Scaffold Safety

Managing Hazards & Risks

 2

Safety Contact
 3

Objective
To describe:
• The different types of Scaffolds
• Scaffold procedures

• The hazards that could be faced during erection,

use
and dismantling scaffolds

• What are the safeguards which must be observed to

ensure safety of people erecting, using and
dismantling scaffolds
 4

Agenda
We shall cover the following topics:
1. Introduction
2. References
3. Types of Scaffolds
4. Definitions
5. Hazards & Risks
6. Control Measures
7. Validation
 5

Introduction
 6

Scaffolding
Top Rail
Mid- Rail
Toe-board
Ladder
Standard
Ledger
Bracing

Base plate

Scaffolds are used throughout industry and have been in use since
the building of pyramids
 7

Scaffolds
A scaffold is a
temporary elevated
work platform
(stationary, suspended,
or mobile) and its
supporting structure
(including points of
anchorage). It is used
to support workers,
material, or both.
 8

Scaffolds at NMD
View of complete
scaffolding up to 105 m
height at Ethylene tower
Gas Cracker
 9

Scaffold Hazards

There is little doubt that the very presence of

scaffolding at a job site creates a hazardous work
environment.

 Falls
 Falling objects
 Structure instability
 Insecure ladders
 Insecure gratings
 Overloading of scaffolding
 10

Scaffold Safety - History

Millions of workers deal with scaffolding each year.

In U.S. more than 9,500 workers are injured. In the

National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI)
in 2005, an average of 88 fatalities occurred in the
years 2000-2004 from scaffolds, staging.

In a Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) study, 72%

of workers injured in scaffold accidents attributed the
accident either to the planking or support giving way, or
to the employee slipping or being struck by a falling
object.

All of these can be controlled by compliance with

standards.
 11

Scaffolding related accidents in the UK

An estimated 65 % of the construction industry, or 2.3
million workers, regularly use scaffolding so that
Employees can access difficult-to-reach areas of buildings.

Work-related accident statistics.

Scaffolds are extremely dangerous if constructed badly or
used incorrectly. Around 50 people die each year in the UK
because of scaffolds that have collapsed and over 4,500
are injured due to faulty or defective scaffolds.

Construction workers are twice as likely as workers in

Other industries to suffer from a non-fatal work -related
accident and falling from a great height, like scaffolding, is
one of the biggest problems.
 12

Scaffolding related accidents in the UK

In a recent study, 72 % of workers injured in
scaffolding accidents said the accident was caused
either by gratings giving way, or by an employee
slipping or being struck by a falling object.

Work-related scaffolding accidents can also happen

during construction if scaffolding is incorrectly
constructed or installed, causing the scaffolding to
collapse and injure anyone on, beneath or around
the scaffold.

It is estimated that employers lose 90 million in lost

workdays every year because they are not taking
the necessary steps to protect workers on scaffolds
and prevent injuries and deaths.
 13

References
 14

References
It is essential that the following standards/procedures
are referred to and complied with while undertaking
work on scaffolding.
RIL Scaffolding Safety Standard
RIL Scaffolding Safety Procedure
RIL Working at Height Standard
RIL Safety Belt and Fall Protection Systems
RIL “Permit To Work” Procedure
RIL SCAFFOLDING
STANDARD
MGCC INTRANET\DISC.SPECIFIC\HSEF PORTAL\POLICY & DOC.\RIL HSEF STDS
 15

Indian Standards on Scaffolds and

Ladders
Indian Standards for Scaffolds, Ladders and FAS
IS : 3696 ( Part 1 ) – 1987 (Scaffolds) Safety code of
scaffolds and ladders
IS : 3696 ( Part 2 ) – 1987 (Ladders)Safety code of
scaffolds and ladders
IS : 4014 – 1967 Code of practice for steel tubular
scaffoldings
IS : 3521 – 1999 Industrial safety belts and harnesses
 16

Exercise1: Each group to come up with 5 examples of

scaffolding hazards

Group exercise 5 minutes.

Share findings
 17

Different Types of
Scaffolds used in
Industry
 18

Scaffold Types

 Tubular Welded Frame (Modular) Scaffolds

 Tube & Coupler Scaffolds

 Suspended Scaffolds

 Mobile Scaffold Platforms

Bamboo Scaffolds (not permitted by RIL Standard)

19
 20

Welded Frame Scaffold with

interior ladders for access
 21

Tube and Coupler Scaffolds

Tube and coupler scaffolds are so-named because

they are built from tubing connected by coupling
devices.

