SG26 - 14 Scaffolding & Hoists
SG26 - 14 Scaffolding & Hoists
Transporting Scaffolding
in Construction Hoists
(including Transport Platforms)
The use of construction hoists for the transportation of scaffolding materials, during
the erection or dismantling of a scaffold, provides a safer means of lifting these
materials than some traditional methods. However, as hoists used for this purpose
may not have all the physical safeguards present in a fully installed hoist, there is
scope for unsafe use, which has led to a number of serious accidents, tragically
including some fatalities.
I thank those involved in its production and commend the guidance to you.
Heather Bryant
HM Chief Inspector of Construction
Chair of the Health and Safety Executive’s
Construction Industry Advisory Committee (CONIAC)
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Transporting Scaffolding
in Construction Hoists
(including Transport Platforms)
Working in Partnership
© NASC/CPA Copyright – 2005 & 2014 © NASC/CPA Copyright – 2005 & 2014
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CONTENTS
Page
Foreword 2
Annex A Definitions 20
NOTE: Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the material contained within this booklet,
no liability is accepted by either the Construction Plant-hire Association or the National Access and
Scaffolding Confederation in respect of the information given.
No material from this booklet may be reproduced in any shape or form without the permission of both the
Construction Plant-hire Association and the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation.
Document Validity
This document remains valid for a period of five years from the date of publication, at which time it will be reviewed.
The only exception to this will be in the event of new regulatory requirements which affect the validity of the
document. In such a case the guidance will be suspended or withdrawn following the issuing of a joint statement by
the Construction Plant-hire Association and the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation, on the basis of
advice from the Health and Safety Executive.
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1. INTRODUCTION
This good practice guide provides guidance for scaffolders on the planning and safe use of construction hoists,
including transport platforms, used for transporting scaffolding materials during the erection and dismantling
of scaffolding. Transport platforms and hoists used for this purpose are referred to as a “temporary scaffolding
transportation system” (TSTS) to differentiate them from hoists used conventionally. Throughout this
document the term “TSTS” will include all forms of construction hoist, including transport platforms, used for
this purpose.
The document also gives guidance to the hoist supplier on the procedures necessary before handing over the
hoist to scaffolders.
Mast climbing work platforms (MCWPs) and Mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) are excluded from this
good practice guide.
When a transport platform or hoist is delivered to a site and erected adjacent to scaffolding, it is common
practice for the scaffolding contractors to use the machine to carry scaffold materials as the scaffolding is
extended to the higher levels. Whilst this is regarded as the safest method of lifting these materials it is
essential that the use of a TSTS for this purpose is effectively planned and supervised. Section 3.0 of this
document deals with planning in detail. If the correct TSTS is not selected, properly equipped for the purpose,
a safe system of work put in place, personnel trained, familiarised, assessed as competent and adequately
supervised; the operation may well involve unacceptable risks.
Three organisations who have separate responsibilities, but must work together, are
the hoist supplier, the scaffolding contractor and site management. It is the responsibility of the TSTS supplier
and the scaffolding contractor to carry out their respective risk assessments and draw up method statements
in order to either eliminate risks or reduce them to an acceptable level. The site management, must approve
and adopt these method statements.
The type of hoists used as TSTS for transporting scaffolding materials may include transport platforms, goods-
only hoists or rack and pinion passenger/goods hoists,.
Scaffolding materials are transported on the platform or in the cage to the required working level. The hoist is
specially adapted as a TSTS for this purpose by the TSTS supplier and controlled only by a competent
authorised operator employed by the scaffolding contractor.
A hoist installation that is specially adapted as a TSTS may be without some gates and hoistway protection
on landings and should be equipped with special racks in the cage/platform. When it is handed over to the
scaffolders it must be thoroughly examined to ensure that it is safe for its intended use. i.e the movement of
scaffolding components.
Both hoist erectors and scaffolders are trained and competent to work at heights when installing equipment.
Scaffolders work in situations where scaffold guard rails and platforms have yet to be installed. They can
therefore take on the extra responsibilities of operating hoists for transporting scaffolding materials when gates
and hoistway protection have yet to be installed. This however, requires them to undertake extra training in
the specific skills of operating the TSTS.
During the time that a hoist is specially adapted as a TSTS for use by scaffolding contractors, it must not be
operated by any other person on the site and must not be used for any other purpose.
