CONTENTS PAGE

1. INTRODUCTION 1

2. PURPOSE 2

3. SCOPE 2

4. DEFINITIONS 3

5. CONTROL MEASURES FOR WORKING PLATFORMS 5

6. ERECTING, ALTERING OR DISMANTLING 5

6.1 DESIGN CRITERIA FOR ERECTION PLATFORMS 6

6.2 DESIGN CRITERIA FOR TEMPORARY EDGE PROTECTION 7

6.3 GENERIC WORK SEQUENCE – SCAFFOLD ERECTING AND DISMANTLING 7

APPENDIX A – SCAFFOLD DESIGN 8

APPENDIX B – SCAFFOLD CALCULATION 9

APPENDIX C – SCAFFOLD INSPECTION CHECKLIST 10

1. INTRODUCTION

This Safe Work Method Statement provides information on how to manage risks
associated with scaffolds and scaffolding work at a workplace. It is supported by
guidance for scaffold installation, scaffold dismantling, scaffold inspection and
maintenance, and advice for contractor and workers on managing the risks associated
with scaffolds and related scaffolding work.

A scaffold is a temporary structure erected to support access or working platforms.

Scaffolds are commonly used in construction work so workers have a safe, stable work
platform when work cannot be done at ground level or on a finished floor.
Scaffolding work is erecting, altering or dismantling a temporary structure erected to
support a platform and from which a person or object could fall more than 4 meters
from the platform or the structure. Scaffolding work must be undertaken under
supervision of scaffold supervisor, which by a person holding the appropriate license.

Every metal tube scaffold exceeding 40 meter in height and every other scaffold
exceeding 15 meters in height shall be constructed in accordance with the design and
drawings of a Professional Engineer.
2. PURPOSE

The following method statement is written to provide a safe and efficient system of
work for the installation of general working scaffold to all areas of construction sites
both internal and external. It will also cover all scaffold adaption’s to general scaffold
and any safety and maintenance checks to be held under current safety legislation
within the construction industry. It will cover such areas as; first installation scaffold,
basic lifts (internal and external), adaption’s as work progresses during the duration of
project to basic scaffolding and general working guidelines. Any deviation which is
necessary for Safe Work Method Statement must first be notified to Project Manager
and P.E who will agree the best approach to Safe Work Method Statement with
principle contractor’s approval.

3. SCOPE

This guide covers the erecting, altering and dismantling of prefabricated frame
modular scaffolding founded on the ground or another solid surface.

Fully decked scaffolds over 15 m in height may exceed the design strength of the system
and the design should be verified by an engineer competent in scaffold design.

There may be prefabricated modular steel scaffolding designs (component or site-specific

configuration) that require specific erection methods. For example:

• scaffolds that require specific engineering designs, such as hung scaffolds,

cantilevered scaffolds, loading platforms, birdcage scaffolds or scaffolds where the
loads from
one bay area transferred to the adjoining standards, eg spur scaffolds or
scaffolds incorporating an access opening

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4. DEFINITIONS

For the purpose of this guide, the following definitions apply:

BASE LIFT the first level of transoms and ledgers above the jacks.

CLOSED PLATFORM a platform that is constructed and that is capable of

functioning as a working platform, but is temporarily
closed to
any loading or access.

ERECTION PLATFORM a temporary platform that is placed on the scaffold or

temporarily constructed as part of the scaffold to assist
with the installation (or removal) of the standards,
transoms, ledgers, guardrails and mid-rails for the
platform above.
HOP-UP BRACKET (PLATFORM
a bracket that is attached to a scaffold to enable a
BRACKET) platform to be placed adjacent to a bay of an
independent scaffold.

MUST indicates that the requirements are mandatory under the

occupational health and safety legislation.

PRINCIPAL CONTRACTOR a person who is appointed or taken to be the principal
contractor for the construction work.

SAFE WORK METHOD STATEMENT • describes how work is to be carried out

• identifies the work activities assessed as having safety risks

• identifies the safety risks

• describes the control measures that will be applied

to the work activities

• includes a description of the equipment used in

the work, the standards and codes to be complied
with, the qualifications of the personnel doing
the work and the
training required to do the work.

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SHOULD indicates a recommendation to do something that is not
a mandatory requirement under the occupational health
and
safety legislation.

