PZL CONSTRUCTION, INC.

PROJECT : PGH CENTRAL BLOCK

SCOPE : EXTERIOR PAINTING WORKS
SUBJECT : SCAFFOLDING ERECTION METHODOLOGY
DATE : January 24, 2020

Selecting work area

1. Select flat, level ground for your work area. For safety reasons, only set up scaffolding on
level ground. Concrete or a similar hard surface is best. Survey your work area and find the
best surface to set up on.

• If you have a concrete driveway near your work area, use this as your foundation. A deck or
parking lot will also work.
• Do not set up your scaffold underneath any power lines or wires.

2. Fill any irregularities with dirt if the ground is uneven. Not all work areas have flat, concrete
surfaces nearby. If you have to set up your scaffold on grass or dirt, make sure the ground is level. If
the area isn’t flat, use dirt or gravel to fill in any irregularities and pat it down so the surface is even.
The ground doesn't have to be completely flat, but get rid of any dips or rises that would throw the
scaffold off balance.

• If you have a lot of dirt on your property, collect some and use it to fill any holes. Otherwise,
buy soil or gravel from a garden supply store and spread it on the ground to fix any
irregularities.
• Always pat down any material you use to flatten the ground so it's packed tightly. Placing
the scaffold on loose ground could cause it to slip.

3. Lay soleboards down if you’re working on grass or dirt. After making sure the ground is flat,
lay down soleboards to support the scaffold. These are flat pieces of wood that distribute
the scaffold’s weight so it doesn’t sink into the ground. If you’re working on grass or dirt, lay
out 2 soleboards so each end of the scaffold can rest on one.

• A scaffold kit may come with specialized soleboards. If not, look in the hardware store for 2
in (5.1 cm) x 10 in (25 cm) pieces of wood board. Get 2 of these to use as soleboards.
• The scaffold’s width should be noted on the kit. Use the listed width as a guide for how close
to space the boards.

4. Avoid building a scaffold on sloped ground. It is possible to assemble a scaffold on sloped

ground, but this is a complex job that requires leg extensions and other supports for the
structure. It’s best to leave that sort of job to professionals. For simple maintenance
projects, construct your scaffold on flat ground.

Constructing the Scaffold Base

1. Lay out all the scaffolding pieces near your worksite. Prepare for the job by placing all the
necessary pieces near your worksite so you don’t have to move the scaffold into place later.
Then lay out the 2 base sections of the scaffold a few feet apart with their bottom edges
facing each other.

• Most home scaffold kits only have 1 level, so the 2 metal frames form the base
section. Multi-level scaffold kits might have additional poles that attach to the base and
create another platform.

2. Slide the adjusting screws into the scaffold base. Adjusting screws set the height for the
scaffold. A scaffold set should have 4 of them. If the scaffold forms a square or rectangle, an
adjusting screw goes into each corner. Set each screw to the lowest level before installing it.
Then slide one into the bottom of each scaffold support pole.

• On most scaffold models, the screws slide in without any other method of
attachment. Check your model to see if there is an additional attachment for the screws.

3. Attach baseplates if you’re only working in one place. Baseplates are flat platforms that
attach to the adjusting screws. Use them if you don’t plan on moving your scaffold to
another location while you work. Take a baseplate and fit it onto the adjusting screw at the
bottom of the scaffold. Then insert the corresponding pin to secure it in place. Repeat this
process until all 4 baseplates are attached.

• Some baseplates screw on rather than lock in with a pin. Check the instructions to
see which method your scaffold uses.

4. Install casters if you need to move the scaffold. Casters are wheels that attach to the
adjusting screws. If you’ll need to move your scaffold around to work in different areas, use
casters in place of baseplates. They attach the same way baseplates do. Slide each one over
an adjusting screw and insert a pin to lock it in place.

• Always make sure the casters are in the locked position before using the scaffold.
Test them by pushing the scaffold. If the wheels turn, they aren’t locked.

5. Stand each scaffold section 7 feet (2.1 m) apart. Standard scaffolds are 7 feet (2.1 m) in
length. With the baseplates attached, each section should stand on its own. Stand each
section up 7 feet (2.1 m) apart and prepare to connect them.

• If you’re working on grass, place the scaffold baseplates in the center of the
soleboard at least 6 inches (15 cm) from the end.
• If you have casters on the scaffold, the sections may not stand on their own before
they’re attached. In this case, you need a helper to hold one of the sections up while you
secure them together.

6. Connect the scaffold with cross braces. Cross braces are metal poles that connect the
scaffold sections together. There are 4 of them total, with 2 on each side. The poles have a
loop on each end that slides over a corresponding hook on the scaffold. Pick up one of the
poles and slide it into the top hook on one side. Then attach it to the bottom hook on the
other side. Repeat this with the second pole to form an X.
 • Complete the connection by repeating the same process on the opposite side. You
will then have 2 X connections, one on each side of the scaffold.
7. Raise the adjusting screws to the height you need. Before attaching the rest of the scaffold
pieces, adjust its height. Spin the adjusting screws clockwise to lower them and
counterclockwise to raise them. Adjust each one until the scaffold allows you to reach the
height you have to work at.

• Make sure that the adjustment pins are set at the same level so the scaffold is
balanced. Check that the scaffold is level before installing planks and standing on it.
Adjust the screws until the scaffold is level.

Installing the Planks and Guardrails

1. Hook the scaffold planks into position. Scaffold planks have hooks on each end that loop
over the bars on each base section. Stand in between the 2 base sections and lift the plank
up at an angle. Then level the plank when it’s above the base parts and lower it down until
the hooks secure over each scaffold section.

• Some scaffold models may have additional attachment guidelines. Check the
instructions for your particular model.
• Do not use plain planks of wood in a scaffold. These are too weak. Only use
specialized scaffold planks.

2. Attach the ladder so you can access the scaffold. Your scaffold kit should come with a ladder.
Most ladders attach with hooks that loop over one of the scaffold bars. Make sure that any
access point is secured properly before you use it.

• Only attach the ladder at the intended point. A different point may not be able to
support the weight.
• Different access types will have different installation instructions. Check the manual
for your scaffold to ensure you install the access properly.

3., Install guardrails on the external side of the scaffold. Guardrails are safety features on
scaffolds that prevent falls. On most scaffolds, these are 2 or 3 poles that hook around the scaffold.
Attachments are usually hooks or sockets on the scaffold rails that the guardrails fit into. Take each
guardrail and secure it to the attachments around the scaffold.

• If you’re working against a building, only install the guardrails on the sides that don’t
face the building. This gives you enough room to work.

Submitted by:

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Safety Officer