Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00411:front:0:p22
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00411
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 53864–56511

of trusses may be undertaken from internal wall top plates or from scaffold planks supported on internal wall top plates provided:
    * no person works closer than 1.5 metres to an external wall, including gable end walls
    * no person is exposed to the risk of a fall into a stairwell or other void
    * planks are adequately supported across their spans.
The allowable spans for timber planks are given in Table 1 of section 2.2 Appendix B of this Code.
Laminated timber, aluminium and steel planks must be used in accordance with the manufacturer's directions.
When trusses are erected at up to 600 mm centres, persons working between the trusses to fix or brace them can use the erected trusses as a form of fall protection under controlled conditions as described below. If trusses are erected at greater than 600 mm centres, refer to Section 8.5 of this Code for suggested methods of working safely at heights.
Truss bottom chords are considered a safe working area for a competent person if all the conditions below are met.
If the person erecting trusses is to walk or work from the bottom chords of the trusses, you should ensure that:
    * trusses are adequately braced to stabilise the structure. Bracing should be at a maximum of 3000 mm apart if the bottom chord is used to support the person erecting trusses (see Figure 16)
    * only a competent person works at heights
    * suitable footwear that provides good foothold is worn
    * a nominated competent person from the truss erection team oversees the work
    * a competent person or the truss manufacturer/supplier has provided the necessary detail and instructions, including advice in regard to installers standing on the bottom chord
    * the bottom chord is visually checked by a nominated competent person for defects that may compromise the material's structural integrity (i.e. knots, splits, cracks and rotting timber) before walking on it.

Figure 16 'No go' zone for persons erecting trusses

If the apex or other high bracing points cannot be reached, use the following method:
    * Fix waling plates for standing or supporting temporary work platforms at the appropriate height to reach the apex or high points.
    * The waling plate should be fixed to the face of the truss according to the manufacturer's recommendations to ensure the load is transferred to the bottom chord.
    * The waling plate should be timber of 70 x 35 mm F5, or equivalent, to a maximum of 1500 mm long, fixed at each end by a minimum of two 65 mm x 3.15 mm nails (see Figure 17).

Figure 17 Suggested method of fixing temporary waling plate

    * The web strut to support