Checklist - planning the safe use, erection and dismantling of prefabricated or modular scaffolding
Scaffolding is a temporary structure erected to support access and working platforms and includes:
prefabricated scaffold
tube and coupler scaffold
cantilevered scaffold
hung scaffold
suspended scaffold.
Note: This checklist is for prefabricated scaffolding only
Scaffolding can present a risk of injury to people from the following:
Falls from height. This can occur when workers are exposed to fall hazards while using, erecting or dismantling the scaffold.
Falling objects. This can occur during the erection or dismantling of scaffold when components are not secured or when tools or materials
are being used by workers and are not contained within the scaffolding.
Scaffold collapse. This can occur when scaffolding is overloaded or incorrectly erected including the omission of ties, braces or other
components. Stair modules may also collapse from incorrect installation or stair treads failing from insufficient or cracked welds.
Environmental factors (wind or rain) may also contribute to a scaffold collapse.
Work near powerlines. This can occur when work is performed near or around live electrical parts.
Mobile plant and traffic. This can occur when mobile plant or vehicular traffic comes in direct contact with scaffolding.
Mix and match components. This can occur when components of different size, strength or characteristics are used and could affect the
safe load capacity of the scaffold.
Hazardous manual tasks.
Why is planning important?
Planning is the first step in ensuring that work is done safely. Planning for scaffolding operations should start as early as possible and involve
consultation with everyone engaged in the work including the principal contractor, plant owner/supplier/erector, designer, sub-contractors and
safety personnel. Good planning involves:
selecting the right scaffolding for the task or structure, considering the proposed live and environmental loads
planning, scheduling and coordinating the erection, dismantling and work operations on or near the scaffolding
erecting, dismantling and using the plant safely, including the development and implementation of scaffold plans and handover certificates.
Effective planning will help identify ways to protect people who are:
erecting and dismantling the scaffolding
working on or near the scaffolding
in an area adjacent to the scaffolding, including public areas.
How to use this checklist
This checklist can be used to assist with the set up and use of scaffolding at construction workplaces. The assessment can be led by a principal
contractor, Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU), scaffolder, safety advisor or health and safety representative (HSR) and
should be done in consultation, coordination and cooperation with everyone involved. For example, a representative from the principal
contractor might assemble a group of relevant people from the site to discuss each item and coordinate the actions required for any ‘no’
responses.
The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 requires a PCBU to consult, so far as is reasonably practicable, with workers who are likely to be directly
affected by a health and safety matter and with other duty-holders at the same workplace. Records of completed checklist can be kept to
monitor and review items at a later date.
Part one – site details
Date of assessment:
Assessment completed by:
Name of PC or PCBU:
Site location:
Plant design registration number:
Section Item Response and comments
Part two – selecting the right scaffolding
1. Is the type of scaffolding selected suitable for the work that needs to be performed? Yes No
Consider: Comments:
the type and extent of the proposed work (e.g. materials, loads, number of persons)
requirements
Determining
scaffolding
rated capacity, and other specifications of the scaffolding
type and condition of supporting structure
the frequency and duration that the scaffolding will be used
proximity of other plant, structures or powerlines
workplace conditions (e.g. ground conditions, site access, public areas, power supply).
2. Has a competent person carried out a documented inspection on the scaffolding and the Yes No
supporting structure before it is used? This should cover, but not be limited to: Comments:
all relevant items indicated in the scaffold plan
a visual inspection of the scaffolding (e.g. visible defects, welds, components missing)
condition of supporting ground and sole-boards
edge protection, bracing, ties, platforms and perimeter containment screening
suitable access and egress including stair modules, ladders and emergency access.
Inspections and maintenance
3. Has a handover certificate been provided to the PCBU or PC after the inspection and prior to Yes No
work starting on the scaffolding? This should include: Comments:
time, date and site/project location
competent person’s name, signature and high risk work licence number
intended use of scaffolding and safe working load (SWL)
duty classification including number of bays, platforms and top platform height
plant design registration number.
4. Is there a system in place to notify site workers that the scaffold is safe to access and carry Yes No
out work from? This notification should include duty loadings, date of handover, competent Comments:
person sign off, dates of period inspections (e.g. Scafftag or similar)
5. Have inspections and maintenance been carried out according to scheduled intervals and Yes No
records kept on site? Consider: Comments:
at least every 30 days
before or after a significant rain or weather event
after an incident, repairs or alterations to the scaffolding.
