Scaffold Safety Workshop

Loss Prevention Department

 Rules to follow:
• Be on time after coffee & lunch breaks
• Pagers, mobile phones & other
electronic devices must be set to silent
mode or shut-off
• Minimize side conversations.
• Be aware of emergency procedures for
fire evacuation.
• Know the locations of smoking areas,
toilets, etc.
 Schedule
• 0730: Introduction
• 0745: Scaffold Components
• 0830: Exercise: Scaffold Terminology
• 0845: Coffee Break
• 0900: Harness/Lanyard Inspection & Use
• 0915: Exercise: Full-body Harness Use
• 1000: Coffee Break
• 1015: Scaffold Inspection and Tagging
• 1130: Lunch Break
• 1230: Scaffold User’s Checklist
• 1330: Coffee Break
• 1345: Scaffold General Requirements
• 1430: Short Examination
 Presentation Outline

• Introduction
• Scaffold Components
• Harness/Lanyard Inspection & Use
• Scaffold Inspection and Tagging
• Scaffold User’s Checklist
• Scaffold General Requirements
 Workshop Objectives
• Learn the different types of scaffold &
its components
• Learn how to inspect & use a full body
harness & lanyard
• Learn how to inspect and tag a safe or
unsafe scaffold
• Learn how to use the Scaffold User’s
Safety Checklist
• Learn the scaffold general safety
requirements
Scaffold Safety Workshop

Part - 1
INTRODUCTION &
SCAFFOLD COMPONENTS
 Think…

• What is a scaffold?
• When is scaffold needed?
• Where do we need scaffold?
• How scaffold is built?
What is a Scaffold?

Scaffold – is a
temporary elevated
platform and its
supporting
components used
for supporting
workmen,
materials or both.
When is scaffold needed?

A scaffold is needed
to provide temporary
access & platform
when work activities
will be perform on
plant equipment,
building, or structure
that are located
above ground level
How scaffold is built?

Scaffold is built by
connecting several
components such as
posts, runners,
bearers etc. using
either by ‘couplers’ or
system ‘connectors’
 Unsafe Work Platform

• We have all seen

unsafe working
practices
• This man is at a
big risk of a fall !
• If he fell the risk
of injury is very
high
 Exercises

The following scaffold exercises

are just to establish baseline
information of your knowledge and
skills regarding basic scaffolding
Exercise: Identify Components
Exercise: Identify Couplers
Types of Scaffold Construction

• System type – is a type of scaffold

whose scaffold components are
connected by fixed connectors
• Tube & Coupler type – is a type of
scaffold whose scaffold
components are connected by
couplers
 Types of ‘System’ Connections

Cuplok Connections
Rosette Connections

Wedge Connections
Types of ‘Tube’ Connectors
Adjustable
(Swivel)

Right-Angle Bearer Coupler

Coupler

Sleeve Coupler
Girder
Coupler

Joint Pin
Tube & Coupler Connections
 Think…
• What is a Post?
• What is a Runner?
• What is a Bearer?
• What is a Board Bearer
• What is a Plank?
• What is a Base Plate?
• What is a Sole Board?
Scaffold Components

• Post
A vertical tube
that carries
the weight of Posts
the scaffold.
Scaffold Components
• Runner
Horizontal scaffold tube that extends
from post to post and supports the
bearers.

Runners
Scaffold Components
• Bearer
Horizontal tube fixed on top of at least
2 runners (at or near a pair of posts)
and supports the weight of the planks.

Bearers
 Scaffold Components
• Board Bearer
Like a bearer, but not fixed to the posts. It
helps the support planks at mid-span.

