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A m e n d m e n t s issued since p u b l i c a t i o n
vii Foreword
viii Preface
I Introduction
6 C o m p e t e n c e and capability
7 Supervision
8 W e a t h e r conditions
8 T e m p o r a r y w o r k s design
9 Scaffolders' responsibilities
12 W o r k i n g platforms
18 P r o p r i e t a r y a d v a n c e d guardrail s y s t e m s ( A G S )
20 P r o p r i e t a r y a d v a n c e d guardrail tools ( A G T )
I
21 A d v a n c e d guardrail m e t h o d s ( A G M )
23 Horizontal type A G M
24 S y s t e m scaffold A G M ' s
25 S h o r t lift s y s t e m
25 Scaffolders' Step-up
26 Alternative Step-up's
28 P r o t e c t e d traversing
29 S e c t i o n 3 - C o l l e c t i v e fall a r r e s t s y s t e m s
31 S e c t i o n 4 - P e r s o n a l fall p r o t e c t i o n equipment
34 D o u b l e fall a r r e s t lanyards
35 A n c h o r points, c o n n e c t o r s and a n c h o r d e v i c e s
36 U n s u i t a b l e scaffold a n c h o r points
Contents Preventing Falls in Scaffolding
37 A n c h o r a g e t o p r o p r i e t a r y scaffolding s y s t e m s
37 G u i d e l i n e s for a n c h o r a g e o n o t h e r s t r u c t u r e s
38 A n c h o r a g e t o lightweight m o b i l e a c c e s s t o w e r s (MATs)
39 Inertia r e e l s
40 H o r i z o n t a l line s y s t e m s
43 Section 5 - Rescue
44 A s s i s t e d r e s c u e ( w i t h o u t specialist r e s c u e e q u i p m e n t )
45 Specialist r e s c u e e q u i p m e n t
46 R e s c u e training
50 Section 7 - O t h e r applications
51 P r o p r i e t a r y s y s t e m scaffolding
52 H o i s t t o w e r s a n d debris c h u t e s
53 Birdcage a c c e s s scaffolds
54 P r o t e c t i o n fans and c a n t i l e v e r e d s t r u c t u r e s
54 T e m p o r a r y roofs
57 Appendix I
Relevant H e a l t h and Safety L a w
58 Appendix 2
British and E u r o p e a n s t a n d a r d s
60 Acknowledgements
Preventing Falls in Scaffolding
CISRS cards 6
CO must be clipped on
14
Restricted access 15
24
work
Foreword
HSE
Health & Safety Executive
Since t h e p u b l i c a t i o n o f S G 4 : 0 5 , t h e c h o i c e a n d availability o f c o l l e c t i v e p r o t e c t i o n m e a s u r e s h a v e
d e v e l o p e d . T h i s n e w g u i d a n c e a i m s t o g i v e a b a l a n c e d v i e w o f c o l l e c t i v e fall p r e v e n t i o n m e t h o d s
f o r c r e a t i n g t h e 'Scaffolders Safe Z o n e ' , n o t f o r g e t t i n g t h a t t h e s e s h o u l d b e c o n s i d e r e d a h e a d o f
s y s t e m s t h a t solely r e l y u p o n p e r s o n a l fall p r o t e c t i o n e q u i p m e n t . T h e HSE w i l l n o l o n g e r a c c e p t
t h e u n p r o t e c t e d t r a v e r s i n g e l e m e n t o f t h e t u n n e l l i n g p r i n c i p l e t h a t f e a t u r e d in p r e v i o u s v e r s i o n s
of t h e guide.
T h i s r e v i s i o n r e p r e s e n t s a s t e p c h a n g e in t h e w a y s c a f f o l d c o n t r a c t o r s s h o u l d e r e c t t h e i r s c a f f o l d
s t r u c t u r e s . T h e g u i d a n c e is s t r a i g h t f o r w a r d a n d c o m p r e h e n s i v e a n d r e p r e s e n t s b e s t p r a c t i c e
w i t h i n t h e industry.
T h e HSE w i l l c o n t i n u e t o w o r k c l o s e l y w i t h t h e N A S C a n d I h o p e t h a t t h e w i d e r i n d u s t r y rises t o
t h e c h a l l e n g e in e m b r a c i n g t h i s r e v i s e d g u i d a n c e t o i m p r o v e s t a n d a r d s o f safety.
••• Preventing Falls i n Scaffolding
V l l l Preface
Preface
T h e N A S C a c k n o w l e d g e s t h a t s c a f f o l d e r s h a v e t o w o r k in h a z a r d o u s s i t u a t i o n s , a n d t h i s g u i d a n c e
a c c e p t s t h a t e m p l o y e r s have a r e s p o n s i b i l i t y t o e n s u r e t h a t a d e q u a t e m e a s u r e s a r e p r o v i d e d f o r
e m p l o y e e s t o e l i m i n a t e o r m i n i m i s e a n y risks.
T h i s e d i t i o n o f S G 4 a d d r e s s e s t h e o u t s t a n d i n g c o n c e r n s t h a t h a v e b e e n raised b y i n d u s t r y
s c a f f o l d e r s a t an e x p o s e d e d g e . It is n o l o n g e r a c c e p t a b l e f o r s c a f f o l d e r s t o t r a v e r s e w i t h o u t
s o m e f o r m o f fall p r o t e c t i o n .
T h e N A S C a n d its m e m b e r s a r e m o v i n g t h e i n d u s t r y f o r w a r d in t e r m s o f safety a n d c o n s i s t e n c y
a n d it is o u r i n t e n t i o n t h a t t h i s r e v i s e d d o c u m e n t w i l l e n a b l e s c a f f o l d i n g c o n t r a c t o r s t o c o n t i n u e
t o o p e r a t e a t t h e f o r e f r o n t o f i n d u s t r y best p r a c t i c e .
Preventing Falls in Scaffolding Introduction
Introduction
2 T h e N A S C a c k n o w l e d g e s t h a t s c a f f o l d e r s h a v e t o w o r k in h a z a r d o u s s i t u a t i o n s , a n d t h i s
guidance n o t e accepts t h a t e m p l o y e r s have a responsibility t o ensure t h a t a d e q u a t e measures a r e
p r o v i d e d f o r e m p l o y e e s t o e l i m i n a t e o r m i n i m i s e t h o s e risks.
3 T h e N A S C also r e c o g n i s e s t h a t statistics 1
h a v e s h o w n falls f r o m h e i g h t r a r e l y i n v o l v e
scaffolders f r o m o u r m e m b e r s h i p w h o a r e w o r k i n g f r o m scaffold s t r u c t u r e s t h e y have
c o n s t r u c t e d t h e m s e l v e s . W e also r e c o g n i s e t h a t t h e instances o f fatal a n d m a j o r i n j u r i e s r e s u l t i n g
f r o m falls o f s c a f f o l d e r s h a v e r e d u c e d since t h e i n t r o d u c t i o n o f S G 4 in t h e m i d - n i n e t i e s . T h e
r e v i s i o n s o f S G 4 in 2 0 0 0 , 2 0 0 5 a n d again in 2 0 1 0 h a v e s e e n significant c h a n g e s t o t h e m e t h o d s o f
w o r k i n g t h a t h a v e b e e n a d o p t e d b y t h e i n d u s t r y . Since 2 0 0 0 t h e r e has b e e n a 7 8 % r e d u c t i o n in
t h e n u m b e r o f falls r e c o r d e d f r o m a s c a f f o l d o r w o r k i n g p l a t f o r m - f r o m 9 3 in 1999 t o 2 0 in
2 0 0 9 . T h i s r e d u c t i o n is in s p i t e o f an 1 8 . 6 % i n c r e a s e in t h e n u m b e r o f o p e r a t i v e s w o r k i n g w i t h i n
t h e N A S C m e m b e r s h i p , f r o m 10,679 in 1999 t o 13,124 in 2 0 0 9 . D u r i n g t h i s p e r i o d , n o fatal
accidents have o c c u r r e d w h i l s t operatives w e r e w o r k i n g w i t h i n t h e r e q u i r e m e n t s o f SG4.
100 I 0.5
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
N o . o f r e p o r t e d accidents x 100,000
F r e q u e n c y Rate = — —
Average N o . o f hours w o r k e d
Note 1. Figures obtained from NASC members' accident returns and annual safety report 1999-2009.
4 In r e c o g n i t i o n o f t h e s i g n i f i c a n t h a z a r d s a n d risks t h a t s c a f f o l d e r s a r e e x p o s e d t o d a y t o
day, t h e N A S C h a v e p r o d u c e d t h i s e d i t i o n o f Safety G u i d a n c e N u m b e r 4 as ' s c a f f o l d i n g i n d u s t r y
b e s t p r a c t i c e ' f o r w o r k at h e i g h t . T h i s latest v e r s i o n o f S G 4 a d d r e s s e s t h e o u t s t a n d i n g c o n c e r n
r e g u l a r l y raised b y i n d u s t r y p r o f e s s i o n a l s a n d t h e e n f o r c i n g a u t h o r i t i e s r e g a r d i n g t h e u n p r o t e c t e d
t r a v e r s i n g b y s c a f f o l d e r s at a n e x p o s e d e d g e , as p a r t o f t h e t u n n e l l i n g s y s t e m o f w o r k . It is n o
l o n g e r a c c e p t a b l e f o r s c a f f o l d e r s t o t r a v e r s e w i t h o u t s o m e f o r m o f fall p r o t e c t i o n .
5 T h i s g u i d a n c e n o w also i n c l u d e s s t r u c t u r e s a n d a p p l i c a t i o n s n o t p r e v i o u s l y c o v e r e d a n d
r e f l e c t s t h e challenges f a c i n g o u r i n d u s t r y t h r o u g h n e w t e c h n o l o g y a n d c h a n g i n g m e t h o d s o f
c o n s t r u c t i o n a n d m a i n t e n a n c e . T h e i n t r o d u c t i o n o f c o l l e c t i v e fall p r o t e c t i o n in t h e 2 0 0 5 e d i t i o n
a n d t h e f u r t h e r i n t e r i m g u i d a n c e i n t r o d u c e d in 2 0 0 8 a r e n o w also i n c l u d e d in t h i s g u i d a n c e n o t e .
6 T h e a i m o f t h i s d o c u m e n t r e m a i n s t h e s a m e a n d is t o i l l u s t r a t e c u r r e n t p r e v e n t a t i v e a n d
p r o t e c t i v e m e a s u r e s t h a t c o u l d b e u t i l i s e d w h e n e s t a b l i s h i n g safe s y s t e m s o f w o r k t o p r e v e n t a n d
r i s k o f falling.
7 E m p l o y e r s h a v e legal d u t i e s t o p r o v i d e safe s y s t e m s o f w o r k f o r e m p l o y e e s a n d t o c a r r y
o u t s u i t a b l e a n d s u f f i c i e n t a s s e s s m e n t o f t h e risks t o t h e h e a l t h a n d safety o f e m p l o y e e s . T h i s
m a n a g e m e n t g u i d a n c e n o t e is d e s i g n e d t o b e u s e d as r e f e r e n c e b y e m p l o y e r s , c l i e n t s , d e s i g n e r s ,
c o n t r a c t o r s and e n f o r c i n g authorities w h e n p r e p a r i n g and r e v i e w i n g risk assessments f o r t h e
e r e c t i o n , a l t e r a t i o n a n d d i s m a n t l i n g o f t e m p o r a r y access a n d o t h e r s t r u c t u r e s b y s c a f f o l d e r s .
T h i s g u i d a n c e n o t e is again s u p p o r t e d b y a user g u i d e (SG4:You) t o p r o v i d e essential i n f o r m a t i o n
t o scaffolders.
t h e s c a f f o l d i n g t r a d e . H o w e v e r w i t h i n t h e g u i d a n c e t h e N A S C has e n d e a v o u r e d t o :
• Explain t h e legal r e q u i r e m e n t s f o r w o r k at h e i g h t ;
scaffolding operations;
10 T h i s g u i d a n c e is n o t e x h a u s t i v e a n d d o e s n o t f e a t u r e e v e r y s c a f f o l d i n g a p p l i c a t i o n , h o w e v e r ,
12 B e f o r e s c a f f o l d e r s u n d e r t a k e w o r k at h e i g h t , it is essential t o c o n s i d e r t h e w o r k t o b e
p e r f o r m e d , t a k i n g a c c o u n t o f a n y f o r e s e e a b l e h a z a r d s a r i s i n g f r o m t h a t w o r k a n d establish
a p p r o p r i a t e c o n t r o l m e a s u r e s t o b e i m p l e m e n t e d . T h i s w i l l e n s u r e t h e safety o f s c a f f o l d e r s a n d
o t h e r s w h o m a y b e a f f e c t e d b y t h e s c a f f o l d i n g o p e r a t i o n s . It is essential t h a t a c o m p e t e n t p e r s o n
c a r r i e s o u t a s u i t a b l e r i s k a s s e s s m e n t a n d p r e p a r e s t h e s c a f f o l d i n g plan ( m e t h o d s t a t e m e n t ) . F o r
g u i d a n c e in t h e p r e p a r i n g o f s c a f f o l d i n g plans r e f e r e n c e s h o u l d m a d e t o N A S C Safety G u i d a n c e
2 4 ( S G 2 4 ) A guide for scaffold plans (Method statements). T h e m o r e c o m p l e x o r hazardous the
s c a f f o l d i n g s t r u c t u r e is, t h e m o r e c o n s i d e r a t i o n a n d d e t a i l n e e d s t o b e m a d e w i t h t h e p l a n n i n g
and p r e p a r a t i o n o f t h e scaffolding plan.
