Method Statement for

Scaffolding Installation

Table of Contents
 I. Description
 Definitions
 References
 Responsibilities
 II. Resources
 III. Materials
 IV. Site Planning
 V General Requirements-Method Statement for Scaffolding
 VI. Risk Assessment-Method Statement for Scaffolding
 VII. Permit and Licensing Requirements
 VIII. Drawings, Diagrams, Maps, and Survey Data
 IX. Pre-Start Safety Briefing Arrangements
 X. Environment and Quality Issues
 XI. Attachments

Definitions
 QC Quality Control
 PM Project Manager
 HSE – Health, Safety & Environmental
 CEMP Construction Environmental Management Plan
 MST-Method Statement
 RA-Risk Assessment
 PPE-Personal Protective Equipment

References
 Project Specifications
 HSE Plan
 CEMP
 General Lifting Plan
Responsibilities

Project Manager
Responsible for accomplishing the stated project objectives which include creating clear and attainable
project objectives, building the project requirements, and managing the constraints of the project
management triangle, which are cost, time, scope, and quality.

The Project Manager shall be responsible for ensuring that the Project Quality Plan and the Inspection and
Testing procedures, method statement for scaffolding installation, HSE safety, and all contractual
documentation are maintained up-to-date and accessible to all parties.

Construction Manager Responsible for overall construction activities ensuring that all method statements,
quality, and safety procedures are implemented and required approval permits are obtained.

Site Engineer
Supervise operations in accordance with the approved method statement for scaffolding installation, shop
drawings, specifications, material submittals, and schedules to achieve the acceptance of the project
deliverables.

HSE Manager
The Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) manager generally plans, coordinates, and implements issues
and directives within the organization. He ensures safe environmental working conditions for all
employees.

HSE Engineer
Ensure enforcement of safety procedures in accordance with the approved HSE Plan.
He will be closely monitoring the site engineer’s strict implementation of the method statement for
scaffolding and Risk Assessment, the use of proper tools and equipment to maintain safety, certifications
of equipment and their adherence to safety regulations, reporting of any unsafe work or stopping work
that does not comply with HSE procedures.

Scaffolding Supervisor
Ensuring safe access is provided for scaffolds to work.
Ensuring that all his Foremen, Team Leaders, and workers are conforming to site safety regulations and are
Third Party Certified (TPC).
Ensuring that all scaffolds are erected according to site scaffold procedures.
Ensuring that scaffold schedules are met and still working within the site safety regulations.
Ensuring that material and workers are available to meet the site scaffolding requirements.
Ensuring that all documentation has adhered to Tool Box Talks, Harness Inspection, Site Request System,
Scaffolding Tagging System, and Safety reports.
The scaffolding supervisor will inspect all the scaffold materials ensuring that all the tubing and fittings are
free of corrosion and in good condition.
II. Resources
1 Plant and Equipment
 Mobile Crane with complete Lifting Accessories
 Trailer Truck -Transporting of Materials

2 Workforce
 Site Engineer
 Scaffolding Foreman
 HSE Engineer
 Erector-as per site requirement

3. Light Tools
 Hand Tools
 Scaffold Spanners
 Adjustable Wrenches
 Hammer
 Spirit Level
 Meter Tape
 Power Tools As per Site Requirement For Construction

III. Materials
Approved Scaffold Materials-Cuplock
Scaffolding material accessories

IV. Site Planning

The duration of work is indeterminate but will not critically affect the progress of the project.

A. Preparation
Permits from the concerned authorities shall be obtained prior to starting work at the site.
The contractor shall ensure that all gate passes, permits, tools, materials for safety precautions,
manpower, and equipment are available before the commencement of work.
The site team shall make sure that areas, where scaffolding erection is taking place, shall be fully isolated
and barricaded to prevent the entry of unauthorized personnel.