Board Bearer
Scaffold Components

• Plank
An individual
timber board
that serves as
flooring
member of a
work platform.
Planks
 Scaffold Components

• Laminated
Veneer Lumber
(LVL) Planks
• 38 mm x 225 mm
or 45 mm x 225
mm
• Typical required
“OSHA” stamp
for LVL planks
Scaffold Components

• Base plate
A steel plate
measuring 6” Post
by 6” used for
distributing the
load from the
post. Base plate

Sole
board
Scaffold Components

• Sole Board
A board that
measures 9” Post
by 1 ½ “ thick
lumber used
to distribute
weight from Base plate
the base plate
to ground. Sole
Board
 Think…
• What is a guardrail system?
• Why installed a guardrail system?
• What is the purpose of a toe-board?
• How are bracings installed?
• Why there is a need for bracing?
Scaffold Components
Guardrail System Top-rail

Bet. 38”- 45”

• Top-rail: installed
between 38”- Mid-rail
45”platform

Middle
• Mid-rail: installed
between top-rail &
platform
• To prevent the
workers from Platform
falling off the
platform
Scaffold Components

• Toe-boards
Are required to
prevent objects
from falling
onto workers
below the Toeboards
platform.
Scaffold Components

Transverse
(Sectional)
Bracing Longitudinal
(Façade)
Bracing
Scaffold Components Summary

Note:
bearers &
Board Bearer runners
to be
installed
inside the
Runners posts

Bearers

Post
Base Plates

Sole board
Types of Scaffold Couplers
Adjustable
(Swivel)

Right-Angle Bearer Coupler

Coupler

Sleeve Coupler
Girder
Coupler

Joint Pin
Scaffold Couplers

Right Angle Coupler

• Coupler used to
connect tube at
right angles
• Used to connect
runners to posts
• Used for fixing of
scaffold ties
Right-angle Coupler
Scaffold Couplers
Bearer Coupler
• Used to fix a
bearer to a runner
• Used to connect
scaffold tube use
as guardrail to a
post
• Must not be
turned upside Bearer Coupler
down
Scaffold Couplers

Swivel Coupler Swivel

• Used to fix tubes Coupler
together at
various angles
• Used to fix braces
• Not to be used to
fix scaffold ties
Scaffold Couplers

Sleeve Coupler
Used for Sleeve
externally joining coupler
2 scaffold tubes
co-axially end to
end.
Joint Pin
Used for posts
(vertical) Joint Pin
connections only
Scaffold Couplers

Girder Coupler
• Used to fix Girder
scaffolds to Coupler
steelwork
• Must be used in
pairs
• Can be used to
“tie” scaffolds to
steel-work
Review Questions
1. Sole Board
2. Base plate
3. Post
4. Bearers
5. Runners
6. Base Lift
7. Planks
8. Longitudinal bracing
9. Transverse bracing
10. Toprail
11. Midrail
12. Toeboard
13. Drop Bar
End of Part 1
 Scaffold Safety Workshop

Part - 2
FULL-BODY HARNESS & LANYARD
INSPECTION & PROPER USE
Think…
• What is a Personal Fall-Arrest System?
• What is a Full-body Harness?
• What is a “Shock-Absorbing” Lanyard?
• How and Where to anchor a Lanyard?
• What is the safe height at which to
anchor a lanyard to avoid hitting the
ground?
 Full-body Harness

Front
Rear
“D” Ring
“D” Ring
Personal Fall Arrest System

• Full-Body
Harness
• Shock
Absorbing
Lanyard
• Anchorage
 Personal Fall Arrest System

Each scaffold
craftsman shall
continuously wear a
full body harness with
a shock-absorbing
lanyard while erecting,
altering, or dismantling
a scaffold.
Full-body Harness
Shock Absorbing Lanyard
 Anchorage Connectors
Cross-Arm Strap Wire Hook
 Fall Distance

A total of 5.6 m
(18½ ft) is the
safe height at 1.8m
which to anchor
a lanyard to 1.1m
avoid contact
with the level
below 1.8m

5.6m

0.9m
Harness & Lanyard Inspection

Stitching pulled apart

Frayed webbing
Harness & Lanyard Inspection

Cuts in the webbing

or lanyard

Frayed webbing
 Use of Harness - Step 1

• Hold harness by
back D-ring

• Shake harness to
allow straps to
fall into place

• Identify where is
the front and
back
 Use of Harness - Step 2

• If chest, leg
and/or waist
straps are
buckled, release
them and
unbuckle at this
time
 Use of Harness - Step 3

