SAMPLE - VETRes · Basic Scaffolders Certificate course. Main references include: AS 6001 - 1999 Working Platforms for Housing Construction, and AS/NZS 1576.1 - 2010 Scaffolding -

Limited Height Scaffolding

Product Code: 5590

Carpentry - Residential Construction

SAMPLE

© TAFE NSW Training and Education Support, Industry Skills Unit Orange and Granville

LImITEd HEIGHT ScAFFOLdING

2

Publishing details:

Second Edition 2012 TAFE NSW Training and Education Support, Industry Skills Unit Orange and Granville 68 South Street Granville NSW 2142

Telephone: (02) 9846 8101

2012 Edition

© NSW TAFE Commission/DET

TAFE NSW Training and Education Support, Industry Skills Unit Orange and Granville

First Edition – CARP08

Acknowledgements

Contributors:

David Moran Mike Leahy Instant Access – for use of details and graphics for lightweight scaffolding systems Rob Young Norman Hunter – for revision Masterbuilt Homes Pty Ltd. for use of the Cover Photo.

Second Edition 2012

ISBN 0 7348 1004 0

Disclaimer- Copyright

Every effort has been made to trace and acknowledge copyright. However, should any infringement have occurred, TAFE NSW Training and Education Support, Industry Skills Unit Orange and Granville extends an apology and invites copyright owners to contact them. Throughout this book, registered trademarks are indicated by an initial capital letter.

© TAFE NSW Training and Education Support, Industry Skills Unit Orange and Granville, 2012

Copyright of this material is reserved to TAFE NSW Training and Education Support, Industry Skills Unit Orange and Granville. Reproduction or transmittal in whole or part, other than for the purposes and subject to the provision of the Copyright Act, is prohibited without the written authority of TAFE NSW Training and Education Support, Industry Skills Unit Orange and Granville.

SAMPLE

Limited HeigHt ScaffoLding

© tafe nSW training and education Support, industry Skills Unit orange and granville 3

ContentSoVeRVIeW oF teXt 4

IntRoduCtIon to SCaFFoLdIng 5

SaFetY RuLeS FoR tHe PLaCeMent and uSe oF SCaFFoLdIng 7

SIte HaZaRd aSSeSSMent 8

PeRSonaL PRoteCtIVe eQuIPMent 12

LaddeR aCCeSS 13

SPeCIaL LaddeRS, PLatFoRMS and aCCeSSoRIeS 16

SCaFFoLd PLanKS 21

SCaFFoLd SYSteMS 24

unIt FRaMe 24

ModuLaR SCaFFoLd 25

eReCtIon PRoCeduRe FoR ModuLaR SCaFFoLd 26

LIgHtWeIgHt MoBILe SCaFFoLd 30

eReCtIon PRoCeduRe FoR LIgHtWeIgHt MoBILe SCaFFoLd 31

otHeR FoRMS oF LIgHtWeIgHt SCaFFoLd 35

SLendeRneSS RatIo 37

RaKeR SHoReS 38

gLoSSaRY oF teRMS 39

FuRtHeR ReadIng 40

SAMPLE



4

oVeRVIeW oF teXt This text introduces a variety of subject matter related to Building and Construction, at a basic level.

Basic scaffolding, for use on a residential site, to a maximum height of 4 metres is outlined to provide learners with the basic skills and knowledge to safely erect:

• modular,• lightweight mobile types.

Basic use of tube and coupler fittings will also be covered in relation to use as bracing, ties, barricades and/or shoring.

Safe use of ladders, trestles and accessories is covered in relation to limited height scaffolding.

This detail will provide learners with the basic skills and knowledge required to enter a Basic Scaffolders Certificate course.

Main references include:

AS 6001 - 1999 Working Platforms for Housing Construction, and

AS/NZS 1576.1 - 2010 Scaffolding - General Requirements.

A comprehensive ‘Glossary of Terms’ is included at the end of the text, which provides a detailed description of trade terms, technical content and some trade jargon.

