Method Statement for Scaffolding Installation

I. Description

This method statement for scaffolding installation defines the sequence and describes the HSE & quality control procedures to be followed for the erection and dismantling of the scaffolding.

What will be implemented here is the cuplock scaffolding type which is a multifunctional modular steel pipe scaffolding system. A cuplock system scaffold has a broad application and development prospect worldwide in comparison with the traditional pipe & couplers scaffold.
The node joint structure with the easy and quick installation process enables it to be used in a wide range of construction applications, which can meet construction requirements for houses, bridges, tunnels, chimneys, and water towers, etc.

What is scaffolding work?

Scaffolding work is erecting, modifying, or dismantling a temporary structure that supports a platform from which a person or object could fall from the platform or the structure.

Definitions

QC Quality Control
PM Project Manager
HSE – Health, Safety & Environmental
CEMP Construction Environmental Management Plan
MST-Method Statement
RA-Risk Assessment
PPE-Personal Protective Equipment

References

Project Specifications
HSE Plan
CEMP
General Lifting Plan

Responsibilities

Project Manager

Responsible for accomplishing the stated project objectives which include creating clear and attainable project objectives, building the project requirements, and managing the constraints of the project management triangle, which are cost, time, scope, and quality.
The Project Manager shall be responsible for ensuring that the Project Quality Plan and the Inspection and Testing procedures, method statement for scaffolding installation, HSE safety, and all contractual documentation are
maintained up-to-date and accessible to all parties.

Construction Manager

Responsible for overall construction activities ensuring that all method statements, quality, and safety procedures are implemented and required approval permits are obtained.

Site Engineer

Supervise operations in accordance with the approved method statement for scaffolding installation, shop drawings, specifications, material submittals, and schedules to achieve the acceptance of the project deliverables.

Lifting Manager/Lifting Supervisor

Supervise closely, the activities designated to them and ensure that all instructions and safety procedures are followed and strictly adhered to.
Responsible for all lifting operations on site are carried out in a safe manner.
Responsible for preparing, securing, and communicating Lifting Permit, Lifting Plan/Calculation Sheet, Pre-Lift Checklist to all his crew.

HSE Manager

The Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) manager generally plans, coordinates, and implements issues and directives within the organization.
He ensures safe environmental working conditions for all employees.

HSE Engineer

Ensure enforcement of safety procedures in accordance with the approved HSE Plan.
He will be closely monitoring the site engineer’s strict implementation of the method statement for scaffolding and Risk Assessment, the use of proper tools and equipment to maintain safety, certifications of equipment and their adherence to safety regulations, reporting of any unsafe work or stopping work that does not comply with HSE procedures.

Scaffolding Supervisor

Ensuring safe access is provided for scaffolders to work.

Ensuring that all his Foremen, Team Leaders, and workers are conforming to site safety regulations and are Third Party Certified (TPC).

Ensuring that all scaffolds are erected according to site scaffold procedures.

Ensuring that scaffold schedules are met and still working within the site safety regulations.

Ensuring that material and workers are available to meet the site scaffolding requirements.

Ensuring that all documentation has adhered to Tool Box Talks, Harness Inspection, Site Request System, Scaffolding Tagging System, and Safety reports.

The scaffolding supervisor will inspect all the scaffold materials ensuring that all the tubing and fittings are free of corrosion and in good condition. 

Scaffolding Inspectors

Upon notification from the supervisor that the scaffold is complete, he will then inspect the scaffold at all working levels.

When satisfied; issue and sign scaffold-tag whilst ensuring full compliance with the procedure of inspected scaffold structure.

Update and conduct re-inspection after 7 days, whenever any modification work is carried out or after any adverse weather conditions.

Adhere to the written handover procedures and maintain good communication with the scaffolding supervisor at all times.

Scaffolding Foreman

To be a qualified and competent person available to oversee scaffolding activities under his jurisdiction.

Identify and inform the concerned supervisor/manager of those scaffolds that require special design or erection techniques.

Ordering, handling, storing, disposal, and overall management of scaffold material, quarantine if necessary.

Identifying scaffold material needs.

Ensuring that the scaffolds are erected completely and in a safe manner.

Ensuring the appropriate tag is attached and signed off to each scaffold.

Ensuring scaffold builders are adequately trained for their assigned tasks.

Assign manpower allocation and ensure that crews meet production expectations.