Due to their strength, they 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.
22
 23

Tube & Coupler Scaffold

 24

Scaffolding Couplers
25
 26

Mobile Scaffolds
27
 28

Independent Tied Scaffold

 29

Put Log Scaffold

 30

Definitions
 31

Scaffolds – Terms
Scaffolding Supervisor Putlog
Scaffolder Transom
Fabricated-frame scaffold Bay Length
Scaffold
Lift Height
Working Platform ( Grating) Scaffolds-Definition
Brace s
Supported scaffold
Suspension (suspended) Bracing
scaffold Ledger bracing
System scaffold Face bracing
Tube-and-coupler scaffold Guard rail ( Top / hand rail)
Mobile (rolling) scaffold
Knee rail ( Mid rail)
Standard
Toe rail ( Toe guard)
Ledger
All scaffolds should have handrails, midrails, and toe- 32

boards. Handrails, midrails, or any other components of a

scaffold must not be removed by the user. All personnel
on the platform should wear a safety harness.

Handrail

Midrail

Toe-board
 33

Scaffolding
Procedure
 34

Scaffolding Procedure - NMD

CONTENTS
 GENERAL
 ERECTION, DISMANTLING, MOVEMENT AND
MODIFICATION
 USE
 STORAGE AND INSPECTION OF MATERIALS

Scaffolding
Procedure

Q:\DUPONT SAFETY RESOURCES\Procedures for RIL

 35

Hazards & Risks

 36

Exercise 2: Each group to share their experience about

unsafe acts while working on scaffolds.

Group exercise 5 minutes. Share

findings
 37

Scaffold Hazards -- Erection

 Inadequate construction / quality of materials (rusted

tubes/couplers, ladder, decking, guard rails, toe-
boards)
 Design problems (not designed to carry the desired
load.)
 Unsuitable foundations
 Scaffold erection near energised lines, process lines
 Scaffold erection near Excavation/trench
 Unauthorised modifications
 38

Scaffold Hazards – Erection / Working

 Fall Hazards
 Falling Objects
 Moving Equipment Hazards
 Housekeeping
 Chemicals and Corrosive Substances
 Ergonomic Hazards
 Electrical Hazards
 Weather Conditions
 39
Safe Distances – Energized Power Lines
Scaffolds cannot be erected, used, dismantled, altered or moved closer than the
distances stated in table below when near energized power lines.

Insulated Lines
Voltage Minimum Distance Alternatives
Less than
3 feet (0.9m) -
300 volts
300 volts to
10 feet (3.1m) -
50 kv
More than 10 feet (3.1m) plus 0.4 inches (1.0 cm 2 times the length of the line insulator, but
50 kv for each 1 kv over 50 kv) never less than 10 feet (3.1m)

Uninsulated Lines
Voltage Minimum Distance Alternatives
Less than
10 feet (3.1m) -
50 kv
More than 10 feet (3.1m) plus 0.4 inches (1.0 cm) 2 times the length of the line insulator, but
50 kv for each 1 kv over 50 kv never less than 10 feet (3.1m)
 40

Exercise 3: Each group to identify the hazards in the

following slides.

Group exercise 5 minutes.

Share findings
 41

Is this scaffold too close to the

power lines?
 42

Platforms
Scaffold platforms should
be secured to the bearing
member by cleating,
wiring, or nailing to toe-
boards to prevent the
platforms from slipping
off the supports and
tipping up. Platforms
should be complete,
with no gaps.
 43

Scaffold Access
 Scaffold access should be by ladders, ramps, or
stairways.
 Built-in ladders or welded-frame scaffolds may be
used if spaces between rungs are even and do not
exceed 300mm (12 inches).
 Ladders must be clear of hot surfaces, chemicals, or
other hazards, with adequate climbing clearance.
 Gates should be installed to eliminate climbing over
handrails.
 Rest decks are recommended every 9m.
 44

Mobile Scaffolds
The height of a mobile scaffold should not exceed 3 times the minimum
base dimension. If greater heights are required, the dimensions of the
base must be increased by using devices such as outriggers or the
scaffold can be secured to adjacent structures.

The smallest base dimension

in this example is 5 feet; thus,
the highest allowable
dimension for this scaffold
can only be 15 feet unless
15 ft.
outriggers are installed or the
Max.
scaffold is secured to an
adjacent structure.

5 ft.
7 ft.
 45

Mobile Scaffolds
No personnel should be on the scaffold while it is being moved.

The castors of a mobile scaffold should be pinned to the scaffold legs and in
the locked position when the scaffold is in use.

Install additional bracing diagonally from scaffold leg to scaffold leg to keep
the scaffold square.

Work only within the platform area; do not try to extend overhead work area by
reaching out over guard railing.

Do not bridge between two mobile scaffolds with plank or stages.

Secure all materials before moving scaffolds. Be sure floor surface is clear of
obstructions or holes before moving scaffold.

