo bile to wer


Figure 53: H Fra me mo bile to wer

Figure 54: Sys tem mo bile to wer


No te: Only the to p lift is a wo rking pla tfo rm

6.2 Rakers and out riggers


Ra king tubes , ra kers o r o utriggers a re a tta ched to a s ca ffo ld to increa s e its ba s e width thereby a iding the s ta bility o f the s ca ffo ld.
Ra king tubes mus t be bra ced. Fo r tube a nd fitting s ca ffo lding, idea lly a tta ch the tube bra ce to the s ta nda rds o f the s ca ffo ld o r to ledgers o r gua rdra ils tha t
a re co nnected with do uble co uplers (R/A). Do no t a tta ch the ra king tube mo re tha n 300mm fro m the s ta nda rd.
Fo r s ys tem o r mo dula r type s ca ffo lding, idea lly a tta ch the tube bra ce to the s ta nda rds o f the s ca ffo ld o r to ledgers o r gua rdra ils . Ledgers o r gua rdra ils
mus t be lo cked into pla ce by us ing a check clip a bo ve the jo ins o r pins o f the ledgers a nd gua rdra ils . Do no t a tta ch the ra king tube mo re tha n 300mm
fro m the s ta nda rd.
The tube bra ce s trengthens the ra king tube a nd prevents it fro m bending o r s prea ding, s ee figure 55. Where po s s ible this bra ce s ho uld be a bo ve hea d
height. Where the ra king tube co nnects to the gro und it is a dvis a ble to us e a s o lebo a rd a nd ba s epla te to dis tribute the po int lo a d o f the tube. When
erecting ra kers o n s o ft gro und where a s o lebo a rd under the ra ker is no t s uita ble, it is a dvis a ble to drive the ra king tube into the gro und to find a s o lid
ba s e. If this is required a ho rizo nta l tube mus t be co nnected perpendicula r to the ra ker a t gro und level us ing a lo a d bea ring fitting. This prevents the ra ker
fro m being fo rced further into the gro und. Alterna tively a tube ca n be driven into the gro und a nd the ra ker a tta ched to this tube a s clo s e to the gro und a s
po s s ible.
Running a ho rizo nta l tube a lo ng the ra king tube co nnected with do uble co uplers , then co nnecting the tube bra ce to the ho rizo nta l tube within 300mm o f
the ra king tube is a ccepta ble.

Figure 55: Ra ker with tube bra ce


An a dditio na l tube ca n be po s itio ned a t the lo wer wo rking pla tfo rm height, o r a s lo w a s po s s ible, fo r a dditio na l s ta bility. Ra king tubes ma y need to be
bra ced in two directio ns fo r a dditio na l s trength.

6.3 Scaffolds for roof edge prot ect ion (guardrailing)


This s ectio n dea ls with the pro vis io n o f ro o f edge pro tectio n us ing s ta nda rd s ca ffo lding.
The width o f the s o ffit a nd the po s itio n o f the s ca ffo ld in rela tio n to the building will determine the metho d us ed in o rder to utilis e the o uts ide a nd ins ide
s ta nda rds o f a s ca ffo ld to s uppo rt the gua rdra ils . A do gleg bra ce (tra ns vers e bra ce) ca n be us ed to s ta bilis e the extended s ta nda rd. Alterna tively, where
the ro o fline, if co ntinued, inters ects the ins ide o r o uts ide s ta nda rd it is reco mmended tha t a gua rdra il be pla ced within + o r - 200mm fro m this inters ectio n
po int (s ee figure 56).
Figure 56: Us e o f s ca ffo lding fo r ro o f pro tectio n

6.3.1 Roof pitch less than 25 degrees


A s ca ffo ld pla tfo rm ma y be po s itio ned to pro vide ro o f edge pro tectio n. Figure 57 s ho ws the lo ca tio n o f the s ca ffo ld pla tfo rm when s ca ffo lding is us ed to
pro vide gua rdra iling fo r ro o f wo rk a nd the ro o f pitch is les s tha n o r equa l to 25 degrees .
To minimis e the ris k o f s erio us injury fro m fa lling o nto a s ca ffo ld pla tfo rm fro m the edge o f the ro o f lo ca te the pla tfo rm a s nea r to the gutter line a s
po s s ible a nd no mo re tha n 1.0m belo w the lo wer edge o f the ro o f s urfa ce. G ua rdra ils s ho uld be s pa ced a t a ppro xima tely 500mm centres up fro m the deck
with the to p gua rdra il a minimum o f 900mm a bo ve where the line o f the ro o f pitch inters ects the o uts ide s ta nda rd, a s s ho wn in figure 57.
Ens ure the s ca ffo ld is s ecured to the building to prevent o verturning s ho uld s o meo ne fa ll fro m the ro o f a nd s trike the gua rdra ils . This ca n be a chieved by
tying to the building, us ing ra ker ba ys o r ra king tubes , o r by widening the ba s e o f the s ca ffo ld.

Figure 57: Lo ca tio n o f s ca ffo ld pla tfo rm fo r edge pro tectio n (ro o f pitch 25 o r les s )

6.3.2 Roof pitch greater than 25 degrees


When a ro o f s lo pe exceeds 25 degrees the po tentia l fo r s liding do wn the ro o f beco mes grea ter. If a s ca ffo ld pla tfo rm is us ed to pro vide gua rdra iling in this
s itua tio n it is reco mmended tha t the wo rking pla tfo rm be pla ced a s clo s e a s pra ctica l to the edge o f the ro o f + o r - 200mm. This ca n a ls o be a chieved by
us ing a ho p up bra cket fro m the o uts ide s ta nda rd a t the ro o f edge line. The gua rdra iling s ho uld be fitted a s previo us ly s ho wn. It is reco mmended tha t a
ga p o f no mo re tha n 100mm be left between the deck a nd the finis hed gutter. If this ca nno t be a chieved po s itio n the deck a s clo s e a s pra ctica l to the
gutter, but it mus t no t exceed 200mm fro m the gutter line to the lea ding edge o f the pla nk (s ee figure 58).
Figure 58: Lo ca tio n o f s ca ffo ld pla tfo rm fo r edge pro tectio n (ro o f pitch grea ter tha n 25 )
Ens ure the s ca ffo ld is s ecured to the building to prevent o verturning s ho uld s o meo ne fa ll fro m the ro o f a nd s trike the gua rdra ils . This ca n be a chieved by
tying to the building, us ing ra ker ba ys o r ra king tubes , o r by widening the ba s e o f the s ca ffo ld.

6.3.3 Roof edge protection for gable ends


Edge pro tectio n mus t be pro vided a s clo s e a s pra ctica ble to the ga ble ends with the s ca ffo ld no mo re tha n 300mm fro m the s tructure. The midra il s ho uld
be a ppro xima tely 500mm a bo ve the line o f the ga ble (s lo pe o f the ro o f) a nd the to p gua rdra il 1000mm a bo ve the line o f the ga ble.

Figure 59: Edge pro tectio n a t ga ble ends


Acces s o mitted fo r cla rity.

6.4 Scaffolding over verandahs, gant ries or roofs


Sca ffo lding o ver vera nda hs , ga ntries o r ro o fs ca n be po tentia lly ha za rdo us due to a va riety o f different ha za rds a s s o cia ted with s ca ffo lding o n, thro ugh o r
o ver a s tructure.
In thes e circums ta nces , o nce yo u ha ve determined the requirements o f the s ca ffo ld the fo llo wing s ho ws s o me o f the o ptio ns a va ila ble to yo u:

1. Sca ffo ld directly thro ugh the vera nda h e.g. s ta nda rds to pa s s thro ugh the vera nda h.
2. Ba ckpro p the vera nda h directly belo w ea ch s ta nda rd. This tra ns fers the s ca ffo ld weight thro ugh the vera nda h to the ba ckpro pping directly belo w
ea ch s ta nda rd.
3. Ba ckpro p the vera nda h when the s ta nda rds a nd ba ckpro pping a re no t directly in line. This ma y require us ing a bea m s ys tem o n to p o f the
ba ckpro pping under the vera nda h a nd a s imila r bea m s ys tem o n to p o f the vera nda h belo w the s ta nda rds . This metho d is us ed to tra ns fer the lo a d
o f the s ta nda rd a lo ng the bea m s ys tem when the ba ckpro pping ha s to be o ffs et.
4. Sca ffo ld directly o n the vera nda h. An engineer mus t certify tha t the vera nda h ca n s uppo rt the impo s ed lo a ds o f the s ca ffo ld a nd the DOL ma y
reques t to ins pect the engineer's certifica te.
5. Erect a hea vy-duty ga ntry o ver the vera nda h a nd s ca ffo ld fro m the ga ntry.
6. Ca ntilever o ut a windo w o r o pening a bo ve the vera nda h to s uppo rt the s ca ffo ld.
7. Ha ng a s ca ffo ld fro m the pa ra pet to fo rm a ha nging s ca ffo ld.
8. Sus pend a s ca ffo ld (s winging s ta ge) o r (bo a ts wa in's cha ir).

It is a dvis a ble to get a n engineer's certifica te o n a ny ba ckpro pping required o ther tha n ba ckpro pping directly belo w the s ta nda rds when the vera nda h
s uppo rts a re clea rly s ho wn. It is reco mmended tha t a ll s ca ffo lds erected o n vera nda hs , ga ntries o r ro o fs be checked by a cha rtered engineer, thereby
tra ns ferring the lia bility to the engineer to s ta te tha t the vera nda h, ga ntry o r ro o f ca n s uppo rt the impo s ed lo a ds .

Figure 60: Sca ffo ld thro ugh vera nda h

Figure 61: Ba ckpro p directly belo w s ta nda rds

With ba ckpro pping, either a n engineer will certify the po s itio n a nd s pa cing o f the vera nda h s uppo rt to ens ure tha t the weight o f the s ta nda rds is
tra ns ferred directly o nto the ba ck pro pping o r yo u will ha ve to expo s e the vera nda h s uppo rts . Do no t a s s ume tha t the s uppo rts within the vera nda h tha t
a re bes t to be us ed to tra ns fer weight run perpendicula r to the building.
Figure 62 s ho ws o ne leg o f the s ca ffo ld go ing thro ugh the vera nda h. The ins ide leg o f the s ca ffo ld is s uppo rted by the vera nda h o r lo a d is tra ns ferred to
the tie. An engineers certifica te wo uld be required to ens ure the vera nda h co uld s uppo rt the lo a d o f the ins ide s ta nda rd. It wo uld no t be required if yo u
co uld ens ure tha t the o uts ide s ta nda rd a nd the tie a rra ngement co uld s uppo rt the intended lo a d.

Figure 62: Outs ide s ta nda rd thro ugh vera nda h

Figure 63 s ho ws s ca ffo ld erected o n a vera nda h with o nly o ne s ta nda rd directly belo w ba ckpro pped. An engineer's certifica te wo uld be required if yo u
co uld no t gua ra ntee tha t the o uts ide s ta nda rd a nd the tie co uld s uppo rt the ins ide s ta nda rd weight.

Figure 63: Outs ide s ta nda rd ba ckpro pped

Figure 64 s ho ws a s ca ffo ld erected a bo ve the vera nda h with the ins ide leg o f the s ca ffo ld directly ba ckpro pped belo w but with the o uts ide o f the vera nda h
o nly s uppo rted fro m belo w. An engineer's certifica te wo uld be required unles s yo u ha ve expo s ed the vera nda h s uppo rts a nd ens ured tha t the weight o f
the s ca ffo ld ca n be tra ns ferred thro ugh the vera nda h to the o uts ide pro p.
Figure 64: Ins ide s ta nda rd directly ba ckpro pped, o uts ide o f vera nda h s uppo rted

Figure 65 s ho ws a s ca ffo ld erected a bo ve a vera nda h with o nly the o uts ide o f the vera nda h ba ckpro pped. An engineer's certifica te wo uld be required.

