Preventing Falls in Scaffolding(1)

SG4:10

NASC November 2010

Preventing Falls in Scaffolding

Safety Guidance 4: 2010

National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) 4th Floor, 12 Bridewell Place, London EC4V 6AP

Copyright Preventing Falls in Scaffolding

Published by:

Nat ional Access & Scaffolding Confedera t ion (NASC) 4th Floor, 12 Br idewel l Place London EC4V 6AP

Tel: 020 7822 7400 Fax: 020 78227401 Email: enquir [email protected] Website: www.nasc .org .uk

© NASC 2010

First published 2010

I S B N 978-0-9549515-5-9

Printed by L i tho f low L imi ted, London

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher and copyright owner.

This guide has been prepared by the National Access and Scaffolding Confederat ion (NASC) .

The preparat ion o f this NASC Guide t o Preventing Falls in Scaffolding was entrusted t o The NASC SG4 W o r k i n g Party by the Counci l of the National Access and Scaffolding Confedera t ion .

Technical A u t h o r Simon Hughes CMIOSH, MIIRSM

Simian Risk Management L imited

This guide takes the f o r m of recommendat ions and guidance. It should not be quoted as if it w e r e a specif ication. It does not p u r p o r t t o include all the necessary provisions f o r a contract and users are responsible f o r the i r appl icat ion.

The guide has been w r i t t e n on the assumption that the execut ion of its provisions is entrusted t o appropr iate ly qualified and exper ienced people and that const ruct ion and supervision of scaffolds wi l l be carr ied ou t by capable and exper ienced organisations.

NASC and Simian Risk Management L imited shall be under no liability of whatsoever kind howeve r caused w h e t h e r o r not due t o the negligence o r wi l fu l default of NASC o r the i r servants o r agents arising out of o r in connect ion w i t h this document o r any part thereof .

Amendmen t s issued since publ icat ion

A m d . N o .

Date

Commen t s

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.nasc.org.uk

Preventing Falls in Scaffolding Contents

J j | | J IW^B^Mll j | |

HI %

I

vi i F o r e w o r d

viii P r e f a c e

I I n t r o d u c t i o n

3 S e c t i o n I - P l a n n i n g f o r w o r k a t h e i g h t

6 C o m p e t e n c e and capability

6 Training and instruction

7 Supervision

8 Site inspection and risk assessment

8 Rescue planning

8 Weather conditions

8 Temporary w o r k s design

9 Scaffolders' responsibilities

11 S e c t i o n 2 - T h e S c a f f o l d e r s ' ' S a f e Z o n e '

12 Work ing platforms

16 Methods of creating a 'Safe Z o n e '

17 Mobile elevating w o r k platform

18 Proprietary advanced guardrail systems (AGS)

20 Proprietary advanced guardrail tools ( A G T )

21 Advanced guardrail methods (AGM)

23 Horizontal type A G M

24 System scaffold A G M ' s

25 Short lift system

25 Scaffolders' Step-up

26 Alternative Step-up's

28 Protected traversing

2 9 S e c t i o n 3 - C o l l e c t i v e fall a r r e s t s y s t e m s

31 S e c t i o n 4 - P e r s o n a l fal l p r o t e c t i o n e q u i p m e n t

34 Single fall arrest lanyards

34 Double fall arrest lanyards

35 Ancho r points, connectors and anchor devices

35 Anchorage to tube and fitting scaffolds

36 Suitable scaffold anchor points

36 Unsuitable scaffold anchor points

Contents Preventing Falls in Scaffolding

37 Anchorage to proprietary scaffolding systems

37 Guidel ines for anchorage on other structures

38 Anchorage to lightweight mobile access towers (MATs)

39 Inertia reels

40 Horizontal line systems

41 Inspection and maintenance of personal fall arrest equipment

42 Personal fall arrest equipment manufacturers ' instructions

4 3 S e c t i o n 5 - R e s c u e

44 Assisted rescue (without specialist rescue equipment)

45 Specialist rescue equipment

46 Rescue training

4 7 S e c t i o n 6 - M e t h o d s o f a c c e s s a n d e g r e s s

5 0 S e c t i o n 7 - O t h e r a p p l i c a t i o n s

50 Temporary edge protection

51 Proprietary system scaffolding

52 Hoist t owe r s and debris chutes

53 Birdcage access scaffolds

54 Protection fans and canti levered structures

54 Temporary roofs

55 Gantr ies and pavement frames

56 Fa lsework and fo rmwork structures

5 7 A p p e n d i x I Relevant Health and Safety L a w

5 8 A p p e n d i x 2 British and European standards

5 9 R e f e r e n c e s a n d f u r t h e r r e a d i n g

6 0 A c k n o w l e d g e m e n t s


C O

t i

f l j

NASC Members Falls from Height 1999 - 2009 I

Guardrails attached to pre-cast concrete 3 staircase sections before being lifted into place

Pre-assembled guardrails - fixed to structural 4 steelwork ( T beams) prior to craning into position

Scaffolder protected by a guardrail in the 4 scaffolders' 'Safe Zone'

Work at Height Regulations 2005 hierarchy 5

CISRS cards 6

Example from a drawing showing hazard warning 9

Inherent risk of a fall in scaffolding 11

Scaffolder exposed to a risk of falling 12

A temporary scaffolders working platform 12

A finished working platform for users 12

A scaffolder reaching below the single guardrail 13 must be clipped on

Safe handling bay 14

Fully boarded platform 14

Fully boarded platform 15

Restricted access 15

Hemping a standard over a guardrail 16

Using a MEWP to erect a hung scaffold 17

Fall restraint and combination lanyard 17

Frame type advanced guardrail systems 18

Telescopic advanced guardrail systems 18

Modified sequence of erection to allow 'push-up' 19 AGS's to be used on the inside face

Horizontal type advanced guardrail system 19

Pivoting type advanced guardrail tool 20

Push type advanced guardrail tool 20

Example of a system-scaffold-specific advanced 21 guardrail tool

AGM frame constructed on the ground 22

Releasing the advanced guardrail from the ledger 22

Raising advanced guardrail to the next level 22

Horizontal type AGM - Step I 23

Horizontal type AGM - Step 2 23





A frame system scaffold with an integral 24 advanced guardrail

Modular system scaffold innovative system of 24 work

Short-lift System used to erect a system scaffold 25 tower

Preventing Falls in Scaffolding Foreword V l l

Foreword

H S E H e a l t h & S a f e t y E x e c u t i v e

Every year t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n indus t r y is respons ib le f o r causing deaths and ser ious injury, w i t h falls

f r o m he ight a ccoun t ing f o r m o r e than 5 0 % o f all fatal i t ies. Scaffolders, w h e n e rec t i ng , a l te r ing o r

d ismant l ing scaffolds are o f t en faced w i t h t h e r isk o f a fall bu t w i t h p r o p e r p lanning and

p repa ra t i on , se lect ion o f t he c o r r e c t e q u i p m e n t and p r o p e r use, t h e r isk o f a fall can be

e l im ina ted .

T h e indus t r y has d o n e m u c h t o i m p r o v e its p e r f o r m a n c e and th is is ve r i f i ed by t h e NASC ' s o w n

acc ident statist ics. These s h o w tha t , s ince its ma jo r rev is ion in 2 0 0 0 , SG4 has signif icantly

r educed t h e inc ident rates o f falls f r o m height by scaf fo lders and thus has inev i tab ly saved lives.

H o w e v e r , t h e r e is always r o o m f o r i m p r o v e m e n t .

O v e r t h e last f ive years t h e N A S C has c o n t i n u e d t o fulf i l t h e i r c o m m i t m e n t f o r t h e ongo ing

d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e SG4 guidance, e m b r a c i n g co l lec t i ve p r o t e c t i o n t e c h n o l o g y and innovat i ve

m e t h o d s o f w o r k , as t h e y have evo l ved . Th is latest ve rs ion o f SG4 c lear ly def ines t h e insta l lat ion

and use o f t h e 'Scaffolders Safe Z o n e ' f o r t he l ifespan o f any scaf fo ld ing s t r u c t u r e as essential .

T h e 'Scaffolders Safe Z o n e ' ensures co l lec t i ve fall p r o t e c t i o n is insitu f o r t he vast m a j o r i t y o f

scaffo lding ope ra t i ons . So, w h e t h e r it is du r i ng o r post insta l lat ion o f any scaf fo ld ing w o r k s , t h e

HSE's Inspectors w i l l e xpec t t o see c lear ev idence o f comp l i ance .

Since t h e pub l i ca t ion o f SG4:05, t h e cho ice and avai labi l i ty o f co l lec t i ve p r o t e c t i o n measures have

deve l oped . Th is n e w guidance aims t o give a balanced v i e w o f co l lec t i ve fall p r e v e n t i o n m e t h o d s

fo r c rea t ing t h e 'Scaffolders Safe Z o n e ' , n o t f o r g e t t i n g tha t these shou ld be cons ide red ahead o f

systems t h a t solely re ly u p o n persona l fall p r o t e c t i o n e q u i p m e n t . T h e HSE w i l l no longer accept

t h e u n p r o t e c t e d t r ave r s ing e l e m e n t o f t h e tunne l l i ng p r inc ip l e t h a t f ea tu red in prev ious vers ions

of t h e gu ide .

Th is rev is ion represents a s tep change in t h e w a y scaffold c o n t r a c t o r s shou ld e r e c t t h e i r scaffold

s t ruc tu res . T h e gu idance is s t r a i g h t f o r w a r d and c o m p r e h e n s i v e and represen ts best prac t i ce

w i t h i n t h e industry .

T h e HSE w i l l c o n t i n u e t o w o r k c losely w i t h t he N A S C and I h o p e tha t t h e w i d e r i ndus t r y rises t o

t he chal lenge in e m b r a c i n g th is rev ised gu idance t o i m p r o v e s tandards o f safety.

• • • V l l l Preface


Preface

T h e N A S C acknow ledges t h a t scaffolders have t o w o r k in hazardous s i tuat ions , and th is gu idance

accepts t h a t e m p l o y e r s have a respons ib i l i t y t o ensure t h a t adequate measures are p r o v i d e d f o r

e m p l o y e e s t o e l im ina te o r m in im ise any risks.

Th is ed i t i on o f SG4 addresses t h e ou t s t and ing conce rns t h a t have been raised by i ndus t r y

profess ionals and t h e en fo r c i ng au thor i t i e s regard ing t he u n p r o t e c t e d t rave rs ing e l e m e n t used by

scaf fo lders at an exposed edge. It is no longer acceptable f o r scaffolders t o t rave rse w i t h o u t

s o m e f o r m o f fall p r o t e c t i o n .

Since t h e i n t r o d u c t i o n o f t h e rev ised SG4 in 2 0 0 5 , t h e N A S C m e m b e r s ' acc ident stat ist ics s h o w

t h a t no fatal i t ies have been r e p o r t e d by t h e i r m e m b e r s and t h e r e has been a signif icant r e d u c t i o n

in t h e n u m b e r o f falls r e c o r d e d f r o m a scaffold o r w o r k i n g p l a t f o r m .

T h e N A S C and its m e m b e r s are m o v i n g t h e indus t r y f o r w a r d in t e r m s o f safety and cons is tency

and it is o u r i n t e n t i o n t h a t th is rev ised d o c u m e n t w i l l enable scaf fo ld ing c o n t r a c t o r s t o c o n t i n u e

t o o p e r a t e at t h e f o r e f r o n t o f i ndus t r y best prac t i ce .

Preventing Falls in Scaffolding Introduction

Introduction

1 Falls f r o m height account f o r m o r e than half o f t h e fatal acc idents in c o n s t r u c t i o n and scaffolders w h e n e rec t i ng , a l t e r ing o r d i smant l ing scaf fo ld ing are cons tant l y faced w i t h a r isk o f fal l ing.

2 T h e N A S C acknow ledges t h a t scaf fo lders have t o w o r k in hazardous s i tuat ions, and th is guidance n o t e accepts t h a t e m p l o y e r s have a respons ib i l i t y t o ensure t h a t adequa te measures are p r o v i d e d f o r emp loyees t o e l im ina te o r m in im ise t hose r isks.

3 T h e N A S C also recognises t h a t stat ist ics 1 have s h o w n falls f r o m he ight ra re ly invo lve

scaffolders f r o m o u r m e m b e r s h i p w h o are w o r k i n g f r o m scaffold s t ruc tu res t h e y have

c o n s t r u c t e d themse lves . W e also recognise tha t t h e instances o f fatal and m a j o r injur ies resu l t ing

f r o m falls o f scaffolders have r educed since t h e i n t r o d u c t i o n o f SG4 in t h e mid-n inet ies . T h e

revis ions o f SG4 in 2 0 0 0 , 2005 and again in 2 0 1 0 have seen signif icant changes t o t h e m e t h o d s o f

w o r k i n g t h a t have been a d o p t e d by t h e industry . Since 2 0 0 0 t h e r e has been a 7 8 % r e d u c t i o n in

the n u m b e r o f falls r e c o r d e d f r o m a scaffold o r w o r k i n g p l a t f o r m - f r o m 93 in 1999 t o 20 in

2009 . Th is r e d u c t i o n is in spi te o f an 1 8 . 6 % increase in t h e n u m b e r o f opera t i ves w o r k i n g w i t h i n

t h e N A S C m e m b e r s h i p , f r o m 10,679 in 1999 t o 13,124 in 2009 . D u r i n g th is p e r i o d , no fatal

acc idents have o c c u r r e d w h i l s t opera t i ves w e r e w o r k i n g w i t h i n t h e r e q u i r e m e n t s o f SG4.

100 I 0.5

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

N o . o f r e p o r t e d acc idents x 100,000 F requency Rate = — —

Average N o . o f hours w o r k e d

Note 1. Figures obtained from NASC members' accident returns and annual safety report 1999-2009.

Figure I NASC members'falls from height 1999 - 2009.

Introduction Preventing Falls in Scaffolding

4 In r e cogn i t i on o f t h e signif icant hazards and risks t h a t scaf fo lders are exposed t o day t o

day, t h e N A S C have p r o d u c e d th is ed i t i on o f Safety Gu idance N u m b e r 4 as 'scaf fo ld ing i ndus t r y

best p rac t i ce ' f o r w o r k at he ight . Th i s latest ve rs ion o f SG4 addresses t h e ou t s t and ing c o n c e r n

regular ly raised by indus t r y profess ionals and t h e en fo r c i ng au thor i t i e s regard ing t h e u n p r o t e c t e d

t rave rs ing by scaf fo lders at an exposed edge, as pa r t o f t h e tunne l l i ng sys tem o f w o r k . It is no

longer acceptab le f o r scaffolders t o t r ave rse w i t h o u t s o m e f o r m o f fall p r o t e c t i o n .

5 Th is gu idance n o w also inc ludes s t ruc tu res and appl icat ions n o t prev ious ly c o v e r e d and

ref lects t h e chal lenges facing o u r i ndus t r y t h r o u g h n e w t e c h n o l o g y and changing m e t h o d s o f

c o n s t r u c t i o n and ma in tenance . T h e i n t r o d u c t i o n o f co l l ec t i ve fall p r o t e c t i o n in t h e 2005 ed i t i on

and t h e f u r t h e r i n t e r i m guidance i n t r o d u c e d in 2 0 0 8 are n o w also inc luded in th is gu idance no te .

6 T h e a im o f th is d o c u m e n t remains t h e same and is t o i l lust rate c u r r e n t p reven ta t i v e and

p r o t e c t i v e measures tha t cou ld be ut i l ised w h e n establ ishing safe systems o f w o r k t o p r e v e n t and

p r o t e c t against falls f r o m height . Th is ed i t i on o f SG4 focuses o n t h e steps scaffo lding c o n t r a c t o r s

and scaffolders have t o take t o c rea te a 'Safe Z o n e ' w h e r e t h e y are sui tably p r o t e c t e d against t h e

r isk o f fal l ing.

7 Emp loye r s have legal dut ies t o p r o v i d e safe systems o f w o r k f o r emp loyees and t o ca r r y

o u t sui table and suff ic ient assessment o f t h e risks t o t h e hea l th and safety o f emp loyees . Th is

m a n a g e m e n t gu idance no t e is des igned t o be used as r e f e rence by e m p l o y e r s , c l ients , designers,

c o n t r a c t o r s and en fo r c i ng au thor i t i e s w h e n p repa r i ng and r e v i e w i n g r isk assessments f o r t h e

e r e c t i o n , a l t e ra t ion and d i smant l ing o f t e m p o r a r y access and o t h e r s t ruc tu res by scaffo lders .

Th is gu idance no t e is again s u p p o r t e d by a user gu ide (SG4:You) t o p r o v i d e essential i n f o r m a t i o n

t o scaffo lders .

8 T h e types o f s t r u c t u r e , na tu re o f w o r k and e n v i r o n m e n t a l cond i t i ons vary cons iderab ly w i t h i n

t h e scaf fo ld ing t r a d e . H o w e v e r w i t h i n t h e guidance t h e N A S C has endeavou red t o :

• Explain t h e legal r e q u i r e m e n t s f o r w o r k at height ;

. Ident i fy and exp la in t h e signif icant hazards tha t scaffolders are exposed t o d u r i n g typ ica l

scaf fo ld ing ope ra t i ons ;

H igh l ight t h e pract ica l so lu t ions available t o c o n t r o l the risks tha t arise f r o m those hazards.

9 T h e i n t r o d u c t i o n o f n e w co l lec t i ve m e t h o d s o f w o r k i n g w i l l no t c o m p l e t e l y r e m o v e t h e r isk

o f a fall in all s i tuat ions , t h e r e f o r e t h e N A S C recognises tha t scaffolders w i l l still be r e q u i r e d t o

w e a r and use persona l fall p r o t e c t i o n e q u i p m e n t (safety harnesses) in accordance w i t h th is safety

gu idance w h e n w o r k i n g at he ight .

10 Th is gu idance is n o t exhaust ive and does no t f ea tu re eve ry scaf fo ld ing app l i ca t ion , howeve r ,

it has been des igned so tha t t h e basic pr inc ip les con ta ined w i t h i n this d o c u m e n t can be appl ied as

so lu t ions t o m o s t scaffo lding ope ra t i ons .

