Good Scaffold Practices Well Decked Out
This is the third in a series of bulletins intended to promote good scaffold practices in the masonry industry. The series deals with arch-frame scaffolds and this issue looks at planks and platforms.
Scaffold platforms can be either sawn or laminated lumber planks or prefabricated aluminum and plywood platforms. Due to the heavy loads involved in masonry work, 2 x 10 sawn lumber planks are the most common platforms used.
Planks are often overlooked as an important element is scaffold construction. They are in fact one of the most important components of the scaffold. The Construction Regulation has specific requirements for scaffold planks.
One of the biggest concerns in masonry scaffolding is overloading. The Construction Regulation stipulates that, where possible, cubes of masonry units are to be placed directly over the frame. The most effective way to accomplish this is to load material as the scaffold is being erected. Where the scaffold has already been erected and this is not possible, the planks should be laid double thickness and loads maintained below 1300 kg.
This full box of mortar is causing too much deflection in the single layer planks and can weaken and break the planks.
It is also creating a tripping hazard.
Scaffold platforms can be either sawn or laminated lumber planks or prefabricated aluminum and plywood platforms. Due to the heavy loads involved in masonry work, 2 x 10 sawn lumber planks are the most common platforms used.
Planks are often overlooked as an important element is scaffold construction. They are in fact one of the most important components of the scaffold. The Construction Regulation has specific requirements for scaffold planks.
Planks must:
- Be number 1 grade SPF or better
- Be at least 48mm x 248mm (2" x 10" full size)
- Be arranged so their span does not exceed 2.1 meters (7 feet)
- Overhang their supports by no less then 150 mm (6") an no more than 300 mm (12")
- Be laid tightly side by side across the full width of the working level
- Be cleated or otherwise secured against slipping
- Be capable of carrying any load likely to be applied and as a minimum be capable of carrying 2.4 KN per square meter (50 pounds per > square foot).
Dressed lumber should never be used as scaffold material.
One of the biggest concerns in masonry scaffolding is overloading. The Construction Regulation stipulates that, where possible, cubes of masonry units are to be placed directly over the frame. The most effective way to accomplish this is to load material as the scaffold is being erected. Where the scaffold has already been erected and this is not possible, the planks should be laid double thickness and loads maintained below 1300 kg.
This full box of mortar is causing too much deflection in the single layer planks and can weaken and break the planks.
It is also creating a tripping hazard.
Planks
Before a plank is used for scaffolding it should be checked by a competent worker for:
Plants must be cleated, as above, or be otherwise secured to prevent slipping.
Side Platforms
In the masonry trade the working platform is a combination of planks and scaffold brackets. Side brackets are fitted on the front of the scaffold, planked two wide, and can be adjusted to keep the mason working at a convenient height. When using scaffold brackets take the following precautions:
Unsafe Practices
Rotten or damaged planks should be destroyed
Insufficient overhang and lack of cleats can lead to a fall hazard.
Note:
Never cut bricks or blocks on a scaffold plank. A saw-cut reduces the depth of the plank by the depth of the cut and substantially weakens the plank. These defects can go unnoticed if the plank is laid with the "good side" up.
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