Act No. 9 1 , 1902.
A n Act t o r e g u l a t e t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n and u s e of
lifts and of scaffolding a n d e n g i n e s u s e d for
erecting, demolishing, altering, repairing,
cleaning, or p a i n t i n g b u i l d i n g s or s t r u c t u r e s ,
and of g e a r u s e d in c o n n e c t i o n t h e r e w i t h ;
to r e g u l a t e t h e u s e of s t e a m c r a n e s ; a n d for
p u r p o s e s c o n s e q u e n t u p o n or i n c i d e n t a l t o
t h o s e objects. [1st December, 1902.]
B
E it e n a c t e d b y t h e K i n g ' s M o s t E x c e l l e n t Majesty, b y a n d w i t h
t h e a d v i c e a n d c o n s e n t of t h e L e g i s l a t i v e Council a n d L e g i s l a t i v e
A s s e m b l y of N e w S o u t h W a l e s i n P a r l i a m e n t assembled, a n d b y t h e
a u t h o r i t y of t h e s a m e , as follows : —
Preliminary.
1. T h i s A c t s h a l l c o m e i n t o operation o n t h e first d a y of
J a n u a r y , one t h o u s a n d n i n e h u n d r e d a n d t h r e e , a n d m a y be cited as
t h e " Scaffolding a n d Lifts A c t , 1 9 0 2 . "
2 . T h i s A c t shall h a v e effect in t h e M e t r o p o l i t a n P o l i c e
D i s t r i c t , a n d i n s u c h o t h e r areas as t h e G o v e r n o r , b y p r o c l a m a t i o n
p u b l i s h e d i n t h e G a z e t t e , m a y direct.
S u c h district a n d e a c h s u c h a r e a is referred t o i n t h i s A c t as a
district.
3
3 . I n this A c t —
" E n g i n e " m e a n s m a c h i n e , crane, boiler, or o t h e r a p p a r a t u s or
contrivance used in erecting, demolishing, altering, repairing,
c l e a n i n g , or p a i n t i n g b u i l d i n g s or s t r u c t u r e s .
" G e a r " includes ladder, p l a n k , c h a i n , rope, f a s t e n i n g , hoist,
stay, block, p u l l e y , h a n g e r , sling, brace, or o t h e r m o v a b l e
c o n t r i v a n c e of a l i k e k i n d .
" I n s p e c t o r " m e a n s inspector a p p o i n t e d u n d e r t h i s A c t .
" Lift " m e a n s a p p a r a t u s or c o n t r i v a n c e w i t h i n or a t t a c h e d to a
b u i l d i n g w o r k e d b y a n y power o t h e r t h a n h a n d , a n d c o m p r i s i n g
a m o v a b l e p l a t f o r m b y w h i c h persons or goods a r e raised or
lowered, a n d includes a n y m a c h i n e r y used for w o r k i n g a lift.
" Scaffolding " m e a n s a n y s t r u c t u r e b u i l t u p a n d fixed t o a h e i g h t
e x c e e d i n g e i g h t feet from t h e h o r i z o n t a l base on w h i c h it is
b u i l t u p a n d fixed, for e r e c t i n g , d e m o l i s h i n g , a l t e r i n g ,
r e p a i r i n g , c l e a n i n g , or p a i n t i n g b u i l d i n g s or s t r u c t u r e s , a n d
shall i n c l u d e a n y s w i n g i n g s t a g e i n t e n d e d to be used for a n y
of t h e aforesaid p u r p o s e s .
4. T h e G o v e r n o r m a y , for c a r r y i n g o u t t h e provisions of this
A c t , a p p o i n t inspectors for a n y districts.
Erection
of
scaffolding.
5. (1) N o p e r s o n shall in a n y district c o m m e n c e to set u p or
b u i l d a n y scaffolding unless h e h a s s t a t e d his i n t e n t i o n to do so by
n o t i c e i n w r i t i n g , u n d e r his h a n d , a n d served on a n i n s p e c t o r for t h e
district b y b e i n g posted to h i m or left a t s u c h address as t h e
M i n i s t e r m a y , b y notice i n t h e G a z e t t e , direct, a t least t w e n t y - f o u r
h o u r s before s u c h scaffolding is c o m m e n c e d t o be set u p or b u i l t .