Preventing Falls in Scaffolding Section 1 - Planning for work at height

Section 1 - Planning for work at height

I I ' W o r k at he ight ' is de f ined by t h e W o r k at He igh t Regulat ions 2005 as 'work in any place...

where, if measures required by these Regulations were not taken, a person could fall a distance liable

to cause personal injury'. T h e W o r k at He igh t Regulat ions d o n o t speci fy a d is tance tha t a pe r son

cou ld fall be fo re specif ic p recaut ions mus t be t a k e n .

12 Be fo re scaffolders u n d e r t a k e w o r k at he ight , it is essential t o cons ide r t h e w o r k t o be

p e r f o r m e d , t ak ing accoun t o f any foreseeab le hazards ar is ing f r o m tha t w o r k and establ ish

a p p r o p r i a t e c o n t r o l measures t o be i m p l e m e n t e d . Th is w i l l ensure t h e safety o f scaf fo lders and

o the r s w h o may be a f fec ted by t h e scaf fo ld ing ope ra t i ons . It is essential t h a t a c o m p e t e n t pe r son

carr ies o u t a suitable r isk assessment and prepares t h e scaf fo ld ing plan ( m e t h o d s t a t e m e n t ) . For

gu idance in t h e p r epa r i ng o f scaf fo ld ing plans r e f e rence shou ld made t o N A S C Safety Gu idance

24 (SG24) A guide for scaffold plans (Method statements). T h e m o r e c o m p l e x o r hazardous t he

scaf fo ld ing s t r u c t u r e is, t h e m o r e cons ide ra t i on and deta i l needs t o be made w i t h t h e p lanning

and p r epa r a t i on o f t h e scaf fo ld ing plan.

13 Planning f o r w o r k at he ight m u s t cons ide r t h e h ie ra rchy o f p reven ta t i ve and p r o t e c t i v e

measures t h a t are cent ra l t o t h e W o r k at He igh t Regulat ions ( W A H R ) and summar i s ed as f o l l o w s :

I. A v o i d w o r k a t he i gh t

T h e r e are a f e w o p t i o n s available t o t h e scaf fo ld ing indus t r y w h i c h enable t h e task t o be

p e r f o r m e d w i t h o u t w o r k i n g at he ight e.g. f ix ing handrai ls t o pre-cast sta ir sect ions at g r o u n d

level b e f o r e c ran ing t h e m i n t o place, thus avo id ing t he need f o r t he scaf fo lder t o w o r k at

he ight (Figure 2 ) .

Figure 2 Guardrails attached to pre-cast concrete staircase

sections before being lifted into place.

Section 1 - Planning for work at height Preventing Falls in Scaffolding

Figure 3 Pre-assembled guardrails - fixed to structural steelwork

(T beams) prior to craning into position.

H o w e v e r , t h e r e is a g r ea t e r o p p o r t u n i t y t o e l im ina te t h e need t o w o r k at he ight at t h e

design and p lann ing stages o f a p r o j e c t by designers and pr inc ipa l c o n t r a c t o r s e.g. t h e pre-

assembl ing o f guardra i ls t o steel beams p r i o r t o be ing instal led by t h e steel e r e c to r s w i l l

e l im ina te t h e need f o r scaf fo lders t o w o r k at he ight (Figure 3).

If avo id ing w o r k at he ight is n o t possible

t h e n y o u m u s t cons ider t h e nex t stage o f

t he h ie ra rchy - p r e v e n t falls.

II. P r e v e n t fal ls

Scaffolding c o n t r a c t o r s shou ld cons ide r

t h e m e t h o d s f o r c rea t ing a 'Safe Z o n e '

(see Section 2 - The scaffolders' 'Safe

Zone') by p r e v e n t i n g falls f r o m he ight ,

such as p r o v i d i n g adequate w o r k

p l a t f o rms w i t h suitable guardra i l s o r

o t h e r co l lec t i ve measures , b e f o r e

r e so r t i ng t o persona l fall p r o t e c t i o n

e q u i p m e n t (i.e. harnesses). Scaffolders

are n o t p e r m i t t e d t o w o r k at he ight

w h i l e be ing exposed t o a r isk o f a fal l ,

w i t h o u t t ak ing a p p r o p r i a t e act ions t o

p r e v e n t o r p r o t e c t against a fall f r o m

height .

I I I . M i t i ga te t h e d i s t a n c e a n d

c o n s e q u e n c e s of a fall

W h a t e v e r m e t h o d s o f w o r k are chosen ,

if i t is n o t reasonably prac t i cab le t o

p r e v e n t a fa l l , t h e n b o t h t h e d istance and

consequences o f a po tent i a l fall mus t be

m i n i m i s e d , e.g. If a fall a r res t harness is

used w i t h a f i xed length lanyard t h e n it shou ld be a t tached t o a suitable ancho r p o i n t as high

above t h e w o r k i n g p l a t f o r m as prac t i cab le , t h e n shou ld a fall o c cu r t h e d istance w o u l d be

m in ima l c o m p a r e d w i t h an a t t a c h m e n t at f o o t level .

Figure 4 Scaffolder protected by a guardrail in the scaffolders'

'Safe Zone'.

IV. C o l l e c t i v e o v e r p e r s o n a l

A t all stages in t h e W A H R h ie ra rchy scaffo lding c o n t r a c t o r s m u s t cons ide r co l lec t i ve

p r o t e c t i o n o v e r persona l p r o t e c t i o n . Th is means using measures t h a t p r o t e c t e v e r y o n e

w o r k i n g at he ight at all t imes w h e n in place, such as guardra i ls o r safety nets b e f o r e

spec i fy ing persona l fall a r res t e q u i p m e n t tha t is re l iant o n be ing a t t ached .


14 T h e d iagram b e l o w (Figure 5) is a s imple i l lus t ra t ion o f h o w t h e W o r k at He igh t Regulat ions h ie ra rchy cou ld be i n t e r p r e t e d f o r scaf fo ld ing ope ra t i ons .

A V O I D W O R K A T H E I G H T

M I T I G A T E T H E D I S T A N C E A N D

C O N S E Q U E N C E S O F A F A L L

G I V E C O L L E C T I V E P R O T E C T I O N P R I O R I T Y

O V E R P E R S O N A L P R O T E C T I O N

WAHR Hierarchy of Controls

A v o i d w o r k a t h e i g h t so f a r a s is r e a s o n a b l y p r a c t i c a b l e :

• N o t n o r m a l l y an o p t i o n f o r t h e scaf fo ld ing con t r a c to r .

• Des igners and pr inc ipa l c o n t r a c t o r s shou ld iden t i f y o p p o r t u n i t i e s t o avo id w o r k at he ight .

Scaffo ld ing c o n t r a c t o r s shou ld p r o m o t e innova t ions t o t h e i r c l ients t h a t can avo id w o r k at he ight .

W h e r e it is not r e a sonab l y p r ac t i c ab l e to avoid w o r k at he ight you shou ld :

Prevent all falls f r o m height w h e r e t he r e is a risk o f in jury, i r r e spec t i v e o f the height.

• Establish a 'Safe Z o n e ' w i t h a boarded p l a t f o rm and guardrai l p r o t e c t i o n , w h e r e possible, t o p revent falls occur r ing .

Use col lect ive fall p r o t e c t i o n measures t o create a 'Safe Z o n e ' be fore resor t ing t o personal fall p ro t e c t i on equ ipmen t such as harnesses and lanyards.

_ _ _ — „ — „ — — „ . ,

W h e r e it is n o t r e a s o n a b l y p r a c t i c a b l e t o a vo id o r p r e v e n t fa l ls ; t h e n ,

T h e d is tance a pe r son can fall and t h e consequences (po ten t i a l in jury ) m u s t be m i n i m i s e d .

9 Co l l e c t i v e p r o t e c t i o n in t h e f o r m o f so f t land ing systems (e.g. Air-bags and safety nets) are n o t c o m m o n l y a pract ica l s o l u t i on f o r scaf fo ld ing.

Personal fall p r o t e c t i o n systems (safety harnesses) M U S T be w o r n and at tached t o a suitable anchor po in t - in accordance w i t h this guide - w h e n at r isk o f a fall .

Figure 5 This diagram is a simple illustration of how the Work at Height Regulations 2005 hierarchy could be interpreted for

scaffolding operations.


C o m p e t e n c e a n d capab i l i t y

15 T h e W o r k at He igh t Regulat ions r e q u i r e t h a t any pe r son w h o carr ies o u t w o r k at he ight is

d e e m e d c o m p e t e n t t o d o so by t h e i r e m p l o y e r (Regulat ion 5) . C o m p e t e n c e is de f ined as a

c o m b i n a t i o n o f re levant pract ica l and t heo re t i c a l k n o w l e d g e , t r a in ing and expe r i ence . Scaffolders

shou ld be se lected w h o have a p p r o p r i a t e a t t i t u d e , ap t i t ude , f i tness, t r a in ing ( C o n s t r u c t i o n

Indus t r y Scaffolders ' Record Scheme (CISRS Ca rd ) ) , k n o w l e d g e and expe r i ence f o r t h e par t i cu lar

w o r k t o be c o m p l e t e d (Figure 6 ) . CISRS cards shou ld be re levant t o t h e w o r k be ing u n d e r t a k e n

(e.g. Scaffolder o r A d v a n c e d scaf fo lder ) and c u r r e n t , as t h e y r e q u i r e r enewa l eve ry 5 years.

egp^ I Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme

Affiliated ' CISRS M R A S A M P L E

Registration No: 00000000/1 P H O T O

Exp i ry Date: End Jan 2015

T R A I N L K S t AFKOLDLK

« p f H Construction Industry - i Scaffoiders Record Scheme

Affiliated' ClSRS MR A S A M P L E

Registration No: 00000000/1 P H O T O

Exp i ry Date: End Jan 2015

mg Construction Industry W - ' j Scanblders Record Scheme Affiliated' CISRS

MR A S A M P L E

Registration No: 00000000/1 P H O T C

Expiry Date: End Jan 2015

A D V A N C E D S C A F F O L D E R

CSCS is a registered Certilic

d Ceriiliealion Mark

Part 1 (Ttihe and RKing) Part 2 (Tube rind Titling! 5/rJVO Luvel 2 Advanced Ccurse (Tube ai S'NVO level 3

i registered Cerlif enlron Mark

Figure 6 CISRS cards.

T ra i n i ng a n d i n s t r u c t i o n

16 A l l scaffolders shou ld have rece ived a p p r o p r i a t e and r e c o r d e d t ra in ing in t h e r e q u i r e m e n t s

o f th is w o r k at he ight gu idance, t o g e t h e r w i t h any specif ic ins t ruc t ions t o be f o l l o w e d f o r a

par t i cu la r task (e.g. m e t h o d s t a t emen t , r isk assessment, rescue plan e tc . ) . Emp loye rs m u s t ensure

t r a i n i ng and i n s t ruc t i on is p r o v i d e d f o r any n e w fall p r o t e c t i o n e q u i p m e n t o r rescue e q u i p m e n t

i n t r o d u c e d t o t h e w o r k e r s . Tra in ing shou ld be p r o p e r l y organ ised and inc lude b o t h theo re t i c a l

and pract ica l e l emen ts . L ine-management respons ib le f o r t h e superv is ion and m o n i t o r i n g o f

scaf fo ld ing o p e r a t i o n s also need t r a in ing t o raise t he i r level o f awareness o f t h e r e q u i r e m e n t s f o r

w o r k at he ight . I nduc t ion t r a i n i ng and t o o l b o x ta lk p r o g r a m m e s shou ld be used by e m p l o y e r s t o

r e i n fo r ce t h e r e q u i r e m e n t s o f SG4 and ma in ta in levels o f awareness w i t h scaf fo ld ing opera t i ves .


In add i t i on e m p l o y e r s shou ld ensure t h a t r e f reshe r t r a in ing is p r o v i d e d per iodical ly . T h e N A S C

r e c o m m e n d s eve ry 12 m o n t h s , w i t h t r a in ing r e co rds kep t .

S u p e r v i s i o n

17 Emp loye r s shou ld ensure a p p r o p r i a t e levels o f c o m p e t e n t superv is ion is p r o v i d e d

cons ider ing t he na tu re o f t h e w o r k and t h e c o m p e t e n c e o f t h e scaffolders i nvo l ved .

18 Superv is ion o n site may be a fu l l - t ime ro l e o r in a v is i t ing capacity, t h e N A S C recognises t h a t

t he c o r e skills r e q u i r e d f o r superv is ion in c o n t r a c t scaf fo ld ing are c o v e r e d by t h e C o n s t r u c t i o n

Indust ry Scaffolders ' Record Scheme (CISRS) Scaffolding superv i so r t r a in ing course . H o w e v e r ,

typ ica l l y t h e ro l e o f a superv i so r in scaf fo ld ing, due t o t he pe r ipa te t i c na tu re o f t h e industry , is a

v is i t ing r o l e w h e r e t h e y may l o o k a f t e r several sites o r gangs w h o are v is i ted per iodical ly . For

examp le , a superv i so r w o u l d be respons ib le f o r a n u m b e r o f sites o r gangs, each gang shou ld

have a n o m i n a t e d charge-hand scaffolder, o r a large site w i t h a n u m b e r gangs may have a

n o m i n a t e d f o r e m a n scaf fo lder in e i t he r a w o r k i n g o r n o n - w o r k i n g capacity.

19 Young o r i nexpe r i enced scaf fo lders r e q u i r e a h igher degree o f superv is ion and d i r e c t i o n than

an e x p e r i e n c e d and t r a i ned scaffolder. For e x a m p l e a t r a inee m u s t w o r k u n d e r t h e d i r e c t

superv is ion o f a fu l ly qual i f ied scaffolder.

20 Emp loye r s w h o gain high degrees o f e m p l o y e e c o - o p e r a t i o n and comp l i ance also

d e m o n s t r a t e a pos i t i ve a t t i t u d e , m a n a g e m e n t c o m m i t m e n t t o safety and ef fec t ive superv i so ry

c o n t r o l . Engaging w i t h emp loyees and sol ic i t ing t h e i r o p i n i o n can he lp encourage s u p p o r t f o r

safety init iat ives and g rea t e r c o - o p e r a t i o n .

C a s e S t u d y I

A I 7 year o ld t r a inee scaf fo lder was tragical ly k i l led w h e n he fell a p p r o x i m a t e l y 18 m e t r e s

w h i l e e r e c t i ng an access b i rdcage scaf fo ld .

In t h e subsequent p r o s e c u t i o n by t h e Hea l th and Safety Execut ive (HSE), t h e c o u r t hea rd

t h a t t h e scaffold was c o n s t r u c t e d w i t h i n c o m p l e t e w o r k i n g p l a t f o rms , a lack o f guardra i ls and

inadequate ladder access. T h e c o m p e t e n c e and superv i s ion o f t h e scaffold gang was also

inadequate . O t h e r issues inc luded w e r e inadequacies regard ing t h e use o f persona l fall

p r o t e c t i o n e q u i p m e n t (harnesses).

T h r e e compan ies w e r e p r o s e c u t e d ( inc lud ing t h e scaf fo ld ing c o n t r a c t o r ) w i t h fines to ta l l i ng

£217,500 plus £125,000 costs.

T h e superv i so r was f o u n d gu i l t y o f fai l ing t o t ake reasonable care f o r t h e hea l th and safety o f

o the r s a f fec ted by his acts o r omiss ions at w o r k (HSW Act 1974, Section 7(1)). H e was f ined

£7,500 and o r d e r e d t o pay £15,000 in costs.


S i t e i n s p e c t i o n a n d r i sk a s s e s s m e n t

21 W h e n ca r r y ing o u t a r isk assessment it is r e c o m m e n d e d t h a t an inspec t ion o f t h e site is

u n d e r t a k e n by a sui tably c o m p e t e n t pe r son b e f o r e w o r k c o m m e n c e s . T h e p u r p o s e o f t he

assessment is t o t ake due accoun t o f all foreseeab le hazards in t he w o r k p l a c e , in add i t i on t o any

c o m m e r c i a l cons idera t ions f o r t he j o b . T h e r isk assessment m u s t ident i f y all o f t h e p reven ta t i v e

and p r o t e c t i v e c o n t r o l measures r e q u i r e d t o e l im ina te o r r educe t h e r isk o f injury. These con t ro l s

shou ld t h e n be r e c o r d e d in t h e scaf fo ld ing plan ( m e t h o d s t a t emen t ) .

2 2 W h e n se lect ing t h e m o s t suitable p reven ta t i v e and p r o t e c t i v e measures as pa r t o f t h e r isk assessment process , e m p l o y e r s shou ld t ake i n t o accoun t t h e logistical e f f o r t , p r o d u c t i v i t y impac t and purchas ing cost o f using t h e m e t h o d se lec ted .

2 3 Special p recau t ions m a y need t o be d e t e r m i n e d t o safeguard against falls f r o m he ight wh i l s t su rvey ing a loca t ion f o r scaf fo ld ing e.g. accessing roo fs , r e f u r b i s h m e n t w o r k , e m e r g e n c y p r o t e c t i o n , r e t e n t i o n o r shor ing scaffolds f o r dangerous bui ldings etc.

R e s c u e p l ann ing

2 4 A r r a n g e m e n t s f o r emergenc ies and rescue f r o m he ight need t o be cons ide red as pa r t o f t h e planning and r isk assessment f o r each task by e m p l o y e r s . It is a legal r e q u i r e m e n t f o r scaf fo ld ing c o n t r a c t o r s and t h e i r c l ients t o address t h e need f o r t i m e l y evacuat ion and rescue in an e m e r g e n c y w h e n w o r k i n g at he ight . A l l e m p l o y e r s m u s t also cons ide r t h e add i t iona l risks posed by evacuat ion and rescue f r o m he ight .

2 5 F u r t he r i n f o r m a t i o n f o r rescue p lann ing can be f o u n d in Section 5 and f u r t h e r read ing in N A S C Safety Gu idance SG19 - A guide to formulating a rescue plan.

W e a t h e r c o n d i t i o n s

2 6 W e a t h e r cond i t i ons m u s t be cons ide red as pa r t o f t h e r isk assessment and planning f o r w o r k at he ight . A d v e r s e w e a t h e r cond i t i ons can signif icantly increase t h e r isk o f a fall w h e n scaf fo ld ing at he ight e.g. l ightn ing , high w i n d s , ra in , snow , ice, e x t r e m e t e m p e r a t u r e and t h e ef fects o f t h e sun. H igh w i n d s and icy o r w e t surfaces are especial ly hazardous . T h e e m p l o y e r ' s r isk assessment shou ld cons ider all aspects o f w o r k i n g in adverse w e a t h e r cond i t i ons , and n o t just s imp l y specify p r o t e c t i v e c l o th ing , f o o t w e a r o r sun c r e a m .

