Republic of the Philippines

DON HONORIO VENTURA STATE UNIVERSITY

Cabambangan, Villa de Bacolor, Pampanga

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

Department of Civil Engineering

A. Course Code / Title : COSH 413 – Construction Occupational Safety and Health

B. Module Number : Module 5 – Scaffolding Safety, DO 128- 13 as Amended Rule 1414

D. Time Frame : 4th Week of October 2022 (3 hours)

E. Description : This module describes the Crane Safety and Hand and Portable Power Tools

F. Objectives : At the end of this module, the learner should be able to:
1. Further enhance the knowledge and skills on Scaffolds Safety including
erection/installation and inspection of Scaffolds, working safety on heights including
rescue and basic standard safety procedures on handling ladders

G. Contents:

SCAFFOLD means any temporary elevated platform (made of timber, metal or bamboo) and its supporting
structure (including points of anchorage) used for supporting employees or materials or both in the course of
any construction works, including maintenance and demolition works.

Functions of Scaffolds
• As a working platform
• So that the worker can stand on the platform to do their work easily and safely
• So that the workers can place their materials and logistics to carry out their job
• As a platform and walking passage
• Scaffolding support the platform used by the worker as their walking path to
transport the material and logistics

Classification of Scaffolds

❖ Supported Scaffolds

Supported Scaffolds are platforms supported by legs, outrigger, beams, brackets, poles, uprights,
posts, frames, or similar rigid support.
• Frame or fabricated scaffolds

– the most common type of scaffold because they are versatile, economical, and easy to use.
– frequently used in one or two tiers by residential contractors, painters, etc., but their modular frames
can also be stacked several stories high for use on large-scale construction jobs.

• Mobile scaffolds

– a type of supported scaffold set on wheels or casters.

– designed to be easily moved and are commonly used for things like painting and plastering, where
workers must frequently change position

• Tube and coupler scaffolds

– they are built from tubing connected by coupling devices.

– are frequently used where heavy loads need to be carried, or 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.

• Pole scaffolds
– Are types of supported scaffold in which every structural
component, from uprights to braces to platforms, is made of
wood. Cannot easily be reused, and considered old-
fashioned and are rarely used today.

❖ Suspended Scaffolds

Suspended Scaffolds contains one or more platforms suspended by ropes or other non- rigid means
from an overhead structure.

• Two-point adjustable suspension scaffolds

– also known as swing- stage scaffolds, are perhaps the most common type of suspended
scaffold.
– Hung by ropes or cables connected to stirrups at each end of the platform, they are typically used by
window washers on skyscrapers.

• Single-point Adjustable
– consists of a platform suspended by one rope from an overhead support and equipped with means to permit the
movement of the platform to desired work levels.
– The most common among these is the scaffold used by window washers to clean the outside of a skyscraper (also
known as a boatswain's chair)
Suspended Scaffolds:
• Support Device rest on surfaces capable of supporting at least four times the load imposed
• Counterweights
o Must be able to resist at least four times the tipping moment
o Secured mechanically to outrigger arm
o Made of non-flowable materials
o Tiebacks must be installed
• Guardrails or personal fall arrest system or both

Hazards in the Use of Scaffolds

• Falls from elevation

• Struck by falling tools / debris
• Scaffold collapse
• Electrocution

Recommended Control Measures

• Falls from elevation

o Use guardrails
o Must be fully planked
o Use fall arrest systems

• Struck by falling tools or debris

o Barricade the area below the scaffold and forbid entry
o Use panels or screens
o Build a canopy or net

• Scaffold collapse
o Proper scaffold construction
▪ Firm foundation
▪ Plumbed and level
▪ All components installed
o Do not overload with people or equipment
o Provide wall ties or anchorage
o Have a competent person check scaffold

• Electrocution
o Observe clearance/distances required between power lines and scaffolding
o De-energize the lines
o Install protective coverin
Mobile Scaffolds

 Plumb, level and squared

 Braced to prevent collapse
 Casters and wheels locked to prevent movement while in a stationary position
 Not allowed to ride on scaffolds when moving