(2) A n y person w h o c o m m e n c e s to set u p or b u i l d i n a n y
district a n y scaffolding w i t h o u t h a v i n g notified his i n t e n t i o n to do so
to t h e i n s p e c t o r , i n t h e m a n n e r a n d before t h e t i m e in this section
m e n t i o n e d , shall be liable to a p e n a l t y n o t e x c e e d i n g t w e n t y p o u n d s .
(3) P r o v i d e d it shall n o t b e necessary to allow a n y t i m e to
elapse after t h e service of t h e notice as aforesaid in t h e case of a n
e m e r g e n c y a r i s i n g from d a m a g e caused b y l i g h t n i n g , explosion, fire,
or r a i n .
Scaffolding,
engines,
and
gear.
6. A l l scaffolding a n d engines, a n d all gear used in connection
t h e r e w i t h i n a n y district shall be of t h e description indicated i n t h e
r e g u l a t i o n s in t h e Schedules hereto, a n d shall be set u p , b u i l t , m a i n t a i n e d ,
and used in accordance with such regulations.
7. T h e Governor m a y p r o c l a i m r e g u l a t i o n s a n n u l l i n g , a m e n d i n g ,
or a d d i n g to t h e r e g u l a t i o n s in t h e Schedules hereto,
Every
E v e r y p r o c l a m a t i o n m a d e u n d e r t h i s section shall be p u b l i s h e d
in t h e G a z e t t e a n d laid before P a r l i a m e n t w i t h i n f o u r t e e n days after
s u c h p u b l i c a t i o n , or, if P a r l i a m e n t is n o t t h e n s i t t i n g , w i t h i n f o u r t e e n
d a y s after t h e c o m m e n c e m e n t of t h e session n e x t e n s u i n g after s u c h
publication.
T h e r e g u l a t i o n s c o n t a i n e d i n a n y s u c h p r o c l a m a t i o n m a y be
disallowed b y resolution of e i t h e r H o u s e of P a r l i a m e n t , in w h o l e or i n
p a r t , w i t h i n one m o n t h after t h e p r o c l a m a t i o n h a s been laid before t h a t
H o u s e , a n d s u c h of t h e r e g u l a t i o n s as h a v e n o t b e e n so disallowed
shall, a t t h e end of s u c h period or t h e last of s u c h periods, h a v e t h e force
of l a w , a n d be deemed to be c o n t a i n e d i n t h e Schedule hereto.
Construction
of
lifts.
8 . (1) N o p e r s o n shall i n a d i s t r i c t c o m m e n c e to erect a lift
u n l e s s h e h a s s t a t e d his i n t e n t i o n to do so b y n o t i c e i n w r i t i n g , u n d e r
his h a n d , served on a n i n s p e c t o r for t h e district a t least t w e n t y - f o u r
h o u r s before s u c h lift is c o m m e n c e d t o b e erected.
(2) A n y p e r s o n w h o c o m m e n c e s to erect i n a n y district a n y
lift w i t h o u t h a v i n g notified his i n t e n t i o n to do so t o t h e inspector, i n
t h e m a n n e r a n d before t h e t i m e i n t h i s section m e n t i o n e d , s h a l l be
liable t o a p e n a l t y n o t e x c e e d i n g t w e n t y p o u n d s .
Inspection.
9 . A n i n s p e c t o r shall f r o m t i m e t o t i m e i n s p e c t all lifts a n d
all scaffolding, a n d all e n g i n e s a n d gear used i n c o n n e c t i o n t h e r e w i t h
c o n s t r u c t e d or u s e d or in course of c o n s t r u c t i o n in his district, a n d for
t h a t p u r p o s e m a y d u r i n g w o r k i n g h o u r s e n t e r a n y b u i l d i n g or p r e m i s e s .
