Table of Content

01 02
Scaffolding Standards &
Statutory norms

03
Basic circuity of
Scaffolding

04 05
Scaffold hardware Types of
Components Scaffold

06
Scaffold
Support Equipment

07 08
Scaffold Inspection
Tag Tag
 Table of Content
09 10
Principles of Capacity
Design Requirement

11
Load
Class

12 13
Design Component
specification
Loading

14
Particular Scaffold
Requirement

15 16
Hierarchy of Personal Fall
Fall Protection Arrest System
Scaffolding

Scaffolding also called scaffold is a temporary structure used to support a work crew and
materials to aid in the construction, maintenance and repair of buildings, bridges and all
other man-made structures.
Improper Scaffolding results in,

» Inadequate working position

» Fall from Height

» Collapse of scaffolding structure

» Falling materials from height

» Poor working environment/culture

» Chances of high rate of accidents/incidents

» High risk in work

» Loss of company reputation

» High direct & Indirect cost

A temporary structure consisting of standards, putlogs, ledgers to provide a working

platforms for workmen and materials in the course of construction, maintenance, repairs
and demolition, and also to support or allow hoisting and lowering of workmen, their tools
and materials.

Scaffolding Process
Scaffolding process is defined as the planning for, the design of, the erection of, the
inspection of, the use of, and the dismantling of any scaffolding.
Standards & Statutory Norms

National Standards/Statutory Norms

» Building & Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Central Rules,1998 –Part-III : Chapter XIX
(Rules no.188 – 205)

» IS 2750 : Steel Scaffoldings

» IS 3696 : Safety code of scaffolds and ladders: Part 1 Scaffolds

» IS 3696 : Scaffolds and Ladders - Code of Safety - Part 2 : Ladders

» IS 4014 : Part 1 Code of practice for steel tubular scaffolding Part 1 Definitions and materials

» IS 4014 : Part 2 Code of Practice for Steel Tubular Scaffolding - Part II : Safety Regulations for
Scaffolding

International Standards
» BS EN 12811 and BS EN 12810 - TG20: 08 - Technical Guidance on the use of BS EN12811-1
and other European & British Standards.

» OSHA : 29 CFR Part 1926: Safety Standards for Scaffolds Used in the Construction Industry

» ANSI/ASSE A10.8-2001, Scaffolding Safety Requirements

Basic circuitry of Scaffolding

 Scaffold Components

Scaffolding Hardware Components

» Wooden Sole Board

» Base Plate/Jack

» Right Angle Coupler

» Swivel Coupler

» Standard –Steel Tube

» Ledger-pipe –Steel Tube

» Transom –Steel Tube

Scaffolding Hardware Components

» Bracing –Steel Tube

» Ladder Clamp

» Sleeve Coupler

» Parallel Coupler

» Hook On Board

» Toe-board

» Beam/Girder Coupler (In Pair)

Cup lock Scaffold

» Wooden Sole Board

» Base Plate/Jack

» Right Angle Coupler

» Swivel Coupler

» Standard

» Ledger

» Diagonal Brace

» Ladder Clamp

» Sleeve Coupler

» Parallel Coupler

» Hook On Board
Cup Lock Scaffold

» Toe-board

» Beam/Girder Coupler (In Pair)

» Hop Up Bracket

Sill (Sole Board or Sole Plate)

A timber spreader used to distribute the load from a base plate to the ground

Base Plate
A steel plate providing a flat bearing surface with a spigot or screw jack for distributing the
load from posts (standards). It has an integral spigot and fixing holes for use with sills
Base Plate with Screw Jack

A load-carrying device used at the base of the scaffold to compensate for variations in
ground levels.

Couplers
Couplers are used to join to scaffold tubes together

Right angle coupler

A right angle coupler used for connecting two tubes together at right angles. It is a critical
component in the scaffold structure and must resist both slip and distortion.
 Right angle coupler

Grider/Beam Coupler
A device used for connecting a scaffold tube to a steel wide flange beam
(I-beam). Girder couplers shall only be used in pair, one on each opposite flange.

