Safety Measures to be Taken during Work on Scaffolds/Formworks, Supporting Structures and Staircases

1.             Scaffolds and formworks used in construction works have be installed or dismantled by qualified and authorized technical personnel by taking into account the dimensions and material properties of the scaffolds, and scaffolds should be designed and constructed in a strength suited to the highest loads that may be encountered in the course of the work to be performed on them.

2.             Scaffolds should be checked frequently, with a minimum inspection period of one month.

3.             Where standing surfaces of the scaffolds become slippery due to rain, snow, ice or similar reasons, appropriate measures should be taken to prevent slippage.

4.             Any damages observed in scaffolds/formworks or in any supporting structures should be immediately repaired; weak parts should be strengthened or replaced.

5.             Some types of formworks/scaffolds have their usage limit (that is to be used for how many number of times, e.g. Plywood formworks etc.) mentioned by manufacturers, or limit by local expert opinion. Such limits have to be identified and must be enforced to follow by Sub-Contracting/Servicing companies.

6.             No debris or waste materials which may restrict passage of workers should be left on scaffolds.

7.             Suitable measures should be taken to prevent swing of scaffolds during work.

8.             In cases where work must continue in foggy weather or in poor light conditions, lighting should be provided throughout the length of the scaffold as well as any stairways or passages leading to the work area.

9.             No obstacles should be left in the passages or routes leading to the work area.

10.          Clearance of scaffolds from the walls against which they are installed should be such that no tools or equipment should fall through it.

11.          Suspended scaffolds should not be loaded with weights higher than 400 kg per square meter and a maximum of 4 workers should work on this type of scaffold at any given time.

12.          Self-standing scaffolds have to be erected with the legs placed on level and firm spots on the ground.

13.          Bottoms of the feet of portable or hand-carried ladders, when used on metal or other slippery surfaces, have to be fitted with sheets of ribbed rubber or other non-slipping material.

14.          Ladders should not be jointed end to end in order to obtain larger lengths.

15.          Any stairs or ladders used by workers for access to and from the work area should be surrounded with ropes, chains or wooden guardrails to ensure safety.

16.          Top surfaces of the rungs or steps of ladders made of plain non-corrugated steel sheet or other flat metal material should be covered with a non-slippage material of suitable characteristic.