SCAFFOLDING

Anchorage : Safe point of attaching lifeline or lanyard, which is a part of personnel fall arrest
system.

Adjustable (swivel) Coupler : A device used for connecting two tubes together at any angle
other than 90 degrees.

Base Plate :A steel Plate to provide flat bearing surface with a spigot or screw jack for
distributing the load from post over a greater area.

Bay : The space between the centerlines of adjacent post (standards) along the face of the
scaffold

Bay Length : The horizontal, longitudinal distance between centers of two adjacent post
(Standard).

Transom or Bearer : A horizontal member of scaffolding upon which the platform rests and
which may be supported by ledgers.

Brace : A tie that holds one scaffolding member in a fixed position with respect to another
member.

Cross Bracing : Two diagonal braces joined at their center to form “X” also called as “X”
bracing or cross bracing.

Diagonal Brace : A scaffolding tube placed diagonally with respect to the vertical and
horizontal members of a scaffold and fixed to them to give the scaffolding stability.

Bracket scaffolding : A scaffold supported by the bracket straps welded to the vessel or tank
wall.

Castor wheel : A pivoting wheel that has wheel lock and is attached to a vertical post of a
mobile scaffold to assist for manual movement of scaffold.

Double cleated ladder : A ladder with a center rail to allow simultaneous two-way traffic for
employees ascending or descending.

Coupler : A device for connecting together the component part of tubular metal scaffold.

Gin Pole : A supported pole with a line by which the loads may be raised or lowered through
a sheave or block.

Guardrail : A rail secured to uprights and erected along the exposed sides and end of
platforms.

Lanyard : A flexible line, approximately 2 meters in length or less at least 1.25 cm (1/2)
diameter first grade manila rope, to secure the harness to drop line, fixed anchorage or
lifeline with a fall arrest mechanism. All line yards shall be equipped with shock absorber so
that fall arresting forces can be significantly reduced.
Ledger : A horizontal scaffolding member that extends from post to post which support the
putlogs or bearer forming a tie between the posts.

Lifeline : An anchorage rope between two fixed anchorage points for facilitating the
movements of person with his full body harness’ lanyard or drop line anchored to it.

Maximum Intended Load : The total load of all persons, equipment, tools, materials and
other loads applied to a scaffolding.

Outrigger : A projecting frame extending laterally beyond the main structure to stabilize it
or support an extending part.

Plank or scaffolding board : Individual timber board that serve as a flooring member of a
platform.

Post orStandard :A vertical scaffolding tube that bears the weight of the scaffolding.

Ledger (Runner) : The lengthwise horizontal bracing or bearing members or both.

Scaffolding Tag : It shows the status of scaffolding. A tag showing clearly whether the
scaffolding has been inspected.

Sleeve Coupler : A device used for externally joining two scaffolding tubes.

Suspended Scaffoldings : Scaffolding erected in pipe racks or other steel structures that are
suspended.

Tie :Scaffolding components installed to provide an anchor point for a scaffold to a building
or structure, including tie tubes attached to the scaffold.

Vertically : 4 Mtrs

Horizontally : 6 Mtrs

Toe Board :A barrier secured along the sides and ends of a platform, to guard against the
falling of material, tools and other objects.

Working at Height :Any work at height of 1.8 meter above or below from the ground level.

Question : What are the types of Scaffolding Duty?

Ans :1. Heavy Duty Scaffolding : This scaffolding designed and constructed to carry a
working load not to exceed 75 pounds per square foot.

2. Medium Duty Scaffolding : This scaffolding designed and constructed to carry a working
load not to exceed 50 pounds per square foot.

3. Light Duty Scaffolding : This scaffolding designed and constructed to carry a working load
not to exceed 25 pounds per square foot.
GENERAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS :

1. Working at height above 1.8 meters all scaffolding shall be installed with proper
guardrails.
2. All person works at height above 1.8 meters heights shall wear a full body harness
attached to proper anchorage point or a fall protection device.
3. All fall protection equipment shall be inspected visually by the user prior to each use.
4. Any fall protection equipment that has been damaged or it is suspected that it has
been affected by a shock or excessive load impact shall immediately be discarded
and replaced.
5. Scaffolding shall not be erected or modified without review of a qualified person
assigned by the EPC Contractor.
6. Scaffolding erection, modification and dismantling shall be supervised by a qualified
scaffolding supervisor.
7. Scaffolders shall continuously wear full body harness with shock absorbing double
lanyard while erecting, modifying and dismantling scaffolding.
8. Loose items shall not be kept on the scaffolding platform.
9. If any modification to be carried out on the scaffolding, the green tag shall be
removed. Permission for the use of modified scaffolding shall be given after re-
inspection by certified supervisor or Inspector .
10. Mobile Scaffolding shall not been moved while employees are on them.
11. Materials shall not been stored on scaffolds or runways.
12. Special Consideration shall be given to electrical cable management around the
scaffoldings to avoid electrical live contact with the metal structure of the scaffolds
to prevent electrical shock to employees.
13. Where any scaffolding is erected on roads or walkways, red flags (during day time)
and proper red light (at night) shall be used as a warning precaution.
14. Every work area and every means of access to and exit from scaffold/platform used
night time shall be provided with adequate lighting.
15. Following the erection of the scaffolding, if any excavations are performed near the
scaffolding or severe weather conditions like rain or wind have been observed, the
scaffolding stability shall be reassessed or the scaffolding shall be dismantled.
16. When a scaffolding has been out of service for more than two months, a risk
assessment shall be conducted by a qualified scaffolding engineer assigned by the
EPC Contractor in order to identify the condition of the materials and authorize the
continued service of the scaffold, if required.
17. Wind direction and speed shall be considered before start and during the job. Work
shall be stopped in case of wind speed higher than 40 km/h. other weather
conditions like rain, heat and humidity shall also be considered.
18. An approved personal floatation device (life vest) shall be worn at all times by each
person working above or near water. Personal floatation devices shall be inspected
prior to each use.
 TRAINING AWARENESS AND CERTIFICATION

1. All scaffolding supervisor shall be certified by a 3rd party.

2. Employees who uses ladders to perform their duties shall be trained on the proper
use, care and inspection of ladders.
3. Refreshing training shall be conducted at least annually.
4. Refreshing awareness tool box shall be conducted after any incident or as a lesson
learned related to scaffolds.
5. A written examination shall be conducted after the training to verify awareness of
the employees.
6. Records of training shall be kept till the project completion.

EMERGENCY PLAN

Emergency plan shall be prepared before the erection of a scaffold to cover the evacuation
from height in the event of an incident / accident.

Emergency plan shall be detailed as follows :

1. Health hazard associated with being suspended by a harness.

2. Whom to contact
3. Access to emergency services
4. Provision of communication equipment / devices
5. Surrounding hazards
6. First aid / Medical service provision
7. Facilities and equipment for rescue, rescue method and team members.

SCAFFOLDING DESIGN

A scaffolding shall be designed for its worst scenario including the combination of dead load
and live load. The dead load include the self load of scaffolding.

The live load shall include the following :

1. The weight of person

2. The weight of materials and debris
3. The weight of tools and equipment
4. Impact forces

5. Design for scaffoldings (particularly tubes, couplers and cup locks) standing over 37
meter height shall be prepared and approved by a qualified engineer assigned by the
EPC Contractor, prior to use in the project.
6. If the load exceeds the heavy-duty load the scaffolding design and method of
statement shall be prepared and approved by qualified scaffolding engineer assigned
by EPC Contractor, prior to use in the project.
7. Design for bracket scaffold used as a platform in any level shall be prepared and
approved by a qualified scaffolding engineer assigned by the EPC Contractor, prior to
use in the project.
 8. Each scaffolding and scaffolding components (including platform units) shall be
capable of supporting, without failure, its own weight (dead load) and at least four
(4) times the maximum intended load (live load) applied or transmitted to it.
9. Scaffolding and scaffolding components shall not be loaded in excess of their load
rating.
10. Inspection and Registering of Scaffolding
11. All scaffolds in projects shall be inspected initially and periodically.
12. Initial inspection shall be performed prior to use by the qualified scaffolding
inspector.

Periodic inspection shall be conducted as follows :

13. Physical inspection performed by job supervisor prior to every use.

14. Daily inspection shall be conducted by scaffolding supervisor and / or HSE
Representative.

INSTALLATION AND REMOVAL OF SCAFFOLDING TAG :

1. Scaffolding Supervisor shall determine whether a scaffold receives Green Tag /

Yellow Tag and Red Tag.
2. The scaffolding tag shall be affixed to each scaffolding access ladder not less than
5 feet and 6 inches from its base.
3. Qualified Scaffolding Supervisor / Inspector or HSE
Representative or Incharge can remove a scaffolding tag from scaffold that has
been damaged, improperly modified or altered and missing components.
4. In case an incident related to scaffoldings has been reported, a red tag shall be
placed on the scaffold to prevent the use, until the proper authorization has
been received.
5. Any scaffolding without a tag shall be considered the same as red tagged scaffold
and unsafe for use.

