AS/NZS 1576.1:1995

Australian/New Zealand Standard

Scaffolding

Part 1: General Requirements

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AS/NZS 1576.3:1995

This Joint Australian/New Zealand Standard was prepared by Joint Technical CommitteeBD/36, Scaffolding. It was approved on behalf of the Council of Standards Australia on24 October 1994 and on behalf of the Council of Standards New Zealand on 7 November1994. It was published on 5 January 1995.

The following interests are represented on Committee BD/36:

A.C.T. Occupational Health and Safety OfficeAluminium Development Council, AustraliaAustralian Chamber of Commerce and IndustryAustralian Institute of Building SurveyorsDepartment of Employment, Vocational Education, Training and Industrial Relations, QldDepartment of Labour, New ZealandDepartment of Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare, W.A.Master Builders AustraliaMetal Trades Industry Association of AustraliaNational Association of Scaffolding and Formwork Contractors, AustraliaNew Zealand Contractors FederationNew Zealand Engineering FederationOccupational Health and Safety Authority, Vic.Tasmania Development and ResourcesWork Health Authority, N.T.WorkCover Authority, N.S.W.

Review of Standards. To keep abreast of progress in industry, Joint Australian/New ZealandStandards are subject to periodic review and are kept up to date by the issue of amendmentsor new editions as necessary. It is important therefore that Standards users ensure that they arein possession of the latest edition, and any amendments thereto.

Full details of all Joint Standards and related publications will be found in the StandardsAustralia and Standards New Zealand Catalogue of Publications; this information issupplemented each month by the magazines ‘The Australian Standard’ and ‘Standards NewZealand’, which subscribing members receive, and which give details of new publications,new editions and amendments, and of withdrawn Standards.

Suggestions for improvements to Joint Standards, addressed to the head office of eitherStandards Australia or Standards New Zealand, are welcomed. Notification of anyinaccuracy or ambiguity found in a Joint Australian/New Zealand Standard should be madewithout delay in order that the matter may be investigated and appropriate action taken.A

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AS/NZS 1576.1:1995

Australian/New Zealand Standard

Scaffolding

Part 1: General Requirements

First published as part of AS 1576—1974.Revised and redesignated in part as AS 1576.1—1991.Jointly revised and designated as Joint Standard

AS/NZS 1576.1:1995.

PUBLISHED JOINTLY BY:

STANDARDS AUSTRALIA1 The Crescent,Homebush NSW 2140 Australia

STANDARDS NEW ZEALANDLevel 10, Radio New Zealand House,155,The Terrace,Wellington 6001 New Zealand

ISBN 0 7262 9410 1

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PREFACE

This Standard was prepared by the Joint Standards Australia/Standards New Zealand Committee BD/36 onScaffolding to supersede AS 1576.1—1991. It is issued as a joint Standard under the terms of the ActiveCooperation Agreement between Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand.

This Standard is part of the following series:

AS1576 Scaffolding

1576.2 Part 2: Couplers and accessories

1576.3 Supp1 Supplement 1: Prefabricated and tube–and–coupler scaffolding—Metal tube–and–couplerscaffolding—Deemed to comply

1576.4 Part 4: Suspended scaffolding

AS/NZS1576 Scaffolding

1576.1 Part 1: General requirements

1576.3 Part 3: Prefabricated and tube–and–coupler scaffolding

1576.5* Part 5: Prefabricated splitheads and trestles

This edition incorporates the following major changes from AS 1576.1—1991.

(a) The referenced Standards have been updated.

(b) Some New Zealand Standards are now referred to.

(c) Clause 2.2 now refers to AS 1250.

(d) Clause 2.3.1 refers to permissible state design.

(c) Clause 2.7 has been fully revised.

(f) Item (f) of Clause 3.6.4 uses the dimension 900 mm instead of 1000 mm.

* In course of preparation

� Copyright — STANDARDS AUSTRALIA/STANDARDS NEW ZEALAND

Users of Standards are reminded that copyright subsists in all Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand publications and software. Except where theCopyright Act allows and except where provided for below no publications or software produced by Standards Australia or Standards New Zealand may bereproduced, stored in a retrieval system in any form or transmitted by any means without prior permission in writing from Standards Australia or StandardsNew Zealand. Permission may be conditional on an appropriate royalty payment. Australian requests for permission and information on commercialsoftware royalties should be directed to the head office of Standards Australia. New Zealand requests should be directed to Standards New Zealand.

Up to 10 percent of the technical content pages of a Standard may be copied for use exclusively in–house by purchasers of the Standard withoutpayment of a royalty or advice to Standards Australia or Standards New Zealand.

