Technical Advisory for Scaffolds

8/13/2019 Technical Advisory for Scaffolds

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Scaffolds are widely used in the workplaces such as construction sitesand shipyards, but their use can present certain safety risks. In fact, 13% of fatal industrial accidents in construction sites were attributed to scaffolds from2002 to 2005. Similarly, a significant 21% of fatal industrial accidents inshipyards were also scaffold-related. These accidents can be prevented bycomplying with the requirements of the Factories (Scaffolds) Regulations andapplying effectively the relevant safe work procedures on site.

To reduce fatal industrial accidents arising from unsafe scaffolds, thisadvisory aims to educate occupiers and Approved Scaffold Contractors onthe statutory requirements under the said regulations, common contraventionsof unsafe scaffolds as well as best practices in scaffolding.

Reducing Accidents through Safe Scaffolding

Key Requirements of TheFactories (Scaffolds) Regulations

Q: What is a scaffold?

A : As stipulated under the Factories (Scaffolds) Regulations,a scaffold is any temporary structure

- on and from which a person performs work in anyfactory, construction site or shipyard or;- which enables a person to obtain access to work at thatlocation or - which enables materials to be taken to any place atwhich such work is performed.

Q: Who can erect or dismantle scaffolds?

A: The Factories (Scaffolds) Regulations requires companiesthat erect, install, reposition, alter or dismantle any scaffold

(except tower and trestle scaffolds) more than 4 metres inheight to register as Approved Scaffold Contractors (ASC)with the Ministry.

The erection, alternation or dismantling of scaffolds canonly be performed by scaffold erectors employed by the ASC under the supervision of a scaffold supervisor.

Since the Regulations came into effect on 1 May 2004,more than 200 ASCs have been registered with theOccupational Safety & Health Division.

Q: What are the duties of Approved Scaffold Contractors?

A: It is the duty of every Approved Scaffold Contractor (ASC) who erects, installs, repositions, alters or dismantlesany scaffold to ensure that requirements for the work speltout in the Factories (Scaffolds) Regulations are followed

Q: How should the scaffold erectors and suspendedscaffold riggers be equipped during erection anddismantling of scaffolds?

A: Every scaffold erector and every suspended scaffoldrigger involved in the erection and dismantling of scaffolds

must be equipped with and use a safety harness attachedto a shock absorbing device.

There should also be provision of fall arresting device,sufficient and secured anchorage for each erector/ rigger.Life-lines and anchorages must not be shared.

As a best practice, harnesses with double lanyards shouldbe used.

Q: Under what circumstances, does the constructionof scaffold require design by a professional engineer (P.E)?

A: For construction sites and general factories, constructionof any metal scaffolds exceeding 30 metres in height and/or with cantilever or jib support will require the design of aprofessional engineer.

For shipyards, construction of metal scaffolds exceeding15 metres in height will also require the design of aprofessional engineer.

In addition, all hanging scaffolds (commonly used inshipyards), from which a person may fall more than 2metres must also be constructed and installed in accordancewith the design and drawings of a professional engineer.

P.E design and drawings shall be kept available for

inspection at worksite. It is also important to ensure thatscaffolds that require P.E’s design must be erected accordingto that design. Any variation from the design must beendorsed by the P.E concerned.

building a safer workplace together

Technical Advisory for Scaffolds


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Common Contraventions & Best Practices on Use of Scaffolds

To reduce fatal accidents arising from unsafe scaffolds, the Ministry would like to remind occupiers and ASCs thatconditions of the erected scaffolds at their premise should comply with the requirements of the Factories (Scaffolds)Regulations at all times. The licence for an ASC can be revoked if the ASC fails to abide by the terms and conditionsstated in the letter of approval.

The following are practical illustrations of common contraventions involving scaffolds, the respective statutory requirementsand best practices in scaffolding:

Do’s

Don’ts

Do’s

Don’ts

Regulation 18: Every side of a work platform or workplacefrom which a person is liable to fall more than 2 metresmust be provided with toe-boards and 2 or more guardrails.

Upper guard rail is at least 1 metre above the workplatform

Toe boards must be at least 90 mm high

Regulation 17: Stairs or ladders must be provided toenable access from one level of any scaffold to another,and be installed within the scaffold as far as practicable.

There should be toe-boards and twoguardrails at all sides of the scaffold

No provision of access from one levelto another level

Access ladder to next level of platform

There should be a sign on every scaffold, displayed atevery designated access point to indicate the scaffoldis safe to use or otherwise. A prominent warning noticemust also be displayed during the process of erectionand dismantling of all scaffolds. The warning signage isto inform users that the scaffold is not yet safe for use.