End to End (Sleeve Coupler)

A device used for externally joining two (2) scaffold tubes co-axially end to end. The steel
divider is located centrally to ensure equal insertion of each tube.
 Bearer (Single or Putlog)/Ladder Coupler

A device is used for fixing a bearer (transom or putlog) to a runner (ledger), or to connect
a tube used only as a guardrail to a post (standard).

Joint Pin (Expanding Spigot)

An expanding fitting placed in the bore of a scaffold post (standard) to connect one post to
another coaxially. This device is used to connect posts (standards) in tube and coupler
scaffolds vertically and handles compression, but not tension, loads.

Spigot
A pinned or bolted internal fitting to join one post (standard) to another coaxially. Used in
system scaffolds.
 Spigot

Types of Scaffold
Some commonly used scaffolds are:
a. Tubes & Fittings Scaffold System
b. Cup Lock Scaffold System
c. Web Lock/Quick Stage Scaffold
d. H Frame System Scaffolding

Tubes & Fittings Scaffold System

It is a versatile type of scaffold consisting of steel tubes and clamps. Vertical tubes are
connected to horizontal tubes via right angle clamps. Diagonal tubes are periodically
connected to the scaffold via swivel clamps in order to stabilize the scaffold.
 Tubes & Fittings Scaffold System

Cup Lock Scaffold System

 It is a well proven heavy duty support system

 It is relatively light

 Easy to assemble
Cup Lock Scaffold
ystem

Web Lock/Quick Stage Scaffold

Adaptability, safety, ease, and reliability – that is what defines the Quick Stage Scaffolding
System, which is more commonly referred to as the quick stage scaffolding system. As its
name suggests, quick stage is a speedy scaffolding system that is easily set up.
 Web Lock/Quick Stage Scaffold

H Frame Scaffolding
Consists of rigid welded frames of two verticals and two horizontals. The frames are
interconnected by scissor cross braces in all bays or alternate bays (for top 20 Meters)
of scaffolding through pins welded on frames and locked in position by spring clips.
H Frame Scaffolding
 Scaffold Support Equipment

Support equipment to enhance safety for all types of scaffolding system

Tip Over Protection

Transverse Bracing
Zigzag
“X” Bracing
Bracing
 Longitudinal Bracing

Used for multiple bays on birdcage scaffold

Scaff tag – “No Tag No Access”

 Scaffold tags are used to safety control how and when scaffolds are used
 Scaffold tag indicates type of scaffold and precautions to follow while on scaffold

Types of Scaffold

 Green - All components present, scaffolding fully erected and is ready for used for
the class of duty mentioned on the tag, e.g.-light duty, medium duty etc..
 Red - Unsafe; do not use. Red sign indicates that something is defective and the
scaffolding has been declared as “ NOT FOR USE”
 Yellow : Incomplete and should not be used
Inspection Tag

 If the scaffold is safe and meets Company Safety Standard the Authorized Inspector
will fill in an “Inspection” tag.
 All details on the tag must be completed to make it valid.
 The “Inspection” tag is fitted inside the Scafftag Holder with the completed green
side facing outwards. This means the scaffold is safe for use.
 A duplicate “Inspection” tag for each scaffold is kept in the Inspector’s office.

Responsibilities
 Never work unless you are authorized to do so
 You must work under the supervision of a licensed scaffolder.
 Always check the last inspection date on the “inspection” tag.
 “If the date is longer than 14 days ago, notify your Authorized Inspector
immediately.
 Ensure that the Safe working Load (SWL) of the scaffold is not exceeded.
 If you detect any faults with a scaffold, even if it has a valid “Inspection Tag”, report
the problem to the Authorized Inspector immediately.
Principles of Design

A working scaffold shall have;

 a proper support or

 foundation capable of resisting the design loads and limiting movement

 Lateral stability of the scaffold structure as a whole and locally shall be verified when
subjected to the different design forces, for example from the wind.