Inclusion of copyright material in computer software programs is also permitted without royalty payment provided such programs are usedexclusively in–house by the creators of the programs.

Care should be taken to ensure that material used is from the current edition of the Standard and that it is updated whenever the Standard is amended orrevised. The number and date of the Standard should therefore be clearly identified.

The use of material in print form or in computer software programs to be used commercially, with or without payment, or in commercial contracts is subjectto the payment of a royalty. This policy may be varied by Standards Australia or Standards New Zealand at any time.

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CONTENTS

Page

SECTION 1 SCOPE AND GENERAL 1.1 SCOPE 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.2 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.3 DEFINITIONS 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.4 TYPES OF SCAFFOLD 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SECTION 2 DESIGN REQUIREMENTS 2.1 PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN 8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.2 BASIS OF DESIGN 8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.3 LOAD COMBINATIONS 8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.4 DESIGN LOADS 9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.5 SUPPORTING STRUCTURE 10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.6 BRACING MEMBERS 10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.7 STABILITY OF FREESTANDING SCAFFOLDS 11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.8 ANCHORAGE AND TIE ASSEMBLIES 11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.9 STEEL WIRE ROPE 12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.10 FIBRE ROPE 12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.11 STEEL CHAIN 12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.12 ECCENTRIC LOADING OF COMPRESSION MEMBERS 12. . . . . . . . . . . 2.13 DESIGN OF LEDGERS, PUTLOGS AND TRANSOMS 12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.14 DESIGN OF STANDARDS AND SPURS 13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SECTION 3 OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS 3.1 WORKING PLATFORM 14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.2 ACCESS PLATFORM 14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.3 CATCH PLATFORM 14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.4 SLOPE OF PLATFORMS 14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.5 EDGE PROTECTION 15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.6 ACCESS TO AND EGRESS FROM WORKING PLATFORMS 16. . . . . . . . 3.7 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR MOBILE SCAFFOLDS 17. . . . . . . 3.8 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PLATFORM BRACKETS 17. . . . . . 3.9 TUBE EXTENSION 17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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AS/ NZS 1576.1:1995 4

STANDARDS AUSTRALIA/STANDARDS NEW ZEALAND

Australia n/New Zealand Standard

Scaff old ing

Part 1: General requirements

S E C T I O N 1 S C O P E A N D G E N E R A L

1.1 SCOPE This Standard sets out design and operational requirements for scaf folding,except trestle scaffolding, portable ladders intended to be used as working platforms andelevating working platforms.

1.2 REFERENCED DOCUM ENTS The following documents are referred to in thisStandard:

AS1170 Minimum design loads on structures1170.1 Dead and li ve loads and load combinations1170.2 Wind loads1170.3 Snow loads

1250 The use of steel in structures

1538 Cold-formed Steel Structures Code

1554 Structural steel welding1554.1 Part 1: Welding of steel structures

1576 Scaffolding1576.2* Part 2: Couplers and accessories1576.4* Part 4: Suspended scaf folding

1577 Scaffold planks

1657* Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways, and ladders—Design, construction andinstallation

1664 Rules for the use of aluminium in structures

1665 Welding of aluminium structures

1720 Timber structures1720.1 Part 1: Design methods

1892 Portable ladders1892.1 Part 1: Metal1892.2 Part 2: Timber

2121 The design of earthquake-resistant buildings

2321 Short-link chain for lif ting purposes (non-calibrated)

3569 Steel wire ropes

* New Zealand has declared this to be a harmonized Standard with an NZS/AS designation.

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AS4100 Steel structures

4142 Fibre ropes4142.2 Part 2: Three-strand hawser-laid and eight-strand plaited

AS/NZS1576 Scaffolding1576.3 Part 3: Prefabricated and tube-and-coupler scaffolding

NZS3404 Steel structures Standard3404.1 Part 1: Steel structures Standard

3603 Timber structures Standard

3609 Specification for timber ladders

3620 Scaffold planks

4203 General structural design and design loadings for buildings

4701 Metal-arc welding of steel structures

5233 Specification for portable ladders (other than timber ladders)

NZS/BS302 Stranded steel wire ropes302.2 Part 2: Specification for ropes for general purposes

2052 Specification for ropes made of manila, sisal, hemp, cotton and coir

NZS/ISO1835 Short link chain for lifting purposes—Grade M(4), non-calibrated, for chain

slings etc.

