External referral draft 
19 December 2012  
1. ------IND- 2013 0042 S-- EN- ------ 20130212 --- --- PROJET  
 
  
Scaffolding 
The Swedish Work Environment Authority's scaffolding 
regulations and general advi ce on the application of the 
regulations  
 
  
 AFS 201X:X 
3 Table	of	contents 	
AIM, SCOPE, AND DEFINITIONS  ................................................................  5 
AIM ..............................................................................................................  5 
AREA OF APPLICATION  ......................................................................................  6 
TO WHOM THE REGULATIONS  ARE DIRECTED .........................................................  6 
DEFINITIONS ..................................................................................................  7 
PRODUCT  REQUIREMENTS  FOR SCAFFOLDING  AND WEATHER  
PROTECTION  ...............................................................................................  8 
MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS  ................................................................................  9 
TYPE EXAMINATION  .......................................................................................  10 
MARKINGS ...................................................................................................  13 
INSTRUCTIONS  ..............................................................................................  13 
PLANNING  AND LAYOUT OF SCAFFOLDING  AND WEATHER  PROTECTION  14 
PLANNING ...................................................................................................  14 
SUPPORTING  SURFACE AND PLACEMENT  ............................................................  15 
SCAFFOLDING  AND WEATHER  PROTECTION  DESIGN ...............................................  15 
Scaffolding  ............................................................................................  15 
Weather protection  ..............................................................................  16 
Combinations  ........................................................................................  17 
Design documents  ................................................................................  17 
LAYOUT OF SCAFFOLDING  AND WEATHER  PROTECTION  ..........................................  18 
Fall protection  and falling object protection  ........................................  18 
Access ...................................................................................................  19 
Scaffolding  deck ....................................................................................  20 
Weather protection  ..............................................................................  21 
ERECTION  AND DISMANTLING  OF SCAFFOLDING  AND WEATHER  
PROTECTION  .............................................................................................  21 
MANAGEMENT  .............................................................................................  22 
KNOWLEDGE  AND QUALIFICATIONS  ...................................................................  22 
DELIMITATION  ..............................................................................................  23 
INSPECTION  OF COMPONENTS  ..........................................................................  23 
SUPPORTING  SURFACE AND PLACEMENT  ............................................................  23 
FALL PROTECTION  ..........................................................................................  24  
AFS 201X:X 
4 
 ERGONOMICS  ...............................................................................................  24 
INSPECTION ..................................................................................................  25 
HANDING OVER ............................................................................................  26 
USE OF SCAFFOLDING  AND WEATHER  PROTECTION  ................................  26 
SITE SURVEY AND RISK ASSESSMENT  ..................................................................  27 
INSPECTION ..................................................................................................  27 
THE WORKSITES  ............................................................................................  28 
LOAD‐BEARING CAPACITY  AND STABILITY ............................................................  28 
ERGONOMICS  ...............................................................................................  29 
MATERIAL LOADING  AND STACKING ..................................................................  29 
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS  FOR MOBILE SCAFFOLDING  USE .......................................  30 
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS  FOR LADDER SCAFFOLD  USE ............................................  31 
PROVISIONS  ON PENALTIES  AND PENALTY FINES ....................................  31 
ANNEX 1 – PRODUCT  REQUIREMENTS  FOR PREFABRICATED  SCAFFOLDING  
AND COUPLERS  ..........................................................................................  33 
ANNEX 2 – TYPE EXAMINATION  CERTIFICATE  .........................................  36 
ANNEX 3 – TRAINING  .............................................................................  37 
TRAINING LEVELS ...........................................................................................  37 
CONTENTS  OF THE TRAINING ............................................................................  37 
1 Mandatory  elements for all levels of training ...............................  37 
2 Additional  elements for the various levels of training ...................  37 
 
  
5 
 
 The Swedish Work Environment Authority lays down
1 the following by 
virtue of Article 18 of the Work Environment Ordinance (1977:1166) and 
Article 3 of the Accreditation an d Conformity Assessment Ordinance 
(2011:811) and adopts the following general advice. 
Aim, scope, and definitions 
Aim 
Article 1  The aim of these regulations is to prevent cases of ill-health and 
accidents during work with scaffolding and weather protection. 
______________ 
1 See both Council Directive 89/655/EEC of 30 November 1989 
concerning the minimum safety and he alth requirements for the use of 
work equipment by workers at work (OJ L 393, 30 December 1989, p. 13, Celex 31989L0655), as last amended by Council Directive 2001/45/EC (OJ L 195, 19 July 2001, p. 46, Celex 32001L0045), 
as well as  Council Directive 92/57/EEC of 24 June 1992 on the 
implementation of minimum safety  and health requirements at 
temporary or mobile construction sites (eighth individual Directive 
within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC) (OJ L 245, 26 August 1992, p. 6, Celex 31992L0057). 
Also see Directive 98/34/EC of the European Parliament and of the 
Council of 22 June 1998 laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical standards and regulations (OJ L 204, 21 July 1998, p. 37, Celex 31998L0034). The Swedish Work Environment 
Authority's Code of Statutes   
The Swedish Work Environment Authority's  
scaffolding regulations and general advice;   
adopted on XX XXXXX 201X.  AFS 201X:X  
Published on xx 
xxxx 201X.   
6 
 Area of application 
Article 2  These regulations govern the work of scaffolding and weather 
protection erection, work on scaffolding and under weather protection, and how scaffolding and weather protec tion is to be constructed.  
The regulations apply to scaffolding that is used: 
 as a workplace, 
 as a means of access, 
 as fall protection during work on a roof or other high level, 
 as cover overhead, 
 to bear weather protection. 
The regulations do not apply to stag es and stands, temporary structures 
for storage, or temporary structures at  trade fairs, festivals, and the like. 
The regulations do not apply to weather protection that is less than 3 m 
in height or which has a horizontal surface area of less than 6 m
2. 
 However, the regulations always appl y to weather protection that is put 
up on scaffolding or other temporary structures. 
General advice: Some common scaffolding type s to which the regulations 
apply include scaffolding, façade sca ffolding, tube scaffolding, modular 
scaffolding, wooden scaffolding, mobi le scaffolding, system scaffolding, 
aluminium scaffolding, frame scaffo lding, and ladder scaffolds.  
Certain structures are not covered by the regulations, even if they are 
built with scaffolding material. Exem pted structures are those that do 
not meet the definition of the word  scaffolding in Article 4. Props, 
propped structures, underpinned st ructures, sign towers, etc. are 
therefore not counted as scaffolding. 
To whom the regulations are directed   
Article 3  These regulations shall be followed, in various parts, by those who 
 are employers, 
 control a worksite,  
 manufacture, import, provide, or hire out scaffolding and weather 
protection,  
 erect scaffolding and weather protec tion and thus install a technical 
device, 
 are site OHS coordinators during the planning phase and the 
execution phase of building and civil engineering work, respectively, 
 certify or type examine scaffolding. 
Each main heading is followed by an indication of whom or what 
body/agency/entity is responsible for regulatory compliance.  
7 The word 'employer' also refers to those who hire personnel and those 
who are self-employed, to the extent indicated in the general advice below. 
The regulations also cover those who undergo training, with the 
exception of Articles 25, 47, and 53 –57, which do not address organised 
school activities on school property.  
The word 'worker' also includes thos e who are given the same status as 
workers under Chapter 1(3)  of the Work Environment Act (1977:1160). 
 