It is also encouraged that a notice / indication of the

Approved Scaffold Contractor company name, and therelevant contact number, is displayed on the erectedscaffolds.

This will promote ownership over the erected scaffoldsand highlight the professional services by the respective Approved Scaffold Contractors (A.S.C), especially whenthere is two or more A.S.Cs at site.

Q: How often should the erected scaffolds beinspected?

A: All erected scaffolds (except trestle scaffolds) are tobe inspected by the scaffold supervisor at least onceevery seven days, if a person is liable to fall more than2 metres from any part of the scaffold.

All metal scaffolds exceeding 30 metres in height and/or

with cantilever or jib support are to be examined andcertified safe for use by a professional engineer uponcompletion of scaffold construction, and subsequentlyat least once every three months.

Q: Do scaffolds need signage?

A: Yes, the requirement for the appropriate signage on

scaffolds will apply for all circumstances.




Do’s

Don’ts

Do’s

Don’ts

Regulation 11(1)c: Work platforms on scaffolds must beflushed along their sides and secured;

Don’ts

Do’sDo’s

Don’ts

Regulation 13: Any material, including concrete waste or other debris which may endanger the safety of any personmust be removed from the scaffold.

Regulation 10: Every work platform provided must beat least 500mm wide and used to provide footing for notmore than 3 persons and to support tools or materials

not exceeding 25 kgf per bay.

The Work Platform shall cover the lift of the scaffoldthroughout its entire length

Regulation 39: Cross braces on a frame scaffold mustnot be used as a means of access.

Unsecured platforms on scaffold

Unused materials left on scaffoldsUnsafe scaffold: single decking






Do’s

Do’s

Regulation 7(2): Every scaffold erector and everysuspended scaffold rigger who is involved in the

erection, installation, re-positioning, dismantling or alteration of a scaffold shall be provided with, and use,a safety harness attached to a shock absorbing device.

Harnesses with double lanyards are recommended asa good OSH practice.

Regulation 59: A hanging scaffold must -

Be erected before being hung into position on a shipBe securely anchored to the hull or relevant part of

the ship to prevent lateral movement or sway

Be constructed so that the work platform is on a horizontal plane

Provide stairs or ladders as a safe means of access to and from its platform

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Regulation 56: The height of a tower scaffold mustnot exceed 3 times its lesser base dimension unlessthe scaffold is effectively tied to the building or structure.However, even if tied, the tower scaffold shall notexceed 8 times the lesser of the base dimensions.

Regulation 56 (5): A tower scaffold should only beused on firm ground. Effective locking devices mustbe attached to the castors in order to hold the scaffoldin position.

A tower scaffold equipped with castors (mobile tower scaffold) should be stable in construction and weighteddown at the base.

Risk Assessment is to be carried out to identify,evaluate and manage the risks/hazards faced byworkers, including the erectors working on scaffolds,with the implementation of the appropriate controls.

Based on risk assessment conducted, safe workprocedures should be established and implementedfor the erection, installation, alteration, dismantling,

The safe work procedure must be written in Englishand in a language understood by the workers.

Any erection, installation, alteration, dismantling,rigging or repositioning of the scaffold/suspendedscaffold must be in accordance with the instructions

in the safe work procedure.Every scaffold and every member or componentshall be of sound material, good construction,adequate strength, free from patent defects, suitableand safe for the purpose for which it is intended.



Technical Advisory for Scaffolds6

Useful References:

CP:14 Scaffolds

CP: 20: Suspended Scaffolds

SS 280: Frame Scaffolds

SS 311: Steel Tubes and Fittings used in

Tubular Scaffolding

Code of Practice (CP)s are available from SPRINGSingapore

SPRING SingaporeInformation Resource Centre2 Bukit Merah Central#04-00 S159835

Tel: (65) 6279 3920

Factories (Scaffolds) Regulations is available at

SNP Corporation (Legal) Ltd

Legal Publications Retail Outlet

1 Kim Seng Promenade #18-01/06

Great World City East Tower S237994

Tel: (65) 68269691

Website: http://www.snpcorp.com/webshop

Guidelines on Risk Assessment

Available for download from MOM website at

www.mom.gov.sg/oshd

For enquiry, please email us [email protected]

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Technical Advisory for Scaffolds