B. Site Clearance
Before commencing the work, the area shall be cleared of all debris, materials, or other obstructions.
The ground shall be leveled and compacted.
The area of work shall be free from any other activities.
C. Traffic Management
The site team with the assistance of the safety officers and scaffolding supervisor shall coordinate
logistics and materials movement through the site following the direction and road signs displayed on
site. The required diversion routes shall be marked on drawings including the required traffic signs.
The Work Permits and Operator Certificates shall be compiled and filed for reference by authorized
personnel.

d. Pre-construction Safety Meetings

The meeting shall be scheduled prior to the beginning of the work and before any subcontractor starts on
the project.
General contractual health safety, and environmental requirements.
Traffic safety will be discussed to emphasize these meetings.
Roles of the contractor, subcontractors, authorized representatives, and all project workers.
Accident reporting requirements.
Specific details of the work to be performed along with the use of personal protective equipment.
Emergency procedure.

V General Requirements-Method Statement for Scaffolding

1. In general, the work sequence shall be done as per approved shop drawings.
2. A necessary permit to work shall be issued prior to commencing work at the site.
3. The quality and quantity of all materials to be used shall be carefully checked prior to use on-site.
4. Check for verticality of uprights to check compliance with the manufacturer’s declared
dimensional tolerance, welding of prefabricated system, and painted or galvanized surface
protection.
5. Arrange for all parts of the scaffolding to be periodically examined to ensure that all is in working
order.
6. A compulsory check of the scaffolding soundness must be carried out after each major climatic
event. This can also include materials that have not yet been erected.
7. Works will commence by barricading the scaffolding area and sufficient warning signs will be
installed.
8. All scaffolding workers shall have Third Party Certificates.
9. All PPE equipment required by law and by site regulations shall be available at the work site and
utilized at all times by the workers.
10. Only inspected and approved erected scaffolds are allowed to be used.

V.1 Component Connection

1. Blade ends of horizontal members (ledgers or transoms) are located in the bottom cup. The top
cut is then slid down over the top of the blades and rotated until it engages the locking bar.
2. The top cup is tightened by striking its lugs with a scaffold hammer. The inclined spiral top edge of
the top cup acts against a fixed locking bar on the standard to wedge the top cup tightly around
the blades providing a positive and firm connection.
V.2 Cuplock Assembly Recommendations
Before commencing the erection of any cuplock scaffold, care should be taken to check that the ground is
suitable and clear of loose rubble to provide a stable base and clear access for erection. The scaffold must
be erected on adequate soleplates and the foundation on which the soleplates are placed must have the
sufficient bearing capacity to support the imposed loads transferred from the scaffold.

Check whether or not platform brackets are required adjacent to the workface. If so, you will need to make
allowance for the width of the platform brackets and increase the distance between the workface and the
closest adjacent standard to the workface.

If the scaffold is founded on sloping ground, then the ground should be benched to provide a level surface
for soleplates. If the scaffold is founded on a sloping solid foundation, e.g. concrete, then adjustable bases
should be wedged.

Layout the adjustable bases, ledgers, and transoms for the first bay in their approximate positions. Then
insert an adjustable base into each of the first pair of standards and position the adjustable bases onto the
sole plates.

Connect the standards with a transom in the lowest cup joint, by inserting the blades into the bottom cups.
Approximately level the transom by raising or lowering the adjustable base. Always start the scaffold with
a 3 meter standard on the outside face and a 2-meter standard on the inside with one erector still holding
the first pair of standards, the second erector inserts an adjustable base into the third standard and
connects it to the first pair with a ledger. The top cups can then be dropped temporarily into the locking
position. The structure is now self-supporting and the fourth standard can now be connected by a further
ledger and Transom and the bay level.

The bay can now be leveled. Starting from the highest point using a spirit level to adjust the bases so that
the ledgers and transoms are levels. Accuracy in leveling at this stage makes for a good start.

The bay should now be squared in plan and correctly located in relation to the structures being scaffold.
Check squareness across the diagonally opposite standards. Checking squareness is assisted by placing the
recommended number of planks between transoms and ensuring that planks sit correctly with an even gap
between the ends of the Planks and the supporting transom.

If the standards are moved an appreciable distance in the squaring up process, then recheck the levels.

Fix a diagonal brace to the outer face and end face of the first bay. Always start by fixing the top end of the
brace to the upper cup first: this makes for safer handling. The first bay of cuplock is completed by locating
the upper ledgers and transoms. Top cups can now be tightened in this first bay. No need for heavy
hammering.

