METAL SCAFFOLDING SAFETY

METAL SCAFFOLDING SAFETY
A safety management system and a safe system of work should be developed, implemented and maintained for the safety and health at work of workers. Further reference should be made to the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Safety Management) Regulation. Among other things, the following actions should also be taken into account:


Design and initial planning SCAFFOLDING SAFETY

A construction project should be designed with safety in mind. This approach makes it possible to eliminate or minimize the work hazards by proper planning and design of the methods of construction, sequences of activities, co-ordination, etc.



During the design of a metal scaffold, attention should be paid in the following areas:

(a) The safe scaffold and its erection/alteration/dismantling for all different stages of construction should be designed and planned well beforehand.
(b) The safe method of scaffolding devised should be kept under continual review.
(c) The strength and stability of the scaffold throughout all stages of scaffolding should be ensured.
(d) The strength of scaffolding members such as tubes and couplers should be ensured. Reference should be made to the procedures laid down in relevant standards of the International Organization for Standardization or equivalent procedures for their sampling and mechanical testing.
(e) Realistic assessment of loadings on the scaffold at all work stages should be made. In considering the wind load on the scaffold, reference should be made to the Code of Practice on Wind Effects, Hong Kong, 1983 or its latest edition.

(f) Safe access to and egress from the working places should be provided.
(g) Effective bonding system to earth should be provided to the scaffold.
(h) Additional features such as attachment points for ladders, working platforms, guard-rails and toe-boards should be provided for the protection of workers using the scaffold. Safety nets and safety belts should also be provided for the protection of scaffolders.
(i) Scaffolding components/materials/equipment should be handled, lifted, stored, stacked and transported safely.
(j) The time when the scaffold would be erected and dismantled should be decided in the design and planning stage. The scaffold should be dismantled as soon as it is no longer required to be used.


Specification for scaffolding contract document:



(a) Specification for scaffolding contract document should incorporate

particular requirements and essential information for the scaffolding work 

to be planned and implemented safely. (For example, the provision of 

design drawings and method statement; phasing of work - particularly 

with other contractors; periodic maintenance and repair of scaffold.)

(b) Special requirements relating to compliance with safety legislation should

be highlighted and appropriate items should be included in the Bills of 

Quantities.

(c) Depending on the size of the project and/or the complexity of the work

involved, tenderers for the scaffolding work should be required to 

submit an outline scaffolding plan at tendering stage, giving sufficient 

information to demonstrate their intended safe system of work.

Co-ordination and communications:

(a) There should be close liaison between all relevant parties even at 

the design and planning stage.

(b) Effective lines and systems of communication should be devised for 

each stage of the scaffolding work and a 

person should be assigned to maintain effective communication.


METAL SCAFFOLDING SAFETY

Regular inspection Scaffolding for construction site.

All scaffolding should be inspected in compliance with AS/NZS 1576 and AS/NZS 4576:

+ before the first use.
+ at intervals not exceeding 30 days.
+ as soon as practicable and prior to further use following an occurrence that could have affected the stability or adequacy of the scaffold, such as a severe storm.
+ prior to its use, following repairs or,
+ when the scaffolding is dismantled and before reuse. Inspection is recorded on the scaffolding
register and indicates whether:
+ the scaffold structure and supporting structure is adequate.
+ working platforms are secured.
+ access and egress is safe.
+ the scaffold will enable the relevant work task to be performed safely.



Review Scaffolding of Constuction Site

Risk Assessments, SWMS, and work procedures must be reviewed and revised whenever there is a change in the work process, unique local conditions, hazards or following any near miss or injury.
Fall arrest systems Where a fall arrest system is utilised for work associated with scaffolding, a competent person must install and periodically inspect all fall arrest system components must ensure:
+  fall arrest systems comply with the relevant Standards.
+ a local register is established to record and schedule inspections of harnesses, lanyard assembly, body belts and any other relevant documentation.
+ a suitable rescue procedure is established should a person become suspended by a
fall arrest system to avoid risk of ‘Suspension Trauma’.