T e m p o r a r y w o r k s des ign

2 7 W h e n designing scaf fo ld ing s t ruc tu res , engineers have a d u t y as designers u n d e r t h e C o n s t r u c t i o n (Des ign and Managemen t ) Regulat ions ( regu la t ions I I and 18) t o cons ide r t h e risks t o heal th and safety o f t hose w h o e rec t , a l te r and d i smant l e t e m p o r a r y w o r k s and t h o s e w h o use t h e e q u i p m e n t .


28 Designs and calculat ions shou ld cons ide r t h e fall p r o t e c t i o n measures t h a t w i l l f o r m pa r t o f

the f in ished s t r u c t u r e e.g. scaf fo lder 's guardra i ls , b o a r d bea re r t r a n s o m s f o r n o n - w o r k i n g lifts and

guardrai ls f o r in terna l fall hazards, w h e r e a p p r o p r i a t e . A l so ensur ing comp l i ance w i t h t h e re levant

genera l ly recogn ised standards t o ensure scaffolds are sui tably secured and stable (i.e. Br i t ish and

European standards, N A S C techn ica l gu idance notes and manu fac tu re r s ' i n s t ruc t i on manuals f o r

p r o p r i e t a r y e q u i p m e n t ) .

29 Des igners m u s t inc lude adequa te heal th and safety i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t any signif icant hazards

that r ema in in t h e design and t h e resu l t ing risks. It is g o o d design prac t i ce f o r scaf fo ld ing

designers t o h ighl ight o n t h e d raw ings any k n o w n signif icant hazards o r hazardous w o r k

sequences cr i t ica l t o t h e design t h a t r e q u i r e par t i cu la r cons ide ra t i on . C a u t i o n signs and notes are

c o m m o n l y used t o d r a w a t t e n t i o n t o i m p o r t a n t detai ls (Figure 7). Residual risks f r o m t h e design

and t he c o n t r o l measures establ ished shou ld be inc luded in t h e scaf fo ld ing plan ( r isk assessment

and m e t h o d s t a t emen t ) by t h e scaf fo ld ing c o n t r a c t o r and c o m m u n i c a t e d t o t h e scaffolders b e f o r e

c o m m e n c i n g t h e w o r k .

Sca f fo lde r s ' r e spons ib i l i t i e s

30 A l l emp loyees have genera l dut ies u n d e r hea l th and safety l aw t o t ake reasonable care o f

themse lves and o the r s w h o may be a f fec ted by w h a t t h e y d o , o r fail t o d o , at w o r k and t o

co-opera te w i t h t h e i r emp loye r , t o enable t h e m t o ca r r y o u t t h e i r dut ies . Ser ious breaches o f

health and safety l aw by emp loyees can resul t in t h e m being persona l l y p r o s e c u t e d w i t h fines and

possible i m p r i s o n m e n t .

3 I W i t h par t i cu la r cons ide ra t i on f o r w o r k i n g at he ight and t h e po ten t i a l hazards invo l ved ,

scaffolders shou ld :

• t ake pos i t i ve steps t o unders tand t h e hazards invo lved and r e q u i r e m e n t s o f t h e r isk

assessment/method s t a t e m e n t (Scaffold p lan) ;

• i n f o r m e m p l o y e r s o f any medica l c o n d i t i o n t h a t may affect t h e m w o r k i n g at he ight ;

r Caution - beam section to be assembled on the ground before being craned into position.

J

Figure 7 Example from a drawing showing a hazard warning.

• n o t w o r k at he ight if a f fec ted by drugs o r a l coho l ( inc lud ing p r e s c r i p t i o n med i ca t i on t h a t

may affect t h e i r abi l i ty t o w o r k safely);


uti l ise t echn iques and e q u i p m e n t p r o v i d e d t o p r e v e n t o r p r o t e c t against falls, in accordance w i t h t h e ins t ruc t ions and t ra in ing rece ived and n o t act in a reckless o r careless manne r ;

• n o t t a m p e r w i t h o r m o d i f y e q u i p m e n t p r o v i d e d , o r use e q u i p m e n t tha t is n o t au thor i sed by t h e e m p l o y e r ;

• check fall a r res t e q u i p m e n t dai ly and r e p o r t t o t h e i r e m p l o y e r any damaged o r de fec t i ve

e q u i p m e n t iden t i f i ed , f o r e x a m p l e badly w o r n o r cu t w e b b i n g o n a harness o r lanyard;

r e p o r t t o t h e i r e m p l o y e r any add i t iona l o r e m e r g e n t hazards n o t prev ious ly cons ide red so

tha t a p p r o p r i a t e c o r r e c t i v e act ions can be taken t o avo id any po ten t i a l inc idents .

C a s e S t u d y 2

A scaf fo lder fell 8 m f r o m a scaffold he was e rec t i ng resu l t ing in ma jo r in jur ies. H e was w e a r i n g fall a r res t e q u i p m e n t bu t had n o t used it in acco rdance w i t h t h e t r a in ing and ins t ruc t i on g iven by his Employer .

T h e acc ident was invest igated by t h e HSE w h o p r o s e c u t e d t h e scaf fo lder u n d e r Sect ion 7 o f t h e Hea l th & Safety at W o r k etc . A c t 1974.

In add i t i on t o t h e lost wages w h i l s t r e cove r i ng f r o m his in jur ies he had t o pay a f ine o f £ 1200 and rece i ved a c r im ina l r e c o r d .

_ zr.zir.z in Scartolding Section 2 - The scaffolders' 'Safe Zone'

Section 2 - The scaffolders' 'Safe Zone'

32 This sect ion cons iders t he measures available t o t he scaf fo ld ing indus t r y f o r p r o v i d i n g t h e

'Safe Z o n e ' .

33 Scaffolders m u s t focus o n c rea t ing a 'Safe Z o n e ' w i t h co l l ec t i ve fall p r o t e c t i o n , as a p r i o r i t y

w h e n w o r k i n g at he ight , w i t h a m i n i m u m of:

a fu l ly b o a r d e d and c o r r e c t l y s u p p o r t e d p l a t f o r m w i t h o u t gaps w h e r e s o m e o n e cou ld fal l ;

and,

a single ma in guardra i l ( 9 5 0 m m above t h e p l a t f o r m ) w h e r e t h e r e is a r isk o f a fal l .

3 4 T h e W o r k at He igh t Regulat ions r e q u i r e t ha t a h ie ra rchy f o r w o r k at he ight be f o l l o w e d ,

w h e r e co l lec t i ve fall p r e v e n t i o n and p r o t e c t i o n measures shou ld t ake p r i o r i t y o v e r persona l

measures, f o r e x a m p l e t he use o f t e m p o r a r y w o r k i n g p l a t f o rms w i t h guardra i ls w o u l d t ake

p r i o r i t y o ve r personal fall p r o t e c t i o n e q u i p m e n t (harnesses).

35 Employers shou ld choose t h e m o s t suitable m e t h o d o f achiev ing t h e 'Safe Z o n e ' , w h i c h best

suits t h e scaffo lding app l i ca t ion c o n t e m p l a t e d .

3 6 It is no longer p e r m i t t e d f o r scaffolders t o t r ave rse a long a p l a t f o r m w i t h o u t any f o r m o f fall

p r o t e c t i o n , as stated in ear l ier ed i t ions o f th is gu idance , in t h e tunne l l i ng m e t h o d . T h e change f o r

scaffolders, b r o u g h t a b o u t by t h e r e m o v a l o f t h e u n p r o t e c t e d t r ave r s ing sys tem o f w o r k , on ly

affects a small pe rcentage o f t h e i r n o r m a l w o r k i n g day. Th is i m p r o v e d gu idance ident i f ies

m e t h o d s tha t replace systems o f w o r k and ensures scaf fo lders can be c o m p l i a n t w i t h t h e law.

37 It mus t be recogn ised tha t t h e m e t h o d s o f achiev ing t h e 'Safe Z o n e ' d o n o t c o m p l e t e l y

e l im ina te t h e risk o f a fall f o r all scaf fo ld ing ope ra t i ons , f o r e x a m p l e w h e n raising o r l o w e r i n g

t vo rk ing p l a t f o r m boards as t h e e r e c t i o n o r d i smant l ing o f t h e scaffold progresses. Personal fall

p r o t e c t i o n e q u i p m e n t w i l l still be r e q u i r e d t o be used at s o m e p o i n t in t h e sys tem o f w o r k unless

every lift remains ful ly b o a r d e d .

Figure 8 These pictures show examples of the inherent risk of a fall in scaffolding where personal fall protection equipment will be

the primary method of fall protection (e.g. raising and lowering boards and working without a 'Safe Zone').

12 Section 2 - The scaffolders' 'Safe Zone' Preventing Falls in Scaffolding

3 8 W h e n scaf fo lders are w o r k i n g w i t h o u t a

ful ly b o a r d e d p l a t f o r m (e.g. raising o r l o w e r i n g

p l a t f o r m boards ) o r w i t h o u t guardra i l

p r o t e c t i o n t h e n t h e y mus t r ema in c l i pped o n t o

a sui table anchor po i n t .

3 9 W h e n scaf fo lders enc roach f r o m a 'Safe

Z o n e ' t o w i t h i n I m o f an u n p r o t e c t e d area by

guardrai ls t h e y are cons idered 'at r isk ' and

personal fall p r o t e c t i o n e q u i p m e n t mus t be used

(Figure 9) .

W o r k i n g p l a t f o r m s

4 0 It is i m p o r t a n t t o ident i f y t ha t t h e r e are

d i f f e r en t types o f w o r k i n g p l a t f o rms used in

scaffo lding. T h e t e r m ' w o r k i n g p l a t f o r m ' appl ies

t o a t e m p o r a r y p l a t f o r m p r o v i d e d f o r access at

var ious stages o f t h e e r e c t i o n , use, a l t e ra t ion Figure 9 Shows a scaffolder exposed to a risk of falling at a

and d i smant l ing o f scaf fo ld ing, these inc lude : leading edge (within I metre of the edge from the

'Safe Zone').

T h e f in ished w o r k i n g p l a t f o r m (used by o the r s ) ;

P la t forms f o r o t h e r purposes (e.g. loading t o w e r s f o r mater ia ls t h a t r equ i r e pe rsonne l

access);

P la t forms f o r e r e c t i o n , a l t e ra t ion o r d i smant l ing o f scaffo lding O N L Y ! ( The scaf fo lders '

'Safe Z o n e ' ) .

Figure 10 A temporary scaffolders' working platform to form the Figure 11 A finished working platform for users,

minimum 'Safe Zone'.

Preventing Falls in Scaffolding Section 2 - The scaffolders' 'Safe Zone'

41 Scaffolders m u s t cons ide r t h e f o l l o w i n g w o r k i n g p l a t f o r m r e q u i r e m e n t s f o r c rea t ing t h e Safe Z o n e ' :

• Scaffolders shou ld install a m i n i m u m o f a single guardra i l , at least 9 5 0 m m above t h e p l a t f o r m , o n each face o f t h e scaffold w h e r e a fall cou ld occur. O n f in ished w o r k i n g p l a t f o rms , f o r use by o t h e r s , progress ive ly install t h e d o u b l e guardra i ls ( w i t h no gap g r ea t e r than 4 7 0 m m ) .

• Inside gaps b e t w e e n t h e w o r k i n g p l a t f o r m and facade/st ructure o r open ings in t h e facade

(e.g. w i n d o w s ) , w h e r e scaffolders face a r isk o f fal l ing, need t o be p r o t e c t e d w i t h

guardra i ls in same m a n n e r as t h e o u t e r faces o f t h e p l a t f o r m .

• Guardra i l s m u s t be p r o v i d e d o n all l ifts, w h e r e possible , t o p r o v i d e fall p r o t e c t i o n wh i l s t t r ave rs ing and w o r k i n g .

Guardra i l s shou ld be e r e c t e d and left in place, in add i t i on t o any o t h e r fall p r o t e c t i o n sys tem used.

Scaffolders ' guardra i ls shou ld be instal led o n all lifts w h e r e t h e l ift he ight is g r ea t e r than

9 5 0 m m (e.g. progress ive br ick layers lifts 1.35 -1 .5m) .

• W h e n necessary t o reach b e l o w a single guard ra i l , scaffolders mus t be c l ipped o n (e.g. t o

f ix brac ing o r handle mater ia ls b e l o w t h e he ight o f t h e single guardra i l - see Figure 12).

Figure 12 A scaffolder reaching below the single guardrail must be clipped on.

Section 2 - The scaffolders' 'Safe Zone' Preventing Falls in Scaffolding

• W h e n raising o r l o w e r i n g mater ia ls scaf fo lders shou ld be c l ipped-on o r c rea te a safe handl ing p l a t f o r m w i t h d o u b l e guardra i ls , inc lud ing stop-ends so tha t t h e r e is no gap g rea te r t han 4 7 0 m m w h e r e a scaf fo lder cou ld fall (Figure 13).

• W h e n m o v i n g , raising o r l o w e r i n g p l a t f o r m boards , w o r k i n g less than I m f r o m an exposed edge o r ou ts ide o f guardra i l fall p r o t e c t i o n , w h e r e exposed t o a r isk o f a fal l , scaf fo lders m u s t be c l ipped o n (Figure 9 ) .

• T h e w o r k i n g p l a t f o r m shou ld be fu l ly b o a r d e d w i t h o u t gaps w h e r e a pe rson cou ld fal l , e x c e p t w h e n access is r e q u i r e d t o a ledger b e l o w t h e lift f o r a t tach ing fall a r res t e q u i p m e n t ; t h e n o n e b o a r d may be o m i t t e d (Figure 14).

-

1 : 1 1

1

1 Gap t o one side \ Boards central ised 1

Figure 14 Fully boarded platform with a maximum of one board gap (225mm) may be permitted only if required to access the ledger

below the platform as an anchor point.

• Scaffold boards m u s t be c o r r e c t l y s u p p o r t e d by t r ansoms o r bearers in acco rdance w i t h N A S C techn ica l gu ide T G 2 0 : 0 8 (Tables I and 8) e.g. 3 8 m m th ickness t i m b e r scaffold boards f o r scaffold load classes I t o 3 mus t be s u p p o r t e d eve ry 1.2m f o r visually g raded boards and 1.5m f o r mach ine g raded boards . Exceeding t he speci f ied m a x i m u m span o f scaffold boards increases t h e r isk o f a fall due t o t h e boa rd fai l ing.

• In t h e case o f p r o p r i e t a r y sys tem scaffo lding bat tens and decks , these m u s t be used in accordance w i t h t h e supp l ie r ' s ins t ruc t ions .

Figure 13 Safe handling bay. This drawing

shows a scaffolder using a safe

handling bay with double guardrails

(including stop-end returns) for

raising or lowering materials.

- reveriting Falls in Scaffolding Section 2 - The scaffolders' 'Safe Zone'

• Ensure boards are sui tably stable and t rap-ends avo ided by n o t exceed ing m i n i m u m o r m a x i m u m speci f ied overhangs ( T G 2 0 . 0 8 Table 8) e.g. 3 8 m m t h i c k t i m b e r scaffold boards (BS 2482 ) have a m i n i m u m ove rhang o f 5 0 m m and a m a x i m u m ove rhang o f 1 5 0 m m .

If a gap exists, o r is c r ea ted in t h e deck ing as pa r t o f t h e e rec t ion/d i smant l i ng process , w h e r e scaffolders are exposed t o a r isk o f a fall t h r o u g h t h e p l a t f o r m , t h e n a persona l fall p r o t e c t i o n sys tem mus t be used. e.g. w h e n raising o r l o w e r i n g p l a t f o r m boards o r deck ing as t h e e rec t ion/d i smant l ing progresses (see Figure 8).

I Gaps f o r m e d in w o r k i n g p l a t f o r m s t o c rea te ladder access t raps shou ld be p r o t e c t e d against acc identa l falls once t h e scaffold is c o m p l e t e d . Scaffolders shou ld install these measures progress ive ly t o p r o v i d e p r o t e c t i o n f o r themse l ves as t h e j o b progresses (see Section 6 - Methods of access and egress).

a m s »

1

i m , f Figure 15 Boarding out first lift from below.

T h e f i rs t l i f t shou ld , w h e r e possible , be b o a r d e d o u t f r o m b e l o w t o avo id t h e r isk o f a fall w h e n w o r k i n g at l o w level (Figure 15).

• A l l o t h e r l i f ts, w h e r e pract ica l , shou ld be b o a r d e d o u t and r e m o v e d f r o m be low .

A l l guardra i ls shou ld be secured so t h a t t h e y c anno t b e c o m e acc identa l ly d isplaced shou ld s o m e o n e fall against t h e m .

Lateral gaps in guardra i ls are on l y p e r m i t t e d at a p o i n t o f access t o a ladder o r s ta i rway w h e r e a gap is necessary (see Section 6 - Methods of access

and egress).

• A n y i n c o m p l e t e scaffold w o r k i n g p l a t f o r m , w h e r e s o m e o n e may fall o r w h e r e an ob j e c t cou ld fall and in jure s o m e o n e , needs t o be clear ly iden t i f i ed w i t h w a r n i n g signs, and access r e s t r i c t ed by suitable physical measures t o p r e v e n t unau tho r i sed access (e.g. guardra i ls , l adder access r e m o v e d o r b o a r d e d ove r ) (Figure 16).

® W\ / 1 / W\ / 1 / W\ / 1 /

7 l

Figure 16 Restricted access. Shows an example

of an incomplete scaffold with access

restricted by physical means and a

warning sign restricting access to

authorised scaffolders ONLY!


M e t h o d s of c r e a t i n g a ' S a f e Z o n e '

4 2 Th is sec t ion highl ights t h e var ious safe m e t h o d s available t o scaf fo ld ing c o n t r a c t o r s f o r

c rea t ing t h e 'Safe Z o n e ' . T h e r e are var ious p r o p r i e t a r y co l lec t i ve fall p r o t e c t i o n systems and

m e t h o d s o f w o r k available using s tandard scaf fo ld ing mater ia ls t ha t enable scaffolders t o pos i t i on

t e m p o r a r y guardra i l s in advance d u r i n g scaffold e r e c t i o n and t o main ta in guardra i ls d u r i n g

d i smant l ing o r a l t e ra t i on .