1836 Short link chain for lifting purposes—Grade M(4), calibrated, for chain hoistsand other lifting appliances

3075 Short link chain for lifting purposes—Grade S(6) non-calibrated, for chainslings etc.

3076 Short link chain for lifting purposes—Grade T(8), non-calibrated, for chainslings etc.

3077 Short link chain for lifting purposes—Grade T(8), calibrated, for chain hoistsand other lifting appliances

1.3 DEFINITIONS For the purpose of this Standard, the definitions below apply.

1.3.1 Access platform—a platform that is only used or intended to be used to provideaccess for persons, or for persons and materials to or from places of work.

1.3.2 Baseplate—a plate to distribute the load from a load-bearing member to thesupporting structure.

1.3.3 Bay—the space enclosed by four adjacent standards, or the equivalent space in asingle pole scaffold.

1.3.4 Brace—a member fixed diagonally to two or more members of the scaffold toprovide rigidity to the scaffold.

1.3.5 Castor—a swivelling wheel attached to the lower end of a standard for thepurpose of supporting and moving a scaffold.

1.3.6 Catch platform—a platform attached to a scaffold to contain falling debris.

NOTE: A cantilevered catch platform is also called a fan.

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AS / NZS 1576.1:1995 6

1.3.7 Cradle—that portion of the assembly incorporating a suspended platform.

1.3.8 Guardrailing —a structural member to prevent persons from falling off anyplatform, walkway, stairway or landing.

1.3.9 Landing—a level area used to provide access to a stairway or ladder, or located atan intermediate level in a system of stairways or ladders.

1.3.10 Ledger—a horizontal structural member longitudinally spanning a scaffold.

1.3.11 Lift—the vertical distance from the supporting surface to the lowest ledger orlevel at which a platform can be constructed, or the vertical distance between adjacentledgers or levels at which platforms can be constructed.

1.3.12 Loading bay—a platform on a scaffold for the storage of materials andequipment.

1.3.13 Platform—an elevated surface.

1.3.14 Platform bracket—a bracket attached to the scaffold to enable a platform to beplaced between the scaffold and the building or structure.

1.3.15 Putlog—a horizontal structural member spanning between ledgers or a ledger andan adjacent wall, and intended to support a platform.

1.3.16 Scaffold—a temporary structure, specifically erected to support access platformsor working platforms.

1.3.17 Scaffold plank—a decking component, other than a prefabricated platform, thatis used or intended to be used in construction of any platform supported by a scaffold.

1.3.18 Soleplate—a member used to distribute the load through a baseplate to theground or other supporting structure.

1.3.19 Spur—an inclined load-bearing member that transmits a load to the supportingstructure.

1.3.20 Standard—a vertical structural member that transmits a load to the supportingstructure.

1.3.21 Strut—a scaffold member subject to a compressive force.

1.3.22 Supporting structure—any structure, structural member or foundation thatsupports a scaffold.

1.3.23 Tie—a member or assembly of members used to tie a scaffold to a supportingstructure.

1.3.24 Transom—a horizontal structural member transversely spanning an independentscaffold at the standards.

1.3.25 Working load limit —the maximum working load that may be applied to anycomponent or system.

1.3.26 Working platform —a platform on a scaffold, to support persons and materialsor equipment for use by them.

1.4 TYPES OF SCAFFOLD Common types of scaffolds include the following:

(a) A single pole scaffold consists of a single row of standards connected by ledgers.Putlogs are fixed to the ledgers and built into the wall of the building or structure.

(b) An independent scaffold consists of two or more rows of standards connectedlongitudinally and transversely.

(i) A tower scaffold is an independent scaffold consisting of four verticalmembers connected longitudinally and transversely.

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(ii) A mobile scaffold is an independent scaffold that is freestanding andmounted on castors.

(iii) A hung scaffold is an independent scaffold that hangs from another structure,but is not capable of being raised or lowered when in use.

(iv) A birdcage scaffold is an independent scaffold that consists of more than tworows of standards in both directions, connected by ledgers and transoms.

(c) A suspended scaffold incorporates a suspended platform that is capable of beingraised or lowered when in use.

(d) A boatswain’s chair is a suspended scaffold of which the platform is a chair, orsimilar appliance, suitable for use by one person.

(e) A spur scaffold is partially supported by spurs.

(f) A cantilever scaffold is supported by cantilevered load-bearing members.

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AS / NZS 1576.1:1995 8

S E C T I O N 2 D E S I G N R E Q U I R E M E N T S

2.1 PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN The design of the scaffold shall take into account thefollowing:

(a) The strength, stability and rigidity of the supporting structure.

