GRASFM72 - Scaffold Planning and Installation Checklist

A Handover Certificate must be provided by Scaffold Company which includes the following:

•    Name and address of the person ordering the scaffold
•    Name and address of the Company that erected or altered the scaffold
•    Address and location of the scaffold
•    Type of scaffold 
•    Size of the scaffold
•    Duty loadings applicable to the scaffold
•    Max number of platforms that can be loaded or worked from at any one time
•    Intended purposes of the scaffold
•    Date and time of handover
•    Confirmation that the scaffold conforms with any design specifications or supplier’s information and suitable for its intended tasks

A scaffolding inspection tag (such as a Scafftag) must be completed and displayed on the scaffold 

A SWMS must be provided by the Scaffolding Company that covers the erection, USE and dismantling of the scaffold, and includes controls for the below hazards:

**SWMS must be kept on site at all times and signed onto by Scaffolders AND all workers accessing the scaffold**

• PPE required
• Engaging in the erection and dismantling of a scaffold or access equipment
• Falls from height – of scaffolders and workers using the scaffold – consider:
  • Advice on safe means of access (e.g. warning against descending in a forward direction) from minor scaffolds provided with run or step access
  • Guard rails
• Falling objects – protecting the scaffolders, public and other workers – consider:

• kick boards
• containment mesh
• drop zones

• Proximity to power lines
  • No go zones, permits, unconducive material near lines etc
• Movement of cranes, vehicles, and machinery
• Weak or unstable supporting structures or unsuitable ground conditions
• High winds and storms
• Stacking of equipment in unstable conditions
• Unauthorised access
• Overloading scaffold

Entry and exit

Inspections

Scaffolds must be inspected at a max of 30 days, or after any repair or incident (such as a weather event) and recorded on the Scafftag

Mobile Scaffolds (on castors)

Mobile scaffolds generally must not be used, except under special circumstances

If used, the following must be ensured:

• the supporting surface is hard and flat
• the area of operation is free of overhead electric lines and other hazards
• ground/floor penetrations are covered

Are the caster wheel locks in working order? They should be locked at all times except during movement of the scaffold

Supporting structures

If installing the scaffold on rooftops, verandas, suspended flooring systems, parapets or awnings/hoardings, the capability of these structures must be able to bear the most adverse combination of loads possible when erecting and using the scaffold.

This should be assessed by a competent person/professional.

Loading – Working Load Limit (WLL)

The scaffold WLL must be enough for the dead load of the scaffold (all scaffold components and attachments) and all possible live loads (i.e. weight of all persons, tools and equipment)

Falling objects

If an acceptable drop zone can’t be set up around the scaffold, containment mesh must be installed

• Toeboards and kickplates should be installed on working platforms, have a minimum height above the platform of 150cm and a maximum gap to the platform of 100mm
• The gap between inner edge of platform and building structure should not be over 225mm

Scaffold planks must be lashed down or removed each day (or be corrugated steel planks)

Falls from height

• Guardrails and midrails should be supported at intervals not exceeding 3m (parallel to the platform and not exceeding 100mm from outside the platform edge).
• The guardrail should not be less than 900mm and no more than 1100mm above the platform
• The midrail should be positioned so that the maximum vertical gap between guardrail, midrail and toeboard does not exceed 500mm

Stability

The scaffold must be structurally stable. The below should be considered if necessary, to improve stability.

• adequate bracing must be in place (according to scaffold plan)
• tie in the scaffold to a supporting structure
• guying to a supporting structure
• increasing the dead load by securely attaching counterweights near the base
• adding bays to increase the base dimension.

If on rooftop, scaffold must be firmly secured to the structure– planners to check this will be put in place

Foundations

• Ground conditions should be stable and those doing the scaffolding work should be aware of any factors that may affect ground stability before the scaffold is erected or during its use.
• Water and nearby excavations may lead to ground subsidence and the collapse of a scaffold.
• If ground is not level screw jacks should be used to compensate
• Both soleboards and baseplates will be required for use on less stable surfaces, such as soil, gravel or fill
• Baseplates should not protrude over edge of soleboard

Unauthorised access

Barriers and warning signs should be in place to prevent unauthorised access when the scaffold is left unattended (these must be on the scaffold structure itself) i.e., scaffold ladder removal

Environmental conditions

• Windy or stormy conditions must be taken into consideration – especially for scaffold on rooftops.
• Scaffolds must be secured and not at risk of becoming unsecure especially when not in use.
• In high wind areas or during stormy conditions, Scaffold planks must be lashed down or removed each day, secured to the scaffold structure OR steel work planks used.
• If unsure of stability of scaffold after a weather event then the PICW must ensure that the scaffold company inspects the scaffold before the scaffold can be accessed.