SOLID SURFACE a surface with adequate stiffness and strength to sustain

imposed loads from the scaffold.

TEMPORARY EDGE PROTECTION
a guardrail and mid-rail or proprietary system
installed to provide fall protection for scaffolders
in advance of the placement (or after removal) of
the permanent edge
protection.

a member fixed to the cantilevered end of a pair of hop-up brackets

TIE BAR
to prevent the brackets from spreading and the
planks from becoming dislodged.

TOE BOARD a scaffold plank or purpose-designed component fixed at the edge of

a platform to prevent material from falling off the
platform.

WORKING FACE the face of a building or structure at which the scaffold has been
erected to enable work to be carried out at some stage
of the project.

WORKING PLATFORM a platform on a scaffold, positioned at a work location for

supporting personnel, equipment and materials, and used to
provide a working area.

5. CONTROL MEASURES FOR WORKING PLATFORMS

There should be a system in place to limit the number of platforms permitted as working platforms, and
to limit the respective platform ratings, to prevent the scaffold being overloaded.

Possible systems include:

• closing off platforms at the access points by physical means

• placing signs at the access points to each platform, advising if closed or indicating the duty rating of
a working platform

• assigning an on-site scaffold coordinator to the relevant contractors, to control the use of various
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 platforms, or sections of platform.

Principal contractors must clearly identify in their site-specific occupational health and safety (OHS)
management plan those responsible for implementing the control measures.

The system should also:

• include in the site induction the control measures and the names of those persons responsible for
implementing the controls

• have means to identify working platforms that are closed – this can be discussed at regular toolbox
meetings

• have means to monitor and review the control measures regularly – if the control measures are not
effective, they should be modified, and records of the monitoring and modifications should be kept.

6. ERECTING, ALTERING OR DISMANTLING

Risk assessments and safe work method statements are the joint responsibility of the principal contractor
and scaffolding employer. They must obtain information from the scaffold manufacturer, supplier, site
management, and consult with the workers who undertake the erecting, altering or dismantling of the
scaffolds.

For safe completion of the work, consider the following:

• Pass scaffold items – do not throw them.

• The scaffolder must work from a safe position when installing edge protection for the platform above,
eg by:

• The scaffolder should be supported on a fully planked platform when installing the platform
immediately above.

• The fully planked platforms should be nominally 2 m apart, vertically, and remain in place until the
scaffold is dismantled.

• The first platform can be up to 3 m above the ground or supporting surface, except for the access
bay.

• Safe access must be provided up to the first platform and between platforms on the scaffold.

• Risks from overhead power lines must be assessed and controlled.

6.1 ESIGN CRITERIA FOR ERECTION PLATFORMS

Erection platforms should comply with the criteria given below.

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 Type of erection platform Criteria

Ladder-based erection Load rating: minimum 120 kg.

platforms

(for scaffolding platform Stiles: minimum spacing 350 mm.

Platform area: minimum 350 mm wide x 300 mm deep,

erection platform max 2 m in
including the ladder rung if it is at the same level as the
heights)
platform.

For erection platforms up to 1.2 m in height, incorporate a built-in

mid-rail on the three non-access sides. For single ladder types the
continuing stiles are considered as mid-rails.

For erection platforms between 1.2 m and 2 m in height,

incorporate guardrails on the three non-access sides.

Erection platforms Load rating: minimum 120 kg.

supported on ledgers/

guardrails (suitable for Erection platform area: minimum 500 mm x 600 mm.

scaffolding platform
On scaffolding edge sides, incorporate a built-in mid-rail.
spacing of up to 2 m)

Scaffold planks supported Platform area: minimum 2 x 225 mm wide scaffold planks.
on temporary transoms
(suitable for scaffolding
platform spacing of up to 2
m)

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6.2 DESIGN CRITERIA FOR TEMPORARY EDGE PROTECTION

Temporary edge protection must meet the strength requirements for guardrails and mid-rails specified in
BOWEC General requirements and should be designed to allow the installation and removal of the
permanent guardrails whilst it is in position.

6.3 GENERIC WORK SEQUENCE – SCAFFOLD ERECTING AND DISMANTLING

Where work methods differ from the generic work sequence below alternative methods must provide an
equivalent level of safety to those specified in this guide.