4 3 W h e n se lect ing t h e m o s t a p p r o p r i a t e sys tem o r m e t h o d o f w o r k i n g , e m p l o y e r s m u s t cons ider :

• T h e su i tab i l i ty o f t h e m e t h o d ( s ) chosen f o r t h e scaf fo ld ing app l i ca t ion .

• T h e r e q u i r e m e n t s o f t h e manu f a c tu r e r ' s ins t ruc t ions f o r p r o p r i e t a r y e q u i p m e n t .

• Changes t o t h e n o r m a l sequence o f w o r k e.g. pos i t i on ing advanced guardra i ls t o t h e inside face o f t h e scaffold b e f o r e f ix ing t r ansoms o r t i e assemblies.

N e w techn iques r e q u i r e d e.g. h e m p i n g a s tandard o v e r a guardra i l (see Figure 17).

• A r e all fall r isks p r o t e c t e d e.g. s top-ends, inside face o r leading edge?

• Is add i t iona l personal fall p r o t e c t i o n e q u i p m e n t r e q u i r e d f o r safe use?

Can t h e e q u i p m e n t be used as an ancho r p o i n t f o r persona l fall p r o t e c t i o n equ ipmen t ?

A n y t r a in ing o r i n s t ruc t i on t h e scaf fo lders may need t o ensure safe use.

• A r r a n g e m e n t s f o r t h e handl ing, de l i ve ry and s torage o f special e q u i p m e n t .

• A n y inspec t ion and ma in tenance

a r r angemen t s r e q u i r e d f o r special

e q u i p m e n t used.

Rescue p lanning and t h e need f o r special rescue e q u i p m e n t , t r a in ing and ins t ruc t i on .

4 4 N o t e t h a t s o m e systems d o n o t p r o v i d e

ful l co l l ec t i ve p r o t e c t i o n e.g. s top-ends o r at a

leading edge. N A S C r e c o m m e n d s tha t w h e r e a

scaf fo lder can enc roach w i t h i n I m o f a leading

edge (Figure 9) o r an area n o t p r o t e c t e d by

guardra i ls , t h e n t h e y are cons ide red at r isk o f a

fall and mus t be c l ipped o n (see Section 4 -

Personal fall protection equipment).

Figure 17 Illustration shows a scaffolder hemping a standard over a guardrail.

ins Falls in Scaffolding Section 2 - The scaffolders' 'Safe Zone'

M o b i l e e l e v a t i n g w o r k p l a t f o r m ( M E W P )

45 Mob i l e e levat ing w o r k p l a t f o rms (MEWPs )

are also c o m m o n l y r e f e r r e d t o as ' C h e r r y

: ;<ers . Booms o r Scissor l i f ts. ' MEWPs are

; ; 23 e in all shapes and sizes and are o f t en

: : - 3 ze red t o be a c o m p e t i t o r t o t h e

: v v : : ng ndustry. In r ecen t years t he

i . a labil ity and cost o f h i r ing MEWPs as a

safeguard against falls f o r s o m e o f t h e m o r e

- iza-dous scaffo lding ope ra t i ons is n o w a viable

opt ion i Figure 18).

4 6 It is i m p o r t a n t t o recognise tha t MEWPs

are : i y suitable f o r cer ta in scaf fo ld ing

ape cat ons and canno t be cons ide red as a

: " • :: ; o ; on fo r t h e ma jo r i t y o f r o u t i n e

scaffo d ing ope ra t ions . Figure 18 Scaffolders using a MEWP to erect a hung scaffold.

4 7 '//here MEWPs are se lected f o r e rec t i ng , a l t e r ing and d i smant l i ng scaf fo ld ing, e m p l o y e r s

- j s t have a safe system o f w o r k f o r t h e i r i n t ended use. Ca re shou ld be t aken t o select t h e m o s t

s_ -.a; e t ype and spec i f icat ion o f M E W P f o r t h e o p e r a t i o n .

4 8 T h e use o f a M E W P w o u l d n o t be suitable w h e r e t h e r e is r e s t r i c t ed access, w o r k o v e r ••• a:e- o ' at ve ry high levels.

4 9 On l y scaffolders w h o are au tho r i sed and t r a i ned (e.g. In te rnat iona l P o w e r e d Access

f e d e r a t i o n (IPAF) o r equiva lent ) shou ld o p e r a t e MEWPs.

IMPORTANT

The powered access industry recommends that work restraint lanyards are used to

prevent the operator being exposed to a risk of falling. However it is recommended by

the NASC that scaffolders who regularly use MEWP's should consider using an adjustable

fall arrest lanyard that may also be used for work restraint (Figure 19). Always check

with the MEWP supplier to ensure only specified attachment points are used.

=2Jil restraint lanyard

— _ wstato = combinat ion lanyard

Adjustable buckle

Energy absorber

Figure 19 Illustration showing i. a fall restraint

lanyard only that must not be used in

fall arrest, and ii. a combination

lanyard that can be used in fall

restraint and arrest when required.


P r o p r i e t a r y a d v a n c e d g u a r d r a i l s y s t e m s ( A G S )

5 0 Several p r o p r i e t a r y co l l ec t i ve fall p r o t e c t i o n systems recen t l y i n t r o d u c e d have b e c o m e

k n o w n as 'Advanced Guardra i l Systems' (AGS) (Figures 20 to 26).

51 Advanced guardra i l systems p r o v i d e co l lec t i ve fall p r e v e n t i o n f o r scaffolders w h e n t r ave r s ing

a long a b o a r d e d l i f t , e r ec t i ng , a l te r ing o r d i smant l ing scaf fo ld ing. These t e m p o r a r y guardra i ls

r ema in in place w h i l s t t h e p l a t f o r m guardra i ls are instal led o r r e m o v e d , a l l ow ing scaffolders t o

mainta in guardra i l edge p r o t e c t i o n o n w o r k i n g p l a t f o rms at all t imes .

Figure 20 Frame type advanced guardrail systems.

Figure 21 Telescopic type advanced guardrail systems.

I rCTenring Fails in Scaffolding Section 2 - The scaffolders' 'Safe Zone'

52 T h e suitabi l i ty o f advanced guardra i l systems needs t o be cons ide red as pa r t o f t h e r isk

assessment process w h e n p lanning w o r k at he ight . These systems are best su i ted t o s t ra ight

L n i f o r m scaffold s t ruc tu res w i t h o u t c o m p l e x e l emen ts e.g. long s t ra ight facades w i t h m i n i m u m

re tu rns , recesses o r p ro t ru s i ons .

53 Some advanced guardra i l systems d o n o t

prov ide full co l l ec t i ve p r o t e c t i o n e.g. s top-ends,

-side face o r at a leading edge. N A S C

r e c o m m e n d s tha t w h e r e a scaf fo lder can

enc roach w i t h i n I m o f a leading edge o r an

area no t p r o t e c t e d by guardra i ls , t h e n t h e y are

cons idered at risk o f a fall and m u s t be c l ipped

on (Figure 9) .

54 Frame and te lescop ic t y p e AGS are

0'_shed up t h e ou ts ide o f t h e s t r u c t u r e and

t h e i r o p e r a t i o n can be i m p e d e d by p ro t ru s i ons

from the scaffold. Scaffolders may have t o

ensure tha t t r ansoms , ledgers, b rac ing e tc . a re

co r r e c t l y sized so t h a t t h e y d o n o t have

excessive overhang .

55 W h e r e a risk o f a fall t o t h e inside face o f

the scaffold exists, scaffolders may need t o

change t h e n o r m a l sequence o f w o r k t o

r . : : : ~ i m o d a t e the AGS e.g. locate t he AGS

above, b e f o r e f ix ing t r ansoms , hop-Up brackets Figure 22 Shows the modified sequence of erection to allow

i i . / r - 'push-up' AGS's to be used on the inside face before or: e assemblies (Figure 22). , . ' '

v ° ' fixing transoms, ties or hop-up s above.

56 This ho r i zon ta l t y p e AGS (Figure 23) is best su i ted t o i n d e p e n d e n t t i ed scaffolds (facade

scaffolds) , i t pushes a long t he l i f t , f ixes t o t h e s tandards and can p r o v i d e p r o t e c t i o n t o b o t h inside

and outs ide faces o f t h e scaf fo ld . To p r o v i d e full co l l ec t i ve p r o t e c t i o n it mus t be used in

con junc t i on w i t h an addi t iona l AGS t h a t can be f i x e d / r e m o v e d f r o m b e l o w f o r t h e f i rs t bay d u r i n g

e-ect ion and the last bay w h e n

z snnantling. Aga in , add i t iona l

p recaut ions need t o be taken at

stop-ends, w h e r e personal fall

a ' o t e c t i o n e q u i p m e n t is needed

~ z : :a-'-'c de's must be c l ipped o n

• ' a-coach ing w i t h i n I m o f t he

s a c n g edge. Ca re needs t o be

tat en w h e n t o p p i n g o u t standards

: • a" :ne s-ardra i l .

Figure 23 Horizontal type advanced guardrail system.


P r o p r i e t a r y a d v a n c e d g u a r d r a i l t oo l s ( A G T )

5 7 Th is sec t ion covers p r o p r i e t a r y p r o d u c t s

t h a t a re des igned as t oo l s f o r pos i t i on ing

guardra i ls in advance, hence t h e t e r m Advanced

Guardra i l Tools ( A G T ) .

5 8 T h e p i vo t i ng t y p e A G T (Figure 24) is best

desc r ibed as a ' t o o l ' o r ' l ever ' f o r e r e c t i ng and

d ismant l ing t h e ma in scaffold guardra i ls f r o m

be low . Th is A G T is des igned p r ima r i l y f o r

t r ad i t i ona l t u b e and f i t t i ng scaffolds and is used

o n t h e o u t e r face o f t he scaffo ld. A d d i t i o n a l

p recaut ions need t o be t a k e n at stop-ends,

w h e n w o r k i n g w i t h i n I m o f t h e leading edge o r

inside face w h e r e scaffolders m u s t c l ip o n (also

see Figure 9).

5 9 Th is push up t y p e A G T ( f igure 25) util ises

special coup le r s t h a t a l l ow t h e scaffold t u b e

guardra i ls t o be e r e c t e d f r o m b e l o w and

pushed up in to pos i t i on w i t h a locat ing t o o l .

T h e handrai l is au tomat i ca l l y l o cked and

remains in place t o p r o v i d e fall p r o t e c t i o n w h e n

scaffolders access t h e nex t l i f t . T h e sequence o f

w o r k is cr i t ica l as t h e advance guardra i ls need

t o be raised b e f o r e t h e nex t l i f t is f o r m e d . T h e

t e m p o r a r y guardra i l remains in place w h i l s t t h e

p e r m a n e n t guardra i ls are f i t t e d . A l te rna t i ve l y ,

t h e A G T coup le r s can be rep laced w i t h n o r m a l

r ight-angle scaffold coup le r s t o f o r m t h e

scaffold guardra i ls . Th is sys tem can be used o n

all faces o f t h e scaffold inc lud ing inside fall r isks

and stop-ends.

6 0 T h e pos i t i on ing t o o l is also used t o un lock

t h e guardra i l f r o m b e l o w d u r i n g d i smant l ing .

Th is sys tem is p r ima r i l y su i ted f o r t r ad i t i ona l

t u b e and f i t t i ng scaffolds.

1 •,

Figure 24 Pivoting type advanced guardrail tool.

Figure 25 Push type advanced guardrail tool using special

couplers and a positioning tool.

- reventing Falls in Scaffolding Section 2 - The scaffolders' 'Safe Zone'

6 I A p r o p r i e t a r y sys tem scaffold

manu fac tu re r p rov ides an A G T t h a t is bespoke

to t he i r par t i cu la r p r o d u c t (Figure 26). Special

arms are used t o loca te/ remove t h e guardra i l

•'rame in t h e lift above .

Figure 26 Example of a system-scaffold-specific advanced

guardrail tool.

A d v a n c e d g u a r d r a i l m e t h o d s ( A G M )

62 T h e f o l l o w i n g cost-ef fect ive innovat ions have been deve l oped by scaf fo ld ing c o n t r a c t o r s t ha t

J : se s tandard scaf fo ld ing mater ia ls w i t h o u t t h e need t o invest in p r o p r i e t a r y advanced guardra i l

systems. These innovat i ve systems p r o v i d e t h e same level o f co l lec t i ve fall p r o t e c t i o n as s imi lar

p r o p r i e t a r y systems and are r e f e r r e d t o as A d v a n c e d Guardra i l M e t h o d s (AGM ' s ) . H o w e v e r , t h e y

can be m o r e t i m e c o n s u m i n g t o use and t h e r e b y less p r o d u c t i v e than t h e p r o p r i e t a r y o p t i o n s .

F r a m e t y p e A G M

63 This t u b e and f i t t i ng f r a m e t y p e A G M func t ions s imi lar ly t o p r o p r i e t a r y f r a m e t y p e systems.

S t ep /

Select mater ia ls t o suit t h e length o f t h e scaffold e leva t ion and bay sizes t o be p r o t e c t e d . T h e

upr ights are f o r m e d w i t h 2 .7m o r 3 m (9 f t o r I Oft) a l u m i n i u m o r steel scaffold tubes , and a single

: _oe is used t o f o r m t he t e m p o r a r y guardra i l . A l u m i n i u m t u b e can be used t o r educe t h e handl ing

.•.•eight.

S tep 2

Layout t h e tubes o n t h e g r o u n d t o f o r m a 'goal pos t ' f r a m e . T h e n f ix t h e guardra i l t o t h e end o f

: u e upr igh t tubes using r ight-angle coup le r s ( EN74 ) .

S tep 3

N o w fix a second right-angle c o u p l e r t o each up r i gh t t u b e . Measure I 1 0 0 m m d o w n f r o m t h e

cen t r e o f t he t o p coupler . N o t e tha t these coup le r s m u s t be pos i t i oned t o t h e oppos i t e side o f

the t u b e and f ixed 'up-s ide-down ' (see Figure 27 inset - overleaf).


Figure 2 7 AGM frame constructed on the ground and fixed to the base lift.

S t ep 4

Using t w o scaffo lders , l ift t h e f r a m e and f ix t o

t h e ledger. N o t e by f ix ing t h e c o u p l e r up-side-

d o w n it w i l l s u p p o r t itself unt i l secured (see

Figure 27 inset). A l so n o t e t h a t an add i t iona l

guardra i l is r e q u i r e d f o r t h e base lift on l y f o r

t h e ver t i ca l t u b e t o act against.

Step 5

T h e coup le r s can n o w be secured t o f ix t h e

advanced guardra i l in place. Scaffolders can

n o w access t h e p l a t f o r m and e r e c t t h e nex t l ift

once t h e co l lec t i ve p r o t e c t i o n is in place.

S t ep 6

W h e n t h e p e r m a n e n t guardra i ls have been

insta l led, t h e advanced guardra i l can be raised

t o t h e nex t level (Figure 29). Th is is m o r e easily

ach ieved by pul l ing back t h e ou ts ide b o a r d t o

access t h e coupler , f r o m above (Figure 28).

§ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^

Figure 28 Releasing the advanced guardrail from the ledger.

.A

Figure 29 Raising the advanced guardrail to the next level.

Section 2 - The scaffolders' 'Safe Zone'

64 W h e r e t i e assemblies, t r ansoms f o r inside boards , but t resses o r o t h e r p r o t r u s i o n s may obs t ru c t t h e raising o f t h e advanced guardra i l , t h e bu i ld sequence w i l l be c r i t i ca l , ensur ing t h e advanced guardra i l is raised p r i o r t o t h e t r ansoms etc . be ing insta l led.

65 If t h e advanced guardra i l is o b s t r u c t e d by t h e facade brac ing , t h e n f ix t h e brace once t h e advanced guardra i l has been ra ised.

66 Th is advanced guardra i l sys tem can also be used f o r d i smant l i ng and a l te rnat ions t h a t necessitate t h e r e m o v a l o f guardra i l p r o t e c t i o n .

H o r i z o n t a l t y p e A G M

67 Th is t u b e and f i t t i ng f r a m e advanced guardra i l m e t h o d func t ions s imi lar ly t o p r o p r i e t a r y Hor izonta l t y p e systems. T h e F rame t y p e A G M (page 21) can be used t o p r o v i d e p r o t e c t i o n f o r the f i rs t bay.

Step I

W o r k i n g f r o m beh ind t h e guardra i l p r o t e c t i o n ,

fix t w o right-angle coup le r s t o t h e standards

above t h e ex is t ing guardra i l (Figure 30).

Figure 30 Horizontal type AGM - Step 1

S t ep 2

Using a 6 m (20f t ) a l u m i n i u m t u b e , place it

Any Y V j | j ! I

j ', loosely i n to t h e t w o f i t t ings so t h e t u b e can still slide t o t he side (Figure 31). H 1

j " . . 1 : : - . - 1 , - - - - --_-r-..-.-_--__ . . _J r.


Step 3

Push t he t u b e o u t ho r i zon ta l l y past t h e n e x t

;;

s tandard and t igh ten t he end coup l e r (Figure 32). •\

rV'l r'V.,j



S t ep 4

W a l k o u t t o f ix t h e t e m p o r a r y guardra i l t o t h e

s tandard , c l ipp ing o n if enc roach ing w i t h i n I m

o f the end (Figure 33).

S t ep 5

T h e w o r k i n g p l a t f o r m guardra i l (s ) can n o w be

c o m p l e t e d and n e x t l i f t c o n s t r u c t e d w i t h t h e

scaffo lders ' 'Safe Z o n e ' in place (Figure 34).

S tep 6

T h e t e m p o r a r y guardra i l can t h e n be released

and slid a long hor izonta l l y t o t he nex t bay(s)

(Figure 35).




S y s t e m Sca f fo ld A G M ' s

6 8 Some p rop r i e t a r y system scaffold manufac turers have deve loped innovat ive Advanced

Guardra i l Me thods (AGM's ) t ha t are bespoke t o the i r specific p roduc t s .

figure 36 A frame system scaffold with an integral are pre-fixed to the standard before erection and the outer

advanced guardrail. guardrails are located from the adjacent bay.

