Scaffolding Standard
Scaffolding Standard
Scaffolding Standard
SAFETY
Rev. 5
08-Feb-2016
SCAFFOLDING STANDARD
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................... 2
3. DEFINITIONS ............................................................................................................... 2
5. RESPONSIBILITIES ................................................................................................... 11
6. REFERENCES ............................................................................................................ 12
7. ATTACHMENTS ......................................................................................................... 12
8. APPENDICES ............................................................................................................. 13
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1. INTRODUCTION
This standard illustrates the minimum specifications and requirements for the construction
/dismantling, use, maintenance, and inspection of scaffolding at all Q-Chem manufacturing
facilities. It doesn’t cover design of the scaffold platform.
Scaffolding is a critical activity that is carried out on a regular basis throughout the Q-Chem
facility. The very nature of this activity can put both personnel and equipment at risk. It is
therefore important that this activity be carried out using accepted industry practices as adopted
by Q-Chem.
Scaffolding platforms are intended to serve as a temporary platform for the purpose of carrying
out specific task. They are not intended as a long term fix for providing a work platform or
access point.
3. DEFINITIONS
Base Plate/Sole board – A plate made from metal or wood that is used to provide a solid
base for the scaffold tube legs in order to support the scaffold structure.
Coupling – A component or device used to fix scaffold tubes together.
DSR – Designated Site Representative
End Hoops – Metal bands that are fitted to the end of scaffold boards. These bands protect
the scaffold boards from splitting.
Lead Worker: Is the qualified worker receiving the permit to work and responsible to
ensure that all conditions of the permit, agreed to with the Permit Issuer, are being fulfilled
at all times throughout the job
Leveling Jack – A screw device that can be used to keep a support scaffold tube (also
called a standard) level with other support tubes.
PPE – Personal Protective Equipment
PTW – Permit to Work (PTW)
Rolling Scaffold – A scaffold structure designed in such a manner that it can be rolled
across on a hard surface. The wheels on these structures must be designed so that they
can be locked preventing the scaffold structure from moving.
Safety Harness – A complete full body fall protection system worn by personnel working at
elevation over 1.8 meters. The harness is fitted with two lanyards and at least one of them
must be tied off to suitable anchor point at all times.
SAP – System, Application and Product
Scaffold – A temporary elevated platform with guardrail (supported or under hung) used for
supporting personnel and materials or both.
Scaffold Board – An individual timber board or fabricated component that serves as a
flooring member of a platform.
Scaffolding Inspector – An experienced person who is certified by an ‘Approved Training
provider’ to inspect and approve a scaffold structure.
Scaffold Inspection Tag or “SAFE Tag”– An approved tag placed on a scaffold structure
that has been erected and inspected by a competent person that indicates the scaffold
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structure is complete and safe to use. Scaffold structures must be inspected at a minimum
every week and a renewal date is mentioned on the tag. It is attached to the ladder of the
structure. Refer to Appendix A for specimen of SAFE Tag.
Scaffolding Tube – A span of tubular pipe normally manufactured from galvanized steel or
aluminum used to create the frame and support of a scaffold unit.
Toe Board – A board that is placed at the base of a scaffold platform in a way that prevents
material or feet from slipping off the platform.
4. STANDARD REQUIREMENTS
i. The activities of scaffolding erection and dismantling have inherent hazards associated with
them. Inherently safer option to conduct the task at height must be considered and
evaluated prior to making the decision of erecting any scaffolding.
ii. “Assessment Form for Temporary Access to Work at Height” checklist (HSE-SAF-SFM-00-
0144) shall be used to evaluate the safest method for working at height for short term jobs
that requires tall strait scaffolding erection from grade level. Typically such scaffolding can
be replaced with Aerial Work Platform (AWP) and jobs can be done with inherently safer
option instead of scaffolding, such as: Lighting bulb replacement/maintenance, F&G
detector testing/maintenance and jobs.