Scaffolding Team Leader (Charge Hand)

Leading the team of scaffolders.

Estimating material required for the job.

Ensuring safe procedures and jobs are carried out as per Job Safety Analysis (JSA).

Ensuring all PPEs are used.

Erection and dismantling of scaffolding as per project standard requirement.

Checking the quality of utilized scaffolding material (tubes, planks, clamps, etc.).

Carry out the measurement of erected scaffolding.

Guiding and supervising scaffolders.

Proper storage and transportation of scaffolding materials within the site.

Submission of daily/weekly/monthly reports for scaffolding activities as required by the site supervisor.

II. Resources

1. Plant and Equipment
   
   Mobile Crane with complete Lifting Accessories
   Trailer Truck -Transporting of Materials
2. Workforce

Site Engineer
Lifting Supervisor
Scaffolding Supervisor
Scaffolding Inspector
Scaffolding Foreman
HSE Engineer
Erector-as per site requirement
Equipment Operators
Riggers
Banksman 1 for each Equipment

3. Light Tools
   
   Hand Tools
   Scaffold Spanners
   Adjustable Wrenches
   Hammer
   Spirit Level
   Meter Tape
   Power Tools As per Site Requirement For Construction

III. Materials

Approved Scaffold Materials-Cuplock
Scaffolding material accessories

IV. Site Planning

The duration of work is indeterminate but will not critically affect the progress of the project.

a. Preparation

Permits from the concerned authorities shall be obtained prior to starting work at the site.

The contractor shall ensure that all gate passes, permits, tools, materials for safety precautions, manpower, and equipment are available before the commencement of work.

The site team shall make sure that areas, where scaffolding erection is taking place, shall be fully isolated and barricaded to prevent the entry of unauthorized personnel.

b. Site Clearance

Before commencing the work, the area shall be cleared of all debris, materials, or other obstructions.

The ground shall be leveled and compacted.

The area of work shall be free from any other activities.

c. Traffic Management

The site team with the assistance of the safety officers and scaffolding supervisor shall coordinate logistics and materials movement through the site following the direction and road signs displayed on site. The required diversion routes shall be marked on drawings including the required traffic signs.

The Work Permits and Operator Certificates shall be compiled and filed for reference by authorized personnel.

d. Pre-construction Safety Meetings

The meeting shall be scheduled prior to the beginning of the work and before any subcontractor starts on the project.

General contractual health safety, and environmental requirements.

Traffic safety will be discussed to emphasize these meetings.

Roles of the contractor, subcontractors, authorized representatives, and all project workers.

Accident reporting requirements.

Specific details of the work to be performed along with the use of personal protective equipment.

Emergency procedure.

V General Requirements-Method Statement for Scaffolding

1. In general, the work sequence shall be done as per approved shop drawings.
2. A necessary permit to work shall be issued prior to commencing work at the site.
3. The quality and quantity of all materials to be used shall be carefully checked prior to use on-site.
4. Check for verticality of uprights to check compliance with the manufacturer’s declared dimensional tolerance, welding of prefabricated system, and painted or galvanized surface protection.
5. Arrange for all parts of the scaffolding to be periodically examined to ensure that all is in working order.
6. A compulsory check of the scaffolding soundness must be carried out after each major climatic event. This can also include materials that have not yet been erected.
7. Works will commence by barricading the scaffolding area and sufficient warning signs will be installed.
8. All scaffolding workers shall have Third Party Certificates.
9. All PPE equipment required by law and by site regulations shall be available at the work site and utilized at all times by the workers.
11. Only inspected and approved erected scaffolds are allowed to be used.

V.1 Component Connection

1. Blade ends of horizontal members (ledgers or transoms) are located in the bottom cup. The top cut is then slid down over the top of the blades and rotated until it engages the locking bar.
2. The top cup is tightened by striking its lugs with a scaffold hammer. The inclined spiral top edge of the top cup acts against a fixed locking bar on the standard to wedge the top cup tightly around the blades providing a positive and firm connection.

V.2 Cuplock Assembly Recommendations

Before commencing the erection of any cuplock scaffold, care should be taken to check that the ground is suitable and clear of loose rubble to provide a stable base and clear access for erection. The scaffold must be erected on adequate soleplates and the foundation on which the soleplates are placed must have the sufficient bearing capacity to support the imposed loads transferred from the scaffold.

