SCAFFOLDING

What is a Scaffold?

Scaffold is defined as a elevated temporary work

platform.
There are basic three types of scaffolds:
1. Supported Scaffolds, which consists of
one or more platforms supported by rigid, load
bearing members, such as poles, legs, frames,
outriggers etc.
 2. Suspended Scaffolds, which are one or
more platforms suspended by ropes or other
non-rigid, overhead support.

3. Other Scaffolds, principally man-lifts,

personal hoist etc., which are sometimes
thought of as vehicles or machinery but can be
considered as another type of supported
Scaffold.
 Scaffolding shall be classified into three types
Light Duty
Medium Duty
Heavy Duty
Steel tubing used for Light Duty, Medium
Duty and Heavy Duty shall be of 25.4 mm
outer diameter
Other structural metals when used shall be
designed to carry an equivalent load
No dissimilar metal shall be used together.
 DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR TUBE AND COUPLER
INDEPENDENT SCAFFODING (OSHA STANDARD)

Uniformly Light Duty Medium Duty Heavy Duty

Distributed Load 122Kg/m² (25 244kg/m² 366kg/m²
psf) (50psf) (75psf)
Steel Tubing
25.4mm 25.4mm 25.4mmm
Outer Diameter

Transverse 1.8 M 1.8 M 1.8 M

distance between
Posts

Longitudinal
Distace between 3.0 M 1.98 M
Posts
2.4 M

Vertical distance 1.8 M 1.8 M 1.8 M

between
Runners(Ledgers
/ Bearers
 Maximum Number of Additional Planked Levels

[29 CFR 1926 Subpart L Appendix A (2)(b)]

Maximum
Number of Height of
Working Levels Light Duty Medium Duty Heavy Duty Scaffold
1 16 11 6 125 feet

2 11 1 0 125 feet

3 6 0 0 125 feet

4 1 0 0 125 feet
 Minimum Size of Members

[29 CFR 1926 Subpart L Appendix A (2)(b)]

Light Duty Medium Duty Heavy Duty

2 2 2
Maximum Intended Load 25 pounds/foot 50 pounds/foot 75 pounds/foot

Posts, runners, and braces Nominal 2 inches (1.9 inches) Nominal 2 inches (1.9 inches) OD Nominal 2 inches (1.9 inches) OD steel tube or
OD steel tube or pipe steel tube or pipe pipe

NOTE: Longitudinal diagonal bracing must be installed

at an angle of 45° (±5°).

Bearers Nominal 2 inches (1.9 inches) Nominal 2 inches (1.9 inches) OD Nominal 2½ inches (2.375 inches) OD steel tube
OD steel tube or pipe and a steel tube or pipe and a maximum or pipe and a maximum post spacing of 6 feet x 6
NOTE: Bearers must be installed in the direction of maximum post spacing of 4 feet post spacing of 4 feet x 7 feet or feet
the shorter dimension. x 10 feet Nominal 2½ inches (2.375 inches)
OD steel tube or pipe and a
maximum post spacing of 6 feet x 8
feet.