General advice:  Self-employed persons are to follow these regulations in 
their entirety when erecting, usin g, or dismantling scaffolding in 
connection with building and civil en gineering work. This follows from 
the Work Environment Act.  
It also follows from said Act that when self-employed persons work at a 
joint worksite — where it does not involve building and civil 
engineering work — the whole of these regulations apply to them, with the exception of the Article 54 ergonomics rules.  
In cases where a self-employed person works with scaffolding — where 
it does not involve building and civil engineering work or a joint worksite — the Article 48 rules on access delimitation and the Article 54 ergonomics rules do not apply. 
Definitions 
Article 4  In these regulations, the following words have these meanings. 
 
Coupler  A detachable device used to connect two tubes 
(also called a pipe joint).  
 
Prefabricated façade 
scaffolding  Prefabricated scaffolding primarily intended for 
use with façades. 
 
Prefabricated ladder 
scaffold  A prefabricated scaffold, with or without wheels, 
intended to be used independently and which has a 
maximum height of 2 metres to the working deck. 
 
Prefabricated mobile 
scaffolding  A prefabricated scaffold, with wheels, which is 
intended to be used independently. 
 
Prefabricated 
scaffolding    Scaffolding in which all or some parts are 
prefabricated with given dimensions and which has fixed connection points (also called system  
8 
 scaffolding). 
 
Tube scaffolding   
  
 
Cover overhead  Scaffolding in which the frame consists of tubes 
connected with detachable couplers (also called 
tube and coupler scaffold). 
 An overhanging, sealed, and lined or sheathed construction on scaffolding that is intended to catch 
objects that fall from higher scaffolding bays.  
 
Scaffolding  Temporarily erected or suspended device that 
consists of at least two components and which is 
intended as a worksite, means of access, cover 
overhead, or fall protection. Height from the ground or other underlying plane to a horizontal working deck or equivalent is at least 1.25 metres. 
 
Wooden scaffolding Scaffolding in which all load-bearing components 
are made of wood.  
Weather protection  A temporary construction intended to cover or 
encapsulate an area wh ere building or civil 
engineering work is taking place in order to protect workers and structures from the climate. Weather protection always includes a roof, but walls may 
also be included. 
 
General advice:  More definitions can be found in the standards to which 
the regulations refer. 
Wrapped façade scaffolding is not considered weather protection, even 
if the wrapping is folded in toward s the façade above the scaffolding. 
There are often temporary buildings on construction sites, such as storage sheds, workshops, and personnel spaces. These buildings are 
not considered weather protection. 
Product requirements for scaffolding and 
weather protection 
Article 5 Articles 6–10, 12, 15–16, 18, 21, and 22 are directed at 
manufacturers, importers, and those who provide scaffolding, scaffolding  
9 components, and weather protecti on components. They contain 
requirements that must be met when unused products are placed on the 
market or put up for sale. 
Articles 6–9, 11, 12, 15, and 16 are also directed at those who provide 
scaffolding and weather protection, and the requirements must be met 
when the transfer of possession takes place. 
Articles 6–9 are also directed at  those who provide used products. 
Articles 13–14 and 16–20 are directed, in whole or in part, at those who 
type examine scaffolding.  
 
Article 6  Prefabricated scaffolding, couplers, components for prefabricated 
scaffolding, and other scaffolding and weather protection components must 
provide sufficient safety du ring erection, use, and dismantling, especially 
regarding 
 load-bearing capacity, strength, stability, and protection against 
deformations, 
 fall protection, and 
 ergonomics and manageability. 
 
General advice: It is important that scaffolding and weather protection 
components are robust enough to  withstand normal handling at 
worksites. 
Material requirements 
Article 7  Prefabricated scaffolding material, prefabricated scaffolding 
components, and other scaffolding and weather protection components must be of a quality suitable for their purposes.  
The material must be protected against external influences to the extent 
necessary to prevent deterioration or reductions in load-bearing capacity.  
Material that will be walked on may not be treated such that it becomes 
slippery. 
Rimmed steel materials may not be used in scaffolding.  
 
General advice 
Materials in accordance with the standards of the SS-EN 12811 series are 
usually acceptable. 
Steel materials should be galvanized or painted in a manner that 
provides good corrosion protection.  
  
10 
 Article 8  Tube scaffolding tubes shall have material qualities and 
dimensions tailored to the pipe jo ints that are normally used. 
The nominal material thickness of steel  tubes shall be at least 3.2 mm and 
aluminium tubes at least 4.0 mm.  
 
General advice: The pipes used for steel tube scaffolding in Sweden 
normally have the following characteristics: 
 nominal outer diameter of 48.3 mm, 
 nominal material thickness of 3.5 mm, 
 lower tensile yield limit of 300 N/mm2, and 
 elongation at failure A5 17 %. 
 
Article 9  Lumber for scaffold planking or other load-bearing components 
shall be of the structural timber strength class.  
Finger jointed lumber may not be used in scaffolding.  
Components that consist wholly or partly of wood may not be surface 
treated such that the material's structure is concealed. 
 
General advice: Lumber for scaffolding decks or other primary load-
bearing components should be at least class C24 (according to Swedish 
Standard SS-EN 338:2009 'Structural timber. Strength classes') or 
equivalent. 
Guardrails are a scaffolding compon ent and finger jointed lumber may 
therefore not be used in them. Impregnation, glazing, and similar trea tments do not normally hide the 
lumber's structure.  
Type examination 
Article 10  Prefabricated scaffolding, pref abricated scaffolding components, 
and couplers may be placed on the market or put up for sale only if they are covered by a valid type ex amination certificate.  
The certificate shall be issued by a certification body within the European 
Economic Area (EEA) that has been accredited to perform type 
examinations of the types of products specified in Annex 1. The body shall be accredited in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 of the 
European Parliament and of the Council of 9 July 2008 setting out the 
requirements for accreditation and market surveillance relating to the 
marketing of products and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 339/931
2. 
______________ 
2 OJ L 218, 13 August 2008, p. 30 (Celex 32008R0765).  
11 Those who place a product on the market or put a product up for sale in 
violation of the requirements of the first paragraph shall pay a penalty fine of SEK 2 000 for each component provided, though not exceeding SEK 100 000 for each occasion of sale (see Article 75). 
 
General advice: Because scaffolding made by a user for his/her own use 
are neither placed on the market nor put up for sale, they need not be 
type examined. 
In Sweden, the Swedish Board fo r Accreditation and Conformity 
Assessment (SWEDAC) issues accreditat ion certificates to certification 
bodies in accordance with the Accreditation and conformity assessment ordinance (2011:811). 
 