As a general rule, each soleplate should be long enough so that it supports at least two standards. Bricks or masonry blocks are not suitable and must not be used. Refer to Figure 1.

Check whether or not platform brackets are required adjacent to the workface. If so, you will need to make allowance for the width of the platform brackets and increase the distance between the workface and the closest adjacent standard to the workface.

Commence erection – where possible – on the highest point of the ground and work down the incline – this will make leveling easier as the scaffolding progresses.
Set the nut on the first adjustable bases to close to the bottom of the stem to allow maximum adjustment as the scaffold progresses to lower levels. Refer to Figure 2.

If the scaffold is founded on sloping ground, then the ground should be benched to provide a level surface for soleplates. If the scaffold is founded on a sloping solid foundation, e.g. concrete, then adjustable bases should be wedged.

Layout the adjustable bases, ledgers, and transoms for the first bay in their approximate positions. Then insert an adjustable base into each of the first pair of standards and position the adjustable bases onto the sole plates. Refer Figure 3.

Connect the standards with a transom in the lowest cup joint, by inserting the blades into the bottom cups. Approximately level the transom by raising or lowering the adjustable base. Always start the scaffold with a 3 meter standard on the outside face and a 2-meter standard on the inside. Refer to Figure 4. Do not tighten top cups – yet.

With one erector still holding the first pair of standards, the second erector inserts an adjustable base into the third standard and connects it to the first pair with a ledger. The top cups can then be dropped temporarily into the locking position. The structure is now self-supporting and the fourth standard can now be connected by a further ledger and Transom and the bay level. Refer Figure 5.

The bay can now be leveled. Starting from the highest point using a spirit level to adjust the bases so that the ledgers and transoms are levels. Accuracy in leveling at this stage makes for a good start. Refer Figure 6. Do not tighten top cups–yet.

The bay should now be squared in plan and correctly located in relation to the structures being scaffolded. Check squareness across the diagonally opposite standards. Checking squareness is assisted by placing the recommended number of planks between transoms and ensuring that planks sit correctly with an even gap between the ends of the Planks and the supporting transom. Refer Figure 7.

If the standards are moved an appreciable distance in the squaring up process, then recheck the levels. Refer to Figure 8.

Fix a diagonal brace to the outer face and end face of the first bay. Always start by fixing the top end of the brace to the upper cup first: this makes for safer handling. The first bay of cuplock is completed by locating the upper ledgers and transoms. Top cups can now be tightened in this first bay. No need for heavy hammering.

Now it is a simple matter to extend the scaffold structure by connecting ledgers, transoms, and standards to the existing bay checking the alignment of the standards as the scaffold progresses.

The working platform can now be constructed using scaffold planks such as decking and toeboards. Refer Figure 9. Planks are supported by the flanges of transoms and toeboards are attached to standards using toeboard clamps.

Now complete the base layout by adding bays horizontally leveling and positioning each bay as you go before tightening cups. Continue the 2m and 3m standard combinations for the full run. Refer Figure 10.

Note: Erection and dismantling of scaffold bays should be carried out from a fully decked working platform or as required by the Code of Practice published by local statutory authorities. Refer to local statutory regulations for further requirements.

Planks are now moved up to fully deck out the first lift. Refer to Figure 11 & 12.

When their planks remain in place as a working platform, Ledgers are positioned at 0.5m and 1m above the planked level to form a guardrail and mid-rail on the outer face. For working platforms, toeboards on the outer face are also required. A mesh panel that incorporates a toeboard 1m high can be used in lieu of a mid-rail or toeboard.

Additional lifts can now be constructed by adding further standards into spigots of the standards of the lower lift and staggering joints wherever possible. Transoms and ledgers are placed at platform levels. Refer to Figure 13.

Working levels should be fully decked out and the outside face fitted with guardrails, mid-rails, and toeboards (or mesh guards) at the required positions.
Fully complete the longitudinal erection of a lift before progressing to the next lift.

Face Bracing
All scaffolds require a certain amount of diagonal face bracing to eliminate any tendency for the scaffold to distort or sway.
Before the scaffold goes beyond the second lift, bracing should be added to the outside face and on the ends. Braces attach to the outward-facing of the cup of the standard.
Further bracing must be placed on the scaffold as it progresses in length and height.
Braces should span from lift level to lift level and cross over joints in standards and be positioned all the way to the top of the scaffold. Refer to Figure 14.