13 Planning f o r w o r k at h e i g h t m u s t c o n s i d e r t h e h i e r a r c h y o f p r e v e n t a t i v e a n d p r o t e c t i v e
m e a s u r e s t h a t a r e c e n t r a l t o t h e W o r k at H e i g h t R e g u l a t i o n s ( W A H R ) a n d s u m m a r i s e d as f o l l o w s :
I. Avoid w o r k at height
T h e r e a r e a f e w o p t i o n s available t o t h e s c a f f o l d i n g i n d u s t r y w h i c h e n a b l e t h e t a s k t o b e
p e r f o r m e d w i t h o u t w o r k i n g at h e i g h t e.g. f i x i n g h a n d r a i l s t o pre-cast s t a i r s e c t i o n s at g r o u n d
level b e f o r e c r a n i n g t h e m i n t o place, t h u s a v o i d i n g t h e n e e d f o r t h e s c a f f o l d e r t o w o r k at
h e i g h t (Figure 2).
Figure 2
Guardrails attached to pre-cast concrete staircase
sections before being lifted into place.
Section 1 - Planning for work at height Preventing Falls in Scaffolding
H o w e v e r , t h e r e is a g r e a t e r o p p o r t u n i t y t o e l i m i n a t e t h e n e e d t o w o r k at h e i g h t at t h e
design a n d p l a n n i n g stages o f a p r o j e c t b y d e s i g n e r s a n d p r i n c i p a l c o n t r a c t o r s e.g. t h e p r e -
a s s e m b l i n g o f g u a r d r a i l s t o s t e e l b e a m s p r i o r t o b e i n g installed b y t h e s t e e l e r e c t o r s w i l l
e l i m i n a t e t h e n e e d f o r s c a f f o l d e r s t o w o r k at h e i g h t (Figure 3).
If a v o i d i n g w o r k at h e i g h t is n o t p o s s i b l e
t h e n y o u m u s t c o n s i d e r t h e n e x t stage o f
t h e h i e r a r c h y - p r e v e n t falls.
II. P r e v e n t falls
r e s o r t i n g t o p e r s o n a l fall p r o t e c t i o n
e q u i p m e n t (i.e. harnesses). Scaffolders
a r e n o t p e r m i t t e d t o w o r k at h e i g h t
w h i l e b e i n g e x p o s e d t o a r i s k o f a fall,
w i t h o u t taking a p p r o p r i a t e actions t o
p r e v e n t o r p r o t e c t against a fall f r o m
height.
III. M i t i g a t e t h e d i s t a n c e and
c o n s e q u e n c e s o f a fall
W h a t e v e r m e t h o d s o f w o r k are chosen,
if i t is n o t r e a s o n a b l y p r a c t i c a b l e t o
p r e v e n t a fall, t h e n b o t h t h e d i s t a n c e a n d
Figure 4 Scaffolder protected by a guardrail in the scaffolders'
c o n s e q u e n c e s o f a p o t e n t i a l fall m u s t b e
'Safe Zone'.
m i n i m i s e d , e.g. If a fall a r r e s t harness is
u s e d w i t h a f i x e d l e n g t h l a n y a r d t h e n it s h o u l d be a t t a c h e d t o a s u i t a b l e a n c h o r p o i n t as high
a b o v e t h e w o r k i n g p l a t f o r m as p r a c t i c a b l e , t h e n s h o u l d a fall o c c u r t h e d i s t a n c e w o u l d b e
m i n i m a l c o m p a r e d w i t h an a t t a c h m e n t at f o o t level.
A t all stages in t h e W A H R h i e r a r c h y s c a f f o l d i n g c o n t r a c t o r s m u s t c o n s i d e r c o l l e c t i v e
p r o t e c t i o n o v e r p e r s o n a l p r o t e c t i o n . T h i s m e a n s using m e a s u r e s t h a t p r o t e c t e v e r y o n e
w o r k i n g at h e i g h t at all t i m e s w h e n in place, such as g u a r d r a i l s o r s a f e t y nets b e f o r e
s p e c i f y i n g p e r s o n a l fall a r r e s t e q u i p m e n t t h a t is r e l i a n t o n b e i n g a t t a c h e d .
Preventing Falls in Scaffolding Section 1 - Planning for work at height
14 T h e d i a g r a m b e l o w (Figure 5) is a s i m p l e i l l u s t r a t i o n o f h o w t h e W o r k at H e i g h t Regulations
hierarchy could be i n t e r p r e t e d f o r scaffolding operations.
• N o t n o r m a l l y an o p t i o n f o r t h e
AVOID W O R K scaffolding contractor.
AT H E I G H T • Designers and principal c o n t r a c t o r s
should identify opportunities t o avoid
w o r k at h e i g h t .
Scaffolding c o n t r a c t o r s should p r o m o t e
i n n o v a t i o n s t o t h e i r c l i e n t s t h a t can
a v o i d w o r k at h e i g h t .
W h e r e it is n o t r e a s o n a b l y p r a c t i c a b l e t o
avoid w o r k at height you should:
W h e r e it is n o t r e a s o n a b l y p r a c t i c a b l e
t o a v o i d o r p r e v e n t falls; t h e n ,
MITIGATE THE
D I S T A N C E A N D T h e d i s t a n c e a p e r s o n can fall a n d t h e
O V E R P E R S O N A L harnesses) M U S T be w o r n and a t t a c h e d
t o a suitable a n c h o r p o i n t - in a c c o r d a n c e
P R O T E C T I O N
w i t h this g u i d e - w h e n at risk o f a fall.
Figure 5 This diagram is a simple illustration of how the Work at Height Regulations 2005 hierarchy could be interpreted for
scaffolding operations.
Section 1 - Planning for work at height Preventing Falls in Scaffolding
C o m p e t e n c e and capability
15 T h e W o r k at H e i g h t Regulations r e q u i r e t h a t any p e r s o n w h o c a r r i e s o u t w o r k at h e i g h t is
d e e m e d c o m p e t e n t t o d o so b y t h e i r e m p l o y e r ( R e g u l a t i o n 5 ) . C o m p e t e n c e is d e f i n e d as a
c o m b i n a t i o n of relevant practical and theoretical k n o w l e d g e , training and experience. Scaffolders
s h o u l d b e s e l e c t e d w h o have a p p r o p r i a t e a t t i t u d e , a p t i t u d e , f i t n e s s , t r a i n i n g ( C o n s t r u c t i o n
I n d u s t r y S c a f f o l d e r s ' R e c o r d S c h e m e (CISRS C a r d ) ) , k n o w l e d g e a n d e x p e r i e n c e f o r t h e p a r t i c u l a r
w o r k t o b e c o m p l e t e d (Figure 6 ) . CISRS c a r d s s h o u l d b e r e l e v a n t t o t h e w o r k b e i n g u n d e r t a k e n
(e.g. S c a f f o l d e r o r A d v a n c e d s c a f f o l d e r ) a n d c u r r e n t , as t h e y r e q u i r e r e n e w a l e v e r y 5 y e a r s .
T R A I N L K S t AFKOLDLK
CSCS is a registered Certilic
«pf H C o n s t r u c t i o n Industry
- i Scaffoiders R e c o r d Scheme
Affiliated' ClSRS
MR A S A M P L E
d Ceriiliealion Mark
mg Construction Industry
W -'j Scanblders Record Scheme
Affiliated' CISRS
MR A S A M P L E
Part 1 (Ttihe and RKing)
Part 2 (Tube rind Titling!
Registration No: 00000000/1 P H O T C
5/rJVO Luvel 2
Advanced Ccurse (Tube ai
E x p i r y Date: End Jan 2015 S'NVO level 3
ADVANCED SCAFFOLDER
i registered Cerlif enlron Mark
16 A l l s c a f f o l d e r s s h o u l d h a v e r e c e i v e d a p p r o p r i a t e a n d r e c o r d e d t r a i n i n g in t h e r e q u i r e m e n t s
o f t h i s w o r k at h e i g h t g u i d a n c e , t o g e t h e r w i t h any specific i n s t r u c t i o n s t o b e f o l l o w e d f o r a
p a r t i c u l a r t a s k (e.g. m e t h o d s t a t e m e n t , r i s k assessment, r e s c u e plan e t c . ) . E m p l o y e r s m u s t e n s u r e
t r a i n i n g a n d i n s t r u c t i o n is p r o v i d e d f o r any n e w fall p r o t e c t i o n e q u i p m e n t o r r e s c u e e q u i p m e n t
i n t r o d u c e d t o t h e w o r k e r s . Training should be p r o p e r l y organised and include b o t h theoretical
and practical e l e m e n t s . Line-management responsible f o r t h e supervision and m o n i t o r i n g o f
s c a f f o l d i n g o p e r a t i o n s also n e e d t r a i n i n g t o raise t h e i r level o f a w a r e n e s s o f t h e r e q u i r e m e n t s f o r
w o r k at h e i g h t . I n d u c t i o n t r a i n i n g a n d t o o l b o x t a l k p r o g r a m m e s s h o u l d b e u s e d b y e m p l o y e r s t o
r e i n f o r c e t h e r e q u i r e m e n t s o f SG4 a n d m a i n t a i n levels o f a w a r e n e s s w i t h s c a f f o l d i n g o p e r a t i v e s .
Preventing Falls in Scaffolding Section 1 - Planning for work at height
In a d d i t i o n e m p l o y e r s s h o u l d e n s u r e t h a t r e f r e s h e r t r a i n i n g is p r o v i d e d p e r i o d i c a l l y . T h e N A S C
recommends every 12 m o n t h s , w i t h t r a i n i n g r e c o r d s k e p t .
Supervision
17 E m p l o y e r s s h o u l d e n s u r e a p p r o p r i a t e levels o f c o m p e t e n t s u p e r v i s i o n is p r o v i d e d
considering t h e nature o f t h e w o r k and t h e c o m p e t e n c e o f t h e scaffolders involved.
18 S u p e r v i s i o n o n site m a y b e a f u l l - t i m e r o l e o r in a v i s i t i n g capacity, t h e N A S C r e c o g n i s e s t h a t
t h e c o r e skills r e q u i r e d f o r s u p e r v i s i o n in c o n t r a c t s c a f f o l d i n g a r e c o v e r e d b y t h e C o n s t r u c t i o n
I n d u s t r y S c a f f o l d e r s ' R e c o r d S c h e m e (CISRS) S c a f f o l d i n g s u p e r v i s o r t r a i n i n g c o u r s e . However,
t y p i c a l l y t h e r o l e o f a s u p e r v i s o r in s c a f f o l d i n g , d u e t o t h e p e r i p a t e t i c n a t u r e o f t h e i n d u s t r y , is a
v i s i t i n g r o l e w h e r e t h e y m a y l o o k a f t e r s e v e r a l sites o r gangs w h o a r e v i s i t e d p e r i o d i c a l l y . F o r
e x a m p l e , a s u p e r v i s o r w o u l d b e r e s p o n s i b l e f o r a n u m b e r o f sites o r gangs, e a c h g a n g s h o u l d
have a n o m i n a t e d c h a r g e - h a n d s c a f f o l d e r , o r a large site w i t h a n u m b e r gangs m a y have a
n o m i n a t e d f o r e m a n s c a f f o l d e r in e i t h e r a w o r k i n g o r n o n - w o r k i n g capacity.
s u p e r v i s i o n o f a f u l l y q u a l i f i e d scaffolder.
Case Study I
A I 7 y e a r o l d t r a i n e e s c a f f o l d e r w a s t r a g i c a l l y k i l l e d w h e n h e fell a p p r o x i m a t e l y 18 m e t r e s
w h i l e e r e c t i n g a n access b i r d c a g e s c a f f o l d .
In t h e s u b s e q u e n t p r o s e c u t i o n b y t h e H e a l t h a n d Safety E x e c u t i v e ( H S E ) , t h e c o u r t h e a r d
t h a t t h e s c a f f o l d w a s c o n s t r u c t e d w i t h i n c o m p l e t e w o r k i n g p l a t f o r m s , a lack o f g u a r d r a i l s a n d
i n a d e q u a t e l a d d e r access. T h e c o m p e t e n c e a n d s u p e r v i s i o n o f t h e s c a f f o l d g a n g w a s also
i n a d e q u a t e . O t h e r issues i n c l u d e d w e r e i n a d e q u a c i e s r e g a r d i n g t h e use o f p e r s o n a l fall
protection equipment (harnesses).
T h r e e c o m p a n i e s w e r e p r o s e c u t e d ( i n c l u d i n g t h e s c a f f o l d i n g c o n t r a c t o r ) w i t h fines t o t a l l i n g
T h e s u p e r v i s o r w a s f o u n d g u i l t y o f failing t o t a k e r e a s o n a b l e c a r e f o r t h e h e a l t h a n d s a f e t y o f
£7,500 a n d o r d e r e d t o p a y £15,000 in c o s t s .