Now it is a simple matter to extend the scaffold structure by connecting ledgers, transoms, and standards
to the existing bay checking the alignment of the standards as the scaffold progresses.
The working platform can now be constructed using scaffold planks such as decking and toe boards.
Planks are supported by the flanges of transoms and toe boards are attached to standards using toe board
clamps.

Now complete the base layout by adding bays horizontally leveling and positioning each bay as you go
before tightening cups. Continue the 2m and 3m standard combinations for the full run.

Note: Erection and dismantling of scaffold bays should be carried out from a fully decked working platform
or as required by the Code of Practice published by local statutory authorities. Refer to local statutory
regulations for further requirements. Planks are now moved up to fully deck out the first lift.

When their planks remain in place as a working platform, Ledgers are positioned at 0.5m and 1m above
the planked level to form a guardrail and mid-rail on the outer face. For working platforms, toe boards on
the outer face are also required. A mesh panel that incorporates a toe board 1m high can be used in lieu
of a mid-rail or toe board.

Additional lifts can now be constructed by adding further standards into spigots of the standards of the
lower lift and staggering joints wherever possible. Transoms and ledgers are placed at platform levels.

Working levels should be fully decked out and the outside face fitted with guardrails, mid-rails, and toe
boards (or mesh guards) at the required positions.

Fully complete the longitudinal erection of a lift before progressing to the next lift.

Ties
It is essential that scaffolds be tied to the building or suitable structure to resist a minimum design force to
prevent inwards or outwards movement of the scaffold. As such, they provide stability and enable effective
performance of the scaffold structure as it grows in height and length.

As a general rule, ties need to commence where the scaffold height exceeds 3 times its least width.
Typically ties comprise scaffold tubes and right-angle scaffold couplers are connected to the standards
using right-angled scaffold couplers. Care must be taken that ties do not obstruct clear access along the
full length of the working and access platforms.

Warning: Tie tubes must not be attached to ledgers. Tie tubes must be attached directly to standards, if
this is not possible then the scaffold tube must be fixed between standards with right-angled couplers,
and the tie tube is attached to this scaffold tube.

Tying to standards

Ties tubes must be connected to standards and be parallel to transoms at a position adjacent to the
junction of the transom and ledgers, with the following restrictions:
a) Within 300mm from the underside of the cup at the junction – connected to the front standard with
the addition of a check coupler.
b) Further than 300mm from the underside of the cup at the junction – tie connected to both front and
read standards.
c) If unable to connect to two standards then reinforce the front standard for the full height of the lift with
a scaffold tube and swivel couplers with couplers attached at 900mm centers.
d) If tying is to a standard with a spigot within the lift then the standard needs to be reinforced using a
vertical tube or alternatively, if space permits, by installing an extra transom adjacent to the joint.

Maximum Height of Scaffold

When determining the maximum height of a scaffold, a number of factors must be considered.
 Live a load of working platforms, for example, heavy-duty, medium-duty, or light-duty.
 A number of working platforms.
 Live load of platform brackets.
 A dead load of the scaffold, for example, standards, transoms, ledgers, guardrails, mesh guards,
platform brackets, planks, bracing, shade cloth, and chain wire mesh.
 The position of the top tie in relation to the top of the scaffold.
 Wind Loading (in relation to tie forces)
 Strength of the supporting structure of the scaffold.
Scaffolding configurations can vary greatly, so far a Cuplock scaffold or typically 1.27m wide, constructed
using 2m lifts, braced and tied in accordance with patterns given in these recommendations, without
cladding, with a maximum of two heavy-duty working platform levels (6.6kN as per AS4576
and AS/NZS1576.1), two levels of planks and platform brackets, guardrails at the outside face at 1m vertical
spacing for the full height of scaffold, diagonal bracing for full height, the maximum height of the scaffold
constructed with bay lengths of 3.05m or less is 45m.
16. Access and Egress Methods
Every working platform level must be provided with safe and suitable access. This can be achieved
by means of a heavy-duty built-in ladder or stair access tower or by direct access from within the
building or structure. Stair access can be constructed with either aluminum stair units or steel stair
stringers as outlined on the following pages:
i. Ladder Access
Ladder access is typically used where only a few persons need access to the working platform and where
tools and equipment can be delivered separately to the working platform (such as by rope and gin wheel,
materials hoist, or crane).
Ladder access bays can be constructed within the main run of the scaffold, however, where space permits
it is preferable that a separate ladder access bay be placed adjacent to the main run.
Heavy-duty single ladders need to extend at least 0.9m above the landing level, secured at the top and
base and successive landing levels should be vertically spaced at no more than 6m. Pitch ladders at a
horizontal to vertical slope of not less than 1 to 4 or more than 1 to 6.
Heavy-duty cuplock ladder access transoms are used to enable the formation of an opening within the deck
through which the ladder can pass. These transoms span between ledgers and are typically positioned at
the mid-span of the ledgers or at the appropriate position to support two shorter-length planks. The
remaining bay width is decked out with planks that span between transoms in an unusual manner.
Important: Ensure that guarding and edge protection is installed around the opening in heavy-duty ladder
access bays that are in or beside the working platform.
Safe access must be installed up to the first platform and between platforms on the scaffold.