Maximum runner spacing vertically 6 feet 6 inches 6 feet 6 inches 6 feet 6 inches
 Criteria for Tube and Coupler
Scaffolding
 Scaffolding shall be designed by a qualified
and competent Engineer.
 All Tube and Coupler scaffolding shall be
constructed and erected to support 4 times the
maximum intended loads.
 All posts shall be accurately spaced, erected
on suitable bases (Foot Plates / Sole Plates)
and maintained plumb.
 Runners shall be erected along the length of the
scaffolding located on both the inside and outside
posts at even height.
 Runners shall be interlocked to the inside and
the outside posts at even height.
 Runners shall be interlocked to form continuous
lengths and coupled to each post.
 Bottom Runners shall be located as close to the
base as possible.
 Runners shall not be placed more than 6.5 feet on
centers.
 Bearers shall be installed transversely between
posts and shall be securely coupled to each
post bearing on the runner coupler. When
directly coupled to the runners, the coupler
shall be as close to the post as possible.
 Bearers shall be at least 4” but not more than
12” longer than the post spacing or runner
spacing.
 Cross Bracing shall be installed across the
width of the scaffold at least every third set of
posts horizontally and every fourth runner
vertically.
 Such Bracing shall extend diagonally from the
inner and outer runners upward to the next
outer and inner runners.
 Longitudinal diagonal bracing on the inner and
outer rows of poles shall be installed at
approximately at 45° angle from near the base of
the first outer post upward to the extreme top of the
scaffolding.
 Where the longitudinal length of the scaffold
permits such bracing shall be duplicated beginning
at every fifth post.
 In a similar manner, longitudinal diagonal bracing
shall also be installed from the last post extending
bracing and upward toward the first post.
 Where conditions favor, the attachment of this
bracing to the posts, it may be attached to the
runners.
 The entire scaffold shall be tied and securely
braced against the building at intervals not
exceeding 9 M (30 feet) horizontally and 8 M
(26 feet) vertically.
 Metal Tubular Welded Frame
Scaffolding
 Metal Tubular Frame Scaffolding, shall be
constructed and erected to support 4 times the
maximum rated load.
 Spacing of panels or frames shall be consistent
with the loads imposed.
 Scaffolds shall be properly braced by cross
bracing or diagonal braces or both, for securing
vertical members together laterally.
 The cross Brace shall be of such length as will
automatically square and align vertical members
so that the erected scaffold is plumb, square and
rigid.
 Scaffold legs shall be set on adjustable bases
or plain base. If load bearing capacity of soil is
less, base shall be set on sole plate or other
suitable foundation, which can bear rated load.
 The frames shall be placed one on top of the
other with coupler. This should include a
coupler, two stacking pins to provide vertical
alignment of the legs.
 Where uplift may occur, panels shall be
locked together vertically by pins or other
equivalent suitable means.
 To prevent movement, the scaffold shall be
secured to the building or structure at intervals
not to exceed 9M (30 feet) horizontally and
8M (26 feet) vertically.
 Scaffold above 38M (125 feet) height shall be
designed by a professional experienced
Engineer.
 Mobile (Manually/Propelled)
• Scaffolds must be plumb, level, and squared. [29 CFR
1926.452(w)(1)]
• To prevent collapse of the scaffold, to secure vertical
members together laterally and to automatically square
and align vertical members, scaffolds must be braced
by [29 CFR 1926.452(w)(1)]:
• Cross-braces
• Horizontal braces
• Diagonal braces
• Or a combination of braces
• All brace connections must be secured. [29
CFR 1926.452(w)(1)]
• To prevent movement of the scaffold while it
is being used in a stationary position, scaffold
casters and wheels must be locked with [29
CFR 1926.452(w)(2)]:
• Positive wheel locks
• Wheel and swivel locks
• And/or equivalent means
• Caster stems and wheel stems in scaffold legs
or adjustment screws must be [29 CFR
1926.452(w)(9)]:
• Pinned
• Or otherwise secured
• Platforms must not extend beyond the base
supports of the scaffold, unless stability is
ensured by [29 CFR 1926.452(w)(7)]:
• Outrigger frames
• Equivalent devices
• Leveling of the scaffold, where necessary, must
be achieved by the use of [29 CFR
1926.452(w)(8)]:
• Screw jacks
• Equivalent means
• Scaffolds constructed of tube and coupler
components must also comply with the
requirements of paragraph (b) of this section. [29
CFR 1926.452(w)(1)(i)]
• Scaffolds constructed of fabricated frame
components must also comply with the
requirements of paragraph (c) of this section. [29
CFR 1926.452(w)(1)(ii)]
• Scaffolds shall be stabilized to prevent tipping
during movement. [29 CFR 1926.452(w)(5)]
• Manual force used to move the scaffold must be
applied as close to the base as practicable, but not
more than 5 feet above the supporting surface. [29
CFR 1926.452(w)(3)]
• Power systems used to propel mobile scaffolds
must be designed for that purpose. Forklifts,
trucks, motor vehicles, or add-on motors must not
be used to propel scaffolds unless the scaffold is
designed for them. [29 CFR 1926.452(w)(4)]
• Employees are not allowed to ride on scaffolds
unless the following conditions exist [29 CFR
1926.452(w)(6)]:
– The surface on which the scaffold is being moved
is [29 CFR 1926.452(w)(6)(i)]:
• Within 3 degrees of level.
• Free of pits, holes, and obstructions.
– The height to base width ratio of the scaffold
during movement is 2:1 or less, unless the scaffold
is designed and constructed to meet or exceed
nationally recognized stability test requirements
(such as ANSI/SIA A92.5 and 92.6). [29 CFR
1926.452(w)(6)(ii)]
– Outrigger frames, when used, are installed on both
sides of the scaffold. [29 CFR 1926.452(w)(6)(iii)]
 – When power systems are used, the propelling force
is [29 CFR 1926.452(w)(6)(iv)]:
• Applied directly to the wheels.
• Does not produce a speed in excess of 1 foot per
second.
– No employee is on any part of the scaffold that
extends beyond the wheels, casters, or other
supports. [29 CFR 1926.452(w)(6)(v)]
• Before a scaffold is moved, each employee on
the scaffold must be made aware of the move.
[29 CFR 1926.452(w)(10)]
 Scaffold Erection
 Scaffold erection shall be carried out by skilled
workmen under the supervision of a competent
Supervisor.
 Scaffolding erection area shall be appropriately
cordoned off.
 Lifting of frame and other parts of Scaffolding
shall be carried out using Derrick and Pulley
arrangement.
 Secured ladder shall be used for climbing up and
down the Scaffold.
 Red Tag shall be displayed to caution workers
that Scaffold is under erection.
 At the end of work day, if a Scaffold needs to
be left half-erected, it is essential to lower all
loose scaffold materials and ensure that
Scaffold is adequately braced to
building/structure.
 A Double Lanyard Harness shall be used by
all workmen engaged in Scaffold erection.
 Dismantling of Scaffolding
 Scaffolding dismantling area shall be cordoned
off and only skilled workmen shall be utilized for
this work.
 The Scaffold being dismantled shall be tagged off
with Red Tag to indicate it is unsafe to work on.
 Dismantled materials shall be lowered using a
Derrick & Pulley arrangement.
 Each tier shall be completely dismantled and the
material lowered to the ground before beginning
to dismantle the next tier.
 Dropping materials shall be avoided to
prevent damage to materials and injury to the
workmen below.
 Double lanyard safety harness shall be
anchored to a strong structure or lifeline before
attempting to loosen stuck or jammed parts.
 If a Scaffold is going to be left half-
dismantled, it is essential to lower all the loose
scaffold materials down and ensure that the
scaffold is braced adequately to the
building/structure.
SCAFFOLD INSPECTION

