Scaffold Inspection Form - PCBU

Is the scaffolds highest platform less than 5m?

Has WorkSafe been notified?

Contact WorkSafe immediately.

Does the person conducting the inspection hold a certficate of competency?

Stop inspection and get certified scaffolder to undertake inspection. If you see serious issues with the scaffold notify the workers using the scaffold and notify the project manager/site foreman.

Is the scaffold's highest component less than 5m high?

A Scaffolder hold a Certificate of Competency must perform the inspection.

Does the scaffold have a tag system attached at every entry point?

Scaffold must be tagged at every entry point, if scaffold is not safe then tag is to be turned around, removed, access to the scaffold disabled and the site project manager/foreman is to be notified.

Does the tag show the purpose and duty loading?

Complete details before leaving site.

Is the scaffold suitable for the purpose for which it is being used? i.e. is it set up for work on the roof or as a working platform only? Remember builders need the same level of protection as roofers for when they are installing purlins/straps etc

Notify the project manager/site foreman, if workers are on the roof notify them that the scaffold isn't suitable and that they cannot be doing work up there.

Is any work being undertaken on the roof at the time of your inspection?

What trade is doing the work?

Is the scaffold stable?

Fix before leaving or remove the scaffold tag and disable access. Project manager/site foreman is to be notified if scaffold is being taken of service

Are workers on site now relying on the scaffold for edge/fall protection or using it as a work platform that is outside its design?

Name of person you spoke to and advised the scaffold setup is not suitable for the work they are doing.

Notify project manager/site foreman that work is being undertaken that is outside the use of the scaffolds design.

Does the scaffold have base plates or base jacks centred on the sole boards?

Fix before leaving or remove the scaffold tag and disable access. Project manager/site foreman is to be notified if scaffold is being taken of service

Are the standards vertical and the ledgers horizontal?

Fix before leaving or remove the scaffold tag and disable access. Project manager/site foreman is to be notified if scaffold is being taken of service

Are standards and ledgers staggered where possible?

Fix before leaving or remove the scaffold tag and disable access. Project manager/site foreman is to be notified if scaffold is being taken of service

Is the scaffold less than 300 mm from the work face all around the building?

Are internal mid-rails and guardrails installed or is it being managed by another way?

Install internal rails or fill in gap with planks. If the platform height does not have internal fall protection - i.e. nets, bags, mesh or protection at 900mm then the scaffold must not be put into service. Fix before leaving or remove the scaffold tag and disable access. Project manager/site foreman is to be notified if scaffold is being taken of service

Are the internal falls being managed on all platforms on the scaffold site? Nets, rails, etc

Don't sign the scaffold over as safe until nets or internal rails have been installed. The scaffold has created a fall risk that needs to be managed before the scaffold is safe. Either fix before leaving (internal rails) or remove the scaffold tag and disable access to the scaffold. Project manager/site foreman is to be notified immediately.

Is the roof platform less than 25 degrees?

Platform should be within 1 metre of the pitch of the roof

A roof with a pitch greater than 25 degrees has more potential for someone to slip and fall, so the requirements are different.
Locate the platform as close as practicable (the gap must not exceed 200 mm). Where the platform is located below the roof edge, it should be within 300 mm.