INSPECTION OF SCAFFOLDING MATERIALS :

A qualified inspector will inspect the following scaffolding materials:

Board/Plank

1. It should be square corner,

2. It should be free from oil, grease, paint and solvents
3. It should be free from visible damage signed resulted from excessive forces or stress
4. It should be fitted with galvanized hoop ends to resist corrosion
5. It should be free from painting on board.
6. It should be free from splits
TUBES

1. It should be free from corrosion

2. It should be free from Bends
3. It should be free from thin, rough and split ends
4. It should be uniform in shape, circular and not become oval

FITTINGS

1. It should be free from excessive corrosion

2. It should be free from distortion
3. It should have all bolts/ bolts present
4. It should have nuts not seized

LADDER

1. It should be free from oil, grease, paints and solvents

2. It should be free from distortion
3. It should be free from cracks or splits
4. It should be free from loose rungs
5. Slip resistant footings.
6. It should not be painted

MANUAL HANDLING OF SCAFFOLDING MATERIALS

1. Extra precautions shall be taken against fall of the objects during the raising and
lowering process of the scaffolding materials.
2. The contractor should avoid the need for its employee to perform any manual
handling operation of scaffolding involving high risk of personnel injury.

3. Employees shall never stand directly under the lifted scaffolding part / accessories
and employees shall concentrate to their activities at all the times.

4. Scaffolding operation shall be barricaded to warn and prevent entrance of

unauthorized persons.

5. When lowering materials over the side, the man at the top shall ensure that the
person below is holding the rope securely and is ready to receive the load.

6. Only purpose made lifting bags or baskets are to be used for raising fittings. It should
bear the SWL capacity on them.
 7. Scaffolding tubes shall be raised and lowered manually by three typical methods as
follows :

1. The scaffolding materials shall be raised and lowered manually between scaffolders
by passing from hand to hand

2. Hand line or light line method shall be used to haul up materials by means of a rope.
Tubes, boards, or couplers are tie to the lower end of a fibre rope of a diameter at
least 12mm and hauled up by hand.

3. Gin Wheel method shall be used which is fixed to cantilevered scaffolding tube. The
fibre rope should be of 18 mm diameter as a minimum . The load to be lifted should
not exceed 50 kg.

8. The rope used for raising and lowering load should bear SWL capacity on it. The
scaffolding tube using rolling hitch rather than clove hitch.

9. Ropes and Gin Wheels shall be stored in proper places and shall protected from
weather conditions and adverse effects of a chemicals.

10. Any person used rope lifting equipment shall be trained to operate that equipment,
including the use of knots and hitches.

GIN WHEELS

1. Gin Wheels and rope should be inspected prior to deliver to site and before each
use.

2. All Gin Wheels should comply with following as minimum :

a. They should be identified with individual number and SWL

b. The wheel should run freely with visible signs of corrosion, excessive wear,
deformity or contamination from oil, paints and concrete etc.

c. The edge of the wheel should be free from any sharp edge which could damage the
rope.

d. The supporting ring/hook is not cracked, damaged or deformed.

e. The rope is not kinked or contaminated by oil and paints etc.

 3. SETTING UP THE GIN WHEEL AND ROPE

1. Carefully select a safe area where co-workers and employees are not at risk, and
barrier off and exclusion zone.

2. The Gin wheel horizontal supporting tube should be fixed at each end with double
couplers to both standards.

3. The Gin wheel should be suspended from its supporting tube no more than 750 mm
(2’ 6”) from scaffold.

4. There should be no obstruction on the travel route of rope.

5. Gin wheel should never be hung from scaffolding fittings.

Scaffolding Components :

1. All scaffolding components shall be inspected physically before use.

2. All damaged, worn out and corroded components shall be discarded and replaced.

3. Each scaffolding and scaffolding components should be capable of supporting,

without failure, its own weight and at least four times the maximum intended load
applied, or transmitted to it.

4. Scaffolding made of dissimilar components shall not be used together because of the
potential of galvanized corrosion.

5. Any scaffolding components that are obviously damaged excessively corroded,

defective or do not meet the standards shall be immediately removed from the
project site.

6. Scaffolding materials shall be stored properly to prevent any damage.

7. Scaffolding Tubes and Fittings :

a. Scaffolding tube should be 4.83 cm (1.9 inch) nominal outside diameter. It should
made of mild steel and normally supplied in the length of 6.3 meters.

b. Tubes should be free from crack and surface flaws, excessive rust and other defects.
The end should not be cut square.

c. Couplers should meet the requirement of BS or EN.

 d. All fitting of couplers should be galvanized (Zinc Coated) to resist corrosion.

e. Coupler made of gray cast iron are prohibited in scaffolding erection.

f. Girder Couplers shall always be used in pairs.

