Guideline No: CS-GL-17
Issue Date: 31/12/2012
Title: Scaffold Guidelines
Issued By: Facility Permit Section
1.0 Introduction
Frameworks and Platforms, erected on iron poles, bamboos and other rigid
materials are a common sight around buildings, bridges and similar structures that
are under construction or repair. The main aim of these structures is to provide
safety to man & material from falling.
Scaffold is an elevated platform work which is temporary is nature. There are a
number of structural elements integrated in the scaffold project for protecting
workers against falls. Walkways, Personal fall arrest system, erection &
maintenance of scaffolds as well as Training of workers are the main elements of a
scaffold system.
The purpose of a working scaffold is to provide a safe working place & safe access
suitable for the work being done. Most work related injuries happen when workers
are working above a height of 1.5 - 2 meters. It is therefore imperative to use
scaffolding which are designed and erected properly. Failure to understand and
comply with all applicable safety requirements, regulations and these safety
guidelines before installing, using or dismantling scaffolding can result in serious
injury or death. This guideline is to prevent accidents at the workplace.
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2.0 Scope: This guideline is to promote safe erection of Scaffold which is used in the
Construction industry in areas within the jurisdiction of “Dubai world”. This
guideline defines, identifies and describes safe methods of scaffold erection which
can create awareness of hazards associated with the use of scaffold during erection
& utilization. This guideline also specifies the criteria to be observed in the design
& construction of a scaffold.
3.0 General Requirements:Inspect entire job site to determine ground conditions, strength of supporting
structure, the proximity with electric power lines, overhead obstructions, wind
conditions and the need for overhead protection or weather protection coverings
The contractor must prepare the construction design, drawing & design loads for all
the scaffold used on site and must be approved by a consultant. This document
must be readily available at site.
The maximum height of the scaffold shall not exceed 10 meters and in case the
need for higher scaffold arises the contractor shall appoint a 3rd Party for scaffold
erection & supervision.
All equipment’s must be inspected to see that they are in good condition. Damaged
or deteriorated equipment should be reported and replaced.
Wooden planks used for scaffolding must be inspected to ensure that they are
sound and in good condition, straight grained, free from nails, saw cuts, splits and
holes. (Not all species and grades of lumber can be used as scaffold plank.)
The following are the important aspects which need to be taken care of while
erection of scaffold:3.1 Scaffold Foundation:Base plates are mandatory even while setting on concrete floor or Soil (i.e. soil
must be compacted properly
The base plate must be not be less than 5 cm thick and not less than 25 cm wide to
distribute load evenly. (See figure # 01)
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Fig. 01
3.2 Scaffold Platform:The width of the platform shall not be less than 60 cm wide (3 boards)
The width of the platform shall not be less than 80 cm wide (4 boards) when both
person & material are used.
The platform must be provided with standard guard rail (95 cm), which consists of
mid rail & top rail
The height of the toe board shall not be less than 15 cm. (see figure # 02)
Fig. 02
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3.3 Safe Access:
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Safe access must be provided for entrance and exit
Ladders are commonly used to access the platforms
Ladders must have slope 4:1 of height and shall extend 1 meter above the
platform level, for safe hold & landing on platform
Ladder must be secured properly on level surface. (See figure # 03)
Fig.03
4.0 General Guideline for Scaffold installation
 Scaffold should be installed, moved, or disassembled only by and under the
supervision of competent persons.
 Base plates must be of adequate size to distribute the loads on the scaffolding to
the soil or supporting structure.
 DO NOT USE unstable objects such as blocks, loose bricks, etc.
 Ties, bracing and outriggers may be needed to ensure a safe stable scaffold
assembly.
 Scaffolding must always be secured when the height of the scaffold exceeds for 4
times the minimum base width.
 Vertical ties should be placed at the ends of scaffold runs and at no more than 10
meter horizontal intervals in between.
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 Work platforms must be fully planked, either with scaffold graded solid sawn or
laminated plank or with fabricated platforms in good condition.
 Loads on plank should be evenly distributed and should not exceed the allowable
loads for the type of plank being used.
 Planks and/or platforms should be secured to scaffolding when necessary to
prevent uplift of displacement because of high winds or other job conditions.
 Both top and mid rail guardrails are required and must be used on all open sides
and ends of scaffold platforms.
 Access must be provided to all work platforms. If it is not available from the
structure, access ladders or frames with built-in ladders stairways must be
provided.
 Side and end brackets are designed to support people only. Materials should
never be placed on cantilevered platforms unless the assembly has been
designed to support material loads by a qualified person
 Scaffold cannot be erected or used, closer than 3 meters (10 feet) near an
energized power line, to avoid any contact between scaffold component and
power lines.
 Check the installed scaffolding before you allow people to use it. A qualified
person must thoroughly inspect the completed assembly.