Figure 65: Outs ide o f vera nda h ba ckpro pped

Figure 66 s ho ws a hea vy duty s teel ga ntry erected o n the fo o tpa th with the s ca ffo ld erected a bo ve. The s teel ga ntry wo uld ha ve to be des igned by a
cha rtered engineer.
Figure 66: G a ntry s uppo rts vera nda h

Figure 67 s ho ws a s ca ffo ld erected directly o n a vera nda h. In this circums ta nce vera nda hs mus t be checked by a cha rtered engineer.

Figure 67: Sca ffo ld directly o n Vera nda h

6.4.1 Supporting structures


The s ca ffo ld needs to be des igned to ens ure tha t the lo a d pla ced o n the s uppo rting s tructure under the mo s t a dvers e circums ta nces do es no t a dvers ely
a ffect its s tructura l integrity o r the s ervicea bility o f the s ca ffo ld during the perio d o f its s ervice. Where neces s a ry, the s uppo rting s tructure needs to be
s trengthened to ens ure it ha s s ufficient s trength a nd rigidity to a cco mmo da te the impo s ed lo a ds . Pro vis io n ma y be required to prevent da ma ge to the
s uppo rting s tructure.
Where s o lepla tes a re us ed they ha ve to be des igned to ha ve s ufficient s trength a nd rigidity to dis tribute the lo a d to the s uppo rting s tructure.

6.5 Cant ilevered scaffolds


A ca ntilevered s ca ffo ld is a n independent tied s ta nding s ca ffo ld co ns tructed in a cco rda nce with the BPG but erected fro m ca ntilevered bea ms (RSJ, UB,
s o ldiers , trus s es , etc) o ut fro m a building o r s tructure. Ca ntilevered s ca ffo lds us ing a bea m type a rra ngement (a s s een in figure 68) mus t be des igned by a
cha rtered engineer.
Needles s ho uld be s ecured by thro ugh bo lting (divida g ba rs ), a ncho ring, o r pro pping between the needle a nd the flo o r a bo ve. Where po s s ible the inbo a rd
pa rt o f the needle s ho uld be a t lea s t 3 times the o utbo a rd length. The ba s e o f the s ca ffo ld s ho uld be tied to the needle a s clo s e a s pra ctica l to the lo ca ting
Uhea d ja ck.
All pra ctica ble s teps need to be ta ken to pro tect the a rea belo w the ca ntilever during the erectio n a nd dis ma ntling pro ces s . Additio na l preca utio ns s uch
a s full pla nking a nd plying the ba s e lift o f the s ca ffo ld, kickbo a rds a nd s creening s ho uld be us ed to prevent the dis lo dgement o f ma teria ls fro m the wo rking
pla tfo rms .
Figure 68: Ca ntilevered s ca ffo ld us ing a bea m a rra ngement

Figure 69 s ho ws a s ca ffo ld erected o ut a windo w o pening o f a building. A pro pping to wer is erected between two co ncrete flo o rs with a needle tra ns o m
(tube) extending thro ugh the o pening. The ca ntilever effect o f the weight o f the intended s ca ffo ld is tra ns ferred to the lo wer windo w o pening a s s ho wn.
Figure 69: Ca ntilevered s ca ffo ld - us e o f pro pping to wer fo r weight tra ns ference

Figure 70 s ho ws a pro prieta ry mo bile to wer with ca ntilevered wo rking pla tfo rm. The s tructure is s ta bilis ed by us e o f a weighted ra ker a rra ngement a t the
ba s e.
Figure 70: Mo bile to wer with ca ntilevered wo rking pla tfo rm

6.6 Heavy dut y gant ries


Hea vy-duty lo a ding ga ntries o r pedes tria n ga ntries s ho uld be des igned by a cha rtered engineer a nd require the fo llo wing ba s ic co mpo nents :

Prima ry bea ms ho us ed in Uhea d ja cks to tra ns fer lo a d directly do wn the s ta nda rd.
Prima ry bea ms co nnected to the Uhea d ja cks .
Seco nda ry bea ms a t no mo re tha n 600mm centres .
Seco nda ry bea ms co nnected to prima ry bea ms .
To p s urfa ce either plied, pla nked o r bo th - ca n us e fo rmwo rk pa nels .
Adequa te lo ngitudina l bra cing.
Adequa te tra ns vers e bra cing o r a rigid tie s ys tem to a s tructure.
Adequa te edge pro tectio n (to ebo a rd, gua rdra ils , brick gua rds o r s creening).
Adequa te tra ffic pro tectio n fo r the ga ntry (wa ter filled ba rriers , etc).
Adequa te dis ta nce fro m a ny ro a dwa y.

Check with lo ca l a utho rities fo r regula tio ns rega rding dis ta nces fro m ro a dwa ys , fo o tpa th permits a nd minimum width a nd clea ra nce requirements fo r
pedes tria ns .
Figure 71: Hea vy-duty ga ntry erected fro m pro prieta ry s ca ffo lding

6.7 Vessel scaffolds


The term ves s el s ca ffo lding is generica lly a pplied to a ll s ca ffo lding tha t enco mpa s s es the entire fa ce o f a ves s el (e.g. a ta nk o r chimney). Ta nk s ca ffo lding is
co mmo nly us ed a s a pa rticula r term to des cribe ves s el s ca ffo lding a ro und a ta nk. Figures 72 a nd 73 s ho w a typica l pla n view a nd is o metric view o f a
co mpleted ves s el s ca ffo ld.

Figure 72: Ves s el s ca ffo ld - pla n view


Figure 73: Ves s el s ca ffo ld - is o metric view

6.8 Hanging scaffolds


A ha nging s ca ffo ld is a s ca ffo ld hung fro m a s tructure tha t is s ta tic in the vertica l pla ne; it ca n no t be ra is ed o r lo wered by a ny mea ns . Ha nging s ca ffo lds
ca n be hung fro m tubes , wire ro pes , ro pes o r cha ins etc.
Ha nging s ca ffo lds a re cla s s ified a s a s pecia l duty s ca ffo ld a nd s ho uld be des igned a nd no tified a s s uch.
Ha nging s ca ffo ld fo unda tio ns a re o ppo s ite to tha t o f a s ta nding s ca ffo ld. Pa rticula r a ttentio n mus t be pa id to whether the s tructure the ha nging s ca ffo ld is
to be a tta ched to is a ble to s uppo rt the ha nging s ca ffo ld a nd its intended lo a ds .

6.8.1 Tube and fitting hanging scaffold


Ha nging s ca ffo lds mus t ha ve a dditio na l check clips immedia tely a bo ve the s us pens io n po int a nd immedia tely belo w the bo tto m ledger. G enera lly a 'T
ba r' type a rra ngement s ho uld be us ed a ppro xima tely 1.0m belo w the bo tto m ledger fo r the s ca ffo lder to s ta nd o r s it o n while the ba s e lift o f the s ca ffo ld is
erected a nd dis ma ntled. The T ba r s ho uld ha ve a check clip under it. Us ing a do uble co upler with the ga te o r fla p o pen is no t s a fe. The do uble co upler is
no t des igned to ta ke a pers o ns weight a nd it ha s been kno wn fo r the ga te o r fla p to s hea r o ff the pin.
Bea m cla mps us ed to s ecure tubes to a bea m, ro lled s teel jo is t (RSJ), univers a l bea m (UB), etc s ho uld, where po s s ible, be us ed in ta ndem o n either s ide o f
the bea m a nd idea lly crea te a bo x tie a ro und the bea m.
It is po s s ible to erect a ha nging s ca ffo ld lo wer tha n the lo nges t s ta nda rd. In a tube a nd fitting ha nging s ca ffo ld jo iners mus t never be us ed to lengthen a
s ta nda rd. Ho wever a dditio na l s ta nda rds ma y be a tta ched to a minimum o f two ho rizo nta l ledgers o r gua rdra ils within 300mm fro m the s ta nda rd. Check
clips a re us ed a bo ve the ledger a nd belo w the ledger s uppo rting the s ta nda rd.
In s ys tem type s ca ffo ld the s ta nda rd mus t be either jo ined with high tens ile bo lts o r pins a nd/o r s pliced to gether with tube a nd fittings . A s plice
a rra ngement to co nnect two s ta nda rds in tens io n s ho uld ha ve a t lea s t two pa ra llel co uplers o n either s ide o f the s ta nda rds jo in co nnecting ea ch
s ta nda rd to the tube.
Steel Wire Ro pe (witho ut eyes ) us ed a s a ha nging s ca ffo ld s ho uld be fixed to a s ha ckle by a wedge type s o cket to gether with a wire ro pe grip (bull do g
clip) fixed to the ro pe ta il. Alterna tively, a thimble eye s plice ca n be ma de us ing a do uble ba s e cla mp o r three fis t grip ro pe cla mps . Wire ro pe grips (bull
do g clip) s ho uld no t be us ed to s ecure wire ro pes tha t s uppo rt pers o ns o r s ubs ta ntia l ma teria ls . Wire ro pe grips mus t be co rrectly a pplied in o rder tha t the
s tres s es within the termina l a re evenly dis tributed. Alwa ys fit the grips the s a me wa y ro und, with the bridge o n the lo a ded o r lo ng pa rt o f the ro pe a nd the
U-bo lt o n the s ho rt pa rt. On a ny wire ro pe a minimum o f three grips mus t be us ed a nd s pa ced a t a dis ta nce, centre to centre o f grips , o f s ix ro pe
dia meters .
Steel wire ro pes o r cha ins s ecured a ro und the s ha rp edges o f bea ms s ho uld be pro tected fro m da ma ge by bea m cha ffers . Als o ledgers s uppo rted fro m
the eyes o f s lings o r fro m s ha ckles s ho uld be pro vided with a co upler o n either s ide o f ea ch s uppo rt po int to prevent the ledger fro m s liding. Sha ckle pins
mus t be mo us ed to prevent unwinding.
Figure 74 s ho ws a ha nging tube a nd fitting s ca ffo ld s uppo rted fro m a bea m. As here, a lwa ys ens ure tha t the putlo g o r tra ns o m a bo ve the s teel bea m is
co nnected with bea m cla mps o r bo x the bea m with tube to prevent mo vement.
While check clips a re pla ced o n the s ta nda rds a bo ve the to p putlo g o r tra ns o m, the s ca ffo ld mus t a ls o ha ve check clips belo w the bo tto m putlo g o r
tra ns o m a nd belo w the T ba r fro m which the s ca ffo lder erects the s ca ffo ld.
Figure 74: Abo ve: Ha nging tube a nd fitting s ca ffo ld hung fro m a bea m

6.9 Screening or cont ainment sheet ing


Screening is us ed fo r bo th s a fety a nd enviro nmenta l purpo s es . Where wo rk is ca rried o ut clo s e to pedes tria n o r vehicula r a cces s , s ca ffo lds tha t a re fully
s creened ca n minimis e bo th the ris k to the public a nd the a rea lo s t to public a cces s . No te tha t to ebo a rds mus t s till be fitted to s creened s ca ffo lds
When s electing s creening co ns ider the fo llo wing:

Wha t degree o f pro tectio n is required?


