Scaffolds Safety

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SAFETY TALK 

SCAFFOLDS

It is safe to assume that just about everybody has heard of a scaffolding accident or two.

In many of those cases, faulty design and inadequate construction of the scaffolding was involved but, in most case, scaffold accidents are caused by poor maintenance and improper use.

To help keep your scaffolds safe, follow these simple procedures:

1. Ensure that the scaffold is built as per  Country / Organisation safety standards.
2. Inspect the scaffolds daily before using them; Check the guard rails, connectors, fastening, footing, tie-ins and bracing.
3. Ensure ladders are intact and secured.
4. Check for inspection tags ( Green or Red ) before using scaffold. Use them only if tagged green. Red or no tag means the scaffold is unsafe.
5. Keep platforms closely boarded, fenced and securely fastened.
6. Don’t stockpile materials on the scaffolds: remove all materials and tools at the end of the day.
7. Never overload scaffolds. Place the materials being used over ledger and bearer points to minimize platform loading.
8. Don’t work on scaffolds during storms or high winds.
9. Protect the scaffolds; don’t bump or strike against the scaffolds with vehicles or materials and control hoisted material from the ground with taglines.
10. Keep the platforms and area around the scaffold cleared of debris and unneeded equipment, material and other hazards that will cause a worker to trip or fall.
11. Use safety belts, and tie it off if you are working above 6 feet.

TRESTLE SCAFFOLDS

As with ladders, their use as a working platform can only be considered as a last resort, and where other suitable access cannot be reasonably provided. An assessment of risk must be undertaken to facilitate their use.

WORKING ON SCAFFOLDING

• Do not remove or interfere with the scaffolding in any way – especially ties, guardrails, toe boards and ladder.
• Do not use a scaffold while it is being erected or dismantled or in anyway incomplete. Look out for warning notices and scaffold tags.
• Report any defects of scaffolding as soon as possible.
• See the materials are always properly stacked and not in danger of falling. Erect brick guards wherever required.
• Do not overload a scaffold. Position stack by the standards, not between them.   
• Do not leave tools or materials lying around on platforms.
• Materials should never be thrown, tipped or dropped from heights, they should always be lowered or disposal through properly constructed chute.
• Never climb or down scaffolding. Always use the ladders or stairs provided.
• Ensure that ladders are properly secured at the top, have a firm base, extended at least 3’6” above the platform and are at an angle of approximately 1 out to 4 up.
• If a ladder has any rungs are missing or split stiles, report the fact to your Supervisor and see that it is replaced. Do not climb the ladder.
•  Ladder rungs should not be used to support the ladder.
• All ladders giving access to scaffolds or elevated areas must, when the scaffold is unfit for use, be effectively blocked
• Don’t remove any scaffold tie yourself, unless you are a scaffolder.
• Don’t leave a section of scaffold platform without a guardrail or toe board.
• Don’t remove cross braces from scaffolding.
• Get the help of scaffolder for alteration if any.
• Use a properly constructed platform or trestle.

Two types of trestle scaffolds are used on construction sites:-

•  Folding wooden or metal trestles.
•  Fixed metal trestles or bandstands.

Trestles must only be on firm level surfaces. Both types are frequently mis-used and several accidents have occurred.

OBSERVE THE RULES AND PREVENT A FALL 

FOLDING TRESTLES

• Use for work of a LIGHT nature and SHORT DURATION only.
• Examine for damaged cross bearers, broken or damaged hinges or damaged stiles.
• Use lightweight staging for the platform: If normal scaffold boards are used support at 1.2 meter centers.
• Do not use top of trestle.
• Do not attempt to increase the height of the platform using hop-ups.
• Folding trestles must not be used if it is possible to fall and cause injury.
• Platform must be at least 600mm wide.

 FIXED TRESTLES

• Ensure correct pins are used when height is raised (not reinforcement or nails).
• If used with normal scaffold boards, space stands 1.2 meters apart (4 feet).
• If used with lightweight staging - check allowable loads
• Where it is possible to fall 2 meters or more guardrails and toe-boards must be fitted. This is generally difficult and will require a scaffold.
• Safe access - a tied ladder must always be provided.

Care must be taken when trestle scaffolds are erected near floor edges or on existing scaffold platforms to ensure that guarding is provided.