Erection / Dismantling of
Scaffold
 Erection of any scaffold shall be done only by
the nominated scaffolding gang under the
supervision and guidance of formwork
Engineer or a competent person.
 “Red colored Tag” is fixed to the Scaffold
when it is under erection/dismantling by the
formwork Engineer or by nominated Foreman.
 Upon successful erection completion,
formwork Engineer or the nominated Foreman
shall inspect the Scaffold.
After successful inspection, if the Scaffold is
certified to be safe for use, the formwork
Engineer/Foreman shall fix the ‘Green colored
Tag’, after duly signing off the Tag along with
date.
 Inspection of Scaffolding
 All Scaffolding being used at site shall be re-
inspected by the formwork Engineer/nominated
Foreman once a week.
 Green Tags of Scaffolding which are found safe,
shall be renewed with date of inspection and
signature of form work Engineer / nominated
Foreman.
 If any scaffold is found unsafe for use, formwork
Engineer/nominated Foreman shall place a ‘Red
Tag’ and stop immediate usage of scaffold until
successful rectification is completed.
 Extension and Alterations of
Scaffolding
 Any extension, alteration or shifting of
Scaffold (except in the case of mobile scaffold)
shall be done only by the scaffolding gang
under the supervision and guidance of the
formwork Engineer.
 When such work is being carried out on a
scaffold, a ‘Red Scaffold Tag’ shall be fixed on
the scaffold, indicating restriction of use of the
Scaffold except, by the scaffold gang.
 Red Scaffold Tag
 This Tag indicates that the Scaffold is under
erection or dismantling or has not been
inspected or is not safe for use.
 Green Scaffold Tag
This Tag indicates that the scaffold is complete
and it has been inspected by a competent
person and is safe for use.
 ‘Green’ Scaffold Tag is valid for one week
from date of last inspection.
 Mobile Scaffolding
 The maximum height for mobile scaffolds shall
be 9.6M. This may be increased to 12M if it is
secured to a structure when in use.
 When free-standing mobile Scaffold towers are
used, the height shall not exceed four times the
maximum base dimension.
 Wheels or casters shall be properly designed for
strength and dimensions, to support four times the
maximum intended load.
 All wheels shall be provided with positive
locking device to hold the scaffold in position.
 Scaffolds shall be braced by cross bracing or
diagonal braces or both for securing vertical
members together laterally.
 Cross braces shall be of such length as will
automatically square and align vertical
members so that the erected Scaffold is always
plumb, square and rigid.
 All brace connections shall be made square.
 Platforms shall be tightly decked for the full
width of the Scaffold and Scaffold boards shall
be secured against displacement.
 Platforms shall be provided with guard rail.
 The force necessary to move mobile Scaffolds
shall be applied near or as close to the base as
practicable.
 Provision shall be made to stabilize the tower
during movement from one location to another.
 Scaffolds shall only be moved on level floors
free from obstructions and openings.
 Wheels or Castors shall be provided with
rubber or similar resilient tires.
 Workmen shall not be allowed to ride on
mobile Scaffold.
 All working tools / materials should be
offloaded before any movement of mobile
Scaffold is initiated.
 All mobile Scaffold in use shall rest upon
suitable footings and shall stand plumb.
 Castors or wheels shall be locked to prevent
movement.