Section 1 - Planning for work at height Preventing Falls i n Scaffolding
21 W h e n c a r r y i n g o u t a r i s k a s s e s s m e n t i t is r e c o m m e n d e d t h a t a n i n s p e c t i o n o f t h e s i t e is
u n d e r t a k e n b y a suitably c o m p e t e n t person b e f o r e w o r k c o m m e n c e s . T h e p u r p o s e o f t h e
a s s e s s m e n t is t o t a k e d u e a c c o u n t o f all f o r e s e e a b l e h a z a r d s in t h e w o r k p l a c e , in a d d i t i o n t o a n y
c o m m e r c i a l c o n s i d e r a t i o n s f o r t h e j o b . T h e r i s k a s s e s s m e n t m u s t i d e n t i f y all o f t h e p r e v e n t a t i v e
a n d p r o t e c t i v e c o n t r o l m e a s u r e s r e q u i r e d t o e l i m i n a t e o r r e d u c e t h e r i s k o f injury. T h e s e c o n t r o l s
s h o u l d t h e n b e r e c o r d e d in t h e s c a f f o l d i n g plan ( m e t h o d s t a t e m e n t ) .
22 W h e n s e l e c t i n g t h e m o s t s u i t a b l e p r e v e n t a t i v e a n d p r o t e c t i v e m e a s u r e s as p a r t o f t h e r i s k
a s s e s s m e n t p r o c e s s , e m p l o y e r s s h o u l d t a k e i n t o a c c o u n t t h e logistical e f f o r t , p r o d u c t i v i t y i m p a c t
a n d p u r c h a s i n g c o s t o f using t h e m e t h o d s e l e c t e d .
Rescue planning
24 A r r a n g e m e n t s f o r e m e r g e n c i e s a n d r e s c u e f r o m h e i g h t n e e d t o b e c o n s i d e r e d as p a r t o f t h e
p l a n n i n g a n d r i s k a s s e s s m e n t f o r e a c h t a s k b y e m p l o y e r s . It is a legal r e q u i r e m e n t f o r s c a f f o l d i n g
c o n t r a c t o r s a n d t h e i r c l i e n t s t o a d d r e s s t h e n e e d f o r t i m e l y e v a c u a t i o n a n d r e s c u e in an
e m e r g e n c y w h e n w o r k i n g a t h e i g h t . A l l e m p l o y e r s m u s t also c o n s i d e r t h e a d d i t i o n a l risks p o s e d
by evacuation and rescue f r o m height.
25 F u r t h e r i n f o r m a t i o n f o r r e s c u e p l a n n i n g c a n b e f o u n d in Section 5 a n d f u r t h e r r e a d i n g in
N A S C Safety G u i d a n c e S G 1 9 - A guide to formulating a rescue plan.
W e a t h e r conditions
26 W e a t h e r c o n d i t i o n s m u s t b e c o n s i d e r e d as p a r t o f t h e r i s k a s s e s s m e n t a n d p l a n n i n g f o r w o r k
at h e i g h t . A d v e r s e w e a t h e r c o n d i t i o n s c a n s i g n i f i c a n t l y i n c r e a s e t h e r i s k o f a fall w h e n s c a f f o l d i n g
at h e i g h t e.g. l i g h t n i n g , high w i n d s , r a i n , s n o w , i c e , e x t r e m e t e m p e r a t u r e a n d t h e e f f e c t s o f t h e
s u n . H i g h w i n d s a n d i c y o r w e t surfaces a r e especially h a z a r d o u s . T h e e m p l o y e r ' s r i s k a s s e s s m e n t
s h o u l d c o n s i d e r all a s p e c t s o f w o r k i n g in a d v e r s e w e a t h e r c o n d i t i o n s , a n d n o t j u s t s i m p l y s p e c i f y
protective clothing, f o o t w e a r o r sun cream.
T e m p o r a r y w o r k s design
27 W h e n d e s i g n i n g s c a f f o l d i n g s t r u c t u r e s , e n g i n e e r s h a v e a d u t y as d e s i g n e r s u n d e r t h e
C o n s t r u c t i o n ( D e s i g n a n d M a n a g e m e n t ) R e g u l a t i o n s ( r e g u l a t i o n s I I a n d 18) t o c o n s i d e r t h e risks
t o h e a l t h a n d s a f e t y o f t h o s e w h o e r e c t , a l t e r a n d d i s m a n t l e t e m p o r a r y w o r k s a n d t h o s e w h o use
the equipment.
Preventing Falls in Scaffolding Section 1 - Planning for work at height
28 Designs a n d c a l c u l a t i o n s s h o u l d c o n s i d e r t h e fall p r o t e c t i o n m e a s u r e s t h a t w i l l f o r m p a r t o f
t h e f i n i s h e d s t r u c t u r e e.g. s c a f f o l d e r ' s g u a r d r a i l s , b o a r d b e a r e r t r a n s o m s f o r n o n - w o r k i n g lifts a n d
g u a r d r a i l s f o r i n t e r n a l fall h a z a r d s , w h e r e a p p r o p r i a t e . A l s o e n s u r i n g c o m p l i a n c e w i t h t h e r e l e v a n t
g e n e r a l l y r e c o g n i s e d s t a n d a r d s t o e n s u r e scaffolds a r e s u i t a b l y s e c u r e d a n d s t a b l e (i.e. B r i t i s h a n d
European standards, N A S C technical guidance notes and m a n u f a c t u r e r s ' i n s t r u c t i o n manuals f o r
proprietary equipment).
29 D e s i g n e r s m u s t i n c l u d e a d e q u a t e h e a l t h a n d safety i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t a n y s i g n i f i c a n t h a z a r d s
t h a t r e m a i n in t h e d e s i g n a n d t h e r e s u l t i n g risks. It is g o o d d e s i g n p r a c t i c e f o r s c a f f o l d i n g
designers t o h i g h l i g h t o n t h e d r a w i n g s a n y k n o w n s i g n i f i c a n t h a z a r d s o r h a z a r d o u s w o r k
s e q u e n c e s c r i t i c a l t o t h e design t h a t r e q u i r e p a r t i c u l a r c o n s i d e r a t i o n . C a u t i o n signs a n d n o t e s a r e
c o m m o n l y used t o d r a w a t t e n t i o n t o i m p o r t a n t d e t a i l s (Figure 7). Residual risks f r o m t h e d e s i g n
and t h e c o n t r o l m e a s u r e s e s t a b l i s h e d s h o u l d b e i n c l u d e d in t h e s c a f f o l d i n g p l a n ( r i s k a s s e s s m e n t
and m e t h o d s t a t e m e n t ) b y t h e s c a f f o l d i n g c o n t r a c t o r a n d c o m m u n i c a t e d t o t h e s c a f f o l d e r s b e f o r e
commencing the w o r k .
r
Caution - beam section
to be assembled on the
ground before being
craned into position.
Scaffolders' responsibilities
30 A l l e m p l o y e e s h a v e g e n e r a l d u t i e s u n d e r h e a l t h a n d safety l a w t o t a k e r e a s o n a b l e c a r e o f
t h e m s e l v e s a n d o t h e r s w h o m a y b e a f f e c t e d b y w h a t t h e y d o , o r fail t o d o , at w o r k a n d t o
co-operate w i t h t h e i r employer, t o enable t h e m t o carry o u t t h e i r duties. Serious breaches of
health and safety l a w b y e m p l o y e e s can r e s u l t in t h e m b e i n g p e r s o n a l l y p r o s e c u t e d w i t h fines a n d
possible i m p r i s o n m e n t .
3 I W i t h p a r t i c u l a r c o n s i d e r a t i o n f o r w o r k i n g at h e i g h t a n d t h e p o t e n t i a l h a z a r d s i n v o l v e d ,
scaffolders should:
• i n f o r m e m p l o y e r s o f a n y m e d i c a l c o n d i t i o n t h a t m a y a f f e c t t h e m w o r k i n g at h e i g h t ;
• n o t w o r k at h e i g h t if a f f e c t e d b y d r u g s o r a l c o h o l ( i n c l u d i n g p r e s c r i p t i o n m e d i c a t i o n t h a t
m a y a f f e c t t h e i r a b i l i t y t o w o r k safely);
Section 1 - Planning for work at height Preventing Falls i n Scaffolding
• n o t t a m p e r w i t h o r m o d i f y e q u i p m e n t p r o v i d e d , o r use e q u i p m e n t t h a t is n o t a u t h o r i s e d
by t h e e m p l o y e r ;
• c h e c k fall a r r e s t e q u i p m e n t daily a n d r e p o r t t o t h e i r e m p l o y e r a n y d a m a g e d o r d e f e c t i v e
e q u i p m e n t i d e n t i f i e d , f o r e x a m p l e b a d l y w o r n o r c u t w e b b i n g o n a harness o r l a n y a r d ;
Case Study 2
A s c a f f o l d e r fell 8 m f r o m a s c a f f o l d h e w a s e r e c t i n g r e s u l t i n g in m a j o r i n j u r i e s . H e w a s
w e a r i n g fall a r r e s t e q u i p m e n t b u t h a d n o t u s e d i t in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e t r a i n i n g a n d
i n s t r u c t i o n g i v e n b y his E m p l o y e r .
T h e a c c i d e n t w a s i n v e s t i g a t e d b y t h e HSE w h o p r o s e c u t e d t h e s c a f f o l d e r u n d e r S e c t i o n 7 o f
t h e H e a l t h & Safety a t W o r k e t c . A c t 1974.
32 T h i s s e c t i o n c o n s i d e r s t h e m e a s u r e s available t o t h e s c a f f o l d i n g i n d u s t r y f o r p r o v i d i n g t h e
'Safe Z o n e ' .
a f u l l y b o a r d e d a n d c o r r e c t l y s u p p o r t e d p l a t f o r m w i t h o u t gaps w h e r e s o m e o n e c o u l d fall;
and,
a single m a i n g u a r d r a i l ( 9 5 0 m m a b o v e t h e p l a t f o r m ) w h e r e t h e r e is a r i s k o f a fall.
34 T h e W o r k at H e i g h t Regulations r e q u i r e t h a t a h i e r a r c h y f o r w o r k a t h e i g h t b e f o l l o w e d ,
w h e r e c o l l e c t i v e fall p r e v e n t i o n a n d p r o t e c t i o n m e a s u r e s s h o u l d t a k e p r i o r i t y o v e r personal
m e a s u r e s , f o r e x a m p l e t h e use o f t e m p o r a r y w o r k i n g p l a t f o r m s w i t h g u a r d r a i l s w o u l d t a k e
p r i o r i t y o v e r p e r s o n a l fall p r o t e c t i o n e q u i p m e n t ( h a r n e s s e s ) .
36 It is n o l o n g e r p e r m i t t e d f o r s c a f f o l d e r s t o t r a v e r s e a l o n g a p l a t f o r m w i t h o u t a n y f o r m o f fall
p r o t e c t i o n , as s t a t e d in e a r l i e r e d i t i o n s o f t h i s g u i d a n c e , in t h e t u n n e l l i n g m e t h o d . T h e c h a n g e f o r
scaffolders, b r o u g h t a b o u t b y t h e r e m o v a l o f t h e u n p r o t e c t e d traversing system o f w o r k , only
affects a small p e r c e n t a g e o f t h e i r n o r m a l w o r k i n g day. T h i s i m p r o v e d g u i d a n c e i d e n t i f i e s
m e t h o d s t h a t r e p l a c e s y s t e m s o f w o r k a n d e n s u r e s s c a f f o l d e r s c a n b e c o m p l i a n t w i t h t h e law.
37 It m u s t b e r e c o g n i s e d t h a t t h e m e t h o d s o f a c h i e v i n g t h e 'Safe Z o n e ' d o n o t c o m p l e t e l y
e l i m i n a t e t h e risk o f a fall f o r all s c a f f o l d i n g o p e r a t i o n s , f o r e x a m p l e w h e n raising o r l o w e r i n g
t v o r k i n g p l a t f o r m b o a r d s as t h e e r e c t i o n o r d i s m a n t l i n g o f t h e s c a f f o l d p r o g r e s s e s . P e r s o n a l fall
p r o t e c t i o n e q u i p m e n t w i l l still b e r e q u i r e d t o b e used a t s o m e p o i n t in t h e s y s t e m o f w o r k unless
e v e r y lift r e m a i n s f u l l y b o a r d e d .
Figure 8 These pictures show examples of the inherent risk of a fall in scaffolding where personal fall protection equipment will be
the primary method of fall protection (e.g. raising and lowering boards and working without a 'Safe Zone').
12 Section 2 - The scaffolders' 'Safe Zone' Preventing Falls i n Scaffolding
38 W h e n scaffolders are w o r k i n g w i t h o u t a
fully b o a r d e d p l a t f o r m (e.g. raising o r l o w e r i n g
platform boards) o r w i t h o u t guardrail
protection then they must remain clipped o n t o
a suitable anchor point.
39 W h e n s c a f f o l d e r s e n c r o a c h f r o m a 'Safe
Z o n e ' t o w i t h i n I m o f an u n p r o t e c t e d a r e a b y
g u a r d r a i l s t h e y a r e c o n s i d e r e d 'at r i s k ' a n d
p e r s o n a l fall p r o t e c t i o n e q u i p m e n t m u s t b e used
(Figure 9 ) .