Article 11 Prefabricated scaffolding, prefa bricated scaffolding components, 
and couplers may be made available only if they have been approved by a type examination.  
 
General advice: The requirement means that they must have been type 
examined by an accredited body as per rules applicable at that time. 
However, the type examinatio n certificate may be expired.  
 
Article 12  Type examination is not needed for either 
 system scaffolding of which less than ten are made and where no more 
than 100 pieces of any single component are made, or 
 couplers of which fewer than 100 pieces are made. 
 
Article 13  The type examination shall include an assessment by the 
certification body of whether the product meets the requirements of Annex 
1. 
 
Article 14  A certification body that has ex amined a product and found it to 
meet the requirements of Annex 1 shall issue a type examination certificate 
in Swedish. 
Annex 2 sets out what the certificate is to contain.   
Article 15  A type examination certificate is valid for all products that have 
safety properties which match those of the type examined sample.  
 
General advice: Changed surface treatments are normally not of 
importance, from a safety perspective. 
  
12 
 Article 16  A type examination certificate is valid for a maximum of ten 
years from the date on whic h it was originally issued. 
A type examination certificate may be supplemented or amended during 
the 10 year period, but that does not mean that the expiration date is 
pushed back. 
 
Article 17  The certification body that has type examined and approved a 
product shall verify conformity of the components with the type examined 
sample at least once per year. The verification shall be made by sampling. 
The certification body shall requir e the manufacturer to immediately 
correct any deviation(s) found and the body shall perform a verification inspection, if necessary. The certification body shall review the decision on 
the type examination certificate if th e manufacturer does not comply with 
the requirement.  
The certification body shall issue an  annual verification report.  
 
General advice: The certification body should take samples from the 
manufacturing site(s) and verify that their safety properties match those 
of the type examined sample. A pproximately five important and 
separate components should be tested annually. A less comprehensive 
verification can be performed on simpler products. 
 
Article 18  Manufacturers and importers of type examined products are to 
have access to the documents on which the type examination was based, including reports from the examinatio n as per Article 17. These documents 
shall provide the following in Swedish: 
 Descriptions of the product as a whole and its components 
 Statements and reports on tests and calculations 
 Assessments of the product 
 Draft of instructions 
 Reports from the examinat ion as per Article 17. 
General advice: The basis usually also includes the following documents, 
which may be in other EU languages: 
 Drawings and material specifications 
 Examination documentation 
 Calculation and dimension documents 
 
Article 19  Upon request of a regulatory body, a certification body shall 
provide the documents on which the type examinations of individual 
products were based, including re ports from the examination as per 
Article 17.  
13  
General advice: The Swedish Work Environment Authority is the 
regulatory body for these products.  
 
Article 20  The certification body that has type examined a product shall 
participate in coordination activities arranged by a regulatory body.  
 
General advice: Consultation meetings are usually arranged once or twice 
a year. 
Markings 
Article 21  T y p e  e x a m i n e d  p r o d u c t s  s h a l l  b e  m a r k e d  i n  a c c o r d a n c e  w i t h  
Annex 1. 
Instructions 
Article 22  Type examined products are to have instructions in Swedish for 
erection, use, dismantling, and maintenance.  
The instructions are to be drawn up as follows: 
 For prefabricated façade scaffo lding and components (where 
applicable) for prefabricated façade scaffolding: according to Swedish Standard SS-EN 12810-1:2004. 
 For prefabricated mobile scaffolding and components (where 
applicable) for prefabricated mobile scaffolding: according to Swedish 
Standard SS-EN 1298:1996 'Mobile Access and Working Towers - Rules and Guidelines for the Preparation of an Instruction Manual'. 
 For couplers: according to applicab le Swedish Standards of SS-EN 74-
1:2005, SS-EN 74-2:2008, or SS-EN 74-3:2007. 
 For prefabricated ladder scaffolds and components for prefabricated 
ladder scaffolds: where applicable, according to Swedish Standard SS-EN 1298:1996. 
They must also demonstrate how thes e operations are to be carried out 
such that a good working environment is achieved. 
The instructions must accomp any provided scaffolding. 
 
General advice: It is important that it is clear how erection and 
dismantling is to be carried out so that fall risks are minimised, for 
example, where personal protective  equipment is to be attached. 
It is also important that the specific restrictions of use, such as maximum 
vertical or horizontal loads, are pr ecisely specified in the instructions.  
14 
 Planning and layout of scaffolding and 
weather protection 
Article 23  Articles 24–44 are directed at those who erect or substantially 
modify a scaffold or weather protection. 
Article 26 is also directed at site OH S coordinators (for both the planning 
and execution phases) in building and civil engineering work. 
Planning 
Article 24  The choice of scaffolding must always be that which contributes 
to a good working environment, both  for those who erect the scaffolding 
and for those who use it. The followi ng must be taken into account: 
 The scaffolding components' dead load and manageability 
 Fall protection during both erection and use 
 Load-bearing capacity and stability 
 Ergonomics of use 
 The means of access' properties 
 
General advice: It is important to choose scaffolding of the lightest 
material possible. 
 
Article 25  Before scaffolding erection begins, a plan must be drawn up 
which indicates how erection, use, and dismantling can be done safely. Any weather protection that is included in the structure shall also be covered by 
the plan. The plan shall be prepared by a person who has good scaffolding 
construction knowledge and experience. 
The plan shall contain information on: 
 The scaffolding or weather protection to be used 
 How the scaffolding or weather protection is to be erected, used, and 
dismantled 
 How those who erect or dismantl e the scaffolding or weather 
protection will be protected against falls and musculoskeletal injuries 
 How possible risks will be prevented 
 
General advice: The plan's scope and level of detail depends on the 
complexity of the structures concerned.  
Plans for scaffolding that is erected, used, and dismantled in a similar manner and in comparable environments can apply to numerous instances.  
15 The Swedish Board of Occupational Safety and Health's regulations on 
building and civil engineering work require a work environment plan to be prepared and available before a wo rksite is established and that said 
plan shall be adjusted to the working conditions on an ongoing basis. It 
is advisable that the scaffolding documentation be inserted as an annex 
to the work environment plan.  
Supporting surface and placement 
Article 26  When planning for scaffolding or weather protection, the 
supporting surface must be  inspected to ensure that it can safely and 
securely support the loads that may arise. The same applies for façades and 
other structures to which scaffoldin g must be anchored. The scaffolding 
must be able to be safely erected an d used at the location in question. 
 