Design Requirement
 The strength, stability and rigidity of the supporting structure

 The handling normally associated with scaffolding

 The safety of persons engaged in the erection, alteration and dismantling of the
scaffold

 The safety of persons using the scaffold

 The safety of persons in the vicinity of the scaffold

Three main types of loading

 Permanent loads (Dead Load) these shall include the self-weight of the scaffold
structure, including all components, such as platforms, fences, fans and other
protective structures and any ancillary structures such as hoist towers.

 Variable loads (Live Load) these shall include service loads (loading on the working
area, loads on the side protection) and wind loads and, if appropriate, snow and ice
loads.
 Accidental loads (Environmental Load)

Capacity Requirement

 Each end of the platform (equal to or lesser than 10 foot) shall extent over the
center line of its support at least 15cm and shall not be extended beyond 30 cm.
 Each end of the platform (more than 10 foot) shall extent over its support beyond
46 cm.
 Each scaffold plank if abutted to form long platform, shall rest on separate support
surface.
 If planks are overlapped, the overlap shall happen only over the support and shall
not be less than 30 cm.
 Scaffolds with a height to base width ratio of more than four to one (4:1) shall be
restrained from tipping by tying, bracing, or equivalent means.
 Distance between ties, and braces shall be installed at the closest horizontal
member and be repeated vertically at locations of horizontal members every 6.1 m
or less thereafter for scaffolds 3 feet (0.91 m) wide or less, and every 26 feet (7.9
m) or less thereafter for scaffolds greater than 3 feet (0.91 m) wide.
 During erection and dismantling works cross brace should not be used as access
 Access ladder bottom rung is not more than 61 cm above the scaffolding support
 Maximum vertical distance between rest platform shall be 10.7 m for hook on and
attachable ladders
 Rung length shall be 29 cm and spacing between rung shall be 16 ¾ Inches for hook
on and attachable ladder
 Maximum vertical distance between rest platform shall be 3.7 m for stairway
ladders
 Scaffolds and scaffold components must not be loaded in excess of their maximum
intended loads or rated capacities, whichever is less.
  Scaffolds shall not be moved horizontally while employees are on them

Capacity Requirement
The clearance between scaffolds and power lines shall be as follows:

Debris shall not be allowed to accumulate on platforms.

 Alteration to the scaffolding such as but not limited to ladders, boxes and barrels, shall
not be used on top of scaffold platforms to increase the working level height of
employees.

 Platforms shall not deflect more than 1⁄60 of the span when loaded.

 Each employee on a scaffold more than 10 feet (3.1 m) above a lower level shall be
protected from falling to that lower level.

 Guard rail and mid rail shall be installed at 97 cm and 120 cm from the platform

 Guard rail should have minimum 200 pound (90.7 Kg) capacity

 Toe board shall be installed to prevent falling object

 Toe board height shall be 9 cm and withstand 50 pounds (22.6 Kg) force


 Transverse bracing forming an “X” across the width of the scaffold shall be installed at
the scaffold ends and at least at every third set of posts horizontally (measured from
only one end) and every fourth runner vertically.

 On straight run scaffolds, longitudinal bracing across the inner and outer rows of posts
shall be installed diagonally in both directions, and shall extend from the base of the
end posts upward to the top of the scaffold at approximately a 45 degree angle. On
scaffolds whose length is greater than their height, such bracing shall be repeated
beginning at least at every fifth post.

Load Class
The load class for working areas shall correspond to the nature of work:

 The weight of all equipment and materials stored on the working area

 Dynamic effects from material placed on the working area by powered plant and

 Load from manually operated plant such as wheelbarrows.

