To identify and manage hazards in areas where Scaffolding is being performed and/or used as a work-platform; to prevent falls, collapses or dropped objects that could result in personal injuries, property damage, community impacts, environmental impacts, or business impacts.
Examples activities that would require use of a Scaffolding SWP:
- Designing a scaffold
- Erecting a scaffold
- Inspecting a scaffold
- Use of a scaffold as a work platform
- Alteration of a scaffold
- Erecting of a scaffold in a confined space
- Use of mobile scaffolds
- Use of underhung scaffolds (overwater)
- Dismantling scaffolds
What Is a Scaffold?
A scaffold is an elevated, temporary work platform. There are two basic types of scaffolds:
- Supported scaffolds – which consist of one or more platforms supported by rigid, load- bearing members, such as poles, legs, frames, outriggers, etc.
- Suspended scaffolds – which are one or more platforms suspended by ropes or other non-rigid, overhead support.
Other types of equipment, principally scissor lifts and aerial lifts, can be regarded as specific types of supported scaffolds.
Key Aspects of Hazard Management of Scaffolding:
-
Prepare a risk assessment before starting any work at height. If the assessment confirms that there is no alternative to working at height, then suitable work equipment should be selected, considering the nature of the work.
-
Approved fall protection measures (e.g. safety harnesses) should be used if the working height is greater than 1.8 m (6 ft.) above the floor or platform level. A fall protection plan for external access to a vessel/confined space should be developed by the person-in-charge if the entry point exceeds approximately 1.8 m (6 ft.) vertically (e.g., proper harnesses or scaffolding; actual requirement varies by jurisdiction). For example, in the US, 29 CFR 1910.146(k)(3)(ii) requires mechanical retrieval devices for vertical entries of 5 feet (1.5 m) or greater.
-
A fall protection plan for internal access to a vessel/confined space should also be developed when confined space entry requires internal work heights exceeding approximately 1.8 m (6 ft.) vertically (actual requirement varies by jurisdiction).
-
Scaffolding activities will normally require a safe work permit and, if inside a confined space, an additional confined space entry certificate/entry permit.
-
Scaffold design, erection, inspection, use, alteration, and dismantling should meet the regulations of the country where it is being used and be performed only by those holding the appropriate certifications or qualifications required.