SAMPLE



IntRoduCtIon to SCaFFoLdIng

deFInItIonScaffolding - is defined as a temporary structure, a temporary or permanent working or access platform(s), used for the purpose of conducting work activities.

Scaffolder - is a person engaged in the erection and dismantling of scaffolding.

The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act) and Work Health and Safety Regulations of Australia requires that any person who acts as a scaffolder must have been properly trained in the erection and dismantling processes of the type of scaffolding being used. It is also important that building industry workers, especially scaffolders and riggers, are able to work safely at heights. Some people have a great fear of heights, regardless of the safety equipment used, which is known as vertigo.

Physical fitness, a sober condition and general good health are important requirements for a person suited to this kind of work. In the past serious accidents have occurred due to one or more of these requirements not being met.

The authority charged with the responsibility of overseeing and enforcing regulations and safety requirements is the WorkCover Authority of NSW.

WHat (WHo) IS WoRKCoVeR?WorkCover is an organization of people whose prime responsibility is to promote the health, safety and welfare of people at work through the administration of:

• The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act) and Work Health and Safety Regulations 2000 and Regulation 2001;

• The Workers Compensation Act 1987;• The Workplace Injury Management & Workers Compensation Act 1998; and• Any associated legislation with the above.

WorkCover Inspectors

Inspectors have similar powers to that of the NSW Police Service with infringement notices having the same format, apart from the authorities name. Their prime function is to:

• provide advice and information on workplace health and safety issues;• investigate accidents and/or breeches of legislation;• respond to complaints in relation to health and safety matters;• resolve workplace health and safety disputes; and• audit health and safety systems.

SAMPLE



6

When workplaces fail to comply with WorkCover advice, and/or legislation, or where people are exposed to unnecessary risk(s), a WorkCover Inspector can:

• issue notices requiring employers to remedy unsafe or hazardous conditions within a specific time frame, known as a ‘PINS ‘ notice;

• issue notices which prohibit work from continuing until conditions are safe;• issue on the spot fines for non-compliance;• collect written and visual evidence of breaches and recommend prosecution for

serious breaches of the legislation; and also

The Inspector may visit any workplace at any time to check on the following:

• noise pollution;• confined spaces safety;• provision of safety for all people (including the general public) and property

(equipment etc.) ;• rejection of the use of defective equipment and plant. (scaffolding is classed as

plant.);• to ensure correct method and use of equipment is adopted in the workplace.

including the correct erection and dismantling procedures for scaffolding.)

Further information may be obtained by referring to the brochure available from WorkCover, i.e. ‘The role of a WorkCover Inspector’.

Also, reference should be made to AS/NZS 4576 - 1995 and other relevant publications, brochures or booklets published by WorkCover. These WorkCover publications set out general rules and recommended work practices, which are known as ‘Codes of Practice’.

WorkCover authority Requirements

• If the Scaffold is at a height from which a person or object could fall or be blown more than 4 metres, the person responsible for erecting the scaffolding must be the holder of a WorkCover ‘National Certificate of Competency’. People in training for this qualification may erect and dismantle scaffolding to allow them to gain experience, provided they are under the direct supervision of a qualified person.

• Evidence of training must be recorded in a trainee ‘log Book’, which is kept by the trainee, and must be filled in at the end of each training session with the endorsement of the Supervisor.

Note: Equipment suppliers share the responsibility with Principal employers, Engineers, Contractors and Supervisors to ensure correct training procedures and information is made available.

SAMPLE



Certification

There are 3 WorkCover qualifications based on the ‘National Certification’ system. Each qualification requires the trainee to be at least 18 years old and pass competency assessments. Certificate classes are as follows:

1. Basic Scaffolding; 2. Intermediate Scaffolding; and 3. Advanced Scaffolding.

Refer to AS/NZS 4576:1995 - Section 2 for further information relating to each qualification.

goLden RuLeS FoR tHe WoRKPLaCe1. It is the responsibility of all workers to ensure every possible measure is taken to allow themselves, fellow workers and any workplace visitors to return to their homes at the end of the day in the same safe condition as they arrived.