Once all gates and hoistway protection are in place, the whole hoist installation must be thoroughly examined
again before it is handed over to the main contractor for normal use as a construction hoist.
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.
2.0 HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH HOISTS USED FOR TRANSPORTING SCAFFOLDING
MATERIALS
2.1 General
This section is intended to assist the appointed person (supplier) to undertake the risk assessments for the
installation, planning, erection and dismantling of the hoist, where the appointed person (user) has specified
that the hoist will be used for the transportation of scaffolding. It is also intended to help the appointed person
(scaffolder) undertake the risk assessment for the use of an adapted hoist by the scaffolders.
A specially adapted hoist used for transporting scaffolding materials will be complete in all aspects at its
current working height with the possible exceptions of:
• landing gates;
• landing gate interlocking devices;
• landing scaffold threshold interface;
• landing level limit ramps;
• landing level call systems.
The adapted hoist (TSTS) will be equipped with devices for securing and transporting scaffolding materials
safely on the platform/cage.
The safe system of work will require the authorised operator to travel on the platform and operate the transport
platform using the platform controls. There may be a requirement in such a safe system of work for a limited
number of other persons to travel on the transport platform with the authorised operator, e.g. for the handling
of scaffolding materials.
NOTE: General guidance on the use of transport platforms is given in the Construction Plant-hire
Associations Best Practice Guide on the Installation, Use, Maintenance, Inspection, Examination and Testing
of Transport Platforms CHIG 0201.
2.3 Hazards
There are a number of specific hazards associated with the use of hoists when transporting scaffolding
materials. The following table gives guidance for the appointed persons to help them carry out their risk
assessments. The table uses the format in the Health and Safety Executive’s publication “Five Steps to Risk
Assessment”. The list of hazards and control measures is not exhaustive.
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Significant
People at Risk Control Measures
Hazards
Falls from • Persons on the hoist • The sides of a goods-only platform or transport platform must
height. platform. have side protection to the current product standards or
equivalent.
Falling objects • Persons working in • Work above the hoist should be stopped. Alternatively, a safe
and materials the area of the hoist. system of work shall be implemented to prevent falling materials
from direct from the other works adjacent to the hoist.
works and/or
• Establishing an exclusion zone which is appropriate for the
other works in
materials being handled and potential fall distance.
the area of the
hoist when in
service.
Shearing hazard • Persons travelling on • Prohibit persons on cage roof except during erection,
between moving roof of the cage of a dismantling, maintenance or through examination of the TSTS.
hoist parts and passenger/goods A person may access the cage roof to load or unload scaffolding
fixed objects hoist. material whilst the cage is stationary and isolated at a boarded
level. Access/egress only via the additional interlocked trapdoor.
• Prohibit the carriage of materials on the roof of a p/g hoist.
• Persons travelling on • Prohibit persons from travelling on the platform except during
the platform of a erection or dismantling of the TSTS
goods only hoist.
• Persons travelling on • Prohibit persons apart from the operator travelling on the
the platform of a platform except during erection or dismantling of the TSTS.
transport platform
when loaded with
scaffolding materials.
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Significant
People at Risk Control Measures
Hazards
Structural failure • Persons in or on the • Assessment of magnitude of loads, positioning and security.
platform/cage.
• Loads must not be out of balance.
• Persons working in
• Platform/cage must not be overloaded (de-rating may be
immediate area of
required, See 5.2.1).
the hoist.
• De-rating may be required due to change in load centre of
gravity, wind loading and/or load distribution.
• Pre-use checks.
• Consideration of an overload protection system
Security of the • Persons in or on the • Correctly secure and evenly distribute the load on the
load within the platform/cage. platform/cage.
confines of the • Persons working in • Ensure loads are within confines of cage/platform.
cage/platform. immediate area of
• Use of securing/racking devices (See 5.2).
the hoist.
• Methods for securing all components during loading and
unloading, individually if necessary.
Security of • Persons in or on the • Secure the load on the platform/cage correctly, using racks and
abnormal loads platform/cage. frames suitably designed for this purpose and for use on the
which may intended hoist (See 5.2).
• Persons working in
project outside immediate area of • Methods for securing all components during loading and
the confines of the hoist. unloading, individually if necessary.
the platform/
cage.
Failure of • Persons on/in the • Establish emergency procedures prior to the use of the hoist.
controls during platform/cage.
use.