Size of members
Typical Illustration

Design Loading
 Light duty – 225kg per platform bay/minimum platform width of 450mm

 Medium duty – 450kg per platform bay/minimum platform width of 900mm

 Heavy duty – 675kg per platform bay/minimum platform width of 1000mm

 Special duty -as specified but greater than heavy duty

Footings & Foundations

 A scaffold must have a firm footing to keep it stable and secure. The foundations will
need to withstand the weight of the scaffold as well as any material, equipment &
people used

 Do not allow the standards of a scaffold to “float”

 Sole plats/boards and adjustable base plates or screw jacks are used to provide a
secure foundation.

 Use a U-head (fork head) when fixing the standards to the needle of a cantilevered
scaffold.

Ground Condition
 Review safe work method statement (SWMS) & Job safety analysis (JSA) to determine
the bearing capacity of ground or working surfaces

 Different ground conditions and soil types will affect the stability

 Make sure the ground is strong and level enough to keep the scaffold erect, level
(horizontal

 straight), plumb (vertically straight) and stable

Ground conditions may include:

 Rough uneven ground.

 Backfilled ground.

 Soft soil.

 Hard compacted soil.

 Rock.
Ground Condition

 Bitumen

 Concrete.

Calculating the ground bearing pressure of unidentified soil

Some common soil type pressures are:
 Soft clay = 10 tonners per square meter
 Dry stand= 30 tonners per square meter
 Hard clay= 40 tonners per square meter
 Gravel = 50 tonners per square meter
 Hard rock = 200 tonners per square meter

Scaffolding Component Specification

Individual Component Scaffolding – Steel Tube

 Medium duty – 450kg per platform bay/minimum platform width of 900mm

 Heavy duty – 675kg per platform bay/minimum platform width of 1000mm

 Special duty -as specified but greater than heavy duty

Scaffold classes/Duties & Dimensions

IS: 3696 (Part 1) – 1987 – Scaffolding
Load classes as per TG 20.08

Particular Scaffold Requirement

Particular Scaffold Requirement
Particular Scaffold Requirement
Particular Scaffold Requirement
Particular Scaffold Requirement
Particular Scaffold Requirement
Particular Scaffold Requirement

Associated Equipment Requirement

Associated Equipment Requirement
Associated Equipment Requirement
Associated Equipment Requirement
Associated Equipment Requirement
Associated Equipment Requirement
Associated Equipment Requirement
Associated Equipment Requirement
Associated Equipment Requirement
 Associated Equipment Requirement

Special Type Scaffold Requirements

Special scaffolds must be

 Designed in accordance with sound engineering practice

 Erected, altered or dismantled only under the direct supervision of a certificated

scaffolder who has an appropriate certificate

 An inspector certifying the adequacy of the design should obtain registered engineer’s
certificate
Hierarchy of Fall Protection

Personal Fall Arrest System

 As per OSHA See 1926.451(g), employee who works more than 10 feet above the
ground level should be protected from falls by provisioning guardrails or personal fall
arrest system

 A personal fall arrest system (PFAS) is a safety equipment used by personnel working
at height to protect them from accidental falls.

 A PFAS is mostly used by workers who perform their duties at a certain height during
the construction phase as well as maintenance workers on towers or poles. The use of
PFAS is inevitable and essential according to safety laws.

 There are three basic requirements for the PFAS, which include an anchorage point,
bodily support and a means of connection
Hierarchy of Fall Protection

Personal Fall Arrest System

 Personal Fall Arrest System

 A fall arrest system comprises a full body harness connected to an anchor point via a
lanyard with an energy absorber.

 The anchor point should be above the wearer to minimize free-fall distances and
prevent the whiplash effects of falling past the anchor point before being restrained.
It should be capable of withstanding the impact load in the event of a fall, and should
be fitted by a competent person. There should be a safe means of attaching to the
anchor.

