Scaffold Appreciation

1
Scaffold Appreciation

• Session 3 Site Practices

2
Preparation

• Risk Assessment
• Organise, Plan and Manage
• Method Statement
• HASAW Section 3 generally applies
• CISRS scaffold cards indicate training, but not
  necessarily competency
• Level of Training, basic - advanced

3
Supervision

• HASAW applies
• Appropriate to the work task
• Supervisor should be an advanced scaffolder
• Must stick to the method statement
• Vicarious liability can apply

4
Public Protection

• Additional precautions must be taken to prevent
  the public entering a work area
• Can apply to unloading of lorries as well as work
  areas
• Protect public from falling objects
• Secure tools, exclusion zones, fans, temporary
  structures etc.

5
Falls

• Account for more than half of the fatalities in
  construction annually
• Scaffolders have to work in hazardous situations
• Working methods should be as safe as reasonably
  practicable
• Safety harnesses issued and used by all
  scaffolders

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Illustration
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CDM

• CDM Regs 1994 place duties on client, designer
  and principle contractor to eliminate/reduce
  hazards
• Reasonable steps should be taken to provide good
  anchorage points

8
Harnesses

• All involved in scaffolding should wear a harness
  with lanyard, shock absorber and scaffold hook
  for one handed operation.
• They must receive appropriate and recorded
  training in use, maintenance and inspection
• A suitable anchor point must be used to clip on
• Guardrails should be erected as a matter of
  priority at all locations at which a fall can
  occur

9
Clipping On

• Scaffolders must clip on at the first suitable
  anchor point at 4m or more above ground level
  when
• Not working in a protected area
• Moving their working platform
• Climbing up or down the structure
• Working directly of the structure
• Anchor points should be above waist height
• Adopt a method of work which will limit
  traversing an exposed edge

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Illustrations
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Illustrations
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Materials

• When raising or lowering materials Scaffolders
  should be clipped on at all times
• Working within guardrails is preferable to
  clipping off if it can be achieved
• Manual handling issues should be considered

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Illustrations
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Ladder Access

• Ladders should be included as early as possible
  and removed as late as possible
• This will reduce the need for scaffolders to
  climb the structure
• Recommend that a ladder bay is constructed in the
  early part of the operation

15
Decking

• Scaffolders should use a minimum 600mm wide
  platform placed centrally
• On wider structures, scaffolders should utilise
  sufficient boards to allow space to clip on
• Boards used for decking should be adequately
  supported by transoms and bearers as appropriate

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Illustration
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Anchor Points

• Attachment to horizontal tubes only by an
  appropriate scaffold hook
• Scaffold should be tied in before anchoring
• Avoid hooking on near joints
• Rescue plan must be in place
• Suspension trauma must be considered

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Illustration
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Ladders

• Timber ladders only
• Do not paint timber ladders
• Wire rods beneath the rungs
• Should extend 1 metre above the working platform
• Landing stage required if more than 9 metres
• Must be secured, lashed or clipped

20
Rubbish Chutes

• Scaffold design must take into account the
  additional loads imposed
• Must be securely fixed
• Must be inspected prior to use
• Anchored every 6 metres
• Competent person for chute operations

21
Care and Maintenance of Materials

• Maintenance is of prime importance
• Tubes should only be straightened by experts
• Damage tube should be cut out and discarded
• Split or damaged boards should be discarded
• Hoops or bands should be replace as required
• Steel should be checked for corrosion,
  excessively corroded tube should be discarded.
• Couplers and fitting should be lubricated and
  inspected before use.
• Particular attention should be paid to threads.

22
Dismantling

• Normal procedure is to dismantle in reverse order
• Dismantling should be carried out progressively
• Guardrails should be left in position as long as
  possible
• Additional temporary ties may be required
• Warning signs should be displayed on partially
  dismantled scaffold
• Materials must be lowered carefully not dropped
• The public must be protected at all times

23
Sheeting and Debris Netting

• Debris netting does not replace brick guards
• Sheeted scaffolds must be designed
• Sheets must be securely tied using the correct
  ties
• Wind loading must be countered by extra bracing