Is the co nta inment o f dus t a requirement?
Wha t chemica ls a re to be us ed fro m the s ca ffo ld?
The degree o f fla mma bility o f the s creening.
The ventila tio n o f the co nta ined s pa ce (po ro s ity).
The need fo r light tra ns mis s io n.
The s ize o f s heets o r s creen s ectio ns .
The requirements fo r fixing the s creening.

Sca ffo lds fitted with s creening ha ve increa s ed enviro nmenta l lo a ds (wind lo a ds , ra in lo a ds , etc) a nd increa s e the dea d lo a d o f the s ca ffo ld. Co ns equently
a dditio na l ties a re required fo r s creened s ca ffo lds . It is reco mmended tha t s ignifica nt s ca ffo lds o r tho s e expo s ed to extreme wea ther co nditio ns be
des igned by a cha rtered engineer.
The des ign o f a s creened s ca ffo ld s ho uld co ns ider the:

Weight o f the s creening.


Enviro nmenta l lo a d o n the s ca ffo ld a nd the s uppo rting s tructure.
Po s itio n o f the s creened s ca ffo ld in rela tio n to o ther s tructures .
Fixing in res pect to the s trength o f the s creening.
Ability o f the fixing to fa il if experiencing fo rces (es pecia lly wind) beyo nd the ca pa city o f the ties o r s creening to withs ta nd s uch fo rces . A "fa il
ca pa city" will prevent the s ca ffo ld o r s tructure being da ma ged.

When fixing s creening:

Only fix s creening fro m fully decked a nd gua rdra iled pla tfo rms .
Screening s ho uld be fitted to the o uts ide o f the s ca ffo ld unles s s pecified.
Flus h the o uts ide o f the s ca ffo ld to prevent tubes etc fro m pro truding.
Screening s ho uld be co ntinuo us either by us ing s ufficient o verla p (prefera ble) o r by ca refully butt jo ining the s creening.
Alwa ys s ecure the to p edge o f the s creening befo re fixing the bo tto m edge.
Us e a ta g line in windy co nditio ns to co ntro l the s creening during fixing.
Keep the s creening s ufficiently ta ut.
Screening s ho uld be la pped under fro m the to p fo r co nta inment a nd la pped o ver fro m the to p fo r pro tectio n.
Alwa ys s creen the ends o f the s ca ffo ld a s clo s e a s pra ctica l to the building o r s tructure to prevent the wind getting behind the s creening.
Screening blo wn into a s ca ffo ld ha s the s ca ffo ld a s a fra mewo rk to s uppo rt it. Screening blo wn a wa y fro m the s ca ffo lding fra mewo rk o nly ha s the
ties to s uppo rt it.

The fo llo wing a re s o me co mmo n ma teria ls us ed fo r s creening o r co nta inment:

Sha de clo th.


Mo no flex.
Shrink wra p.
Pla s tic.

Hes s ia n mus t no t be us ed a s s creening a s it is no t fire reta rda nt.


While there a re different va rieties o f s ha de clo th, wind is a ble to pa s s thro ugh it depending o n the s creening's po ro s ity. This no t o nly reduces the wind
lo a ding o n the s ca ffo ld a nd s tructure it a ls o a llo ws ventila tio n a nd light.
Pro ducts s uch a s mo no flex, s hrink wra p a nd pla s tic a lmo s t co mpletely co nta in the s ca ffo ld. They ca n therefo re be fixed to crea te a nega tive a ir s itua tio n
o r s pecia l co nta inment fo r a s bes to s remo va l. Ho wever they grea tly increa s e the wind lo a d a nd pres s ure o n the s ca ffo ld a nd s tructure. Ventila tio n is a
pro blem with thes e pro ducts .
When us ing pro prieta ry s ca ffo lding tha t do es no t ha ve a po s itive jo int between the vertica l s ta nda rds in co njunctio n with s creening, it is reco mmended
tha t jo ints be s pliced o r tha t a dditio na l bra cing be pro vided a cro s s the jo ins to prevent uplift o f the jo in.

6.9.1 Industrial safety nets


Indus tria l s a fety nets a re s o metimes us ed a s a n effective mea ns o f fa ll pro tectio n fo r peo ple wo rking a t height, pa rticula rly where it is no t pra ctica l to
pro vide s ca ffo lds o r tempo ra ry gua rdra iling. They a re genera lly ma nufa ctured fro m s ynthetic fibre kno tted lines with a mes h s ize o f a bo ut 100mm. Thes e
lines a re a tta ched to perimeter co rds . Sa fety nets a re us ua lly a va ila ble in 3.0m x 4.0m s izes o r la rger.
Ea ch net will ha ve a la bel tha t will s ta te the ma ximum fa ll dis ta nce fo r which the net ha s been des igned. This is us ua lly between 1.0m a nd 6.0m.
It is genera lly a ccepted tha t s ecuring a s a fety net to a building, s tructure o r s ca ffo ld requires input fro m a cha rtered engineer, a s the impa ct lo a ds a pplied
to a s a fety net require the s uppo rting s tructure o r s ca ffo ld to s uppo rt thes e lo a ds .
Refer to BS 3913 fo r co nnectio n metho ds , po s s ible impa ct lo a ds etc.
Figure 75 s ho ws a pla n view o f a s a fety net ca ntilevered between two flo o r s la bs . Figure 76 is a s ectio n view o f the s a me s tructure.

Figure 75: Pla n view o f s a fety net ca ntilevered between two flo o r s la bs

Figure 76: Sectio n view o f s a fety net ca ntilevered between two flo o r s la bs
Figure 77: Typica l a rra ngement o f o utrigger perimeter net

Figure 78: Typica l net a nd its s uppo rting fra mewo rk

6.10 Mechanical lift ing appliances on a scaffold


Ho is ts , winches a nd o ther lifting a pplia nces ma y be mo unted o n s ca ffo lding o nly if the s ca ffo ld fra mewo rk is a dequa te in s trength, o r is s pecia lly
s trengthened a nd tied ba ck, to ta ke the impo s ed lo a ds , bo th dea d lo a ds a nd live lo a ds , to a ma ximum o f 250kg.
The s trengthening o f the s ca ffo ld mus t be ca lcula ted a s a minimum o f a t lea s t 2 times the lifting ca pa city o f the a pplia nce.
Where the lifting ca pa city exceeds 250kg the s ca ffo ld mus t be s trengthened in a cco rda nce with requirements impo s ed by a cha rtered engineer.
Figures 79 a nd 80 s ho w typica l s ca ffo ld s uppo rted ma teria ls o r a pplia nce ho is ts .

Figure 79: Mecha nica l ma teria ls ho is t s uppo rted by a s ca ffo ld s ide view
Figure 80: Mecha nica l ma teria l ho is t s uppo rted by a s ca ffo ld - fro nt view

6.10.1 Gin wheels


G in wheels a re us ed a s lifting a pplia nces in co njunctio n with ro pes . They co me in a va riety o f des igns s uch a s ho o k o r ring types a nd a re a tta ched to a
s ca ffo ld o r s tructure to ra is e a nd lo wer a lo a d. The ma ximum lo a d permitted to be ra is ed o r lo wered fro m a gin wheel is 50kg. The s ca ffo ld mus t be ma de
s ta ble eno ugh to co mpens a te fo r the weight o f the intended lo a ds by wa y o f a dditio na l ties to the building o r ra kers .
The ro pe us ed fo r a gin wheel s ho uld prefera bly be a na tura l fibre ro pe (ma nila ) with a minimum dia meter o f 16mm. Sma ller dia meter ro pes ca n be s pliced
into this ma in ro pe to pro vide a mo re us er friendly dia meter ro pe to tie o nto equipment. It is co mmo n to end s plice the ma in gin wheel ro pe to fo rm a n
endles s ro pe with two s ma ller dia meter ro pes s pliced into the ma in ro pe fo r a tta ching equipment.
Figure 81: G in wheel les s tha n 600mm fro m s ta nda rd (ring a tta chment)

If a s ca ffo ld tube is ca ntilevered fro m a s ca ffo ld, including to s uppo rt a gin wheel, it mus t be a tta ched to s ta nda rds us ing do uble co uplers (R/A). The gin
wheel mus t no t be co nnected to this tube a ny mo re tha n 600mm fro m the o uter s ta nda rd unles s s uppo rted by a bra ce (s ee figure 81). Here a gin wheel
with a ring a tta chment go es o ver a s ca ffo ld tube but is lo cked in pla ce with two s ca ffo ld fittings . If the gin wheel is les s tha n 600mm fro m the s ta nda rd then
the tube do es no t need to be s uppo rted. No te tha t uns uppo rted tube (putlo g) mus t be co nnected to two s ta nda rds (excluded fo r cla rity in figure 81).
Figure 82 s ho ws a gin wheel mo re tha n 600mm fro m the s ta nda rd. The tube s uppo rting the gin wheel mus t be bra ced a s s ho wn. Be a wa re o f the
o verturning pres s ure this will pla ce o n the s ca ffo ld. Hence a n a dditio na l tie is included a s s ho wn.

Figure 82: G in wheel mo re tha n 600mm fro m s ta nda rd


Figure 83: G in wheel les s tha n 600mm fro m s ta nda rd (la s hed)
Figure 83 s ho ws a gin wheel with a ho o k a rra ngement la s hed in po s itio n. The uns uppo rted tube (putlo g) mus t be co nnected to two s ta nda rds . This is
excluded fo r cla rity in figure 83.

6.11 Mast -climbing work plat forms


Ma s t-climbing wo rk pla tfo rms a re a va ila ble fo r us e a s either frees ta nding units o r in s ingle o r multiple to wer co nfigura tio ns . Ma s t climbers a re
pro gres s ively tied to the building o r s uppo rting s tructure a s they a re erected.
When wo rking with ma s t climbers :

Alwa ys check ma nufa cturer's s pecifica tio ns a nd ins tructio ns .


If in do ubt get a cha rtered engineer to check a ncho r po ints o r the mea ns o f tying the ma s t-climber to the s uppo rting s tructure.
Check tha t the s a fe wo rking lo a d is clea rly ma rked.
Check the fo unda tio n ca n s us ta in the intended lo a ds .
Check tha t the ba s e o f the ma s t-climber ha s a dequa te pro tectio n.
Ens ure the ma s t is erected vertica lly a nd a ll a ppro ved ties a re in pla ce.
Include tes ting requirements , pre-o pera tio na l checks a nd s ervicing requirements .

Figure 84: Ma s t climbing wo rk pla tfo rm


6.12 Barrow ramps
Ba rro w ra mps a re a pa rticula r type o f s lo ping pla tfo rm. They co nta in clea ts a lo ngs ide a n unclea ted bo a rd o r cha nnel. This a llo ws wheelba rro ws o r
wheeled lo a ds to be mo ved ea s ily while gua rding a ga ins t s lipping.
Figure 85 s ho ws a typica l ba rro w ra mp erected us ing tube a nd fitting s ca ffo ld. No te the unclea ted middle pla nk fo r the wheel o f the wheelba rro w to run up
a nd do wn.

Figure 85: Ba rro w ra mp


Fo r hea vy lo a ds s uch a s wheelcha irs o r co ncrete la den wheelba rro ws gra dients o f a bo ut 1:12 a re a ppro pria te. The ma ximum reco mmended s lo pe fo r a
clea ted ba rro w ra mp is 20 o r 1 in 3.

