In general all lifting equipment for the lifting of persons shall be: Designed, manufactured and tested to the relevant standards stated below and in Appendix A Performance Standards. Assembled, rigged and operated by authorised competent persons who have received the specified training (see Appendix B Training Standards). Lifting equipment must be inspected after assembly/rigging and before use for the first time by a Competent Person. Thorough examinations and testing if necessary carried out at least every 6 months by a Competent Engineer. Records of engineer’s examination must be retained on site. Clearly display a safe load rating. Never exceed the safe load rating. A secondary Personal Fall Protection System is to be used, as stated in this specification. Selection of powered access equipment will consider the suitability of surfaces and other structures to support and/or secure the equipment against collapse or overturning. Powered access equipment must be inspected before use and at every 7 days by a competent person. Operators must complete visual checks before use. The work area powered access equipment to deemed a danger area (see section 4.6 Danger areas) with suitable barriers and warning signs displayed to prevent unauthorised access. Tools, equipment etc. shall be kept in such a location that they do not represent a tripping hazard and cannot fall or be knocked from the structure. Working platforms shall have a carrying box secured in the platform. no catchment means are located below the workplace, safety lines shall be attached to tools and similar equipment. All powered access equipment must be serviced and maintained in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations. A service log must be maintained for each of equipment. Operatives must report any defects or problems identified with the equipment, which must be taken out of use, until rectified. Operatives must not attempt to carry out repairs, which must only be carried out by a Content and Authorised Person. Special precautions shall be taken when using access equipment in the vicinity of live electrical conductors (refer to SP 1242 Activities in the Vicinity of Overhead Power Lines). Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWP’s)
Where edge protection is constructed using scaffolding equipment (e.g. conventional tube and fittings) then the requirements of section 5 Scaffolding, shall apply. A safe system of work, collective protection before resorting to personal fall protection, must be established for the installation of edge protection e.g. the use of a MEWP to erect edge protection guardrails to open steelwork before resorting to climbing the structure attached with a safety harness. All temporary edge protection systems must be subjected to the same inspection regime as scaffolding structures (see section 5.11 Scaffold Inspection). Falls from Vehicles At PDO we should always be seeking innovation to prevent accidents. This includes falls from vehicles while loading and unloading materials on site. Where possible workers should avoid accessing the vehicle beds. However this is not always possible therefore safe systems of work must consider suitable measures for loading and unloading that best suit the layout of the site and the nature of work. Work on High Structures Personnel be adequately trained and experienced in their work, specifically as applied to operating above ground level. Supervisors, adequate in number, training and experience shall be provided for the control of work. All persons working above ground level shall be provided with and shall use personal protective equipment, in accordance with the requirements of SP 1234 Personal Protective Equipment. All work at height must be risk assessment to identify the hazards and control measures required as per this specification and the planning process outlined in section 4. Certain high structures may be assessed as requiring additional restrictions that must be controlled via a special access permits e.g. roof access. 14.1 Work Practices In to minimise exposure to risk, the minimum practical number of personnel shall be assigned to the job.
Appendix A - Performance Standards The appendix states the main external performance standards required by PDO. This list is not exhaustive. A1 Scaffolding Item Standard/Guidance Title Comment General Scaffolding BS EN 12811 Part 1: 2003 Scaffolds – Performance requirements and general design. Technical specification to all access scaffolding structures should be designed. Access and Special Scaffolding with conventional and fittings. NASC TG20:08 Technical Guidance on the use of BS EN 12811-1 A guide to good practice for scaffolding with tubes and fittings – Volumes 1 and 2. Plus Supplement 1. Replaced BS5973 and TG20:05 as the recognised standard for scaffolding with tubes and fittings in the UK January 2011. Supplement 1 introduced to accommodate BS EN 1991 Wind Code (Eurocode 1). Note: currently under review, update expected 2013. Wind BS EN Eurocode 1. Actions on structures. General actions. Wind actions The main wind code to be used for the design of scaffolding and other structures. Note reduction factor of 0.7 for temporary structures erected >2 years is permitted as per BS5975, BS EN 12812 and BS 12811. Scaffold Tubes BS 1139 Part 1.1: 1990 Scaffolding – Specification for steel tubes Withdrawn July 01 and replaced by BS EN 39: 2001 accepted for used tubes, purchased prior to the withdrawal of this standard. BS EN 39: 2001 Loose steel tubes for tube and coupler scaffolds. Galvanised Type 4 tube only in accordance with TG20. Other materials (aluminium) or types (type 3) must have specific engineer’s calculations to support their use. BS 1139 Part 1.2: 1990 Metal Scaffolding – Specification for aluminium tubes Note that some facilities prohibit the use of aluminium access equipment on site.
Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) Scaffold Tubes No applicable standard. N/A specified GRP Scaffold Tubes must only be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and technical data. Scaffold Couplers BS 1139 Part 2.1: 1991 (EN 74: 2007) Specification for couplers, loose spigots and for use in working scaffolds and falsework made of steel tubes. Drop forged type couplers are preferred to other types. Note that steel couplers are specified as suitable for use with GRP Scaffold Tube by most manufacturers. Scaffold Boards (Timber) BS 2482: 2009 Specification for timber scaffold boards. Machine stress graded BS 2482 Boards are preferred to visually graded. boards are not permitted e.g. Alpha, Grade A or otherwise. NASC TG10:06 Fire retardant treatments for timber scaffold boards and battens. Fire retardant boards only required when subject to specification where significant fire risk has been identified for a specific task. Scaffold Boards (LVL) BS EN 2004 Timber structures. Structural laminated veneer lumber. No British or European Standard for Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) as scaffold boards and battens. Good structural properties and performance in hot arid environments. OSHA 1926 Safety & Health Regulations for Construction, Subpart L – Scaffolds – Appendix A US regulation for the performance of scaffold boards. ANSI A10.8 - 2001 Safety Requirements for Scaffolding. US standard for the performance of scaffold boards. Scaffold Boards (Plastic) No applicable standard N/A Proprietary plastic scaffold boards (e.g. Superdeck) must only be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and technical data.
System Scaffolding and proprietary scaffolding components as part of a scaffold structure. BS EN 12811 Part 1: 2003 Scaffolds – Performance requirements and general design. Suppliers/manufacturers may be required to provide evidence of compliance with BS EN EN 12810 prior to using a specific System Scaffold. BS EN 12810 Part 1: 2003 Façade scaffolds made of prefabricated components – Part 1 Product specifications As above BS EN 12810 Part 2: 2003 Façade scaffolds made of prefabricated components – Part 2 Particular methods of structural design As above Temporary Edge Protection and similar barriers. BS EN 13374: 2004 Temporary edge protection systems – product specification, test methods. Applies to all temporary edge protection including proprietary barrier systems and those assembled using scaffolding materials. Masonry Anchors NASC Technical Guidance 4 (TG4): 2011 Anchorage systems for scaffolding. Used for tying scaffolds to concrete or masonry facades. Ground Anchors NASC Technical Guidance 16 (TG16): 2006 Anchoring to the Ground Used for securing free standing scaffolds that need to be anchored to the ground. Irregularly Boarded Platforms NASC Technical Guidance 13 (TG13): 2003 Non-Standard Boarded Platforms. This guide offers best practice for non-standard boarded platforms e.g. to accommodate protrusions through the platform, were gaps may be created. Preventing Falls in Scaffolding NASC Safety Guidance 4 (SG4): 2010 Preventing Falls in Scaffolding The main performance standard adopted for fall prevention and protection for all scaffolding operations. Supplemented by the user guide SG4:You. Manual Handling NASC Safety Guidance 6 (SG6:2010) Manual Handling in the scaffolding industry. for good practice for manual handling in the scaffolding trade. Rescue Planning NASC Safety Guidance 19 (SG19:08) A guide to formulation a rescue plan. Formative for rescue planning for scaffolding
safe use of mast climbing work platforms (MCWPs) BS EN 12158:2000+A1: 2010 Builders' hoists for goods. Hoists with accessible platforms Manufacturing technical specification for Suspended Cradles BS EN 1808:1999+A1:2010 Safety requirements on suspended access equipment. Design calculations, stability criteria, construction. Technical specification for proprietary suspended cradles. Also see the Specialist Access Engineering & Maintenance Association (SAEMA) for guidance. BS5974:1990 Code of practice for temporarily installed suspended scaffolds and access equipment Main standard for temporary suspended scaffolds. Passenger Hoists BS EN 12159:2000+A1: 2009 Builders hoists for persons and materials with vertically guided cages Technical specification. Man-rider Baskets BS EN 14502:2010 Cranes. Equipment for lifting of persons. Suspended Technical specification. A5 Safety Netting Item Standard/Guidance Title Comment Fall arrest safety nets BS EN 1263 Part 1:2002 Safety nets. Safety requirements, test methods Technical specification for the manufacture of safety nets. BS EN 1263 Part 2:2002 Safety nets. Safety requirements for the positioning limits Requirements for installation of nets BS 8411:2007 Code of practice for safety nets on construction sites and other works. Formative guide for the use of safety nets. Other forms of reference are available from the trade association www.FASET.org.uk BS 7955:1999 Containment nets and sheets on construction works. Specification for performance and test methods Technical specification general containment, used with safety nets to contain light debris.