Diagonal braces provide stability to the scaffold and are used to brace adjacent standards longitudinally or transversely. Face diagonal braces are positioned in the end bays of a scaffold run on the external face of the scaffold. They extend from the first cup near ground level to the top working level.

They are typically arranged in an alternating (zig-zag) manner to provide more stability to the scaffold. For scaffold runs exceeding 5 bays in length, intermediate bracing is required where a maximum of 3 bays can be left unbraced. Variations to this spacing must be checked by the appropriate designer and specified in the design layout.

End diagonal braces are used between the end pairs of standards in the transverse direction.
They extend from the first cup near ground level to the top working level in an alternating manner.

Ties
It is essential that scaffolds be tied to the building or suitable structure to resist a minimum design force to prevent inwards or outwards movement of the scaffold. As such, they provide stability and enable effective performance of the scaffold structure as it grows in height and length.

As a general rule, ties need to commence where the scaffold height exceeds 3 times its least width. Typically ties comprise scaffold tubes and right-angle scaffold couplers are connected to the standards using right-angled scaffold couplers. Care must be taken that ties do not obstruct clear access along the full length of the working and access platforms.
The scaffold must not be built to allow it to cantilever more than 4m without cladding beyond the last level of ties (refer to Figure 20).

Note: In the example shown, tie tubes are not connected directly to standards but to horizontal tubes spanning between standards, as shown in Figure 18.

Note: Where it is not possible to use the typical tie configurations, other tie methods are available.

Warning: Tie tubes must not be attached to ledgers. Tie tubes must be attached directly to standards, if this is not possible then the scaffold tube must be fixed between standards with right-angled couplers, and the tie tube is attached to this scaffold tube.

Tie Configuration

Figure 20 shows an example of a staggered tie configuration for scaffolding assembled with 2m lifts and without any cladding, such as shade cloth or other semi or nonporous material. Ties are installed at no more than 3 bays apart for a maximum bay length of 2.44 m in the longitudinal direction and 2 bays apart for bay lengths of 3.05 m.
Ties should have a 4 m overlap in the vertical direction. Cladding the scaffold will cause wind loads to increase and tie spacings may need to reduce accordingly.

Tying to standards

Ties tubes must be connected to standards and be parallel to transoms at a position adjacent to the junction of the transom and ledgers, with the following restrictions:

a) Within 300mm from the underside of the cup at the junction – connected to the front standard with the addition of a check coupler.

b) Further than 300mm from the underside of the cup at the junction – tie connected to both front and read standards.

c) If unable to connect to two standards then reinforce the front standard for the full height of the lift with a scaffold tube and swivel couplers with couplers attached at 900mm centers.

d) If tying is to a standard with a spigot within the lift then the standard needs to be reinforced using a vertical tube or alternatively, if space permits, by installing an extra transom adjacent to the joint.

Note:

The 300mm distance given in (a), (b), and (c) may need to be reduced, subject to the amount of tie force.

Maximum Height of Scaffold
When determining the maximum height of a scaffold, a number of factors must be considered.

• Live a load of working platforms, for example, heavy-duty, medium-duty, or light-duty.
• A number of working platforms.
• Live load of platform brackets.
• A dead load of the scaffold, for example, standards, transoms, ledgers, guardrails, mesh guards, platform brackets, planks, bracing, shade cloth, and chain wire mesh.
• The position of the top tie in relation to the top of the scaffold.
• Wind Loading (in relation to tie forces)
• Strength of the supporting structure of the scaffold.

Scaffolding configurations can vary greatly, so far a Cuplock scaffold or typically 1.27m wide, constructed using 2m lifts, braced and tied in accordance with patterns given in these recommendations, without cladding, with a maximum of two heavy-duty working platform levels (6.6kN as per AS4576 and AS/NZS1576.1), two levels of planks and platform brackets, guardrails at the outside face at 1m vertical spacing for the full height of scaffold, diagonal bracing for full height, the maximum height of the scaffold constructed with bay lengths of 3.05m or less is 45m.

Note: Any additional equipment such as additional planked levels, working platforms, platform brackets, and spurs of the like will increase leg load and hence reduce the maximum height of the scaffold. Therefore, where assessment shows that the scaffold configuration exceeds the above conditions.