 The length of a non-retractable lanyard, including the energy absorber, should prevent
a person falling more than 2 metres and should, in any case be kept to a minimum.
The energy absorber is designed to dissipate the kinetic energy developed during a fall
from height (the impact load).

 A system without an energy absorber should not be used as a fall arrest system, but
may be suitable for use as a work restraint system to prevent a worker reaching an
open edge.
Personal Fall Arrest System

 Harnesses and lanyards are made of man-made fibers and are prone to degradation
by sunlight, chemicals and wear and tear. Tactile pre-use checks should be conducted
daily, in good light, before taking harnesses and lanyards into use. Harnesses or
lanyards, showing faults such as discoloration, tears and cuts, or abrasions, should not
be used.
 All workers who need to use such a system should be competent to fit and inspect the
components.
 Inspect personal fall arrest systems & equipment for wear, damage, deterioration &
defects in the components
 Remove any equipment that does not pass inspection and tag for non-use
 Annually, Fall Protection should be inspected by the qualified person & recorded
 Should use the fall protection, only after the qualified person endorse to use
 Mismatching or interchanging manufacturer brands and connecting mechanisms
cause rollout
Personal Fall Arrest System

Selecting the correct harness

 When selecting the right harness, wearer’s must choose a harness that is designed for
a specific application
 Each harness is engineered with a series of unique components, including different
types of webbing, side, rear and frontal D-rings and lanyard rings, and provides a safety
solution that closely matches the work environment
 It is also important to ensure that the harness fits well, and that the shoulder, waist
and legs straps are adjusted
 Even though workers are wearing fall protection equipment on the job, by wearing the
wrong type of harness they are risking serious injury or even death in the event of an
accident
Selecting the correct harness

 The connection component of a fall arrest system acts to reduce the force of a
sustained fall, when used in conjunction with a full body harness and suitable
anchorage. Depending on the work application, workers should always check the
recommended connection component
 There are a number of connector choices available including lanyards and fall
arrestors, and when choosing the correct connection, it is important to consider the
fall clearance distance, as well as the work application
 Workers who work around sharp edges are recommended to use lanyards or fall
arrestors which are specifically designed to offer exceptional strength, durability and
flexibility. And workers seeking maximum protection when welding or grinding at
heights should consider lanyards which are fire retardant
 When attached to a suitable anchorage point, the anchorage connector completes the
workers fall arrest system
 The best harness with the best lanyard cannot arrest a fall if an unsuitable anchorage
is selected. An anchorage must support 15kN for a single tie-off for one individual, and
in all cases the anchorage point selected must allow for minimum free fall clearances
 An anchorage should also be positioned directly overhead whenever possible to avoid
the pendulum effect which can cause a worker to swing as they fall, creating the
potential for injury.
 Most importantly, an anchorage should be selected based on how a rescue would be
performed
 Total fall distance is the total distance of a free fall, plus the additional distance
encountered during deceleration, when calculating total fall distance for a worker who
is working at height, all of the following factors must be considered.
 Length of Lanyard / Self retracting lifeline: The actual measured length of the lanyard
or retractable device that the worker uses to connect their harness to an anchorage
point.
Free Fall Distance (FFD)

 Deceleration / Free fall distance: OSHA’s maximum allowable deceleration distance is

3.5 feet which accounts for dynamic elongation of the energy absorber.
 The vertical distance a person travels between the onset of a fall until just prior to the
point where the Fall Arrest System begins to arrest the fall
 To keep FFD to a minimum, you should always try to keep the anchor point as far above
the back d-ring of the harness as possible

Case Study

Length of lanyard / Self-retracting lifeline – 6-foot lanyard

Deceleration distance – 3.5-foot free fall

Harness stretch – 1 foot of harness stretch

Height of worker – 6 feet

Case Study

Distance from worker’s feet to D-Ring – 5 feet

Safety factor – 3 feet

 6-foot worker with a 6-foot lanyard would experience a total fall distance of 18.5 feet.
 If your fall clearance is 18.5 feet or more, than you’ve selected the appropriate length
lanyard.
 If your fall distance is less than 18.5 feet, than you may need to select a shorter lanyard
or use a different device like a self-retracting lanyard

