INTRODUCTION TO

SCAFFOLDING

WITH
KHALID FAROOQ KHATTAK
 INTRODUCTION

OSHA DEFINITION

ANY TEMPORARY ELEVATED PLATFORM & ITS

SUPPORTING STRUCTURE USED FOR SUPPORTING
WORKMEN OR MATERIALS OR BOTH.

95,00 Workers injured and 80 killed each year in scaffolding related

accidents.
BASIC COMPONENTS
 5 6
1 Column Upright
8
2 Ties

7
3 Bracing Faced

4 Cross Bracing

5 Hand Rail 4

6 Mid Rail
1
7 Toe Board 9

8 Platform

3
9 Fixed Coupler (90
Degree)
10 Swivel Coupler (360 Degree) 2
10
11 Base Plate
19

12 Bearer or Ledger 12

13 Tie Back
13
14 Joint Pin
14
15 Rest Deck 15

16 Ladder

17 Out Riggers 16

18 Binding Wires

19 Chain
11

17
CLASSIFICATION
 CLASSIFICATION BASED ON TYPE

SCAFFOLDING

FIXED SCAFFOLD

SWINGING/SUSPENDED SCAFFOLD

MOBILE SCAFFOLD

ALLOY STEEL
 CLASSIFICATION BASED ON LOAD

SCAFFOLDING

LIGHT DUTY 25 lb/SFT

MEDIUM DUTY 50 lb/SFT

HEAVY DUTY 75 lb/SFT

ALLOY STEEL
 TUBE & COUPLER SCAFFOLDING

TUBE AND COUPLER SCAFFOLDS ARE SO-NAMED BECAUSE THEY

ARE BUILT FROM TUBING / PIPING CONNECTED BY COUPLING
DEVICES.

USAGE
For heavy loads

where multiple platforms must reach several stories high.

Their versatility, which enables them to be assembled in

multiple directions in a variety of settings, also makes them
hard to build correctly.
TUBE & COUPLER SCAFFOLDING
 COUPLING DEVICES
FIXED COUPLER

Always use fixed coupler (90 coupler) for joining two

pipes together at right angles.

The fixed couplers are load bearing couplers.

SWIVEL COUPLER

Use swivel coupler (360 coupler) for joining two pipes

together at any angle through 360 degrees.

Never use swivel coupler for making a load bearing joint,

it is not designed for the purpose.
 COUPLING DEVICES
JOINT PIN

Always use coupling pins (joint pins) to join scaffold

frames together in the vertical plane.

TOE-BOARD CLAMP
 COUPLING DEVICES

BASE PLATE

Base plates are used to provide a flat bearing surface for

load distribution from column.

Two Types

Fixed
Adjustable
SCAFFOLDING GUIDELINES
 GUIDELINES (BEFORE ERECTION)

Weight of worker, tools, material & equipment

Site conditions (Interior, Exterior, Floor/ Ground)
Anchorage Point
Height
Type of work
Duration
Weather condition including wind.
Pedestrian traffic through & under S/F
Access Means
Equipment / Structure configuration
Special erection / dismantling
 GUIDELINES (FOUNDATION & SUPPORTS)

Scaffolds must be erected on surfaces, which can adequately

support all loads applied by the scaffold.

Compaction and Leveling

Replace soft soil with compacted gravel or crushed stone

Don’t use block / packing (bricks, short pieces of lumber or

scrape material) below base plate.
GUIDELINES (ERECTION & DISMANTLING)

Scaffolding material should be healthy and available.

Check for plumbing and leveling of platform

Ensure Bracing on vertical as well as horizontal plan

-Keeps the Frame Plumb and square
-Increase stability and Full Load carrying capacity

Coupling Devices

Base Plates

Hoisting Material

Dismantling
 SCAFFOLDING ACCESS
FALL PROTECTION

Proper system for fall protection during assembling & dismantling

The lifeline can also be connected to the scaffolding ties, but this is a
compromising arrangement, because in erection / dismantling work, overhead
anchorage is not always available
 SCAFFOLDING ACCESS Contd.
LADDERS

The ladders must be properly erected, with 1-1/2 foot

maximum distance between rungs.