6. Is the scaffolding design registered with Workplace Health and Safety Queensland? Yes No N/A
Comments:
Registration
7. Is the design registration number readily accessible in the vicinity of the scaffolding? Yes No N/A
Note: It is preferred to display the number on the scaffolding at access points. Comments:
Part three - planning, scheduling and coordinating the work
8. If the scaffold platform is over four metres, does the erector hold the appropriate high risk Yes No N/A
work licence for the class of high risk work? Comments:
Basic scaffolding licence (SB) is required for modular or prefabricated scaffolds.
Licencing and training
Note: If there are any ladder beams, spurs, cantilevers etc. an Intermediate or Advanced
scaffolding high risk work licence may be required.
9. Has the erector of the scaffolding been provided with relevant training? Yes No
This should include information about: Comments:
the specific scaffolding to be erected on this site
the hazards and risks associated with erecting or dismantling the scaffolding
emergency and rescue procedures
process for recording incidents or near misses
any site rules that may affect the erection or dismantling of the scaffolding.
10. Has a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) been prepared for the high-risk construction Yes No
work associated with the erection or dismantling of scaffolding and for the use of the Comments:
scaffolding by others? If yes, does the document:
describe the high-risk construction work to be undertaken
set out the steps required to perform the work
identify hazards and risks
describe the control measures to be used?
11. Does the SWMS follow the hierarchy of controls to prioritise higher-level control measures Yes No
and not rely on administrative controls only? Comments:
Planning the work
12. Have workers been consulted in the development of the SWMS, by: Yes No
providing input in to the content of the SWMS Comments:
demonstrating that they understand the content of the SWMS.
13. Have workers involved in the erection of the scaffolding signed off that they have been given Yes No
training and instructions relating to the SWMS? Comments:
14. Is there a system in place to monitor compliance with the SWMS? Yes No
If yes, is the high risk work activity compliant with the SWMS? Comments:
15. Is there a scaffold plan available on site? If yes, does the plan cover: Yes No
site layout of where scaffolding is to erected Comments:
type and duty of scaffold to be erected (SWL per bay)
elevations and detailed sections including number of bays/lifts/height
tie details including type of anchors used
details of bracing, platforms, access, edge protection and screening if required
specific details for extra precautions to be taken in the event of extreme weather (e.g.
high winds, rain).
16. Has planning been done to ensure that the location of the scaffolding is not hazardous to Yes No N/A
Traffic management
workers, other mobile plant or vehicle traffic that may move around the site? Comments:
Note: Creating a site traffic management plan will help to separate routes for pedestrian,
plant and vehicle movements and outline how different traffic situations will be managed
Part four - scaffolding siting and setup
17. Is the scaffolding positioned so that the risk of injury from collision with other plant or Yes No N/A
and public areas
plant, structures
structures is minimised? Consider:
Proximity to
Comments:
overhead electrical power-lines, towers or other services
nearby structures, buildings, roads or public areas
tower and mobile cranes, EWPs or other potential obstructions (e.g. concrete placement
boom pumps).
18. If exclusion zones have been selected as a control measure, do they prevent? Yes No N/A
Exclusion zones
persons from being hit by falling objects Comments:
the scaffold coming within close vicinity of overhead power- lines
other plant and vehicle traffic from entering the zone around the scaffolding.
19. Have all relevant workers been informed and understand where exclusion zones are Yes No N/A
Exclusion zones
established? Comments:
20. Has the scaffolding been erected/dismantled in accordance with the scaffold plan, Yes No
manufacturer’s specifications and legislative requirements? Comments:
This should cover but not limited to:
supporting structure or surfaces. sole-boards, screw-jacks and baseplates
standards, ledgers, transoms, braces, ties, planks, lap-boards and ply infills
Erecting and dismantling scaffolding
platforms, edge protection, fall arresting platforms and loading bays
gap between scaffold and building (225mm max) or internal voids
access and egress including stair modules, ladders and emergency access
perimeter containment screening considering environmental loads (wind, rain)
the use of zip ties to secure non-structural components only (shadecloth)
safe system of work to prevent falls by persons erecting or dismantling the scaffolding
signs and barriers in place for incomplete or excluded scaffold areas
general stability of scaffolding including bracing bays or outriggers.
21. Are the scaffold stair modules fit for purpose? Consider: Yes No N/A
the maximum gap between any stair module and the vertical edge of the transom should Comments:
not be greater than 15mm
transoms with a horizontal width of at least 45mm are used
inspecting of stair modules for any visual defects including cracks or under-cuts in the
welds
inspecting the modules for straightness, damage or excessive wear.
22. For the erection and dismantling of scaffolding, has the risk of falling from heights been Yes No N/A
Managing the
risk of falling
from heights
adequately controlled? This should include: Comments:
systematic process where a 450mm wide platform and rails are installed progressively
wearing of fall arrest harness under strict conditions if chosen as a control measure
a safe means of access and egress is installed.