Three Stages of Scaffolding

1. Building Scaffolds
2. Using Scaffolds
3. Removing / Dismantling Scaffolds

Stage 1: Building Scaffolds

1. Persons Involved – wear PPE

2. Site Specific Hazards
Identification Erectors
Classification of Scaffolds
Inspect all scaffold parts before use (cracks, dents, bends, breaks, corrosion & bad welds)
Condition of fittings (distorted, stripped, missing, bent parts)
Condition of scaffold planks (cracks, splits)
Damaged scaffold (tagged, set aside, repaired or replaced)

3. Erection of scaffolds
 Supervised by competent person
3.1 Means of safe Access
 Stairs/ Ladders
 Frame scaffolds
 Platforms are fully planked
3.2 Fall protection systems and falling object protection

Platform
• No paint on wood platforms
• Use scaffold grade wood
• Fully planked between front upright and guardrail support
• Component pieces used must match and be of the same type
• Erect on stable and level ground

Platform Ends

• Each end of a platform, unless cleated or otherwise restrained by hooks, must extend over its
support by at least 6 inches
Proper Scaffold Access

• Provide access when scaffold platforms are more than 2 feet above or below a point of access
Permitted types of access:

 Ladders, such as portable, hook-on, attachable, stairway type, and built-ins

 Stair towers
 Ramps and walkways
May use building stairs and come out window

Access
• No access by crossbraces
• When using ladders, bottom rung no more than 24 inches high
• Can use some end frames
• Can access from another scaffold, structure or hoist

Stage 2: Using Scaffolds

 Training of personnel in the proper use of the scaffold and hazards associated
 Establish and communicate jobsite rules
✓ Put in writing
✓ Taught to all employees
✓ Part of the safety culture

Scaffold Inspection
• Competent person inspects scaffolds for visible defects before each shift and after any alterations
• Defective parts must be immediately repaired
• Provide Scaffold tags

Stage 3: Removing / Dismantling of Scaffolds

• Must be done by trained personnel

• Proceed in reverse order to its erection
• Workers should wear a safety harness and lanyard tied off to a secured anchor before
attempting to loosen stuck or jammed parts.
• Do not hammer or pry apart the scaffold components.
• Do not throw scaffold components

SCAFFOLD TERMINOLOGIES DEFINITIONS

Mudsills - A minimum 50 mm x 250 mm (2" x 10") wood plank or other device used to support the scaffold
frame base plates or other support devices.

Base Plates - A device used to support and distribute the leg load of a scaffold system sized
according to the manufacturer’s specification.

Outrigger Stabilizers - A device used to extend the support length at the base of the scaffolding in order to
provide stability against overturning.

Bracing - A system of members connecting frames or sections of scaffolding to make the scaffold
structure and add strength and rigidity between members.

Tie-Backs - A reinforcing connection device which secures a scaffold to a fixed structure.

Guardrail - A rail secured to uprights and erected along the exposed sides and ends of platforms.

Platform - A working surface provided on a scaffold to support the weight of workers, tools and materials.

Scaffold Wood Planks

12” width x 2 “ thickness x variable length
10” [min.] width x 2 “thickness x variable length

Fall Arrest Systems - A fall protection system that prevents serious injury or death of a worker due to a
fall, usually consisting of a full body harness secured to a lanyard and lifeline.

Plumbness - Ensuring that the scaffold is balanced and erected at a 90-degree angle straight up from a
level surface.

Foundations - The surface upon which the scaffold is erected.

Coupling Devices - A connective device used to secure scaffold frames together.

Swivel Coupler - A load bearing fitting which rotates so that tubes can be joined at any angle. Mainly
used to connect braces to standards.

Double Coupler - Also referred to as right angle or 90? Couplers. Used to join tubes at right angles where
maximum load carrying capacity is required. Double couplers must always be used to join ledgers and
standards together.

Putlog Coupler - A fitting used for fixing putlogs to ledgers. The fitting must not be used to join
ledgers and standards together or in any load bearing situations.