ii. Cuplock Stair Access Systems

Two types of stair access systems are available with Cuplock:
Cuplock Aluminum Stairs
Cuplock Stair Stringer System
a) Cuplock Aluminum Stair

Cuplock aluminum stair unit fits within the standard 1.27m x 2.44m bay. Each stair unit is 0.6m wide and
rises 1.5m over the bay length of 2.44, and incorporates a landing at the top and base of the unit. A
1.27m x 2.44m bay needs to be dedicated as the stair access bay.
This bay can either be incorporated within the main run of the scaffold or adjacent to the run. The stair
access bay typically shares common standards with the main run, however, this detail needs to be
checked during the scaffold design phase as height conditions and wind loading can vary from site to site.
The stair access tower should be constructed with 2.44m ledgers and 1.27m transoms at 1.5m vertical
intervals and position the stair unit adjacent to the standard. Note that stair landings need to be adjacent
to access/egress landing points at the working platform.
Install ledgers at 0.5m and 1.0m above the landing level in both transverse and longitudinal directions to
act as mid-rails and guardrails respectively. Ledgers can be installed at 0.5m intervals on the exposed
faces of the bay for the full height of the bay.
Install the second stair unit such that its bottom landing commences from the transom that supports the
top landing of the lower stair unit. A zigzag pattern of stairs should now be established.
Where it is necessary to construct stair access as a bay independent of the scaffold, then ensure that the
stair access bay is adequately braced and tied to the main scaffold or other support structure.
Subject to the space required to handle the stair units within the bay during installation, the stair
handrails are to be installed at the earliest opportunity. The handrails bolt to the stair unit with M12 x 50
long bolts and nuts. The handrail should be bolted through the holes provided to the inside face of the
stringer part of the stair units. Holes are located towards the top and bottom of the stair unit.
Continue to build the scaffold tower framework so that the last level of ledgers is 2 meters apart from the
top landing of the uppermost stair unit. Once the uppermost stair unit is installed, a trimming standard
will need to be installed between the ledgers at 2m above the top stair landing and the Ledger adjacent
to the uppermost stair landing and positioned to be 0.6m away from the corner standard next to the
intended opening.
The 1.8m ledgers are then attached between the trimming standard and the corner standard to give a
0.6m opening to the working platform. Planks can be installed to occupy the gap between the edge of the
stair unit at the top landing and the edge of the bay.