6.13 Falsework or propping


Fa ls ewo rk o r pro pping is us ed prima rily to s uppo rt a lo a d. It is a ny tempo ra ry s tructure us ed to s uppo rt a perma nent s tructure while it [the perma nent
s tructure] is no t s elf s uppo rting.

6.13.1 Types of load


Dea d Lo a ds (s elf weight): The a ctua l weights o f the fa ls ewo rk s tructure, perma nent ma teria ls (preca s t, co ncrete) a nd s to red items (pla nt).
Live Lo a ds (co ns tructio n a ctivity): The weight o f pers o nnel, impa ct e.g. hea ping o f co ncrete, a nd to o ls (s ma ll pla nt).
Enviro nmenta l Lo a ds (wind, ea rthqua kes etc): Lo a d a dded by enviro nmenta l fa cto rs s uch a s wea ther, ea rthqua kes , etc.
Ca lcula ting to ta l lo a ding
When ca lcula ting flo o r lo a ds fo r fa ls ewo rk the genera l lo a ding us ed fo r live lo a ds is 2kN/m (205kg/m). This is a dded to the co mbined dea d lo a d to give
to ta l lo a ding a nd co vers mo s t a pplica tio ns o uts ide the mo s t s evere wea ther co nditio ns .

6.13.2 Units and loadings


Table 12: Measurement unit s and symbols
Physical Propert ies Unit Symbol

Lengt h Met re m
Mass Kilogram kg
Area Square met res m
Volume Cubic met res m
Densit y Kilograms per cubic met re kg/m

The ma s s o f a 1 metric to nne (1,000kg) exerts a fo rce o f a ppro xima tely 9.81kN (kilo Newto n). Therefo re:
1kg exerts a fo rce o f a ppro x 9.81N (Newto n)
100kg exerts a fo rce o f a ppro x .981kN
To co vert kg to N: #kg multiplied by 9.81
To co nvert N to kg: #N multiplied by 0.102
Table 13: Loadings on scaffold
General loading

Sand dry/wet 1680 kg per m/ 1920 kg/m


Timber pinus/m 400 - 480 kg
Wat er per lit re 1.0 kg
Concret e wheel barrow approx 0.05m 136 kg
Blocks concret e (400 x 200 x 200) 19 kg per block
Worker average 100.0 kg

Mass of concret e kg/m

Average 2300
Heavy 3200
Average wit h 3% st eel 2550

6.13.3 Falsework design


When des igning fa ls ewo rk es ta blis h:

The s tructure to be s uppo rted.


A pro po s ed metho d(s ) o f fa ls ewo rk.
By des ign, the integrity o f the fa ls ewo rk to s a fely s uppo rt a ll lo a dings a s s o cia ted with the wo rk.

In determining wha t info rma tio n to co ns ult a nd ho w to a ppro a ch fa ls ewo rk des ign, no s ingle do cument pro vides a ll the a ns wers . So urces o f info rma tio n
fo r s ca ffo lders , cha rtered a nd des ign engineers include:

The ma nufa cturer/des igner lo a dings a nd pro ven tes t info rma tio n (pro prieta ry s ys tems ).
G ra de, qua lity a nd tes t res ults o f s ca ffo lding equipment (tube, clip, fittings ).
BS 5975:1996 Co de o f Pra ctice fo r Fa ls ewo rk.
AS/NZ S 1170 pa rts 0 - 3 a nd NZ S 1170.5
Cement a nd Co ncrete As s o cia tio n o f New Z ea la nd G uidelines a nd do cuments .
HERA (Hea vy Engineering Res ea rch As s o cia tio n) publica tio ns o n s tructura l s teel ca pa city, co nnectio ns , lo a dings a nd us e. Structura l s teel is us ed a s ,
a nd/o r in co njunctio n with, ma nufa ctured fa ls ewo rk equipment.
HERA publica tio n, G uide to pra ctica l a s pects o f co mpo s ite flo o r s ys tem des ign a nd co ns tructio n, including co ncrete pla cement. This includes
info rma tio n o n co ntro lling deflectio n o f pumped co ncrete in co mpo s ite flo o r s ys tems .
AS 3828 G uidelines fo r the Erectio n o f Building Steelwo rk.
AS 3610 Fo rmwo rk fo r Co ncrete.

6.13.4 Standard falsework components.


Alwa ys fo llo w the ma nufa cturer's ins tructio ns a nd s pecifica tio ns , in pa rticula r the ma ximum s a fe wo rking lo a ds permitted.

Uhead jack and basejacks


Ma ximum s a fe wo rking lo a d 53 kN (5405 kg) a t 200mm extens io n.
Ma ximum s a fe wo rking lo a d 41 kN (4180kg) a t 450mm extens io n.
Check ma nufa cturer's s pecifica tio ns .

Adjust able props


Adjus ta ble pro ps co ns is t o f fo ur pa rts :

The o uter tube (60mm OD) with welded ba s epla te.


The inner tube (48.3mm OD) with welded to p pla te.
The nut a nd ha ndle.
The pro p pin.

Pro p s izes ra nge fro m 1050mm to 4900mm a nd ca n s uppo rt a s a fe wo rking lo a d between 8kN (815 kg) a nd 42.5kN (4335kg) - 32kN (3265kg) o n a vera ge. Refer
to the ma nufa cturer's s pecifica tio ns fo r s a fe wo rking lo a ds . Pro ps mus t be a dequa tely la ced in o ne directio n but prefera bly in two directio ns . It is
reco mmended tha t la cing be po s itio ned o ne third o f the dis ta nce up the pro p inner

Shoreload frames
Tra ditio na lly s ho relo a d fra mes a re 1220mm wide a nd ra nge fro m 610mm high to 1830mm high. They a re co ns tructed fro m 60mm OD tube a nd give a s a fe
wo rking lo a d o f between 80kN (8160kg) a nd 100kN (10195kg) per fra me. The s ho relo a d fra mes a re co nnected with fra me bra ces o f different lengths to fo rm
a to wer. Fra mes ca n be s ta cked vertica lly o n to p o f ea ch o ther utilis ing fra me jo iners to give the des ired height (s ee figure 86).
Figure 86: Typica l s ho relo a ding s et up

Header beams
A number o f bea ms ma y be us ed in fa ls ewo rk, including:

Do ka wo o den bea ms .
Ro lled Steel Jo is t (RSJ).
La mina ted true fo rm bea ms .
Univers a l bea ms (UB).
Aluminium A o r I bea ms with a timber infill.
Timber.

6.13.5 Concrete components


6.13.5.1 Precast
A co ncrete s tructure e.g. bea m, pa nel, do uble T tha t is po ured a nd s et befo re being bro ught to the s ite. The preca s t ca n be pre-s tres s ed in the ca s e o f s hell
bea ms a nd fla t s la bs . Thes e tra ditio na lly o nly require pro pping to s uppo rt the intended lo a ds .

6.13.5.2 In sit u
Co ncrete po ured o n s ite. This tra ditio na lly requires pro pping with prima ry a nd s eco nda ry bea ms to ena ble bo xing to be fo rmed to co nta in the co ncrete.
Ba s ic pro pping ca n be us ed fo llo wing the ma nufa cturer's s pecifica tio ns . If there is a ny do ubt co ncerning gro und ca pa city, lo a dings etc yo u mus t get a
cha rtered engineer to check the des ign a nd fo llo w his /her reco mmenda tio ns . Fa ls ewo rk o r pro pping s ho uld a lwa ys ma inta in a fa cto r o f s a fety o f 3 in a ll
a s pects o f the des ign.
Tra ditio na l s ca ffo lding (tube a nd fitting, kwiks ta ge s ys tem, cuplo ck, ra pid s ca ff a nd timber to na me a few) ca n be us ed fo r pro pping. Yo u mus t fo llo w the
ma nufa cturer's s pecifica tio ns in a ll ca s es .
Plea s e refer to the s ectio n o n fo unda tio ns . While pro pping is prima rily to s uppo rt a lo a d, it a ls o tra ns fers it to the s urfa ce belo w - to the fo unda tio ns . Thus ,
fo unda tio ns a re impera tive when pro pping. In pa rticula r the gro und ca pa city a nd s ea ting o f s o lebo a rds o r bea rers mus t be s ufficient fo r the intended
lo a ds
Figure 87 s ho ws ho w bea ms s ho uld be po s itio ned in Uhea d ja cks (o r s imila r) to keep the bea m centred o ver the s ta nda rd o r s uppo rt. The ja cks mus t be
ro ta ted a ga ins t the bea m to centre the bea m o ver the s ta nda rd, pro p o r s imila r. The Uhea d ja ck, pro p, o r s imila r mus t then be wedged o r cho cked to
centra lis e the bea m befo re being pla ced under lo a d.

Figure 87: Po s itio ning o f Uhea d ja cks o r s imila r

6.13.6 General falsework workmanship


The fo llo wing a re critica l fa cto rs o f fa ls ewo rk wo rkma ns hip o n s ite:

The fo unda tio ns s ho uld be s a tis fa cto ry.


The fa ls ewo rk s ho uld be co ns tructed in a cco rda nce with the des ign, qua lity a nd qua ntity o f co mpo nents a nd the s a fe wo rking lo a ds a s deta iled in
the ma nufa cturer's s pecifica tio ns fo r co mpo nents . This includes s etting o ut.
To lera nces s ho uld fa ll within a llo wa ble des ign limits .
All co nnectio ns s ho uld be pro perly co ns tructed.
Adequa te a cces s a nd egres s mus t be a s s ured.

Import ance of det ail


Co ns ta nt empha s is is la id o n the impo rta nce o f ca reful a ttentio n to deta il. Fa ls ewo rk us ua lly co ns is ts o f a co mpa ra tively la rge number o f members to
pro duce a s uppo rting s tructure with multitude co nnectio ns a nd junctio n co nditio ns . The s ta bility a nd integrity o f the s uppo rting s tructure s ho uld no t be
jeo pa rdis ed by inco rrect a s s embly o f o ne o f the ma ny co nnectio ns o r junctio ns . Fa ilure to get deta ils right during the initia l erectio n o f the fa ls ewo rk
co uld lea d to lo ca l ins ta bility a nd ma y enda nger the entire fa ls ewo rk s tructure.

Checking falsework
When dea ling with fa ls ewo rk, check:
The fo unda tio ns befo re beginning erectio n.
The pro po s ed des ign o f the intended fa ls ewo rk.
Individua l fa ls ewo rk co mpo nents during the erectio n pro ces s .
All co nnectio ns a nd junctio ns during the erectio n pro ces s .
La yo ut o f fa ls ewo rk a s per the des ign.
All fa ls ewo rk fo r eccentricity o f individua l co mpo nents .
All fa ls ewo rk is po s itio ned centra lly under the intended lo a ds .
Fa ls ewo rk immedia tely befo re lo a ds a re a pplied.
Fa ls ewo rk immedia tely a fter lo a ds ha ve been a pplied.
Perio dica lly a fter a dvers e wea ther co nditio ns .
Befo re dis ma ntling tha t the s tructure is s elf-s uppo rting.

Checking adjust able props


Pro ps s ho uld be unda ma ged a nd no t vis ibly bent.
Pro ps s ho uld be plumb within 1.5 degrees o f vertica l (no t exceeding 25mm o ut o f vertica l o ver a height o f 1.0m).
Pro ps mus t be pla ced centra lly under the member to be s uppo rted a nd o ver a ny member s uppo rting the pro p with no eccentricity exceeding
25mm.
Pro ps mus t be a dequa tely la ced in o ne directio n but prefera bly in two directio ns .
It is reco mmended tha t la cing be po s itio ned o ne third o f the dis ta nce up the pro p inner.