Task Activity – Erection of Scaffold

Break the job down
into steps

Base out scaffold • Prevent unauthorized access to scaffold area.

and erect base lift
• One scaffolder holds standards, while another places transoms and
and first lift
ledgers.
• Adjust screw jacks to level the scaffold.

• Erect transoms and ledgers for the first lift.

• Erect planks from below for the first lift.

Complete first lift • Install access stairway or ladder to platform for the first lift.

• If access is by stairway, ensure the stair access bay is erected with the
run of the scaffold.
• Install edge protection comprising guardrail, mid-rail and toeboard

or mesh panels to first lift.

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 Erect next lift Working from a fully planked platform on the first lift, install standards (where
from a platform the standard joint is 1 to 1.5 m above the platform level), transoms, ledgers
and hop-ups for the next lift above.

Where using erection platforms

− Place an erection platform on the scaffold

− Working from the erection platform, erect standards (where the
standard joint is 1 to 1.5 m above the erection platform level), mid-
rails and guardrails for the lift above.

− Standing on the working platform (or an erection platform for lifts

of 2.5 to 3 m), place planks within the transoms to form the above
working platform.

− Install ladder or stairway access to working platform above.

− Access the above working platform.

− Install toeboards (or other systems to prevent objects falling).

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Task Activity

Break the job down into

steps
Where using temporary edge protection

− Install temporary edge protection for platform above.

− Install transoms and ledgers for platform above.

− Standing on the working platform (or an erection platform for lifts

of 2.5 to 3 m), place planks within the transoms to form the above
working platform.

− Install ladder or stairway access to working platform above.

− Access the above working platform.

− Install next standards, guardrails and mid-rails.

− Install toeboards (or other systems to prevent objects falling).

• Scaffold should be erected as close as practicable to the working face.

Where the scaffold is greater than 225 mm from the working face,
install guardrails and mid-rails to the inner face standards.

Erect next lifts • Unless a specific engineering design is provided, fix the first row of ties
no more than 4 m above the ground. Do not allow a scaffold to free
stand more than 4 m above the ground or a row of ties.

• Secure objects or remove unsecured objects from the scaffold.

• Repeat erection sequence as per previous task.

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Dismantle scaffold General precautions

• Access the scaffold platform from a ladder or stair access – do not

climb the standards, ledgers and transoms.

• Maintain a tidy work area.

• Do not overload the scaffold bays – progressively remove scaffolding

equipment from platforms and stack it neatly on the ground.

• Do not leave loose materials on platforms.

• Do not throw down any materials or scaffolding equipment.

• Remove chain wire mesh and shade cloth while working from a fully
planked platform.

• Work with a guardrail in place when removing and passing mesh

Panels down.

• Work from a fully planked platform below when dismantling hop-up

brackets, tie bars and planks.

• Do not allow an unsheeted scaffold to free stand more than4 m or a

sheeted scaffold more than 2 m above the highest tie remaining in
place.
• Before lifting a toeboard, ensure the adjacent plank is held in place.

Task Activity
Break the job down
into steps

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 Dismantling sequence

Note: Follow the below dismantling sequence if you are using erection platforms. If you
are using a temporary edge protection system, modify the dismantling sequence to suit.

• Access the top platform by stairway or ladder.

• Start dismantling from an end bay.
• Remove chain wire mesh and shade cloth, or mesh panels, from the level to
be dismantled or from the whole scaffold if not required during the
dismantling process.
• Move down to the platform below.
• Dismantle top platform planks.
• Working from an erection platform on the fully planked platform, dismantle
guardrails, mid-rails, ledgers, transoms and standards from the level above.
• Step off the erection platform.
• Dismantle the hop-up platform above, if in place.
• Remove not more than three planks (ensure at least two planks remain) to
enable the dismantled materials to be passed down to the next level
(where they are to be temporarily stacked or removed from the scaffold).
• If removing dismantled materials progressively down through the scaffold,
ensure that the gaps created are not directly below each other and that
planks are replaced when a gap is not being used to lower materials.
• Remove ties progressively as the scaffold is dismantled.
• Progressively repeat this procedure until dismantling can be completed
from the ground.

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