General advice: Above all, it is important to check whether the parts of a 
building or other structure, which are affected by the scaffolding's load, 
are of sufficient strength and stability. It is particularly important to ch eck the strength when anchoring to 
facing bricks.  
Scaffolding and weather protection design 
Scaffolding 
Article 27  Before scaffolding erection begins, it must be dimensioned with 
sufficient security against material failu re, instability, and deformations that 
are significant for safety during erection , use, and dismantling. It is to be 
dimensioned for the most unfavourable combination of external loads that do not reasonably exclude each other. The external loads that one should 
normally take into account are the wo rking deck load and wind load. One 
should take into account the weight of people, materials, and tools when 
estimating the loads imposed on a working deck.  
Scaffolding shall be dimensioned acco rding to Swedish Standard SS-EN 
12811-1:2004 'Temporary works equipment - Part 1: Scaffolds - Performance 
requirements and general design' or ac cording to any other document with 
equivalent safety standards. 
The design shall be based on calcul ations and shall be documented in 
writing in specific design documents. 
  
16 
 General advice: One should usually choose a load class from Swedish 
Standard SS-EN 12811-1:2004. 
The dimensioning is usually performed by one of the following options: 
1. Compliance with the standard design in the type examination 
certificate (for prefabricated scaffolding). 
2. Compliance with the standard desi gn in the scen ario (for tube 
scaffolding). 
3. Type examination certificate or scenarios and additional, simplified 
calculations for deviations from the designs indicated in the certificate or scenario. 
4. Specific calculations for the individual case. 
SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden has developed scenarios for a 
number of tube scaffolding designs.  They are presented in the report 
'Tube scaffolding - Evaluation of sc enarios' (SP Research paper 2006:58). 
Option 3 can only be used when th ere are data and i nstructions that 
support a type examination certific ate (for prefabricated scaffolding) 
and a scenario (for tube scaffolding). These data and instructions are 
usually the permitted standard lo ad. A greater scaffolding height 
combined with a shorter bay length or a narrower bay width would be an example of a moderate deviation. 
Option 4 is usually applicable to wooden scaffolding. 
It is especially important to take wind load into account when dimensioning wrapped scaffolding. Scaffolding can be stabilised with  an appropriate combination of 
anchoring, bracing, staying, and stabilising weight. 
 
Article 28 Components from other scaffolding that are to be used in 
prefabricated scaffolding must be specifically examined in order to 
demonstrate satisfactory safety. The examination must be documented in 
the specific design documents. 
 
General advice: An applicable example of such is when components, 
which at first glance seem equivalent, are to be used in scaffolding other 
than that for which they are intended. 
The specific examination usually consi sts of a combination of tests and 
calculations.  
Weather protection 
Article 29  Before erection of weather pr otection begins, it must be 
dimensioned with sufficient security against material failure, instability,  
17 and deformations that are significant fo r safety. If the following loads may 
arise, the weather protection shall be dimensioned for them.  
1. Snow load at least equivalent to the amount of snow that can fall 
over a period of seven days based on the 50-year value. 
2. Wind load.  
3. Personnel load equivalent to at least two point loads of 1.2 kN each. 
They need not be assumed to be located nearer than 2.0 m to each other. 
One shall consider the most unfa vourable load combinations. 
The design is based on calculations and documented in writing in 
specific design documents. 
 
General advice: A snow load of 0.6 kN/m
2 is usually enough to meet 
Point 1. 
Weather protection can be dimensi oned according to applicable 
standards if the load requirements are met. The typical wind load value should be chosen according to Swedish Standard SS-EN 12811-1:2004. 
Combinations 
Article 30  When weather protection and sc affolding are combined, they are 
to be dimensioned as a composite unit.  
 
General advice: It is particularly important that the scaffolding is 
dimensioned for all of the supporting forces and moments that the 
weather protection may entail. 
Design documents 
Article 31  Calculations and other documents referred to in Articles 27–29 
must usually be in Swedish.  
A design document should usually be divided into the following 
sections: 
1. Description of the structure's location and layout. 
2. Load assumptions and imperfections. 
3. Summary and assessment of applicable load cases. 
4. Calculation of the load cases that are considered to be included in the 
design. 
5. Final assessment of the structure's safety. 
  
18 
 General advice: The load assumptions usually indicate vertical and 
horizontal load values. Common imperfections are tilted spigots and 
eccentricities in connections. The documents in Articles 27–29 and 31 may be inserted as an annex to 
the plan for erection, use, and dismant ling that is required by Article 25. 
Those who may need to consult th e documents include employers, 
workers, and site OHS coordinators for the execution phase, purchasers, 
inspectors, etc. 
Layout of scaffolding and weather protection 
Article 32  The scaffolding layout is to be ba sed on the plan for erection, use, 
and dismantling as described in Article 25. 
Fall protection and falli ng object protection 
Article 33  Scaffolding must be equipped with guardrails where there is a 
risk of falling two metres or more. Wh ere there is particular risk, there 
should be guardrails at lower fall heights as well.  
The guardrail must be of sufficient st rength and be securely fastened. It 
must be sufficiently high and consist of  a toprail, midrail, and toeboard; or 
provide equivalent protection by other means.  
The toeboard may be omitted from parts of the scaffolding that are 
neither used for work or as means of access. Toeboards are usually not 
needed in stairways, either. 
The guardrail shall be mounted in connection with the scaffolding deck 
so that a hazardous gap does not aris e between the deck and the guardrail. 
If a weather protection roof must be  walked upon, it shall be equipped 
with devices to protect against falling to lower levels. 
 
General advice: A guardrail should be executed according to Swedish 
Standard SS-EN 12811-1:2004 and SS- EN 1004:2005. However, they may 
need to be higher depending on the risks. 
Slits or openings between scaffoldin g decks and toeboards should be as 
small as possible. The most common devices to prot ect against falls from weather 
protection roofs are guardrails or an chor points for personal protective 
equipment. 
 
Article 34  Scaffolding must have cover overhead if there is a particular risk 
of falling objects that can cause harm to persons. The cover shall be  
19 sufficiently large, strong, and tight to catch falling materials and objects in a 
safe manner. It shall also be securely attached or propped up. 
 
General advice: Examples of where cover overhead may be necessary 
include areas adjacent to stair towers , at other means of access, or at 
work positions directly adjacent to the scaffolding. 
 
Article 35  Scaffolding that is used to protect against falls from an abutting 
structure shall be strong enough and anchored such that it can be sure to 
safely catch any persons who may fall against it. 
A guardrail shall normally be at least 1 m high, measured perpendicular 
from the working area surface.  
 
General advice: Swedish Standard SS-EN 13374:2004 'Temporary edge 
protection systems - Product specifica tion, test methods' is an example 
of how scaffolding guardrails can be  executed with sufficient safety. A 
two-rail guardrail with a toeboard is sufficient on working decks tilted 
at 0–10 , the rails need to be closer together at 10–30 , and a net or 
other device that serves the same purpose is usually needed at more 
than 30 . 
 
Article 36  In order to avoid the risk of pe rsons falling to a lower level, and 
to avoid the risks of improper workloads, the distance between a scaffolding deck and a wall or other abutting structure shall be as small as practicable. The distance may no rmally not exceed 0.30 metres.  
 
