FRAME SCAFFOLD

ERECTION, DISMANTLING OR ALTERATION

Preparation
• Frame scaffold with a platform height of less than 4m must only be erected, dismantled or altered by a
competent person or under the supervision of a competent person.
• Frame scaffold with a platform height of 4m or over must only be erected, dismantled or altered by a person
who holds a Basic Scaffolding (or higher) certification or under the supervision of a person who holds a
Basic Scaffolding (or higher) certification.
• Where a person on a scaffold structure could fall at least 3m for housing construction work or at least 2m
for non housing construction work, the scaffold structure must have fall prevention measures in place.
• Where a person erecting, dismantling or altering scaffold could fall at least 3m for housing construction
work or at least 2m for non housing construction work, a solid platform must be provided under the person
to prevent a fall exceeding these distances.
• The site shall be inspected before erection to ensure the correct and safe use of Frame Scaffold to Australian
Standard AS1576.
• Before erection commences soil under the scaffold must be well consolidated to ensure a solid base that will
support the full load of the scaffold that is to be erected.
• Ensure that overhead obstructions or powerlines are not within 4m of where the scaffold is to be erected.
• Before erection commences lay all components in close proximity to the working position for easy access.
Access Tower
• Regulations require internal ladder access via an access tower to be progressively constructed as the
scaffold is erected and to remain in place after erection is complete.
• Access tower frames are to be fastened with cross braces on both sides and are to have horizontal tube on
both sides fastened at the top and bottom to prevent a person falling out of the access tower.
• Access ladders to be secured at no less than 900mm above the platform surface and at a lean of 75° to the
perpendicular.
Base Run
• Sole plates must be used where scaffold is to be erected on a soil base and should be of robust material such
as timber or steel plate to cope with weight when the scaffold is under full load.
• Adjustable base plates must be used in each frame on the first lift, even when erected on timber or concrete
surfaces and are to be used for levelling purposes only.
• Position each frame leaving not more than 225mm spacing between the frame and the building or structure.
• Each frame must be secured to the next with 2 cross braces forming a scaffold bay. (Frames 1800mm apart
constitute heavy duty scaffold. Frames 2950mm apart constitute light duty scaffold.)
Design Total Load Design Concentrated Load
Scaffold Duty (spread evenly over each bay) (applied in the most adverse
position within bay)
Heavy Duty 675 kg 200 kg
Light Duty 225 kg 100 kg
• If a scaffold run has to return around the building or structure, the final scaffold bay must extend at least
1200mm past the end of the building or structure and must be secured to the scaffold run on the adjoining
wall.
Additional Lifts
• After erection of the first lift, ensure that all frames are plumb and level before adding the next lift.
• Place planks 2 wide the full length of the erected scaffold as a temporary working platform to erect frames
and cross braces for the next lift. (Note: planks are to be raised and lowered internally.)
• On every 2nd lift planks should be placed the full width and length of the erected scaffold (to comply with
the regulation.)
• Repeat the preceding steps for each lift until a maximum work platform height of 9.2 m or less is reached.
• Where the height of the scaffold exceeds 3 times its base width, it must be tied to the building or structure at
3.6 m height intervals and no less than 9.2 m width intervals with each tie preventing inward or outward
movement of the scaffold.
Working Platform
• Scaffold planks must be positioned so that no single gap between planks exceeds 25 mm and the total gap
between all planks does not exceed 50 mm.
Page 1 of 2
• Planks must overhang their support by at least 150mm but no more than 250mm otherwise uplift might
occur.
• Where planks are overlapped, the overlap past the edge of the plank underneath must be 300mm or greater.
• Where metal planks are lapped onto metal planks they must be secured with double tie wire or strapping.
Fall Prevention
• Hand rails and end rails are to be in place at a height of not less than 900mm but not more than 1100mm
and are to be fastened by couplers.
• Brick guards and end guards must be placed the full length and width of the erected scaffold (mid rails and
toe boards can be used in place of brick guards and end guards).
• The gap between brick guards (or toe boards) to the working platform surface must not exceed 10mm. (Toe
boards to extend not less than 150mm above the working platform surface.)
Public Protection
• When erecting scaffold adjacent to a footpath or other public access area the hirer must provide overhead
protection from falling objects for members of the public.
• Further guidance is provided in the Workplace Health and Safety Regulation.

End Guards Tie Bar Length

Hatch deck & plain deck
Brick Guards are the same size
Tie Bar Butt Tubes

Toe Boards Hand Rails

Mid Rails Clamps

Top Ladder
Frame

END VIEW
Cross Braces

Bottom Ladder
Frame

Safety Rails
Flipper Toggles
Access Tower
ISOMETRIC VIEW Adjustable
Base Plates

Supplied by: 47 Station Ave, Darra _ (07) 3375 5068

Page 2 of 2