16. Access and Egress Methods
    Every working platform level must be provided with safe and suitable access. This can be achieved by means of a heavy-duty built-in ladder or stair access tower or by direct access from within the building or structure. Stair access can be constructed with either aluminum stair units or steel stair stringers as outlined on the following pages:

i. Ladder Access
Ladder access is typically used where only a few persons need access to the working platform and where tools and equipment can be delivered separately to the working platform (such as by rope and gin wheel, materials hoist, or crane).

Ladder access bays can be constructed within the main run of the scaffold, however, where space permits it is preferable that a separate ladder access bay be placed adjacent to the main run.

Heavy-duty single ladders need to extend at least 0.9m above the landing level, secured at the top and base and successive landing levels should be vertically spaced at no more than 6m. Pitch ladders at a horizontal to vertical slope of not less than 1 to 4 or more than 1 to 6.

Heavy-duty cuplock ladder access transoms are used to enable the formation of an opening within the deck through which the ladder can pass. These transoms span between ledgers and are typically positioned at the mid-span of the ledgers or at the appropriate position to support two shorter-length planks. The remaining bay width is decked out with planks that span between transoms in an unusual manner.

Important: Ensure that guarding and edge protection is installed around the opening in heavy-duty ladder access bays that are in or beside the working platform.

Safe access must be installed up to the first platform and between platforms on the scaffold.

ii. Cuplock Stair Access Systems
Two types of stair access systems are available with Cuplock:

Cuplock Aluminum Stairs

Cuplock Stair Stringer System

a) Cuplock Aluminum Stair

Cuplock aluminum stair unit fits within the standard 1.27m x 2.44m bay. Each stair unit is 0.6m wide and rises 1.5m over the bay length of 2.44, and incorporates a landing at the top and base of the unit. A 1.27m x 2.44m bay needs to be dedicated as the stair access bay.

This bay can either be incorporated within the main run of the scaffold or adjacent to the run. The stair access bay typically shares common standards with the main run, however, this detail needs to be checked during the scaffold design phase as height conditions and wind loading can vary from site to site.

The stair access tower should be constructed with 2.44m ledgers and 1.27m transoms at 1.5m vertical intervals and position the stair unit adjacent to the standard. Note that stair landings need to be adjacent to access/egress landing points at the working platform.

Install ledgers at 0.5m and 1.0m above the landing level in both transverse and longitudinal directions to act as mid-rails and guardrails respectively. Ledgers can be installed at 0.5m intervals on the exposed faces of the bay for the full height of the bay.

Install the second stair unit such that its bottom landing commences from the transom that supports the top landing of the lower stair unit. A zigzag pattern of stairs should now be established.

Where it is necessary to construct stair access as a bay independent of the scaffold, then ensure that the stair access bay is adequately braced and tied to the main scaffold or other support structure.

Subject to the space required to handle the stair units within the bay during installation, the stair handrails are to be installed at the earliest opportunity. The handrails bolt to the stair unit with M12 x 50 long bolts and nuts. The handrail should be bolted through the holes provided to the inside face of the stringer part of the stair units. Holes are located towards the top and bottom of the stair unit.

Continue to build the scaffold tower framework so that the last level of ledgers is 2 meters apart from the top landing of the uppermost stair unit. Once the uppermost stair unit is installed, a trimming standard will need to be installed between the ledgers at 2m above the top stair landing and the Ledger adjacent to the uppermost stair landing and positioned to be 0.6m away from the corner standard next to the intended opening.

The 1.8m ledgers are then attached between the trimming standard and the corner standard to give a 0.6m opening to the working platform. Planks can be installed to occupy the gap between the edge of the stair unit at the top landing and the edge of the bay.

Note:

Edge protection (guardrails, mid-rails, and toeboards) is required at access and egress points of working platform.

Design Basis for Edge Protection for the Method Statement for Scaffolding–

Temporary edge protection must meet the strength requirements for guardrails and mid-rails as per project specifications.

Care is to be taken to ensure that a head clearance of 2m is maintained at these points.

Gaps between the stair access landing and working platform levels may occur and these should be kept to a minimum. A suitable infill should be installed.

b) Cuplock Stair Stringers

Typically, a 12 standard configuration is used to assemble the stairway giving overall plan dimensions of 2.54m x 4.98m. This bay can either be incorporated within the main run of the scaffold or adjacent to the run. Where the stair access bay shares common standards with the main run, the loading on the shared standards needs to be checked
during the scaffold design phase as height conditions and wind, loading can vary from site to site and may limit the height of the stair access bay.