! reventirrg Falls in Scaffolding Section 2 - The scaffolders' 'Safe Zone'

S h o r t - l i f t s y s t e m

69 By e rec t ing scaf fo ld ing using

s - o t lift heights (i.e. I m ) t h e

edgers o f t he nex t l i f t a re e r e c t e d

as no rma l t o f o r m a 2 m l i f t . T h e n a

m i n t e r m e d i a t e l i f t is f o r m e d .

T h e r e f o r e , as t h e scaffolders access

:ne next I m level t h e ledgers a re

a -eady in place and act as guardra i ls

t o p r o v i d e co l lec t i ve fall p r o t e c t i o n

'Figure 38). D e c k i n g o n t h e

: e m p o r a r y i n t e r m e d i a t e l i f t ( the

shor t l i f t ) can be raised t o t h e nex t

l ift and any t e m p o r a r y t r ansoms

r e q u i r e d can be r e m o v e d later t o

p rov ide c lear access o n all f in ished

w o r k i n g lifts f o r o t h e r t rades . Figure 38 This sequence shows the short-lift system used to erect a system

scaffold tower.

70 This sys tem o f w o r k i n g is best su i ted t o scaffolds des igned w i t h o u t ledger brac ing (e.g.

m o d u l a r sys tem scaffolds o r m o d u l a r t r a n s o m units used in accordance w i t h t h e manu fac tu r e r ' s

ins t ruc t ions ) . System deck ing also e l iminates t h e need t o install t e m p o r a r y t r ansoms as b o a r d oearers .

Sca f f o lde r s ' S t ep-up

71 For scaffolds des igned w i t h 2 m lift he ights , this sys tem util ises a p r o p r i e t a r y s tep tha t is f i xed t o the s tandard o r guardra i l I m above t h e w o r k i n g p l a t f o r m . This enables t h e scaf fo lder t o e r e c t the guardra i l p r o t e c t i o n on t h e l i f t above in advance o r r e m o v e t h e m f r o m b e l o w du r i ng d i smant l ing (Figure 39).


7 2 T h e sequence o f w o r k needs t o be cons ide red w h e n using t h e scaf fo lder 's s tep-up, as ledger

brac ing o r s top-end guardra i ls may i m p e d e s o m e step designs. T h e r e f o r e , these i t ems may need

t o be f i xed a f te r t h e guardra i ls have been e r e c t e d in t h e l i f t above .

7 3 N o t e t h a t guardra i ls w i l l need t o be f i xed t o t h e base l i f t t o a c c o m m o d a t e t h e step-up f o r

t h e f i rs t l i f t . A f o o t t i e may also be r e q u i r e d t o secure t h e base l i f t w i t h cer ta in s tep-up designs.

For uneven g r o u n d t h e base l i f t may need t o be b o a r d e d o u t t o ensure s o m e t ypes o f steps are

c o r r e c t l y s u p p o r t e d at t h e base.

7 4 T h e scaf fo lder is still e xposed t o t h e r isk o f a fall f r o m t h e step-up o r t h r o u g h t h e gap

b e t w e e n t h e ledger and guardra i ls w h i l e accessing t h e step-up p l a t f o r m .

A I M P O R T A N T

S ca f f o l de r s m u s t be c l i pped o n , idea l ly t o t h e b a c k ledger , d u e t o t h e r i sk of fa l l ing f r o m t h e scaf fo ld w h e n us ing t h e S t e p - u p s y s t e m . S ca f f o l de r s m u s t b e c l i p p e d on b e f o r e c l i m b i n g on t h e t e m p o r a r y p l a t f o r m a n d m u s t no t j u m p d o w n o n t o t h e b o a r d e d p l a t f o r m d u e to t h e r i sk of b o a r d f a i l u re f r o m i m p a c t l oads .

A l t e r n a t i v e S t e p - u p ' s

7 5 For s o m e m o d u l a r sys tem scaf fo ld ing, s tandard hop-up brackets can be used t o c rea te a

t e m p o r a r y p l a t f o r m , inside t h e l i f t , t h a t can used t o install guardra i ls in t h e l i f t above , in a s imi lar

fashion t o t he scaf fo lders ' s tep-up sys tem.

Figure 40 System scaffold hop-up brackets used to create a scaffolded Step-up platform in alternate bays. The middle bays can be

reached from adjacent bays to fix the guardrails.

7 6 Progress ive scaffolds f o r b r i c k w o r k are n o r m a l l y e r e c t e d using 1.35 t o 1.5m l i f t heights.

Many o f t h e establ ished co l lec t i ve fall p r o t e c t i o n systems d o n o t easily a c c o m m o d a t e these

smal ler l i f t heights. In such cases small p r o p r i e t a r y standings o r steps may be used t o enable

scaffolders t o install guardra i ls in advance t o t h e nex t l i f t (Figure 41). T h e i n t e r m e d i a t e guardra i ls

can o f t en be f i xed s imply f r o m t h e l i f t b e l o w as t h e y are typ ica l l y on l y 1.75 t o 2 m above t h e l i f t .

_ [eventing Falls in Scaffolding Section 2 - The scaffolders' 'Safe Zone' 27

Figure 41 A 600mm staging platform used to erect guardrails in advance for 1.5m bricklayers' lifts.

77 Scaffolds w i t h ta l le r l ift heights, such as t h e e r e c t i o n o f pedes t r i an base lifts (up t o 2 .7m) o r

•"oor he ight lifts ( 2 . 5 m t o 3m) are o f t e n d i f f i cu l t t o p r o v i d e co l l ec t i ve fall p r o t e c t i o n for, as m o s t

systems are des igned f o r a s tandard 2 m lift he ight only. T h e use o f a p o d i u m m o b i l e access t o w e r

as s h o w n in Figure 42) is one e x a m p l e f o r e rec t ing/d ismant l ing tall base lifts p rov id i ng t h e g r o u n d

cond i t i on is sui table. Scaffolders may have t o cons ide r a c o m b i n a t i o n o f systems t o achieve full

co l lect ive p r o t e c t i o n f o r f l o o r he ight l i f ts. For examp l e , using a d u m m y lift at a p p r o x i m a t e l y I m

f o l l o w i n g t h e sho r t l ift m e t h o d and t h e n r e so r t i ng t o o t h e r co l lec t i ve measures t o install guardra i ls

on t he w o r k i n g p l a t f o r m in advance.

:gure 42 A podium scaffold used to erect a pavement lift.


P r o t e c t e d t r a v e r s i n g

required to fix the guardrail...

Figure 43 Protected traverse - sequence of work using double lanyards attached to standards

7 8 W h e n guardra i l p r o t e c t i o n is n o t p r o v i d e d , t o c rea te a 'Safe Z o n e ' , t h e n sui table

c o m p e n s a t o r y measures m u s t be t aken t h a t m in im ise t h e d istance and consequences o f a fal l . In

pract ica l t e r m s scaf fo lders M U S T be c l ipped o n w h e n exposed t o t h e r isk o f a fall wh i l s t w o r k i n g

ou ts ide ( o r w i t h i n I m of t h e end ) o f guardra i l p r o t e c t i o n (see Figure 9 ) .

7 9 H o w e v e r , w h e r e it can be d e m o n s t r a t e d t h a t it is n o t reasonably prac t i cab le t o p r o v i d e

guardra i l p r o t e c t i o n , t h e n persona l fall p r o t e c t i o n e q u i p m e n t (Safety harnesses) m u s t be ut i l i sed

by scaf fo lders and t h e y M U S T r ema in cont inua l l y a t tached .

8 0 In o r d e r t o t r ave rse a long an u n p r o t e c t e d p l a t f o r m a m i n i m u m sys tem o f w o r k w o u l d be

r e q u i r e d ut i l is ing d o u b l e o r tw in- ta i l ed lanyards. A n e x a m p l e o f th is sys tem is s h o w n in Figure 43.

81 To min im ise t h e po ten t i a l fall d istance it is p re fe rab le f o r scaffolders t o uti l ise anchor devices

t h a t f ix t o t h e s tandard ( ideal ly t h e inside s tandard f u r t h e s t f r o m t h e edge) r a the r than t h e ledger

b e l o w f o o t level (see Section 4 - Personal fall protection equipment).

Preventing Falls in Scaffolding Section 3 - Collective fall arrest systems

Section 3 - Collective fall arrest systems

8 2 Co l l e c t i ve fall a r res t systems are n o w c o m m o n place t h r o u g h o u t t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n indus t r y and inc lude fall a r res t safety nets, inf latable air bags, safety deck ing and o t h e r so f t landing systems (Figure 45).

83 T h e i r app l i ca t ion may be l im i t ed in m o s t scaf fo ld ing ope ra t i ons , due t o t h e genera l l y h igher

po ten t i a l fall distances scaf fo lders are exposed t o , and t h e r e q u i r e m e n t s o f t h e W o r k at He igh t

Regulations f o r e m p l o y e r s t o mi t iga te any po ten t i a l fall d is tance. A l so logistical p r o b l e m s , space

l im i ta t ions and lack o f suitable anchorage can be res t r i c t i ons in t h e i r use.

8 4 If scaffolders need t o access o r w o r k on roo f s , w h e r e t h e r e is a r isk o f a fall t h r o u g h a fragi le surface, such as, asbestos c e m e n t sheets o r fragi le r o o f l ights, and it is no t pract ica l t o c o v e r t h e fragi le mate r i a l , fall a r res t safety nets cou ld be r igged t o t h e unders ide o f t h e s t r u c t u r e t o p r o t e c t against any such fall (Figure 44).

Safety net

Figure 44 Foil arrest netting rigged to protect against falls through

a fragile roof light.

8 5 W h e r e co l lec t i ve fall a r res t systems are chosen , t h e y mus t be instal led in accordance w i t h

m a n u f a c t u r e r ins t ruc t ions and any recogn ised t r a in ing scheme such as t h e Fall A r r e s t Safety

E q u i p m e n t Training (FASET) scheme .

30 Section 3 - Collective fall arrest systems Preventing Falls in Scaffolding

Safety net fan provides protection for erecting temporary edge Soft landing systems,

protection.

Inflatable air bags. Safety decking systems.

Figure 45 Examples of other collective fall arrest systems.

Preventing Falls in Scaffolding Section 4 - Personal fall protection equipment

Section 4 - Personal fall protection equipment

8 6 Scaffolders w h o re ly o n systems o f w o r k ut i l is ing persona l fall a r res t e q u i p m e n t on l y (i.e.

safety harness and lanyard, iner t i a ree l , ho r i zon ta l lines etc . ) sti l l face r isk o f injury. H o w e v e r , it is

i m p o r t a n t t o recognise t h a t persona l fall a r res t may be t he m o s t sui table, o r only, o p t i o n in

ce r ta in c i r cumstances . Fall a r res t e q u i p m e n t is used t o a r res t a fall shou ld it occur , p r e ven t i ng t h e

w o r k e r f r o m h i t t i ng t h e g r o u n d ( o r o t h e r surface) o r s t r u c t u r e . T h e fall a r res t e q u i p m e n t and

anchorage po in ts m u s t be capable o f w i t h s t a n d i n g t h e forces invo lved and min im is ing t h o s e fo rces

t o an acceptab le level .

8 7 T h e t e r m 'personal fall a r res t ' means a sys tem o f w o r k i n g w h e r e indiv idual w o r k e r s re ly

u p o n t h e use o f special personal p r o t e c t i v e e q u i p m e n t (PPE) and w o r k e q u i p m e n t t o p r o t e c t

against t h e r isk o f fal l ing. These systems typ ica l l y inc lude e q u i p m e n t such as harnesses, lanyards,

energy absorbers , l ines, iner t ia reels, c o n n e c t o r s and anchorage po in ts . A l l persona l fall

p r o t e c t i o n systems are classed as act ive p r o t e c t i o n tha t is on l y e f fec t ive if used c o r r e c t l y (e.g. a

fall a r res t harness and lanyard sys tem requ i res a sui tably secure ancho r p o i n t and a m i n i m u m

c learance distance t o a r res t a fal l ) , un l ike co l lec t i ve p r o t e c t i o n ( some t imes r e f e r r e d t o as passive

p r o t e c t i o n ) t ha t o f fe rs p r o t e c t i o n cont inuous ly .

8 8 It is w i d e l y accep ted tha t t h e r e is an i nhe ren t r isk o f a fall in all scaf fo ld ing ope ra t i ons , w h i c h

canno t be c o m p l e t e l y e l im ina t ed . T h e use o f fall a r res t e q u i p m e n t does n o t p r e v e n t a fall

o c c u r r i n g and does n o t e l im ina te t h e r isk o f in jury comp le te l y .

8 9 W h e n a persona l fall a r res t sys tem is used, cons ide ra t i on m u s t be given t o r educ ing t h e

distance a pe rson is l iable t o fall and t h e consequences o f t h e fal l , par t i cu la r l y t h e ease o f rescue

of a pe rson suspended in a harness (see Section 5 - Rescue).

9 0 It is recognised t h a t t e m p o r a r y w o r k i n g p l a t f o rms and guardra i ls t h a t f o r m t he 'Safe Z o n e '

d o n o t c o m p l e t e l y e l im ina te t h e need f o r personal fall a r res t e q u i p m e n t . T h e r e f o r e , all scaffo lding

opera t i ves invo lved w i t h w o r k i n g at he ight shou ld w e a r and use persona l fall a r res t e q u i p m e n t

(harnesses etc . ) at all t i m e s , in acco rdance w i t h t r a i n i ng and i n s t ruc t i on rece i ved .

91 W h e n choos ing par t i cu lar persona l fall p r o t e c t i o n e q u i p m e n t , as pa r t o f a r isk assessment t o

establ ish a safe sys tem o f w o r k , e m p l o y e r s mus t ensure tha t t h e e q u i p m e n t is sui table , having

been des igned and tes ted f o r t h e p u r p o s e tha t it is i n t ended t o be used. A lways read t h e

ins t ruc t ions carefu l ly and if in any d o u b t seek advice f r o m t h e supplier.

9 2 It is i m p o r t a n t t o n o t e tha t s o m e fall a r res t e q u i p m e n t is on l y des igned, t e s t ed and

m a n u f a c t u r e d t o m e e t t h e m i n i m u m European s tandard and w i l l on l y be safe t o use w i t h i n ce r ta in

l im i ta t ions . For examp le , a s tandard r e t r a c t i ng iner t i a ree l may on ly be used if a t tached above t h e

scaf fo lder and t rave rs ing ho r i zon ta l l y is l im i t ed t o t h e m a x i m u m angle f r o m t h e ve r t i ca l , as

speci f ied by t h e manufac ture r .

Preventing Falls i n Scat to ld i

Section 4 - Personal fall protection equipment

, 3 M o t e t h a t e m p l o y e r s m u s t c o n f e r „ , avai lable fa„ a r res t < ^ ^ ^ * * . , - f w j k in o r d e r t h a t t h e d is tance and consequences of any po ten t i a l fal l a re

C d A h X I " eTo r o t e c t l o n m a y b . sa ined by S e , e c , i n 8 s o m e o , t h e a l te rna t i ve

Figure 46 A minimum suggested personal fall arrest system.

Figure 47 A high specification harness and lanyard system.


9 4 W h e n using fall a r res t e q u i p m e n t , it is i m p o r t a n t t o pos i t i on y o u r ancho r p o i n t as high as

possible and t o use as s h o r t a lanyard as possible, t o m in im ise t he po ten t i a l fall d istance. T h e ideal

fall a r res t sys tem w o u l d uti l ise an anchor p o i n t and lanyard w i t h v i r tua l l y no fall d istance at all ,

e f fec t i ve ly c rea t ing a 'Fall f a c to r z e r o ' . Figure 48 expla ins fall f ac tors I and 2 in m o r e deta i l .

Fall Factor = Fall d istance Length o f lanyard

Fa l l F a c t o r I Fa l l F a c t o r 2 Attached at waist height or above Attached to ledger below

Figure 48 Fall factors.

Figure 49 Fall factor zero. Shows an

adjustable lanyard that has

been shortened to minimise the

potential fall distance and a

special scaffold hook designed

to attach to a standard.

Section 4 - Personal fall protection equipment Preventing Falls in Scaffolding

9 5 T h e r e is an i nhe ren t r isk o f in ju ry w i t h t h e use o f any persona l fall a r res t sys tem, shou ld a fall

occur . In o r d e r t o m in im ise t h e r isk o f in jury t h e r e mus t be adequa te c learance be low . T h e

c learance distance r e q u i r e d w i l l v a r y d e p e n d i n g u p o n t h e t y p e o f fall a r res t e q u i p m e n t se lected

and t h e m a n n e r in w h i c h it is used.

9 6 For examp l e , a scaf fo lder using a fall a r res t sys tem w i t h a ful l b o d y harness, a 1 .75m lanyard

i n c o r p o r a t i n g a energy abso rbe r and 5 5 m m open ing scaffold h o o k w i l l on l y s tar t t o b e c o m e

ef fect ive if a t tached t o t h e ledger at t h e 4 m level o r above .

9 7 T h e o p t i m u m length o f a f i xed length lanyard f o r scaf fo ld ing is 1 .75m; h o w e v e r t h e

m a x i m u m overa l l l ength m u s t n o t exceed 2 m e t r e s , inc lud ing c o n n e c t o r s .

Ideal 1.75 m

Max 2.0 m

Figure 50 The maximum length of fixed length lanyard.

S ing l e fall a r r e s t l a n y a r d s

9 8 Personal fall a r res t systems t h a t uti l ise a single fall a r res t lanyard are on ly e f fec t i ve if

con t inuous l y a t tached w h i l s t exposed t o a r isk o f a fal l . If t h e scaf fo lder has t o change anchor

pos i t ions t o o v e r c o m e an o b s t r u c t i o n t h e y w o u l d be w i t h o u t fall p r o t e c t i o n , e.g. passing

t r ansoms w h e n sl iding a scaffold h o o k a long a ledger. Scaffolders ut i l is ing a persona l fall a r res t

sys tem, w i t h a single lanyard and scaffold h o o k only, are N O T p e r m i t t e d t o t r ave rse ou ts ide o f

guardra i l p r o t e c t i o n , as t h e y w i l l be exposed t o t h e r isk o f a fal l , if t h e anchor p o i n t needs t o be

r e p o s i t i o n e d . Scaffolders w o r k i n g w i t h i n I m o f an u n p r o t e c t e d edge (e.g. t h e end o f guardra i l

w h e r e t h e r e is a fall r isk) mus t r ema in c l i pped o n (see Figure 9).