Inadvertent • Persons on/in the • Ensure controls are isolated by operating emergency stop
movement of the platform/cage. control during loading/unloading.
TSTS. • Persons on the
scaffold.
Electrical • Persons operating or • Awareness of potential hazards identified by the safe system of
hazards travelling on/in the work
platform/cage
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Significant
People at Risk Control Measures
Hazards
Manual handling • Persons loading, • Safe system of work established for handling each load (See
unloading or handling NASC SG6).
scaffolding materials.
Table 1 – Hazards Associated with the Use of Hoists when Transporting Scaffolding Materials
Due to the hazards associated with a hoist when it is being used as a TSTS for the transport of scaffolding
materials, additional planning requirements are necessary.
At the planning stage, it is important that the appointed person (user) or the appointed person (scaffolder)
informs the appointed person (supplier) of the intended use and of their requirements to ensure the correct
selection of the hoist for use as a TSTS. For example:
• the type, length, weight and quantity of the materials to be lifted;
• the available programme time;
• the available power supply;
• the end user’s requirements;
• tying constraints.
Characteristics of transport platforms goods only hoists and passenger/goods hoists, are given in Annex B.
Once these general requirements are established and a suitable hoist has been selected, more site-specific
requirements must be considered:
• the suitability of the TSTS to carry the type of materials to be lifted;
• access/egress to and from the proposed location of the TSTS including scaffolder’s “safe zone“;
NOTE: Details of the scaffolder’s “Safe Zone” are given in NASC publication SG4 Preventing Falls in
Scaffolding
• overhead hazards;
• the constraints under which the TSTS will be tied, i.e. to the scaffolding and/or the building structures;
NOTE: If the TSTS is to be tied to the scaffold, the scaffold must be designed to accept the loads from
the TSTS even though the scaffold may not be complete
• staged installation and dismantling of both the TSTS and the scaffold;
• familiarisation requirements for the scaffold operatives for the proposed type of TSTS.
The selected TSTS should meet all of these site specific requirements.
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3.2 Planning Site Specific Requirements for the Selected TSTS
Following the selection of the TSTS, the appointed person (scaffolder), in consultation with the appointed
person (supplier), must consider the following:
• the types of materials being transported with particular regard to the length, position and centres of gravity
of the load (See Annex G);
• the security of the load, e.g. racks for transporting long loads (See 5.2);
• the interface between the scaffolding and the hoist;
• any requirements for adaptation of the hoist by the hoist supplier.
Only after consideration of all of the above and any other relevant factors, should a safe system of work be
devised by the appointed person (scaffolder) for the safe use of the hoist by the scaffolding operatives. This
safe system of work (method statement) must be documented and issued to the site management’s appointed
person (user).
The appointed person (supplier) and the appointed person (scaffolder) have responsibilities for the safe use
of the hoist during the erection of the hoist and the scaffolding. However, ultimate responsibility lies with the
site management’s appointed person (user) who is also responsible for coordinating operations and ensuring
that all persons have been informed of their duties and responsibilities.
4.1 Handover
Only when the TSTS installation has been thoroughly examined can the appointed person (supplier) handover
the TSTS to the appointed person (user) or his nominee, who will normally be the appointed person
(scaffolder).
When the TSTS is handed over, the inspection report, all keys and/or controlling devices will be issued to the
appointed person (user) or his nominee, and they must then accept the responsibility for the control and
operation of the TSTS.
4.2 Familiarisation
The handover of a specific TSTS for use by a scaffolding contractor must involve the scaffolder’s TSTS
operator(s). Even though the operator(s) must be fully trained and competent, he might not have operated this
type of TSTS before and will consequently need to become “familiar” with it. The responsibility for ensuring
that each operator is provided with familiarisation rests with the appointed person (scaffolder).
The appointed person (supplier) should provide a demonstrator to familiarise the TSTS operator(s) with the
controls, functions for normal use and emergency procedures, together with the daily pre-use checks and
weekly inspections for that particular TSTS. This familiarisation should be recorded and copied to both the
appointed person (scaffolder) and appointed person (user).
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• an awareness of wind speed criteria;
• an awareness of the requirements for the daily pre-use checks and weekly inspections and emergency
procedures;
• an awareness that the machine must not be used for any other function/application
It is imperative that the appointed person (user) and/or the appointed person (scaffolder) ensures that no other
person operates the TSTS and that the TSTS is not used for any other purpose other than the transport of
scaffolding materials for which it has been specially adapted.