(b) The handling normally associated with scaffolding.

(c) The safety of persons engaged in the erection, alteration and dismantling of thescaffold.

(d) The safety of persons using the scaffold.

(e) The safety of persons in the vicinity of the scaffold.

2.2 BASIS OF DESIGN The design of the structural members and components of ascaffold shall comply with AS 1250, AS 1538, AS 1664, AS 1720.1, AS 4100,NZS 3404.1 or NZS 3603, as appropriate, and as modified by the requirements of thisStandard.

Welding shall comply with AS 1554.1, AS 1665 or NZS 4701, as appropriate.

2.3 LOAD COMBINATIONS

2.3.1 General Where scaffolding is designed, it shall be designed for the most adversecombination of dead loads, live loads and environmental loads that can reasonably beexpected during the period that the scaffold is expected to be in service.

Load combinations for strength limit states shall be in accordance with AS 1170.1 orNZS 4203, as appropriate, except that dead and live load combinations shall be asfollows:

2.0G + 2.0Q

where

G = dead load

Q = live load (including impact, if any).

Where environmental loads will be such that work is unlikely to proceed under thoseconditions, then the worst case may be restricted to dead loads, expected live loads fromstacked materials and environmental loads.

For permissible stress design, the sum of the dead and live loads applied shall beincreased by 15 percent, to allow for re-use of materials.

2.3.2 Tube mix For a tube and coupler scaffold built from plain steel tube of 48.3 mmoutside diameter, the load combinations to be considered shall include the following:

(a) The self weight of the scaffold structure, calculated on the assumption that allmembers have a wall thickness of 4.88 mm.

(b) The strength of all members calculated on the basis of members having a wallthickness of 4.00 mm.

NOTE: Items (a) and (b) above are necessary to allow for the large quantities of tubes inservice that have either wall thickness, and the difficulty in detecting tubes of different wallthickness in a completed scaffold.

(c) Where galvanized tube with a wall thickness of 3.2 mm is used in a scaffold in NewZealand, the strength of every member of the scaffold shall be calculated on thebasis that every member has a wall thickness of 3.2 mm. Where a scaffold does notinclude tube with a wall thickness of 3.2 mm, the strength of the members may bedetermined in accordance with Item (b) above.

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2.4 DESI GN L OADS

2.4.1 Dead load The dead load (G) shall include the self weight of the scaffoldstructure and components including working platforms, catch platforms, access platforms,stairways, ladders, screens, sheeting, platform brackets, suspension ropes, secondaryropes, traversing ropes, tie assemblies, scaf folding hoists, electrical cables and any otherattachment, where appropriate.

2.4.2 Environmental loads Where appropriate, the environmental loads shall includethe following:

(a) Wind loads in accordance with AS 1170.2 or NZS 4203, as appropriate, imposed onthe scaf fold, including any guardrails, toeboards, stacked materials, screens,sheeting, platform ropes, guy wires and other attachments.

(b) Snow loads in accordance with AS 1170.3 or NZS 4203, as appropriate.

(c) Rain and ice loads, where it is considered li kely that the scaf fold and claddings willbe subject to rain or a build-up of ice.

(d) Earthquake loads in accordance with AS 2121 or NZS 4203, as appropriate.

2.4.3 L ive loads

2.4.3.1 General The live load (Q) shall include the following:

(a) The weight of persons.

(b) The weight of materials and debris.

(c) The weight of tools and equipment.

(d) Impact forces.

2.4.3.2 Duty live loads The li ve load applied to a working platform shall becategorized by the following duty conditions:

(a) Light duty, a load of 2.2 kN per bay that includes a single concentrated load of1 kN.

(b) Medium duty, a load of 4.4 kN per bay that includes a single concentrated load of1.5 kN.

(c) Heavy duty, a load of 6.6 kN per bay that includes a single concentrated load of2 kN.

(d) Special duty, the largest intended load but not less than heavy duty.

The single concentrated load shall be placed in the most adverse position within the bay.

2.4.3.3 Weight of person The weight of a person shall be taken as not less than 80 kg.

2.4.3.4 Guardrailing or handrail ing The li ve load acting on guardraili ng or handraili ngshall be as specif ied in AS 1657 for guardrailing.

2.4.3.5 Perimeter mesh guards or screens Perimeter mesh guards or screens that areintended to perform the function of a guardrail shall be designed for the li ve load ofguardrailing in accordance with Clause 2.4.3.4.