• Slip straps over

shoulders, or in
our case pull
over your head,
so that the D-ring
is located in
middle of your
back between
your shoulder
blades
 Use of Harness - Step 4

• Pull leg strap

between legs
and buckle to its
other end

• Repeat with
second leg strap
 Use of Harness - Step 5

• After all straps

have been buckled,
tighten all buckles
so that harness fits
snug but allows
full range of
movement

• Pass excess strap

through loop
keepers
 Exercise: Wearing of Harness

Front
Rear
“D” Ring
“D” Ring
End of Part 2
Scaffold Safety Workshop

Part - 3
SCAFFOLD
INSPECTION & TAGGING
 Pre-Use Inspection
• Before we learn how to do a scaffold
pre-use inspection
– Let’s see what Scaffold Supervisors
and Inspectors must do, and
– How they communicate scaffold
safety requirements to us through
scaffold tags
– So we may know if things are being
done properly and safely
 Think…
• Who are Scaffold Supervisors?
• What are the responsibilities of being a
Scaffold Supervisor?
• What are the different levels of
Scaffold Supervisors?
• Who are Scaffold Inspectors?
• What are the responsibilities of being a
Scaffold Inspector?
Who are Scaffold Supervisors?
• Immediate supervisors of scaffold
craftsmen
• Responsible for safety of erected
scaffold
• Must passed the Scaffold
Supervisor certification test given
by Saudi Aramco Training Dept.
• Could be Saudi Aramco or
contractor employee
Supervisor Certification Levels
• Certified Scaffold Supervisor I
– All scaffolds
• Certified Scaffold Supervisor II-T
– Only Tube and Coupler
– Less than 12.2 meters (40 feet)
• Certified Scaffold Supervisor II-S
– Only System Scaffolds (Cuplok,
Kwikstage, etc.)
– Less than 12.2 meters (40 feet)
 Who Are Scaffold Inspectors ?
• Responsible in identifying scaffold
hazards and verify compliance with
Saudi Aramco scaffolding standards
– For scaffolds over 6 m. (20 feet) tall
– And, for “Special Scaffolds”
• Must passed the Scaffold Inspector
certification test given by Saudi
Aramco Training Dept.
• Could be Saudi Aramco or contractor
employee
 Reminder
• Scaffold Inspectors Only Required
to Inspect:
– Scaffolds over 6 m. (20 feet) tall,
or
– “Special Scaffolds”
• We will now learn the new Saudi
Aramco scaffold tagging system
Think…
• How many types of scaffold tags used
in Saudi Aramco?
• What is the meaning of a Red Tag?
• What is the meaning of a Green Tag?
• What is the meaning of a Yellow Tag?
• Why Tag on a Scaffold?
• When to Tag a Scaffold?
• How to Tag a Scaffold?
Saudi Aramco Scaffold
Tagging System
 Red Scaffold Tag (Holder)

Indicates the
scaffold has not
been inspected or is
not safe for use (by
anyone other than
scaffold craftsmen)
 Red Scaffold Tag (Holder)

Unique ID (serial)
number printed on
front & back of all
new holders
ID number written
on green or yellow
tags (inserts) must
be same as ID
number printed on
its holder. Why?
 Red Scaffold Tag (Holder)

• At the back of
scaffold tag holder
shows what “light
duty” & “medium
duty” scaffolding
loading means
• Acts as a guide for
users to ensure
that they are not at
risk of overloading
the scaffold
 Green Scaffold Tag (Insert)
Insert fits here

Indicates scaffold
is complete, has
been inspected,
and is safe for use
at the time of
inspection �2
TANK 105
6

