Field Operations - Maintenance and Inspection – Fabric Maintenance - 2017

Ref: Scaffold Design for Temporary Lifting Frames

1 . System Scaffolding
Is designed by the manufacturer. The latter supplies instructions which include design calculations
and plans for erection and use.
If the scaffold configuration envisaged has not been provided for by the manufacturer, then a
competent individual (the scaffold designer) shall supply design calculations with a specific installation
plan which takes into consideration worksite specifications and considerations.

System scaffolding shall not be used for non-personnel Loading or Lifting operations and shall be
restricted to manufacture guidelines for men and materials.

2. Tube and Fitting Scaffolding

Shall be in compliance with GM-NOC-PJC-446 SCAFFOLDING Rules of Installation Use, Equipment
and Precautions, section 2 Reference Documents, European Standards (EN)

3. Cases for which design calculations and drawings are mandatory.

Scaffold design calculations shall always be mandatory in each of the following cases:
 Where height exceeds 12m
 Where a specific shape is to be deployed, such as: overhang to the front or rear, wind-
bracing beam, etc.
 Where guying is used
 Where ballast is used
 Where scaffolds are built in confined space (Tanks, Vessels)
 Stairways, bridges and escape routes
 Where scaffolds are located on an incline exceeding 10%
 Complex or load bearing suspended scaffolds shall be by design drawing. Scaffold supervision
controlling this work shall have proven previous operational experience with offshore
outboard/over water scaffolding.
(Ref Complex – Not easy to plan out for tie points, changing/multi levels, access to moving
structure/plant etc)

Scaffolds for Heavy Loading, Special Purpose or Lifting Frames etc.

 Scaffold lifting Frames > 1000 kg - require design input

 Scaffold lifting Frames < 1000 kg – have no design requirement

Control

Scaffold lifting Frames > 1000 kg. - A complex scaffold erection due to location must be assessed in
conjunction with the Design Engineer. Any special load-bearing Support Scaffolds or Lifting Frames for
>1000 kg will fall into this category. A scaffold incorporating unit or ladder beams shall also require a
lifting plan. Scaffolds containing ladder beams and unit beams may require design input (not to be
totally excluded)

NOC CPLO shall be consulted on all scaffolds where design is required for loading/lifting. The CPLO
will assess the scaffold design with regards to the suitability of “Lifting points” to have the capacity to
support the load/lift, as per lifting plan only and not the design of the scaffold itself.

Structural TPR shall be consulted on loading/lifting where platform structural steelwork is integral to
supporting or anchoring the scaffold and load/lift and exceed the limits presented in GM-NOC-LH-007

4. Cases for which design calculations and drawings are NOT mandatory.

4.1 Guidance

Basic Suspended Scaffolds (Single level) for Men and materials only (204.0 kg/m2). They must be
tied/moored in to a suitable platform, deck, columns or girders and have check fittings. Scaffold
erection is to be supervised by a competent supervisor with proven previous operational experience
with offshore outboard/over water scaffolding.

Lifting Frames may be erected without initial design approval for direct vertical lifting/lowering and cross
hauling up to 30º from the vertical up to 1000 kg. However, an “As Built” Sketch/Lifting Plan must be
risk assessed by the Services Supervisor prior to approval to build.

A meeting shall be held between the responsible Scaffolding Supervisor the Rigging Foreman and/or
Services Supervisor. If the lifting operation can be safely performed using a generic design from the
guidance note and or Scaffold contractors technical manual, the lifting frame should be erected in
compliance with the relevant drawing. If the lift cannot be safely performed using a generic design or if
there is any doubt, contact the Scaffold Design Office

For direct vertical lifting/lowering and cross hauling up to 30º from the vertical up to 1000 kg, specialist
design calculations and drawings are not obligatory and can be erected by experienced and certificated
Scaffolder under supervision of the scaffold supervisor, then tagged as fit for use, with any relevant
details or restrictions recorded on the tag and register.

Scaffolds shall be in compliance with the contractor Scaffold management system method statements
and procedures. If there is any doubt, contact the Scaffold Design Office

All scaffolds shall be securely moored and supported in all directions and have the adequate strength,
bracing and check fittings to support the load.

The lifting frame should be based on foundations of sufficient strength to support the additional
imposed loadings. It is the task owners responsibility to check and ensure that the foundations are
suitable.
 NOC deck loading plans can be consulted,
 All legs to land on plating and or grating that is directly support by a steel beam/structure below.
 Sole boards shall be such that they span structural deck beams.

Maximum leg loadings, imposed by the scaffold are indicated on drawings; if a more accurate
assessment of the loadings is required, contact the Scaffold Design Office for guidance.

The lifting frame shall be constructed as detailed on the relevant drawing. Bay lengths may vary by up
to 200mm and lift heights may vary by up to l00mm. If any components or tubes cannot be positioned
or fixed as shown, contact the Scaffold Design Office for guidance.

Where lifts are required to be cross hauled outside of the scaffold footprint chain blocks and lifting
strops shall not exceed 30º from the vertical and the activity shall comply with E&C structural
Department lifting criteria for uncertified beams.

5. Inspection

Before being put into use for the first time, the lifting frame scaffold must be subjected to a thorough
examination by a competent Scaffold Inspector. This should be a more stringent examination than
a routine scaffold inspection and should incorporate a check to ensure that all members are in position
as shown on the appropriate drawing and where practicable, critical couplers i.e. those supporting
the key lifting parts (e.g. braces, beams and lifting tubes etc.) should be physically checked with a
spanner to ensure a suitable torque has been applied. Before attempting to carry out this operation,
the scaffold inspector must ensure that a safe means of access and egress has been provided.

Once satisfied that all members are in place and slings have been installed in the correct positions,
the scaffold inspector shall then complete a Scafftag insert, and place it in the holder, which must be
securely attached in a prominent position on the structure. The Scafftag insert must be clearly marked
with the safe working load, as stated on the design drawing, which may be imposed on the lifting point
of the frame. Note: Dependent on the type of lifting gear being used, this may be different to (i.e.
greater than) the maximum load to be lifted. A record of all inspections must be documented in the
scaffold register.

The structure shall then be inspected every 7 days, or sooner if there is any concern that the
integrity of the structure may have been affected in any way. Note:- unless stated otherwise on the
design drawing, the frequency of additional inspections should be determined in consultation with
the task owner and may be required prior to every lift.

Control documents shall be kept on the worksite where the scaffold is located. They shall be kept at
the disposal of the Erection Supervisor and Scaffold Erectors, Inspectors and Supervisors.

Attachments
Generic Drawing Guidance for Temporary Scaffold Lifting Frames