6.14 Timber scaffolds


This s ectio n dea ls with s ta nding s ca ffo lds tha t co mpris e s ta nda rds , ledgers , gua rdra ils a nd putlo gs ma de o f timber.

Quality of timber and fittings


Ra dia ta pine a nd Do ugla s fir a re s uita ble timbers fo r us e in timber s ca ffo lding a nd mus t be either No 1 fra ming gra de o r s ta nda rd building gra de a s
s pecified in NZ S 3631:1978 Cla s s ifica tio n a nd gra ding o f New Z ea la nd timber. Other types o f timber ma y be us ed if they a re o f equiva lent s trength a nd
qua lity.
All timber us ed in s ca ffo lding s ho uld be pres erva tive trea ted in a cco rda nce with a n a ppro pria te co mmo dity s pecifica tio n o f the Timber Pres erva tio n
Autho rity. Co mmo dity s pecifica tio n C7 is s uita ble fo r externa l s ca ffo lding except when s ta nda rds a nd s o le pla tes a re in direct co nta ct with the gro und in
which ca s e it is neces s a ry to trea t to co mmo dity s pecifica tio n C3. Fo r indo o r s ca ffo lding bo ro n-trea ted timber is s a tis fa cto ry. Untrea ted timber ma y be
a ccepta ble if the timber is s o und a nd unlikely to deterio ra te during the life o f the s ca ffo ld.
Fittings us ed fo r co nnecting jo ints between s ta nda rds ledgers a nd bra ces mus t be o f a dequa te s trength a nd be ma inta ined in go o d co nditio n.

Specific requirements
The des ign a nd co ns tructio n o f timber s ca ffo lding fo r the s uppo rt o f bo th light-duty a nd hea vy-duty wo rking pla tfo rms mus t be ca rried o ut in a cco rda nce
with s o und engineering a nd tra de pra ctices a nd co nfo rm to a ppro pria te New Z ea la nd Sta nda rds . The requirements fo r s ingle-s ta nda rd (po le) light-duty
s ca ffo lds with putlo gs clea ted to wa ll o r fra me a nd fo r us e up to 5m high a re s umma ris ed belo w (s ee a ls o figures 88 a nd 89):
Sta nda rds : 100mm x 50mm with a ma ximum s pa cing o f 2.4m.
Putlo gs : 150mm x 25mm o r 100m x 50mm fo r a ma ximum s pa n o f 1.2m o r 2/150mm x 25mm fo r a ma ximum s pa n o f 1.5m.
Bra cing: Ea ch s ta nda rd mus t be tied to the wa ll by a putlo g a nd bra ced lo ngitudina lly by a ledger a nd a t lea s t two dia go na l bra ces fo r the length o f the
s ca ffo ld. An a dditio na l dia go na l bra ce a t 40 to 50 s lo pe mus t a ls o be pro vided fo r every 20m length o f s ca ffo ld. The minimum s ize o f the bra ce is to be
100mm x 50mm o r 150mm x 25mm.
G ua rdra il a nd midra il: Minimum s ize 100mm x 50mm.
Kickbo a rds : All timber s ca ffo lds mus t ha ve kickbo a rds o n a ll pla tfo rms
Pla tfo rm width: A minimum o f 675mm wide.

Figure 88: Single s ta nda rd light-duty timber s ca ffo ld genera l s tructure


Figure 89: Single s ta nda rd light-duty timber s ca ffo ld - co nnectio n po int deta il

Section 7: Suspended scaffolding

7.1 Scope
7.1.1 Definition
A s us pended s ca ffo ld is a wo rking pla tfo rm tha t:

Is s us pended by ro pes fro m o verhea d o utriggers , needles , pa ra pet ho o ks o r bra ckets fixed to a building o r s tructure.
Is ca pa ble o f being ra is ed a nd lo wered by ha nd ha ula ge o n fibre ro pes , o r by ho is ts tha t a re either ma nua lly o r mecha nica lly o pera ted us ing wire
ro pes .

A wo rking pla tfo rm held by ro pes tha t ca nno t be ra is ed o r lo wered, is cla s s ified a s a ha nging s ca ffo ld (s pecia l duty s ca ffo ld), no t a s us pended s ca ffo ld.

7.1.2 Types of suspended scaffolds


The fo llo wing s ho ws s o me exa mples o f s us pended s ca ffo lds :

Swinging s ta ge (ma nua l) - This wo rking pla tfo rm ha s a minimum o f two po ints o f o verhea d s us pens io n a nd is ra is ed o r lo wered by ha nd ha ula ge,
which is co ntro lled fro m the s ta ge.
Swinging s ta ge (mecha nica l) - This wo rking pla tfo rm ha s a minimum o f two po ints o f o verhea d s us pens io n a nd is ra is ed o r lo wered by po wer
o pera ted o r a ir o pera ted ho is ts , which a re co ntro lled fro m the s ta ge.
Bo a ts wa in's cha ir (ma nua l) - This cha ir ha s a s ingle o verhea d s us pens io n a nd is ra is ed o r lo wered by ha nd ha ula ge, which is co ntro lled fro m the
cha ir.
Sus pended s a fety cha ir (mecha nica l) - This cha ir ha s a s ingle o verhea d s us pens io n a nd is ra is ed o r lo wered by a po wer o pera ted o r a ir o pera ted
ho is t, which is co ntro lled fro m the cha ir.
Multi-po int s us pended s ta ge (ma nua l o r mecha nica l) - Thes e a re s ta ges tha t ha ve mo re tha n two po ints o f s us pens io n a nd a re ra is ed a nd lo wered
by po wer o pera ted, a ir o pera ted o r ma nua lly o pera ted ho is ts , which a re co ntro lled fro m the s ta ge.

7.2 Mot ive power


7.2.1 Hand haulage
Fibre ro pe ta ckle us ed fo r ha nd ha ula ge mus t be a minimum o f 18mm dia meter a nd prefera bly be ma de fro m na tura l fibre ro pe to give a go o d ha nd grip.
Fibre ro pe mus t ha ve a fa cto r o f s a fety o f a t lea s t 6 when new. Blo cks fo r fibre ro pe mus t be ma de o f meta l o r wo o d s tra pped with meta l a nd be no les s
tha n 100mm in dia meter.
The ma ximum live lo a d permitted o n a ha nd ha ul s winging s ta ge is the difference between 360kg a nd the dea d weight o f the s ta ge (including the weight o f
fa lls a nd blo cks ). The rela tio n o f width o f pla tfo rm, height o f po int o f s us pens io n o n the pla tfo rm a nd s ta ge weight mus t be s uch tha t, under a lo a d o f 160kg
in the extreme po s itio n o n a ny s ide, the cro s s tilt o f the pla tfo rm is no t mo re tha n 1 in 6 o f the pla tfo rm width. To prevent end tilt, the o verha ng o f either
end beyo nd the po int o f s uppo rt mus t be s uch a s to ens ure tha t the pla tfo rm is s ta ble under a lo a d o f 160kg a t the extreme end.
The to ta l live lo a d permitted o n a bo a ts wa in's cha ir mus t no t exceed 115kg. When us ed by a wo rker in the s ea ted po s itio n, the cha ir mus t ha ve a ba ck ra il,
ro pe o r po s t no t les s tha n 250mm a bo ve the s ea t.

7.2.2 Mechanical haulage


Electric a nd a ir o pera ted s winging s ta ges , including ca ble climbers , need to be co ntro lled fro m the s ta ge pla tfo rm o r cha ir. They mus t ha ve a pus h butto n
o r dea d ma n lever co ntro l tha t will s to p a nd a uto ma tica lly lo ck the mo to r a nd ho is t when pres s ure o n the co ntro l s witch o r lever is remo ved. Ea ch co ntro l
mus t be independently o pera ted. Ha nd o pera ted relea s e to a llo w fa s ter des cent tha n no rma l is no t permitted.
Ra tchet a nd pa wl ma nua lly o pera ted s winging s ta ges mus t ha ve a po s itive lo cking device s o tha t the s ta ge ca n be s ecurely held a t a ny level a nd the pa wl
a uto ma tica lly enga ges when relea s ed fro m the ha nd co ntro l. Wire ro pe mus t be o f s uita ble qua lity a nd s trength with a fa cto r o f s a fety o f no t les s tha n 10
when new.
The ma ximum level lo a d permitted o n a s winging s ta ge is the difference between 560kg a nd the dea d weight o f the s ta ge, including the weight o f the
ho is ting gea r o r ca ble climbers . Ho wever a lwa ys check the ma nufa cturer's s pecifica tio ns . No les s tha n two peo ple a nd no mo re tha n three peo ple ma y
us e a s ta ge a t a ny o ne time a nd the s a fe lifting ca pa city mus t be clea rly ma rked o n the ho is ts . Overlo a d o r cut-o ut s witches mus t be us ed a nd mus t be
kept a djus ted to pro vide a dequa te s a fegua rds s ho uld s na gs be enco untered.
The ma ximum live lo a d permitted o n a s us pended mecha nica l cha ir is 160kg.
The ma ximum live lo a d permitted o n a multi po int s us pens io n pla tfo rm is 240kg, being a ma ximum o f three pers o ns o r two pers o ns a nd ma teria ls .

7.3 Anchoring and const ruct ion


7.3.1 Anchorages
Ho is ting wires o r ta ckle mus t be a ncho red to a s ecure pa rt o f the s tructure, to o utriggers (needles ), to des igned bra ckets o r pa ra pet bra ckets , o r directly to
the co unterweights .
All s tructures , pa ra pets , a nd o ther s uppo rts mus t be o f s uch co nditio n a nd des ign to s uppo rt the a ncho ra ge witho ut da nger o f fa ilure o r dis to rtio n a nd to
give a fa cto r o f s a fety o f a t lea s t 3 under the wo rs t co nditio ns . An engineer's certifica te ma y be required o n the s uita bility o f the s tructure, pa ra pet o r
s uppo rt.

7.3.2 Outriggers (needles)


It is a ccepted engineering pra ctice to us e either s teel o r a luminium o utriggers (a ls o ca lled needles ) to s uppo rt mecha nica l po wered s winging s ta ges . Fo r
ha nd ha uled s winging s ta ges a nd bo a ts wa in's cha irs either s teel o r timber o utriggers ma y be us ed.
Des ign pa ra meters include:

Fo r a s winging s ta ge with two po ints o f s us pens io n, ea ch o utrigger mus t be des igned to ca rry the entire lo a d o f the wo rking pla tfo rm, including
ho is ts , to gether with the full live lo a d o f pers o ns a nd ma teria ls o n the wo rking pla tfo rm, plus the fa cto r o f s a fety.
Fo r a s winging s ta ge with mo re tha n two po ints o f s us pens io n, ea ch o utrigger mus t be ca pa ble o f ca rrying the full dea d a nd live lo a d fo r ea ch
s ectio n between s us pens io n po ints , plus the fa cto r o f s a fety.

Unles s s pecifica lly des igned by a cha rtered engineer, ea ch o utrigger fo r a mecha nica lly o pera ted s winging s ta ge mus t be:

At lea s t equiva lent in s trength to a 152mm x 89mm x 17.09kg/m ro lled s teel jo is t when s us pending a ma ximum lo a d o f 400kg.
At lea s t 3.6m in length when co unterweighted.
Lo ca ted s o a s no t to pro ject mo re tha n 1.5m beyo nd the o uter po int o f the s uppo rt o n the building o r s tructure (ma ximum 1.5m o utbo a rd fro m the
fulcrum).