2. It is the responsibility of all authorised persons in or near the workplace to adhere to the workplace rules to ensure the safety of all others in that workplace.

3. It is essential that no unauthorised persons enter the workplace undetected or unsupervised as they may unwittingly put themselves or other persons at risk of injury. This may be achieved by fencing off areas, barricading , erecting warning signs and/or posting traffic control personnel at entrances.

SaFetY RuLeS FoR tHe PLaCeMent and uSe oF SCaFFoLdIng A scaffold must be:

1. SAFE by design, type and construction.

2. SAFE for access purposes.

3. SAFE so that no persons or objects can fall or blow from it.

4. SAFE so that any person can pass under or near it without being injured.

5. SAFE from damage by vehicles, vessels, cranes or hoists.

6. SAFE in its position from electrical wires, gases, explosives, chemicals, heat, nearby buildings or structures and is safe from collapse.

Note: Permits to erect scaffolding and hoardings may have to be obtained from Councils, Roads and Maritime Services, and the Police Service if using roadways and public places to load, unload and set up scaffolding.

Commonly used materials

Scaffolding main structure:

• Aluminium Tube 48 mm diameter wall thickness 4.5 mm• Steel Tube 48 mm diameter wall thickness 4 mm (Refer AS1576.3, AS1163 & AS1866)• Timber should be of adequate size and strength rating to Engineers details.

SAMPLE



8

SIte HaZaRd aSSeSSMent Sites should be assessed for hazards prior to the erection of scaffolding and should be continuously monitored to ensure that safe conditions are maintained.

Initial assessment should look for the following:

• possibility of scaffolders falling or dropping equipment;• proximity of power lines to the proposed location of the scaffold;• proximity of railway tracks to the proposed location of the scaffold;• proximity of gas mains, chemical dangers, explosive substances and the like to

the proposed location of the scaffold;• setting up of the scaffold on or near open trenches or areas were trenches have

been previous backfilled ;• areas likely to be excavated adjacent to the scaffold, whilst the scaffold is still in

place;• soft and boggy ground surfaces;• surfaces that may be affected by heat, e.g. Asphalt may become soft;• surfaces that may be affected by vibration;• surfaces that may be affected by abnormally wet conditions;• bearing capacity of load bearing surfaces;• how level the supporting surface is to evenly distribute the load;• preservation orders on trees, surfaces, etc. in the vicinity of the scaffolds’

construction;• demolition sites where the partial force of demolishing work may possibly be

transposed to the scaffold;• anticipated dust and debris emission from the works performed on and near the

scaffold.• the proximity to public places/traffic;• the loads to be imposed on the scaffolding during its use, including relative

weather loads• such as wind, snow, rain and ice, etc. on the ‘Shadecloth’ enclosure;• obstruction of access ways and thoroughfares ;• movement of vehicles, cranes, forklifts etc.;• corrosive substances in the area that may damage components and/or the

health of workers;• support needed to suspended surfaces prior to loading up and erection;• working over brittle surfaces;• interference with storage areas ; and• incorporated access ways through the scaffold such as walk ways, ladders, etc,.

SAMPLE



HaZaRd aSSeSSMent ManageMentAfter the hazards are assessed, a plan to control the risks has to be prepared and implemented to make the workplace safe. (Refer to AS/NZS 4576 - section 5 for further information.)

Hazard Management should address the following:

• eliminating or reducing the hazard;• warnings of potential hazards;• training personnel to control hazards;• traffic and pedestrian control; and• use of appropriate safety equipment.

HaZaRdouS SItuatIonSClimbing and Working at Heights.

Where it is necessary to climb and/or work at heights, the Construction Safety Act basically states that where there is any possibility that anyone could fall more than 1.8 metres, precautions must be taken so that no one will be exposed to that danger. (When the Consolidated Regulations are gazetted in the future it is expected that this distance will be changed to 2 metres, which also encompass lift distances on scaffolding).

All scaffolding at a height where a person or object could fall a distance of 2 metres or more must be fitted with approved handrails at 900 mm to 1000 mm above the deck, mid rails at 500 mm above the deck and toe boards of a height of at least 150 mm above the deck, which sit on the deck.