Note:
Edge protection (guardrails, mid-rails, and toe boards) is required at access and egress points of working
platform.
Design Basis for Edge Protection for the Method Statement for Scaffolding–
Temporary edge protection must meet the strength requirements for guardrails and mid-rails as per project
specifications.
Care is to be taken to ensure that a head clearance of 2m is maintained at these points.
Gaps between the stair access landing and working platform levels may occur and these should be kept to
a minimum. A suitable infill should be installed.
b) Cuplock Stair Stringers

Typically, a 12 standard configuration is used to assemble the stairway giving overall plan dimensions of
2.54m x 4.98m. This bay can either be incorporated within the main run of the scaffold or adjacent to the
run. Where the stair access bay shares common standards with the main run, the loading on the shared
standards needs to be checked
during the scaffold design phase as height conditions and wind, loading can vary from site to site and may
limit the height of the stair access bay.
Cuplock stair stringers are designed to fit within the standard 1.27m x 2.44m bay and are often used as a
stretcher stair access bay. Each stair stringer assembly is nominally 1.27 m wide and rises 2.0 m over the
bay length of 2.44m.
The 12 standard configurations are based on the position required and the first 2m lift is erected so that
stair stringers can be installed. Ensure that transoms and ledgers are in the correct positions as shown on
the plan and elevation views, as this will avoid clashes between components.
Each end of the stair stringer is hooked over 1.3m ledgers positioned at the top of each 2m lift. Once hooked
over the ledgers, stair stringers are then moved to within 0.15 of the standard so that they are
approximately 1.0m apart. Using the clamps incorporated in the stair stringer, cuplock planks are clamped
between the two stair stringers thus forming the stair treads.
Once the stair stringers are installed, Landings for the stair access are assembled within the 1.27m square
bays at each end of the stair stringer bays using cuplock 1.27m planks supported between transoms. Once
landings are in place the next lift can be installed making sure guardrail and mid rails are installed at 1.0
and 0.5m above landing levels as each lift is assembled. Standard 3.2m face braces (2.44m x 2.0m) are
installed as handrails at approx. 0.5m and 1.0m above the stair stringer.
Continue building the stair access bay making sure that each end of the bay is tied into a suitable structure
at no more than 4.0m vertical intervals.

Note:
Edge protection (guardrails, mid-rails, and toe boards) is required at access and egress points of the working
platform.
Care is to be taken to ensure that a head clearance of 2m is maintained at these points.
Gaps between the stair access landing and working platform levels may occur and these should be kept to
a minimum.
A suitable infill should be installed.

17. Platform (‘Hop Up’) Brackets

Platform brackets (also known as hop-up brackets) are used to enable a platform to be placed
between the scaffold and the building or structure and are therefore attached to the standard
closest to that workface. Widths vary from one to three planks wide.

Platform brackets are usually installed such that they provide a platform at the same level as the
working platform or 500mm below the work platform. The outer edge of the platform provided by
the platform brackets must be within 225mm from the workface.
When installing platform brackets, make sure that they are interconnected with a tie bar and that
the open side of the tie bar angle faces inwards, enabling the steel plank to sit in the angle. This
prevents accidental dislodgment of the tie bar.

Corner brackets are also available to enable the continuity of platform brackets around the
 internal corners of buildings. These units are attached to the standard and connect to adjacent
platform brackets.

V.3 Dismantling
Care must be taken when dismantling scaffolds as the stability of the scaffold shall be maintained at all
times.
After the removal of materials and equipment from the working platforms, dismantle the scaffolding
generally in the reverse order of the erection sequence.
Avoid accidents and damaging material by appropriately lowering materials and not dropping them when
dismantling.
Removal of ties to the permanent structure should progress at the same rate as the dismantling process.
Do not remove ties until the dismantling of the scaffold reaches the level of the ties.
Do not remove diagonal braces until it is necessary to remove the standard to which it is attached.
Ledgers should not be removed from any working level before the removal of scaffold planks from the
same level.
Localized overloading by stacking dismantled equipment on a partially dismantled scaffold shall be avoided.
Stack materials neatly in the appropriate stillage’s or on pallets.
Prior to the dismantling of scaffolding that is taking place, and also during the dismantling process, the
following safety precautions must be followed: The Scaffold tag must switch between “Complete”
conditions in order to change it to “Incomplete” state. The area below ground is to be fenced off for general
use and the sign that says “Danger Men Working Above”.

V.4 Transportation
Loose items are to be stacked in stillage’s and secured in such a way that they are able to be contained
within the vehicle during transport.
Materials are to be secured for transport in such a way that the securing process (stacking, strapping, and
tying down) does not damage or deform them.
Care must be taken during unloading such that release and removal of load restraints do not allow the
materials to fall out of their containment or stillage’s to fall off the transport.