The lo a d exerted by the o utrigger o n the ro o f s tructure o r pa ra pet needs to be dis tributed by pro viding a dequa te pa cking a t its po ints o f s uppo rt i.e. the
o uter o r fulcrum end a nd the inner o r co unterweighted end.
Needles need to be fixed to gether to prevent la tera l mo vement o f the needle a nd to prevent o verturning with the mo vement o f the s ta ge when it is in us e.
Alterna tively, needles need to be individua lly s ecured to prevent mo vement a nd o verturning.

7.3.3 Stability and counterweighting


Outriggers mus t be either co unterweighted o r s ecured to the building o r s tructure. Where a n o utrigger is s ta bilis ed by co unterweights the fa cto r o f s a fety
a ga ins t o verturning mus t be a t lea s t 3. Where ro o f fixings a re relied upo n a s the s o le mea ns o f a chieving s ta bility they mus t be ca pa ble o f pro viding a
fa cto r o f s a fety o f 3 a ga ins t uplift.
Needles s mus t be prevented fro m ro lling o ver o r mo ving la tera lly due to the mo vement o f the s ta ge. Where co unterweights a re us ed to pro vide s ta bility
they mus t be firmly a tta ched to the o utriggers s o tha t they ca nno t beco me a ccidenta lly dis lo dged. When s tro ps a re us ed thes e mus t be po s itively s ecured
to the o utrigger, which mus t be pro vided with s to p ends . All s ha ckles mus t be mo us ed with tie wire thro ugh the ho le o f the s ha ckle a nd a ro und the
s ha ckle its elf.
All weights mus t be s ta mped o r ma rked with their weight. Sa nd, wa ter o r ma teria ls tha t ca n run to wa s te mus t no t be us ed a s co unterweights in a ny fo rm.

7.3.3.1 Count erweight ing of out riggers


Where a n o utrigger is s ta bilis ed by co unterweights , the fa cto r o f s a fety a ga ins t o verturning mus t be a t lea s t 3.

Figure 90: Sus pended s ca ffo ld s ho wing co unterweights

7.3.3.2 Calculat ing for count erweight s


Terms
Sus pended lo a d: The grea ter o f the to ta l o f the s ta ge, mo to rs , a nd ro pes plus the to ta l live lo a d in kilo gra ms o r the ma ximum po s s ible line tens io n
a llo wing fo r the s etting o f the mo to r cut o ut - typica lly 125% o f the ra ted pulling po wer o f the mo to r.
Overha ng o r o utbo a rd: Dis ta nce fro m the fulcrum to the s us pens io n po int in metres .
Ta il length o r inbo a rd: Dis ta nce fro m the fulcrum to the co unterweights in metres .
Ca lcula tio n
Co unterweight = o verha ng (in m) x the s us pended lo a d (in kg) x 3
ta il length (in m)
Fo r exa mple if the s us pended lo a d is 400kg, the o verha ng is 1.2m a nd the ta il length is 4.5m, the co unterweight required fo r ea ch o utrigger is :
1.2m x 400kg x 3
4.5m
= 320kg per o utrigger
No te tha t the s a fety fa cto r is a lwa ys a minimum o f 3 a nd tha t ea ch o utrigger mus t be a ble to s uppo rt the to ta l co mbined lo a ds , s ho uld o ne needle fa il.
Figure 91: Suppo rting o utrigger between flo o r a nd s o ffit

7.3.4 Propping needles between the floor and soffit


7.3.5 Bra ckets a nd pa ra pet ho o ks

7.3.5 Brackets and parapet hooks


Bra ckets , pa ra pet ho o ks , pa ra pet bra ckets a nd a tta chments mus t be des igned by a cha rtered engineer. A minimum fa cto r o f s a fety o f 3 is required o n the
co mbined dea d a nd live lo a ding o f the s us pended s ca ffo ld. All welding fo r thes e s tructura l co mpo nents mus t be do ne by a certified welder.
Pa ra pet ho o ks a nd bra ckets ma y o nly be us ed if:

The pa ra pet is s tructura lly s o und - get a n engineer's certifica te if yo u a re uns ure.
The ho o k fits the pa ra pet co rrectly.
The pa ra pet is deep eno ugh to a llo w a t lea s t 300mm o f the ho o k do wn the ins ide o f the pa ra pet.

If pa cking ha s to be us ed a ro und the pa ra pet to a s s is t in the tightening o f the bra cket o nly a dequa tely s ized ply s ho uld be us ed. Never us e wedges to pa ck
the fro nt o r ba ck o f the bra cket a s they ca n dis lo dge with the mo vement o f the s us pended pla tfo rm.

7.3.6 Secondary safety for needles or parapet hooks


It is reco mmended tha t every s us pended wo rking pla tfo rm s uppo rted by needles o r pa ra pet ho o ks ha ve a s eco nda ry s a fety metho d o f s ecuring the
needles o r pa ra pet ho o ks to the s uppo rting s tructure. This ca n be a chieved by us ing dis ca rded s ta ge wire ro pes a nd wire ro pe grips o r bulldo g clips . La ce
the wire ro pe thro ugh the needles o r pa ra pet ho o ks a nd s ecure the wire ro pe a ro und pa rt o f the s tructure with 3 wire ro pe grips o r bulldo g clips . While this
a dditio na l s a fety preca utio n is no t ma nda to ry, it is reco mmended. It is a ls o reco mmended tha t, where po s s ible, needles a re la ced to gether.

7.3.7 Grips and shackles


Rope grips or bulldog clips
Alwa ys fit the grips the s a me wa y a ro und, with the bridge o n the lo a ded o r lo ng pa rt o f the ro pe a nd the U-bo lt o n the s ho rt pa rt o f the ro pe. On a s epa ra te
wire ro pe a minimum o f three ro pe grips mus t be us ed a nd s pa ced a t a dis ta nce centre to centre o f s ix ro pe dia meters .

Shackles
Bo th D a nd Bo w s ha ckles us ed in s ca ffo lding a nd s us pended s ca ffo lding s ho uld ha ve their SWL clea rly ma rked a nd when in us e the pin s ho uld be s ecurely
s crewed in a nd mo us ed to the bo dy o f the s ha ckle.
When us ing a s ha ckle to fo rm a running no o s e a lwa ys fit the ba ck o f the s ha ckle to the s ta nding o r running pa rt o f the ro pe. Mo us ing o f s ha ckles is us ua lly
do ne by us ing s teelies tie wire o r s imila r, a s in figure 92.
Figure 92: Mo us ing o f s ha ckles

7.3.8 Working platforms, guardrails, midrails and toeboards


Pla tfo rms ma y be ma de o f a ny a ccepta ble ma teria l pro vided it is s tro ng eno ugh fo r the purpo s e a nd pro vided tha t pla tfo rms a re des igned, co ns tructed
a nd a s s embled a cco rding to s o und a nd a ccepted engineering pra ctices .
G ua rdra ils a nd midra ils mus t be pro vided o n bo th s ides a nd bo th ends o f s winging s ta ges .
To ebo a rds mus t be pro vided o n a ll types o f s us pended s ca ffo lds with the exceptio n o f bo a ts wa in's cha irs .

7.4 Use of safety harnesses and lifelines


Every wo rker o n a s us pended wo rking pla tfo rm mus t wea r a s a fety ha rnes s tha t is s ecured to a fixed s uppo rt o r to a n independent lifeline, except where
the pla tfo rm is :

A bo a ts wa in's cha ir tha t ha s mo re tha n o ne effective mea ns o f s uppo rt.


So des igned a nd co ns tructed tha t it wo uld rema in s a fely s us pended no twiths ta nding the fa ilure o f o ne ro pe o r s us pens io n, in which ca s e the
ha rnes s ma y be s ecured to the pla tfo rm.

A s a fety ha rnes s wo rn by a wo rker mus t s us pend the wo rker no t mo re tha n 1.5m belo w the pla tfo rm if the wo rker fa lls fro m the pla tfo rm a nd mus t be s o
des igned tha t the fo rce a rres ting the fa ll do es no t exceed 6kN (610kg).
A lifeline mus t be us ed by o nly o ne wo rker a t a time a nd mus t either extend to the gro und o r be pro vided with a po s itive s to p to prevent the ha rnes s
running o ff the end o f the line. This line mus t ha ve a minimum brea king s trength o f 29.4kN (3000 kg) a nd be o f nylo n a t lea s t 12mm in dia meter o r o f
po lypro pylene, o r o ther equa lly dura ble ma teria l, a t lea s t 16mm in dia meter.
Where a pla tfo rm ha s o nly o ne ro pe a t ea ch s uppo rt the ha rnes s la nya rd mus t be a tta ched by a gra vity lo ck device to a n independent lifeline. The
independent lifeline ma y be fixed:

Directly to a n a ncho r s et in the building tha t will withs ta nd a vertica l lo a d o f 24kN (2450kg); o r
To a s epa ra te a ncho ra ge o ther tha n the needle s uppo rting the pla tfo rm.

Where a pla tfo rm ha s two independent ro pes a t ea ch s us pens io n the o pera to r's s a fety ha rnes s la nya rd ma y be a tta ched to a s uita ble a ncho ra ge o n the
pla tfo rm.
Two ro pes us ed a t ea ch s uppo rt o f the pla tfo rm ma y be a tta ched to the s a me o utrigger by s epa ra te a ncho ra ges .

Section 8: Training and competency

8.1 Nat ional cert ificat es in scaffolding


The Hea lth a nd Sa fety in Emplo yment Act 1992 requires emplo yers to pro vide s ca ffo lders with the info rma tio n, ins tructio n, tra ining a nd s upervis io n
neces s a ry to a llo w them to wo rk s a fely.
Fo r s ca ffo lding to be erected, a ltered a nd dis ma ntled s a fely a nd efficiently, s ca ffo lders s ho uld:

Kno w the ba s ic releva nt rules o f phys ics , mecha nics a nd ma thema tics a s they a pply to s ca ffo lding.
Be a ble to rea d a nd unders ta nd s uppliers ' info rma tio n, genera l s ite pla ns , des ign dra wings a nd s pecifica tio ns fo r s ca ffo lds . An a bility to ma ke
s imple ca lcula tio ns o f dea d lo a d a nd live lo a d is o ften needed fo r ins ta nce.
Ha ve a tho ro ugh kno wledge o f the s ca ffo lding equipment being us ed.
Ha ve a tho ro ugh kno wledge o f the co ns tructio n metho ds a nd des ign requirements a s s o cia ted with tha t equipment.
Be a ble to identify co mmo n ha za rds a t the wo rks ite a nd be ca pa ble o f ta king effective preca utio ns to co ntro l ris ks to hea lth a nd s a fety a ris ing fro m
thes e ha za rds .
Be co mpetent to vis ua lly ins pect s ca ffo lding equipment fo r fa ults .
Ha ve the phys ica l s kills needed fo r s ca ffo lding co ns tructio n.
Be co mpetent in ma nua l lifting techniques .
Wo rk s a fely a nd co nfidently a t heights .
Co rrectly us e the va rio us to o ls , ro pes a nd gin wheels .
Erect a nd dis ma ntle s ca ffo lding in the co rrect s equence.