Reporting of incidents Scaffolding

All incidents are to be reported to the OHS Helpdesk on 1300 131 469.
If the incident presents an immediate threat to life or major damage to plant and equipment as advised by the OHS Helpdesk, then:
+ the incident must be reported to WorkCover (by the OHS Helpdesk), and
+ the incident may be classified a non disturbance occurrence and advice by WorkCover must be obtained prior to touching the affected site.

Regular inspection Scaffolding for construction site

Definition What is the Scaffolding

The erection, alteration or dismantling of temporary structures that are specifically erected to support platforms over four metres fall height.

Minimum requirements What is the Scaffolding:

Managers and Supervisors must implement the following measures to control and, or minimise the health and safety risks associated with scaffolding consistent with the OHS Legislation, relevant COP, AS and RTA Contract Specifications (see references):

+  Identify, register, assess and then eliminate or control the risks associated with the erection, use and dismantling of scaffolding.
+  Scaffolds designed to allow persons to work at 3 metres or more (‘high risk construction work’), must be fit for purpose, erected, modified, inspected and dismantled by a certificated and competent person or supervised by the same.
+ Scaffolds must be placed on a firm and stable base and have safe means of access/egress to the work platform. E.g. a correctly positioned ladder.
+  Scaffolds must not be placed within 6 metres of overhead power lines. Hazards
+  Fall protection and arrest systems must be used when erecting scaffolding.

+  Incomplete scaffolds must be sign posted as ‘not for use’.
+ Scaffold Hand-over certificates shall be completed and issued before use, where a person or object could fall 3 metres or more. (refer to RTA Form 711). Certificates are available from RTA OHS homepage ‘tools and checklists’.
+  Scaffolds greater than 3 metres in height once erected in-situ must have a local identifying number issued for maintenance recording purposes and entered on a scaffolding register.
+  Where mobile scaffolding is used, wheel locking shall be undertaken when stationary and no person shall be on scaffolding while it is moving.
+  Develop written Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) for all tasks involving scaffolding prior to the assembly and use of the scaffolding.
+  Train all staff who may work on scaffolding, in the nature of the hazards involved, the means adopted to control exposure and emergency procedures in place.

Hazards What is the Scaffolding :


Hazards associated with scaffolding include:
+  poor foundation – scaffold shall be erected on a firm and stable base.
+  damaged scaffold components.
+  overload of scaffold components.
+  unstable, incomplete or incorrect use of scaffold.
+ base frames not adequately braced or supported.
+ scaffold exceeds height to base dimensions ratio.
+ inappropriate access or egress points.
+ close proximity to electricity.
+ slips and falls.
+ falling objects.
+ manual handling.
+ movement of plant and machinery – all cranes and mobile machinery shall keep within designated areas and away from ‘exclusion zones’.
Refer to the TIP Sheet T007 – Construction Plant and Equipment.

Risk assessment Scaffolding


A Risk Assessment and SWMS must be completed prior to any person using scaffolding.
The Risk Assessment of tasks involving scaffolding shall comply with the RTA Risk Management Procedure and also include consideration of any potential exposure of other persons and the public by RTA tasks involving working at heights.

Risk controls Scaffolding


The most effective method to control the risk is to eliminate the need to use the scaffolding (e.g. use an EWP). If this is not possible, then reduce (minimise) the risk by working down the following hierarchy of controls (use multiple controls where necessary):
+ Select the most secure form of scaffolding or access system.
+ Use engineering controls such as edge protection, containment sheeting barriers, toe boards, fencing, tool lanyards, catch platforms and netting, etc.
+ Implement administrative controls such as safe work methods (SWMS), and establish ‘exclusion zones’ to prevent access by unauthorised persons.
+ Use fall protection, fall arrest systems and PPE.

Definition What is the Scaffolding