SAFE WORK PRACTICES
FRAME SCAFFOLD (Modular/Safeway Scaffold) Page 1 of 2
*
This information does not take precedence over OH&S. All employees should be familiar with the OH&S Act and Regulations*
Components:
1. Erect all scaffold parts according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Select scaffold according to:
Height required
Duration of work
Weather conditions
Location
Weight of workers, materials and equipment
3. Erect scaffold on a base that will support all the loads to be applied.
4. Compact and level backfill. Replace mud and soft soil with gravel or crushed
rock.
5. Provide adequate sills for scaffold posts and use base plates.
6. Install scaffold with jackscrews. These allow for minor adjustments to keep
scaffold plumb and level.
7. Set scaffold feet centrally on mud sills consisting of 50 x 250 mm (2 in x 10 in)
planks. Sills should extend at least 600 mm (2 ft) beyond the scaffold base.
8. Take extra precautions when erecting scaffold on frozen ground. Thawing soil
can lose its ability to bear weight.
9. Brace both sides of every frame. Install horizontal bracing at the joint of every
third tier of frames. This is often the point where the scaffold is tied to the
structure.
10. Do not force braces to fit. Level the scaffold until a proper fit can be made
easily.
11. Use coupling devices to join frames. Without these, the joints can pull apart.
12. Install guardrails consisting of:
A top rail 1 m (40 in) above platform
A mid rail about halfway between the platform and the top rail on the inside
of the posts
A toe board 100 mm (4 in) high fastened to inner side of posts
Posts and rails capable of withstanding a force of at least 900N (200lb)
applied at any point, or withstanding any load likely to be applied
13. Stability: Do not allow the ratio of scaffold height to base width to exceed 3 to
1 unless the scaffold is:
Tied into a structure
Stabilized by guy wires
Secured by outriggers to stabilizers to maintain ratio
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Assembly:
1. Check location for:
Ground conditions; obstructions; overhead wires; tie-in problems; changes in
elevation.
2. Use safety harness which is tied off to scaffold or lifeline.
3. Assemble frame scaffolds with one other person (one on the scaffold, one
passing materials).
4. Check for squareness and alignment of all scaffold parts.
5. Use jackscrews to eliminate hazards created by temporarily jacking up the
erected scaffold to add shims.
6. Inspect locking devices frequently.
7. Install ladders as erection proceeds. When scaffolds are to be in place for
extended period, install a stairway.
8. Fasten all braces securely.
9. Inspect planks prior to use.
10. Complete platform fully at each working level before assembling the next level.
11. DON’T:
Mix frames and parts from different manufacturers.
Substitute concrete blocks, bricks or scrap lumber
for proper mud sill base, plates and jackscrews.
Overextend jackscrews.
Use ladders/makeshift devices on scaffolds to
increase height.
Use blanks that are used for sills as platforms.
Dismantling:
1. Ensure stability of structure.
2. Clear platform of all materials and debris before dismantling.
3. Proceed in reverse order of erection.
4. Dismantle each tire completely before starting the one below.
5. Work from full platform decks while removing braces and frames.
6. Remove jammed or rusted components with caution.
7. Do not throw or drop boards or parts from a height.
8. Check and maintain all scaffold parts.
9. Lubricate moving parts of all fittings.
SAFE WORK PRACTICES
FRAME SCAFFOLD (Modular/Safeway Scaffold) Page 2 of 2
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SAFE WORK PRACTICES
METAL SCAFFOLDS
*This information does not take precedence over OH&S. All employees should be familiar with the OH&S Act and Regulations*
General: There are various types of metal scaffold and there are right and wrong
ways of erecting all of them. The misuse of scaffolding is the cause of numerous
serious injuries. Every worker who designs or constructs a scaffold should be
competent and know what the manufacturer’s specifications are for that type of
scaffold.
The scaffold type which will be best suited for the job and capable of withstanding the
loads to be imposed on it must be determined before the job begins.
Ensure that:
1. The scaffold you intend to use is the correct one for the job.
2. The location in which the scaffold is to be constructed is level or is capable of
presenting secure footing by use of mudsills or some other device.
3. The scaffold will be erected by a competent worker.
4. Legislative and manufacturer’s requirements have been complied with.
5. Safe access and egress to both the scaffold and the general work area has been
provided.
6. Leveling adjustment screws have not been over extended.
7. Tower scaffolds have outriggers or are guyed and have all component parts
secured in place (i.e. cross braces, pins, lateral braces).
8. Scaffold work platforms have perimeter guardrails:
Horizontal rail – 0.92 meters to 1.07 meters above the platform;
Intermediate rail – horizontal rail midway between scaffold platform and top rail;
Toe board – horizontal member at platform level no less than 140 mm in height
above the platform level.
9. Scaffold planks are of number one grade materials with maximum spans of 3
meters on light duty and 2.3 meters on heavy duty with a maximum projection
beyond the ledger of no more than 300 mm.
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SAFE WORK PRACTICES
ROLLING SCAFFOLD Page 1 of 2
*This information does not take precedence over OH&S. All employees should be familiar with the OH&S Act and Regulations*
1. Assemble rolling scaffold according to OH&S Regulations, standards and
manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Ensure that the floor or surface on which the scaffold is moved is level and without
holes or obstructions.
