This presentation gives the reader an up to date theoretical background on scaffolds.

1. BY CHAKAMBA J
SCAFFOLDS

2. SCAFFOLDS

3. SCAFFOLD
• A scaffold is any temporary elevated platform
(supported or suspended) and its supporting
structure (including points of anchorage), used
for supporting both employees and the materials
to be used.
• A temporary frame usually constructed from
steel or aluminum alloy tubes clipped or coupled
together to provide a means of access to high-
level working areas as well as providing as a safe
platform from which to work

4. FUNCTIONS
• As a working platform - so that the worker can
stand on the platform do the work easily and
safely.
• As a platform for placing material and logistic
needed by the workers to carry out their job.
• As a platform and walking passage -
scaffolding support the platform that been
used by the worker as their walking path to
transport the material and logistic.

5. TERMINOLOGY USED IN SCAFFOLDS
• Standards -are the vertical tubes that transfer the entire
mass of the structure to the ground where they rest on a
square base plate to spread the load.
• Transoms -are placed next to the standards, they hold the
standards in place and provide support for boards.
• Ledger- is a horizontal member that joins or connect the
standards in a row .
• Double Coupler - the only real load bearing fitting used in
scaffolding - used to join ledgers to standards .
• Swivel Coupler - Composed of 2 single coupler riveted
together so that it is possible to rotate them and use them
for connecting 2 scaffold tubes at any angle.

6. TERMS CONTI
• Putlog Coupler - use solely for fixing putlogs/transoms
to the horizontal ledgers.
• Base Plate - It is used to distribute the load from the
foot of a standard on to a sole plate or firm ground.
• Split Joint Pin - a connection fitting used to joint
scaffold tubes end to end. A centre bolt expands the
two segments that grip on the bore of the tubes.
• Reveal Pin - fits into the end of a tube to form an
adjustable strut.
• Putlog End - a flat plate that fits on the end of a
scaffold tube to convert it into a putlog.

7. TERMS CONTI..
• Guard rail-metal/wood/rope placed 750mm
above the toe board to prevent workmen
from falling off the platform.
• Toe board-scaffold board put on edge of the
platform to prevent tools and materials from
falling down.
• Brace-diagonal member from standard to
standard to stabilize the scaffolding.
• Putlog-the horizontal member from standard
to wall on a dependent scaffolding.

8. TERMS CONTI..
• Sole plate-a flat and wide wooden plate onto
which the base plate will be fixed.

9. GUARDRAIL
• Falls from scaffolds are one of the leading causes of injuries to
construction workers .
• All scaffolds 3 m (10 ft.) or more above grade must have standard
guardrails on their open side.
• A standard guard consists of:
• A top rail approximately 1.1 m (42 in.) above the platform
• An intermediate rail centered at approximately the midpoint of the space
between the underside of the top rail and the upper edge of the platform
• Vertical guardrail supports spaced not more than 3 m (10 ft.) apart for
wooden scaffolding
• Standard guardrails must be designed to withstand a static load of 550 N
(125 lb.) applied laterally at any point of the top rail.

10. GUARD RAIL

11. CATEGORIES OF SCAFFOLDS
1.SUSPENDED-these consist of a working
platform suspended from supports such as
outriggers which cantilever over the upper edge
of a building and in this form are a temporary
means of access to the face of a building for the
purposes of cleaning and light maintenance
work.

12. CATEGORIES OF SCAFFOLDS
SUSPENDED SCAFFOLDS
• It is platform that is suspended by rope or other
non-rigid means, from an overhead structure
There are many types of suspended scaffolds
such two point (swing stage), multipoint
adjustable, catenary and others.
• Two Point (Swing Stage) is hung by ropes or cable
connected to stirrups at each end of the platform.
It is used by window washers or skyscrapers

13. SUSPENDED SCAFFOLD

14. 2. Supported Scaffolds
Supported scaffolds are scaffolds that are have an attachment to the ground rather than are
suspended by cables.

15. CATEGORIES OF SCAFFOLDS
3.Rolling/Mobile tower scaffold
• The mobile scaffold would have small tires
under the standards. Designed to be easily
moved .Commonly used for things such as
painting and plastering, where workers must
frequently change position. Used mainly by
painters and maintenance to gain access to
ceilings.

16. ROLLING/MOBILE SCAFFOLDS
• Constructed standard tubes and fittings
• Refers to as mobile because it is mounted on
wheels fitted with brakes.
• It is used for short duration light work, for
example, painting and cleaning, to a height
not exceeding 12m, an gain access to ceilings.