1 0 . (1) W h e r e it a p p e a r s to a n i n s p e c t o r —
(a) t h a t t h e u s e in his district of a n y lift or a n y scaffolding or
e n g i n e or a n y gear used i n c o n n e c t i o n t h e r e w i t h w o u l d be
d a n g e r o u s to h u m a n life or l i m b , or
(b) t h a t w i t h r e g a r d to a n y lift or a n y scaffolding or e n g i n e or
gear u s e d i n c o n n e c t i o n t h e r e w i t h erected or u s e d or i n course
of erection in h i s district t h e r e g u l a t i o n s in t h e S c h e d u l e s
hereto are not being complied with,
h e m a y give s u c h directions i n w r i t i n g t o t h e o w n e r of or p e r s o n
u s i n g s u c h lift or t h e p e r s o n i n c h a r g e or a p p a r e n t l y in c h a r g e of s u c h
scaffolding, e n g i n e , or g e a r as h e t h i n k s necessary i n order t o p r e v e n t
a c c i d e n t s or t o e n s u r e a c o m p l i a n c e w i t h s u c h r e g u l a t i o n s ; a n d s u c h
person shall, u n l e s s n o t i c e of a p p e a l is g i v e n as h e r e i n a f t e r provided,
f o r t h w i t h c a r r y o u t s u c h directions.
(2) W h e r e a n i n s p e c t o r gives a n y directions for a n y r e a s o n
m e n t i o n e d i n s u b s e c t i o n (a) aforesaid, h e m a y a t t h e s a m e or a t a n y
o t h e r t i m e order a n y persons f o r t h w i t h to cease to u s e t h e lift or t o
work
w o r k i n c o n n e c t i o n w i t h t h e scaffolding, e n g i n e , or g e a r u n t i l s u c h
directions or a n y order on a p p e a l t h e r e f r o m h a s been c o m p l i e d w i t h .
A n y s u c h order of a n i n s p e c t o r m a y be rescinded b y h i m .
(3) T h e p e r s o n to w h o m s u c h directions h a v e been given,
or t h e o w n e r of t h e lift or t h e person i n c h a r g e of t h e o p e r a t i o n s in
respect of w h i c h t h e scaffolding, e n g i n e , or gear is erected, used, or
i n t e n d e d to b e used, m a y , on g i v i n g notice t o t h e i n s p e c t o r w i t h i n
t w e n t y - f o u r h o u r s after s u c h directions h a v e b e e n g i v e n a p p e a l in
person to t h e G o v e r n m e n t A r c h i t e c t , or a n y person d e p u t e d by t h e
G o v e r n m e n t A r c h i t e c t to h e a r a n y s u c h a p p e a l . T h e said a r c h i t e c t or
p e r s o n shall h e a r a n d d e t e r m i n e s u c h a p p e a l * w i t h all r e a s o n a b l e
d e s p a t c h , a n d shall, b y order i n w r i t i n g delivered to t h e p e r s o n appeal­
i n g , affirm, v a r y , or rescind s u c h directions.
(4) A n y person w h o —
(a) refuses or fails to c o m p l y w i t h a n y direction given to h i m b y
a n i n s p e c t o r in p u r s u a n c e of t h i s section or a n y o r d e r on
a p p e a l t h e r e f r o m ; or
(b) refuses or fails to c o m p l y w i t h a n y order given t o h i m b y a n
i n s p e c t o r i n p u r s u a n c e of t h i s section to cease t o use a lift or
to w o r k i n connection w i t h a n y scaffolding, e n g i n e , or gear,
shall be liable to a p e n a l t y not e x c e e d i n g fifty p o u n d s .
Drivers
of
steam-cranes.
1 1 . (1) N o p e r s o n shall, in a n y district, a c t as d r i v e r i n c h a r g e
of a n y s t e a m - c r a n e used in connection w i t h b u i l d i n g o p e r a t i o n s unless
h e h a s o b t a i n e d a n d holds a d r i v e r ' s certificate.