Before the TSTS is put into use, the appointed person (scaffolder) must ensure that the authorised operator(s):
• is trained and competent to operate the TSTS;
• has undergone familiarisation on the installed TSTS, including the operation of manual descent devices;
• has received specific instruction when the risk assessment and method statement has considered the
additional hazards imposed.
If the load can be evenly distributed, the TSTS can be loaded to its rated load. If the load cannot be evenly
distributed, then the allowable load on the platform/cage may be significantly less than the rated load capacity
of the TSTS and de-rating should be considered. Any de-rating of the rated load should be determined by the
appointed person (supplier).
In order to transport scaffolding materials in an upright position in a TSTS, it may be necessary to adapt the
TSTS by having a device to secure the load (See 5.2.1). This scaffold transport securing device must be
securely attached to an appropriate point on the TSTS.
During travel, loading and unloading, the scaffolding transport securing device must be capable of preventing
any individual piece of the scaffolding material from falling or sliding in an uncontrolled manner (See Annex
F). The scaffolding material may need to be secured at two connection points
The design of the device must be fit for purpose and must be carried out by a person who is able to understand
loadings on the TSTS platform/cage and the integration with its operation. It should take into consideration the
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number, length and weight of the materials being transported. It may result in the de-rating of the rated load
of the machine due to point loading on the floor, the raised centre of gravity of the load and the possible
eccentricity of the load within the platform/cage area. It may be necessary to reinforce the floor of the cage
when using the device.
The weight of the device must also be taken into consideration when de-rating the rated load. A sign must be
installed on the device or in the platform area showing any possible restrictions on the length of the scaffolding
materials and the de-rated capacity of the TSTS.
The carriage of long and/or broad scaffolding components may place an increased wind load on the TSTS.
This may occur at a higher level than normally expected. Consideration should therefore be given to limiting
the additional wind area incurred by the scaffold components, or limiting the allowable in-service wind speed.
This should be included in the consideration of the de-rating of the TSTS.
The supplier, (usually the hire company,) is responsible for approving the design and the installation of the
device on the platform/cage of the TSTS. This should be undertaken in consultation with the hoist
manufacturer.
Inadvertent overloading can occur in all situations, but is may be a particular issue where scaffolding is being
dismantled and excessive materials are loaded into the platform/cage.
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Detailed advice on manual handling issues is given in Manual Handling in the Scaffolding Industry SG6,
published by the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation.
It is necessary for an operator of a transport platform to ride on the platform when travelling with materials and
is therefore import to ensure the stability and security of the load during travel. Due to the many different types
of transport platforms, which range from small single mast units to larger twin masted units, a safe system of
work for each unit is required. Control measures may be different in each case depending on the transport
platform’s manufacturer, type, size and the materials being moved.
It is essential that the operator has clear access between the operating position and the loading/unloading
position, without having to clamber over the material on the platform
It is standard practice for a goods-only hoist to be operated by an authorised operator at ground level. Persons
should not travel on the hoist platform at any time.
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• the loads must always be directly supported on the floor of the platform/cage and no part of the load must
be supported by the sides of the platform/cage or the ramp;
• distribution of the load;
• suitability of the hoist to carry the load, e.g. strength of the floor;
• methods for loading and unloading scaffolding materials between the hoist and the scaffolding;
• temporary edge protection at the landing interface;
NOTE: Guidance on temporary edge protection is given in the NASC document SG4 Preventing falls in
scaffolding
• safe storage area for the scaffolding materials within the confines of the scaffolding structure or building;
• after final use, the unit must be checked to ensure that it is locked off or isolated.
The use of passenger/goods hoists for the transportation of scaffolding materials presents a different series of
issues from transport platforms and goods only hoists due to the fully enclosed cage and the consequent
difficulty of handling long materials such as scaffold boards and tubes. The design of the hoist also allows the
machine to be controlled from the normal operating position inside the cage or using the erection controls on
the cage roof. Both of these options have advantages and disadvantages which must be carefully evaluated
as part of a risk assessment when producing the site specific safe system of work for using a particular
passenger/goods hoist to transport scaffolding materials.
