ProBE

Technical Advisory for Scaffolds

building a safer workplace together
Reducing Accidents through Safe Scaffolding
Scaffolds are widely used in the workplaces such as construction sites
and shipyards, but their use can present certain safety risks. In fact, 13% of
fatal industrial accidents in construction sites were attributed to scaffolds from
2002 to 2005. Similarly, a significant 21% of fatal industrial accidents in
shipyards were also scaffold-related. These accidents can be prevented by
complying with the requirements of the Factories (Scaffolds) Regulations and
applying effectively the relevant safe work procedures on site.
To reduce fatal industrial accidents arising from unsafe scaffolds, this
advisory aims to educate occupiers and Approved Scaffold Contractors on
the statutory requirements under the said regulations, common contraventions
of unsafe scaffolds as well as best practices in scaffolding.

Key Requirements of The

Factories (Scaffolds) Regulations
Q: What is a scaffold?
A : As stipulated under the Factories (Scaffolds) Regulations,
a scaffold is any temporary structure
- on and from which a person performs work in any
factory, construction site or shipyard or;
- which enables a person to obtain access to work at that
location or
- which enables materials to be taken to any place at
which such work is performed.
Q: Who can erect or dismantle scaffolds?
A: The Factories (Scaffolds) Regulations requires companies
that erect, install, reposition, alter or dismantle any scaffold
(except tower and trestle scaffolds) more than 4 metres in
height to register as Approved Scaffold Contractors (ASC)
with the Ministry.
The erection, alternation or dismantling of scaffolds can
only be performed by scaffold erectors employed by the
ASC under the supervision of a scaffold supervisor.
Since the Regulations came into effect on 1 May 2004,
more than 200 ASCs have been registered with the
Occupational Safety & Health Division.
Q: What are the duties of Approved Scaffold
Contractors?
A: It is the duty of every Approved Scaffold Contractor
(ASC) who erects, installs, repositions, alters or dismantles
any scaffold to ensure that requirements for the work spelt
out in the Factories (Scaffolds) Regulations are followed

Q: How should the scaffold erectors and suspended

scaffold riggers be equipped during erection and
dismantling of scaffolds?
A: Every scaffold erector and every suspended scaffold
rigger involved in the erection and dismantling of scaffolds
must be equipped with and use a safety harness attached
to a shock absorbing device.
There should also be provision of fall arresting device,
sufficient and secured anchorage for each erector/ rigger.
Life-lines and anchorages must not be shared.
As a best practice, harnesses with double lanyards should
be used.
Q: Under what circumstances, does the construction
of scaffold require design by a professional engineer
(P.E)?
A: For construction sites and general factories, construction
of any metal scaffolds exceeding 30 metres in height and/or
with cantilever or jib support will require the design of a
professional engineer.
For shipyards, construction of metal scaffolds exceeding
15 metres in height will also require the design of a
professional engineer.
In addition, all hanging scaffolds (commonly used in
shipyards), from which a person may fall more than 2
metres must also be constructed and installed in accordance
with the design and drawings of a professional engineer.
P.E design and drawings shall be kept available for
inspection at worksite. It is also important to ensure that
scaffolds that require P.Es design must be erected according
to that design. Any variation from the design must be
endorsed by the P.E concerned.

Technical Advisory for Scaffolds

Q: How often should the erected scaffolds be

inspected?
A: All erected scaffolds (except trestle scaffolds) are to
be inspected by the scaffold supervisor at least once
every seven days, if a person is liable to fall more than
2 metres from any part of the scaffold.
All metal scaffolds exceeding 30 metres in height and/or
with cantilever or jib support are to be examined and
certified safe for use by a professional engineer upon
completion of scaffold construction, and subsequently
at least once every three months.
Q: Do scaffolds need signage?
A: Yes, the requirement for the appropriate signage on
scaffolds will apply for all circumstances.

There should be a sign on every scaffold, displayed at

every designated access point to indicate the scaffold
is safe to use or otherwise. A prominent warning notice
must also be displayed during the process of erection
and dismantling of all scaffolds. The warning signage is
to inform users that the scaffold is not yet safe for use.
It is also encouraged that a notice / indication of the
Approved Scaffold Contractor company name, and the
relevant contact number, is displayed on the erected
scaffolds.
This will promote ownership over the erected scaffolds
and highlight the professional services by the respective
Approved Scaffold Contractors (A.S.C), especially when
there is two or more A.S.Cs at site.

Common Contraventions & Best Practices on Use of Scaffolds

To reduce fatal accidents arising from unsafe scaffolds, the Ministry would like to remind occupiers and ASCs that
conditions of the erected scaffolds at their premise should comply with the requirements of the Factories (Scaffolds)
Regulations at all times. The licence for an ASC can be revoked if the ASC fails to abide by the terms and conditions
stated in the letter of approval.
The following are practical illustrations of common contraventions involving scaffolds, the respective statutory requirements
and best practices in scaffolding:

Dos

Dos

Access ladder to next level of platform

Donts

Donts

There should be toe-boards and two

guardrails at all sides of the scaffold

No provision of access from one level

to another level

Regulation 18: Every side of a work platform or workplace

from which a person is liable to fall more than 2 metres
must be provided with toe-boards and 2 or more guardrails.