End to End Coupler - Used to join tubes together end to end. Sleeve coupler

Expanding joint pin

Standards [Post] - Make sure the standards are sitting on a base plate and where the ground dictates a
sole board. A vertical or near vertical tube based on the ground or a structure. Used to carry the ledgers.

Ledgers [Runners] - A longitudinal tube fixed parallel to the face of the building. It also acts as a support for
the transoms. It can also be used to form part of the ties in the scaffold. Ledgers should be fixed to the
standard using load bearing fittings.

✓ All platforms must be fully decked or planked.

✓ Each abutted end of a plank shall rest on a separate support surface.
✓ Overlap platforms not less than 12” only over supports, unless restrained to prevent
movement, i.e.” Cleating”.
✓ The working deck should never be more than 14” away from the working surface.

Toe board - A barrier secured along the sides and ends of a platform to guard against the falling of
materials or tools.

Engineering Design - The design of a scaffold system by a registered professional engineer, drawings of a
scaffolding system should include all appropriate information on loading capacities and, detailing on tie-
backs, foundations, etc. These drawings must be kept on site.
RESPONSIBILITIES/DESIGN APPROVALS

Management / Employers:

✓ Ensure that proper scaffolding material and equipment is provided at the project site. All workers
must be trained in proper scaffold use, erection, and maintenance.
✓ Provide all necessary personal protective equipment, (i.e. safety headwear, footwear, fall
protection systems, etc.) to workers erecting and using the scaffold.

Workers:
✓ Ensure that they follow safe work procedures and use all necessary equipment and any
necessary personal protective devices when erecting and using scaffold systems. Workers
must also take care to protect other workers when working on scaffolding.

Design Approvals

✓ All site fabricated/conventional supported scaffolds exceeding 6 meters in height or a working load
of 150 kg/m2 shall be designed and inspected by the structural engineer and approved by the
appropriate authority.
✓ Scaffolds of more than 6 meters in height shall be designed by a structural engineer and shall
be erected, installed and dismantled by TESDA certified erectors.
✓ Supported scaffolds and their components shall be capable of supporting without failure at least
four (4) times the maximum intended load, while suspended scaffolds shall have six (6) times factor
of safety; and
✓ All manufactured scaffolds and its accessories shall follow the manufacturer’s design and
specification. Technical properties and data of such manufactured scaffolds shall be design by
structural engineer and approved by appropriate authority.

Scaffold Competent Person - The employer shall designate a competent person, who shall be
responsible for determining the feasibility and safety of providing fall protection for personnel erecting,
installing or dismantling scaffolds.

Competent Person

• All scaffolds competent person must undergo the standard scaffold training and assessment prescribed
by DOLE and TESDA.
• The competent person shall have the following certification:
✓ COSH Training Certificate from DOLE or its accredited safety training organization. Must be a
holder of TESDA prescribed Scaffold Erection Certificate.
✓ At least 2 years experience in scaffold erection.
Scaffold Erector
▪ All scaffolds competent person must undergo the standard scaffold training and assessment
prescribed by DOLE and TESDA. Scaffold erectors shall have the following certification:
• One Day Workers Safety Orientation from DOLE or its accredited safety
training organization.
▪ Must be a holder of TESDA prescribed Scaffold Erection NC II.
INSPECTION
Because of severe weather conditions, the scaffold system shall be inspected on a regular
schedule and a record of the inspections maintained at the job site.