Be sure there are no overhead obstructions or power lines in the path of

mobile scaffold.

Mobile scaffolds must only be used on level surfaces. Move mobile scaffolds
by pushing at the base level only. Do not pull from the top.
 46

Control Measures
 47
Control Measures
• Follow RIL scaffold procedure

• Use of tested and certified materials for scaffolds

• Training and Qualifications of Scaffolders

• Scaffold designed to be fit for purpose.

• Routine inspections & Audits and Checks

• The Inspection Tag

• Fall Protection for Scaffolders
• Barricades
 48

Scaffold Materials Inspection

RIL Materials: Pipe both ends of approx. 4” of length will be
painted.
Contractors Materials: Full pipe painting to be done.

Visual inspection of 100% scaffold materials.

Colour coding to be followed :
2008 - Blue
2009 - Red
2010 - Yellow
2011 - Blue
 49

Training & Certification

Training of Scaffolders for erection & dismantling .

Training of employees for inspection and certification

 50

Scaffold Load Guidelines

Duty Use of platform Distributed Max. no. of Commonly Max. bay
load on platforms used widths lengths
platforms using
Kg/m2 225 mm Meters
boards
Inspection, painting,
stone cleaning, light 1 working
75
cleaning and access. platform 3 boards 2.7
Light duty
Plastering, painting, 2 working 4 boards 2.4
150
stone cleaning, glazing platforms
and painting
General building work
General 2 working
including brickwork, 5 boards or 4
purpose platform + 1
window and mullion 200 boards + 1 2.1
(Medium at very light
fixing, rendering, inside
Duty) duty
plastering, Maint. Work.
2 working plat 5 boards or 5
Block work, brickwork,
form + 1 at boards + 1
heavy cladding.
250 very light duty inside or 4 2.0
Heavy duty Masonry work, concrete
300 2 working plat boards + 1 1.8
block work and very
form + 1 at inside
heavy cladding.
very light duty 6 to 8 boards
 51

Scaffold Inspection
Three different types of inspections are required for
each complete scaffold built on the site:

1. Post-erection inspection by competent person

2. Daily inspection by the competent person

3. User inspection by each work group using the

scaffold.
 52

Audits and Checks

The following checklists are appended to the Scaffolding
Procedure developed at RIL NMD

• Certificate of Fitness for Scaffolding

• Scaffolding Safety Audit Checklist

• Scaffold Material Check list (pipe, Ladder, scaffolding platform

Grating/Jalli, clamps, Base Plate)

• Do’s and Don’ts for Scaffold Safety

CHECKLISTS
 53

Scaffold Tags
Scaffold tags include:

1. Duty rating of the scaffold in Kg per square meter( to

be included in tags)
2. Date of scaffold erection / inspection.
3. The name of the person who inspected the scaffold.

Even if a scaffold has inspection tags, it must be

inspected before use by the work group to ensure
that it has not been modified in any way.
 54

DANGER Scaffold Tags

A Danger tag denotes danger: do not climb or use
structure in any way.
If you see this tag hanging on a scaffold, do not use
the scaffold.
WARNING Do not use scaffolding tagged
“DANGER-THIS SCAFFOLDING IS UNDER
PREPARATION –DO NOT USE”

Create a red-tagged barricaded area around the

scaffold when it is being erected or dismantled, or as
needed depending on the type of work being
performed.
 55

GREEN Scaffold Tags

A green tag denotes that Standard requirements for that specific
scaffold have been met and the scaffold is complete and ready to
use.
CAUTION Scaffolds must be used only after these are
duly inspected, certified and tagged
“THIS SCAFFOLDING IS OK FOR USE”

A complete scaffold:
 Is level and plumb
 Is completely decked, with secured gratings
 Has handrails, mid-rails, and toe boards on all sides
 Has a ladder for access
 Has adequate bracing
 Has base plates
 Has sole plates where required
 56

RED & GREEN Scaffold Tags

 57

Three levels of fall protection

1. Eliminate fall exposure.

2. Protect against falls.

3. Use proper fall-arrest equipment.

 58

Fall-Arrest System (FAS)

A fall-arrest system (safety harness) is a last line of
defense in fall protection.

Full Body Safety Harness MUST be used for any

elevated work area.
 59

Barricades
Barricades shall be installed to protect people in the
vicinity during scaffold erection, use, modification and
dismantling.

Barricades shall be provided by keeping a clear

distance of 2.0 meter from scaffold structure.