A d r i v e r ' s certificate shall be g r a n t e d b y t h e G o v e r n m e n t
A r c h i t e c t to a n y p e r s o n w h o , after i n q u i r y a n d e x a m i n a t i o n h e considers
is t r u s t w o r t h y a n d c o m p e t e n t to a c t as a driver of a s t e a m - c r a n e .
Any
certificate so g r a n t e d m a y b e cancelled b y t h e G o v e r n m e n t A r c h i t e c t if
h e considers t h a t t h e holder has ceased to be t r u s t w o r t h y or c o m p e t e n t
as a foresaid.
(2) A n y person w h o , after t h e e x p i r a t i o n of a period of
t h r e e m o n t h s from t h e c o m m e n c e m e n t of t h i s A c t , a c t s i n a district
as driver in c h a r g e of a s t e a m - c r a n e w i t h o u t h o l d i n g a d r i v e r ' s certificate
g r a n t e d a n d i n force i n p u r s u a n c e of t h i s section, shall be liable to a
p e n a l t y n o t e x c e e d i n g t e n pounds.
Supplemental.
1 2 . A n y p e r s o n w h o interferes w i t h or o b s t r u c t s a n y inspector
i n t h e e x e c u t i o n of a n y p o w e r or d u t y conferred or imposed on h i m by
t h i s A c t shall b e liable to a p e n a l t y n o t e x c e e d i n g f o u r p o u n d s .
1 3 . A l l i n f o r m a t i o n s u n d e r t h i s A c t m a y be h e a r d a n d deter­
m i n e d , a n d all p e n a l t i e s m a y be recovered in a s u m m a r y w a y before a
c o u r t of p e t t y sessions.
SCHEDULE
SCHEDULE
I.
REGULATIONS.
Swinging
stage.
To b e a r t h r e e t i m e s m a x i m u m weight r e q u i r e d ; blocks t o be iron, or wood, n o t
less t h a n f o u r inches d i a m e t e r of sheaf, consisting of d o u b l e a n d single block ; and all
r o p e t o be b e s t M a n i l l a , n o t less t h a n two a n d t h r e e - q u a r t e r inches circumference.
Scaffold t o consist of n o t less t h a n o n e a n d a half-inch p l a n k i n g r u n n i n g
full l e n g t h , and w i d t h to be n o t m o r e t h a n eleven feet b e t w e e n s u p p o r t s , such s u p p o r t s
t o be of w r o u g h t - i r o n two a n d one-half inches b y one-half i n c h , carried r o u n d stage,
with loop on t o p to receive tackle, a n d bolted t o p l a n k i n g w i t h t h r e e - e i g h t h s inch bolts
each end, s t r o n g cleat t o be screwed t o p l a n k i n g u n d e r c e n t r e .
Scaffold to have overhead or wall a t t a c h m e n t s securely a t t a c h e d .
G u a r d - r a i l to be placed t h r e e feet from floor, n o t less t h a n n i n e inches sectional
a r e a ; also f e n d e r board n o t less t h a n n i n e inches on o u t s i d e a n d both e n d s .
Bricklayers'
scaffold.
S t a n d a r d s to be n o t m o r e t h a n e i g h t feet a p a r t , consisting of five inches d i a m e t e r ,
or t w e n t y inches sectional area, e m b e d d e d t w e l v e inches in g r o u n d , or i n barrels filled
w i t h sand or e a r t h .
L e d g e r s to b e n o t m o r e t h a n five feet a p a r t , or n o t less t h a n fifteen inches
sectional a r e a .
P u t l o c k s five feet long, a n d n o t less t h a n twelve i n c h e s sectional area, a n d should
be of h a r d w o o d .
Scaffold-boards t o be n o t longer t h a n twelve feet, a n d n o t less t h a n one a n d a
half i n c h thick, free from all defects. All p l a n k i n g to b e laid b u t t i n g , with t w o p u t l o c k s
a t each end, a n d one i n c e n t r e .