Three-point contact should always be used when

climbing ladders. This means using two hands and one
foot or two feet and one hand to maintain contact with
the ladder at all times.
 SCAFFOLDING ACCESS Contd.
LADDERS

Do not carry tools or materials by hand when climbing

ladders. Wear a tool belt and pouch and move materials up
or down by rope.

Rest stations should be decked in on scaffold towers

at intervals no greater than every 5 meters.

Debris, extension cords, and tools should be

cleared away from areas around the top and
bottom of ladders.
 SCAFFOLD STABILITY

THREE TO ONE RULE

The ratio of unsupported height to least lateral dimensions on a

scaffold should not exceed 3 to 1, unless the scaffold is:
- Tied-back to the structure at proper horizontal and vertical
intervals.

- Equipped with outriggers to maintain the ratio of 3 to 1.

- Equipped with a properly designed

anchored guy wire system.
 SCAFFOLD STABILITY

HOARDS

Scaffolds enclosed (hoarded) for welding jobs or sand blasting will

be subjected to significant wind loads. All the hoarded scaffolds
greater than 7.5 MR in height be designed by an engineer.
 SCAFFOLD CHECKS
CHECKS BEFORE S/F ERECTION

Estimated load on the scaffold.

Sketch with dimensions.
List of scaffolding material required.
Inspection of the required material.
Safe transportation of scaffolding material.
Ground conditions.
Type of work done from scaffolding platform.
Live wires, hot pipes electrical / instrument lines / switches / panels
at scaffolding location.
Weather conditions (wind loading condition, rain etc.).
Tie-in locations and methods.
Site obstructions.
Valid work permit.
 SCAFFOLD CHECKS
CHECKS DURING S/F ERECTION

Availability and use of personal protectives.

Availability and use of fall protection gear.

Plumbness of columns.

Ties inside the columns.

Bracing outside the columns.

Provide bracings on all sides.

Length, width and height of scaffolding frames according to the

standard.
LENGTH 8' MAX.
WIDTH 6' MAX.
HEIGHT 6'-6" (Between ties)
 SCAFFOLD CHECKS
CHECKS DURING S/F ERECTION

Lowest tie 6" max. Above ground.

Ties extension outside the columns (4"-8").
Wooden planks extension outside the ties (9"-18").
Use of proper spanners.
Use of proper clamps / couplings on joints.
Tightening of all threaded joints.
Provide anchoring support (for scaffolds higher than 24').
Working platform closely boarded with planks.
All planks tied together and with ties using binding
wire/scaffolding pipes.
Provide handrail and mid rail.
Provide toe board.
 SCAFFOLD CHECKS
CHECKS DURING S/F DISMANTLING

Availability and use of personal protectives.

Availability and use of fall protection gear.
Ensure proper sequence in dismantling (reverse of erection
method) to maintain stability of scaffold structure.
Safe lowering of material to ground.
Segregation of all fittings, pipes and planks.
Inspection of dismantled material & segregation of defective
material.
Proper stacking of sound material in salvage yard.
Housekeeping of the area.
 FFC CHECKLIST

SCAFFOLDING CHECKLIST
(TO BE FILLED AFTER INSTALLATION OF SCAFFOLDING)

Date : Section:

Description of job :

YES NO N/A

1 All scaffolding columns are on base plate/wooden planks (for soft ground).
2 All ties provided. Distance between two ties is 6 ft. Lowest tie point is 6" above
ground.