2.4.3.6 Catch platforms The live load acting on a catch platform shall be the largestexpected load but not less than a uniformly distributed load of 5 kPa applied normal tothe catch platform.

2.4.3.7 Loading bays The li ve load acting on a loading bay for material or equipmentstorage shall be the largest intended load but not less than a uniformly distributed load of5 kPa.

The largest intended li ve load for a loading bay shall be increased by a factor of not lessthan 1.25 to allow for the ef fect of impact.

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2.4.3.8 Stair access systems Components for stair access systems, including landings,shall be designed to the load requirements of AS 1657.

The live load acting on that part of the scaf fold supporting the stair access system shall betaken as not less than 2.5 kPa over each stairtread and each landing.

2.4.3.9 Boatswain’s chair The basic li ve load (i.e. not including impact) applied to aboatswain’ s chair and supporting rig shall be not less than 1 kN. This live load shall thenbe increased by a factor of not less than 1.25 to allow for the ef fect of impact.

2.4.3.10 Cradles The basic li ve load (i.e. not including impact) applied to a cradleshall be the largest intended li ve load but shall be not less than li ght duty. This li ve loadshall then be increased by a factor of not less than 1.25 to allow for the ef fect of impact.

NOTE: The supporting rig is required to comply wi th Clause 2.3.

2.4.3.11 Working platforms for independent scaffolds The live load applied to aworking platform supported by independent scaf folding shall be one of the followingloadings:

(a) Light duty.

(b) Medium duty.

(c) Heavy duty.

(d) Special duty loading.

2.4.3.12 Working platforms for single pole scaffolds The li ve load applied to a workingplatform supported by single pole scaffolding shall be either of the following loadings:

(a) Heavy duty.

(b) Special duty.

2.4.3.13 Access platforms The li ve load applied to an access platform shall be either ofthe following loadings:

(a) Heavy duty.

(b) Special duty.

2.4.3.14 Ladder landings The live load applied to a ladder landing shall be the liveload applicable to the scaf fold that the ladder services.

2.4.3.15 Platform brackets The li ve load applied to a platform bracket shall be thelargest intended load but not less than 2 kN acting downwards at the outermost edge ofthe bracket.

2.5 SUPPORTING STRUCTURE

2.5.1 Gener al The supporting structure shall be capable of supporting the most adversecombination of loads applied by the scaf fold during the period of its service.

2.5.2 St r engthening of suppor t ing str uctur e Where the supporting structure is notcapable of supporting the most adverse combinations of expected loads in Clause 2.5.1, itshall be strengthened by propping or other means.

2.5.3 Soleplates Where soleplates are required, they shall be designed to distribute theload from a scaffold to the supporting structure.

2.6 BRACING M EM BERS Bracing members shall be designed to resist not less than2.5 percent of the vertical load in any member to which they are connected, together withany horizontal loads such as wind loads.

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2.7 STABILITY OF FREESTANDING SCAFFOLDS The dead load alone shall besufficient to prevent each freestanding scaffold that is set up in a ready-to-use condition(i.e. a working condition) from overturning, while the scaffold is subjected to 1.5 timesthe following loadings, each applied separately:

(a) A loading in the most adverse direction, consisting of an outwards horizontalcomponent of 300 N applied at the centre of each bay to the uppermost horizontalmember, together with a vertical component of 750 N applied at the middle of eachbay 200 mm in from the outermost edge of the working platform (see Figure 1).

(b) The loading, calculated in accordance with AS 1170.2 or NZS 4203, as appropriate,that would be applied by anticipated wind during the period that the scaffold is tobe erected, without any live loading on the scaffold.

NOTE: The dead load of a scaffold may be increased by securely attaching counterweights tothe scaffold near its base.

NOTE: This sketch does not show any planks, midrail, toeboard or infill.

FIGURE 1 STABILITY LOADING OF FREESTANDING SCAFFOLDS

2.8 ANCHORAGE AND TIE ASSEMBLIES

2.8.1 General Where anchorage or tie systems are used to stabilize the scaffold, theirdesign shall be such that neither the scaffold nor any building or supporting structure isoverloaded or damaged during normal use.

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AS / NZS 1576.1:1995 12

2.8.2 Location of ties The location of anchorage and tie systems shall not obstructclear access along the full length of any working platform or access platform.

2.8.3 Strength of ties Tie assemblies shall be spaced vertically and horizontally tostabilize the scaffold against the combined effect of—

(a) environmental loads; and

(b) horizontal tensile and compressive forces of not less than 2.5 percent of the verticalloads acting at the level of each tie assembly.