D o u b l e fall a r r e s t l a n y a r d s

9 9 Ce r t a i n scaf fo ld ing ope ra t i ons w i l l r equ i r e

systems o f w o r k tha t use t w o energy absorb ing

lanyards o r tw in- ta i l ed lanyards, c o m m o n l y

r e f e r r e d t o as d o u b l e lanyards (Figures 50 and

51). Part icular ly w h e n scaf fo lders have t o access

s t ruc tu res w i t h o u t a b o a r d e d p l a t f o r m e.g.

b r idg ing using beams o r t e m p o r a r y roo f s

e r e c t e d in s i tu . T h e main bene f i t o f using a

d o u b l e lanyard sys tem o f w o r k is tha t it a l lows

t h e scaf fo lder t o r ema in c l i pped o n w h e n

c rabb ing a long a beam, using t h e p r o t e c t e d

t r ave r s ing t e c h n i q u e (see page 28) o r c l imb ing

a s t r u c t u r e (last r e s o r t ) . Figure 51 Twin-tailed/double lanyard that shares a common

energy absorber.


100 A t w i n ta i led ene rgy absorb ing lanyard shou ld ideal ly be used w i t h a c o m m o n energy

absorber , because t w o separate lanyards and energy absorbers may be less e f fec t i ve and increase

t h e loads t r a n s f e r r e d i n t o t h e body. W h e n using on l y o n e o f t h e d o u b l e lanyards tha t shares a

c o m m o n energy absorber , scaf fo lders shou ld N O T w r a p t h e spare lanyard a r o u n d t h e i r b o d y o r

a t tach it back t o t h e harness o r t o o l b e l t , as this cou ld cause t h e ene rgy abso rb ing lanyard t o fai l .

T h e spare lanyard, w h e n n o t in use, shou ld e i the r be c l i pped o n t o t h e same ancho r po i n t , hang

f r ee o r be c l i pped t o a p u r p o s e des igned sacrificial lanyard pa rk ing p o i n t o n t h e harness.

A n c h o r po in t s , c o n n e c t o r s a n d a n c h o r d e v i c e s

101 Personal fall p r o t e c t i o n systems are to ta l l y re l iant o n be ing a t tached t o a suitable

anchorage . To ensure t h e safe p e r f o r m a n c e o f t h e sys tem, t h e l ike ly loads tha t w o u l d be

t r a n s f e r r e d i n to t he anchorage and t h e abi l i ty o f an ancho r p o i n t and any s u p p o r t i n g s t r u c t u r e t o

resist t hose forces , mus t be establ ished.

102 Ve r y high loads can be t r a n s f e r r e d i n to an anchorage w h e n a fall is a r r es ted (up t o 6 k N ) .

103 Manu fac tu re r s and suppl iers o f persona l fall a r res t e q u i p m e n t shou ld p r o v i d e i n f o r m a t i o n

on po ten t i a l ancho r loads.

A n c h o r a g e t o t u b e a n d f i t t ing scaf fo lds

104 Scaffolds mus t be e r e c t ed in accordance w i t h t h e re levant Br i t ish and European standards

(e.g. BS E N 1281 I and N A S C T G 2 0 : 0 8 ) so t h a t t h e y are adequate ly stable. W h e r e t ies and

stabi l i ty measures (e.g. but t ress ing , ken t l edge , guys and anchors etc . ) are r e q u i r e d t h e y shou ld be

instal led and r e m o v e d as w o r k progresses t o ensure o p t i m u m stabi l i ty against o v e r t u r n i n g /

col lapse o f t h e s t r u c t u r e . Th is includes t h e use o f any t e m p o r a r y ( d u m m y ) stabi l i ty measures

r e q u i r e d solely f o r e r e c t i ng , a l t e r ing and d i smant l ing purposes .


105 It has been establ ished by t h e N A S C , t h r o u g h i n d e p e n d e n t t es t ing , t h a t steel t u b e and

f i t t i ng scaf fo ld ing has been d e m o n s t r a t e d t o p r o v i d e a safe ancho r p o i n t f o r any scaf fo lder

w e a r i n g a ful l b o d y harness and a t tached by a lanyard w i t h an energy abso rbe r (see sui table

scaffold anchor po in ts b e l o w ) .

106 W h e r e a l te rnat i ve scaf fo ld ing mater ia ls are used, such as, a l u m i n i u m o r glass r e i n f o r c e d

plastic (GRP), t h e users m u s t con tac t t h e supp l i e r t o ensure anchorage t o t h e s t r u c t u r e is

a p p r o p r i a t e .

S u i t a b l e scaf fo ld a n c h o r po in t s :

• Ledgers and t r a n s o m s s u p p o r t e d w i t h load bear ing coup le rs .

Standards, bu t on l y w h e n using a suitable ancho r dev ice des igned f o r t h e p u r p o s e (see

Figure 5 5 ) and no jo ints b e t w e e n lift and t h e a t t a c h m e n t po i n t .

• Guardra i l s s u p p o r t e d w i t h load bear ing coup le rs (guardrai ls w i t h i n a scaffold s t r u c t u r e ) .

• Transoms s u p p o r t e d by t h e ledgers in t h e l i f t above f ixed at b o t h ends by single coup le rs .

U n s u i t a b l e scaf fo ld a n c h o r po in t s :

Ledgers o r guardra i ls s u p p o r t e d w i t h p u t l o g cl ips o r single coup le r s .

• "Ledgers or guardrails WitVim aYiay wYiere'YtYias a p m t

Standards - unless a suitable ancho r dev ice is used des igned f o r t h e pu rpose .

• Standards w i t h a j o i n t b e t w e e n t h e l ift and t h e a t t a c h m e n t po i n t .

• Puncheons.

• Transoms b e l o w f o o t level .

Pu t log t r a n s o m s o r b r id l e tubes .

Transoms w h e n unders lung b e l o w ledgers o n non-load-bear ing coup le r s .

Reveal o r p r o p t i e assemblies.

• Braces o r o t h e r diagonal t ubes .

• O t h e r t u b e o p e n e n d e d o r n o t s u p p o r t e d b o t h sides o f t h e a t t a c h m e n t pos i t i on

e.g. p r o t r u d i n g end o f a t r a n s o m , needle o r d r o p p e r .


^ 7 ^ e — s p e e d y d e v e l o p for use os encnor devrces to seffoid

standards.

, 0 7 P r op r i e t a r y anchor devices f o r ancho r i ng t o scaf fo ld ing are n o w available t h a t enable

scaffolders t o a t tach t h e i r lanyard t o ver t i ca l s tandards (Figure 54). Th is means t h a t scaf fo lders can

r vantage o f a h igher anchor pos i t i on in p re f e r ence t o a t tach ing t o t he ledger b e l o w he,r

Karabiners t ha t are des igned especial ly f o r a t tach ing t o scaffo.d standards m a k e an effec , e

nd e f f i c ient ancho r dev ice . A n o t h e r design includes special coup le rs t h a t can be P r e - a s s e m b , e d

o n standards b e f o r e t h e y are e r e c t e d as pa r t o f a p lanned sys tem o f w o r k . Th.s P r o ^

scaffolders w i t h a l te rnat i ve and conven i en t ancho r pos i t ions as t h e y access an " f ^ ™

e g t h e p r o t e c t e d t r ave rse sys tem of w o r k (see methods o f creating a Safe Zone -page 16).

A lways r e f e r t o t h e manu fac tu r e r ' s i ns t ruc t ions t o ensure safe use.

A n c h o r a g e t o p r o p r i e t a r y sca f fo ld ing s y s t e m s

, 0 8 T h e N A S C r e c o m m e n d s t h a t t h e sys tem scaffold manu fac tu r e r ' s i ns t ruc t ions are f o l l o w e d

o de J r m i n e sui table anchor po in ts f o r persona, fall p r o t e c t i o n e q u i p m e n t . T h e r e c r e m e n t s o f

I n l c l e r s - t o cons ide r fall p r e v e n t i o n and p r o t e c t i o n f o r t h e i r p r o d u c t s - ,s out„ned ,n a

la ter sec t ion (see Proprietary system scaffolding - Page 51).

G u i d e l i n e s fo r a n c h o r a g e on o t h e r s t r u c t u r e s

, 0 9 A l t e r n a t i v e anchor po in ts t h a t may need t o be cons ide red f o r scaf fo ld ing ope ra t i ons shou ld

I w a y s T e checked t o ensure t h e y are sui table and suf f ic ient and w h e r e necessary a p p r o v a m u s t

e s i gh t c m t h e c l i ent o r o w n e r . If an a l te rnat i ve anchor p o i n t is r e q u i r e d (e.g. . stee earn)

hen an assessment may need t o be made by a c o m p e t e n t engineer. A., p e r m a n e n t l y instal led

anchorage po in ts o r systems m u s t have a c u r r e n t inspec t ion and tes t ce r t i f i ca te available, ,n

accordance w i t h t h e re levant Br i t i sh and European s tandard .


I 10 O t h e r possible anchorage po in ts cou ld inc lude, f o r examp le :

• Beams;

G i rde r s ;

• A n y o t h e r s t ruc tu ra l s t e e l w o r k ;

W i r e systems; and ,

Pe rmanent l y instal led anchorage po in t s .

Girder loop and strops Mobile man anchor

Figure 55 A selection of special connectors and anchor devices.

A n c h o r a g e to l i gh twe igh t m o b i l e a c c e s s t o w e r s ( M A T s )

I I I T h e Pre fabr ica ted Access Suppl iers & Manu fac tu re r s Assoc ia t ion (PASMA) states tha t

persona l fall a r res t e q u i p m e n t shou ld n o t be used o n l i gh twe igh t m o b i l e access t o w e r s , as t h e y

d o n o t p r o v i d e a sui tably stable o r secure anchorage . PASMA have deve l oped a sys tem o f w o r k

f o r t h e e r e c t i o n , use and d i smant l i ng o f MATs t h a t min imises t h e r isk o f a fal l . T h e N A S C

r e c o m m e n d s tha t Scaffolders r e q u i r e d t o e rec t , a l ter o r d i smant l e MATs shou ld be t r a i ned in

accordance w i t h t h e PASMA C o d e o f Pract ice.


I n e r t i a r e e l s

I 12 Retractable l ine fall a r res t devices are c o m m o n l y k n o w n as iner t i a reels o r lines. A steel

cable o r mater ia l w e b b i n g l ine ex t rac t s and re t rac ts au tomat i ca l l y and , shou ld a fall occur , a

b rak ing mechan i sm stops t h e l ine paying o u t t o a r res t a fal l , s imi lar t o t he o p e r a t i o n o f a car seat

be l t .

I 13 Iner t ia reels are available in var ious lengths, sizes o f b l o ck and - cr i t ica l ly - we igh t s , as t h e y

are r e q u i r e d t o be manual ly hand led . Ca r e mus t be t aken w h e n cons ide r ing a sys tem of w o r k

using ine r t i a reels, as t h e y m u s t be sui table f o r t h e scaf fo ld ing o p e r a t i o n and be used in

accordance w i t h t h e manu fac tu r e r ' s ins t ruc t ions . A l l r e t rac tab le l ine fall a r res t devices m u s t be

m a n u f a c t u r e d and t e s t ed in accordance w i t h BS E N 360 .

I 14 T h e ancho r p o i n t mus t be above t h e scaf fo lder t o l im i t t h e distance t h e scaf fo lder can fall

t o a m i n i m u m k n o w n as a 'Fall f a c t o r I ' (Figure 48). Th is is due t o t h e fact t h a t many iner t i a reels

have no ene rgy a b s o r p t i o n capabi l i ty shou ld a fall occur . Iner t ia reels shou ld on ly be used in a

b road l y ver t i ca l plane w i t h m in ima l ho r i zon ta l m o v e m e n t , thus m in im i s ing t h e p e n d u l u m e f fec t

shou ld a fall o c c u r (e.g. Slung scaffold (Figure 57)). T h e w o r k i n g area and ho r i zon ta l t r ave r s ing is

r e s t r i c t ed because, t h e angle o f t h e line f r o m ver t i ca l can be no g r ea t e r than t h a t speci f ied by t h e

manufac ture r , t o r educe t h e r isk o f in ju ry f r o m t h e p e n d u l u m ef fec t ( f igure 56).

Figure 56 The pendulum effect. This illustration shows the Figure 57 A slung scaffold being erected by a scaffolder utilising

dangers of the pendulum effect. The faller will swing an inertia reel as part of the personal fall protection

like a pendulum, striking the structure or the ground. system.

Figure 58 (inset) Webbing connection strop for use with lines.

They provide ease of connection by the scaffolder and

emergency release in rescue when using steel lines.


I 15 Iner t ia reels are ideal ly su i ted f o r d r o p l i f t o r hung scaffold s t ruc tu res , w h e r e a sui table

anchor p o i n t can be e r e c t e d above and scaf fo lders are able t o e rec t , a l te r and d i smant le lift(s)

b e l o w wh i l s t r ema in ing a t t ached .

I 16 W h e n speci fy ing iner t i a reels, cons ide ra t i on mus t be made f o r rescue and r e c o v e r y shou ld

a fall occur . W h e r e necessary, r e t r i evab le iner t i a reels shou ld be speci f ied t h a t a l l ow col leagues t o

w i n c h t h e casualty up o r d o w n t o safety by dep loy ing an integra l handle o r s imi lar dev ice (see

Section 5 - Rescue). W h e r e steel i ne r t i a lines are speci f ied t h e n w e b b i n g c o n n e c t i o n s t rops shou ld

be used. Th is w i l l enable a rescuer t o release t h e p r i m a r y fall a r res t e q u i p m e n t by c u t t i n g t h e

w e b b i n g s t r o p , if necessary (Figure 63).

H o r i z o n t a l l ine s y s t e m s

I 17 T h e t h r e e ma jo r fac tors t ha t need t o be cons ide red w h e n se lect ing a suitable ho r i zon ta l

l ine sys tem are :

I. T h e a m o u n t o f de f l ec t i on in t h e l ine and t h e c learance r e q u i r e d b e l o w t h e a t t a c h m e n t

pos i t i on e.g. s o m e systems at 2 0 m in length can def lec t m o r e than 6 m , w h e r e o t h e r s are

have a de f l e c t i on o f less t han 2 m . T h e r e f o r e , if a sys tem is used tha t has a m a x i m u m

de f l e c t i on o f 6 m w i t h a 1 .75m lanyard t o a t tach t o t h e l ine, it w o u l d on l y be an e f fec t i ve

personal fall a r res t sys tem at t h e 10m (5 th l i f t ) level o r above .

T h e l ine creates a ' V shape as it def lects b e t w e e n suppo r t s w h e n a r res t ing a fal l . T h e user

t rave ls t o t h e c e n t r e o f t h e ' V causing a sw ing fall r isk. Th is r isk is g rea te r f o r mu l t i p l e user

systems.

II. T h e s u p p o r t i n g s t r u c t u r e f o r anchor ing t h e ends o f t h e line sys tem.

W i t h s o m e systems end loads i n to t h e anchor po in ts need t o be ca lcu lated a l l ow ing 2 4 k N

( a p p r o x i m a t e l y 2.4 tonnes o f f o r ce ) . If a t tached t o scaffold c o m p o n e n t s (e.g. t h e standards)

t h e fo rces gene ra t ed in a fall cou ld s ignif icant ly d e f o r m t h e s t r u c t u r e and may affect its

stabi l i ty o r t h e secur i t y o f t h e anchorage . C o n s i d e r a t i o n needs t o be g iven t o t h e sui tab i l i ty

and design o f anchor pos i t ions f o r l ine systems, in accordance w i t h t h e po ten t i a l end loading,

speci f ied in t h e manu fac tu r e r ' s ins t ruc t ions .

III. T h e m a x i m u m n u m b e r o f persons tha t can be at tached t o t h e system at any one t i m e .

L ine systems are available t h a t o f f e r p r o t e c t i o n t o on l y o n e o r t w o scaffolders at a t i m e (i.e.

if a sys tem is on ly suitable f o r o n e pe rson and t w o scaffolders r e q u i r e p r o t e c t i o n , t h e n t w o

separate systems w o u l d be r e q u i r e d ) .

Figure 59

A proprietary line system

specifically developed for

use by up to two

operatives.


I n s p e c t i o n a n d m a i n t e n a n c e of p e r s o n a l fall a r r e s t e q u i p m e n t

I 18 Fall a r res t e q u i p m e n t made f r o m r o p e o r w e b b i n g mater ia ls is par t i cu la r l y vu lne rab le t o damage and w e a r and t ea r d u r i n g n o r m a l use by scaf fo lders . T h e r e f o r e all scaf fo ld ing c o n t r a c t o r s m u s t ensure adequate a r r angements are made f o r t h e s torage and inspec t ion o f all fall p r o t e c t i o n e q u i p m e n t , so tha t it is ma in ta ined f i t f o r use.

I 19 T h e Hea l th and Safety Execut ive (HSE) and t he N A S C r e c o m m e n d t h r e e levels o f inspect ion

f o r all personal fall p r o t e c t i o n equ ipmen t , as a m i n i m u m r e q u i r e m e n t as descr ibed in Hea l th and

Safety Execut ive (HSE) book l e t I N D G 367 and N A S C Safety Guidance N o t e s SG16 and SG17.

I. P r e-use c h e c k s

This level o f inspect ion shou ld be ca r r i ed o u t by t h e user f o r b o t h harnesses and lanyards at t h e

beg inn ing o f each shif t and are a means o f check ing t h a t t h e r e are no visible o r surface defects

w i t h t h e e q u i p m e n t . Pre-use checks shou ld be tact i le and visual. T h e w h o l e lanyard and harness

shou ld be subject t o t h e check , by passing it s l ow l y t h r o u g h t h e hands (e.g. t o d e t e c t so f ten ing o r

harden ing o f f ibres o r ingress o f con taminan t s ) . A visual check shou ld be u n d e r t a k e n in g o o d l ight

and w i l l n o r m a l l y t ake just a f e w minu tes .