The following are two methods of using a passenger/goods hoist to transport scaffolding materials. They are
ranked in order of preference:
1. A fully installed passenger hoist ready for normal use with interlocked landing gates, where long material
is loaded and unloaded through A and B doors, with long material sticking up through trapdoor aperture.
Other components are carried in cage. The trap door aperture may be fitted with a “top hat” which
maintains overhead protection for personnel in the cage. When material is loaded into the trapdoor
aperture and secured, an additional interlocked trap door must be provided to allow the operator to climb
onto the roof in the event of an emergency. The authorised operator controls the hoist from inside the
cage.
Scaffolding materials transported in this way should not exceed 4m in length. A landing with a depth of
1.6m between the face of the building and the outer edge of the scaffold will be required to allow
unloading of long materials.
NOTE: The provision of additional trapdoors should be undertaken in consultation with the hoist
manufacturer.
2. A passenger hoist based TSTS where long materials, not exceeding 5m in length, are loaded through
the A door at ground/base level, with material sticking up through the trapdoor aperture. When material
is loaded into the trapdoor aperture and secured, an additional interlocked trap door must be provided
to allow the operator to climb onto the roof in the event of an emergency. Other components are carried
in the cage.
NOTE: The provision of additional trapdoors should be undertaken in consultation with the hoist
manufacturer.
Long materials are unloaded by a scaffolding operative who, once the cage roof has arrived at a position
2-3m below the boarded level, operates the cage E-stop to isolate the TSTS drive and transfers from
inside the cage to the cage roof using the internal ladder and additional trapdoor. The scaffolding
operative passes the material to another scaffolding operative positioned on the scaffold at the boarded
level.
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Once the long material has been unloaded, the scaffolding operative transfers back into the cage via the
additional trapdoor and resets the E-stop.
The TSTS cage is then moved up to the boarded level so that other material can be unloaded through
the B door. To enable the B door to be opened once the boarded level has been reached a temporary
interlock ramp must be installed at the boarded level (See Figure 1).
Once the transfer has been completed the B door is closed and the TSTS driven down to base level.
The authorised operator controls the TSTS from inside the cage throughout the operation.
NOTE: The cage gate interlocks must not be overridden under any circumstances.
When drawing up the safe system of work, the following list of issues need to be considered:
• methods of communication between the scaffolders at the landing interface and the hoist operator;
• electrical isolation that prevents unintentional movement of the platform whilst loading and unloading, e.g.
the provision of an emergency stop control on the cage roof;
• the load must be held in place securely, e.g. using purpose built racks for scaffold materials;
• under no circumstances must loads be supported or carried on handrails, toe boards or the cage roof;
• distribution of the load;
• suitability of the hoist to carry the load, e.g. strength of the floor;
• safe system for controlled isolation and reinstatement of the safety circuit of the trap door when
transporting materials that project through the trap door;
• methods for loading and unloading scaffolding materials between the hoist and the scaffolding;
• temporary edge protection at the landing interface;
• safe storage area for the scaffolding materials within the confines of the scaffolding structure or building;
• after final use, the TSTS must be checked to ensure that it is locked off or isolated.
C Door
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Figure 2 – Temporary Cage Gate Interlock Ramp for a Passenger Hoist Based TSTS
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6. TRAINING OF SCAFFOLDERS IN THE USE OF HOISTS AND TSTSS
The scaffolding contractor’s appointed person (scaffolder) is responsible for ensuring that any scaffolding
operative who operates a hoist must be adequately trained and competent to operate that type (category) of
hoist. In addition the operator will require specific training and familiarisation to load, operate and unload a
hoist that has been installed/adapted to specifically transport scaffolding materials as a TSTS (See 4.0).
In-company training and assessment of competence is one of the choices open to management. However,
competencies can be assessed by either National Vocational Qualification (N/SVQ) assessments or, in the
case of hoist operators, by the Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) which is managed by the
Construction Industry Training Board. These or other nationally recognised schemes should be used
whenever possible.
The appointed person (scaffolder) is responsible for ensuring that familiarisation is provided to the
operator.
The person giving familiarisation should have been assessed by a suitably trained person to ensure that they
are competent to do so. They should also have detailed information about the safe system of work to be
followed and how the TSTS has been adapted.
All familiarisation should be recorded by both the provider and the employer of the operator.
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• Machine specific safe working procedures;
• Machine specific visual inspections of the machine or attachment;
• Machine specific “pre start checks” and basic maintenance requirements as recommended by the
manufacturer.