3. Brace all rolling scaffolds horizontally and diagonally.
4. Cleat or secure all planks.
5. Restrain joints from separation.
6. Secure access ladders.
7. Ensure that each wheel or caster is equipped with brakes to prevent rolling and
swiveling.
8. Lock caster brakes before climbing onto scaffold.
9. Secure or remove all material, equipment and personnel from platform before
moving.
10. Move by pushing towards the bottom.
11. Ensure that the height of the platform does not exceed three times the smallest
dimension of the scaffold’s base. Where outriggers are provided, platform height
must not exceed three times the smallest dimension of the scaffold’s base,
including the extended outriggers.
12. DON’T:
Ride scaffold unless it is designed for such movements.
Try to move a rolling scaffold without enough help – watch out for overhead
obstructions, slopes and debris.
Extend adjusting screw more than manufacturer recommends.
Allow the working platform height to exceed that outlined in 11 above.
Use powered devices to move scaffolds.
Lean access ladders against rolling scaffolds.
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SAFE WORK PRACTICES
ROLLING SCAFFOLD Page 2 of 2
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SAFE WORK PRACTICES
SCAFFOLDS & DECKS PAGE 1 OF 2
*This information does not take precedence over OH&S. All employees should be familiar with the OH&S Act and Regulations*
Scaffolds: Install, inspect, maintain and repair
scaffolding in accordance with OH&S Regulations,
standards and manufacturer’s instructions.
1. Check the following before using scaffolding:
base is sound, level and adjusted
legs are plumb and all braces are in place
locking devices and ties are secured
cross members are level
planks, decks and guardrails are installed
securely
2. Remove snow/ice from scaffold platforms,
ladders, access area.
3. Use an access ladder, not scaffold frame, unless
the frame is specially designed to be climbed.
4. Ensure that scaffolding is securely attached to the building structure. The effects from
winds increase when scaffolds are covered.
5. Protect all planked or working levels with proper guardrails, mid rails and toe boards
along all open sides and at the ends of scaffold platforms.
6. Replace guardrails that were removed while hoisting materials. Wear fall protection
until guardrails are reinstalled.
7. DON’T:
jump onto planks or platforms
overload scaffold frames or platforms
force braces – level scaffold until proper fit can be made
rest materials or equipment on guardrails
climb or stand on cross braces or guardrails
try to repair bent or kinked frames – throw them out
work on scaffolds during storms or high winds
work below a scaffold without overhead protection
use ladders or makeshift devices on top of scaffolds to increase height
use scaffolds near electrical wires
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SAFE WORK PRACTICES
SCAFFOLDS & DECKS PAGE 2 OF 2
Decks: Use wooden and metal decks according to OH&S Regulations, standards and
manufacturer’s instructions.
1. Cleat planks at ends to prevent lengthwise movement. Planks may be wired down,
provided wire does not create a tripping hazard. Where planks overlap, rest cleated
end on support.
2. Ensure that scaffold planks meet the requirement of Section 174 of the OH&S
Regulations.
3. Secure fabricated planks and platforms on their end support.
4. Ensure that adjoining planks are of uniform thickness for an even platform.
5. Lay planks side by side across the full width of the scaffold.
6. Check scaffold planks for large knots, worm holes and a steeply sloping grain at the
edges, spike knots, splits and checks. Discard any planks showing these or other
defects.
7. Check hooks and hardware of prefabricated platform units regularly for looseness,
distortion and cracks. Damage can occur if the platforms are dropped or thrown.
8. Clean ice, snow, oil and grease off planks. Platform decks should be slip resistant and
should not accumulate water.
9. Storage: Stack planks on a firm level surface to prevent warping. Band ends of
boards. Do not paint, as this conceals defects. Do not use scaffold planks as a base to
stack materials or as ramps or temporary roadways.
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SAFE WORK PRACTICES
WOOD SCAFFOLDS
*
This information does not take precedence over OH&S. All employees should be familiar with the OH&S Act and Regulations*
General: The construction of wood scaffold is closely regulated by Legislation.
Materials and material dimensions are specified in detail in the OH&S General Safety
Regulations.
Because the construction of these scaffolds can vary greatly as to use, shape, location
and type of job to be done, they sometimes are built in a haphazard manner. To avoid
this, the following safe work practices are minimum:
1. Construction, alteration, designs and removal of wood scaffolds is to be done by
competent workers.
2. The material used to construct these scaffolds should be sound, close grained and
finished on all four sides.
3. The scaffold must be capable of supporting four (4) times the load that might be
imposed on it.
4. All component parts should be tight together and properly fixed to each other.
5. Proper perimeter railing must be set in place; top rail – intermediate rail – toe
board.
6. Scaffold work platforms shall be at least 500 millimeters wide for light duty and 1
meter wide for heavy duty scaffolds.
7. When used as a scaffold work platform, planks shall be secured from movement by
cleats or by being wired in place.
8. Safe access and egress is to be provided to all work platforms by the use of
ladders.
9. Scaffold work platforms shall not span more than three (3) meters on light duty
scaffolds or 2.3 meters on heavy duty scaffolds.
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