SCAFFOLD TYPE AND SELECTION

Basic Considerations
o The weight of workers, tools, materials and equipment to be carried by the scaffold system (safe work
load)
o Site conditions (interior, exterior, backfill, concrete floors, type and condition of walls, access for the
equipment, variations in elevation, anchorage points, etc.)
o Height to which the scaffold may be erected (overhead power lines, tie-backs
o Type of work that will be done from the scaffold (masonry work, sandblasting, painting, metal siding,
mechanical installation, suspended ceiling installation)
o Duration of work
o Weather conditions, including wind
o Requirements for pedestrian traffic through and under the scaffold area Means of
access to the scaffold
o Configuration of the building or structure being worked on
o Wind speed limit is 48kph (DO 128) and 40kph (International Practice)

SCAFFOLD CAPACITY

Scaffolds must be capable of supporting its own weight and at least 4x the expected load.
Expected load = 4 x ( Live Load + Dead Load)

Live load includes:

o Workers
o Equipment
o Tools
o Materials
o Environmental (wind + earthquake)

Dead load includes:

o Pipes
o Couplings
o Planks etc.
SCAFFOLD LOAD RATINGS

Scaffolds are designed to meet specific load ratings.

Standard Load Ratings:

25 lbs. per square

Light Duty foot
50 lbs. per square foot
Medium Duty
75 lbs. per square foot
Heavy Duty

The allowable working load of scaffolding is 3,450kg per leg [TESDA] The allowable working load of scaffolding is
150 kg per sq. m [DO 128]

TYPES OF SCAFFOLDING

o Tube and Coupler o

o
Ladder Jack Scaffolds
o System Scaffold o Trestle Ladder Scaffold
Frame Scaffolds
o

o o Carpenters Bracket Scaffold

o Cantilever Scaffold
o

o Hanging Scaffold System

o Rustgo o Manual Work Platform
o Hanging Scaffold
o

o Horse Scaffolds
o Tower Scaffold o

o Adjustable Scaffolds
o Shoring Scaffold
o Scissor Lifts
o Scaffold Public Protection o

o Aerial Lifts
o “Stick-Built” Pole Scaffold
o Two-Point Suspended
o Pump Jack Scaffolds
Scaffolds

USE AND MAINTENANCE

Scaffold Location
Checking the scaffold location thoroughly beforehand will eliminate many of the problems that develop during
construction and will allow erection to proceed smoothly, efficiently and safely.

Before erecting a scaffold, check the location for:

✓ Ground conditions
✓ Variation in surface elevation
✓ Overhead electrical wires
✓ Obstructions
✓ Tie-in locations and methods
✓ Potential wind loading conditions
 Overloading Scaffold platforms are one of the most frequent violations of good scaffold practice.

Housekeeping

Scaffold decks are usually small, narrow, and confined. Tools and materials to be used should be stored in
an orderly fashion. Debris and waste materials should not be allowed to collect on the platform.

Safe Scaffold Use

o Do not use damaged parts that affect the strength of the scaffold.
o Do not allow employees to work on scaffolds when they are feeling weak, sick, or dizzy. Do not
work from any part of the scaffold other than the platform.
o Do not alter the scaffold.
o Do not move a scaffold horizontally while workers are on it, unless it is a mobile scaffold and the
proper procedures are followed.
o Do not allow employees to work on scaffolds covered with snow, ice, or other slippery
materials.
o Do not erect, use, alter, or move scaffolds within 10 feet of overhead power lines. Do
not use shore or lean-to scaffolds.
o Do not swing loads near or on scaffolds unless you use a tag line.
o Do not work on scaffolds in bad weather or high winds unless the competent person decides that doing so is
safe.
o Do not use ladders, boxes, barrels, or other makeshift contraptions to raise your work height.
o Do not let extra material build up on the platforms.
o Do not put more weight on a scaffold than it is designed to hold.

SCAFFOLDING INSPECTION

Scaffold systems and components should be inspected before each use to ensure structural stability. Some
main areas to check for include:

✓ Damage to frames, braces and other structural components.

✓ Damage to hooks on manufactured platforms. Splits, knots, and dry rot in planks.
✓ De-lamination in laminated veneer lumber planks.
✓ Compatibility of components.
✓ Sufficient and proper components for the job.
SCAFFTAG SYSTEM

Color Coding of Scaffold Material

Contractor annually checks scaffolding material for wear / rusting etc. & certifies the material for usability by
changing color

1st year - Red

-
2nd year Yellow

3rd year - Blue

4th year - Red