Scaffolding Tags :

1. Tagging system shall be designed to ensure the safe use of all types of scaffolding by
identifying the status of scaffolding.

2. Red Tag indicates not for use, Green Tag Indicate safe for use, Yellow indicated not
ready for use and restricted access with full body harness.

3. Any deviation from scaffolding tagging system shall be regarded as a serious

violation. Employer can take immediate disciplinary action.

Foundations of Scaffolding :

1. All scaffolding should be erected on firm foundation capable of carrying the scaffold
self-weight and the maximum intended load.

2. If there is any doubt about the ground on which scaffolding shall be erected, suitable
inspection shall be carried out and documented.

3. Scaffolding bases should be at least 1.5 times depth of the excavation be away from
the edge of the excavation or trench.

4. When on loose soil, timber sole boards (at least 23 cm wide x 3.8 cm thick) shall be
placed under the base plate. Scaffolding plank should not be used.

5. All scaffolding standards (posts) shall be level on base plate. Dimension of base plate
shall be at least 15 cm x 15 cm and 0.6 cm thick.

6. Screw Jack shall be used to level scaffolding. Wood, Bricks and Concrete should not
be used to level scaffolding.

7. Screw Jacks shall not be extended to more than two thirds of the total length of the
treaded section

8. Any movable equipments including cranes shall not be used to lift and shift a
scaffolding.
RAMPS AND WALKWAYS

1. Ramps and walkways 1.8 meters above or lower level shall have guardrail

2. No walkways and ramps should be inclined more than a slope of 1 vertical and 3
horizontal (20 degree above the ground)

GUARD RAILS

1. Guard Rails Systems shall be installed in along all open and end of platforms

2. Guard Rail should be capable of withstanding the force of 90 kg.

3. Guard Rail system shall consists of Top rail, Mid Rail and posts.

4. Guard Rail system shall be installed for the work at elevated level from 1.8 mtr and
above.

5. The height of guard rail should be between 38 inches to 45 inches above the surface
or working platform.

6. Manila rope and plastic rope should not be used as a guard rail.

Falling object Protection

1. Toe board shall be installed at all open sides on scaffolding more than 1.8 mtr above
the ground or floor.

2. Toe Board should be solid and capable of withstanding the force of 23 kg.

3. Barrication to be done around the area where object can fall and worker shall not be
allowed to enter that area.

4. If barrication is not possible, installation of debris nets shall be ensured.

PLANKING AND DECKING

1. Scaffolding planking should be able to withstand without failure its own weight and
four times maximum intended load on it.

2. Planks should not be twisted from end to end and curled from side to side more than
1.3 cm

3. Planks should be inspected for defect, including damage, decay, twisted, broken and
warping prior to each use.

4. Plank shall not be painted

5. Marking for ownership is permitted provided that it should not detract from safety
of plank.

6. Scaffolding planks shall not be used for shuttering for concrete, shoring for trenches,
sole plate for scaffolding or any other purpose other than scaffolding platform
purpose.

7. In case the height of scaffolding planks exceeds 20 planks measures shall be taken to
tie succeeding layer.

8. All planking or platform shall be overlapped as a minimum 0.3 meters and secured
from movement.

9. Scaffolding planks shall extend over their end support not less than 15 cm and not
more than 46 cm.

Mobile Scaffolding

1. Mobile scaffold rated for light duty should have steel casters not less than 5 inches in
diameter.

2. Moible scaffolding rated for Medium duty and Heavy duty steel caster should not
less than 7 inches in diameter.

3. All casters wheel shall be fitted with a positive wheel lock ( which can not be
accidentally released) to prevent movement while the mobile scaffold is being used.

4. Pneumatic type tire is prohibited to use in mobile scaffolding.

5. Access ladder shall be provided from inside part of the mobile scaffold.
 6. Cantilevered working platform is not permitted in mobile scaffold.

7. Mobile scaffolding should always be used in hard surface and not on sand or gravel.

8. No person, tools or equipment shall remain on scaffolding when it is moved

9. Adequate clearance from over head pipe line and electric line shall be maintained.

Normal Voltage KV Phase to Phase Normal Voltage Kv clearance ft (Mtr)

0 to 50 Kv 10 ft (3.05 mtr)
50 KV to 200 KV 15 ft (4.60 mtr)
200 kv to 300 kv 20 ft (6.10 mtr)
500 kv to 750 kv 35 ft (10.67 mtr)
750 to 1000 kv 45 ft (13.72 mtrs)

10. Mobile scaffold should be moved only manually by pushing and pulling (preferred at
the base). Force shall not be applied at height greater than 1.5 mtrs ( 5 feet ) above
the supporting surface.