These regulations are to be adopted as minimum requirements.

Note: Special purpose brick guards or other alternatives are also available.

Where the side of the scaffold is closer to a wall than the width of a scaffold plank guardrails may not be required on the wall side of the scaffold.

Fig. 1 Protected scaffold work platform

SAMPLE



10

Working close to openingsGuardrails are required on all floors, ramps, platforms, landings, workplaces, stairs, stairways stairway landings where a person could fall a distance of 1.8 metres or more and around holes or excavations exceeding 1.5 metres in depth.

Excavations will also need special shoring to guard against collapse of the sides, before work is carried out in the excavation.

Fig. 2 Guard rail for an open excavation.

Proximity to Power Lines

Fig. 3 – Proximity to power lines

SAMPLE



A 4 metre approach distance applies in any direction where metallic scaffold is erected, used or dismantled near overhead power lines.

• Where low voltage overhead powerlines (up to and including 1000 volts) cannot be de-energised and isolated, ‘tiger tails’ should be provided and installed by the network operator for the full length of the scaffolding plus a minimum distance beyond each end of the scaffolding of 5 metres. A competent person should visually inspect the tiger tails each day prior to commencing scaffolding operations. If the tiger tails have moved or been damaged the network operator must be contacted to ensure the tiger tails are replaced or located in the correct position.

Note: Tiger tails may be used to provide a useful visual indication to people working in the area of overhead power lines. They should not be regarded as providing protection against mechanical interference nor should they be regarded as providing electrical protection from electrical hazards.

• Electrical wires or apparatus that pass through a scaffold must be de-energised or fully enclosed to the requirements of the network operator. These requirements must incorporate full enclosure of the wires or electrical apparatus by a non- conductive material such as moisture resistant flooring – grade particle board, dry timber, dry plywood or similar dry non-conductive material as approved by the network operator

• To prevent a person or anything held by a person, or attached to the person, coming closer than the 4 metre approach distance the network operator may require the erection of a hoarding on the external face of the scaffolding and, if applicable a suitable enclosure on the internal side of the scaffold.

SAMPLE



12

PeRSonaL PRoteCtIVe eQuIPMent All personal protective equipment must comply with the relevant Australian Standards and be suitable for use on scaffolding.

Safety helmets

They must be worn at all times while scaffolding work is being carried out.

They should be fitted with chin straps to prevent the helmet falling off, as scaffolding work requires the scaffolder to lean over to carry out the work.

The date stamp on the helmet should be checked for currency as helmets should be replaced after two years if they have been exposed to ultraviolet light or at least tested for soundness as per AS1801.

Paints, felt-tipped markers and stickers should not be used as the solvents they contain will affect the strength of the helmet.

Fig. 4 Safety helmet

Safety belts

They should be fitted with frogs or tool holders to allow the scaffolder to carry the essential tools required for general scaffolding work.

Safety footwearWhile working at ground level, the scaffolder must wear safety boots or shoes, which are usually fitted with steel caps. When working aloft the scaffolder should wear non-slip foot-wear which are flexible enough to allow the soles to grip on uneven surfaces.

eye protectionSafety glasses or goggles should be worn when driving steel pins or wedges on the scaf-fold to protect the eyes from small pieces of metal, which may fly off and cause serious eye injury.

RespiratorsSingle or twin cartridge types fitted with appropriate dust or vapour filters should be worn when working on scaffolds where respiratory problems may occur, especially during demo-lition work.

ear protectionEar muffs or plugs should be worn to protect the ears from the constant high pitched noise of steel hitting steel during the erection process.

glovesGloves similar to ‘Riggers gloves’ are suitable to protect the hands from abrasive, sharp, hot or extremely cold and icy conditions.

SAMPLE

Documents

SAMPLE - VETRes · Basic Scaffolders Certificate course. Main references include: AS 6001 - 1999 Working Platforms for Housing Construction, and AS/NZS 1576.1 - 2010 Scaffolding -