 Tagging system must be followed properly during erection, dismantling and when
operative is working on the scaffold
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5.0 Basic types of Scaffolds: Scaffolds can be classified in following categories :5.1 Supported Scaffolds: In this type of scaffold, one or more than one platforms are
supported with load bearing substances like legs, poles, outriggers, frames etc.
Commonly used supported scaffold are Metal Scaffold, Tube & Clam Scaffold & Frame
Scaffold (see figure # 04)
5.1.1 Basic Requirement for Supported Scaffold: Metal part used for supported scaffold must be straight & free from all defects
 All parts of the scaffold must be secured properly.
 Suitable access must be provided with ladder or stairways and must be attached
to scaffold structure.
 All material used for the scaffold must be stored properly, to prevent them from
being affected by weather conditions.
 All material used for the scaffold must be inspected regularly and maintained
properly.
 Scaffolding erection must be carried out by a competent person under proper
supervision.
 Tagging system must be followed properly during erection, dismantling and when
operative is working on the scaffold.
 All of the suspended scaffold must be inspected and must have valid test
certificate issued by approved third party agency.
Fig.04
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5.2 System Scaffolds: - In this type of scaffold vertical pipe with different length
(post) and the runner and the bearer are connected with each other. The most popular
one is the cup-lock system scaffold where all the blades of the pipes are located in the
lower cup and the upper cup is lowered down & tightened with hammer blow (see
figure # 05)
5.2.1 Basic Requirement for System Scaffold: Metal part used for system scaffold must be straight & free from all defects
 All parts of the scaffold must be secured properly.
 Suitable access must be provided with ladder or stairways and must be attached
to scaffold structure.
 All material used for the scaffold must be stored properly, to prevent them from
being affected by weather conditions.
 All material used for the scaffold must be inspected regularly and maintained
properly.
 Scaffolding erection must be carried out by a competent person under proper
supervision.
 Tagging system must be followed properly during erection, dismantling and when
operative is working on the scaffold.
Fig.05
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5.3 Suspended Scaffolds:
Suspended scaffold consist of platforms suspended by wires, ropes, fixed outrigger,
which are installed horizontally on the roof of the building. Wherev suspended scaffold
shall be used, proper counter weights shall be attached on the other end of the out
rigger to support the scaffold. There are many types of suspended scaffolds such as
suspended platform, cradle scaffold & boatswains chairs. (See figure # 06).
5.3.1 Basic Requirement for Suspended Scaffold:All suspended scaffolds must be provided with suitable chain or ropes and winches and
shall be suspended for suitable outrigger, beams, joists, runways, rails.
The counter weight, when used with outriggers, must be securely fastened to the out
riggers and must not be less than four times the total weight of the scaffold.
The operative working on suspended scaffold must use proper fall protection system
(i.e. full body harness, lanyards, Shock absorber, rope grabbing device & life line).
No wire other than wire rope shall be used for raising & lowering & suspension of a
suspended scaffold.
The space between the structure and the platform shall not be more than 30 cm
All suspended scaffold must be inspected and must have valid test certificate issued by
approved third party agency.
Tagging system must be followed properly during erection, dismantling and when
operative is working on the scaffold.
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Fig.06
5.4 Mobile Tower Scaffold: - A portable, wheel-mounted, caster scaffold, whether
un-powered or powered, is known as mobile scaffold. (See figure # 07)
5.4.1 Basic Requirement for Mobile Tower Scaffold: The height of the mobile towers shall not exceed 4 times the smallest base width
of the scaffold, in case the height is exceeding 4 times the width of the scaffold.
 Rolling scaffolds shall be moved on levelled surfaces only by pushing or pulling or
both.
 No persons, equipment or materials are allowed to be on the platform when it is
moved.
 It is recommended to use a ladder (internal staircase) for access to and from the
platform (in case of using a vertical ladder higher than 6m, it shall be protected
by a cage or provide workers with proper fall protection equipment).
 Mobile scaffolds must be provided with caster wheels & locking brakes to prevent
unsteady movement.
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Fig.07
6.0 Hazards associated with scaffolding: Incidents of falling, owing to lack of proper fall protection system.
 Scaffolds may collapse, due to overloading or instability.
 Proximity of scaffolds to overhead power lines can increase the risk of
electrocution.
 Scaffold may also collapse when struck by debris, tools and work materials.
 Falls from elevation, due to lack of fall protection
(See figure # 08)
 Being struck by falling tools, work materials, or debris.