General advice: It is important to carefully pl an the scaffolding placement, 
particularly with curved or irregular façades or other surfaces. 
If it is not possible to erect scaffo lding close enough to the façade, a 
decking unit can be installed or a guardrail can even be put up on the 
inside of the scaffolding. 
Access 
Article 37  There must be a sufficient number  of suitable means of access to 
each scaffolding deck and each area of de ck where work is to be carried out.  
There shall also be an appropriate transport route, where necessary. 
Scaffolding that consists of two or more  bays lengthwise must be executed 
such that safe access is provided to each bay.  
20 
 The means of access should usually consist of stairs or gangways. Stairs 
and gangways shall be of adequate width and have an appropriate slope. Gangways shall be at least 0.60 metres wide. 
This section does not apply to means of access in mobile scaffolding or 
ladder scaffolds. 
 
General advice: It is important that safe access is provided around 
corners, past balconies, etc. 
A vertical or near-vertical ladder is usually unsuitable as a means of 
access. Stairs should be designed accord ing to Swedish Standard SS-EN 12811-
1:2004. 
Rules on means of access and connectin g routes are also available in the 
regulations on building and civil engineering work. 
 
Article 38  Mobile scaffolding must have a means of access in the form of a 
leaning ladder, a step ladder, or a st aircase according to Swedish Standard 
SS-EN 1004:2005, if the height to the working deck is greater than 2.5 metres. 
Each level that can be walked upon must be fully planked if the means of 
access consists of a leaning ladder. 
 
General advice: Building and civil engineering work usually requires a 
stairway for a means of access in mobile scaffolding.  
 
Article 39  There must be a safe and effectiv e means of access to the roof of 
weather protection, if needed. 
 
General advice: Access to the roof of weathe r protection may be needed 
for snow removal and repairs. 
Scaffolding deck 
Article 40  The levels and surfaces that must be used for work or as means 
of access shall be fully planked. 
Scaffolding decks shall be installed in such a way that their components 
are not inadvertently dislod ged from their positions. 
 
General advice: The second paragraph means that planking components 
usually need to be mechanically secured to the scaffolding. 
  
21 Article 41 A scaffolding deck shall be as level as possible. The risk of 
tripping must be prevented if  there are level differences.  
 
General advice:  In order to facilitate transports and reduce the risk of 
tripping, it is advisable to put a be nt-over edge plate or a wedge-shaped 
block of wood at the plank ends if the planks overlap. 
 Article 42  Both ends of overlapping planks shall extend beyond the frame 
far enough to minimise the risk of collapse.  
At the end frame, the possibility to walk on projecting sections of 
planking, duckboards, or other deck comp onents is to be prevented if they 
cannot be walked on with sufficient safety.  
 
General advice: Planking should extend at least 0.15 metres beyond the 
frame. 
 
Article 43  All individual planks shall be connected on planked decks of 
façade scaffolding. 
 
General advice: There are specific planking cross battens for such 
purposes. 
Weather protection 
Article 44  T h e r e  s h a l l  b e  s p a c e  s o  t h a t  w o r k  c a n  b e  c a r r i e d  o u t  u n d e r  
weather protection without cases of ill- health and accidents. The clearance 
height where workers need to be should normally not be less than 2.10 metres.  
 
General advice:  Tie-rods and the like may sometimes be necessary and 
may infringe somewhat on the clearance height.  
Erection and dismantling of scaffolding 
and weather protection 
Article 45  Articles 46–56 are directed at employers who erect, substantially 
modify, or dismantle scaffold ing or weather protection. 
Articles 48–49 are also directed at those who control a worksite. 
Articles 55–56 are also directed at those who use scaffolding or weather 
protection.  
22 
 Article 57 is directed at those who hire out scaffolding or weather 
protection. 
Management 
Article 46  He/she who leads the work of erecting, making substantial 
modifications, and dismantling scaffo lding or weather protection shall be 
competent and have sufficient knowledge and experience for such work. 
This person shall have theoretical knowledge at least equivalent to the 
knowledge required for the actual work.  
Said person shall also ensure, if ne cessary, that instructions on the work 
also reach workers with cognitive disabilities. 
Knowledge and qualifications 
Article 47  The employer shall ensure that those who erect, substantially 
modify, or dismantle scaffolding or weather protection have the knowledge 
for that work. They shall, at minimum,  have received appropriate training 
or specific information for such work as  specified in Annex 3. Annex 3 also 
indicates the duties to which ea ch training course applies. 
Employers are to ensure that those who have gained their knowledge 
through general training, specific traini ng, or through other, more extensive 
training, can verify their knowledge with a training certificate that shows they satisfactorily completed the training.  
The employer who allows a person to erect, make substantial 
modifications to, or dismantle scaffo lding in violation of the second 
paragraph requirements — for each worker who is unable to produce training certificates — shall pay a penalty fine of SEK 4 000 when general training is required for the job, or SEK 20 000 when specific training is 
required for the job (see Article 75). 
 
General advice: The three different training levels are minimum 
requirements. Longer training is often required for workers whose 
primary job it is to erect, modify, and dismantle scaffolding, such as 
training that leads to a profession al qualification or certificate of 
professional competence as a scaffolder. Workers should receive training from  a certified training provider.  
23 Delimitation 
Article 48  When scaffolding or weather pr otection is to be erected, 
modified, or dismantled and is not ready for use, they must be clearly 
delimited as to prevent access to them.  
Moreover, if it is hazardous to enter the area around the scaffolding or 
weather protection, that area shall also be delimited. The hazard area shall 
be marked with the appropriate signage.  
If this only applies to parts of th e scaffolding or weather protection, 
corresponding delimitation and signage are to be made for these parts. 
 
General advice: The Swedish Work Environment Authority has issued 
specific regulations on signs and signals. 
 
Article 49  When scaffolding or weather protection is erected at a 
particularly high-risk location, such as near water, a road, a street, a 
railway, crane tracks or next to a power plant, protection must be arranged against the specific risks that may arise.  
 
General advice: Scaffolding located where there is traffic may need to be 
protected against impacts. 
A special permit may sometimes be needed for scaffolding. Special 
safeguards may be needed, in the form of shut-offs or closures, to put up 
scaffolding. 
Inspection of components 
Article 50  Material for scaffolding and weather protection shall be carefully 
examined before each erection. Mate rial and components with safety-
related defects may not be used. 
Such defects include: 
 damaged components, 
 components with rust or other corrosion, and 
 wood material or components with rot, warping, or cracks. 
 
General advice: It is especially important to check that the standards and 
components for working decks are of sound condition. 
Supporting surface and placement 
Article 51  Scaffolding and weather protection may only be erected if the 
supporting surface can take up the loads that may occur. If weather  
24 
 protection is installed on scaffold ing, one must make sure that the 
scaffolding can safely and securely take the loads from the weather protection. 
Scaffolding may only be anchored to structures that can take up the loads 
that may arise. 
Side-slipping and eccentric load transfer between the scaffolding and 
supporting surface must be prevented. 
 