Regulation 9 of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) requires that before
lifting equipment is used it is thoroughly examined by a competent person to ensure that it is safe to use. This
is the responsibility of the persons hiring in and using the hoist, but may well be arranged through the hoist
supplier.
It is recommended that the hoist or transport platform installed specifically for the transportation of scaffolding
materials is designated as a "temporary scaffolding transportation system" (TSTS) and thoroughly examined
as such, taking account of the specific risks associated with the transportation of scaffolding materials. This
will include the provision of racks or carriers for securing the material being transported (See 5.2).
A thorough examination of the hoist as a TSTS should be undertaken before the machine is first used for
transporting scaffolding and after each subsequent alteration, e.g. where the height of travel is increased.
Annex C gives an example of a scope of thorough examination for a TSTS and used solely for the
transportation of scaffolding materials as part of a safe system of work.
LOLER requires that the competent person carrying out a thorough examination of a TSTS makes a report of
that thorough examination in writing to the user of the TSTS and to the person from whom the TSTS has been
hired. It is essential that:
• The description of the TSTS in the report clearly states that it is a TSTS to be used for transporting
scaffolding materials;
• The report is authenticated by the competent person, or on his behalf;
• The report contains the information specified in Schedule 1 to LOLER (See Annex D);
• The interval between thorough examinations for use as a TSTS is limited to the duration of the projected
period of the current phase of scaffold installation or the occurrence of TSTS alteration or dismantle.
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After each phase of utilization of the TSTS has been completed, consideration should be given to the merits
of the retention or removal of any modifications carried out on the TSTS for the purpose of adapting it for
transporting scaffolding materials.
On completion of the specific use as a TSTS for transporting scaffolding materials and before the machine is
handed over for normal use as a hoist or transport platform, the remaining gates and hoistway protection
necessary for normal use must be fitted and a new thorough examination carried out. It is the responsibility of
the user to organise this, although the thorough examination is normally carried out by the supplier. The report
of thorough examination must be issued to the user and, if the hoist is safe to use, it is ready for handover to
the user for normal hoist operations.
Detailed advice on the thorough examination of TSTSs, including competent persons, independence and
reporting requirements, is given in the Best Practice Guide on the Maintenance, Inspection and Thorough
Examination of Construction Hoists published by the Construction Plant-hire Association and available as a
free download from: http://www.cpa.uk.net/p/Construction-Hoist-Interest-Group
After each phase of utilization of the TSTS has been completed, consideration should be given to the merits
of the retention or removal of any modifications carried out on the TSTS for the purpose of adapting it for
transporting scaffolding materials.
The remaining gates and hoistway protection that are necessary for normal use by the contractors on the site
must then be fitted.
Once the installation has been completed, a thorough examination must be carried out before it is handed over
for normal use as a hoist or transport platform. It is the responsibility of the appointed person (user) to organise
this but the thorough examination is normally carried out by the appointed person (supplier). The report of
thorough examination must be issued to the appointed person (user) and, if the hoist is safe to use, then it is
ready for handover to the appointed person (user) for normal hoist operations.
Further advice on thorough examination is given in the CPA Best Practice Guide on the Maintenance,
Inspection and Thorough Examination of Construction Hoists.
On occasions a TSTS may be installed exclusively for scaffolding material transportation. As the machine will
be dismantled once this has been completed a thorough examination before taking into normal use will not be
required.