17. ROLLING SCAFFOLD

18. ROLLING SCAFFOLD
• Do not move while occupied unless
specifically designed for such movement.
• Before moving inspect for pits, holes, or
obstructions on the floor.
• Push the base on or near the bottom when
moving.

19. Caster wheels must be locked to
prevent movement of the scaffold
when stationary
.

20. COMMON TYPES OF SCAFFOLDS
1. PUTLOG SCAFFOLDS
• It consists of a single row of uprights or standards set
away from the wall at a distance that will
accommodate the required width of the working
platform. The standards are joined together with
horizontal members called “ledgers” The ledgers are
tied to the building with cross members called putlog.
It is erected as the building rises and mostly used for
buildings of traditional brick construction
• Putlog Scaffold tied into the brickwork using putlogs or
tubes with putlog adaptors

21. PUTLOG SCAFFOLD

22. COMMON TYPES CONTI..
2. INDEPENTENT SCAFFOLD
• this form does not rely on the adjacent
structure to provide support, however, it
should be tied back to the structure at
intervals in order to provide additional
horizontal stability

23. INDEPENDENT TIED SCAFFOLD

24. COMMON TYPES CONTI..
3. BIRDCAGE SCAFFOLDS
• Consists of a two directional arrangement of
standards, ledgers and transoms to support a
close boarded working platform at the
required height.
• Used to provide a complete working platform
at high level over a large area.

25. COMMON TYPES CONTI..
4. SYSTEM SCAFFOLDS
• These are based upon the traditional
independent steel tube scaffold but instead of
being connected together with a series of
loose couplers and clips they usually have
integral interlocking connections.
• Easy to erect, adaptable and assembled and
dismantled by semi-skilled labour.

26. COMMON TYPES CONTI..
5. GANTRY SCAFFOLD
• Basically a loading and unloading platform over a
path or public foot path.
• It is a mandatory to seek permission from the
local authority which will specify walkway
dimensions, how wide and high it be. For lighting,
and when to load and unloading.
• Can also serve as a storage and accommodation
area as well as providing the staging from which a
conventional independent scaffold to provide
access to the face of the building can be erected.

27. COMMON TYPES CONT..
6. TRESSLE SCAFFOLDS
• They vary in type and pattern and useful in confined
spaces, or where a platform has to be quickly erected
and dismantled, when painting walls and ceilings, and
on partitions and passages.
• Scaffold platforms shall not be used above the second
to top rung.
• Job built ladders cannot be used in a trestle scaffold
system.
• Ladders must be secured to prevent displacement.

28. TRESSLE SCAFFOLD

29. TRESSLE SCAFFOLD

30. COMMON TYPES CONTI..
7. Slung scaffolds
• these are scaffolds which are suspended by
means of wire ropes or chains and are not
provided with a means of being raised or
lowered by a lifting appliances.
• Main use is for gaining access to high ceilings
or the underside of high roofs

31. LEGISLATION GOVERNING THE USE OF
SCAFFOLDS
• Scaffold erection and dismantling must be done by, or
supervised by, qualified workers.
• The vertical supports of scaffolds must be placed on a firm
base or sill capable of withstanding superimposed weight
from the scaffold and anything placed on the scaffold
• Do not use pallets, boxes, concrete blocks, bricks, or other
unstable materials to support scaffolds.
• All scaffolds must be erected plumb and level, and be
designed for the intended use.

32. LEGISLATION GOVERNING USE OF
SCAFFOLDS
HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK ACT 1974
• Protect the health, safety and welfare of employees
and to safeguard the public who may be exposed to
risks from work activities.
• It sets out the general duties which employers have
towards employees and members of the public and
employees have to themselves and to each other.
• Also requires good management and common sense
which lead to employers to look at what risks are and
take sensible measures to tackle them.

33. FACTORIES ACT 19748 SECTION 32
• Any employee to work at a height from where
he/she is likely to fall there should be a
provision of a fence or otherwise to ensure
the safety of the person.

34. PROVISION AND USE OF WORK
EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS OF 1998
• The employer must ensure that the work
equipment he/she provides meets
requirements of ( PUWER) in respect of
suitability, maintenance and regular
inspection.
• Must ensure that risks created by using the
equipment are eliminated where possible or
controlled as far as reasonable by taking
appropriate hardware measures and software.