A. SULAIMAN A. SULAIMAN A. GHAMDI A. SULAIMAN

GREEN scaffold A. Sulaiman

673-2400
S022-02
A. Sulaiman
673-2400
S022-02
A. Ghamdi
673-2100
A012-02
A. Sulaiman
673-2400
S022-02

tag valid for a K. SALEH

K. Saleh
673-2308
I022-02
K. SALEH
K. Saleh
673-2308
I022-02
K. SALEH
K. Saleh
673-2308
I022-02
K. SALEH
K. Saleh
673-2308
I022-02

maximum of two 7/14/02 7/28/02 8/11/02 8/25/02

weeks
 Yellow Scaffold Tag (Insert)
Insert fits here

Indicates scaffold
has been inspected
and may be used
only by workers
wearing a properly
anchored full body
harness and lanyard �
2
TANK 105

YELLOW scaffold A. SULAIMAN

Ahmed Sulaiman
673-2400
S022-02
K. SALEH
Khaled Saleh
673-2308
I022-02

tag valid for two 7/14/02

weeks maximum
 Why Tag a Scaffold ?

• To be able to identify a scaffold on-

site (ID#)
• To show on-site that a scaffold is
either safe or not safe to use
• To give an on-site warning that the
use of full body harness is required
• To be able to confirm on-site that a
scaffold has been inspected
 When to Tag a Scaffold
• After a work permit has been
issued
• As soon as construction of scaffold
starts using a Red Scaffold Tag
• All the time that a scaffold remains
on site
 How to Tag a Scaffold?

• RED scaffold tag

(holder) must be
built into scaffold,
near each access.
• RED scaffold tag
must be fixed by a
tube placed
through holder
(not fixed with
string, wire etc).
 Think…
• When must a Scaffold Supervisor &
Inspector inspect a Scaffold
• When must a Scaffold Supervisor
sign a scaffold tag?
• How a scaffold green tag is filled-in, if
scaffold is less than 6 m (20 feet)?
• How a scaffold green tag is filled-in, if
scaffold is more than 6 m (20 feet)?
 Scaffold Inspection
• When must Scaffold Supervisors and
Inspectors Inspect a Scaffold ?
– After scaffold is completely built
– After scaffold has been altered, and
before it maybe use by others
– After high winds, impact damage or
anything likely to have affected
scaffold’s strength
– At regular intervals to check that it is
still safe to use (every 2 weeks)
 Scaffold Tagging
• If Scaffold Supervisor
thinks scaffold is safe
to use, he will fill in &
sign, either:
– GREEN (Passed
Inspection) or
– YELLOW (Full Body
Harness Required)
scaffold tag
How GREEN Scaffold Tags are filled in
SCAFFOLD LESS THAN 6m (20 ft)
AND NOT A “SPECIAL SCAFFOLD”

A01001 Unique ID number (same red holder)

�
2 3
Load rating of scaffold
AHMED SULAIMAN AHMED SULAIMAN AHMED SULAIMAN
Total number of planked levels (max.)
Ahmed Sulaiman Ahmed Sulaiman Ahmed Sulaiman
673-2400 673-2400 673-2400 Maximum number of working levels
S022-02 S022-02 S022-02
Supervisor PRINTS his name
Supervisor’s actual signature
Supervisor enters his phone #
Supervisor enters his Saudi Aramco
7/14/02 7/28/02 8/11/02 certificate number

Date of next inspection - to be

entered by Supervisor.
How GREEN Scaffold Tags are filled in
SCAFFOLD MORE THAN 6m (20 ft)
TALL OR A “SPECIAL SCAFFOLD”
Supervisor enters all information on top
A01001
part of GREEN insert
�
2 6 • However, Supervisor does not enter “Date
of Next Inspection”or insert tag in holder
AHMED GHAMDI
• Supervisor gives tag to Inspector
Ahmed Ghamdi
673-2400
A012-02 Inspector PRINTS his name
Inspector's actual signature
KHALED SALEH

Inspector enters his phone number

Khaled Saleh
673-2308
I022-02
Inspector enters his Saudi Aramco
7/14/02
certificate number

Date of next inspection - to be entered by

Scaffold Inspector
 Work Permit Issuer’s Role?