3 Cross bracing provided properly.

4 Max. span and width of all distances on scaffolding structure is 8' x 6'.

5 Tie points extended 4" (minimum) outsitde the scaffolding structure.

6 All boards are extended 9"-10" (Minimum) outside the ties.

7 Scaffolding higher than 24' is properly supported with external structure or vessel.

8 Platforms properly close boarded & tied.

9 Hand railing and mid railing provided. (toe board provided, where required)

10 Wooden planks are in healthy condition.

11 Joint pins (Spigots) are provided for tightening of vertical pipes.

12 Precautions taken against fire if scaffolding is situated near some heat source.

Contractor Supervisor :

Area Engr. / End User :

 SCAFFOLD CHECKS
STORING TECHNIQUE
SCAFFOLD ERECTION
The bearer is the name for the tube goes across the scaffold that the boards
rest on. The runner goes down the length of the scaffold. Lay these out and
stand up the first post. Clamp the runner to the post close to the base.
Clamp the bearer on at 90 degrees on top of the runner.
The bearer always goes on top of the runner for a safety
clamp backup effect.
After all four posts are attached, measure the scaffold from inside to
inside to insure the corner angles are at 90 degrees (square).
It is a good idea to attach a horizontal diagonal at this time to ensure that the
scaffold remains square. Make sure the legs are level and plumb as you go.
After insuring the first level or "wrap" is properly spaced, square, plumb, and
level, you may begin the second level. Do not exceed 6'6" to this second
level.
Attach the second level bearers and runners. Next, attach the diagonals. Swivel
clamps are used to attach these at an approximate 45 degree angle from level
to level. All four sides should have diagonal bracing attached.
Next put the planks for the second level on the bearers. Once the erector
climbs to the second level, he will be exposed to a fall hazard and should
take additional Precautions and use fall protection equipment.
Attach a ladder for access to the second level. Install the guardrails,
midrails, and toeboards. Secure the planks to the bearer.
A view of the planks secured by the toeboard being wired to the
bearer.
UNSAFE WORK PRACTICES
UNSAFE WORK PRACTICES

Do not work from a scaffold

if it is not been inspected
that workshift and is tagged
as "Approved, Ready To
Use".

Do a visual inspection for

the obvious requirements
such as ladder access, full
planking, guardrails,
plumbness, rigidity, etc.
UNSAFE WORK PRACTICES Contd.

Do not use a scaffold if it

does not have a proper
ladder or other equivalent
safe means of access.

Do not climb the scaffold

itself.
UNSAFE WORK PRACTICES Contd.

Do not use a scaffold if

the working platform is
not planked all the way
across.

Do not use a scaffold if

only one or two planks
are placed where there
should be more.
UNSAFE WORK PRACTICES Contd.

Do not use a scaffold if

the planks are not scaffold
grade, bearing the proper
grade stamp.

If the planks are man

made, make sure they are
in good condition.
UNSAFE WORK PRACTICES Contd.

Do not use a scaffold if the

planks are bowing more
than 1/60 of their span.
UNSAFE WORK PRACTICES Contd.

Do not use a scaffold if it is

not plumb, square, and rigid..
UNSAFE WORK PRACTICES Contd.

Do not use a scaffold taller

than 4 times it's minimum
base unless it is tied, guyed,
or braced to prevent tipping.
UNSAFE WORK PRACTICES Contd.

Do not climb the scaffold

other than by the safe
means of access provided.

Never climb guardrails.

UNSAFE WORK PRACTICES Contd.

Do not work if you feel

weak, sick, or dizzy.

Never use drugs or

alcohol on a scaffold.
UNSAFE WORK PRACTICES Contd.

Do not climb with

slippery shoes.
UNSAFE WORK PRACTICES Contd.

Do not carry materials

as you climb.

Keep both hands on

the siderails.
UNSAFE WORK PRACTICES Contd.

Do not jump on to
planks or platforms.
UNSAFE WORK PRACTICES Contd.

Do not use scaffolds during

storms, rain, or high wind
(25 MPH and above).
UNSAFE WORK PRACTICES Contd.

Do not work on ice or

snow covered platforms.
UNSAFE WORK PRACTICES Contd.

Do not allow tools, material,

or debris to accumulate on
the platforms and cause a
hazard.
UNSAFE WORK PRACTICES Contd.

