Everything you need to know about scaffold

Q: What is a scaffold?

A : As stipulated under the Workplace Safety and Health ( Scaffolds) Regulations 2011  “scaffold” means any temporary structure —

(a) on or from which any person performs work in any workplace; or

(b) which enables any person to obtain access to or which enables any material to be taken to any place at which such work is work is performed,

 

Q: Who can erect or dismantle scaffolds?

A: The Workplace Safety and Health (Scaffolds) Regulations 2011 requires companies that erect, install, reposition, alter or dismantle any scaffold

(except tower and trestle scaffolds) more than 4 metres in height to register as Approved Scaffold Contractors (ASC) with the Ministry.

The erection, alternation or dismantling of scaffolds can only be performed by scaffold erectors employed by the ASC under the supervision of a scaffold supervisor.

 

Q: What are the duties of Approved Scaffold Contractors?

A: It is the duty of every Approved Scaffold Contractor (ASC) who erects, installs, repositions, alters or dismantles any scaffold to ensure that requirements for the work spelt out in the  Workplace Safety and Health ( Scaffolds) Regulations 2011 are complied with.

Q: How should the scaffold erectors and suspended scaffold riggers be equipped during erection and dismantling of scaffolds?

A: Every scaffold erector and every suspended scaffold rigger involved in the erection and dismantling of scaffolds must be equipped with and use a safety harness attached to a shock absorbing device.

There should also be provision of fall arresting device, sufficient and secured anchorage for each erector/ rigger.

Life-lines and anchorages must not be shared.

As a best practice, harnesses with double lanyards should be used.

 

Q: Under what circumstances, does the construction of scaffold require design by a professional engineer (P.E)?

A: For construction sites and general factories, construction of any metal scaffolds exceeding 30 metres in height and/or with cantilever or jib support will require the design of a professional engineer.

For shipyards, construction of metal scaffolds exceeding 15 metres in height will also require the design of a professional engineer.

In addition, all hanging scaffolds (commonly used in shipyards), from which a person may fall more than 2 metres must also be constructed and installed in accordance with the design and drawings of a professional engineer. P.E design and drawings shall be kept available for inspection at worksite. It is also important to ensure that scaffolds that require P.E’s design must be erected according to that design. Any variation from the design must be endorsed by the P.E concerned.

Q: How often should the erected scaffolds be inspected?

A: All erected scaffolds (except trestle scaffolds) are to be inspected by the scaffold supervisor at least once every seven days, if a person is liable to fall more than 2 metres from any part of the scaffold. All metal scaffolds exceeding 30 metres in height and/or with cantilever or jib support are to be examined and certified safe for use by a professional engineer upon completion of scaffold construction, and subsequently at least once every three months.

Q: Do scaffolds need signage?

A: Yes, the requirement for the appropriate signage on scaffolds will apply for all circumstances.

There should be a sign on every scaffold, displayed at every designated access point to indicate the scaffold is safe to use or otherwise. A prominent warning notice must also be displayed during the process of erection and dismantling of all scaffolds. The warning signage is to inform users that the scaffold is not yet safe for use.

It is also encouraged that a notice / indication of the Approved Scaffold Contractor company name, and the relevant contact number, is displayed on the erected scaffolds.

This will promote ownership over the erected scaffolds and highlight the professional services by the respective Approved Scaffold Contractors (A.S.C), especially when there is two or more A.S.Cs at site.