For other jobs (not included in above examples), the use of form is not mandatory but shall
be used as deemed suitable.
a) The job requestor/end user must conduct the assessment using the “Assessment Form
for Temporary Access to Work at Height” checklist. The job requester shall then
handover/forward the duly signed copy of the checklist to Planner along with job request.
b) Planner shall plan/schedule the job accordingly as part of the Work Order creation once
the evaluation checklist is submitted.
c) No scaffolding erection shall be planned/scheduled for above mentioned mandatory jobs
categories, without evaluating “Assessment Form for Temporary Access to Work at
Height” checklist.
d) Workshop and Support Service Planner shall retain the copy of “Assessment Form for
Temporary Access to Work at Height” checklist for one year.
iii. Proper risk assessment (JSA) and an appropriate personal fall arrest system must be
provided while construction, use and dismantling of scaffolding when there is a risk of fall to
personnel from 1.8 meters (06 feet) or greater height, or where people are working within
1.8 meters (06 feet) of a leading edge or brittle surface with a fall potential of 1.8 meter (06
feet) or greater as per Work at Heights Procedure: (HSE-SAF-PRO-00-0011)
iv. Personnel fall arrest system typically consists of the following:
a) Full body harness
b) Shock absorbing lanyards with self-closing, double-locking safety hooks (snap hooks)
c) Suitable anchor (tie-off point)
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NOTE
Appropriate fall protection system or other means of protection must be
considered and implemented for persons working at heights below 1.8
meters (06 feet) and having potential for injury or dropping of objects on
sensitive and pressurized equipment.
v. During construction, use and dismantling of scaffolding the particular hazards that shall be
considered are:
a) Faulty structural design or inadequate bracing of the structure
b) Faulty materials of construction (defects, damages)
c) Improper use (overloading, unauthorized alterations)
d) Impact from moving object
e) Structure failure during construction of the scaffold
f) Falling from the scaffold structure
g) Scaffold material dropping during construction
h) Work tools or other material falling while work activities are being carried out
i) Heavy winds or thunder storms
i. A permit-to-work (PTW) must be obtained from the area Permit Issuer where the scaffold is
to be erected. Only qualified Lead Workers who are trained in Q-Chem PTW system and
approved by Safety Section are allowed to receive a work permit for scaffolding.
ii. The end user must explain to the scaffold erectors the purpose and type of scaffolding
structure. He/she must supervise and guide scaffold erectors on general workmanship and
job safety compliance. After completion, he/she must check that the scaffolding structure
will serve the intended purpose and it doesn’t interfere with emergency equipment, process
valves or control system such as switches or buttons.
iii. Permit issuer must identify and communicate site specific hazards and associated
mitigations to the lead worker prior to authorizing scaffold erection/dismantling. Scaffolding
- Job Hazard Checklist (HSE-SAF-SFM-00-0113) can be used as reference for this
purpose.
iv. It is mandatory to attach the duly filled ‘Scaffolding - Job Hazard Checklist’ - (HSE-SAF-
SFM-00-0113) with PTW if the permit is issued to erect/dismantling scaffolding in process
area.
v. Scaffold structures used to carry out hot work or built near hot equipment where it can be
directly exposed to hot surface/condition shall be built with Metal Board. If the structure
cannot be built with Metal Board, a cross functional team needs to identify and approve the
required additional precautions. These precautions/ mitigation shall be documented in JSA.
Such structure must be covered properly with an approved fire blanket in a manner that it
prevents personnel exposure to any heated part of the scaffolding structure. If the structure
is going to be used as firebox, the fire blanket shall be fitted in such a way that it prevents
any hot material or sparks coming out of it and get in contact with any flammable or heat
sensitive material.
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vi. Permit Issuer and End User must carry out the final inspection of the area to ensure proper
housekeeping. The loose material must either be removed or properly secured on the
scaffold platform.
Scaffolding consists of three main parts: tubes, couplings to connect the tubes, and boards
that make the work platform. All scaffolding materials shall be of sound construction and
adequate strength and shall be manufactured and maintained to International Standards
referred in Section 6.