Working platforms
40 It is i m p o r t a n t t o i d e n t i f y t h a t t h e r e a r e
d i f f e r e n t t y p e s o f w o r k i n g p l a t f o r m s used in
s c a f f o l d i n g . T h e t e r m ' w o r k i n g p l a t f o r m ' applies
t o a t e m p o r a r y p l a t f o r m p r o v i d e d f o r access a t
v a r i o u s stages o f t h e e r e c t i o n , use, a l t e r a t i o n
Figure 9 Shows a scaffolder exposed to a risk of falling at a
and dismantling o f scaffolding, these include: leading edge (within I metre of the edge from the
'Safe Zone').
T h e finished w o r k i n g p l a t f o r m (used b y o t h e r s ) ;
P l a t f o r m s f o r o t h e r p u r p o s e s (e.g. l o a d i n g t o w e r s f o r m a t e r i a l s t h a t r e q u i r e p e r s o n n e l
access);
Platforms f o r e r e c t i o n , alteration o r dismantling o f scaffolding O N L Y ! ( T h e scaffolders'
'Safe Z o n e ' ) .
Figure 10 A temporary scaffolders' working platform to form the Figure 11 A finished working platform for users,
minimum 'Safe Zone'.
Preventing Falls in Scaffolding Section 2 - The scaffolders' 'Safe Zone'
41 Scaffolders m u s t c o n s i d e r t h e f o l l o w i n g w o r k i n g p l a t f o r m r e q u i r e m e n t s f o r c r e a t i n g t h e
Safe Z o n e ' :
• Inside gaps b e t w e e n t h e w o r k i n g p l a t f o r m a n d f a c a d e / s t r u c t u r e o r o p e n i n g s in t h e f a c a d e
(e.g. w i n d o w s ) , w h e r e s c a f f o l d e r s face a r i s k o f falling, n e e d t o b e p r o t e c t e d w i t h
g u a r d r a i l s in s a m e m a n n e r as t h e o u t e r faces o f t h e p l a t f o r m .
G u a r d r a i l s s h o u l d b e e r e c t e d a n d l e f t in place, in a d d i t i o n t o a n y o t h e r fall p r o t e c t i o n
system used.
• W h e n n e c e s s a r y t o r e a c h b e l o w a single g u a r d r a i l , s c a f f o l d e r s m u s t b e c l i p p e d o n (e.g. t o
f i x b r a c i n g o r h a n d l e m a t e r i a l s b e l o w t h e h e i g h t o f t h e single g u a r d r a i l - see Figure 12).
Figure 12 A scaffolder reaching below the single guardrail must be clipped on.
Preventing Falls in Scaffolding
Section 2 - The scaffolders' 'Safe Zone'
• W h e n raising o r l o w e r i n g m a t e r i a l s s c a f f o l d e r s
s h o u l d b e c l i p p e d - o n o r c r e a t e a safe h a n d l i n g
p l a t f o r m w i t h double guardrails, including stop-ends
so t h a t t h e r e is n o g a p g r e a t e r t h a n 4 7 0 m m w h e r e a
s c a f f o l d e r c o u l d fall (Figure 13).
• W h e n m o v i n g , raising o r l o w e r i n g p l a t f o r m b o a r d s ,
w o r k i n g less t h a n I m f r o m an e x p o s e d e d g e o r
o u t s i d e o f g u a r d r a i l fall p r o t e c t i o n , w h e r e exposed
t o a r i s k o f a fall, s c a f f o l d e r s m u s t b e c l i p p e d o n
(Figure 9 ) .
• T h e w o r k i n g p l a t f o r m should be fully b o a r d e d
w i t h o u t gaps w h e r e a p e r s o n c o u l d fall, e x c e p t
Figure 13 Safe handling bay. This drawing
w h e n access is r e q u i r e d t o a l e d g e r b e l o w t h e lift f o r shows a scaffolder using a safe
a t t a c h i n g fall a r r e s t e q u i p m e n t ; t h e n o n e b o a r d m a y handling bay with double guardrails
(including stop-end returns) for
b e o m i t t e d (Figure 14).
raising or lowering materials.
1
1
:
1
1
1
G a p t o o n e side
\ Boards centralised
1
Figure 14 Fully boarded platform with a maximum of one board gap (225mm) may be permitted only if required to access the ledger
below the platform as an anchor point.
• Scaffold b o a r d s m u s t b e c o r r e c t l y s u p p o r t e d b y t r a n s o m s o r b e a r e r s in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h
N A S C t e c h n i c a l g u i d e T G 2 0 : 0 8 (Tables I a n d 8 ) e.g. 3 8 m m t h i c k n e s s t i m b e r scaffold
b o a r d s f o r scaffold load classes I t o 3 m u s t b e s u p p o r t e d e v e r y 1.2m f o r visually g r a d e d
b o a r d s a n d 1.5m f o r m a c h i n e g r a d e d b o a r d s . E x c e e d i n g t h e s p e c i f i e d m a x i m u m span o f
s c a f f o l d b o a r d s i n c r e a s e s t h e r i s k o f a fall d u e t o t h e b o a r d failing.
• In t h e case o f p r o p r i e t a r y s y s t e m s c a f f o l d i n g b a t t e n s a n d d e c k s , t h e s e m u s t b e used in
accordance w i t h t h e supplier's instructions.
- reveriting Falls in Scaffolding Section 2 - The scaffolders' 'Safe Zone'
If a g a p e x i s t s , o r is c r e a t e d in t h e d e c k i n g as p a r t o f t h e e r e c t i o n / d i s m a n t l i n g p r o c e s s ,
w h e r e s c a f f o l d e r s a r e e x p o s e d t o a r i s k o f a fall t h r o u g h t h e p l a t f o r m , t h e n a p e r s o n a l fall
p r o t e c t i o n s y s t e m m u s t b e u s e d . e.g. w h e n raising o r l o w e r i n g p l a t f o r m b o a r d s o r
d e c k i n g as t h e e r e c t i o n / d i s m a n t l i n g p r o g r e s s e s (see Figure 8).
I G a p s f o r m e d in w o r k i n g p l a t f o r m s t o c r e a t e l a d d e r access t r a p s s h o u l d b e p r o t e c t e d
against a c c i d e n t a l falls o n c e t h e s c a f f o l d is c o m p l e t e d . S c a f f o l d e r s s h o u l d install t h e s e
m e a s u r e s p r o g r e s s i v e l y t o p r o v i d e p r o t e c t i o n f o r t h e m s e l v e s as t h e j o b p r o g r e s s e s
(see Section 6 - Methods of access and egress).
a m s »
i m
, f
Figure 15 Boarding out first lift from below.
T h e f i r s t lift s h o u l d , w h e r e p o s s i b l e , b e b o a r d e d o u t f r o m b e l o w t o a v o i d t h e r i s k o f a fall
w h e n w o r k i n g a t l o w level (Figure 15).
• A l l o t h e r lifts, w h e r e p r a c t i c a l , s h o u l d b e b o a r d e d
®
out and r e m o v e d f r o m below.
L a t e r a l gaps in g u a r d r a i l s a r e o n l y p e r m i t t e d a t a
p o i n t o f access t o a l a d d e r o r s t a i r w a y w h e r e a
•
gap is n e c e s s a r y (see Section
and egress).
6 - Methods of
A n y i n c o m p l e t e scaffold w o r k i n g p l a t f o r m , w h e r e
access
W\
1 /
/ 7 l
s o m e o n e m a y fall o r w h e r e an o b j e c t c o u l d fall
and injure s o m e o n e , needs t o be clearly identified
w i t h w a r n i n g signs, a n d access r e s t r i c t e d b y Figure 16 Restricted access. Shows an example
s u i t a b l e physical m e a s u r e s t o p r e v e n t of an incomplete scaffold with access
restricted by physical means and a
u n a u t h o r i s e d access (e.g. g u a r d r a i l s , l a d d e r access
warning sign restricting access to
r e m o v e d o r b o a r d e d o v e r ) (Figure 16). authorised scaffolders ONLY!
16 Section 2 - The scaffolders' 'Safe Zone' Preventing Falls in Scaffolding
M e t h o d s of c r e a t i n g a 'Safe Z o n e '
42 T h i s s e c t i o n h i g h l i g h t s t h e v a r i o u s safe m e t h o d s available t o s c a f f o l d i n g c o n t r a c t o r s f o r
c r e a t i n g t h e 'Safe Z o n e ' . T h e r e a r e v a r i o u s p r o p r i e t a r y c o l l e c t i v e fall p r o t e c t i o n s y s t e m s a n d
m e t h o d s o f w o r k available using s t a n d a r d s c a f f o l d i n g m a t e r i a l s t h a t e n a b l e s c a f f o l d e r s t o p o s i t i o n
t e m p o r a r y g u a r d r a i l s in a d v a n c e d u r i n g s c a f f o l d e r e c t i o n a n d t o m a i n t a i n g u a r d r a i l s d u r i n g
dismantling o r alteration.
• C h a n g e s t o t h e n o r m a l s e q u e n c e o f w o r k e.g. p o s i t i o n i n g a d v a n c e d g u a r d r a i l s t o t h e
inside face o f t h e s c a f f o l d b e f o r e f i x i n g t r a n s o m s o r t i e a s s e m b l i e s .
C a n t h e e q u i p m e n t b e used as a n a n c h o r p o i n t f o r p e r s o n a l fall p r o t e c t i o n e q u i p m e n t ?
A n y t r a i n i n g o r i n s t r u c t i o n t h e s c a f f o l d e r s m a y n e e d t o e n s u r e safe use.
• A r r a n g e m e n t s f o r t h e h a n d l i n g , d e l i v e r y a n d s t o r a g e o f special e q u i p m e n t .
Rescue p l a n n i n g a n d t h e n e e d f o r
special r e s c u e e q u i p m e n t , t r a i n i n g a n d
instruction.
44 N o t e that s o m e systems d o n o t p r o v i d e
full c o l l e c t i v e p r o t e c t i o n e.g. s t o p - e n d s o r a t a
leading edge. N A S C r e c o m m e n d s that w h e r e a
s c a f f o l d e r can e n c r o a c h w i t h i n I m o f a l e a d i n g
e d g e (Figure 9) o r a n a r e a n o t p r o t e c t e d b y
guardrails, t h e n t h e y are c o n s i d e r e d at risk o f a
fall a n d m u s t b e c l i p p e d o n (see Section 4 -
Personal fall protection equipment).
Figure 17
Illustration shows a scaffolder hemping a standard over a guardrail.
i n s Falls in Scaffolding Section 2 - The scaffolders' 'Safe Zone'
i . a lability a n d c o s t o f h i r i n g M E W P s as a
safeguard against falls f o r s o m e o f t h e m o r e
- i z a - d o u s s c a f f o l d i n g o p e r a t i o n s is n o w a v i a b l e
o p t i o n i Figure 18).
46 It is i m p o r t a n t t o r e c o g n i s e t h a t M E W P s
are : i y suitable f o r c e r t a i n s c a f f o l d i n g
ape cat o n s a n d c a n n o t b e c o n s i d e r e d as a
: " • :: ; o ;on for the majority of routine Figure 18 Scaffolders using a MEWP to erect a hung scaffold.
scaffo d i n g o p e r a t i o n s .
47 '//here M E W P s a r e s e l e c t e d f o r e r e c t i n g , a l t e r i n g a n d d i s m a n t l i n g s c a f f o l d i n g , e m p l o y e r s
- j s t have a safe s y s t e m o f w o r k f o r t h e i r i n t e n d e d u s e . C a r e s h o u l d b e t a k e n t o select t h e m o s t
s_ -.a; e t y p e a n d s p e c i f i c a t i o n o f M E W P f o r t h e o p e r a t i o n .
48 T h e use o f a M E W P w o u l d n o t b e s u i t a b l e w h e r e t h e r e is r e s t r i c t e d access, w o r k o v e r
••• a:e- o ' at v e r y high levels.
49 O n l y s c a f f o l d e r s w h o a r e a u t h o r i s e d a n d t r a i n e d (e.g. I n t e r n a t i o n a l P o w e r e d A c c e s s
f e d e r a t i o n (IPAF) o r e q u i v a l e n t ) s h o u l d o p e r a t e M E W P s .
IMPORTANT
The powered access industry recommends that work restraint lanyards are used to
prevent the operator being exposed to a risk of falling. However it is recommended by
the NASC that scaffolders who regularly use MEWP's should consider using an adjustable
fall arrest lanyard that may also be used for work restraint (Figure 19). Always check
with the MEWP supplier to ensure only specified attachment points are used.
=
2Jil restraint lanyard
Adjustable buckle
— _ wstato = c o m b i n a t i o n lanyard
Figure 19
Illustration showing i. a fall restraint
Energy absorber
lanyard only that must not be used in
fall arrest, and ii. a combination
lanyard that can be used in fall
restraint and arrest when required.