• Do not issue a Work Permit for

workers (sandblasters, painters, etc.)
to USE a scaffold if:
– GREEN or YELLOW scaffold tags
not in place
– GREEN or YELLOW scaffold tags
not signed
– “Date of Next Inspection” has
passed (tag “expired”)
Work Permit Receiver’s Role?

• If you’re a Work Permit Receiver, or

user of an erected scaffold
– Obtain Work Permit before using a
scaffold
– Check and verify that:
• GREEN or YELLOW scaffold tags
are signed and in place
• “Date of Next Inspection” has
not passed
End of Part 3
Scaffold Safety Workshop

Part - 4
SCAFFOLD
USER’S CHECKLIST
 Scaffold User’s Checklist
Why have Scaffold User’s Safety
Checklist?
– For your safety in making sure the
scaffold is safe to use.
– Just because the scaffold has a
green tag does not mean it is safe
• Scaffold could have changed
since last inspection
– A convenient “Pre-Use Inspection”
tool that you can use in the field
Scaffold User’s Checklist
Scaffold User’s Checklist
• Foundation
• Posts
• Posts for Tube & Coupler Scaffold
• Runners & Bearers
• Tubing & Couplers
• Planks & Working Platforms
• Guardrails & Toeboards
• Stability
• Access
Foundation
Post (Standard) Quality

Flame Cross
Bent Cut Cut

Mushroom Welded
Split
Head
Scaffold Post Position
Scaffold Base Plate
Scaffold Posts Spacing
Light-duty Scaffold
Max 2.7m (9 ft)
Scaffold Bay
 

1.0m
(4 planks)
Wide)

 

Only if embossed tubing is used !

Embossed Scaffold Tubing
 Light-duty Tubular Scaffold
for NOT Embossed Tubing

Max 1.8m (6 ft) Scaffold Bay

 

Max
1.2m
(4 ft)

 
Medium Duty Tubular Scaffold
Medium Duty Tubular Scaffold

Max 1.8m (6 ft) Board Bearer

(Required)
 

Max
1.2m
(4 ft)

 

Must all be Embossed tubing

Joints in Posts
Posts Connectors

Joint Pin
Sleeve
Coupler
Runners & Bearers Check

Bent
Split Welded
Runners & Bearers Spacing

Bearers
on-top of Max 2 m
Runners (6’-6”)
Bearers location

Bearer
150 mm
(6”) +/-
Runner

Bearers extend at
least 100 mm (4”)
Scaffold Tubing Specs
Couplers Quality

Bad Coupling

Good Coupling
Working Platforms Quality

All levels
that are to
be worked
on need
planks
across the
full width
and length
of the
scaffold
Planks Quality Check
Planks Dimensions

13 ft (typ.)
Planks Support Spacing

50mm (2") Planks

2.4m (8') max support

38mm (1½") Planks

1.5m (5') max support
Planks Installation

Planks trapped by toeboard

Planks lashed down

Planks Installation

? ?
Min Max
Guardrail System

• Guardrails to
0.95m (38”)
stop workers to
from falling off 1.15m (45”)
the platform
• Toeboards to Fixed inside
stop materials support posts
from falling off
the platform
Scaffold Stability

A freestanding
scaffold cannot
be higher than
4 times its
width at the
base
Scaffold Stability

• If a scaffold is
higher than 4 times
its base width,
then it must be
prevented from
tipping by ties, etc.
• Ties to structure,
rakers, etc. are
used to prevent
scaffold tipping
over
Types of Scaffold Ties
Types of Scaffold Ties
Box Tie Tie to Steel-work
Tip-Over Prevention

Raker
 Vertical Bracing

Longitudinal
Bracing
Transverse
Bracing
Transverse Bracing

Zigzag “X”
Bracing Bracing
Longitudinal Bracing
Used for independent run scaffold
Longitudinal Bracing
Used for multiple bays on a birdcage scaffold

No more than 4 open bays along length of

scaffold
Node Point
Plan Braces

Plan Brace
External Access Ladder
Internal Access Ladder
Temporary Stairs
Ladder Condition
Ladder Position
You should now know how to
use the safety checklist on the
back of the green and yellow
scaffold tags !