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ANNEX A – DEFINITIONS
A1 appointed person
person appointed by the management or the organisation requiring the hoisting operation to be
undertaken who is responsible for all aspects of the hoisting operations
A5 authorised operator
a trained and competent person designated to safely load, operate and unload the hoist for the carriage
of scaffolding materials and who has received familiarisation on the particular hoist
A6 cage
a carrier including the floor, walls and roof, typically on a passenger/goods hoist
A7 competent person
a person who is deemed to be competent and has such practical and theoretical knowledge and such
experience of the construction hoist and its equipment as is necessary to carry out specific duties and
responsibilities
A8 construction hoist
a temporary lifting machine serving landing levels on sites of engineering and construction with a
platform, cage or other load carrying device, which is guided
NOTE: Types of construction hoists include passenger/goods hoists, goods-only hoists and transport
platforms (See Annex B)
A9 demonstrator
person trained and authorised to demonstrate the controls and functions of the hoist to trained
operators
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A12 hoist platform
the load carrying device including the floor, sides and entrance/egress points
A13 hoistway
the total space which is travelled by the hoist platform and its load
A15 in-service
a condition when the platform/cage(s) is in any position other than at the lowest landing position of its
travel (whether it is laden or unladen), and when the platform/cage(s) is at the lowest landing position
and laden
A16 interface
the location at any given level at which materials are passed between the hoist and the scaffold
A17 landing
a level in a building or construction intended for loading and unloading the hoist platform
A19 mast
a structure that supports and guides the platform/cage
A20 out-of-service
a condition when the platform/cage(s) is at the lowest landing position, unladen and the power supply
is isolated
A21 passenger
any person, including the driver, transported by a hoist
A23 scaffold
a temporary structure which provides access to a building, or which is used to support materials, plant
or equipment, or on or from which persons may work
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A24 scaffolder’s “Safe Zone”
an area of scaffold which is provided with, as a minimum:
• a fully boarded and correctly supported platform without gaps where someone could fall, and,
• a single main guardrail (950mm above the platform) where there is a risk of a fall
A27 supplier
the company or organisation that supplies the hoist to the user
A30 user
the body that procures the hoist and is responsible for its use
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ANNEX B – HOIST CHARACTERISTICS
Transport platforms:
• have a rack and pinion drive mechanism
• are tied to an adjacent structure
• can be erected to lifting heights of up to 200m
• maybe dual-purpose machines:
– goods only mode
• are operated from outside the open platform
• can travel at up to 24m per minute,
– passenger/goods mode
• are operated from inside the platform
• are restricted to a speed of 12m per minute
• have a roof over the platform.
• are available with payloads from
300 kg up to 4000 kg
Passenger/goods hoists:
• have a rack and pinion drive mechanism
• are tied to an adjacent structure
• can be erected to lifting heights of up to 250m
• can travel at up to 100m per minute
• are operated from inside the fully enclosed cage
• are available in a wide range of cage sizes, up to
2.0m wide x 6.0m long
• are available with payloads of up to 3200 kg.
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ANNEX C – EXAMPLE OF A SCOPE OF THOROUGH EXAMINATION
Comments
NASC
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ANNEX D – INFORMATION TO BE CONTAINED IN A REPORT OF A THOROUGH EXAMINATION
The following is an extract from the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations. Schedule 1 of
Regulation 10 is quoted here in full. It details information to be contained in a report of a thorough examination.
1. The name and address of the employer for whom the thorough examination was made.
2. The address of the premises at which the thorough examination was made.
3. Particulars sufficient to identify the equipment including where known its date of manufacture.
5. The safe working load of the lifting equipment or (where its safe working load depends on the
configuration of the lifting equipment) its safe working load for the last configuration in which it was
thoroughly examined.
6. In relation to the first thorough examination of lifting equipment after installation or after assembly at a new
site or in a new location:
(a) that it is the first thorough examination after installation or after assembly at a new site or in a new
location;
(b) (if such be the case) that it has been installed correctly and is safe to operate.
7. In relation to a thorough examination of lifting equipment other than a thorough examination to which
paragraph 6 relates –
(a) whether it is a thorough examination:
(i) within an interval of 6 months;
(ii) within an interval of 12 months;
(iii) in accordance with an examination scheme;
(iv) after the occurrence of exceptional circumstances;
(b) (if such be the case) that the lifting equipment is safe to operate.
9. The name, address and qualifications of the person making the report; that he is self-employed or, if
employed, the name and address of his employer.
10. The name and address of a person signing or authenticating the report on behalf of its author.
NASC
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ANNEX E – ILLUSTRATIONS OF BAD LOADING PRACTICES
Unsecured scaffold tube jammed in mast. Close-up of damage caused by unsecured tube.
Never load materials on handrails. Handrails Never allow materials to project outside
are not designed to take high loads and may the confines of the cage/platform.
collapse causing the materials to fall. The overhanging materials may catch on
a projection into the hoistway and fall
onto people below.