In o rder to fa cilita te co mpetency in the a bo ve kno wledge a nd s kills a s eries o f na tio na l certifica tes ba s ed o n unit s ta nda rds ha s been s et up. Thes e a re
es ta blis hed a nd ma inta ined by Oppo rtunity - The Tra ining Orga nis a tio ns , the res po ns ible Indus try Tra ining Orga nis a tio n, thro ugh its Sca ffo lding Rigging a nd
Indus tria l Ro pe Indus try Tra ining Advis o ry G ro up. The qua lifica tio ns a re reco gnis ed by the New Z ea la nd Qua lifica tio ns Autho rity a nd regis tered o n the
Na tio na l Qua lifica tio ns Fra mewo rk.
The na tio na l certifica tes fo rm the ba s is o f a na tio na l tra ining pro gra mme which co mbines indus try a nd Po lytechnic ba s ed tra ining. Ta i Po utini Po lytechnic
is reco gnis ed by the Tertia ry Educa tio n Co mmis s io n a s the na tio na l pro vider o f s ca ffo lding tra ining.
The na tio na l certifica tes a re pro gres s ive, with lo wer level qua lifica tio ns being pre requis ites to the next level qua lifica tio n. They a re o utlined belo w.

The Na tio na l Certifica te in Sca ffo lding (Elementa ry) (Level 3) [NZ QA reference 1352] reco gnis es the s kills o f a firs t level s ca ffo lder. The ho lder o f the
qua lifica tio n is a ble to ba s e o ut, erect, a nd dis ma ntle s tra ightfo rwa rd pro prieta ry a nd 'tube a nd fitting' s ca ffo lding s tructures fro m given pla ns . The
ho lder ca n a ls o a s s ure the co mplia nce o f the s tructures a nd mo ve s a fely o n them a t height.
The Na tio na l Certifica te in Intermedia te Sca ffo lding (Level 4) [NZ QA reference 1463] reco gnis es the s kills o f a s eco nd level s ca ffo lder. Ho lders o f this
qua lifica tio n a re a ble to pla n, erect a nd dis ma ntle co mplex s ca ffo lding s tructures . The ho lder ca n a ls o a s s ure the co mplia nce o f the s tructures a nd
lea d a s ca ffo lding tea m.
The Na tio na l Certifica te in Sca ffo lding (Level 4) with s tra nds in Adva nced Sca ffo lding, a nd Sus pended Sca ffo lding [NZ QA reference 0110] reco gnis es
the s kills a nd kno wledge required to wo rk a s a s pecia lis t s ca ffo lder. The term 'a dva nced' refers to the ra nge o f equipment us ed a nd the level o f
co mpetence o f the qua lifica tio n ho lder. 'Sus pended' refers to a s pecia lis ed a rea o f s ca ffo lding wo rk. Ho lders o f this Na tio na l Certifica te with the
Sus pended Sca ffo lding s tra nd a re tho s e who s e wo rk is in rela tio n to ca ble s uppo rted s ca ffo lds in their va rio us co nfigura tio ns . Ho lders o f this
Na tio na l Certifica te with the Adva nced Sca ffo lding s tra nd a re tho s e who s e wo rk is in the pla nning a nd erectio n o f tube a nd fitting s ca ffo lds to meet
the highes t dema nds fo und in the s ca ffo lding indus try. This is the highes t level qua lifica tio n a va ila ble in this indus try.

No te tha t the indus try intends to intro duce s epa ra te a dva nced s ca ffo lding a nd elementa ry s ca ffo lding qua lifica tio ns , with a ppro pria te pre requis ites , to
repla ce the Na tio na l Certifica te in Sca ffo lding (Level 4) with s tra nds in Adva nced Sca ffo lding, a nd Sus pended Sca ffo lding.
Certifica tes o f co mpetence fo r the different cla s s es o f s ca ffo lding a s o utlined in the HSE regula tio ns a re a wa rded o n the ba s is o f ho lding the a ppro pria te
na tio na l qua lifica tio n a nd ha ving a ppro pria te experience.

Further info rma tio n


Co nta ct

SARNZ , Oppo rtunity - The Tra ining Orga nis a tio n


www.o ppo rtunitytra ining.o rg.nz o r
Ta i Po utini Po lytechnic | 0800 800 411 o r
www.ta ipo utini.a c.nz fo r further info rma tio n, pa rticula rly o n:

Tra ining o f s ca ffo lders (genera l).


Reco gnitio n o f prio r lea rning fo r o vers ea s qua lifica tio ns .
Pre emplo yment s ca ffo lding tra ining pro gra mmes .

8.1.1 The training process


Tra ining pro gra mmes a re s tructured a nd include bo th mo dula ris ed fo rma l ins tructio n a nd s upervis ed pra ctica l wo rk in the wo rkpla ce. Skills ' tra ining is
s equentia l fro m generic a nd les s co mplex ta s ks , building to wa rds mo re o nero us a nd dema nding s kills . Tra inees rema in emplo yed while tra ining but
co mplete blo ck co urs es a s well a s lea rning with s upervis o rs a nd a cces s ing expertis e fro m tuto rs in the wo rk pla ce. Experience is lo gged a nd the lea rning
tha t ta kes pla ce in pra ctica l co ntexts is reflected o n a nd utilis ed a s pa rt o f the tra ining pro ces s .
Tra inees enga ged in the erectio n, a ltera tio n o r dis ma ntling o f s ca ffo lding mus t be directly s upervis ed by a s ca ffo lder ho lding the a ppro pria te cla s s o f
certifica te fo r tha t s ca ffo ld type. The s upervis ing s ca ffo lder is res po ns ible fo r mo nito ring the wo rk a nd ens uring co mplia nce with regula to ry requirements
a nd reco mmended pra ctice. He/s he mus t be in a po s itio n to ta ke immedia te cha rge in the event o f a n emergency. Sa fety is pa ra mo unt.
The a ppro pria te ra tio between certifica ted s ca ffo lders a nd tra inee s ca ffo lders in a ga ng depends o n the level o f experience a nd co mpetence ga ined by
ea ch tra inee, the co mplexity o f the s ca ffo lding wo rk being underta ken a nd the ris ks a s s o cia ted with a ny mis ta kes tha t ma y be ma de by tra inees . The ra tio
s ho uld be determined by the emplo yer thro ugh co ns ulta tio n with the s upervis ing s ca ffo lder, ta king into a cco unt a ny requirements o f the regula to ry
a utho rity. The s upervis ing s ca ffo lder will be ca rrying o ut the emplo yer's lega l o bliga tio n to s upervis e tra inee s ca ffo lders to perfo rm the wo rk s a fely a nd
witho ut ris k to hea lth a nd s a fety. It is reco mmended tha t o nly o ne tra inee be under direct s upervis io n in a wo rk crew.
It is expected tha t the elementa ry, firs t level, qua lifica tio n will ta ke 18 mo nths to two yea rs to co mplete a nd s ubs equent qua lifica tio ns 12 - 18 mo nths ea ch.

8.2 Cert ificat es of compet ence


The Hea lth a nd Sa fety in Emplo yment Regula tio ns require tha t a nyo ne who erects , a lters , repa irs o r dis ma ntles a ny s ca ffo ld fro m which a pers o n co uld ris k
a fa ll o f five metres o r mo re, ho lds the a ppro pria te cla s s o f certifica te o f co mpetence fo r tha t type o f s ca ffo ld.
Certifica tes o f co mpetence a re is s ued by Sca ffo lding, Acces s & Rigging New Z ea la nd Inc (SARNZ ) under delega ted a utho rity fro m Wo rkSa fe NZ . To be
is s ued with a certifica te o f co mpetence individua ls need to pro vide evidence o f:

Tra ining to na tio na l certifica te level o r a n equiva lent interna tio na l qua lifica tio n; a nd
Recent releva nt indus try experience; o r
Ho lding a current certifica te o f co mpetence requiring renewa l a nd meeting the requirements o f regula tio ns 31 a nd 35 o f the HSE Regula tio ns 1995.
On go ing certifica tio n requires co ntinued invo lvement in the indus try a nd pro o f o f co ntinued co mpetence.

Ta ble 14 s ho ws the rela tio ns hip between qua lifica tio ns a nd certifica tes o f co mpetence a s it exis ts in the current regula to ry a nd qua lifica tio n enviro nment.
Table 14: Cert ificat e of compet ence st ruct ure in t he exist ing regulat ory
environment
Qualificat ion Corresponding cert ificat e of compet ence class / endorsement

Element ary Basic Cert ificat e


A. Fall arrest syst ems
B. Free st anding modular scaffold syst ems
C. Gin wheels
D. Rope
E. St at ic lines
Advanced Cert ificat e
O. Tube and coupler scaffolding
Int ermediat e Advanced Cert ificat e
C. Barrow ramp
F. Cat ch net
G. Hoist (load not exceeding 250 kilograms)
J. Mast climbers
L. Scaffolding associat ed wit h perimet er safet y screens or shut t ers
N. Spurred scaffolding
Suspended Suspended Cert ificat e
A. Boat swains chair - hand held or mechanical
B. Swinging st age - hand held or mechanical

Advanced1 Advanced Cert ificat e


D. Bracket scaffolding for t ank and formwork
E. Cant ilevered scaffolding
H. Hung scaffolding - including chain and wire rope
I. Loading plat forms cant ilevered from scaffolding
K. Safet y net s for public prot ect ion

Plea s e no te tha t Wo rkSa fe NZ o r its a utho ris ed is s uing a gency, in this ca s e SARNZ , ma y a pply a dditio na l fa cto rs in rela tio n to the a wa rd o f a Certifica te o f
Co mpetence a t their dis cretio n. This co uld include a s pects o f experience, co mmitment to o n go ing tra ining, invo lvement in pro fes s io na l o r tra de bo dies ,
etc. Fo r thes e deta ils refer to http://s a rnz.o rg.nz/certifica tes -co mpetence/.

Section 9: Inspection and documentary needs

9.1 Best pract ice reference document s


During the develo pment o f the BPG a number o f do cuments ha ve been a cces s ed fo r reference. While they a re no t o ften quo ted directly, where this is the
ca s e we ha ve endea vo ured to reference a nd a ckno wledge this . Ho wever, a s a number o f individua ls ha ve co lla bo ra ted in the prepa ra tio n o f the BPG this
ma y no t a lwa ys be the ca s e. We a po lo gis e fo r a ny o mis s io ns a nd invite yo u to co nta ct us to redres s this where it ha s o ccurred. Ema il us a t
info @ bs c.o rg.nz.
The ma jo r do cuments co ns ulted, including releva nt criteria a nd s ta nda rds do cuments , include:

AS/NZ S 4576: 1995 Aus tra lia n/New Z ea la nd Sta nda rd G uidelines fo r Sca ffo lding.
Hea lth a nd Sa fety in Emplo yment Act 1992 a nd a s s o cia ted legis la tio n a nd regula tio ns .
A G uide to Pra ctica l Sca ffo lding: The Co ns tructio n a nd Us e o f Ba s ic Acces s Sca ffo lding, CITB.
G uidelines fo r the Preventio n o f Fa lls , Occupa tio na l Sa fety a nd Hea lth Service o f the Depa rtment o f La bo ur.
The Hea lth a nd Sa fety in Emplo yment Regula tio ns 1995.
Ha za rd Identifica tio n a nd Ma na gement in the Sca ffo lding Indus try (G a ry Wa ll).