Any questions?
Scaffold Safety Workshop

Part - 5
SCAFFOLD
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
 Think…
• When is scaffold plan required?
• Who are only authorized to erect
scaffolds more than 40 feet or
“special” scaffolds?
• Who signs the scaffold tags, if the
scaffold is more than 20 feet tall?
• What are basic scaffold work flow
components?
 Scaffold Responsibility Matrix
SP To Be Scaffold
SP To
Revwd By Scaffold Field Scaffold
Scaffold Be
Scaffold Proponent To Be Inspection Tag
Plan (SP) Revwd
Height And LP Erected Checklist Signed
Required? By
Area By: Completed By:
CSD?
Office? By:
Qualified Scaffold Scaffold
0 – 6m
No No No Scaffold Supervisor Supvr
(0 - 20 ft.) Erector Only Only
Qualified Scaffold Scaffold
6 - 12.2m
No No No Scaffold Supervisor Supvr &
(20 – 40 ft.) Erector & Inspector Inspector
Specialize Scaffold Scaffold
12.2 - 38m
Yes Yes No d Scaffold Supervisor Supvr &
(40 – 125 ft.) Erector & Inspector Inspector
Special
Specialize Scaffold Scaffold
Scaffold,
Yes Yes Yes d Scaffold Supervisor Supvr &
including > Erector & Inspector Inspector
38m (125 ft.)
 Types of Scaffold
• Tower Scaffold
• Birdcage Scaffold
• Independent Run Scaffold
• Mobile Scaffold
• Suspended Scaffold
• Bracket Scaffold
 Reminder

• Scaffold Inspectors Only Required to

Inspect:

– Scaffolds over 6 meters (20 feet) tall,

or

– “Special Scaffolds”
What is a “Special Scaffold” ?
• Higher than 38 meters (125 feet)
• Cantilevered (extended outward) by
more than 3 meters (10 ft)
• Over 30m² (320 ft²) platform area &
supported by or hung from an
existing structure
• Supporting loads greater than 240
kg/m² (50 psf), such as piping or
equipment
 Special Scaffolds

Birdcage Scaffold

Scaffolds over 38
meters (125 feet) tall
 Special Scaffolds
Suspended Scaffold

Scaffold suspended
by fixed length of
wire ropes or
scaffold tubes to an
overhead structures
whose total platform
area is over 30 sq m.
 Special Scaffolds

Bracket Scaffold

• Used by tank
builders
• Bracket straps
welded to tank
shell to support
the bracket
 Scaffold Work Flow
Plan Preparation
Scaffold Plan is Only
Required for Plan Review

- Scaffolds over Construction

12.2 m
(40 feet) tall, or Inspections

Scaffold Tagging
- “Special Scaffolds”
Scaffold Ready for Use
 Scaffold Work Flow

Plan Preparation

• If scaffold is over
12.2 meters (40 ft.)
tall, or a “special”
scaffold, a
scaffold plan is
required
 Scaffold Work Flow
Plan Review
• Scaffold plan will be
reviewed by both
Loss Prevention Dept.
(LPD) & Consulting
Services Dept. (CSD)
• Work Permit Issuer
must make sure LPD
& CSD “concurred
with” the scaffold plan
 Scaffold Work Flow
Scaffold Construction
• Issuer must write on the
“Precautions” section of
the Work Permit (for
scaffold craftsmen to
build, alter, or dismantle a
scaffold) the following
words:
– “All scaffold craftsmen shall
always wear a full-body harness
with SHOCK-ABSORBING
lanyard and shall properly
anchor their lanyards.”
 Scaffold Work Flow
Scaffold Inspection
• Scaffold Supervisors and Inspectors
must inspect a Scaffold?
– After scaffold is completely built
– After scaffold has been altered
– After high winds or anything likely
to have affected scaffold’s strength
– At regular intervals to check that it
is still safe to use (every 2 weeks)
 Scaffold Work Flow
Scaffold Tagging