Cuplock stair stringers are designed to fit within the standard 1.27m x 2.44m bay and are often used as a stretcher stair access bay. Each stair stringer assembly is nominally 1.27 m wide and rises 2.0 m over the bay length of 2.44m.

The 12 standard configurations are based on the position required and the first 2m lift is erected so that stair stringers can be installed. Ensure that transoms and ledgers are in the correct positions as shown on the plan and elevation views, as this will avoid clashes between components.

Each end of the stair stringer is hooked over 1.3m ledgers positioned at the top of each 2m lift. Once hooked over the ledgers, stair stringers are then moved to within 0.15 of the standard so that they are approximately 1.0m apart. Using the clamps incorporated in the stair stringer, cuplock planks are clamped between the two stair stringers thus forming the stair treads.

Once the stair stringers are installed, Landings for the stair access are assembled within the 1.27m square bays at each end of the stair stringer bays using cuplock 1.27m planks supported between transoms. Once landings are in place the next lift can be installed making sure guardrail and mid rails are installed at 1.0 and 0.5m above landing levels as each lift is assembled. Standard 3.2m face braces (2.44m x 2.0m) are installed as handrails at approx. 0.5m and 1.0m above the stair stringer.

Continue building the stair access bay making sure that each end of the bay is tied into a suitable structure at no more than 4.0m vertical intervals.

Note:

Edge protection (guardrails, mid-rails, and toeboards) is required at access and egress points of the working platform.

Care is to be taken to ensure that a head clearance of 2m is maintained at these points.

Gaps between the stair access landing and working platform levels may occur and these should be kept to a minimum.

A suitable infill should be installed.

17. Platform (‘Hop Up’) Brackets
    
    Platform brackets (also known as hop-up brackets) are used to enable a platform to be placed between the scaffold and the building or structure and are therefore attached to the standard closest to that workface. Widths vary from one to three planks wide.
    Platform brackets are usually installed such that they provide a platform at the same level as the working platform or 500mm below the work platform. The outer edge of the platform provided by the platform brackets must be within 225mm from the workface.
    When installing platform brackets, make sure that they are interconnected with a tie bar and that the open side of the tie bar angle faces inwards, enabling the steel plank to sit in the angle. This prevents accidental dislodgment of the tie bar.
    Corner brackets are also available to enable the continuity of platform brackets around the internal corners of buildings. These units are attached to the standard and connect to adjacent platform brackets.

Cuplock Plank Arrangement
The diagrams below show typical plank quantities for various bay widths. Various combinations of bay width and platform bracket size are achievable, however, care must be taken to ensure that the combination does not adversely affect the stability of the scaffold.

18. Configurations of Corner Platforms
    Figure 26 below shows a plan view of the various sizes of corner platforms. Tie bars, which are used to interconnect platform brackets, are also used to interconnect ends of corner platforms to each other or to adjacent working platform brackets. In the diagrams below, tie bars and planks are not shown for clarity.

V.3 Dismantling

Care must be taken when dismantling scaffolds as the stability of the scaffold shall be maintained at all times.

After the removal of materials and equipment from the working platforms, dismantle the scaffolding generally in the reverse order of the erection sequence.

Avoid accidents and damaging material by appropriately lowering materials and not dropping them when dismantling.

Removal of ties to the permanent structure should progress at the same rate as the dismantling process.

Do not remove ties until the dismantling of the scaffold reaches the level of the ties.

Do not remove diagonal braces until it is necessary to remove the standard to which it is attached.

Ledgers should not be removed from any working level before the removal of scaffold planks from the same level.

Localized overloading by stacking dismantled equipment on a partially dismantled scaffold shall be avoided.

Stack materials neatly in the appropriate stillages or on pallets.

Prior to the dismantling of scaffolding that is taking place, and also during the dismantling process, the following safety precautions must be followed: The Scaffold tag must switch between “Complete” condition in order to change it to “Incomplete” state. The area below ground is to be fenced off for general use and the sign that says “Danger Men Working Above”.

V.4 Transportation

Loose items are to be stacked in stillages and secured in such a way that they are able to be contained within the vehicle during transport.