Other factors to be considered:

 Evaluate & Identify the hazards at the work site
 Identify necessary movements for the user and the materials and equipment needed
to perform the planned work. The plan should ensure that there is no crossing or
tangling of connecting equipment of two or more workers. Make sure that users do
not clamp, knot, or otherwise prevent the equipment from functioning properly.
 Visual inspection of the fall protection gear
 Pendulum or swing falls – If a system is not anchored directly above the user, a swing
fall can occur where a worker can fall and the force of falling in a pendulum motion
can cause serious injury to the worker. Minimize swing falls by working as directly
below the anchorage point as possible
 Clear Space in Fall Path – Make sure that enough clearance is available in nearby fall
paths to prevent striking an object below. The amount of clearance needed depends
on the type of fall protection equipment being used, and the location of the anchorage
point
 Rescue & Evacuation
Requirements from 1926.451(g)(1)(i)

Aerial
Personal Fall Arrest System
lifts

Catenary
Personal Fall Arrest System
scaffold

Boatswains’
Personal Fall Arrest System
chair

Crawling board Personal Fall Arrest System, or Guardrail System, or 3/4 inch
(chicken diameter grab line or equivalent handhold securely fastened
ladder) beside each crawling board

Float scaffold Personal Fall Arrest System

Ladder jack
Personal Fall Arrest System
scaffold

Needle beam
Personal Fall Arrest System
scaffold

Self-contained
Personal Fall Arrest System and Guardrail System
scaffold

Single and
two-point
Personal Fall Arrest System and Guardrail System
suspension
scaffolds

Supported
Personal Fall Arrest System and Guardrail System
scaffold

All other Personal Fall Arrest System, or Guardrail System that meet the
scaffolds required criteria
Pre use checks

 All materials should be inspected by a competent person before use.

 The inspection should be performed before dispatch to the site or upon arrival at the
site.
 An area should be set aside for damaged or defective material.
 Signs should be erected indicating that the material is defective and is not to be used.
 A check-list is provided in Appendix below to assist this examination.

Scaffolding Inspection
 Check to see if power lines near scaffolds are at least 10 feet away from energized
power lines.
 Make sure that tools and materials are at least 10 feet away from energized power
lines.
 Verify that the scaffold is the correct type for the load materials, workers and weather
conditions.
 Check legs, posts, frames and uprights to see if they are on base plates and mudsills.
Scaffolding Inspection

 Check footings to see if they are level, sound, rigid and capable of supporting the
loaded scaffold
 Check metal components for bends, cracks, holes, rust, welding splatter, pits, broken
welds, and non-compatible parts.
 Check for safe access. Do not use the cross braces as a ladder for access or exit. OSHA
3318-09-06
 Check the steel plank are not damage. The plank has been damaged then it must not
be use.
 Check to see if the planks are close together, with spaces no more than 1 inch around
uprights.
 Check to see if the platform is 14 inches or less from the wall or 18 inches or less away
if plastering/stucco.
 Check for guardrails and mid rails on platforms where work is being done.
 Check for workers under the platform and provide falling object protection or
barricade the area. Make sure that hard hats are worn.
 Use braces, tie-ins and guying as described by the scaffold’s manufacturer at each end,
vertically and horizontally to prevent tipping.

Scaffold Maintenance
 Store all scaffolding material in a dry enclosed space
 Lubricate all the fasteners regularly
 Create maintenance schedule for all the components and abide by the plan
 Identify a process on how to discard damaged scaffolding parts
 Do not tamper the scaffolding material
 Purchase only manufacturer approved products for replacement
 Appoint a competent person to perform visual inspection before deploying the
materials for erection
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