23. For workers using the scaffolding, has the risk of falling from heights been adequately Yes No
Managing the risk of
falling from heights
controlled? This should include: Comments:
top-rail, mid-rail and toe-board or bottom rail for external falls
top-rail, mid-rail and toe-board or bottom rail for internal falls or voids
brick or mesh guard with toe-board incorporated
safety screens with edge protection incorporated.
Note: mid-rails are required with brick guards unless otherwise specified by the scaffolding
manufacturer.
24. Are the working platforms suitable for the proposed work on the scaffolding? Yes No N/A
This should cover but not limited to: Comments:
light, medium, or heavy duty depending on proposed loads and work tasks
Working platforms
planks are in good condition and secured into position
planks are not lapped on straight runs and only around corners
metal lap planks to be fixed by double tie wire
gap between planks not to exceed 25mm and the total gap between all planks does not
exceed 50mm
hop-up brackets to have tie-bars and not use tie wire
platforms or scaffold components must not support another type of platform e.g. planks
from a trestle ladder to a scaffold platform or ledger.
25. Are control measures in place for the risk of falling objects? Yes No N/A
Managing the risk of
This should cover but not limited to: Comments:
toe-boards on work platforms
falling objects
brick or mesh guard with toe board incorporated
perimeter containment screening (fixed to inside of standards)
catch platforms
gantries
exclusion zones.
Note: The level of risk will determine the control measure required
26. Has the scaffolding been erected with suitable ties and is stable from movement or Yes No N/A
collapse? This should cover but not be limited to:
Stability and
Comments:
ties installed are in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions
tying
drill in type anchors are installed using a torque wrench.
ties connecting with both inner and outer standards unless specified by engineer
ties to be inspected regularly to ensure they have not been modified or removed
ties should not obstruct the access or working platform.
Note: - screw bolt or drop-in anchors should not be used due to the difficulty of installation
- additional buttress/bracing bays or outriggers may be required for stability
27. Where there are added loads to the scaffold (e.g. fitted rubbish shutes, hoarding panels Yes No
attached the lower levels), has this been incorporated into the scaffold plan/design Comments:
drawings?
28. If a fall arresting platform has been erected, does it have? Yes No N/A
an unobstructed landing area of at least 675mm wide and able to withstand a fall impact Comments:
if the slope of the surface or roof is under 26 degrees, the fall arresting platform is no
more than 1m below the surface or roof
if the slope of the surface or roof is over 26 degrees, the fall arresting platform is no
more than 300mm below the surface or roof.
Note: Refer to diagram below.
Fall arresting platform
Part five - using the scaffolding safely
29. Has the relevant sections of the scaffold plan been communicated to the workers during Yes No
induction? This could cover but not be limited to: Comments:
Working on
alterations or removing of components only by licensed scaffolders
scaffolding
access and egress ways including emergency access
safe load limits for platforms including persons, tools and materials allowed
consultation with other workers who may use the scaffold at the same time
specific controls outlined in SWMS for work at height over 2 metres.
30. Are work activities on the scaffolding being conducted safely? Look for: Yes No
Worker behaviour
overload of persons, tools or materials on platforms Comments:
nominated access ways not used (workers climbing scaffolding or through windows)
slip, trip or fall hazards present from poor housekeeping or protrusions
evidence of components removed by workers (ties, hand rails, hop-up brackets)
tools or materials being raised or lowered from outside of scaffolding
falling objects or waste materials coming from scaffolding
ladders re-located and not secured.
31. Has the risk of unauthorised entry to the scaffolding been adequately controlled? Consider: Yes No
management
the proximity of the site to schools, parks, shopping precincts or other populated areas Comments:
general signs indicating it is a construction site
Site
no unauthorised access signage
barriers and site fencing.
32. Have the manual tasks involved in the excavation work been adequately controlled? Yes No N/A
manual tasks
Consider:
hazardous
Comments:
Managing
postures, movement and forces involved with the work
the design and layout of the workplace
the duration and frequency of the task
the use of mechanical aids to assist with the work (cranes, excavators)
training and instructions for workers performing the work
What to do next
If you answered ‘no’ to any of the items during the assessment, further action should be taken. This should start with a discussion with the
relevant people on site to gather more information and decide on a course of action. Keeping a record of the completed assessment will help to
monitor and review items at a later date.
REFERENCE:
This checklist was developed with reference to the following legislation, sub-ordinate legislation and supporting documents.
Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011.
Scaffolding Code of Practice 2009.
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland safety alerts – Stair module failures on scaffolding and Zip ties on scaffolding.