General advice: If there is uncertainty about the anchor points' load-
bearing capacity, they may need to be pull tested. 
It is important to be aware of the risk that mobile scaffolding can begin to slip, especially on sloping or slippery surfaces or if there is little 
friction between the wheels and the ground surface.  
Fall protection 
Article 52  When scaffolding or weather prot ection is erected or dismantled 
and the fall height is two metres or more, workers shall be protected against the risk of falling to a lower level.  
 
Article 53  First and foremost, one should choose scaffolding that can be 
mounted such that the guardrail, wholly  or most of it, is already in place 
when one goes up to a higher level. 
As a second choice, one should use a temporary railing system. As a final choice, fall protection can be achieved by the worker's use of 
personal protective equipment.  
 
General advice: It is possible to mount the guardrail from a lower level on 
several makes of prefabricated façade scaffolding.  
It is important that the guardrails are set up as quickly as practically 
possible and are not removed until all work is completed and there is no longer any fall risk. A temporary guardrail system is asse mbled at a lower level, pushed up 
to the next level, and then removed when the ordinary railing is set up. 
If personal protective equipment is to be used, it is important that it is attached to spots that can take the forces that can occur when a person falls. 
Ergonomics 
Article 54  The employer must plan the work to ensure that those who erect 
or dismantle scaffolding or weather protection have the work equipment  
25 necessary for the work to be performed in an ergonomically correct 
manner. For example, the employer must ensure that: 
 Materials and components are transp orted to and placed as close to 
the installation location as possible. 
  Machinery is used to raise mate rial and components up onto the 
scaffolding as well as to lower them  down from the scaffolding.   
 The means of access are installed early so that they can be used by the 
personnel who assemble the scaffolding or weather protection. 
 There is sufficient space on th e scaffolding during erection. 
 
General advice: It is especially important that the working deck 
components are easy to carry and handle. 
It is important that there are transpor t routes to the installation location 
so that the material can be unloaded near it. If an elevator is to be used, it should be installed as early as possible and 
then built upwards accordingly. 
Space is usually sufficient if the working deck is at least 0.6 metres wide. 
Inspection 
Article 55  When scaffolding or weather prot ection is completed, the party 
that performed the work shall also perfor m an inspection to ensure that it is 
properly built and well-functioning.  
If the user of scaffolding or weather protection is a different legal person 
than the entity that built it, the user shall participate in the inspection, if possible.  
 
General advice: The user has the same obligati on as the erector to inspect 
the scaffolding or weather protection, in accordance with the regulations 
on the use of work equipment. It is therefore advisable to coordinate the 
inspection. 
 
Article 56  The party that performs the i nspection shall ensure that the 
scaffolding or weather protection's execution is consistent with the documents that form the basis for th e design (see Articles 27–29 and 31). 
The inspection is to be document ed in a specific document.  
 
General advice: It is advisable that the scaffolding or weather protection 
erector and the user both sign this document. 
Documentation support may consist of  photographs of the scaffolding, 
especially if it is large.  
26 
  
It is important to specifically check that: 
 the scaffolding is properly jacked, 
 the anchorings are whole and proper ly executed and that they are 
test pulled if there is uncertainty ab out their load-bearing capacity,   
 the guardrails are in  place where needed, 
 the distance between the scaffolding decks and abutting structure is 
not too large, 
 plank components are correctly mounted, 
 the scaffolding can be safely accessed, and 
 all components are secured against a ccidentally getting lodged out of 
their positions. 
Handing over 
Article 57  When the party that erected sc affolding or weather protection 
hands them over, the following docume nts are also to be handed over: 
1. the erection, use, and dismantling plan as per Article 25, 
2. the design documents as per Articles 27–29 and 31, 
3. the inspection documentation as per Articles 55–56, 
4. information on snow removal, roof access, and fall protection from 
the weather protection, 
5. information on how the weather prot ection is to be inspected,   
6. specific instructions for the erection, use, dismantling, and 
maintenance of the weather prot ection, if there are such, and 
7. the instructions for the erection, use, dismantling, and maintenance 
according to Article 22, if it in volves prefabricated scaffolding. 
 
General advice: It is important that the coordinating party for measures to 
protect against ill-health and accidents have access to the documents. In 
the case of building and civil engineering work, the site OHS 
coordinator for the execution phase  should keep them available. 
Use of scaffolding and weather protection 
Article 58  Articles 59–74 are directed at  employers, i.e. those who use 
scaffolding as a workplace, means of access, or as protection against falls from an abutting structure, or who use weather protection.   
27 The last paragraphs of both Article  60 and Article 61 are also directed at 
site OHS coordinators for the exec ution phase of building and civil 
engineering work. 
Site survey and risk assessment   
Article 59  Prior to starting work on scaffolding or beneath weather 
protection, the employer shall check the worksite conditions and assess the 
specific risks there. 
The employer must also make sure that  the chosen scaffolding is suitable 
for the job.  
 
Article 60  The employer shall make sure that the scaffolding or weather 
protection documentation under Article 57 is available and ensure that the 
documents under Article  57(1) and (3)–(7) are available at the worksite. 
The employer shall ensure, if necessary, that information on the 
scaffolding or weather protection al so reaches workers with cognitive 
disabilities. 
Before use begins of scaffolding or weather protection that is to be used 
by several employers in building and civil engineering work, the employer 
must provide copies of the documents to the site OHS coordinator for the 
execution phase. The responsibility of controlling the documents' on-site 
availability rests with the site OHS coordinator. 
 
General advice: The design documents under Article 57(2) can be 
extensive and therefore do not normal ly need to be available at the 
worksite. The last paragraph means that the do cuments only need to be provided 
to the site OHS coordinator once, i.e. before the scaffolding or weather 
protection is put into use for the first time. 
Inspection 
Article 61  The employer shall inspect scaffolding or weather protection 
both before they are put into use and also on an ongoing basis during the period in which the workers use them. If scaffolding or weather protection 
has deficiencies that are important fr om an OHS point of view, they may 
not be used until the deficiencies have been remedied.  
The site OHS coordinator for the ex ecution phase shall supervise the 
ongoing inspections of scaffolding or we ather protection that is used by 
several employers in building and civil engineering work. 
   
28 
 General advice: It is particularly important to inspect the following: 
 jacking, 
 anchoring, 
 guardrails, 
 scaffolding deck and planking, 
 securing of components, especially working deck components, 
 means of access, and 
 weather protection roofs, including its fastening and the need for snow 
removal. 
The documents specified in Article 60 may be helpful in the inspections. 
It is important to particularly inspect  scaffolding that has been subject to 
high winds, other weather conditions th at may have affected it, when it 
has been exposed to any other unfores een event, or has stood unused for 
a long time. 
The worksites 
Article 62  When scaffolding or weather prot ection is used, they must meet 
the requirements of Articles 24–44, 49, 51, and 55–57.  
 
Article 63  Free-standing ladders may not be used on the working decks of 
façade, mobile, or ladder scaffolds. 
 
Article 64  Scaffolding may not be used as an earth lead for electrical 
welding.  
Load-bearing capacity and stability   
Article 65  The employer must provide the following information to those 
who work on scaffolding or beneath weather protection: 
 permissible load on the scaffolding, and 
 the designed load for the weather protection. 
 