A l l scaffolds t o have twelve inches b y one a n d a half inch f e n d e r - b o a r d on each
s t a g e , secured t o s t a n d a r d s ; also g u a r d - r a i l t h r e e feet high, and n o t less t h a n twelve
inches sectional a r e a on each s t a g e .
B r a c i n g to be n o t less t h a n twelve inches sectional area, a n d placed to t h e satis­
faction of t h e i n s p e c t o r or his r e p r e s e n t a t i v e .
Scaffold t o be secured b y best M a n i l l a - r o p e , n o t less t h a n one a n d t h r e e - q u a r t e r
inch c i r c u m f e r e n c e , a n d fifteen feet l o n g , o r bolts n o t less t h a n five-eighths inch d i a m e t e r .
A l l lashings t o be p r o p e r l y wedged, such w e d g i n g to be t i g h t e n e d a f t e r rain.
B u i l d i n g s above two stories h i g h , i m m e d i a t e l y after joist b e i n g laid, shall have
a t e m p o r a r y covering of close p l a n k i n g on joists or girders, a n d shall r e m a i n u n t i l
p e r m a n e n t floors are laid. A l l g a n g w a y s t o be c o n s t r u c t e d to t h e satisfaction of t h e
inspector.
Internal scaffold—painters,
plasterers, general repairs,
inclusive.
L e d g e r s n o t t o be less t h a n fifteen inches sectional area, a n d n o t m o r e t h a n six
feet a p a r t , with s t a n d a r d s n o t m o r e t h a n six feet a p a r t , a n d with fifteen inches sectional
area, a n d braced, as r e q u i r e d b y inspector, with ropes or bolts, as before m e n t i o n e d .
Gantries.
S t a n d a r d t o b e of n o t less t h a n e i g h t y - o n e inches sectional area, a n d b u i l t u p of
nine-inch by t h r e e - i n c h O r e g o n , bolted t o g e t h e r w i t h rails, n o t less t h a n t w e n t y - s e v e n
inches sectional a r e a a n d cross-braces, n o t less t h a n t w e n t y - o n e inches sectional a r e a ;
rails t o be n o t more t h a n e i g h t f e e t a p a r t . K i n g p o s t s t o b e n o t less t h a n o n e h u n d r e d
a n d f o r t y - f o u r inches sectional area, sole p l a t e s n o t less t h a n eighty-one inches sectional
area.
T r u s s g i r d e r s c o n n e c t i n g g a n t r y t o w e r s . T o p a n d b o t t o m rails to be n o t less
t h a n e i g h t y - o n e inches sectional area, secured w i t h k i n g rods, n o t less t h a n one a n d a
half inch d i a m e t e r , a n d cross-bracing n o t less t h a n t w e n t y - s e v e n inches sectional area,
bolted to t o p a n d b o t t o m rail, b o t h rails to be s t r a p p e d to king-posts with t h r e e - i n c h
b y five-eighths inch s t r a p s , f o u r feet l o n g ( w r o u g h t - i r o n ) .
Crane
C r a n e t o be p r o p e r l y secured to g a n t r y with wire r o p e , passed over back legs a n d
sleeper a t t o p , a n d c o n n e c t e d a t bottom of each tower, or secured by w r o u g h t - i r o n s t r a p s
t o p a n d b o t t o m of four-inch by t h r e e - q u a r t e r inch w r o u g h t - i r o n , p r o p e r l y bolted to
k i n g - p o s t and c r a n e t i m b e r s .
B o l t s , t h r e e - q u a r t e r inch, t o be n o t m o r e t h a n t h r e e feet a p a r t , spaced diagonal,
a n d s t r a p to be n o t less t h a n n i n e feet long.
Lifting
capacity.
A n y c r a n e m u s t be weighted on each leg to n o t less t h a n one a n d a half t i m e s its
lifting capacity.
Lift-box.