Portable Ladders & Low-level Access Equipment PASMA Low-level Access Training Course Ladders & Training Course PDO Recognised equivalent In-house Training /briefing PASMA Approved Training Provider Employer Formal training is preferred; however in-house training is undertaken for the use of ladders and low-level access equipment, the training must be approved by PDO. Falsework / Formwork Erector Product Training Manufacturer / Supplier Proprietary product training must be provided in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Such product training must be approved by PDO. Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs) IPAF Powered Access Licence ROP Drivers Licence, or recognised country equivalent. IPAF Approved Training Provider Note that the IPAF scheme is divided into different grades and categories depending upon the type of MEWP and operation – for info see www.ipaf.org PAL holders must receive a familiarisation briefing and record a log book of their experience. Mast Climbing Work Platforms IPAF Powered Access Licence IPAF Approved Training Provider IPAF special category for Safety Net Riggers FASET Training & Assessment or PDO recognised equivalent. FASET Approved Training Provider / Assessor Note that the FASET scheme relies upon training, experience and achievement of an NVQ. Rope Access Technician IRATA Level 1, 2 or 3 IRATA Approved Training Provider IRATA is the only scheme recognised by PDO for rope access operations. Each working party (crew) must be led by a Level 3 Technician.
Temporary Edge Protection Installation (proprietary) Product Training Manufacturer / Supplier Proprietary product training must be provided in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Such product training must be approved by PDO. Appendix C – Scaffold Design Matrix Item Scaffolding Structure Cat 0 Standard Configuration Engineering not required Cat 1 Engineering Design & Calcs Required Cat 2 Complex Design Cat 3 Third Party Design Checks Required 1 Mobile and Static Access Towers (including Stairways) constructed to: NASC TG20: 2008 height to base ratio Proprietary system scaffolding manufacturers’ instructions. 2 Mobile and Static Access Towers (including stairways) 3 Independent Tied Access Scaffolds: Up to 10m high Constructed to NASC TG20: 2008 Section 2 Standard Scaffolds Class 1 Very light duty (0.75kN/m2) to Class 4 Heavy Duty (3kN/m2) Proprietary system scaffolding manufacturers’ instructions. 4 Independent Tied Access Scaffolds, >10m high NASC TG20:2008 requirements of Section 2 Standard Scaffolds cannot be achieved
In accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions 25 Other loading towers (tube and fitting) or loading bays to be mechanically loaded. 26 Scaffold Structures / Modularised Scaffolding Assemblies to be repositioned by crane or other lifting equipment. 27 Shoring or retention scaffolds, including falsework and formwork structures. 29 Temporary pedestrian fire escapes, foot bridges and walkways. 30 Temporary vehicle ramps and roadways. This Scaffold Design Matrix has been prepared as guidance only and is not an exhaustive list. For confirmation or scaffolding structures not featured Design advice should be sought. Notes: Specific Engineering is not required provided the scaffold is erected in accordance with the specified generally recognised standard configuration, by competent Scaffolders. Engineering advice includes sketches and notes. Verbal advice given should be supported by a note, email or fax confirmation.
Appendix F Example Scaffold Inspection Report SCAFFOLD INSPECTION REPORT Report of results of inspection made in pursuance of section [x] PDO Work at Height Specification Name & Address of the company/person on whose behalf the inspection was carried out: Location of the place of work inspected (Site Address): Description (Tower, Independent, Birdcage) Date Erected Date & Time of Inspection Matters identified Can work be carried out safety? Yes/No Reported To Remedial Action Condition (In good unsafe) Inspectors Name