4.3.1. Tubing
i. Tubing must be free from excessive rust.
ii. Scaffolding tubing must be free from damage (e.g. bend, cracks, and splits) and other
defects throughout its length that has the potential to cause the tubing to fail. The ends
must be free from any damage brought on from excessive stress such as a fall or
damage from hammering (mushrooming).
iii. Any scaffold pipe that requires a high degree of maintenance such as wire brushing or
scraping must be replaced.
4.3.2. Coupling
i. Any coupler found to be broken or damaged or found to have damaged threads must
be discarded.
ii. All moving parts should move easily and should be well lubricated.
4.3.3. Boards
i. Boards can be made of metal or scaffold grade wooden plank.
ii. Boards must be scaffold grade boards, clean and not painted or treated in any way to
conceal defects. Note: Ends & sides may be painted for identification purposes.
iii. Knots in scaffolding boards must not exceed in total sum (top and bottom) two thirds of
the width of the board within any 100mm length of the board. No single knot may
exceed more than one third of the width of the board.
iv. Where applicable, boards must have end hoops or banding on the ends of the board to
prevent splitting. These metal hoops/bands must be kept in good repair.
v. Boards that are warped to such an extent that the base of the board is not in contact
with the scaffolding tubing that would support the board during use is not to be used.
vi. Boards must not have oil, grease, or any other liquid spilled on them that could create a
fire or slipping hazard.
4.4. Construction
4.4.1. Standards
i. All scaffolding construction shall conform to relevant International Standard referred in
Section 6. Contractors are required by contract to comply with the adopted standards.
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iii. The side rails shall be securely fixed to the scaffold at the top and bottom as a
minimum. Ladders must not be supported by their rungs.
iv. Top of the ladder shall extend at least 3 feet (900mm) above the platform level.
4.4.8. Housekeeping
i. Tools, materials, and work debris must not be allowed to accumulate on scaffold
platforms or around the work site.
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ii. If scaffolding materials are needed to be kept on the platform, then they must be
secured rigidly.
iii. Scaffold components that are deemed unfit for service must be immediately identified
(tagged) as such and removed from site at the earliest.
i. All specialized or non-routine scaffolding structure such as: Load Bearing Scaffolding
(above 500 kg), Cantilever Scaffold structures (cantilever length equal to or greater than
2.5 meters), Suspended Scaffolding (Length ≥ 10 meters), Bridge Scaffolding (Length ≥
10 meters) and Tall Towers (more than 50 meters high) require careful evaluation and an
approved design from competent scaffold design engineering company. Scaffolding
Contractor shall submit approved design calculations and drawings (certified and
approved by competent scaffold design engineering company) to Q-Chem Structural
Engineer for his/her review and acceptance of design input parameters (Loading,
Dimensions). Structure engineer shall mark his name and initial as acceptance of design
input parameters.
ii. Q-Chem structural engineer shall evaluate the adequacy of existing permanent structure
on which specialised scaffolding shall be installed. Loadings from such scaffoldings shall
be provided by the scaffolding Contractor.
iii. Each Specialised Scaffolding needs to be inspected and approved by competent certified
Scaffolding Inspector to ensure that it’s built as per the approved design.
iv. Type and capacity of Specialised Scaffolding shall be mentioned on the Scaffolding
Inspection Tag (SAFE Tag).
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i. At no time shall anyone be allowed to remain on top of a rolling scaffold while it is being
moved.
ii. The wheels on the rolling scaffold must be locked at all times except during movement.
iii. The uppermost work platform height shall not exceed four (4) times the minimum base
dimension as a standalone scaffold structure. If a scaffold structure must exceed these
limits they shall be fitted with outriggers or anchored in a manner to make the platform
safe.
iv. Rolling scaffold shall only be used on surfaces that are sufficiently firm and level.
4.6. Use
i. The scaffolding user(s) must visually inspect the scaffolding before use and must ensure
that the SAFE Tag is present and current.
ii. If a scaffold is found to be incomplete, modified, unsafe or unfit for use, the SAFE Tag
must be immediately removed.
iii. Scaffold must not be modified in any way by the end user. Request for modification must
be made to the scaffolding crew. After the modification, the scaffold will be fit-to-use only
when it is re-inspected/re-approved by the Scaffolding Inspector.
iv. Scaffolds must not be loaded more than its design load capacity; mentioned on the
inspection tag.
v. Employees must not work on scaffolds during storms or high winds.
vi. Scaffolding must be dismantled and removed from the site as soon as practically possible
after completion of the job.