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Fig.08
6.0 Management, Risk reduction & Control of Scaffolding Hazards
6.1 Management of scaffolding activity:
During any construction activity there is high level of risk due to scaffolding work, and
this requires a proper safety management system to prevent any accident associated
with scaffolds. The below five steps can provide a brief description of good safety
management system during scaffold operation (see figure # 09)
Fig.09
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All scaffolding dose not required a design. General access/Mobile scaffold scaffolding,
erected in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, does not require any
further design. However, if a design is required then a competent scaffold designer
must be engaged to design the scaffold. (See figure # 10)
Fig .10
The contractor should define a policy in relation to scaffolding. This written scaffolding
policy should:
Include a commitment to protect employees & other personnel working at site
Require to appoint competent person for erection maintenance & dismantling of
scaffold on site
Include a commitment to comply with relevant health and safety legislation, & Local
Regulation and relevant codes of practice and guidelines.
Developing a team for scaffold and assign responsibility for choosing the type of
scaffold according to design procedure
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Proper planning must be done during scaffold erection activity to minimize the risk
involved
Scaffolding procedure and plan must be readily available on site with all the instruction
for assembly, use, dismantling or alteration of scaffold
The planning must contain contractor, Scaffolding Designer & scaffolding erector roles
& responsibility. The planning process should highlight the following areas were
personnel has to concentrate
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Local and other Legal requirements must be followed
Assigning of Roles and Responsibilities
Hazards Identification and necessary precaution in the assigned task
Assessment of Risk and must be eliminated or reduced
Clear performance standards should be set
Scaffold erection site survey
The written plan is transformed into action during the implementation stage. Successful
implementation requires that the following issues be addressed.
 Roles & Responsibilities in the assigned task
 Instruction, Training and proper supervisor for Contractor & Scaffold Erector
 All the relevant information related to design scheduling, loading must be
communicated to responsible persons
 All the Document (i.e. HSE Plan, Scaffold plan, Inspection record) related to
scaffold must be kept & maintained on site
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Regular inspection is a must to determine if performance standard Periodic checking is
necessary to determine if performance standards are meeting with local and other legal
requirements, and to take necessary corrective action
Scaffolding must be inspected by a competent person
The review stage helps to make each job a learning experience so that the next job can
be performed more effectively. The following questions should be asked:
 Was the planning adequate or were there unwelcome surprises?
 Was the implementation adequate so that the job was completed as planned?
 Were the planned checks carried out and did the necessary corrective action
take place?
 What changes will be necessary for the next job?
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A more General Hierarchy of Hazards control is depicted below (see figure # 11)
HIERARCHY OF HAZARDS CONTROL
Fig.11
7.0 DO’s & DON’T s
7.1 Do
 Make sure a competent person has inspected the scaffold before you go up.
 Wear a hard hat whether you work on or under a scaffold.
 Be sure to wear sturdy shoes with nonslip soles as well.
 Use a personal fall arrest system whenever required.
 Watch out for co-workers on the scaffold as well as people below.
 Always use common sense when working on any scaffold, and move around slowly
and carefully.
 Ask a supervisor if you're not sure if a scaffold or working conditions are safe.
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7.2 DON’T
 Take chances.
 Overload a scaffold.
 Keep debris or unnecessary materials on a scaffold where someone could trip
over them or accidentally knock them off the platform.
 Hit a scaffold with anything heavy—a truck, a forklift, a load of lumber, etc.
 Leave materials and equipment on the platform at the end of the day.
 Use an outdoor scaffold in stormy or windy weather.
8.0 Frequently Ask Question
1) Is a person with a Basic Scaffolding Certificate allowed to construct a
cantilevered scaffold?
– No
2) Is a person with a Basic Scaffolding Certificate allowed to construct a tower
frame scaffold with outriggers?
– Yes
3) Is a person with a Basic Scaffolding Certificate allowed to construct a mobile
frame scaffold?
- Yes
4) How close to live unprotected power lines would you construct a metal scaffold?
- 3m
5) How can a scaffold built alongside a road be protected from traffic damage?
- 1. Re-route traffic
2. Provide guards (or fenders)
3. Use a person to direct traffic (or flagman)
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6) Name something which might corrode scaffolding equipment?
- 1. Acids
2. Alkalis
3. Salts
7) What is the danger where a scaffold is being constructed close to machinery with
moving parts?
- Injury from machinery operation
8) When a scaffold is built on soil, what would you place under the baseplates to
distribute the load?
-- Soleplates
9) Are gaps allowed between the planks of a working platform?
- No
10) Can planks with different thicknesses be used to deck out a working platform?
- No
11) When is edge protection needed on working platforms?
-- When a person or object could fall more than 2m
12) What type of ladders cannot be used for access to a scaffold?
-- 1. A domestic grade (or non-industrial grade) ladder
2. An extension ladder
3. A step ladder
13) What is the maximum height allowed between ladder landings?
-- 6m (or 3 lifts)
14) Do castors for mobile scaffolds need wheel locks?
- Yes
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9.0 REFERENCES:Trakhees – EHS Construction Safety Regulation
Dubai Municipality Code of Construction Safety Practice
Occupational Safety & Health administration US
Code of Practice for Access & Working Scaffold – Health and Safety
Authority – Ireland
 Health & Safety Executive – UK
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