TOWER SCAFFOLDS

1. Prefabricated access towers are to be erected in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions by competent operatives; erection instruction must be available on site.
2. Towers must only be erected on firm surfaces. Where ground is soft or sloping, adequate support must be provided.
3. The platform height should not be more than 3 times the length of the shortest side of the base of the tower (e.g. shortest side of tower is 1.5 meters multiplied by 3 giving a maximum platform height of 4.5 meters). This height can be increased using outriggers.
4. Manufacturer’s instructions on safe loading limits must not be exceeded.
5. Care must be taken when working from the platform that pulling or pushing actions do not overturn the tower. Always ensure that the wheels are in the locked position when working from the tower.
6. Do not pull heavy items up the side of the tower, use lifting devices.
7. Do not use ladders from platforms of towers, this causes high overturning forces. Access*
8. Proprietary steel or aluminum alloy towers have a variety of means of access, these being:-
• Integral diagonal stairway. As well as providing access this will form part of the bracing of the tower.
• Ladder units, which slip onto the end frame or inclined ladders, securely fixed, inside the scaffold frame.

• Climbing a ladder section, which is incorporated within the end frame? Such a ladder section will have rungs no more than 300mm apart with stiles not more than 480mm apart. Climbing horizontal members of other types of end frame is not to be accepted as a safe means of access.

WORKING PLATFORMS

Working platforms are to be fully boarded and complete with guardrails and toe-boards. Where on a double width alloy tower a single width platform only is used, it must have guardrails and toe-boards to suit. Mobile towers are to have only one working platform.

MOVING MOBILE TOWERS

Towers must NEVER be moved with men or materials upon the platform and may only be moved by applying a horizontal force at or near the base.

Prior to moving a tower, ensure that the route to the new desired location is free of obstructions. Ensure any holes, pits, ducts, or gratings are securely covered and that also no overhead obstructions such as electric cables or beams are present.

When towers are to be moved and outriggers with adjustable feet are fitted, they must first be raised to a minimum height (12mm) to allow movement. However the tower must be reduced in height to not more than 2.5 times minimum base dimension.

After moving and before use, wheels must be locked.

Note: 

Access is from the inside of the tower frame to avoid eccentric loading of the tower. Working platforms are to be provided with trap doors to facilitate access. Where the vertical distance between the ground and working platform exceeds 9.144m (30’) an intermediate platform with guardrails must be provided. Minimum platform width is 600mm or 3 boards.

Scaffolding - Tube Scaffolds

1. All scaffolding must be constructed and maintained in accordance with Project standards.
2. Scaffold frames must be of approved tubular steel construction.
3. Hand rails and toe boards must be included on all scaffolds.
4. Scaffold planks must be at least 50 millimeters thick, and a maximum of 2 meters in length. Scaffold planks must extend past the frame support by 30 centimeters, and boards must be tied down, or otherwise secured to prevent movement.
5. An access ladder, separate from the scaffold frame must be used and secured to all scaffolds.
6. No more than 1.5 meters, is allowed between horizontal bracing (transoms), or ledgers.
7. Diagonal supports are also required on every other scaffold section. 
8. Rolling scaffolds may not exceed 3 times higher than the narrowest scaffold width.
9.  All scaffold wheels must be equipped with working brakes, and brakes must be set while work is done on the scaffold.
10. Employees ARE NOT allowed to ride on rolling scaffolds while being moved.
11. Tubular scaffold which exceed 10 meters in height by 6 meters in width must be secured to the structure at 5 meters intervals.And if not possible provide Buttresses of approved design.
12. Only GREEN tagged scaffold can be used, no one is allowed on RED, YELLOW or without scaffolding tag.
13. Do not erect, alter or dismantle any part of scaffolds; this is the scaffolding department scope. If it is required to modify a scaffold contact area scaffolding foreman or charge hand to do it.
14. Only approved scaffold, erected by qualified persons must be used-barrels, boxes, bricks, paint cans, and any other make shift platforms should not be used.
15. No loose tools or material should be left on scaffolds or work platforms. 
16. No material should be dropped or thrown from scaffold at any height.  
17. Always barricade your area at the time of Erecting or Dismantling of the scaffolding.

 

DO’S AND DON’TS ON SCAFFOLD

 

DO NOT         Climb on scaffold unless you are a trained scaffolder or scaffolder under training and under supervision.

DO                   Use the ladder access or the stairs.

DO NOT          Alter any scaffold yourself, unless you are a scaffolder

DO                   Get a scaffolder to do it, so that he can make the appropriate alterations

DO NOT         Make working platforms (however low) out of planks placed on blocks, bricks, or oil drums.

DO                   Use a properly constructed platform on trestles, bandstands, or scaffolding

DO NOT          Move a ladder access point.

DO                   Get a scaffolder to do it.

DO NOT         Dig trenches/undermine scaffolds.

DO                   ensure that strengthening works are carried out by scaffolders if trenches are permitted

DO NOT         Remove boards from the platform for any purpose.

DO                   Report any gaps or “traps” in the scaffold to your supervisor.

DO NOT          Stack materials in centers of bays or above guardrail height.

DO                   stack adjacent to the standards or uprights and consider the weights

NEVER CLIMB UP THE OUTSIDE OF THE TOWER.