V.5 Storage
Materials are to be stored in stillage’s and on pallets as appropriate and in a manner that prevents
damage.
Avoid injury and damage to materials by taking care when releasing strapping such that materials do not
fall out of their containment.
Components must not be stacked higher than the top of the stillage to enable proper stacking.

V.6 Maintenance
Any damaged scaffold component shall not be used and removed from the site. Protection by means of
rust removal and surface repainting or re-galvanizing shall be done whenever needed.

V.7 Number of Working Platforms

The maximum number of working platform levels with a bay is two. A bay is typically “the enclosed
spaced between four standards” and this space extends from the ground to the top working platform for
the full height of the scaffold.

V.8 Scaffold Safety Rules

The following are some common-sense rules designed to promote safety in the use of scaffolding. These
rules do not purport to be all-inclusive or to supplant or replace other additional safety and precautionary
measures. They are not intended to conflict with or supersede the requirements of statutory or
government regulations; references to such specific authorities should be made by the user.
Inspect all equipment before use. Never use any equipment that is damaged or deteriorated in any way.
If in doubt contact your supplier.
Ensure that personnel erecting, altering, or dismantling the scaffold are certified to the appropriate level.
Inspect erected scaffolds regularly to ensure that they are maintained in a safe condition.
Always check foundations and use adequate soleplates. Foundations for a scaffold shall have adequate
bearing capacity to carry imposed loads.
Use adjustable bases instead of packing to adjust uneven grade conditions.
When scaffolds are to be partially or fully enclosed, specific precautions must be taken to check the
frequency and adequacy of ties attacking the building due to increased load conditions resulting from the
effects of wind and rain. The scaffolding components to which the ties are attached must also be checked
for additional loads.
Equip all planked or working levels with proper edge protection (guardrails, mid-rails, and toeboards or
guardrails and mesh guards) along all open sides and ends of scaffold platforms.
Ensure that the buildup of debris on working or access platforms is removed.
Power lines near scaffolds are dangerous – use caution and consult the power authorities and local
Regulatory Authorities for advice and local requirements.
Do not use ladders or makeshift devices on top of scaffolds or place planks on guardrails/mid-rails to gain
extra height.

a) Use cuplock steel planks wherever possible.

b) Timber scaffold planks may be used if intermediate putlogs are attached to cuplock ledgers on either
side of the standards to provide adequate support within plank span limit requirements. Timber planks
must be provided with intermediate supports between cuplock transoms.
Adjustable bases when fully extended shall have a minimum engagement of 150mm length of the spindle
remaining inside the standard tube. In any case, the maximum extension from the baseplate to the
bottom of the standard shall not exceed 450mm.
Connections between components should be firmly secured.
All scaffolding and accessories shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s
recommendations.
Important! Always ensure that any joints in standards are below the transom position.
Under no circumstances are guardrails to be attached to a standard cantilevering from a joint above the
platform level.
When a scaffold has been completely erected it must be fully inspected by a qualified scaffolder and a
handover certificate issued to the user verifying the scaffold is complete and safe to use.
VI. Risk Assessment-Method Statement for Scaffolding
Please refer to the attached document in Appendix A.
VII. Permit and Licensing Requirements
Refer to Appendix B for Permit to Work.

VIII. Drawings, Diagrams, Maps, and Survey Data

Shop Drawings will be submitted for approval.
IX. Pre-Start Safety Briefing Arrangements
Refer to Risk Assessment in Appendix A.
X. Environment and Quality Issues
1. Precautionary Measure
All precautionary measures shall be briefed to all workers prior to commencing activity.
2. Disposal Requirements
All waste shall be disposed of as per Construction Environmental Management Plan and as
per government-approved disposal areas.
3. Inspection, Test, and Sampling
Request for Inspection and Testing will be submitted prior to and after execution of works.
4. Quality Assurance Requirements Table
Refer to Project Quality Plan
a Project Specifications
XI. Attachments
1. Reference Documentation
Project Specifications
2. Appendices
Appendix A: Risk Assessment-Method Statement for Scaffolding
Appendix B: Permit to Work