Where space is a constraint EIC can take decision

regarding barricading distance.
 60

Barricades
 61

DO’s
 Use certified scaffolding, tagged with “Scaffolding Complete, Ready for
Use”
 Maintain three-point-contact while climbing up or down the ladder.
 Use rope or container or other suitable means for carrying material
from or to ground.
 Maintain good housekeeping at elevated working platform and near
the access.
 Take special precautions while working in vicinity of mobile cranes or
electrical overhead lines.
 Wear full body safety harness with double lanyard/ personal fall arrest
system.
 Check for emergency approach/ evacuation, means of escape route/
exit.
 Use specific PPEs while shifting the material.
 Report “At-risk conditions” e.g. missing ladder, incomplete decking,
improper guarding, no landing platform, loosely clamped ladder, etc. to
the supervisor.
 Check daily certification of scaffold.
 62
Don’ts

 Use any part of operational line or pressurized piping as a

support, or tie point for scaffolds or staging.
 Permit mixing of scaffold types in any one structure (e.g.,
steel/aluminum couplers, wooden boards/metal grid boards).
 Work at height during thunderstorm where a person can be
exposed to lightning.
 Keep loose tools, materials etc at height in a way that may roll
off and fall from height.
 Use cross-bracing or end-frame (unless specially designed) for
access.
 Overload or impact load
 Alter or modify or dismantle any part of the scaffold without
permission from EIC.
 Throw tools or scaffolding materials from height.
 Use “Incomplete Scaffold”.
 63

Exercise 4 : What is unsafe in the following slides?

Individual exercise 5 minutes.

Share findings
64
 65

Climbing of end-frames is not safe

Climbing of Scaffold Cross Bracing is strictly prohibited

 66

Safe access for mobile scaffold?

67
 68

What is wrong with this scaffold?

 69

Gaps as big as 3’ in the scaffold platform as it goes round the

column creates fall hazard thru’ the platform
 70

Using a temporary stool to

increase the working height of
the scaffold
 71

Is this scaffold too close to the

power lines?
 72

This scaffold is erected on an

uneven and unstable surface
 73

What about this scaffold?

 74

Good example of WHAT NOT TO DO

for scaffold base and sills
 75

Damage to scaffold leg (rust, bent etc.)

 76

What can happen when one fails to understand the site for the
scaffold erection and base plates are not used ?
 77

A contractor attempted to install these cross braces AFTER the

scaffold was erected
 78

Unstable Scaffold
 79

What causes mobile scaffolds to fall?

Bad Housekeeping, Debris etc.
 81

UNSAFE SCAFFOLDS AT NMD

 82

Scaffolding Stability?
 83

Unsafe ladder ?
 84

Beware?
 85

Beware?
 86
What’s Wrong?
87
 88
What’s Wrong?
89
 90
Validation & Certification
1. Which of following are scaffolds ?
a. Mobile Scaffold
b. Tube & coupler
c. Both a & b
2. Who is responsible for scaffolding inspection and certification ?
a. Contract supervisor
b. Plant HOD
c. Engineer-In-Charge
d. HSEF deptt.
3. Correct angle for ladder ?
a. 10 deg
b. 75 deg
c. 45 deg
4. Heavy duty scaffolds can carry max. load of ?
a. 300 kg/ m2
b. 150 kg.m2
c. 100 kg/m2
 91
Validation & Certification
5. Maximum spacing between two standards for
medium duty scaffold ?
a. 2.1 m
b. 3.5m
c. 2.7 m
6. Scaffolds are inspected and certified weekly?
(True / False)
7. Bamboo scaffolds are permitted ? (True/False).
8. Climbing on bracings is allowed? (True/False)
9. Barricades should be at least 2 m away from
scaffold ? (True/False)
 92
Validation & Certification
10. Full body harnesses are mandatory on scaffolds? (True/False)
11. Scaffoldings above what height require approval from competent
person?
a. 15m
b. 20m
c. 30m
12. Scaffolding can be modified ?
a. Yes
b. No
c. Yes with permission of EIC
13. Sole plate is required on a concrete base? (True/False)
14. Red colour is for contractor scaffold for 2008? (True/False)
15. While climbing a ladder we should maintain ?
a. Two point contact
b. Three point contact
c. One point contact
 93
Validation & Certification
16. The commonly used Scaffolding at RIL_NMD is ?
a. Mobile scaffold
b. Tube & Coupler scaffold
c. Suspended scaffold
17. Physical protection on Scaffolding are?
d. Full body Safety Harness
e. Hand / Mid rail / Toe rail
f. None of above
18. Minimum distance of a scaffold from an insulated power line of less
than 300 Volts is ?
a. 3 ft
b. 4 ft
c. 5 ft
19. RIL scaffold colour for 2008 is ?
d. Red
e. Blue
f. White
 94
Validation & Certification

20. When a Scaffolding should not be used ?

a. Stormy weather
b. Not tagged
c. No ladders
d. No bracing
e. All of the above
112