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ANNEX F – ILLUSTRATIONS OF SCAFFOLDING TRANSPORT SECURING DEVICES AND CORRECT
STACKING OF SCAFFOLDING MATERIALS
movement
NASC
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Another Example of Scaffold Tubes Held Securely Top and Bottom
NASC
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ANNEX G – WEIGHTS OF COMMON SCAFFOLDING COMPONENTS AND PERSONS
The following weights and measures of scaffolding components and persons will assist authorised hoist
operators with their calculation of the weight of loads when transporting these materials on the platform/cage
of a construction hoist. The scaffold component weights are approximate and may vary from manufacturer to
manufacturer.
NOTE: Hoist platforms and cages are designed to carry distributed loads. Scaffolding materials may impose
a point load and the need for de-rating of the rated capacity should be considered (See 5.1)
Type 3 Scaffold Tube – 48.3 mm diameter x 3.2 mm wall thickness 3.56 kg/m
Type 4 Scaffold Tube – 48.3 mm diameter x 4 mm wall thickness 4.37 kg/m
Steel couplings & fittings 1.00 kg to 2.25 kg
Scaffold Boards – 225 mm wide x 38 mm thick 6 kg/m or 25 kg/m2
Scaffold Boards – 225 mm wide x 50 mm thick 8 kg/m or 33 kg/m2
Scaffold Boards – 225 mm wide x 63 mm thick 10 kg/m or 41 kg/m2
NOTE: The weight of scaffold boards is based on an average density. Wet boards may weigh significantly more
and consequently the number of boards that can be carried without overloading the TSTC will be reduced
1 120kg
2 220kg
3 320kg
4 420kg
5 520kg
6 620kg
7 720kg
8 820kg
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ANNEX H – FURTHER INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE
Legislation
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. London: The Stationery Office.
The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER).
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER).
L113 Safe use of lifting equipment, HSE Books.
L22 Safe use of work equipment, HSE Books.
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 as amended (MHSWR).
Work at Height Regulations 2005 (WAHR).
The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 (SM(S)R).
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 (CDM).
Standards
BS EN 12158-1:2000 + A1:2010, Builders hoists for goods. Hoists with accessible platforms
BS EN 12159:2012, Builders hoists for goods and materials with vertically guided cages
BS EN ISO 13857:2008, Safety of machinery – Safety distances to prevent hazard zones being reached by
upper and lower limbs
Other Publications
HSE Leaflet INDG218 – Guide to Risk Assessment;
HSE Leaflet INDG163 – Five Steps to Risk Assessment.
Best Practice Guide on Work at Height on Construction Hoists, Construction Plant-hire Association.
Best Practice Guide on Safeguarding Requirements for Landing Gates of Goods-only Construction Hoists
CHIG 0401, Construction Plant-hire Association.
Best Practice Guide on the Maintenance, Inspection and Thorough Examination of Construction Hoists,
Construction Plant-hire Association.
Best Practice Guide on the Installation, Use, Maintenance, Inspection, Examination and Testing of Transport
Platforms CHIG 0201, Construction Plant-hire Association.
National Access and Scaffolding Confederation.(NASC) Guidance Documents:
TG20 Guide to Good Practice for Scaffolding with Tubes and Fittings
SG4 Preventing falls in scaffolding
SG6 Manual Handling in the Scaffolding Industry
SG34 Guidance on Protection of the public
Useful Websites
Construction Plant-hire Association www.cpa.uk.net
Construction Skills www.cskills.org
Health and Safety Executive www.hse.gov.uk
National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) www.nasc.org.uk
Safety Assessment Federation www.safed.co.uk
Strategic Forum for Construction www.strategicforum.org.uk
UK Contractors Group www.ukcg.org.uk
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ANNEX I – WORKING GROUP MEMBERSHIP
Chairman:
G Gedling Hoist-It Ltd
Members:
K Archbold-Laming Southern Hoist Ltd
G Beentjes Hoist-it Ltd
N Bland GB Access
A Bolton Alimak Hek
P Booth Benchmark Scaffolding
L Foster Southern Hoist Ltd
K Hancock Geda
K Johnson NASC
J Lee HSE
D Roberts Skanska
I Simpson HSE
R Statham Safety & Access Ltd
H Steele Construction Plant-hire Association
M Stow London Hoist
K Ward Scaffold Erection Services Ltd
C Wood Construction Plant-hire Association
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Whilst every effort has been made to provide reliable and accurate information, we would welcome any corrections to information provided by the Writer which
may not be entirely accurate, therefore and for this reason, the NASC or indeed the Writer, cannot accept responsibility for any misinformation posted.