Each tie assembly shall have a minimum tensile and compressive working load capacityof 6.0 kN.

Where an anchorage or tie assembly is required to sustain loads other than those specifiedin Item (b) above (e.g. scaffold on an inclined foundation), the anchorage or tie shall bedesigned for such additional load.

2.8.4 Drilled-in anchorages Drilled-in anchors, whether expanding or chemical typesthat are subjected to tensile loads, shall only be used where it is not practical to secure thescaffold in any other way.

Drilled-in anchors shall comply with the following requirements:

(a) A safety factor of 3.0 on the average failure load of the anchor shall be applied todetermine the working load limit.

(b) An assessment shall be made of the material to which the drilled-in anchors areapplied.

2.9 STEEL WIRE ROPE Steel wire rope shall comply with AS 3569 in Australia orNZS/BS 302.2 in New Zealand and, except where used for lifting purposes, shall not besubjected to a load that exceeds one-sixth of the manufacturer’s guaranteed minimumbreaking load of such rope.

2.10 FIBRE ROPE Fibre rope shall comply with in Australia AS 4142.2 or in NewZealand NZS/BS 2052 and shall not be subjected to a load greater than one-tenth of themanufacturer’s guaranteed minimum breaking load of such rope.

2.11 STEEL CHAIN Steel chain shall comply with AS 2321, NZS/ISO 1835,NZS/ISO 1836, NZS/ISO 3075, NZS/ISO 3076 or NZS/ISO 3077, as appropriate, andshall not be subjected to a load greater than one-sixth of the manufacturer’s guaranteedminimum breaking load of such chain.

2.12 ECCENTRIC LOADING OF COMPRESSION MEMBERS

2.12.1 General Compression members include standards and spurs; however, bracesmay be compression or tension members.

2.12.2 Standards The compression loads on standards shall be taken as acting at adistance equal to the maximum radius of gyration measured from the centre-line of themember.

NOTE: The design should take into account any moment at a critical node point on a standard.

2.12.3 Spurs and braces The compression loads shall be taken as acting at the actualdistance, but not less than 40 mm from the centre-line of the member.

2.13 DESIGN OF LEDGERS, PUTLOGS AND TRANSOMS Any ledger, putlog ortransom that is intended to support a platform in any bay shall be designed for not lessthan two-thirds of the duty live load for the bay.

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Where a ledger or transom is intended to support platforms in adjacent bays, it shall bedesigned for not less than two-thirds of the duty live load in each bay.

2.14 DESIGN OF STANDARDS AND SPURS

2.14.1 Platform loads on standards or spurs Any standard, spur or similar memberthat is intended to support a platform in any bay shall be designed for not less thanone-third of the duty live load for the bay.

Where a standard, spur or similar member is intended to support platforms in adjacentbays, it shall be designed for not less than one-third of the platform design load in eachbay.

2.14.2 Effective length of standards at base of scaffoldIn the design of standards atthe base of a scaffold, the effective length shall be not less than 0.85 times the actuallength.

2.14.3 Effective length of struts In the design of any vertical load-bearing member incompression, the effective length of struts other than those given in Clause 2.14.2 shall benot less than 1.0L whereL is the length of strut between intersecting members providinglateral support.

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S E C T I O N 3 O P E R A T I O N A LR E Q U I R E M E N T S

3.1 WORK ING PLATFORM

3.1.1 Gener al A working platform other than a boatswain’s chair shall—

(a) have a slip-resistant surface;

(b) be closely decked;

(c) not be capable of upli f t under working conditions; and

(d) be level and free of trip-hazards.

Scaffold planks shall comply wi th AS 1577 in Australia or NZS 3620 in New Zealand.

Prefabricated platform units shall comply with AS/NZS 1576.3.

3.1.2 Dimensions

3.1.2.1 Light duty The length or width of a light-duty working platform shall be notless than 450 mm.

3.1.2.2 Medium duty The length or width of a medium-duty working platform shall benot less than 900 mm.

3.1.2.3 Heavy duty The length or width of a heavy-duty working platform shall be notless than 1000 mm.

3.1.2.4 Special duty The dimensions of a special-duty working platform shall be notless than those of Clause 3.1.2.3.

3.1.2.5 Boatswain’s chair The seat of a boatswain’ s chair shall be of suff icientdimensions to comfortably accommodate the occupant.

3.1.2.6 Suspended platform The length or width of a suspended platform shall be notless than 450 mm.

3.2 ACCESS PL ATFORM An access platform shall comply with Clause 3.1.1.

The clear width of an access platform measured between guardrail ings shall be—

(a) not less than 675 mm for persons and materials; and

(b) not less than 450 mm for persons and hand tools only.

