Uses, abuses and common sense

By Peter Baxter, SGB Scaffolding

Scaffolding is probably the most abused form of equipment in the world. Its uses range from the straightforward access for painting to support work, formwork and false work.

The majority of construction sites are in the habit of using scaffolding and accidents relating to scaffold abuse are extreme. This costs money and unfortunately lives.

Scaffolding is also used to provide seating stands, public decks and platforms for marquees to stand upon.

Common sense

SANS 10085-1 2004 is the SABS code that relates to scaffolding. It is designed to make it clear to users of scaffolding what is required when scaffolding is erected on a site. It also details minimum training requirements and scaffold inspection checklists.

• Is the scaffold plumb? /(Max 50 mm out of plumb allowed)
• Is the scaffold level? (Max 50 mm out of level)
• Is the scaffold on solid foundations? (Not on bricks/over trenches/soft sand etc.)
• Are the correct size sole boards used? (Min 450 mm long by 45 mm thick by 228 mm wide)
• Is the scaffold braced correctly?
• Are there toe boards fitted? (To stop workmen kicking tools over the edge)
• Is the scaffold overloaded?
• Are reinforced horizontals used (1.219 m & >) for medium-/heavy-duty scaffolds?
• Are the correct boards used and are the platforms complete?
• Is the overhang for timber boards adhered to? (Max 250 mm)
• Are timber boards correctly supported (max 1.25 m unsupported)?
• Are the ladders secured and do they run up at least 900 mm above the top platform?
• Are the ladders staggered and do they extend more than 8 m between rest platforms?
• Does a competent person do the weekly scaffold inspection and is it recorded in a register?
• Is the scaffold used in inclement weather? (It may not be used during or after rain)
• Was the scaffold inspected after inclement weather? (It has to be inspected before use and the findings are to be recorded in the register)
• Is the scaffold tied to the structure at the required intervals? (Generally every 32 m square requires a tie)
• Are the ends of the scaffold tied to the structure?
• Are the ties properly fixed to the scaffold (2 fittings) and to the structure?
• Did a Competent Scaffolder erect the scaffold?
• Was the scaffold handed over to the client/user?
• Does the user/client understand that they are responsible for the scaffold from handover? The user/client is also responsible for ensuring that the weekly inspections are carried out. (The client can get the scaffolding company to do this for a fee)
• Is there a scafftag in place and does it indicate that the scaffold is safe to use?
• Are the weekly inspections recorded on the back of the scafftag insert?
• Are mobile towers not over the ratios given? (Generally three times the smallest base size is the maximum height to which a mobile tower may be erected)
• If the scaffold is more than 60 m high, has an engineer or a person competent in scaffold design checked the design calculations?
• Are the correct loadings allowed for? (VL=Very Light 80 kg/m sq*L=Light 160 kg/m sq*M=Medium General Purpose=240 kg/m sq*H=Heavy=320 kg/m sq*Special Scaffold=>320 kg/m sq)