18 Section 2 - The scaffolders' 'Safe Zone' Preventing Falls in Scaffolding
50 Several p r o p r i e t a r y c o l l e c t i v e fall p r o t e c t i o n s y s t e m s r e c e n t l y i n t r o d u c e d h a v e b e c o m e
51 A d v a n c e d g u a r d r a i l s y s t e m s p r o v i d e c o l l e c t i v e fall p r e v e n t i o n f o r s c a f f o l d e r s w h e n t r a v e r s i n g
a l o n g a b o a r d e d lift, e r e c t i n g , a l t e r i n g o r d i s m a n t l i n g s c a f f o l d i n g . T h e s e t e m p o r a r y g u a r d r a i l s
r e m a i n in p l a c e w h i l s t t h e p l a t f o r m g u a r d r a i l s a r e installed o r r e m o v e d , a l l o w i n g s c a f f o l d e r s t o
m a i n t a i n g u a r d r a i l e d g e p r o t e c t i o n o n w o r k i n g p l a t f o r m s a t all t i m e s .
52 T h e s u i t a b i l i t y o f a d v a n c e d g u a r d r a i l s y s t e m s n e e d s t o b e c o n s i d e r e d as p a r t o f t h e r i s k
assessment p r o c e s s w h e n p l a n n i n g w o r k a t h e i g h t . T h e s e s y s t e m s a r e b e s t s u i t e d t o s t r a i g h t
L n i f o r m scaffold s t r u c t u r e s w i t h o u t c o m p l e x e l e m e n t s e.g. l o n g s t r a i g h t facades w i t h m i n i m u m
r e t u r n s , recesses o r p r o t r u s i o n s .
54 F r a m e and t e l e s c o p i c t y p e A G S a r e
0'_shed u p t h e o u t s i d e o f t h e s t r u c t u r e a n d
t h e i r o p e r a t i o n can be i m p e d e d b y p r o t r u s i o n s
from t h e s c a f f o l d . Scaffolders m a y h a v e t o
ensure that t r a n s o m s , ledgers, bracing etc. a r e
c o r r e c t l y sized so t h a t t h e y d o n o t h a v e
excessive o v e r h a n g .
t h a t a r e d e s i g n e d as t o o l s f o r p o s i t i o n i n g
g u a r d r a i l s in a d v a n c e , h e n c e t h e t e r m A d v a n c e d
Guardrail Tools ( A G T ) .
58 T h e p i v o t i n g t y p e A G T (Figure 24) is b e s t
d e s c r i b e d as a ' t o o l ' o r ' l e v e r ' f o r e r e c t i n g a n d
dismantling t h e main scaffold guardrails f r o m
b e l o w . T h i s A G T is d e s i g n e d p r i m a r i l y f o r
1 •,
t r a d i t i o n a l t u b e a n d f i t t i n g scaffolds a n d is used
o n t h e o u t e r face o f t h e scaffold. A d d i t i o n a l
precautions need t o b e t a k e n at stop-ends,
w h e n w o r k i n g w i t h i n I m o f t h e leading edge o r
inside f a c e w h e r e s c a f f o l d e r s m u s t c l i p o n (also Figure 24 Pivoting type advanced guardrail tool.
59 T h i s p u s h u p t y p e A G T ( f i g u r e 25) utilises
special c o u p l e r s t h a t a l l o w t h e s c a f f o l d t u b e
guardrails t o be e r e c t e d f r o m b e l o w and
pushed u p into position w i t h a locating t o o l .
T h e h a n d r a i l is a u t o m a t i c a l l y l o c k e d a n d
r e m a i n s in place t o p r o v i d e fall p r o t e c t i o n w h e n
s c a f f o l d e r s access t h e n e x t lift. T h e s e q u e n c e o f
w o r k is c r i t i c a l as t h e a d v a n c e g u a r d r a i l s n e e d
t o b e raised b e f o r e t h e n e x t lift is f o r m e d . T h e
t e m p o r a r y g u a r d r a i l r e m a i n s in place w h i l s t t h e
p e r m a n e n t guardrails are fitted. Alternatively,
t h e A G T couplers can be replaced w i t h n o r m a l
right-angle s c a f f o l d c o u p l e r s t o f o r m t h e
scaffold guardrails. This system can b e used o n
all faces o f t h e s c a f f o l d i n c l u d i n g inside fall risks
and stop-ends.
60 T h e p o s i t i o n i n g t o o l is also used t o u n l o c k
the guardrail f r o m b e l o w during dismantling.
T h i s s y s t e m is p r i m a r i l y s u i t e d f o r t r a d i t i o n a l
Figure 25 Push type advanced guardrail tool using special
t u b e a n d f i t t i n g scaffolds. couplers and a positioning tool.
- reventing Falls in Scaffolding Section 2 - The scaffolders' 'Safe Zone'
6 I A p r o p r i e t a r y system scaffold
m a n u f a c t u r e r p r o v i d e s an A G T t h a t is b e s p o k e
t o t h e i r p a r t i c u l a r p r o d u c t (Figure 26). Special
arms are used t o locate/remove t h e guardrail
•'rame in t h e lift a b o v e .
A d v a n c e d guardrail methods ( A G M )
Frame type A G M
Step /
Step 2
L a y o u t t h e t u b e s o n t h e g r o u n d t o f o r m a 'goal p o s t ' f r a m e . T h e n f i x t h e g u a r d r a i l t o t h e e n d o f
: e u p r i g h t t u b e s using right-angle c o u p l e r s ( E N 7 4 ) .
u
Step 3
N o w fix a s e c o n d right-angle c o u p l e r t o e a c h u p r i g h t t u b e . M e a s u r e I 1 0 0 m m d o w n f r o m t h e
c e n t r e o f t h e t o p c o u p l e r . N o t e t h a t t h e s e c o u p l e r s m u s t b e p o s i t i o n e d t o t h e o p p o s i t e side o f
Figure 2 7 AGM frame constructed on the ground and fixed to the base lift.
Step 4
U s i n g t w o s c a f f o l d e r s , lift t h e f r a m e a n d f i x t o
t h e ledger. N o t e b y f i x i n g t h e c o u p l e r up-side-
d o w n it w i l l s u p p o r t itself u n t i l s e c u r e d (see
A l s o n o t e t h a t an a d d i t i o n a l
§
Figure 27 inset).
g u a r d r a i l is r e q u i r e d f o r t h e base lift o n l y f o r
t h e v e r t i c a l t u b e t o a c t against.
Step 5 ^^^^^
T h e c o u p l e r s can n o w be secured t o fix t h e
a d v a n c e d g u a r d r a i l in p l a c e . S c a f f o l d e r s c a n
n o w access t h e p l a t f o r m a n d e r e c t t h e n e x t lift
o n c e t h e c o l l e c t i v e p r o t e c t i o n is in p l a c e . Figure 28 Releasing the advanced guardrail from the ledger.
Step 6
.A
W h e n t h e p e r m a n e n t g u a r d r a i l s have b e e n
installed, t h e advanced guardrail can b e raised
t o t h e n e x t level (Figure 29). T h i s is m o r e easily
achieved by pulling back t h e outside b o a r d t o
access t h e c o u p l e r , f r o m a b o v e (Figure 28).
64 W h e r e t i e a s s e m b l i e s , t r a n s o m s f o r inside b o a r d s , b u t t r e s s e s o r o t h e r p r o t r u s i o n s m a y
o b s t r u c t t h e raising o f t h e a d v a n c e d g u a r d r a i l , t h e b u i l d s e q u e n c e w i l l b e c r i t i c a l , e n s u r i n g t h e
a d v a n c e d g u a r d r a i l is raised p r i o r t o t h e t r a n s o m s e t c . b e i n g i n s t a l l e d .
65 If t h e a d v a n c e d g u a r d r a i l is o b s t r u c t e d b y t h e f a c a d e b r a c i n g , t h e n f i x t h e b r a c e o n c e t h e
a d v a n c e d g u a r d r a i l has b e e n r a i s e d .
66 T h i s a d v a n c e d g u a r d r a i l s y s t e m c a n also b e u s e d f o r d i s m a n t l i n g a n d a l t e r n a t i o n s t h a t
necessitate t h e r e m o v a l o f guardrail p r o t e c t i o n .
Horizontal type A G M
Step I
W o r k i n g f r o m behind t h e guardrail p r o t e c t i o n ,
fix t w o right-angle c o u p l e r s t o t h e s t a n d a r d s
a b o v e t h e e x i s t i n g g u a r d r a i l (Figure 30).
j|
Any Y V j!
Step 2
I
U s i n g a 6 m ( 2 0 f t ) a l u m i n i u m t u b e , place i t
j ',
loosely into t h e t w o fittings so t h e t u b e can
still slide t o t h e side (Figure 31).
H 1
j".. ::-.- ,--- - --_--..-.-_--__ . .
1 1
r _J .
r
;;
Step 3
Push t h e t u b e o u t h o r i z o n t a l l y past t h e n e x t
s t a n d a r d a n d t i g h t e n t h e e n d c o u p l e r (Figure 32).
•\
rV'l 'V.,j
r
Step 4
W a l k o u t t o fix t h e t e m p o r a r y guardrail t o t h e
s t a n d a r d , c l i p p i n g o n if e n c r o a c h i n g w i t h i n I m
o f t h e e n d (Figure 33).
Step 5
T h e w o r k i n g p l a t f o r m guardrail(s) can n o w be
c o m p l e t e d a n d n e x t lift c o n s t r u c t e d w i t h t h e
Step 6
T h e t e m p o r a r y g u a r d r a i l can t h e n b e released
a n d slid a l o n g h o r i z o n t a l l y t o t h e n e x t bay(s)
(Figure 35).
S y s t e m Scaffold A G M ' s
68 S o m e p r o p r i e t a r y s y s t e m scaffold m a n u f a c t u r e r s have d e v e l o p e d i n n o v a t i v e A d v a n c e d
G u a r d r a i l M e t h o d s ( A G M ' s ) t h a t a r e b e s p o k e t o t h e i r specific p r o d u c t s .
figure 36 A frame system scaffold with an integral are pre-fixed to the standard before erection and the outer
advanced guardrail. guardrails are located from the adjacent bay.
! reventirrg Falls in Scaffolding
Section 2 - The scaffolders' 'Safe Zone'
Short-lift system
69 By e r e c t i n g s c a f f o l d i n g using
s - o t lift heights (i.e. I m ) t h e
e d g e r s o f t h e n e x t lift a r e e r e c t e d
as n o r m a l t o f o r m a 2 m lift. T h e n a
m i n t e r m e d i a t e lift is f o r m e d .
T h e r e f o r e , as t h e s c a f f o l d e r s access
:ne n e x t I m level t h e l e d g e r s a r e
a -eady in place a n d a c t as g u a r d r a i l s
t o p r o v i d e c o l l e c t i v e fall p r o t e c t i o n
'Figure 38). D e c k i n g o n t h e
: e m p o r a r y i n t e r m e d i a t e lift ( t h e
s h o r t lift) c a n b e r a i s e d t o t h e n e x t
lift a n d a n y t e m p o r a r y t r a n s o m s
r e q u i r e d can be r e m o v e d later t o
p r o v i d e c l e a r access o n all f i n i s h e d
Figure 38 This sequence shows the short-lift system used to erect a system
w o r k i n g lifts f o r o t h e r t r a d e s . scaffold tower.
70 T h i s s y s t e m o f w o r k i n g is b e s t s u i t e d t o scaffolds d e s i g n e d w i t h o u t l e d g e r b r a c i n g ( e . g .
m o d u l a r s y s t e m scaffolds o r m o d u l a r t r a n s o m u n i t s used in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e m a n u f a c t u r e r ' s
i n s t r u c t i o n s ) . S y s t e m d e c k i n g also e l i m i n a t e s t h e n e e d t o install t e m p o r a r y t r a n s o m s as b o a r d
oearers.
Scaffolders' Step-up
72 T h e s e q u e n c e o f w o r k n e e d s t o b e c o n s i d e r e d w h e n using t h e s c a f f o l d e r ' s s t e p - u p , as l e d g e r
b r a c i n g o r s t o p - e n d g u a r d r a i l s m a y i m p e d e s o m e s t e p designs. T h e r e f o r e , t h e s e i t e m s m a y n e e d
t o b e f i x e d a f t e r t h e g u a r d r a i l s h a v e b e e n e r e c t e d in t h e lift a b o v e .
73 N o t e t h a t g u a r d r a i l s w i l l n e e d t o b e f i x e d t o t h e base lift t o a c c o m m o d a t e t h e s t e p - u p f o r
F o r u n e v e n g r o u n d t h e base lift m a y n e e d t o b e b o a r d e d o u t t o e n s u r e s o m e t y p e s o f s t e p s a r e
c o r r e c t l y s u p p o r t e d a t t h e base.
b e t w e e n t h e l e d g e r a n d g u a r d r a i l s w h i l e accessing t h e s t e p - u p p l a t f o r m .
A IMPORTANT
Alternative Step-up's
75 F o r s o m e m o d u l a r s y s t e m s c a f f o l d i n g , s t a n d a r d h o p - u p b r a c k e t s c a n b e used t o c r e a t e a
Figure 40 System scaffold hop-up brackets used to create a scaffolded Step-up platform in alternate bays. The middle bays can be
Figure 41 A 600mm staging platform used to erect guardrails in advance for 1.5m bricklayers' lifts.
:
gure 42 A podium scaffold used to erect a pavement lift.