Materials are to be secured for transport in such a way that the securing process (stacking, strapping, and tying down) does not damage or deform them.

Care must be taken during unloading such that release and removal of load restraints do not allow the materials to fall out of their containment or stillages to fall off the transport.

V.5 Storage

Materials are to be stored in stillages and on pallets as appropriate and in a manner that prevents damage.

Avoid injury and damage to materials by taking care when releasing strapping such that materials do not fall out of their containment.

Components must not be stacked higher than the top of the stillage to enable proper stacking.

V.6 Maintenance

Any damaged scaffold component shall not be used and removed from the site.

Protection by means of rust removal and surface repainting or re-galvanizing shall be done whenever needed.

V.7 Number of Working Platforms

The maximum number of working platform levels with a bay is two. A bay is typically “the enclosed spaced between four standards” and this space extends from the ground to the top working platform for the full height of the scaffold.

V.8 Scaffold Safety Rules

The following are some common-sense rules designed to promote safety in the use of scaffolding. These rules do not purport to be all-inclusive or to supplant or replace other additional safety and precautionary measures. They are not intended to conflict with or supersede the requirements of statutory or government regulations; references to such specific authorities should be made by the user.

Inspect all equipment before use. Never use any equipment that is damaged or deteriorated in any way. If in doubt contact your supplier.

Ensure that personnel erecting, altering, or dismantling the scaffold are certified to the appropriate level.

Inspect erected scaffolds regularly to ensure that they are maintained in a safe condition.

Always check foundations and use adequate soleplates. Foundations for a scaffold shall have adequate bearing capacity to carry imposed loads.

Use adjustable bases instead of packing to adjust uneven grade conditions.

When scaffolds are to be partially or fully enclosed, specific precautions must be taken to check the frequency and adequacy of ties attacking the building due to increased load conditions resulting from the effects of wind and rain. The scaffolding components to which the ties are attached must also be checked for additional loads.

Equip all planked or working levels with proper edge protection (guardrails, mid-rails, and toeboards or guardrails and mesh guards) along all open sides and ends of scaffold platforms.

Ensure that the buildup of debris on working or access platforms is removed.

Power lines near scaffolds are dangerous – use caution and consult the power authorities and local Regulatory Authorities for advice and local requirements.

Do not use ladders or makeshift devices on top of scaffolds or place planks on guardrails/mid-rails to gain extra height.

Do not overload scaffolds.

Planking

a) Use cuplock steel planks wherever possible.
b) Timber scaffold planks may be used if intermediate putlogs are attached to cuplock ledgers on either side of the standards to provide adequate support within plank span limit requirements. Timber planks must be provided with intermediate supports between cuplock transoms.

Adjustable bases when fully extended shall have a minimum engagement of 150mm length of the spindle remaining inside the standard tube. In any case, the maximum extension from the baseplate to the bottom of the standard shall not exceed 450mm.

Connections between components should be firmly secured.

All scaffolding and accessories shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Important! Always ensure that any joints in standards are below the transom position.
Under no circumstances are guardrails to be attached to a standard cantilevering from a joint above the platform level.
When a scaffold has been completely erected it must be fully inspected by a qualified scaffolder and a handover certificate issued to the user verifying the scaffold is complete and safe to use.

VI. Risk Assessment-Method Statement for Scaffolding

Please refer to the attached document in Appendix A.

VII. Permit and Licensing Requirements

Refer to Appendix B for Permit to Work.

VIII. Drawings, Diagrams, Maps, and Survey Data

Shop Drawings will be submitted for approval.

IX. Pre-Start Safety Briefing Arrangements

Refer to Risk Assessment in Appendix A.

X. Environment and Quality Issues

1. Precautionary Measure
   All precautionary measures shall be briefed to all workers prior to commencing activity.
2. Disposal Requirements
   All waste shall be disposed of as per Construction Environmental Management Plan and as per government-approved disposal areas.
3. Inspection, Test, and Sampling
   Request for Inspection and Testing will be submitted prior to and after execution of works.
4. Quality Assurance Requirements Table

Refer to Project Quality Plan
a. Project Specifications

XI. Attachments

1. Reference Documentation
   Project Specifications
2. Appendices
   Appendix A: Risk Assessment-Method Statement for Scaffolding
   Appendix B: Permit to Work