Regulation 17: Stairs or ladders must be provided to

enable access from one level of any scaffold to another,
and be installed within the scaffold as far as practicable.

Upper guard rail is at least 1 metre above the work

platform
Toe boards must be at least 90 mm high

Technical Advisory for Scaffolds

Dos

Dos

Donts

Donts

Unsecured platforms on scaffold

Regulation 39: Cross braces on a frame scaffold must

not be used as a means of access.

Regulation 11(1)c: Work platforms on scaffolds must be

flushed along their sides and secured;

Dos

Dos

Donts

Donts

Unsafe scaffold: single decking

Regulation 10: Every work platform provided must be

at least 500mm wide and used to provide footing for not
more than 3 persons and to support tools or materials
not exceeding 25 kgf per bay.

Unused materials left on scaffolds

Regulation 13: Any material, including concrete waste or

other debris which may endanger the safety of any person
must be removed from the scaffold.

The Work Platform shall cover the lift of the scaffold

throughout its entire length

Technical Advisory for Scaffolds

Donts

Dos

No work platforms provided on scaffold frame

Regulation 10(2): Work platforms must be provided at intervals of not more than 4 metres for the entire length
of the scaffold.

Dos
Regulation 41 (5): Lashing used for tying
timber scaffolds must be rattan or such other
material as approved in writing by the chief
inspector.

Donts
Regulation 40: Timber scaffolds must not
be used in any shipyard.
Banned scaffold: Single-row timber scaffold

Regulation 42(1): Timber scaffolds must not

exceed 15 metres in height
Regulation 42(2): Timber scaffolds with a
single row of standards must never be erected
or used.

Dos

Regulation 28: There must be at least one

designated access point onto the scaffold. All
designated access points should be
Clearly signposted
Regulation 20(4): Every lift of a scaffold must
be crossed by at least one longitudinal bracing
member in every 10-metre length of the scaffold.
Regulation 29(1): For a building under
construction, an overlay or screening net must
be used to envelop any timber or metal scaffold
(except tower scaffold)

Made safe for use for any person

No persons shall use any scaffold unless a notice
or label is displayed at the designated access
except:
A scaffold supervisor who is performing
inspection

A scaffold erector who is carrying out

repair (not structural repair)

Technical Advisory for Scaffolds

Dos

Regulation 7(2): Every scaffold erector and every

suspended scaffold rigger who is involved in the
erection, installation, re-positioning, dismantling or
alteration of a scaffold shall be provided with, and use,
a safety harness attached to a shock absorbing device.
Harnesses with double lanyards are recommended as
a good OSH practice.

Regulation 59: A hanging scaffold must Be erected before being hung into position on a ship
Be securely anchored to the hull or relevant part of
the ship to prevent lateral movement or sway
Be constructed so that the work platform is on a
horizontal plane
Provide stairs or ladders as a safe means of access
to and from its platform

Dos
Regulation 56: The height of a tower scaffold must
not exceed 3 times its lesser base dimension unless
the scaffold is effectively tied to the building or structure.
However, even if tied, the tower scaffold shall not
exceed 8 times the lesser of the base dimensions.
Regulation 56 (5): A tower scaffold should only be
used on firm ground. Effective locking devices must
be attached to the castors in order to hold the scaffold
in position.
A tower scaffold equipped with castors (mobile tower
scaffold) should be stable in construction and weighted
down at the base.

Risk Assessment is to be carried out to identify,

evaluate and manage the risks/hazards faced by
workers, including the erectors working on scaffolds,
with the implementation of the appropriate controls.
Based on risk assessment conducted, safe work
procedures should be established and implemented
for the erection, installation, alteration, dismantling,
The safe work procedure must be written in English
and in a language understood by the workers.
Any erection, installation, alteration, dismantling,
rigging or repositioning of the scaffold/suspended
scaffold must be in accordance with the instructions
in the safe work procedure.
Every scaffold and every member or component
shall be of sound material, good construction,
adequate strength, free from patent defects, suitable
and safe for the purpose for which it is intended.

Technical Advisory for Scaffolds

Useful References:

Factories (Scaffolds) Regulations is

CP:14 Scaffolds

SNP Corporation (Legal) Ltd

CP: 20: Suspended Scaffolds

Legal Publications Retail Outlet

SS 280: Frame Scaffolds

1 Kim Seng Promenade #18-01/06

SS 311: Steel Tubes and Fittings used in

Tubular Scaffolding

Great World City East Tower S237994

Code of Practice (CP)s are available from SPRING

Singapore
SPRING Singapore
Information Resource Centre
2 Bukit Merah Central
#04-00 S159835

available at

Tel: (65) 68269691

Website: http://www.snpcorp.com/webshop
Guidelines on Risk Assessment
Available for download from MOM website at
www.mom.gov.sg/oshd

Tel: (65) 6279 3920

For enquiry, please email us at
mom_oshd@mom.gov.sg

Technical Advisory for Scaffolds