Preventing Falls in Scaffolding
28 Section 2 - The scaffolders' 'Safe Zone'
Protected traversing
Figure 43 Protected traverse - sequence of work using double lanyards attached to standards
78 W h e n g u a r d r a i l p r o t e c t i o n is n o t p r o v i d e d , t o c r e a t e a 'Safe Z o n e ' , t h e n s u i t a b l e
c o m p e n s a t o r y m e a s u r e s m u s t b e t a k e n t h a t m i n i m i s e t h e d i s t a n c e a n d c o n s e q u e n c e s o f a fall. In
p r a c t i c a l t e r m s s c a f f o l d e r s M U S T b e c l i p p e d o n w h e n e x p o s e d t o t h e r i s k o f a fall w h i l s t w o r k i n g
o u t s i d e ( o r w i t h i n I m o f t h e e n d ) o f g u a r d r a i l p r o t e c t i o n (see Figure 9 ) .
79 H o w e v e r , w h e r e i t c a n b e d e m o n s t r a t e d t h a t i t is n o t r e a s o n a b l y p r a c t i c a b l e t o p r o v i d e
80 In o r d e r t o t r a v e r s e a l o n g an u n p r o t e c t e d p l a t f o r m a m i n i m u m s y s t e m o f w o r k w o u l d b e
r e q u i r e d u t i l i s i n g d o u b l e o r t w i n - t a i l e d l a n y a r d s . A n e x a m p l e o f t h i s s y s t e m is s h o w n in Figure 43.
81 T o m i n i m i s e t h e p o t e n t i a l fall d i s t a n c e i t is p r e f e r a b l e f o r s c a f f o l d e r s t o utilise a n c h o r d e v i c e s
t h a t f i x t o t h e s t a n d a r d (ideally t h e inside s t a n d a r d f u r t h e s t f r o m t h e e d g e ) r a t h e r t h a n t h e l e d g e r
82 C o l l e c t i v e fall a r r e s t s y s t e m s a r e n o w c o m m o n place t h r o u g h o u t t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n i n d u s t r y
a n d i n c l u d e fall a r r e s t s a f e t y n e t s , i n f l a t a b l e a i r bags, safety d e c k i n g a n d o t h e r s o f t l a n d i n g s y s t e m s
(Figure 45).
83 T h e i r a p p l i c a t i o n m a y b e l i m i t e d in m o s t s c a f f o l d i n g o p e r a t i o n s , d u e t o t h e g e n e r a l l y h i g h e r
p o t e n t i a l fall distances s c a f f o l d e r s a r e e x p o s e d t o , a n d t h e r e q u i r e m e n t s o f t h e W o r k a t H e i g h t
Regulations f o r e m p l o y e r s t o m i t i g a t e a n y p o t e n t i a l fall d i s t a n c e . A l s o logistical p r o b l e m s , space
l i m i t a t i o n s a n d lack o f s u i t a b l e a n c h o r a g e c a n b e r e s t r i c t i o n s in t h e i r u s e .
84 If s c a f f o l d e r s n e e d t o access o r w o r k o n r o o f s , w h e r e t h e r e is a r i s k o f a fall t h r o u g h a f r a g i l e
s u r f a c e , s u c h as, a s b e s t o s c e m e n t sheets o r f r a g i l e r o o f lights, a n d i t is n o t p r a c t i c a l t o c o v e r t h e
fragile m a t e r i a l , fall a r r e s t safety n e t s c o u l d b e r i g g e d t o t h e u n d e r s i d e o f t h e s t r u c t u r e t o p r o t e c t
against a n y s u c h fall (Figure 44).
Safety net
85 W h e r e c o l l e c t i v e fall a r r e s t s y s t e m s a r e c h o s e n , t h e y m u s t b e i n s t a l l e d in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h
m a n u f a c t u r e r i n s t r u c t i o n s a n d a n y r e c o g n i s e d t r a i n i n g s c h e m e s u c h as t h e Fall A r r e s t Safety
E q u i p m e n t Training (FASET) scheme.
30 Section 3 - Collective fall arrest systems Preventing Falls in Scaffolding
Safety net fan provides protection for erecting temporary edge Soft landing systems,
protection.
86 Scaffolders w h o r e l y o n s y s t e m s o f w o r k u t i l i s i n g p e r s o n a l fall a r r e s t e q u i p m e n t o n l y ( i . e .
safety harness a n d l a n y a r d , i n e r t i a r e e l , h o r i z o n t a l lines e t c . ) still f a c e r i s k o f injury. H o w e v e r , i t is
i m p o r t a n t t o r e c o g n i s e t h a t p e r s o n a l fall a r r e s t m a y b e t h e m o s t s u i t a b l e , o r only, o p t i o n in
c e r t a i n c i r c u m s t a n c e s . Fall a r r e s t e q u i p m e n t is used t o a r r e s t a fall s h o u l d i t o c c u r , p r e v e n t i n g t h e
w o r k e r f r o m h i t t i n g t h e g r o u n d ( o r o t h e r surface) o r s t r u c t u r e . T h e fall a r r e s t e q u i p m e n t a n d
anchorage points must be capable o f withstanding t h e forces involved and minimising those forces
t o an a c c e p t a b l e level.
88 It is w i d e l y a c c e p t e d t h a t t h e r e is an i n h e r e n t r i s k o f a fall in all s c a f f o l d i n g o p e r a t i o n s , w h i c h
c a n n o t b e c o m p l e t e l y e l i m i n a t e d . T h e use o f fall a r r e s t e q u i p m e n t d o e s n o t p r e v e n t a fall
o c c u r r i n g and does n o t eliminate t h e risk o f injury completely.
89 W h e n a p e r s o n a l fall a r r e s t s y s t e m is u s e d , c o n s i d e r a t i o n m u s t b e g i v e n t o r e d u c i n g t h e
d i s t a n c e a p e r s o n is liable t o fall a n d t h e c o n s e q u e n c e s o f t h e fall, p a r t i c u l a r l y t h e ease o f r e s c u e
o f a p e r s o n s u s p e n d e d in a harness (see Section 5 - Rescue).
90 It is r e c o g n i s e d t h a t t e m p o r a r y w o r k i n g p l a t f o r m s a n d g u a r d r a i l s t h a t f o r m t h e 'Safe Z o n e '
d o n o t c o m p l e t e l y e l i m i n a t e t h e n e e d f o r p e r s o n a l fall a r r e s t e q u i p m e n t . T h e r e f o r e , all s c a f f o l d i n g
o p e r a t i v e s i n v o l v e d w i t h w o r k i n g a t h e i g h t s h o u l d w e a r a n d use p e r s o n a l fall a r r e s t e q u i p m e n t
(harnesses e t c . ) a t all t i m e s , in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t r a i n i n g a n d i n s t r u c t i o n r e c e i v e d .
91 W h e n c h o o s i n g p a r t i c u l a r p e r s o n a l fall p r o t e c t i o n e q u i p m e n t , as p a r t o f a r i s k a s s e s s m e n t t o
establish a safe s y s t e m o f w o r k , e m p l o y e r s m u s t e n s u r e t h a t t h e e q u i p m e n t is s u i t a b l e , having
b e e n d e s i g n e d a n d t e s t e d f o r t h e p u r p o s e t h a t i t is i n t e n d e d t o b e u s e d . A l w a y s r e a d t h e
i n s t r u c t i o n s c a r e f u l l y a n d if in a n y d o u b t s e e k a d v i c e f r o m t h e supplier.
92 It is i m p o r t a n t t o n o t e t h a t s o m e fall a r r e s t e q u i p m e n t is o n l y d e s i g n e d , t e s t e d a n d
m a n u f a c t u r e d t o m e e t t h e m i n i m u m E u r o p e a n s t a n d a r d a n d w i l l o n l y b e safe t o use w i t h i n c e r t a i n
l i m i t a t i o n s . F o r e x a m p l e , a s t a n d a r d r e t r a c t i n g i n e r t i a r e e l m a y o n l y b e used if a t t a c h e d a b o v e t h e
s c a f f o l d e r a n d t r a v e r s i n g h o r i z o n t a l l y is l i m i t e d t o t h e m a x i m u m angle f r o m t h e v e r t i c a l , as
specified by t h e manufacturer.
P r e v e n t i n g Falls i n S c a t t o l d i
Section 4 - Personal fall protection equipment
94 W h e n using fall a r r e s t e q u i p m e n t , i t is i m p o r t a n t t o p o s i t i o n y o u r a n c h o r p o i n t as h i g h as
p o s s i b l e a n d t o use as s h o r t a l a n y a r d as p o s s i b l e , t o m i n i m i s e t h e p o t e n t i a l fall d i s t a n c e . T h e ideal
fall a r r e s t s y s t e m w o u l d utilise an a n c h o r p o i n t a n d l a n y a r d w i t h v i r t u a l l y n o fall d i s t a n c e a t all,
e f f e c t i v e l y c r e a t i n g a 'Fall f a c t o r z e r o ' . Figure 48 e x p l a i n s fall f a c t o r s I a n d 2 in m o r e d e t a i l .
Fall F a c t o r I Fall F a c t o r 2
Attached at waist height or above Attached to ledger below
Figure 49
Fall factor zero. Shows an
adjustable lanyard that has
been shortened to minimise the
potential fall distance and a
special scaffold hook designed
to attach to a standard.
Section 4 - Personal fall protection equipment Preventing Falls in Scaffolding
e f f e c t i v e if a t t a c h e d t o t h e l e d g e r a t t h e 4 m level o r a b o v e .
97 T h e o p t i m u m l e n g t h o f a f i x e d l e n g t h l a n y a r d f o r s c a f f o l d i n g is 1 . 7 5 m ; h o w e v e r t h e
Ideal 1.75 m
Max 2.0 m
S i n g l e fall a r r e s t l a n y a r d s
D o u b l e fall a r r e s t l a n y a r d s
101 P e r s o n a l fall p r o t e c t i o n s y s t e m s a r e t o t a l l y r e l i a n t o n b e i n g a t t a c h e d t o a s u i t a b l e
a n c h o r a g e . To e n s u r e t h e safe p e r f o r m a n c e o f t h e s y s t e m , t h e l i k e l y loads t h a t w o u l d b e
t r a n s f e r r e d i n t o t h e a n c h o r a g e a n d t h e a b i l i t y o f an a n c h o r p o i n t a n d any s u p p o r t i n g s t r u c t u r e t o
resist t h o s e f o r c e s , m u s t b e e s t a b l i s h e d .
103 M a n u f a c t u r e r s a n d s u p p l i e r s o f p e r s o n a l fall a r r e s t e q u i p m e n t s h o u l d p r o v i d e i n f o r m a t i o n
o n p o t e n t i a l a n c h o r loads.
104 Scaffolds m u s t b e e r e c t e d in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e r e l e v a n t B r i t i s h a n d E u r o p e a n s t a n d a r d s
(e.g. BS E N 1281 I a n d N A S C T G 2 0 : 0 8 ) so t h a t t h e y a r e a d e q u a t e l y s t a b l e . W h e r e ties a n d
s t a b i l i t y m e a s u r e s (e.g. b u t t r e s s i n g , k e n t l e d g e , guys a n d a n c h o r s e t c . ) a r e r e q u i r e d t h e y s h o u l d b e
installed a n d r e m o v e d as w o r k p r o g r e s s e s t o e n s u r e o p t i m u m s t a b i l i t y against o v e r t u r n i n g /
c o l l a p s e o f t h e s t r u c t u r e . T h i s i n c l u d e s t h e use o f any t e m p o r a r y ( d u m m y ) s t a b i l i t y m e a s u r e s
r e q u i r e d solely f o r e r e c t i n g , altering and dismantling purposes.
Section 4 - Personal fall protection equipment Preventing Falls in Scaffolding
105 It has b e e n e s t a b l i s h e d b y t h e N A S C , t h r o u g h i n d e p e n d e n t t e s t i n g , t h a t s t e e l t u b e a n d
scaffold a n c h o r points b e l o w ) .
plastic ( G R P ) , t h e users m u s t c o n t a c t t h e s u p p l i e r t o e n s u r e a n c h o r a g e t o t h e s t r u c t u r e is
appropriate.
S u i t a b l e scaffold a n c h o r points:
S t a n d a r d s , b u t o n l y w h e n using a s u i t a b l e a n c h o r d e v i c e d e s i g n e d f o r t h e p u r p o s e (see
Figure 5 5 ) a n d n o j o i n t s b e t w e e n lift a n d t h e a t t a c h m e n t p o i n t .
U n s u i t a b l e scaffold a n c h o r points:
L e d g e r s o r g u a r d r a i l s s u p p o r t e d w i t h p u t l o g clips o r single c o u p l e r s .
S t a n d a r d s - unless a s u i t a b l e a n c h o r d e v i c e is u s e d d e s i g n e d f o r t h e p u r p o s e .
• S t a n d a r d s w i t h a j o i n t b e t w e e n t h e lift a n d t h e a t t a c h m e n t p o i n t .
• Puncheons.
• T r a n s o m s b e l o w f o o t level.
Reveal o r p r o p t i e a s s e m b l i e s .
• Braces o r o t h e r diagonal t u b e s .
• O t h e r t u b e o p e n e n d e d o r n o t s u p p o r t e d b o t h sides o f t h e a t t a c h m e n t p o s i t i o n
e.g. p r o t r u d i n g e n d o f a t r a n s o m , n e e d l e o r d r o p p e r .
Section 4 - Personal fall protection equipment
Preventing Falls in Scaffolding
standards.
