AD - Scaffolding Audit - SafetyCulture

Information

1.0 Certified scaffolders

1.1 Contractor must make certain that anyone constructing, or directly supervising the workers constructing any scaffold from which a person or materials could fall more than 4 metres, has a valid WorkCover certificate of competency appropriate to that type of scaffold.

• This also applies to any alterations to the scaffold or dismantling of the scaffold.
1.2 The Contractor must insist that the scaffolders show him their certificates. Contractor to keep an up-to-date site register of certificate holders of his employees and subcontractors. Do they?
1.3 Are Contractors scaffolders properly certified ?

2.0 Strength of scaffold

2.1 Contractor to ensure Bricklayers, stonemasons, concretors and demolition workers need heavy duty scaffolds which can safely support up to 675 kg per platform per bay.
• Contractor to ensure Carpenters and general trades may need at least medium duty scaffolds which can safely support up to 450 kg per platform per bay.
• Contractor to ensure he has controls on access and type of work if he has Light duty scaffolds which are limited to 225 kg per platform per bay.
• In estimating loads on scaffold platforms, a person is assumed to weigh 80 kg.
2.2 Using the information above, has the contractor ensured scaffold is strong enough for the loads ?
2.3 Verify the Contractor has checked with his certified scaffolder and the supplier's information for the type of scaffolding systems he is using, to ensure it is appropriate for the use he intends. Has this been completed?

3.0 Scaffold stability

3.1 Contractor needs to manage any scaffolds on his site. Scaffolds can collapse if they are built on soft ground without timber soleplates to properly distribute the load, if they are too close to trenches or excavations, if they are not properly braced and tied to the supporting structure, or if they are badly out of level. Conditions can change from the time a scaffold is built
3.2 Does the scaffolding have appropriate bracing?
3.3How does Contractor ensure scaffolding has not be modified since the certified scaffolder completed it? Provide details.
3.4 What system does the Contractor have to regularly review safety of scaffolds?
3.5 Has Contractor checked if the scaffold is stable?

4.0 Scaffold protecting workers and other people?

4.1 • Review the scaffold, with the Contractors supervision that is responsible for routine daily checks. Planks should be genuine scaffold planks in good condition, of uniform thickness (to prevent trip hazards) and secured against uplift.

• Platforms should be fully decked across their full width and free of gaps.

• All platforms higher than 2 metres should have guardrails, mid rails and toe boards (or brick guards) fixed to each open side and end.

• Where debris from the work can cause danger to those below it may be necessary to sheet the scaffold in shade cloth. Never use hessian because it can easily catch fire.
4.2 Using the above information, has the contractor ensured the scaffold protects the workers and any other people?

5.0 Safe access to scaffolding

5.1 • Climbing up and down the scaffold framework is very dangerous and not permitted.
• Verify that Contractor has ensured the following:- Ladders should be securely fixed to prevent movement (tied at top), pitched at a gradient not less than 1 in 4 nor more than 1 in 6, and they should extend at least 900 mm above the platform so they can be safely climbed.
5.2 Using the above information, is the contractor compliant?
5.3 Has the Contractor ensured there are properly constructed temporary stairways or ladder access to all working platforms?
5.4 Has the contractor reviewed completed scaffolds to ensure there is safe access to every scaffold platform?

6.0 Scaffolds near powerlines

6.1 No part of a metal scaffold should be closer than 4 metres from any live powerlines.
6.2 Are scaffolds a safe distance from powerlines?

7.0 Scaffolders working safely

7.1 • Scaffolders' tools should be stowed in holders on their scaffold belt.

• Scaffolders should work from a full deck of planks whenever possible.

• They should fix a guardrail for their own protection as they go, leaving it in place until that part of the scaffold is dismantled.

• Scaffolders working underneath should wear safety helmets.

• On large scaffolding jobs, they should have the scaffolding equipment crane lifted, or they should use a winch or gin wheel to reduce manual handling risks.
7.2 Referring to the above information, ensure the scaffolders are working safely. Comment on any points of concern.
7.3 Contractor must ensure his scaffolders have a system that while the scaffold is under construction, the scaffold is clearly isolated and not accessible to other workers and the general public. Has this system been established?
7.4 Are contractor's scaffolders working safely ?

8.0 Scaffold user safety

8.1 Contractor must ensure his Workers use the scaffold safely. Employees need training/instruction/toolbox meetings so they know not to overload the platforms or store material in a dangerous way where it could be knocked off the scaffold. Has contractor provided appropriate training/ instruction?
8.2 Clear access should be maintained along the full length of platforms. Is the contractor enforcing this?
8.3 Employees should not climb on guardrails to get extra height. Has the contractor made employees aware of this/ is contractor enforcing this?
8.4 No one shall make the scaffold unsafe by removing planks, ties or guardrails. Has contractor made employees aware of this/ is contractor enforcing this?
8.5 Has Contractors instructed scaffold users to work safely ?

9.0 Inspection of scaffolding

9.1 Contractor must not allow work to start, or general employee access to a scaffold until the construction of the scaffold is complete. Is contractor enforcing this?
9.2 Contractor shall get the scaffolder in charge of the work to fill in a handover certificate / completion certificate, and keep it on site until the scaffold has been dismantled. Is the contractor compliant with this? Is the certificate on site?
9.3 Contractor needs a system to make sure a certificated scaffolder or other competent person inspects all alterations or additions to the scaffold. Does contractor have an adequate system? Can they provide evidence?
9.4 Contractor must have a thorough inspection done regularly (at least every month) and keep a copy of the inspection record on site, and get any necessary repairs to the scaffold done before it is put back into use
9.5 Are the Contractor’s scaffolds being regularly inspected?

Additional comments

Action Required

Contractor is to review the comments, and consider the recommended actions within this Audit. The Contractor needs to demonstrate they are complying with their obligations as an employer, what specific remedial action they propose for this site, and if any overall modifications are required to their Health and Safety Plan / safety procedures / supervision. Prompt corrective action is required to eliminate any agreed deficiencies, and areas of any disagreement need to be further explored in writing. All “failed responses” need to be addressed/resolved.

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