4.7. Storage
i. All scaffolding materials must be properly stored at designated place provided by the
company in purpose-built racks only.
ii. Storage yard must be manned with at least one storekeeper all the time while material
handling is taking place.
iii. Excess material must not be stored at work sites or on permanent structures.
iv. When materials have to be stored at the work site for immediate use, they can be stored
with area owner approval in a manner that it does not present a trip hazard or block
access routes.
v. Used/excess/removed material must be removed from the plant areas as soon as
practically possible.
4.8. Handling
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i. Where a scaffold is erected in an area where it is likely to be struck by a vehicle, the base
of the scaffold shall be hard barricaded. The barricade shall be illuminated with flashing
warning lights during night.
5. RESPONSIBILITIES
5.1. End User /Job Supervisor (Maintenance, Technical, Production, General Services etc.)
i. Ensures that the Contractor complies with the requirement of this standard.
ii. Ensures that all scaffolding inspector brought on to Q-Chem site for the purpose of
inspection and certifying scaffold structures are qualified. The contractor must produce a
current certificate for each competent person when asked.
iii. Ensures that the damaged scaffolding components are removed from site.
iv. The end user must explain to the scaffolding crew the purpose and type of scaffolding
structure. After completion, he/she must check that the scaffolding structure will serve the
intended purpose and it doesn’t interfere with emergency equipment, process valves or
control system such as switches or buttons.
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i. Permit issuer must explain any special site specific precaution which needs to be observed
during scaffold erection/dismantling.
ii. Permit issuer must attach duly signed Scaffolding – Job Hazard Checklist (HSE-SAF-SFM-
00-0113) with PTW for erection/dismantling scaffolding in process area.
i. Safety & Fire shall carry out audit as part of regular field visit to ensure that the
requirements of this standard are being followed.
ii. Safety & Fire shall time to time inspect the contractor lay down area to inspect scaffolding
material, housekeeping, scaffold supervisor certification. Issues shall be discussed with the
Contractor and Maintenance.
5.6. DSR
i. Ensure that all work crew is having current and valid training certification based on their role
as mentioned in the Scaffolding Standard prior to allowing them to work on Q-Chem site.
6. REFERENCES
6.1. ANSI/ASSE A10.8 -2011 – Safety Requirements for Scaffolding: American National Standard
for Construction and Demolition Operations
6.2. TG-20:13 – Scaffolding Guidance from National Access and Scaffolding Confederation
(NASC). The standard details how tube and fitting scaffolding can be erected to comply with
the European standard BS EN 12811-1
6.3. BS EN 12811-1:2003 – Temporary works equipment. Scaffolds – Performance requirements
and general design (Supersedes BS 5973)
6.4. BS EN 39:2001- Loose steel tubes for tube and coupler scaffolds. (Supersedes BS 1139:
Part: 1:Section 1.1)
6.5. BS EN 74-1:2005 – Metal scaffolding. Couplers. Specification for steel couplers, loose
spigots and base-plates for use in working scaffolds and false work made of steel tubes (BS
1139: Part: 2: Section2.1)
6.6. BS 2482 :2009 – Specification for timber scaffold boards
6.7. BS EN 1004:2004 – Mobile access and working towers made of prefabricated elements.
Materials, dimensions, design loads, safety and performance requirements
6.8. Permit to Work (PTW) Procedure: (HSE-SAF-PRO-00-0006)
6.9. Work at Heights Procedure: (HSE-SAF-PRO-00-0011)
6.10. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Standard: (HSE-SAF-STD-00-0052)
6.11. Portable Ladder Standard: (HSE-SAF-STD-00-0001)
6.12. CBT Training Module - Scaffolding Standard- HSE-SAF-CBT-00-0027
7. ATTACHMENTS
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8. APPENDICES
SAFE-TAG
Erection And Inspection record.
Remarks
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9. REVISION HISTORY
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