3.3 CATCH PL ATFORM A catch platform shall comply with the followingrequirements:

(a) The platform inclination may be at any angle.

(b) The platform shall be closely decked.

(c) The minimum width and length shall be suff icient for the intended task.

(d) The platform shall not be capable of uplif t under working conditions.

3.4 SLOPE OF PLATFORMS

3.4.1 Wor king plat forms The slope of a working platform shall not exceed 7 degreesfrom the horizontal.

3.4.2 Access plat form The slope of an access platform shall not exceed 20 degreesfrom the horizontal. When the slope exceeds 7 degrees, the platform shall be cleated.

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3.5 EDGE PROTECTI ON

3.5.1 Gener al Edge protection for suspended scaffolds shall comply with AS 1576.4.

Except as provided by Clause 3.5.5, wherever a person or object could fall a distance of2 m or more from any platform, edge protection in the form of guardrailings andtoeboards, or mesh screens incorporating kickplates shall be provided.

3.5.2 Toeboards Toeboards shall comply with the following requirements:

(a) They shall be scaf fold planks complying with AS 1577 in Australia or NZS 3620 inNew Zealand or be of material and construction that has suf ficient strength andrigidity for their intended task.

(b) They shall extend not less than 150 mm above the top surface of the platform.

(c) No gap between the toeboard and platform shall exceed 10 mm.

(d) They shall be securely f ixed to the floor or posts.

3.5.3 Guardrailings Guardrailings shall comply with the following requirements:

(a) Wire ropes or f ibre ropes shall not be used.

(b) Except to close off access openings in guardrailing, chain shall not be used.

(c) Timber guardrails shall be of sound Australian hardwood, oregon or other timber ofsimilar strength and characteristics and of sizes not less than given in AS 1657.

(d) Guardrails shall be securely fixed parallel to the platform at a height above theplatform of not less than 900 mm nor more than 1100 mm.

(e) Guardrails shall be no more than 100 mm outside the edge of the platform.

(f ) Unless infi l l complying with AS 1657 is provided between the guardrail and thetoeboard, a midrail shall be provided.

3.5.4 Mesh scr eens Where mesh screens are provided instead of guardraili ngs andtoeboards, they shall comply wi th the following requirements:

(a) They shall be securely fixed parallel to the platform and shall extend not less than900 mm above the platform.

(b) They shall be vertical.

(c) They shall incorporate a kickplate that extends not less than 150 mm above the topsurface of the platform.

(d) No gap between the kickplate and the platform shall exceed 10 mm.

(e) The top or exposed edges of mesh screens shall be suitably protected where thereexists the potential risk of injury to persons.

3.5.5 Omission of edge pr otect ion Edge protection may be omitted at points of accessfrom a stairway or ladder or at edges of platforms adjacent to the face of a building orstructure, provided that the following are complied with:

(a) Points of access to stairways or ladders are adequately protected with gates, safetychains or other means or are suf ficiently distant from working platforms to preventpersons working f rom such platforms inadvertently falling through any opening.

(b) Where a toeboard or kickplate is omitted adjacent to the face of a building orstructure (other than a working face), such face shall be—

(i) no more than 10 mm from the platform edge;

(i i) shall extend at least 150 mm above the top of the platform; and

(i i i) shall be of strength and rigidity not less than that of a toeboard.

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(c) Where a toeboard or kickplate is omitted adjacent to the working face of a buildingor structure, the gap between the platform edge and such face shall be less than225 mm and adequate safeguards shall be taken to prevent any person beingendangered in the event of debris falling.

(d) Where a guardrail is omitted adjacent to the face of a building or structure (otherthan a working face), such face shall not be greater than 100 mm from the platformedge, shall have strength and rigidity not less than that of a guardrail, shall extendat least 900 mm above the top surface of the platform and shall, in all otherrespects, adequately perform the function of a guardrail.

(e) Where a guardrail is omitted adjacent to a working face of a building or structure,such face shall be less than 225 mm from the platform edge, shall have strength andrigidity not less than that of a guardrail, shall extend at least 900 mm above the topsurface of the platform and shall in all other respects adequately perform thefunction of a guardrail.

3.5.6 Addit ional pr otect ion Where equipment or materials are intended to bedeposited on a platform to a height exceeding the height of the toeboard or kickplate andin a position where there is any li kelihood of such materials or equipment falli ng or beingknocked from the platform, additional inf il l specif icall y designed for this purpose shall befi tted.