Do not alter the scaffold.

Scaffold alterations may

only be performed by a
trained crew under the
supervision of a competent
person.
UNSAFE WORK PRACTICES Contd.

Do not use heat producing

activities such as welding or
insulation removal without
taking precautions to protect
the scaffold members.
UNSAFE WORK PRACTICES Contd.

Do not work if you notice

any components which are
damaged.
UNSAFE WORK PRACTICES Contd.

Do not attempt to extend

working heights by planking
guardrails or by the use of
boxes or ladders on
scaffold platforms.
UNSAFE WORK PRACTICES Contd.

Do not use scaffold as

material hoist towers or for
mounting derricks unless
the scaffold is designed for
such use.
UNSAFE WORK PRACTICES Contd.

Do not bridge between

towers with planks or
stages unless the
scaffold assembly has
been designed for this
use by a qualified
person.
UNSAFE WORK PRACTICES Contd.

Do not violate clearances

from electrical power lines
UNSAFE WORK PRACTICES Contd.

Do not overload the platform

by more than it's intended
uniform loading.
UNSAFE WORK PRACTICES Contd.

Do not overload the

scaffold by point
loading a plank above
it's capacity.
UNSAFE WORK PRACTICES Contd.

Do not bridge between

two scaffolds by stages
unless designed by a
qualified person.
UNSAFE WORK PRACTICES Contd.

Do not use the scaffold

unless the proper falling
object protection for the
users and workers below
has been provided.
UNSAFE WORK PRACTICES Contd.

Do not use rolling towers

unless the wheels are locked.
UNSAFE WORK PRACTICES Contd.

Do not ride rolling towers

while they are being moved.
UNSAFE WORK PRACTICES Contd.

Do not get up on a scaffold

unless you have successfully
completed this training.
BAD SCAFFOLD PRACTICES
 BAD SCAFFOLDING PRACTICE

Bad planking: Lots of daylight is visible through the splits, cracks and gaps
 BAD SCAFFOLDING PRACTICE

No guardrails on the open ends of this scaffold. (Note: The employee was stepping
backward at the time this photo was taken.)
 BAD SCAFFOLDING PRACTICE

Gaps as big as three feet where the scaffold platform goes around the
column create fall hazards. There are also no midrails or toeboards.
 BAD SCAFFOLDING PRACTICE

Safe access for mobile scaffolds? Note

the trip hazards caused by tools and
power cords.
This scaffold is inside a clarifier tank
at a water treatment plant under
construction, and is erected over an
approximately 4-foot x 10-foot floor
opening, which adds another 10 feet
to the fall height (6 feet + 10 feet = 16
feet)
 BAD SCAFFOLDING PRACTICE

A contractor attempted to install these cross braces AFTER the scaffold was
erected. The cross braces did not fit, and so the contractor used Mason's String
to secure them. The braces did not fit because the scaffold legs bent/bowed
under pressure, and without the cross braces in place, they went out of
plumb!
 BAD SCAFFOLDING PRACTICE

This is a great example of what can happen when construction workers fail to
investigate the site where their scaffold is being erected, and base plates are not
used. The workers failed to realize that the sidewalk was only made from blacktop,
and it had a basement under it. EXAMPLE OF POINT LOADING!!
 BAD SCAFFOLDING PRACTICE

Erected on an uneven and

unstable surface (e.g., scrap and
debris),
without base plates
loaded with block! This scaffold
can collapse at any time and
strike any employees walking by!
BAD SCAFFOLDING PRACTICE
DEATH OF A SCAFFOLDER
BAD SCAFFOLDING PRACTICE
BAD SCAFFOLDING PRACTICE
BAD SCAFFOLDING PRACTICE
BAD SCAFFOLDING PRACTICE
SHORTCUT
COLLAPSED SCAFFOLDING
COLLAPSED SCAFFOLDING
COLLAPSED SCAFFOLDING
THE END