C o n s t r u c t i o n of lift-box to c a r r y u p t o two t o n s . To be c o n s t r u c t e d of one and
a h a l f inch t h i c k hardwood, with two b o t t o m ledges six inches by t h r e e inches ; corners t r a p s t o be six-inch by q u a r t e r - i n c h w r o u g h t - i r o n , bolted t h r o u g h angle of box, c a r r y i n g
s t r a p s to p a s s u n d e r ledges on b o t t o m , and carried u p sides of box, m a d e of four-inch by
live-eighths inch w r o u g h t - i r o n , with eyelet-holes t h i c k e n e d to receive box chains, and
securely bolted t o box with half-inch bolts.
Ladders.
All
of stiles.
All
so directs,
All
two feet.
l a d d e r s shall be of clean O r e g o n , with r u n g s of split hardwood, set in c e n t r e
N o b a t t e n l a d d e r s to be used, o t h e r t h a n roof ladders.
l a d d e r s m u s t s t a n d n o t less t h a n six feet above s t a g i n g ; w h e r e t h e inspector
m o r e t h a n one set of ladders shall be used.
l a d d e r s t o be effectively lashed a n d to be stayed where l e n g t h exceeds t w e n t y -
SCHEDULE
Hydraulic
or other power—Lifts,
II.
cranes, or whips.
All cylinders, r a m s , pipes, valves, or o t h e r a p p a r a t u s subjected to h y d r a u l i c
p r e s s u r e , shall be t e s t e d t o a p r e s s u r e e q u a l t o t h r e e times t h e proposed w o r k i n g
p r e s s u r e p e r s q u a r e inch ; a n d a certificate u n d e r t h e m a k e r ' s h a n d t h a t t h e y have been
successfully t e s t e d t o s t a n d t h a t pressure shall in all cases be furnished to t h e inspector
before t h e y a r e p u t i n t o use.
All h y d r a u l i c m a c h i n e r y having r a m s w o r k i n g in c y l i n d e r s shall be provided with
p e r m a n e n t s t o p s (or o t h e r a p p r o v e d m e a n s ) , by which t h e rams will be p r e v e n t e d from
b e i n g forced o u t of t h e cylinders, q u i t e i n d e p e n d e n t of a n y valve or t a p p e t gear.
A n i n d e p e n d e n t screw-down p r e s s u r e stop-cock shall be fitted to every m a c h i n e ;
a n d in cases w h e r e m o r e t h a n one machine is fixed in t h e same building, a n approved
waste-cock shall be fitted to each m a c h i n e .
A b a c k - p r e s s u r e valve, n o n - r e t u r n valve, or o t h e r similar a p p a r a t u s of approved
kind, shall be fitted t o every service-pipe.
H y d r a u l i c cylinders a r e to be fitted with air and drain pipes.
Efficient m e a n s a r e to be provided for l u b r i c a t i n g all w o r k i n g p a r t s of m a c h i n e s .
T h e i n s p e c t o r shall see a n d t e s t t h e whole of t h e m a c h i n e r y , pipes, and o t h e r
a p p a r a t u s which a r e i n t e n d e d to be used before t h e m a c h i n e s a r e p u t into use. This
r e g u l a t i o n will a p p l y to any s u b s t a n t i a l a l t e r a t i o n s in addition to or re-instatements of
e x i s t i n g m a c h i n e r y a n d pipes.
All m a c h i n e r y and well holes to be enclosed to i n s p e c t o r ' s approval. I n case of
whip-hatches, floors to or from which goods a r e delivered or discharged, to be provided
with approved flaps or rolling p l a t f o r m s .
All lifts, cranes, whips, or other like m a c h i n e r y , w h e t h e r driven by h y d r a u l i c or
o t h e r power, t o be e x a m i n e d a n d inspected in all or any p a r t s as t h e i n s p e c t o r may
r e q u i r e or consider necessary at least once in every six m o n t h s , a n d a certificate to be
issued by i n s p e c t o r after such e x a m i n a t i o n or inspection.
2Q
Act