9.1.1 Standards
Ta ble 15 co nta ins a genera l lis t o f a pplica ble releva nt s ta nda rds a number o f which ha ve been co ns ulted in the prepa ra tio n o f the BPG . Additio na l
info rma tio n o n pa rticula r s ta nda rds a nd s pecific referencing a re co nta ined a t va rio us po ints thro ugho ut this do cument.
Table 15: St andards relevant t o scaffolding
Type of equipment St andard

Chain AS 2321, ISO 1835


Classificat ion and grading of New Zealand Timber NZS 3631
Confined space AS/NZS 2865
Cranes (including hoist s and winches) AS 1418.2
Eye prot ect ion AS/NZS 1337
Eyebolt s AS 2317, BS 4278
Fall arrest syst ems and devices (including harnesses) AS/NZS 1891.1
Fibre ropes AS 4142.2
Indust rial fall arrest syst ems and devices AS/NZS 1891.3
General scaffolding requirement s AS/NZS 1576.1
Plywood AS/NZS 2269
Port able ladders, met al AS 1892.1
Port able ladders, t imber AS 1892.2, NZS 3609
Prefabricat ed and t ube and fit t ing scaffolding AS/NZS 1576.3
Prot ect ive/safet y helmet s AS/NZS 1800, NZS 2264
Rigging screws and t urnbuckles AS 2319, BS 4429
Safet y foot wear AS/NZS 2210.1 or 2210.2
Safet y st andards for high visibilit y clot hing EN 471
Scaffold couplers and accessories AS 1576.2
Scaffold planks AS 1577
Scaffold t ubes AS/NZS 1576.3
Scaffolding - suspended scaffolding AS 1576.4
Shackles AS 2741, BS 3551
Sheave blocks AS 2089
Slings, chains AS 3775.1
Slings, fibre ropes AS 1380
Slings, flat synt het ic webbing AS 1353.1
Slings, wire coil flat AS 1438
Slings, wire rope AS 1666, ISO 7531
Split heads or U-heads and t rest les AS/NZS 1576.5
St eel wire rope (SWR) AS 3569,
St ruct ural design (environment al fact ors) AS/NZS 1170 Part s 0 - 3NZS 1170.5
Thimbles for wire rope AS 1138
Timber ladders NZS 3609
Tube and fit t ing scaffolding AS/NZS 1576.6
Trest les, ot her t han t rest le ladders AS/NZS 1576.5
Wire rope and wire rope grips ISO 12076; AS 2076

9.2 Not ificat ion, inspect ions and regist ers


All s ca ffo lds , including s us pended s ca ffo lds , tha t exceed 5.0m in height, o r fro m which a pers o n ca n fa ll 5.0m o r mo re, mus t be no tified to the DOL a t lea s t
24 ho urs prio r to the co mmencement o f erectio n wo rk. Plea s e refer to Regula tio ns 2 a nd 26 o f the HSE Regula tio ns 1995, which define no tifia ble wo rk a nd
s et o ut who is res po ns ible fo r ma king the no tifica tio n.
Befo re us e a s ca ffo ld o r s us pended s ca ffo ld mus t be certified s a fe by a s ca ffo lder ho lding the a ppro pria te cla s s o f certifica te o f co mpetence. A s ca ffo ld
regis ter, o r ca rd reco rding s ys tem, mus t be ma inta ined o n s ite s ho wing who ha s ins pected the s ca ffo ld a nd certified it s a fe fo r us e per the des igna ted
purpo s e.
All s pecia l duty s ca ffo lds mus t be no tified to the DOL. Plea s e refer to the redes igned "No tifica tio n o f Pa rticula r Ha za rdo us Wo rks As s o cia ted with
Sca ffo lding" fo rm a ppendixed in the la s t s ectio n o f this do cument.

9.2.1 Register/inspection record requirements


Sca ffo ld regis ter/ins pectio n requirements

1. Fo r a ll s ca ffo lding fro m which a pers o n co uld fa ll 5m o r mo re, a s ca ffo ld regis ter o r s imila r mus t be kept o n s ite a nd be a va ila ble fo r ins pectio n.
2. When co mplete the ins pectio n reco rds s ho uld s ho w:
a . Pro ject na me, a ddres s , o r o ther clea r identifica tio n.
b. The lo ca tio n o f the s ca ffo ld with res pect to s ite co o rdina tes o r the lo ca tio n a t the building o r s tructure, s o tha t the s ca ffo lding ca n be clea rly
lo ca ted.
c. Mis cella neo us deta ils o f the s ca ffo ld.
d. A reco rd o f ea ch ins pectio n ca rried o ut.
3. The ins pectio ns mus t be ca rried o ut a t the fo llo wing interva ls :
a . Befo re the s ca ffo ld is firs t put to into us e.
b. Weekly while the s ca ffo ld is in us e.
c. After ea ch s tructura l a ltera tio n o r a dditio n.
d. Mo nthly while the s ca ffo ld is s et up but no t in us e.
e. After a ny s to rm o r o ccurrence tha t co uld a dvers ely a ffect the s a fety o f the s ca ffo ld.
4. The ins pectio n mus t be ca rried o ut by either:
a . A certifica ted s ca ffo lder o f the a ppro pria te cla s s ; o r
b. A co mpetent pers o n s uch a s a cha rtered engineer.
5. The entries o f ea ch ins pectio n in the s ca ffo ld regis ter mus t be ma de a nd s igned by the pers o n who ca rried o ut the ins pectio n.

A s ca ffo ld regis ter templa te is a ppendixed in the la s t s ectio n o f this do cument.

Sus pended s ca ffo ld regis ter/ins pectio n reco rd requirements

1. Fo r a ll s us pended s ca ffo lding, bo a ts wa in's cha irs , s winging s ta ges , etc a s us pended s ca ffo ld regis ter o r s imila r mus t be kept o n s ite a nd be
a va ila ble fo r ins pectio n.
2. When co mplete, the ins pectio n reco rds s ho uld s ho w:
a . Pro ject na me, a ddres s , o r o ther clea r identifica tio n.
b. The lo ca tio n o f the s us pended s ca ffo ld with res pect to s ite co o rdina tes o r the lo ca tio n a t the building o r s tructure, s o tha t the s us pended
s ca ffo lding ca n be clea rly lo ca ted;
c. Mis cella neo us deta ils o f the s us pended s ca ffo ld
d. A reco rd o f ea ch ins pectio n ca rried o ut.
3. The ins pectio ns mus t be ca rried o ut a t the fo llo wing interva ls :
a . Befo re the s us pended s ca ffo ld is firs t us ed.
b. On ea ch da y while the s us pended s ca ffo ld is in us e.
c. After ea ch s tructura l a ltera tio n o r cha nge to the na ture o f the a ncho ra ge.
d. Mo nthly while the s us pended s ca ffo ld is s et up but no t in us e.
e. After a ny s to rm o r o ccurrence tha t co uld a dvers ely a ffect the s a fety o f the s us pended s ca ffo ld.
4. The ins pectio n mus t be ca rried o ut by either:
a . A certifica ted s ca ffo lder o f the a ppro pria te cla s s ; o r
b. A co mpetent pers o n s uch a s a cha rtered engineer.
5. The entries o f ea ch ins pectio n in the s us pended s ca ffo ld regis ter mus t be ma de a nd s igned by the pers o n who ca rried o ut the ins pectio n.

A s us pended s ca ffo ld regis ter templa te is a ppendixed in the la s t s ectio n o f this do cument.

9.2.1.1 Pre st art or pre use checks


A pre s ta rt o r pre us e check ma y be co nducted by a n a dequa tely tra ined no n s ca ffo lder befo re a s ca ffo ld in us e is firs t us ed fo r the da y. This mus t include a
vis ua l check a nd a jump tes t. The s ca ffo ld mus t s till be checked da ily by a s ca ffo lder ho lding the a ppro pria te cla s s o f certifica te o f co mpetence while it is in
us e.
Further, a ll ins pectio ns fo llo wing s hifts , a ltera tio ns o r a dditio ns mus t s till be ca rried o ut by a s ca ffo lder ho lding the a ppro pria te cla s s o f certifica te o f
co nfidence.

9.2.1.2 Inspect ion report s


Ins pectio n repo rts fo r tube a nd fitting s ca ffo lds a nd pro prieta ry s ca ffo lds a re a ppendixed to this do cument. They repres ent a co ndens ed vers io n o f the
ma in a rea s o utlined in the BPG giving a quick checklis t by which to a s s es s bes t pra ctices a nd minimum requirements .
We reco mmend tha t a ll s ca ffo lds a re ins pected us ing the a ppro pria te ins pectio n repo rt to s ho w tha t bes t pra ctices a nd minimum requirements ha ve been
met. We a ls o reco mmend DOL Ins pecto rs , Site Sa fety Officers a nd the like us e the ins pectio n repo rts when ins pecting s ca ffo lds fo r co mplia nce.
The ins pectio n repo rts ca n a ls o be us ed when checking s ca ffo lds fo r their regis ter checks .

9.3 Appendix: Document s for use in t he field


Appendixed belo w a re a s eries o f co mplia nce, ins pectio n, no tifica tio n a nd s a fety do cuments des igned to be us ed in the field to a s s is t in the pro mo tio n o f
bes t pra ctice in s ca ffo lding.
Plea s e pho to co py a nd us e them a s a ppro pria te.

Notification of particular hazardous work


Online a nd print fo rms a re a va ila ble here

Scaffold hand over certificate


The s ca ffo ld ha nd o ver certifica te relea s es the s ca ffo ld(s ) to the client. The s ca ffo ld(s ) ha ve been ins pected by the client a nd ha s been erected to the
client's requirements . All s ca ffo lds ha ve been erected a s per the requirements o f the Bes t Pra ctice G uidelines fo r Sca ffo lding in New Z ea la nd. The client
underta kes to co ntro l the us e, a nd us ers o f the s ca ffo ld s tructure(s ) while under their co ntro l a s required by the Hea lth a nd Sa fety Act a nd Regula tio ns .

[fo rm] Sca ffo ld ha nd o ver certifica te [10 KB PDF]


[fo rm] Sca ffo ld ha nd o ver certifica te [145 KB DOC]

Hazard identification and controls report


The purpo s e o f this pro cedure is to ins pect the wo rk s ite fo r ha za rds , to elimina te, is o la te o r minimis e the ha za rd.

[fo rm] Ha za rd identifica tio n a nd co ntro ls repo rt [11 KB PDF]


[fo rm] Ha za rd identifica tio n a nd co ntro ls repo rt [153 KB DOC]

Task analysis worksheet


[fo rm] Ta s k a na lys is wo rks heet [19 KB PDF]
[fo rm] Ta s k a na lys is wo rks heet [150 KB DOC]

Scaffold register
[fo rm] Sca ffo ld regis ter [20 KB PDF]
[fo rm] Sca ffo ld regis ter [20 KB PDF]
[fo rm] Sca ffo ld regis ter [172 KB DOC]

Suspended scaffold register


[fo rm] Sus pended s ca ffo ld regis ter [12 KB PDF]
[fo rm] Sus pended s ca ffo ld regis ter [67 KB DOC]

Inspection report: Tube and fitting scaffolds


[fo rm] Ins pectio n repo rt: Tube a nd fitting s ca ffo lds [21 KB PDF]
[fo rm] Ins pectio n repo rt: Tube a nd fitting s ca ffo lds [102 KB DOC]

Inspection report: Proprietary scaffolds


[fo rm] Ins pectio n repo rt: Pro prieta ry s ca ffo lds [21 KB PDF]
[fo rm] Ins pectio n repo rt: Pro prieta ry s ca ffo lds [103 KB DOC]

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