General advice: It is important that the scaffolding not be overloaded with 
construction and demolition materials,  sandblasting sand, or the like. 
If several companies use the scaffolding or weather protection, they 
should be informed of the permi ssible load with an unambiguous 
notice.  For weather protection, it normally concerns snow load. 
  
29 Article 66  Work on scaffolding may only be carried out on one working 
level at a time, unless the scaffolding is specifically designed for work on more than one level.  
 
General advice: The assumptions that form the bases for type examination 
certificates (for prefabricated sca ffolding) and scenarios (for tube 
scaffolding) only apply to work on one level at a time. 
 
Article 67  Heavy equipment and heavy machinery or the like may only be 
present on the scaffolding if it is designed for such. The same applies to machinery or other items that give rise to additional dynamic loads.  
Ergonomics  
Article 68  Scaffolding may only be used if there is enough space for the 
intended work, for transport s, and to load material. 
Work shall be possible with appropriate working postures and 
movements.  
 
General advice: The following scaffolding width classes, according to 
Swedish Standard SS-EN 12811-1:2004, are usually applicable: 
 Minimum W18 for jobs that include both stacking and carting (for 
example, bricklaying in the traditional Swedish method). 
 Minimum W12 for jobs that include either stacking or the transport 
of material by means other than carting. 
 W06 for other jobs. 
W18 means a working deck width of at least 1.80 m, W12 at least 1.20 m, 
and so on. 
Material loading and stacking 
Article 69  Material loading and stacking on scaffolding must be carefully 
planned and specifically supervised. It may only be done if the scaffolding is specifically designed and adapted for such.  
 
General advice: It is particularly important that loading bridges are 
designed for the loads for which they are intended. 
 
Article 70 Material loading and stacking with machinery should preferably 
be done by vertically lowering the material onto the scaffolding. Material  
30 
 must always be set down gently in or der to avoid subjecting the scaffolding 
to dynamic loads. 
If the materials are loaded or unloaded  horizontally, it must be done with 
methods that do not subject the sc affolding to horizontal forces. 
Workers who are not engaged in loading or stacking may not remain on 
the scaffolding section where the load ing or stacking is in progress. 
 
General advice: Material loading and stacking with a telescopic forklift or 
similar device can only be done if th e forks, or the like, can be drawn out 
horizontally in a manner that does  not produce horizontal forces. 
Specific requirements for mobile scaffolding 
use 
Article 71 Mobile scaffolding is normally on ly to be used for quick jobs 
where the scaffolding needs to be moved frequently.  
Only work that does not expose the scaffolding to any significant 
horizontal forces may be carried out. 
 
General advice: The replacement of lamps, fixtures, hanging or taking 
down signs, and minor painting, elec trical, ventilation, and sheet metal 
work are examples of such work. Mobile scaffolding is unsuitable for major façade work, such as façade 
painting. 
A prefabricated mobile scaffold is de signed for a horizontal load of 300 
N. 
 
Article 72 The wheels or rollers of mobile sc affolding must be locked when 
the scaffold is in use. 
 
Article 73  When mobile scaffolding is move d, no persons or material that 
can fall may be on it.  
If mobile scaffolding has stabilisers, they may not be removed during 
movement. 
 
General advice: It is important that mobile scaffolding is moved carefully 
so that it does not become unstab le. When moving mobile scaffolding 
with stabilisers, the stabilisers may need to be lifted slightly.  
31 Specific requirements for ladder scaffold use 
Article 74  Ladder scaffolding may normally only to be used for simple jobs 
where the scaffolding needs to be moved frequently. They may only be 
used on flat and paved surfaces and only  on horizontal surfaces if the legs 
cannot be adjusted for height. 
Ladder scaffolds may only be used by one person at a time. 
Only work that exposes the scaffoldin g to minor horizontal forces may be 
carried out. 
 
General advice: If a surface is slightly sloped, one can sometimes jack up 
the scaffolding legs so that the working deck is made horizontal. 
A ladder scaffold is usually designed for a horizontal load of 100 N. 
Provisions on penalties and penalty fines 
Article 75  The provisions in the first paragraph of Article 10 and the second 
paragraph of Article 47 are regulations under Chapter 4(2) of the Work 
Environment Act (1977:1160). 
Those who violate these provisions shall pay a penalty fine according to 
Chapter 8(5)–(10) of the Work Environment Act. The size of the penalty fine 
is calculated according to the ground s specified in Articles 10 and 47 of 
these regulations. 
  
This statute enters into force on XX XXXXX 201X. It simultaneously 
abrogates the Swedish Board of Occupational Safety and Health's Scaffolding regulations (AFS 1990:12).  
Type examinations for prefabrica ted scaffolding, prefabricated 
scaffolding components, and couplers under the Swedish Work 
Environment Authority's scaffolding regulations (AFS 1990:12) are also 
valid as type examinations pursuant to  Article 10 of these regulations. The 
requirements in Articles 17–18 do  not apply to these products. 
Type approvals for prefabricated sca ffolding, prefabricated scaffolding 
components, and couplers under the Swedish Work Environment Authority's scaffolding regulations (A FS 1990:12) or under older rules are 
not valid as type examinations. 
 
  
32 
 MIKAEL SJÖBERG 
 XXXXX XXXXXXXX Anna Middelman   
33  
Annex 1 – Product requirements for 
prefabricated scaffolding and couplers 
 
Prefabricated façade scaffolding and independent components for 
prefabricated façade scaffolding 
Prefabricated façade scaffolding shall meet the technical requirements 
contained in the following Swedish Standards: 
(a) SS-EN 12810-1:2004 'Façade scaffolds made of prefabricated 
components - Part 1: Product specifications' 
(b) SS-EN 12811-1:2004 'Temporary works eq uipment - Part 1: Scaffolds - 
Performance requirements and general design' 
The standards apply under this regulation, with the following clarifications: 
 Clearance height between working decks: The height class should be 
H2 according to Chapter 4 in (a) and Chapter 5.3 in (b). 
 Toeboard: The toeboard's height shall be 0.15 m or greater according to 
Chapter 5.5.4 in (a). 
 Access to the working deck: The vertical access class must be ST or LS 
according to Chapter 4 in (a). 
 Stairs: Both Class A and Class B according to Chapter 5.8.2 in (b) are 
admissible. 
 Component installation: Bridging beam under Chapter 7.1(d) in (a), 
first indent, need not be included in the system. 
 Load class: The load class shall be at least class 2 according to Chapter 
6 in (b). 
 Build height for load cla ss: Minimum build height of 24 m applies to at 
least one configuration for each lo ad class indicated in the type 
examination certificate accordin g to Chapter 7.2.2 in (a). 
 