, 07 P r o p r i e t a r y a n c h o r d e v i c e s f o r a n c h o r i n g t o s c a f f o l d i n g a r e n o w available t h a t e n a b l e
s c a f f o l d e r s t o a t t a c h t h e i r l a n y a r d t o v e r t i c a l s t a n d a r d s (Figure 54). T h i s m e a n s t h a t s c a f f o l d e r s c a n
K a r a b i n e r s t h a t a r e d e s i g n e d e s p e c i a l l y f o r a t t a c h i n g t o scaffo.d s t a n d a r d s m a k e a n e f f e c , e
o n s t a n d a r d s b e f o r e t h e y a r e e r e c t e d as p a r t o f a p l a n n e d s y s t e m o f w o r k . T h . s P r o ^
s c a f f o l d e r s w i t h a l t e r n a t i v e a n d c o n v e n i e n t a n c h o r p o s i t i o n s as t h e y access an " f ^ ™
A l w a y s r e f e r t o t h e m a n u f a c t u r e r ' s i n s t r u c t i o n s t o e n s u r e safe u s e .
A n c h o r a g e t o p r o p r i e t a r y scaffolding s y s t e m s
o d e J r m i n e s u i t a b l e a n c h o r p o i n t s f o r p e r s o n a , fall p r o t e c t i o n e q u i p m e n t . T h e r e c r e m e n t s o f
I n l c l e r s - t o c o n s i d e r fall p r e v e n t i o n a n d p r o t e c t i o n f o r t h e i r p r o d u c t s - ,s o u t „ n e d ,n a
l a t e r s e c t i o n (see Proprietary system scaffolding - Page 51).
I w a y s T e c h e c k e d t o e n s u r e t h e y a r e s u i t a b l e a n d s u f f i c i e n t a n d w h e r e necessary a p p r o v a must
h e n an a s s e s s m e n t m a y n e e d t o b e m a d e b y a c o m p e t e n t e n g i n e e r . A., p e r m a n e n t l y i n s t a l l e d
a n c h o r a g e p o i n t s o r s y s t e m s m u s t h a v e a c u r r e n t i n s p e c t i o n a n d t e s t c e r t i f i c a t e available, ,n
• Beams;
Girders;
P e r m a n e n t l y installed a n c h o r a g e p o i n t s .
I I I T h e P r e f a b r i c a t e d A c c e s s S u p p l i e r s & M a n u f a c t u r e r s A s s o c i a t i o n ( P A S M A ) states t h a t
p e r s o n a l fall a r r e s t e q u i p m e n t s h o u l d n o t b e u s e d o n l i g h t w e i g h t m o b i l e access t o w e r s , as t h e y
d o n o t p r o v i d e a suitably stable o r secure anchorage. P A S M A have d e v e l o p e d a system o f w o r k
f o r t h e e r e c t i o n , use a n d d i s m a n t l i n g o f MATs t h a t m i n i m i s e s t h e r i s k o f a fall. T h e N A S C
r e c o m m e n d s t h a t S c a f f o l d e r s r e q u i r e d t o e r e c t , a l t e r o r d i s m a n t l e MATs s h o u l d b e t r a i n e d in
a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e P A S M A C o d e o f Practice.
Preventing Falls in Scaffolding Section 4 - Personal fall protection equipment
Inertia reels
c a b l e o r m a t e r i a l w e b b i n g line e x t r a c t s a n d r e t r a c t s a u t o m a t i c a l l y a n d , s h o u l d a fall o c c u r , a
belt.
m a n u f a c t u r e d a n d t e s t e d in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h BS E N 3 6 0 .
I 14 T h e a n c h o r p o i n t m u s t b e a b o v e t h e s c a f f o l d e r t o l i m i t t h e d i s t a n c e t h e s c a f f o l d e r c a n fall
t o a m i n i m u m k n o w n as a 'Fall f a c t o r I ' (Figure 48). T h i s is d u e t o t h e f a c t t h a t m a n y i n e r t i a reels
h a v e n o e n e r g y a b s o r p t i o n c a p a b i l i t y s h o u l d a fall o c c u r . I n e r t i a reels s h o u l d o n l y b e used in a
b r o a d l y v e r t i c a l plane w i t h m i n i m a l h o r i z o n t a l m o v e m e n t , t h u s m i n i m i s i n g t h e p e n d u l u m e f f e c t
s h o u l d a fall o c c u r (e.g. Slung s c a f f o l d (Figure 57)). T h e w o r k i n g a r e a a n d h o r i z o n t a l t r a v e r s i n g is
r e s t r i c t e d because, t h e angle o f t h e line f r o m v e r t i c a l can b e n o g r e a t e r t h a n t h a t s p e c i f i e d b y t h e
manufacturer, t o r e d u c e t h e risk o f injury f r o m t h e p e n d u l u m effect (figure 56).
Figure 56 The pendulum effect. This illustration shows the Figure 57 A slung scaffold being erected by a scaffolder utilising
dangers of the pendulum effect. The faller will swing an inertia reel as part of the personal fall protection
like a pendulum, striking the structure or the ground. system.
a n c h o r p o i n t c a n b e e r e c t e d a b o v e a n d s c a f f o l d e r s a r e able t o e r e c t , a l t e r a n d d i s m a n t l e lift(s)
H o r i z o n t a l line systems
line s y s t e m a r e :
I. T h e a m o u n t o f d e f l e c t i o n in t h e line a n d t h e c l e a r a n c e r e q u i r e d b e l o w t h e a t t a c h m e n t
p o s i t i o n e.g. s o m e s y s t e m s a t 2 0 m in l e n g t h c a n d e f l e c t m o r e t h a n 6 m , w h e r e o t h e r s a r e
h a v e a d e f l e c t i o n o f less t h a n 2 m . T h e r e f o r e , if a s y s t e m is used t h a t has a m a x i m u m
d e f l e c t i o n o f 6 m w i t h a 1 . 7 5 m l a n y a r d t o a t t a c h t o t h e line, it w o u l d o n l y b e an e f f e c t i v e
p e r s o n a l fall a r r e s t s y s t e m a t t h e 1 0 m ( 5 t h lift) level o r a b o v e .
systems.
II. T h e s u p p o r t i n g s t r u c t u r e f o r a n c h o r i n g t h e e n d s o f t h e line s y s t e m .
W i t h s o m e s y s t e m s e n d loads i n t o t h e a n c h o r p o i n t s n e e d t o b e c a l c u l a t e d a l l o w i n g 2 4 k N
( a p p r o x i m a t e l y 2.4 t o n n e s o f f o r c e ) . If a t t a c h e d t o s c a f f o l d c o m p o n e n t s (e.g. t h e s t a n d a r d s )
t h e f o r c e s g e n e r a t e d in a fall c o u l d s i g n i f i c a n t l y d e f o r m t h e s t r u c t u r e a n d m a y a f f e c t its
stability o r t h e security o f t h e anchorage. C o n s i d e r a t i o n needs t o be given t o t h e suitability
a n d d e s i g n o f a n c h o r p o s i t i o n s f o r line s y s t e m s , in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e p o t e n t i a l e n d l o a d i n g ,
s p e c i f i e d in t h e m a n u f a c t u r e r ' s i n s t r u c t i o n s .
III. T h e m a x i m u m n u m b e r o f p e r s o n s t h a t can b e a t t a c h e d t o t h e s y s t e m a t a n y o n e t i m e .
L i n e s y s t e m s a r e available t h a t o f f e r p r o t e c t i o n t o o n l y o n e o r t w o s c a f f o l d e r s a t a t i m e ( i . e .
if a s y s t e m is o n l y s u i t a b l e f o r o n e p e r s o n a n d t w o s c a f f o l d e r s r e q u i r e p r o t e c t i o n , t h e n t w o
separate systems w o u l d be r e q u i r e d ) .
Figure 59
A proprietary line system
specifically developed for
use by up to two
operatives.
Preventing Falls in Scaffolding Section 4 - Personal fall protection equipment
I n s p e c t i o n a n d m a i n t e n a n c e o f p e r s o n a l fall a r r e s t e q u i p m e n t
I 18 Fall a r r e s t e q u i p m e n t m a d e f r o m r o p e o r w e b b i n g m a t e r i a l s is p a r t i c u l a r l y v u l n e r a b l e t o
d a m a g e a n d w e a r a n d t e a r d u r i n g n o r m a l use b y s c a f f o l d e r s . T h e r e f o r e all s c a f f o l d i n g c o n t r a c t o r s
m u s t e n s u r e a d e q u a t e a r r a n g e m e n t s a r e m a d e f o r t h e s t o r a g e a n d i n s p e c t i o n o f all fall p r o t e c t i o n
e q u i p m e n t , s o t h a t i t is m a i n t a i n e d f i t f o r u s e .
I. P r e - u s e c h e c k s
A n y d e f e c t s o r c o n c e r n s i d e n t i f i e d d u r i n g t h e pre-use c h e c k s h o u l d b e raised w i t h t h e e m p l o y e r
b e f o r e t h e e q u i p m e n t is u s e d . A s u i t a b l y c o m p e t e n t p e r s o n , having r e c e i v e d a p p r o p r i a t e t r a i n i n g ,
m u s t c a r r y o u t a d e t a i l e d i n s p e c t i o n t o e i t h e r satisfy t h e m s e l v e s t h a t t h e e q u i p m e n t is safe t o use
o r d e s t r o y t h e e q u i p m e n t d e p e n d i n g u p o n t h e defect a n d c o n c e r n raised.
II. D e t a i l e d i n s p e c t i o n s
p r o b l e m s t h a t m a y n o t b e i d e n t i f i e d d u r i n g t h e pre-use checks.
III. I n t e r i m i n s p e c t i o n s
T h e s e a r e also i n - d e p t h i n s p e c t i o n s a n d m a y b e c a r r i e d o u t w h e n n e c e s s a r y b e t w e e n detailed
inspections. T h e need f o r interim inspections and t h e i r frequency should b e identified t h r o u g h
risk assessment. Examples o f situations w h e r e i n t e r i m inspections m a y b e a p p r o p r i a t e include:
V e r y h o t e n v i r o n m e n t s o r t h e r i s k o f c o n t a c t w i t h h o t m a t e r i a l s o r surfaces ( f o u n d r i e s ,
steel w o r k s , w e l d i n g , b u r n i n g , c u t t i n g w i t h a b r a s i v e w h e e l s e t c . ) ;
• A c i d i c o r alkaline e n v i r o n m e n t s ( n o t e t h a t s o m e f a b r i c s o f f e r l o w r e s i s t a n c e t o acids o r
alkalis).
120 Y o u m u s t r e c o r d t h e r e s u l t s o f all d e t a i l e d i n s p e c t i o n s f o r e a c h p i e c e o f e q u i p m e n t . If
e q u i p m e n t is d e s t r o y e d .
121 If a n y d e f e c t s o r c o n c e r n s a r e i d e n t i f i e d as a r e s u l t o f a pre-use c h e c k o r d e t a i l e d i n s p e c t i o n
t h e n t h e e q u i p m e n t m u s t b e w i t h d r a w n f r o m use a n d d e s t r o y e d . A n y l a n y a r d o r harness t h a t has
b e e n used t o a r r e s t a fall s h o u l d n e v e r b e re-used a n d t h e e q u i p m e n t d e s t r o y e d . W h e r e
e q u i p m e n t is r e m o v e d f r o m use a n d d e s t r o y e d t h i s s h o u l d b e r e c o r d e d in t h e i n s p e c t i o n register.
P e r s o n a l fall a r r e s t e q u i p m e n t m a n u f a c t u r e r s ' i n s t r u c t i o n s
122 U n d e r t h e r e g u l a t i o n s a n d B r i t i s h / E u r o p e a n s t a n d a r d s o n PPE, p r o d u c t i n f o r m a t i o n m
be s u p p l i e d b y t h e m a n u f a c t u r e r . T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n s h o u l d b e r e a d a n d u n d e r s t o o d b y t h e us<
b e f o r e t h e e q u i p m e n t is u s e d .
Section 5 - Rescue
Preventing Falls in Scaffolding
Section 5 - Rescue
s e c t i o n o u t l i n e s t h e c o n s i d e r a t i o n s t h a t n e e d t o b e m a d e f o r r e s c u e p l a n n i n g s h o u l d an a r r e s t e d
fall o c c u r a n d a s c a f f o l d e r ( s ) b e c o m e s s u s p e n d e d b y t h e i r p e r s o n a l fall a r r e s t e q u i p m e n t .
t h e r e f o r e an a d e q u a t e p l a n m u s t b e in p l a c e f o r e v e r y s c a f f o l d i n g o p e r a t i o n , w h e r e fall a r r e s t
e q u i p m e n t is u s e d , t o e n s u r e a s p e e d y rescue.
of t h e scaffold s t r u c t u r e .
injuries t o t h e rescuers.
s u s p e n d e d s c a f f o l d , t h e n a r e t r i e v a b l e t y p e r e e l s h o u l d b e s p e c i f i e d . R e t r i e v a b l e i n e r t i a reels
i n c o r p o r a t e a w i n c h m e c h a n i s m t h a t enables colleagues t o r e c o v e r a s u s p e n d e d s c a f f o l d e r s h o u l d
Case Study 3
A s c a f f o l d e r s u f f e r e d an a r r e s t e d fall w h i l s t e r e c t i n g an i n d e p e n d e n t t i e d s c a f f o l d . H i s
c o l l e a g u e s w e r e able t o f a c i l i t a t e a r e s c u e b y m o v i n g p l a t f o r m b o a r d s t o a l o w e r lift t o
i m p r o v i s e a t e m p o r a r y p l a t f o r m a t t h e s a m e level as t h e casualty. H e w a s p u l l e d o n t o t h e
safe p l a t f o r m u n t i l t h e e m e r g e n c y s e r v i c e s a r r i v e d . In t h e m e a n t i m e f i r s t a i d w a s
a d m i n i s t e r e d a n d safe access w a s p r o v i d e d t o t h e t e m p o r a r y p l a t f o r m .