• If Scaffold Supervisor
thinks scaffold is safe
to use, he will fill in &
sign, either:
– GREEN (Passed
Inspection) or
– YELLOW (Full Body
Harness Required)
scaffold tag
 Scaffold Potential Hazards
Do not interfere with scaffolds
• Do not take out ties !
• Do not take out braces !
• Do not remove planks or guardrails !
• Do not remove ladder access !
• Do not exceed scaffold loading !
If you need a scaffold to be altered,
ask your supervisor to arrange for a
scaffold craftsman to carry out the
work. do not do it yourself!
 Scaffold Potential Hazards
Guardrails Missing & Platform Gaps
• Missing guardrails
and toeboards
along with a
tripping hazard
could lead to a fall
• Gaps in the planks
could cause
materials to drop
through
 Scaffold Potential Hazards
Electrical Hazards
• Keep away from
power lines

• Make sure any

conductive materials
(e.g., scaffold tubing)
cannot get closer
than 3 m (10 ft) from
a live power line
 Scaffold Potential Hazards
High Winds & Lightning Hazards
• It’s not safe to work
on a scaffold in high
winds or when
lightning is possible
• Workers shall not be
up on a scaffold
when the wind speed
is more than 65 kph
(40 mph)
 Scaffold Potential Hazards
Mobile Scaffold Hazards

• All wheels of mobile

scaffolds must be
locked when in use
• Do not ride on mobile
scaffolds when they
are being moved
 Scaffold Potential Hazards
Overloading Scaffold

• Never load a scaffold beyond its rated load

 Safe Loading on Platforms

• You must check on the scaffold tag to

see what load the scaffold will take &
ensure you don’t put too much load on
the platform
• Be aware what things weigh, including
the number of workers
• The following slide shows some typical
weights
 Weights of materials

• Scaffold tube: 4 kg/m (4 lb/ft)

• Worker: 100 kg (225 lb)
• Scaffold fitting: 1-1.5 kg each (2-3.5 lbs)
• Water: 1 kg/litre (10 lb/gallon)
• Steel: 7.8 tons/m³
• Concrete: 2400 kg/m³
• 100 bricks: 275 kg (620 lbs)

Note:- all weights approximate

 Loading Calculations

A light duty scaffold 1.2 m wide & 2.4 m

long bays is to have a load of 2 men, a
75 kg valve and 50 kg of tools in one bay
of the scaffold. Is the scaffold safe to
use with these loadings?
 Loading Calculations

1.2 m x 2.4 m = 2.88 m² x 120 kg/m² =

345 kg is allowed per bay

2 men x 100 kg = 200 kg + 75 kg

valve + 50 kg tools = 325 kg

Allowable load is GREATER than

the Actual load
Therefore the scaffold is safe to use
 Loading Calculations

A light duty scaffold 1.2m wide with

1.8m long bays is to have a load of 2
men, 70kg of steel and 20kg of tools in
one bay of the scaffold. Is the scaffold
safe to use with these loadings?
 Loading Calculations

1.2 m x 1.8 m = 2.16 m² x 120 kg/m² =

260 kg allowed per bay

2 men x 100 kg = 200 kg + 70 kg steel

+ 20 kg tools= 290 kg
Allowable load is LESS than
the Actual load
Therefore the scaffold is
UNSAFE to use
Exercise: Loading Calculations
A medium-duty scaffold
1.2m wide with 1.8m long
bays is to have a load of 2
men, 2 bags of grit material
weighing 50 kg/bag for
abrasive blasting, and 100
bricks for the masonry
works of the other crew. All
are loaded in one bay of the
scaffold. Is the scaffold
safe to use with these
loadings?
 Loading Calculations

1.2 m x 1.8 m = 2.16 m² x 240 kg/m² =

518 kg allowed per bay

2 men x 100 kg = 200 kg + 100 kg grit

+ 275 kg bricks= 575 kg
Allowable load is LESS than
the Actual load
Therefore the scaffold is
UNSAFE to use
 Any Questions?

Thank you for attending

this workshop