Prefabricated mobile scaffolding and independent components for 
prefabricated mobile scaffolding 
Prefabricated mobile scaffolding must meet the technical requirements of 
Swedish Standard SS-EN 1004:2005 'Mobile access and working towers 
made of prefabricated elements - Ma terials, dimensions, design loads, 
safety and performance requirements'. 
The standard applies under this regulation, with the following 
clarifications:  
34 
  Clearance height between working decks: The height class should be 
H2 according to Chapter 7.2. 
 Toeboard: The toeboard's height shall be 0.15 m or greater according to 
Chapter 7.4.4. 
 Access to the working deck: There should at least be class A, B, or C in 
accordance with Chapter 7.6. 1, i.e. not just class D. 
 Maximum distance between platforms: For access with ladders 
(classes C and D according to Ch apter 7.6.3), the intermediate 
platforms must be fully covered with platform components. 
 Loads: All loads indicated in Chap ter 8.1 shall be presumed to be 
characteristic static loads. 
In addition, the design of scaffold ing as a whole may not presume the 
friction coefficient between the stabilis ers or outriggers and surface to be 
greater than 0.2. 
 
Prefabricated ladder scaffolds 
Ladder scaffolds shall meet th e following requirements: 
 The load-bearing capacity shall be adequate by having a load class 
equivalent to at least class 2 according to SS-EN 1004:2005 'Mobile 
access and working towers made of prefabricated elements - Materials, dimensions, design loads, safety  and performance requirements'. 
 Stability should be adequate with a safety margin against tipping of at 
least 1.2 with the following loads:  
- Tipping horizontal load of 100 N on the working deck in the 
most unfavourable direction.  
- Stabilising vertical load of 750 N 0.100 m from the platform's 
side. 
- The above loads are to be placed in the most unfavourable way. 
- The scaffolding should be whole, but without railing, and any 
wheels must be placed in the most unfavourable position. 
 All primary components for prefabricated ladder scaffolds are to be 
marked to indicate to which pr oduct the component belongs, the 
manufacturer, and the year of manufacture. 
One should be able to get up and down  safely from the scaffold platform. 
 
Couplers 
Couplers shall meet the requirements of the following Swedish Standards:  
(c) SS-EN 74-1:2005 'Scaffolding - Couplers, spigot pins and baseplates 
for use in falsework and scaffolds - Part 1: Couplers for tubes - Requirements and test procedures'.  
35 (d) SS-EN 74-2:2008 'Scaffolding - Couplers, spigot pins and baseplates 
for use in falsework and scaffolds - Part 2: Special couplers - Requirements and test procedures'. 
(e) SS-EN 74-3:2007 'Scaffolding - Couplers, spigot pins and baseplates 
for use in falsework and scaffolds - Part 3: Plain base plates and spigot pins - Requirements and test procedures'. 
The standard applies under this regulation, with the following 
clarifications: 
 Couplings - mode of operation: All couplers should be screw couplers 
(not wedge couplers) according to Chapter 3 in (c) and Chapter 3 in (d). 
 Coupler classes: All couplers shall be class B or BB according to 
Chapter 4.2.1 in (c) and Chapter 5 in (d). 
 Joint couplers: Couplers for axial tu be joints should be of type SF 
according to Ch. 4.1 in (c); not snap pins according to Ch. 3 in (e) or expanded pins. 
 
General advice:  It is important that the marking is clear even after the 
component has been surface treated. 
  
36 
  
Annex 2 – Type examination certificate 
 
All type examination certificates are to contain the following information: 
 Name and address of the manufactur er and at least one distributor. 
 Type designation of the product. 
 Description of the product and all its parts. 
 Summarized information about the components' materials. 
 Markings. 
 Reference to instructions for er ection, use, dismantling, and 
maintenance. 
 Information on how the annual inspection under Article 17 shall be 
conducted. 
Type examination certificates for prefabricated scaffolding shall also 
include the following information: 
 Description of the product's different standard designs including 
dimensions, load classes, and build heights. 
 Means of access. 
 Where personal protective equipmen t can be attached, if applicable. 
 Components that can be used with the scaffolding but which are not 
provided by the manufacturer (syste m-free components), if applicable. 
Type examination certificates for individual components for 
prefabricated scaffolding shall also include the following information: 
 The scaffolds in which the component can be used. 
 Permissible loads or equiva lent for the component. 
 Bearing pressure that the component can transfer to the scaffolding. 
Type examination certificates for prefabricated scaffolding can also 
contain information and instructions for calculating the load-bearing 
capacity with specified deviatio ns from the standard designs.  
 
General advice:  Information and instructions under the last paragraph 
usually consist of an indication of the permitted spigot load. 
  
37  
Annex 3 – Training 
Training levels 
The following training le vels are normally used: 
 Specific information. 
 General training. 
 Specific training. 
Contents of the training 
1 Mandatory elements for all levels of training 
All	information 	and	training	must	include	the	following 	
elements: 	
 Understanding of the plans for the erection, dismantling, or 
modification of the sc affolding in question. 
 Safety during the erection, disman tling, or modification of the 
scaffolding in question. 
 Measures to prevent the fall risk of persons or objects. 
 Precautions when weather conditions change in ways that adversely 
affect the safety of the scaffolding in question. 
 Conditions regarding permissible loads. 
 All other risks which the abovem entioned work with erection, 
dismantling, or modification may entail. 
2 Additional elements fo r the various levels of 
training 
In	addition 	to	Point	1,	specific	information 	shall	include:	
 Orientation of which scaffolding rules apply in Sweden. 
 Review of type examination certific ates and installation instructions 
for the scaffolding that is planned to be used. 
This information applies to those who, to a limited extent, perform 
work with scaffolding with a maxi mum height of 2 m to the working 
deck and where the design is shown in general assembly instructions. 
  
38 
 In	addition 	to	Point	1,	general	training	shall	include:	
 Orientation of scaffolding rules in Sweden. 
 Review of different types and make s of prefabricated scaffolding. 
 Methods to protect oneself from falls during the erection and 
dismantling of scaffolding. 
 Methods for up-and-down transports and lifting scaffolding 
equipment. 
 Anchoring of scaffolding. 
This training applies to those who perform work with scaffolding 
with a maximum height of 9 m (four plank platform heights) to the 
working deck and where the design is shown in general assembly 
instructions. 
 
In	addition 	to	Point	1,	specific	training	shall	include:	
 A thorough review of scaffolding rules in Sweden. 
 General principles for the erection of tube and coupler scaffolding. 
 Review of different types and make s of prefabricated scaffolding. 
 How scaffolding can be used in ways other than as shown in the 
instructions. 
 Methods to protect oneself from falls during the erection and 
dismantling of scaffolding. 
 Methods for up-and-down transports and lifting scaffolding 
equipment. 
 Anchoring of scaffolding. 
 Wrapping of scaffolding. 
 Scaffolding design. 
 Special scaffolding structures.  
 Weather protection. 
This training applies to those who perform work with higher or 
more complex scaffolding than those mentioned in Points 1 and 2.  
General advice:  Appropriate length of each type of training is as follows: 
 2–4 hours for specific information, 
 16 hours for general training, and 
 80 hours for specific training.