132 W h e n c h o o s i n g a r e s c u e k i t e n s u r e t h a t it is s u i t a b l e f o r t h e s c a f f o l d i n g a p p l i c a t i o n . T h i s
includes f o r e x a m p l e :
• is t h e r e s u f f i c i e n t r o p e l e n g t h t o l o w e r a p e r s o n t o t h e g r o u n d f r o m t h e h i g h e s t p o s i t i o n
if necessary?
d o e s t h e d e v i c e a l l o w casualties t o b e raised o r l o w e r e d ?
• is t h e d e v i c e a d e s c e n d e r o n l y t y p e , w h i c h m a y n o t b e s u i t a b l e f o r c e r t a i n s i t u a t i o n s s u c h
as w o r k o v e r w a t e r o r v e r y h i g h level w o r k w h e r e a large q u a n t i t y o f r o p e w o u l d be
required?
• is t h e r e s c u e e q u i p m e n t r e a d i l y available
at all t i m e s w h e n w o r k i n g at height?
134 Specialist r e s c u e e q u i p m e n t m u s t b e s u b j e c t t o m a i n t e n a n c e a n d an i n s p e c t i o n r e g i m e t o
e n s u r e t h a t i t is in g o o d o r d e r w h e n e v e r i t is r e q u i r e d t o b e used. M a i n t e n a n c e a n d i n s p e c t i o n o f
r e s c u e e q u i p m e n t s h o u l d b e in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e m a n u f a c t u r e r s ' i n s t r u c t i o n s .
Rescue training
135 E m p l o y e r s m u s t e n s u r e w h e n s p e c i f y i n g specialist r e s c u e e q u i p m e n t as p a r t o f a r e s c u e
p l a n , t h a t a n a d e q u a t e n u m b e r o f s c a f f o l d e r s h a v e b e e n s u i t a b l y t r a i n e d in its use, i n c l u d i n g a n y
r e f r e s h e r t r a i n i n g a n d e x e r c i s e s necessary.
this N A S C guide.
Preventing Falls i n Scaffolding Section 6 - Methods of access and egress
p r o c e s s a n d r e m o v e d as late as p o s s i b l e d u r i n g d i s m a n t l i n g , r e m o v i n g t h e n e e d f o r s c a f f o l d e r s t o
climb t h e scaffold s t r u c t u r e .
Figure 64 Scaffolder raising platform boards to the next lift above working progressively backwards towards the ladder access bay.
Section 6 - Methods of access and egress Preventing Falls in Scaffolding
m a d e t o N A S C Safety G u i d a n c e N o t e S G 2 5 .
fixed down
Figure 65 Proprietary system scaffold stair-tower preferred to Figure 66 Ladder access bays with single lift ladders,
ladder.
Preventing Falls in Scaffolding Section 6 - Methods of access and egress
Figure 67 Internal ladder access with a protected ladder trap Figure 68 Pole ladder external access using a safety gate as an
as an example of good practice. example of good practice.
3-^ C c
\ Scaffolders'
1
guardrail
3 C y
1= C
| Ladders
[1
3 £
/
; c
=
lb u]1 11 u LU
Figure 69 A stand alone loading tower with access built in and left for dismantling purposes only.
Section 7 - Other applications Preventing Falls i n Scaffolding
Figure 70 Scaffolder erecting roof edge protection from a MEWP Figure 71 Safety net fan system provides protection for erecting
temporary edge protection.
Case Study 4
P r o p r i e t a r y s y s t e m scaffolding
149 M a n u f a c t u r e r s a n d s u p p l i e r s o f s c a f f o l d i n g s y s t e m s h a v e legal d u t i e s t o c a r r y o u t
a p p r o p r i a t e research and testing o f t h e i r p r o d u c t s and t o p r o v i d e i n f o r m a t i o n and instructions t o
e n s u r e it can be u s e d safely m e e t i n g t h e p r o v i s i o n s o f t h e W o r k at H e i g h t Regulations a n d any
o t h e r s t a t u t o r y r e q u i r e m e n t s o r i n d u s t r y g u i d a n c e , r e g a r d i n g falls f r o m h e i g h t .
150 In a d d i t i o n t o t h e m i n i m u m r e q u i r e m e n t s o f any B r i t i s h o r E u r o p e a n m a n u f a c t u r i n g
s t a n d a r d s , m a n u f a c t u r e r s s h o u l d u n d e r t a k e a p r o d u c t r i s k assessment. T h e p u r p o s e o f a p r o d u c t
are specified.
15 I S c a f f o l d i n g c o n t r a c t o r s w h o use s y s t e m s c a f f o l d i n g m u s t e n s u r e t h a t it is e r e c t e d , a l t e r e d
a n d d i s m a n t l e d in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e m a n u f a c t u r e r ' s i n s t r u c t i o n s f o r safe use. P a r t i c u l a r l y t h e
use o f s u i t a b l e a n c h o r p o s i t i o n s f o r p e r s o n a l fall a r r e s t e q u i p m e n t .
Section 7 - Other applications Preventing Falls in Scaffolding
152 A l l s c a f f o l d e r s m u s t r e c e i v e all n e c e s s a r y i n f o r m a t i o n , i n s t r u c t i o n , t r a i n i n g a n d s u p e r v i s i o n
in t h e safe e r e c t i o n , a l t e r i n g a n d d i s m a n t l i n g o f all p r o p r i e t a r y s y s t e m s c a f f o l d i n g u s e d , in
T r a i n i n g S c h e m e (SSPTS).
B i r d c a g e a c c e s s scaffolds
II. P a r t i a l l y b o a r d - t h i s m e a n s c o n s t r u c t i n g s c a f f o l d e r s safe z o n e s in r u n s f o r t h e e r e c t i o n
o f t h e b i r d c a g e s c a f f o l d . I n t e r n a l falls m u s t b e p r o t e c t e d w i t h g u a r d r a i l s . T h i s s y s t e m o f
w o r k is f e a t u r e d in S G 2 3 - Safe system of work for birdcage scaffolds.
Figure 74 Example ofSG23 Birdcage scaffold - system of work. Shows scaffolders 'Safe Zones' used in runs for the
erection of a birdcage scaffold. All bays can be reached to fix ledgers, transoms and braces without the
requirement to fully board the entire structure.
Section 7 - Other applications Preventing Falls in Scaffolding
155 T h e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f p r o t e c t i o n fans a n d o t h e r c a n t i l e v e r e d s t r u c t u r e s r e q u i r e s s c a f f o l d e r s
t o f i x t h e n e e d l e s f r o m t h e m a i n s c a f f o l d ( b a c k o r h o r s e s c a f f o l d ) a n d t y p i c a l l y relies o n t h e use o f
p e r s o n a l fall p r o t e c t i o n e q u i p m e n t s o l e l y f o r c o m p l e t i n g t h e s t r u c t u r e . I n e r t i a reels a r e o f t e n used
f o r t h i s p u r p o s e (see Section 4 - Personal fall protection equipment).
H \\
\4 U «
H U /'
j|
x rr Ms/
n i —
j 1 —
J m \ ||
i i >J i
m
x;
n d pr/ C=Atry
(
11 Ti I
|! '
Figure 75 Falling object protection fan being erected using an inertial reel.
T e m p o r a r y roofs
! 56 T h e e r e c t i o n , m o d i f i c a t i o n a n d d i s m a n t l i n g o f t e m p o r a r y r o o f s has s i m i l a r hazards
associated w i t h t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f p e r m a n e n t r o o f s t r u c t u r e s a n d c o v e r i n g s . H o w e v e r the
t e m p o r a r y nature and p u r p o s e o f t e m p o r a r y roofs o f t e n doesn't facilitate t h e same m e t h o d s o f
w o r k a n d safety p r e c a u t i o n s . F o r e x a m p l e M E W P access isn't n o r m a l l y a p r a c t i c a l o p t i o n f o r
b u i l d i n g t h e t e m p o r a r y s t r u c t u r e as it is n o r m a l l y e r e c t e d o v e r a n o t h e r e x i s t i n g b u i l d i n g t o
p r o v i d e w e a t h e r p r o t e c t i o n . A l s o fall a r r e s t safety nets m a y n o t be u s e d , as t h e s u p p o r t scaffolds
c a n n o t sustain t h e a n c h o r loads, o r t h e r e is i n s u f f i c i e n t c l e a r a n c e in t h e v o i d b e t w e e n t h e
p e r m a n e n t r o o f and t h e t e m p o r a r y s t r u c t u r e .
Modular roof section assembled on the ground and craned into A wide gable-end bay is provided for erecting roof sections from a
position avoiding the need for scaffolders to crab the beams. 'Safe Zone'. Modular sections are rolled out on special rail and
caster systems, to avoid the need for scaffolders to crab the beams.
Figure 76 Examples of proprietary temporary roof systems using innovative methods of erection.
159 W h e n c o n s t r u c t i n g s c a f f o l d g a n t r i e s a n d p a v e m e n t f r a m e s s c a f f o l d e r s w o u l d be r e q u i r e d t o
e r e c t e d g e p r o t e c t i o n , c r a b t h e b e a m s using a d o u b l e l a n y a r d s y s t e m o f w o r k a n d full b o a r d t h e
g a n t r y so t h e r e a r e n o u n p r o t e c t e d gaps w h e r e s o m e o n e m a y fall.
Section 7 - Other applications Preventing Falls in Scaffolding
Figure 78 Falsework system erected on the ground or slab to avoid the need to work at height.
• T h e H e a l t h a n d Safety a t W o r k e t c . A c t 1 9 7 4
• T h e W o r k a t H e i g h t R e g u l a t i o n s 2 0 0 5 (as a m e n d e d )
• T h e C o n s t r u c t i o n ( D e s i g n a n d M a n a g e m e n t ) Regulations 2 0 0 7
T h e W o r k p l a c e ( H e a l t h , Safety a n d W e l f a r e ) R e g u l a t i o n s 1 9 9 2
• BS 2 4 8 2 : 2 0 0 9 S p e c i f i c a t i o n f o r t i m b e r s c a f f o l d b o a r d s
BS 8 4 3 7 : 2 0 0 5 C o d e o f p r a c t i c e f o r s e l e c t i o n , use a n d m a i n t e n a n c e o f p e r s o n a l fall
p r o t e c t i o n s y s t e m s a n d e q u i p m e n t f o r use in t h e w o r k p l a c e
BS 8 4 5 4 : 2 0 0 6 C o d e o f p r a c t i c e f o r t h e d e l i v e r y o f t r a i n i n g a n d e d u c a t i o n f o r w o r k a t
• BS E N 1281 l - l : 2 0 0 3 Scaffolds. P e r f o r m a n c e r e q u i r e m e n t s a n d g e n e r a l d e s i g n .
BS E N 1 3 3 7 4 : 2 0 0 4 T e m p o r a r y e d g e p r o t e c t i o n s y s t e m s -
Lanyards
Energy absorbers
• BS E N 3 6 0 : 2 0 0 2 P e r s o n a l p r o t e c t i v e e q u i p m e n t against falls f r o m h e i g h t .
R e t r a c t a b l e t y p e fall a r r e s t e r s
Full b o d y harnesses
Connectors
Test m e t h o d s
BSI
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Acknowledgements Preventing Falls i n Scaffolding
Acknowledgements
T h e N A S C w o u l d like t o a c k n o w l e d g e t h e f o l l o w i n g m e m b e r s in t h e p r e p a r a t i o n o f t h i s g u i d a n c e :
B e n c h m a r k Scaffolding L i m i t e d
Harsco Infrastructure
H e a l t h a n d Safety E x e c u t i v e ( C o - o p t e d member)
J.EE. A t t r i d g e S c a f f o l d i n g S e r v i c e s C o . L i m i t e d
L y n d o n S c a f f o l d i n g Pic
Scaffold E r e c t i o n Services L i m i t e d (Chairman)
Simian Risk M a n a g e m e n t L i m i t e d (Technical A u t h o r )
W e e x t e n d o u r t h a n k s t o all o t h e r o r g a n i s a t i o n s a n d t h e i r e m p l o y e e s w h o h a v e p r o v i d e d
i n f o r m a t i o n a n d assisted in t h e p r o d u c t i o n o f t h i s g u i d a n c e .
W h i l s t e v e r y e f f o r t has b e e n m a d e t o e n s u r e t h e a c c u r a c y o f a d v i c e g i v e n , t h e N A S C a n d Simian
i n s t r u c t i o n s s u p p l i e d in t h i s g u i d a n c e .