Burbank Group Scaffold Audit

Is the site freshly cut // Are there excavations on site // is there lying water on site // Rectification may include improved drainage or stabilised base to be laid.

Sole plates should be centred made of solid hardwood and timber large enough to prevent sinkage of standard (Uprights)

A visual inspection should alert you to scaffolding falling in or out, run your eye along a continuous run to see that it is right.

Decks should be fully planked and 2000 in height between decks and 1700 from the top plate.

Scaffold rigidity is maintained by the ledgers, transoms and braces being secured. All scaffold locking cups should be in the locked position.

Stairs or ladders access points must be easily identified

Scaffold Tags should state, scaffolders name, date of installation (or modification), builders name, address of scaffold and the duty of the scaffold. Modification or adjustments must be recorded on the scaffold tag/Certificate.

With exception to the ladder access areas, scaffold decks should be complete at all times. Decks above 2m must have kickboards fitted. Ladder access void must have fall protection.

Scaffold decks over 2m require hand-rails, mid-rails and kick boards. Also determine if any other areas are a concern for materials falling, such as high use walkways etc.

Take particular note around balcony areas. If a man or materials has a risk of falling around these areas, internal hand-rail may be required.

Ties should be placed where a continuous run of scaffold exceeds 4 bays without a 90' return. Ties should be placed in areas that do not impede the building process unless there is no other suitable area to secure the scaffold. Where ties are not practicable scaffold bays may be used to stabilise the run.

As a guide only, if the general public or residents adjoining the building site are capable of being within 1m of the rear of the scaffold, shade cloth or hoarding should be in place

Burbank Specification for supplied scaffolding is Heavy Duty = 675 kg bays. The Approximate maximum mass of any single concentrated load of materials or equipment in any bay should not exceed = 200 kg therefore each scaffold bay may hold eg: 3 x 165kg loads + 175 kg allowance for man & equipment. Approx 155 bricks per scaffold pay

At the end of each day as a minimum, the scaffold should have all debris removed from it. Trades must be aware of who is to follow them and use the scaffold all mortar must be removed from deck planks prior to completion of brick work.

Is your site safe for the scaffolders to return and dismantle the scaffold? Have they enough clear ground to walk the materials to a collection point? Is there enough room to stack the dismantled scaffold?

Access the scaffold and walk the perimeter. Do you notice any fall zones? Does the scaffold feel stable? Do you feel safe? If not, get a second opinion.