Alltrade Scaffolding meet the safety Worksafe requirements below for Victoria:
If you quote the job without considering the types of scaffolds and the quantities of scaffolding equipment you need to do the work safely and legally, you could lose big money when WorkSafe makes you provide the necessary scaffolding.
You must make certain that anyone constructing, or directly supervising the workers constructing any scaffold from which a person or materials could fall more than 4 metres, has a valid certificate of competency appropriate to that type of scaffold. This also applies to any alterations to the scaffold or dismantling of the scaffold. Insist that the scaffolders show you their certificates. Keep an up-to-date site register of certificate holders.
Bricklayers, stonemasons, concretors and demolition workers need heavy duty scaffolds which can safely support up to 675 kg per platform per bay. Carpenters and general trades may need at least medium duty scaffolds which can safely support up to 450 kg per platform per bay. Light duty scaffolds are limited to 225 kg per platform per bay. In estimating loads on scaffold platforms, a person is assumed to weigh 80 kg. Check the supplier’s information for the type of scaffolding systems you are using.
Scaffolds can collapse if they are built on soft ground without timber soleplates to properly distribute the load, if they are too close to trenches or excavations, if they are not properly braced and tied to the supporting structure, or if they are badly out of level.
Planks should be genuine scaffold planks in good condition, of uniform thickness (to prevent trip hazards) and secured against uplift. Platforms should be fully decked across their full width and free of gaps. All platforms higher than 2 metres should have guardrails, midrails and toeboards (or brickguards) fixed to each open side and end. Where debris from the work can cause danger, it may be necessary to sheet the scaffold in shadecloth. Never use hessian because it can very easily catch fire.
Properly constructed temporary stairways or ladder access is needed to all working platforms. Climbing up and down the scaffold framework is very dangerous. Ladders should be securely fixed to prevent movement, pitched at a gradient not less than 1 in 4 nor more than 1 in 6, and they should extend at least 900 mm above the platform so they can be safely climbed.
No part of a metal scaffold should be closer than 4.6 metres horizontally or 5.0 metres vertically from any live powerlines.
While it is under construction, the scaffold should be isolated from other workers and the general public. Scaffolders’ tools should be stowed in holders on their scaffold belt. Scaffolders should work from a full deck of planks whenever possible. They should fix a guardrail for their own protection as they go, leaving it in place until that part of the scaffold is dismantled. Scaffolders working underneath should wear safety helmets. On large jobs, they should have the scaffolding equipment crane lifted, or they should use a winch or gin wheel to reduce manual handling risks.
Workers must use the scaffold safely. They must not overload the platforms or store material in a dangerous way where it could be knocked off the scaffold. Clear access should be maintained along the full length of platforms. They should not climb on guardrails to get extra height. They should not make the scaffold unsafe by removing planks, ties or guardrails.
You must not allow work to start from a scaffold until the construction of the scaffold is complete. Get the scaffolder in charge of the work to fill in a handover certificate and keep it on site until the scaffold has been dismantled. Make sure a certificated scaffolder or other competent person inspects all alterations or additions to the scaffold. Have a thorough inspection done at least every month and keep a copy of the inspection record on site. Get any necessary repairs to the scaffold done before it is put back into use.
All work sites must adhere to compliance and codes of conduct as outlined by WorkSafe and the Victorian government. Penalties for construction site injuries incur a fine, and in the case of death on a worksite or caused by worksite injuries, the person responsible can face manslaughter charges.
See relevant resources below:
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Kwikstage Scaffold is a heavy duty modular scaffolding system.
We take residential scaffolding training very seriously.
Our birdcage scaffold is robust and sturdy so you can work safely.
Customised viewing platforms, with stairs and railing as required.
Allowing you the access required to clean, repair and restore buildings.
We understand tight spaces. And we will help you navigate them.
