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