A n y defects o r conce rns ident i f i ed d u r i n g t h e pre-use check shou ld be raised w i t h t h e e m p l o y e r

b e f o r e t h e e q u i p m e n t is used. A sui tably c o m p e t e n t pe r son , having rece ived a p p r o p r i a t e t r a in ing ,

mus t ca r r y o u t a deta i l ed inspect ion t o e i the r satisfy themse l ves t h a t t h e e q u i p m e n t is safe t o use

o r d e s t r o y t h e e q u i p m e n t depend ing u p o n t he de fec t and c o n c e r n raised.

T h e r e shou ld be add i t iona l harnesses and lanyards available t o use as rep l acements in t he even t t ha t de fec t i ve e q u i p m e n t has been t aken o u t o f use.

II. D e t a i l e d i n s p e c t i o n s

These are m o r e f o r m a l in-depth inspect ions l ook ing at t he e q u i p m e n t f o r unde r l y i ng defects o r

p r o b l e m s tha t may n o t be ident i f i ed d u r i n g t h e pre-use checks .

For f r e q u e n t l y used lanyards, par t i cu la r l y t hose used in a rduous cond i t i ons (such as scaffolding) t h e N A S C r e c o m m e n d tha t a f o r m a l l y r e c o r d e d deta i led inspec t ion is u n d e r t a k e n at least e ve r y 3 m o n t h s .

I I I . I n t e r i m i n s p e c t i o n s

These are also in-depth inspect ions and may be ca r r i ed o u t w h e n necessary b e t w e e n deta i l ed

inspect ions . T h e need f o r i n t e r i m inspect ions and t h e i r f r e q u e n c y shou ld be ident i f i ed t h r o u g h

r isk assessment. Examples o f s i tuat ions w h e r e i n t e r i m inspect ions may be a p p r o p r i a t e inc lude :

A r d u o u s w o r k e n v i r o n m e n t s invo lv ing paints, chemica ls o r g r i t blast ing ope ra t i ons ;


Ve r y h o t e n v i r o n m e n t s o r t h e r isk o f con tac t w i t h h o t mater ia ls o r surfaces ( foundr ies ,

steel w o r k s , w e l d i n g , b u r n i n g , c u t t i n g w i t h abrasive w h e e l s e tc . ) ;

• Ac id i c o r alkal ine e n v i r o n m e n t s ( no t e t h a t s o m e fabrics o f f e r l o w resistance t o acids o r

alkalis).

120 You m u s t r e c o r d t h e results o f all de ta i l ed inspect ions f o r each piece o f e q u i p m e n t . If

defec ts are iden t i f i ed t h e y mus t be r e c o r d e d . Records o f inspect ions shou ld be k e p t unt i l t h e

e q u i p m e n t is d e s t r o y e d .

121 If any defects o r conce rns are iden t i f i ed as a resul t o f a pre-use check o r deta i l ed inspect ion

t h e n t h e e q u i p m e n t mus t be w i t h d r a w n f r o m use and des t r o yed . A n y lanyard o r harness tha t has

been used t o arrest a fall should never be re-used and t h e e q u i p m e n t des t r o yed . W h e r e

e q u i p m e n t is r e m o v e d f r o m use and des t r o yed this shou ld be r e c o r d e d in t he inspect ion register.

P e r s o n a l fall a r r e s t e q u i p m e n t m a n u f a c t u r e r s ' i n s t r u c t i o n s

122 U n d e r t h e regulat ions and Br i t i sh/European standards o n PPE, p r o d u c t i n f o r m a t i o n m

be supp l ied by t h e manufac tu re r . Th i s i n f o r m a t i o n shou ld be read and u n d e r s t o o d by t he us<

be fo re t h e e q u i p m e n t is used.

Preventing Falls in Scaffolding Section 5 - Rescue

Section 5 - Rescue

123 Rescue mus t be an integra l pa r t o f any system o f w o r k invo lv ing fall a r res t e q u i p m e n t . Th is

sect ion out l ines t h e cons idera t ions t h a t need t o be m a d e f o r rescue p lanning shou ld an a r res ted

fall o c cu r and a scaffo lder (s ) b e c o m e s suspended by t h e i r persona l fall a r res t e q u i p m e n t .

124 T h e r e are hea l th risks associated w i t h any pe r son suspended in a fall a r res t harness,

t h e r e f o r e an adequate plan m u s t be in place f o r eve ry scaf fo ld ing o p e r a t i o n , w h e r e fall a r res t

e q u i p m e n t is used, t o ensure a speedy rescue.

125 T h e rescue t echn iques and e q u i p m e n t se lected w i l l d e p e n d u p o n t h e t y p e and c o m p l e x i t y

o f t h e scaffold s t r u c t u r e .

126 A n y rescue plan m u s t cons ide r t h e po ten t i a l danger in w h i c h rescuers may have t o place

themse l ves , t o ca r r y o u t a rescue. T h e r e f o r e , w h e n se lect ing rescue e q u i p m e n t , p r i o r i t y shou ld

be given t o e q u i p m e n t and techn iques t h a t w o u l d m in im i se t h e r isk o f f u r t h e r acc idents and

injur ies t o t h e rescuers .

127 Rescue e q u i p m e n t t h a t may be used r e m o t e l y f r o m a 'Safe Z o n e ' o u g h t t o be cons ide red

f i rs t . For examp l e , if a persona l fall p r o t e c t i o n system using ine r t i a reels is se lected f o r a hung o r

suspended scaf fo ld , t h e n a re t r i e vab le t y p e ree l shou ld be spec i f ied. Retr ievable ine r t i a reels

i n c o r p o r a t e a w i n c h mechan i sm t h a t enables col leagues t o r e c o v e r a suspended scaf fo lder shou ld

a fall o c c u r (Figure 60).

128 T h e N A S C has p r o d u c e d a separate guidance n o t e (SG 19) t o help scaf fo ld ing c o n t r a c t o r s in

con junc t ion w i t h clients prepare a rescue plan as par t o f t he risk assessment process f o r each job .

Figure 60 Retrievable type inertia reel. Figure 61 Example of remote rescue equipment. This shows the

emergency services using a MEWP to recover an accident

casualty from height. However rescue plans must not rely upon

the emergency services to recover a person suspended by

personal fall protection equipment.

Section 5 - Rescue Preventing Falls in Scaffolding

C a s e S t u d y 3

A scaf fo lder su f fe red an a r res ted fall w h i l s t e r e c t i ng an i n d e p e n d e n t t i ed scaf fo ld . His

col leagues w e r e able t o fac i l i tate a rescue by m o v i n g p l a t f o r m boards t o a l o w e r l ift t o

improv i se a t e m p o r a r y p l a t f o r m at t h e same level as t h e casualty. H e was pu l led o n t o t h e

safe p l a t f o r m unt i l t h e e m e r g e n c y services a r r i v ed . In t h e m e a n t i m e f i rs t a id was

a d m i n i s t e r e d and safe access was p r o v i d e d t o t h e t e m p o r a r y p l a t f o r m .

A s s i s t e d r e s c u e ( w i t h o u t spec i a l i s t r e s c u e e q u i p m e n t )

129 In many cases w h e r e scaf fo lders suf fer an a r res ted fal l , t h e y may be able t o r e c o v e r

themse lves , o r t h e i r col leagues cou ld assist a rescue, w i t h o u t t h e use o f special ist rescue

e q u i p m e n t . It is feasible f o r a scaf fo lder t o pull t h e m self i n to t h e scaffold s t r u c t u r e at a l o w e r l ift

f o r examp l e , p r o v i d i n g t h e y are n o t ser ious ly in ju red o r unconsc ious . If c o m p l e t e se l f-recovery

is n o t possible , m e r e l y s u p p o r t i n g themse l ves o n a ledger o r o t h e r pa r t o f t h e s t r u c t u r e unt i l

r escued , w i l l s ignif icant ly r e d u c e t h e risks f r o m t h e affects o f suspension in a safety harness.

Emp loye r s may also cons ide r supp ly ing special suppo r t s , available f r o m manu fac tu re r s , t h a t are

a t tached o r in teg ra ted d u r i n g manu fac tu re i n to t he harness. These suppo r t s enable t h e scaffolder,

in t h e even t o f an a r res ted fal l , t o release t h e straps and adjust t h e m o v e r t h e i r feet . T h e i r b o d y

w e i g h t can t h e n be s u p p o r t e d by t h e i r f ee t unt i l rescued , t h e r e b y r educ ing t h e risks f r o m

suspension fa int ing ( o t h e r w i s e k n o w n as Syncope) .

Figure 62 Examples of remote rescue equipment for scaffolding applications.

Preventing Falls in Scaffolding Section 5 - Rescue

130 A rescue plan may inc lude t h e use o f site access e q u i p m e n t , such as, a M o b i l e Elevat ing

W o r k P l a t fo rm (MEWP ) o r a c rane w i t h basket t ha t cou ld fac i l i tate a rescue.

S p e c i a l i s t r e s c u e e q u i p m e n t

131 Rescue kits are available t h a t can be dep loyed qu i ck l y by t r a i ned o p e r a t o r s t o fac i l i tate a

r e m o t e rescue using te lescopic poles , special c o n n e c t o r s and r o p e pos i t i on ing systems. These

r e m o t e rescue kits enable rescuers t o at tach t h e e q u i p m e n t t o t h e harness o f t h e suspended

scaf fo lder and e i t he r raise t h e m t o a safe p l a t f o r m o r l o w e r t h e m t o t h e base (Figure 62).

132 W h e n choos ing a rescue k i t ensure tha t it is suitable f o r t h e scaffo lding app l i ca t ion . Th is includes f o r e x a m p l e :

• is t h e r e suf f ic ient r o p e length t o l o w e r a pe r son t o t h e g r o u n d f r o m t h e highest pos i t i on if necessary?

does t h e dev ice a l l ow casualties t o be raised o r l owered?

• is t h e dev ice a descender on ly t y p e , w h i c h may n o t be sui table f o r cer ta in s i tuat ions such as w o r k o v e r w a t e r o r v e r y high level w o r k w h e r e a large quan t i t y o f r o p e w o u l d be requ i red?

• is t h e rescue e q u i p m e n t readi ly available

at all t imes w h e n w o r k i n g at height?

are t h e r e suf f ic ient n u m b e r s o f t r a i ned

pe rsonne l available at all t i m e s d u r i n g

w o r k at he ight t h a t can use t h e

equ ipment ?

133 Equ ipment and techniques can be used

tha t r equ i r e a rescuer t o descend (o r abseil)

d o w n t o t he suspended scaffolder, attach himself

t o t he rescuer and t h e n release t h e scaffolder 's

p r ima r y fall a r rest device (e.g. lanyard). T h e

rescuer may then e i the r raise o r l o w e r t h e

casualty t o safety (depend ing upon the e q u i p m e n t

used). Th is t y p e o f e q u i p m e n t and techn ique

places a rescuer at g rea te r r isk and should on ly be

cons idered as a last r eso r t (Figure 63).

Figure 63 Fully assisted rescue situation. The rescuer has attached

the casualty to himself and is cutting the lanyard

webbing using a special cutting device that reduces the

risk of accidentally cutting the rescue equipment.

Section 5 - Rescue Preventing Falls in Scaffolding

134 Specialist rescue e q u i p m e n t must be subject t o maintenance and an inspect ion reg ime t o

ensure tha t it is in g o o d o r d e r w h e n e v e r it is r equ i r ed t o be used. Maintenance and inspect ion o f

rescue e q u i p m e n t should be in accordance w i t h t h e manufac ture rs ' ins t ruct ions .

R e s c u e t r a i n i n g

135 Emp loye r s mus t ensure w h e n speci fy ing special ist rescue e q u i p m e n t as pa r t o f a rescue

p lan, t h a t an adequate n u m b e r o f scaf fo lders have been suitably t r a i ned in its use, inc lud ing any

re f r eshe r t r a in ing and exerc ises necessary.

136 Rescue m u s t be an integra l pa r t o f all scaf fo lder t r a in ing and i n s t ruc t i on in accordance w i t h

th is N A S C gu ide .

Preventing Falls in Scaffolding Section 6 - Methods of access and egress

Section 6 - Methods of access and egress

137 Safe access f o r use by scaffolders shou ld be inc luded as ear ly as possible in t h e e r e c t i o n

process and r e m o v e d as late as possible d u r i n g d i smant l ing , r e m o v i n g t h e need f o r scaffolders t o

c l imb t h e scaffold s t r u c t u r e .

138 It is r e c o m m e n d e d t h a t w h e r e v e r prac t i cab le scaffolds shou ld i n c o r p o r a t e a staircase o r

ladder bay. A system o f w o r k i n g shou ld be a d o p t e d , w h e r e possible , t ha t enables t h e scaffolders

t o w o r k progress ive ly away f r o m and back t o w a r d s t h e i r means o f access and egress (i.e. l adder

bay o r staircase) w h e n e rec t i ng , a l t e r ing o r d i smant l ing t h e nex t l i f t . Th is w i l l avo id any

unnecessary c l imb ing o f t h e s t r u c t u r e b e t w e e n l i f ts.

Figure 64 Scaffolder raising platform boards to the next lift above working progressively backwards towards the ladder access bay.

Section 6 - Methods of access and egress Preventing Falls in Scaffolding

139 Falls f r o m ladders are by far t h e m o s t c o m m o n t y p e o f fall f r o m height acc ident in t h e

c o n s t r u c t i o n industry . These falls are usually caused as a resul t o f unsui table access e q u i p m e n t

be ing se lected f o r t h e task, o r misuse o f ladders. C l ients and c o n t r a c t o r s w h o specify access and

egress t o and f r o m scaf fo ld ing shou ld cons ide r t h e f o l l o w i n g h ie ra rchy :

• Staircases (Figure 65).

• Ladder access bays w i t h single l ift ladders (Figure 66).

• Ladder access bays w i t h m u l t i p l e l ift ladders.

• Interna l l adder access w i t h p r o t e c t e d l adder t r a p (Figure 67).

• Externa l l adder using a safety gate (Figure 68).

140 Special scaf fo ld s t ruc tu res t h a t d o n o t n o r m a l l y inc lude a m e t h o d o f access (e.g. f a l s ewo rk ,

shor ing , loading bays e tc . ) , cons ide ra t i on m u s t be given in t h e p lanning process f o r t h e use o f

ladders etc . t o avo id c l imb ing t h e s t r u c t u r e w h e r e v e r possible (Figure 69).

141 For f u r t h e r i n f o r m a t i o n o n t h e d i f f e r en t m e t h o d s o f access and egress re fe rence shou ld be

made t o N A S C Safety Gu idance N o t e SG25.

fixed down

Figure 65 Proprietary system scaffold stair-tower preferred to Figure 66 Ladder access bays with single lift ladders,

ladder.

Preventing Falls in Scaffolding Section 6 - Methods of access and egress

Figure 67 Internal ladder access with a protected ladder trap Figure 68 Pole ladder external access using a safety gate as an

as an example of good practice. example of good practice.

L aading

/

bay g /

ate

\ Scaffolders' 1 guardrail

| Ladders


| Ladders


| Ladders


| Ladders


| Ladders

3-^ C c \ Scaffolders' 1 guardrail

| Ladders 1=


| Ladders 3 C y

[1

C


| Ladders

/ = i


| Ladders

3 £ ; c


| Ladders

lb u] 1 1 1 u LU


| Ladders

Figure 69 A stand alone loading tower with access built in and left for dismantling purposes only.

Section 7 - Other applications Preventing Falls in Scaffolding

Section 7 - Other applications

T e m p o r a r y e d g e p r o t e c t i o n

142 Examples o f g o o d p lanning t o avo id w o r k at he ight inc lude t h e p re f i x ing o f handrai ls t o

s t e e l w o r k p r i o r t o f ix ing at he ight (Figure 3).

143 W h e r e possible all t e m p o r a r y edge p r o t e c t i o n shou ld be instal led and r e m o v e d f r o m by

M E W P t o p r o v i d e co l lec t i ve p r o t e c t i o n (Figure 70). For f u r t h e r i n f o r m a t i o n o n t h e use o f

MEWP ' s in scaf fo ld ing see Sect ion 2, use o f MEWP 's .

144 For f u r t h e r gu idance o n t e m p o r a r y edge p r o t e c t i o n r e f e rence shou ld be made t o N A S C

Safety Gu idance N o t e SG27 Temporary edge protection on open steelwork.

145 Co l l e c t i v e fall a r res t safety net fan systems p r o v i d e useful so lu t ions f o r conges ted o r r e s t r i c t ed sites w h e r e M E W P access is n o t possible (Figure 71). Scaffolders can access t h e leading edge o f t h e f l o o r t o e rec t t e m p o r a r y edge p r o t e c t i o n .

Figure 70 Scaffolder erecting roof edge protection from a MEWP Figure 71 Safety net fan system provides protection for erecting

temporary edge protection.

C a s e S t u d y 4

A scaf fo ld ing c o n t r a c t o r ut i l i sed iner t i a b locks f i xed t o t h e steel s u p e r s t r u c t u r e above a n e w

s ta i rwe l l f r o m a M E W P This enab led t h e e r e c t i o n o f t e m p o r a r y handrai ls t o a n e w staircase

and p r o v i d e d cont inua l fall p r o t e c t i o n f o r t h e scaffo lders .

Preventing Falls in Scaffolding Section 7 - Other applications

146 A n o t h e r c o m m o n chal lenge facing

scaf fo ld ing c o n t r a c t o r s is t h e safe e r e c t i o n o f

t e m p o r a r y handrai ls f o r t h e instal lat ion o f

p e r m a n e n t s ta i rways in c o n s t r u c t i o n . Aga in

g o o d p lanning b e t w e e n cl ients and t h e i r

s u b c o n t r a c t o r s has seen pre-cast c o n c r e t e

staircases m a n u f a c t u r e d t o a c c o m m o d a t e

handrai l posts t ha t can be instal led o n t h e

g r o u n d p r i o r t o t h e m be ing c raned i n to place.

T h e r e b y e l im ina t ing o r m in im i s ing t h e need

f o r scaffolders t o w o r k at he ight .