35. WORK HEIGHT REGISTRATION OF 2005
• All work at height is covered regardless of what
height it is performed at.
• Precautions need to be taken where there is a
risk of injury.
• Use risk assessment to decide whether
precautions are needed and in what form.
• Precautions are expected with work above 2
meters but also assess risks from fall below this
height and take sensible precautions which
reflect the risks.

36. REGULATIONS GOVERNING USE OF
SCAFFOLDS
• Never overload a scaffolding.
• Timber should not be painted as this will hide the
defects.
• Never work under a scaffolding in use.
• Always use a ladder to climb up the and down the
scaffolding.
• Always install a guard rail/hand rail/guard net and
toe boards.
• Metal parts must be free from rust.
• All joints must be securely fixed and rigid.

37.  It is vital that after erection, a scaffold must be
inspected by an independent competent
person before use and at regular intervals
thereafter to enhance safety.
 Put on safety gear, for example helmets,
safety chains and belts, hard soled boots, etc.
 All scaffolds must be inspected before use by
those who will use them, regardless of who
erected them. No damaged or weakened
scaffold may be used until it has been
effectively repaired

38. REGULATIONS CONTI..
 Standard must be on the same level and
vertically straight on the base plate.
 The supporting platform wood must be
supported properly.
 Working platform must been equipped with
safety elements such as hand rail.
 Scaffold must be inspected at certain times.

39. REGULATIONS CONCL..
• Badly assembled and neglected scaffold have
been a significant contributory factor to the
high accident rate associated with the
construction industry. It is imperative that the
erection of the scaffolds be done following the
laid out regulations in the building industry.

40. SCAFFOLD INSPECTION POINTS.
• Supervision of scaffold erection and progress /safety
reports are undertaken by a suitable experience and
qualified person.
Must be inspected:
• before use.
• within the preceding 7 days
• after adverse weather conditions that may have affected
the scaffold’s strength or stability.
• whenever alterations / additions are made to the scaffold.
• Scaffold registers must be kept on site and be available for
inspection at all times and must be signed

41. INSPECTION TO INCLUDE
• Access
• Full planking
• Guard rails
• plumbness

42. INSPECTION MUST BE CARRIED OUT
BY
• A competent person such as a registered
engineer.
• A certified scaffolder with the appropriate class.
• Inspection entries in the register must be made
and signed by the person who carries out the
inspection.
• Should any defect be found, during inspection, it
must be rectified before use.
• All scaffold must be protected against damage
from traffic and other causes.

43. REASONS WHY SCAFFOLDS COLLAPSE
• Overloading cause tilting of scaffolds
• Platforms breaking
• Use of insufficient braces and ledgers
• Base plates not standard or improperly
secured to the sole plate.
• High and unstable scaffolds not secured with
ties, guys, and braces.
• Small scaffolds are also commonly involved

44. REPORTS
• Reports must be made in the prescribed
register which shall show the following:
• The location and description of the scaffold or
equipment.
• Date of inspection.
• Results of inspection ( if the scaffold is in good
order then this must be stated).
• The signature of the person making the
inspection.

45. LADDERS
• All ladders must be of good construction and
of adequate strength for the purpose they are
to be used.
• They must be properly maintained.

46. REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE USE
OF LADDERS.
• No ladder shall be used in which there is a
rung.
• A ladder shall not stand on loose bricks or
other loose packing.
• Every rung shall be properly fixed to the stiles.

47. A ladder must be secured where
necessary to prevent undue sagging or
swaying

48. Every ladder shall have a firm and level
footing.

49. REGULATIONS ON THE USE OF LADDER
CONTI..
• Do not use a stepladder that is folded or in a
leaning position.

50. REGULATIONS CONTI..
• Face the ladder when ascending or
descending.
• Maintain three points of contact at all times.
• Keep your body centered on the ladder.
• Never let your belt buckle pass either side rail.

51. REFERENCE
• Chudley R. and Greeno R. (2005), Building
Construction. Handbook incorporating current Building
and Construction regulations. Fifth Edition. Elsevier
Butterworth Heinemann. London.
• Grundy, J. T. (1981), Construction technology, vol. 3.
Edward Anold (Publishers) Ltd. London.
• Nash, W. G. (1990), Brickwork 2. Stanley Thornes
(Publishers) Ltd. London.
• Nhira C. Dhafana L and Ali M. (2005) Step Ahead
Building Studies. Students’ Book 2. Longman.
Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd, Harare.