3.6 ACCESS TO AND EGRESS FROM WORK ING PL ATFORM S

3.6.1 Gener al Safe access to and egress from all working platforms shall be provided.Such access shall take the form of stairways, access ways, ladders or other means.

3.6.2 Permanently installed access Where access to and egress f rom workingplatforms can be safely gained via permanently installed stairways, ladders or f ixedplatforms, such stairways, ladders or f ixed platforms shall comply wi th AS 1657.

3.6.3 Temporar y stairways Where temporary stairways are used, they shall complywi th the following requirements:

(a) Stairways shall be in straight f l ights and not less than 500 mm wide.

(b) The minimum vertical clearance for stairs shall be not less than 1850 mm.

(c) The minimum vertical clearance for landings shall be not less than 1850 mm.

(d) The length of a landing in the direction of travel shall be not less than 450 mm andthe width not less than the width of the stairway.

(e) Every access landing shall provide standing space of at least 450 mm clear of crosstraff ic or door swing.

(f ) Each stairway shall be provided with at least one handrail. The handrail shall extendfor the length of each stairway f l ight or shall consist of a number of horizontalmembers with a maximum vertical spacing of 500 mm.

NOTE: Horizontal members of the scaffold structure may form part of the stairway handrai l.

(g) The handrail shall be supported so as to allow unrestricted movement of the handalong the upper surface between support points.

3.6.4 Por table ladder s Where portable ladders are used they shall be single ladderscomplying with the industrial-grade requirements of AS 1892.1 or AS 1892.2 in Australiaor NZS 3609 or NZS 5233 in New Zealand and shall comply with the followingrequirements:

(a) Ladders shall be pitched at a slope of not less than one horizontally to fourvertically and not more than one horizontally to six vertically.

(b) Ladders shall be secured against displacement in any direction.

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(c) Ladders shall be provided with landings at the head and at the base; except wherethe ladder rests on a fully covered supporting structure, the base landing may beomitted.

(d) Openings for ladders shall be as small as practicable and shall be adequatelyguarded in accordance with Clause 3.5.3.

(e) The base of a ladder shall be offset from the head of the ladder below it, so thatladders do not take the form of a single, continuous ladder.

(f ) Ladders shall extend at least 900 mm above landings.

(g) There shall be clear and unobstructed access to and egress f rom ladders at eachlanding.

(h) Ladders on mobile scaf folds shall be clear of the supporting structure.

(i ) The maximum height between successive landings serviced by a portable laddershall not exceed 6 m.

3.7 ADDI TI ONAL REQUIREM ENTS FOR M OBI LE SCAFFOL DS

3.7.1 Castors Castors shall comply wi th AS 1576.2 and shall be capable of beinglocked when work is being performed f rom the scaf fold.

3.7.2 Suppor t ing str uctur e The supporting structure of a mobile scaf fold shall be ahard flat surface.

Unless the castors incorporate adjustable legs, the surface shall be level.

Where the castors incorporate adjustable legs, the gradient of the surface shall not exceed5 degrees, unless provision is made to take the load off the castors during use of thescaffold.

3.7.3 Addit ional bracing Adequate bracing in the horizontal plane shall be provided toprevent distortion of the scaffold while it is being moved.

3.8 ADDI TI ONAL REQUIREM ENTS FOR PL ATFORM BRACK ETS

3.8.1 Gener al Platform brackets shall not be used in conjunction with single polescaffolds or suspended scaffolds. Platforms supported by platform brackets shall not beloaded with materials or equipment, unless the platform brackets have been specificallydesigned for such additional loads and the scaffold has been adequately braced.

3.8.2 Width of platform A platform bracket shall be capable of supporting a platformnot less than 225 mm in width.

3.8.3 Posit ioning of brackets Platform brackets shall not be positioned between lif tsof a scaf fold, unless they can support a platform not less than 450 mm in width.

Platform brackets shall be provided only on the face of a scaffold that is adjacent to theface of a building or other structure.

3.8.4 Pr ovision of additional platforms Where a platform supported by brackets isprovided in any bay at the li ft height of a scaf fold, such a bay shall be fully decked as aworking platform.

Where a platform supported by brackets is provided between lif ts in any bay, such a bayshall be fully decked as a working platform at the lif t immediately above the brackets andfully decked as a working platform at the lift immediately below the brackets, with thelower platform being provided with additional inside toeboards or equivalent edgeprotection.

3.9 TUBE EXTENSI ON A tube shall extend past the coupler by not less than 10 mm.

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