147 E rec t ing edge p r o t e c t i o n t o ex is t ing

roo fs can be par t i cu la r l y p r o b l e m a t i c f o r

scaf fo ld ing c o n t r a c t o r s t o p r o v i d e safe systems

o f w o r k , especial ly if M E W P access is n o t

possible o r t h e r e is an absence o f sui table

anchor po in ts f o r using persona l fall p r o t e c t i o n

e q u i p m e n t . In such cases scaffolders may need

t o re ly u p o n m o b i l e ancho r devices, fall res t ra in t

systems o r w o r k pos i t i on ing e q u i p m e n t ( fo r

f u r t h e r gu idance r e f e rence shou ld be made t o BS

and maintenance of personal fall protection systems

Figure 72 Scaffolder utilising an installed fall protection system

for roof access.

8 4 3 7 : 2005 Code of practice for selection, use

and equipment for use in the workplace).

148 W h e r e ex is t ing p e r m a n e n t l y instal led fall p r o t e c t i o n systems are available f o r r o o f access

t h e n these shou ld be ut i l ised (Figure 72). Emp loye r s shou ld seek advice f r o m th e occup ie rs o r

o the r s respons ib le f o r t h e p r o p e r t y , and m u s t ensure t h e y are used in accordance w i t h t h e

manu fac tu r e r ' s ins t ruc t ions , inc lud ing check ing ma in tenance and inspect ion r e c o r d s b e f o r e use.

P r o p r i e t a r y s y s t e m sca f fo ld ing

149 Manu fac tu re r s and suppl iers o f scaf fo ld ing systems have legal dut ies t o ca r r y o u t

a p p r o p r i a t e research and tes t ing o f t h e i r p r o d u c t s and t o p r o v i d e i n f o r m a t i o n and ins t ruc t ions t o

ensure it can be used safely m e e t i n g t h e prov is ions o f t h e W o r k at He igh t Regulations and any

o t h e r s t a t u t o r y r e q u i r e m e n t s o r i ndus t r y gu idance , r egard ing falls f r o m height .

150 In add i t i on t o t h e m i n i m u m r e q u i r e m e n t s o f any Br i t ish o r European manu fac tu r i ng

standards, manu fac tu re r s shou ld u n d e r t a k e a p r o d u c t r isk assessment. T h e p u r p o s e o f a p r o d u c t

r isk assessment in th is case is t o ensure t h a t safe e r e c t i o n , a l te r ing , use and d i smant l ing processes

are spec i f ied .

15 I Scaffolding c o n t r a c t o r s w h o use sys tem scaf fo ld ing mus t ensure tha t it is e r e c t e d , a l t e red

and d i sman t l ed in accordance w i t h t h e manu fac tu r e r ' s ins t ruc t ions f o r safe use. Part icular ly t h e

use o f sui table anchor pos i t ions f o r personal fall a r res t e q u i p m e n t .


152 A l l scaffolders m u s t rece ive all necessary i n f o r m a t i o n , i n s t r u c t i o n , t r a in ing and superv is ion

in t h e safe e r e c t i o n , a l te r ing and d i smant l ing o f all p r o p r i e t a r y sys tem scaf fo ld ing used, in

accordance w i t h t h e manu fac tu r e r ' s i ns t ruc t ions and ideal ly t h e CISRS System Scaffold P roduc t

Tra in ing Scheme (SSPTS).

H o i s t t o w e r s a n d d e b r i s c h u t e s

153 Ho i s t t o w e r s and debr i s chutes , c o m m o n l y e r e c t e d f r o m t r ad i t i ona l t u b e and f i t t i ng

scaf fo ld ing mater ia ls , r e q u i r e par t i cu la r cons ide ra t i on . Scaffold boards are o f t e n over-spanned

because t h e bay m u s t be k e p t c lear o f o b s t r u c t i o n s t h a t w o u l d be c rea ted by t r a n s o m s t o

s u p p o r t s tandard scaffold boards . P rop r i e t a r y stagings o r bat tens shou ld be used tha t are capable

o f spanning t h e bay w i t h o u t t h e need f o r b o a r d bearers .

Figure 73 Debris chute or hoist tower construction.


B i r d c a g e a c c e s s scaf fo lds

154 T h e basic pr inc ip les o f SG4 can be appl ied t o b i rdcage access scaffolds. T h e ma in r isk o f a

fall is associated w i t h raising and l o w e r boards o v e r a large surface area. Scaffolders shou ld plan

t h e e r e c t i o n and d i smant le by systemat ica l ly w o r k i n g away f r o m and back t o w a r d s t h e access

pos i t i on . B irdcage scaffolds n o r m a l l y consist o f one w o r k i n g p l a t f o r m and scaf fo lders have t w o

op t i ons w h e n e rec t ing t h e i n t e r m e d i a t e l i fts:

I. Fu l l y b o a r d t h e w h o l e a r e a - th is means t h a t all bays w i l l r e q u i r e t r ansoms and all o f

t h e boards w i l l have t o be raised systematical ly. Scaffolders mus t r ema in c l ipped o n

w h e n enc roach ing less than I m f r o m t h e leading edge. O n l y t h e p e r i m e t e r o r o u t e r

e levat ions o f b i rdcage (if exposed ) w i l l r e q u i r e guardra i ls .

II. Pa r t i a l l y b o a r d - th is means c o n s t r u c t i n g scaf fo lders safe zones in runs f o r t he e r e c t i o n

o f t h e b i rdcage scaf fo ld . Interna l falls m u s t be p r o t e c t e d w i t h guardra i ls . Th is sys tem o f

w o r k is f e a tu r ed in SG23 - Safe system of work for birdcage scaffolds.

Figure 74 Example ofSG23 Birdcage scaffold - system of work. Shows scaffolders 'Safe Zones' used in runs for the

erection of a birdcage scaffold. All bays can be reached to fix ledgers, transoms and braces without the

requirement to fully board the entire structure.


P r o t e c t i o n fans a n d c a n t i l e v e r e d s t r u c t u r e s

155 T h e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f p r o t e c t i o n fans and o t h e r can t i l eve red s t ruc tu res requ i res scaf fo lders t o f ix t h e needles f r o m t h e ma in scaffold (back o r horse scaffold) and typ ica l l y rel ies o n t h e use o f persona l fall p r o t e c t i o n e q u i p m e n t sole ly f o r c o m p l e t i n g t h e s t r u c t u r e . Iner t ia reels are o f t e n used f o r th is p u r p o s e (see Section 4 - Personal fall protection equipment).

H \\ \4 U « H U / ' j |

n i — x rr M s /

J m \ || j 1 —

n m

i i x;>J i

d pr/ (C=Atry

|! ' 11 Ti I

Figure 75 Falling object protection fan being erected using an inertial reel.

T e m p o r a r y roofs

! 56 T h e e r e c t i o n , mod i f i c a t i on and d i smant l i ng o f t e m p o r a r y roo f s has s imi lar hazards associated w i t h t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f p e r m a n e n t r o o f s t ruc tu res and cover ings . H o w e v e r t h e t e m p o r a r y na tu re and p u r p o s e o f t e m p o r a r y roo fs o f t e n doesn ' t fac i l i tate t h e same m e t h o d s o f w o r k and safety p recaut ions . For e x a m p l e M E W P access isn't n o r m a l l y a pract ica l o p t i o n f o r bu i ld ing t h e t e m p o r a r y s t r u c t u r e as it is n o r m a l l y e r e c t e d o v e r a n o t h e r ex is t ing bu i ld ing t o p r o v i d e w e a t h e r p r o t e c t i o n . A l so fall a r res t safety nets may n o t be used, as t h e s u p p o r t scaffolds c anno t sustain t h e ancho r loads, o r t h e r e is insuff ic ient c learance in t h e v o i d b e t w e e n t h e p e r m a n e n t r o o f and t h e t e m p o r a r y s t r u c t u r e .

157 A n u m b e r o f p r o p r i e t a r y t e m p o r a r y r o o f systems have i n t r o d u c e d innovat i ve and safer m e t h o d s f o r assembl ing and e r e c t i ng t e m p o r a r y roo fs (Figure 76).


Modular roof section assembled on the ground and craned into

position avoiding the need for scaffolders to crab the beams.

A wide gable-end bay is provided for erecting roof sections from a

'Safe Zone'. Modular sections are rolled out on special rail and

caster systems, to avoid the need for scaffolders to crab the beams.

Temporary eaves walkways constructed with guardrail protection to allow

sheeting operations to be completed from o scaffolders' 'Safe Zone'.

Figure 76 Examples of proprietary temporary roof systems using innovative methods of erection.

158 Safe systems o f w o r k f o r t rad i t iona l t ype

t e m p o r a r y roofs e r ec t ed in situ re ly upon

scaffolders c rabb ing beams w i t h doub l e lanyards

t o cons t ruc t t h e r o o f s t ruc tu re . Pe r imete r edge

p r o t e c t i o n can be f ixed p r i o r t o install ing sheet ing

mater ia ls . Scaffolders can util ise hor izonta l l ine

systems f o r at taching t he i r personal fall

p r o t e c t i o n e q u i p m e n t f o r fall a r rest o r rest ra int

wh i l s t handl ing and f ix ing r o o f sheets (see Section

4 - Personal fall protection equipment). For f u r t h e r

i n f o rma t i on re ference should be made t o N A S C

Technical guidance T G 9 - Guide to the design and

construction of temporary roofs and buildings.

G a n t r i e s a n d p a v e m e n t f r a m e s

Figure 77 An example of a traditional temporary roof erected in

situ with perimeter edge protection and safe access

to the roof surface via a cantilevered eaves walkway.

159 W h e n c o n s t r u c t i n g scaffold gantr ies and p a v e m e n t f rames scaffolders w o u l d be r e q u i r e d t o

e rec t edge p r o t e c t i o n , c rab t h e beams using a d o u b l e lanyard sys tem of w o r k and full b o a r d t h e

gan t r y so t h e r e are n o u n p r o t e c t e d gaps w h e r e s o m e o n e may fal l .


F a l s e w o r k a n d f o r m w o r k s t r u c t u r e s

160 T h e ma in focus o f this gu idance is a i m e d t o w a r d access scaf fo ld ing, h o w e v e r t h e basic

pr inc ip les o f th is gu idance can be app l i ed , w h e r e scaffolders c o n s t r u c t o t h e r s imi lar s t ruc tu res in

scaf fo ld ing and p r o p r i e t a r y f a l s e w o r k and f o r m w o r k systems. Co l l e c t i ve fall p r o t e c t i o n m e t h o d s ,

c rea t ing t h e scaf fo lders 'Safe Z o n e ' , an cho r po in ts f o r a t tach ing persona l fall p r o t e c t i o n

e q u i p m e n t and m e t h o d o f access and egress m u s t be cons ide red by e m p l o y e r s at p lanning stage.

T h e e q u i p m e n t and m e t h o d s o f w o r k f e a tu r ed in this gu idance f o r access scaffo lding shou ld be

ut i l ised w h e r e possible in o t h e r scaf fo ld ing s t ruc tu res e.g. dead shore , rak ing shore , f ly ing shore ,

scaf fo ld ing f a l s e w o r k scaffolds, facade r e t e n t i o n etc .

Figure 78 Falsework system erected on the ground or slab to avoid the need to work at height.

Figure 79 Fully decked and guardrailed working platform to

form a 'Safe Zone' with safe access and egress, used

for the erection, alteration and dismantling of a

falsework system.

Preventing Falls in Scaffolding Appendix 1 - Relevant Health and Safety Law

Appendix 1 - Relevant Health and Safety Law

R e l e v a n t H e a l t h a n d Sa f e t y L a w :

• T h e Hea l th and Safety at W o r k etc . A c t 1974

• T h e Managemen t o f Hea l th and Safety at W o r k Regulations 1999

• T h e W o r k at He igh t Regulat ions 2005 (as a m e n d e d )

• T h e C o n s t r u c t i o n (Des ign and Managemen t ) Regulations 2 0 0 7

T h e W o r k p l a c e (Hea l th , Safety and We l f a re ) Regulat ions 1992

• T h e Provis ion and Use o f W o r k E q u i p m e n t Regulat ions 1998

• T h e Personal P ro tec t i ve E q u i p m e n t (Hea l th and Safety) Regulations 1992

• T h e Hea l th and Safety (Safety signs and signals) Regulat ions 1996

Appendix 2 - British and European standards Preventing Falls in Scaffolding

Appendix 2 - British and European standards

B r i t i s h a n d E u r o p e a n s t a n d a r d s :

• BS I 139 Parts 1-6 Meta l Scaffolding

• BS 2 4 8 2 : 2 0 0 9 Speci f icat ion f o r t i m b e r scaffold boards

BS 8 4 3 7 : 2005 C o d e o f prac t i ce f o r se lec t ion , use and ma in tenance o f persona l fall

p r o t e c t i o n systems and e q u i p m e n t f o r use in t h e w o r k p l a c e

BS 8 4 5 4 : 2 0 0 6 C o d e o f prac t i ce f o r t h e de l i ve ry o f t r a in ing and educa t ion f o r w o r k at

he ight and rescue.

• BS E N 1281 l - l : 2003 Scaffolds. P e r fo rmance r e q u i r e m e n t s and genera l des ign.

BS EN 13374: 2 0 0 4 T e m p o r a r y edge p r o t e c t i o n systems -

P roduc t spec i f i ca t ion , tes t m e t h o d

BS EN 354 : 2 0 0 2 Personal p r o t e c t i v e e q u i p m e n t against falls f r o m a height.

Lanyards

BS EN 355 : 2 0 0 2 Personal p r o t e c t i v e e q u i p m e n t against falls f r o m a height .

Energy absorbe rs

• BS EN 360 : 2 0 0 2 Personal p r o t e c t i v e e q u i p m e n t against falls f r o m height .

Retractable t y p e fall a r res te rs

BS EN 3 6 1 : 2 0 0 2 Personal p r o t e c t i v e e q u i p m e n t against falls f r o m a height .

Full b o d y harnesses

' BS E N 362 : 2 0 0 4 Personal p r o t e c t i v e e q u i p m e n t against falls f r o m a height .

C o n n e c t o r s

BS EN 364 : 1993 Personal p r o t e c t i v e e q u i p m e n t against falls f r o m a height .

Test m e t h o d s

BS EN 365 : 2 0 0 4 Personal p r o t e c t i v e e q u i p m e n t against falls f r o m a height .

Genera l r e q u i r e m e n t s f o r ins t ruc t ions f o r use and f o r m a r k i n g

BS E N 795 : 1997 P ro t e c t i on against falls f r o m a he ight . A n c h o r devices.

Requ i r ements and tes t ing

B S I

389 C h i s w i c k H igh Road, L o n d o n W 4 4 A L

w w w . b s i g r o u p . c o m

Tel: 0 2 0 8 9 9 6 9001 ( C u s t o m e r Services)

http://www.bsigroup.com

Preventing Falls in Scaffolding References and further reading

References and further reading

N a t i o n a l A c ce s s r : S c a f o l d i n g C o n f e d e r a t i o n

4 t h Floor. 2 3-:•=.-.= - ace. L o n d o n EC4V 6AP

enquir ies g . raasc : _ r j *

w w w . n a s c . c g u4

Tel: 02C " E l l \

Fax: 0 2 : " E l l ~-2

• SG-1 ":»- _ :e- g . ce t o SG4:10 Prevent ing falls in scaffo lding

• SG 6 I -saect ion o f lanyards and harnesses

• SG 7:10 F a i a r res t e q u i p m e n t and y o u

• SG I Saner- Harnesses - rescue p r o c e d u r e and r isk assessment f l o w c h a r t

• 2 2 2. 2 r e sys tem o f w o r k f o r b i rdcage scaffolds

2-_ ce t o t h e design and c o n s t r u c t i o n o f t e m p o r a r y roo f s and bui ldings

• ~ 2 2 " 35 2 - d e t o g o o d prac t i ce f o r scaf fo ld ing w i t h t u b e and f i t t ings

HSE E : : I IE : 9 9 9 , S u d b u r y , Suf fo lk , C O 10 2 W A

Te : ~E~ :-E z : I 787 313995

• - 2 2 5C - e a t h and safety in c o n s t r u c t i o n

• - :' I . . - e a i t h and safety in r o o f w o r k

• - 1 2 2 1 - '""a.-aging heal th and safety in c o n s t r u c t i o n

• ' 2 2 x ~ r s o e c t i n g fall a r res t e q u i p m e n t made f r o m w e b b i n g o r r o p e

• M 5Ca - r _ e . a n t i n g falls f r o m b o o m - t y p e e levat ing p l a t fo rms

• • a : : - 16 Falls f r o m height - P reven t ion and risk c o n t r o l ef fect iveness

" : : 1 : :ass S u p p l i e r s ' a n d M a n u f a c t u r e r s ' A s s o c i a t i o n ( P A S M A )

- 2 : 1 : : : : 2 a i g c v G3 9 D R

~e 3MB I : : m Fac 0845 2 3 0 4 0 4 2

• 2 jmsra n ! 2 a re of Pract ice

InCE • : s r e d A c c e s s F e d e r a t i o n ( I PAF ) K ' z n E" i ! ullage, C rook l ands , C u m b r i a LA7 7 N U

Te : " :2 : a . 01539 5 6 6 0 8 4

http://www.nasc.cg

Acknowledgements Preventing Falls in Scaffolding

Acknowledgements

T h e N A S C w o u l d l ike t o a c k n o w l e d g e t h e f o l l o w i n g m e m b e r s in t h e p r epa r a t i on o f th is gu idance :

B e n c h m a r k Scaffolding L i m i t e d

Ha rsco I n f r as t ruc tu re

Hea l th and Safety Execut ive ( C o - o p t e d m e m b e r )

J.EE. A t t r i d g e Scaffolding Services C o . L i m i t e d

Lyndon Scaffolding Pic

Scaffold E rec t ion Services L i m i t e d (Cha i rman )

Simian Risk M a n a g e m e n t L i m i t e d (Technical A u t h o r )

W e e x t e n d o u r thanks t o all o t h e r organisat ions and t h e i r emp loyees w h o have p r o v i d e d

i n f o r m a t i o n and assisted in t h e p r o d u c t i o n o f th is gu idance .

W h i l s t e ve r y e f f o r t has been made t o ensure t h e accuracy o f advice g iven, t h e N A S C and Simian

Risk Managemen t L i m i t e d canno t accept l iabi l i ty f o r loss o r damage arising f r o m t h e use o f t h e

ins t ruc t ions supp l ied in this gu idance.

Preventing Falls in Scaffolding(1)

Documents

Transcript of Preventing Falls in Scaffolding(1)