FACT SHEET

SCAFFOLDING CONTROL MEASURES

FOR SCAFFOLDERS

In 2009, the Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities (HWSA) conducted a national scaffolding campaign and found that
only 59 per cent of all scaffolding across Australia complied with AS/NZS 1576 Scaffolding (parts 1 to 6). The campaign
identified a number of safety issues and suggested a variety of control measures. The control measures outlined below are
for scaffolders.
Regulations in each jurisdiction place general obligations on designers, manufacturers, suppliers, and hirers or lessors
of plant and employers who use the plant to identify hazards associated with using the plant, and to assess and
control the resulting risks. These regulations supplement the legislative requirements contained in acts relevant to
eachjurisdiction.
Scaffolders must hold a licence to perform high risk work and must ensure that scaffolding is erected, altered and
dismantled safely, and that completed scaffolding is safe and suitable to use.
CONTROL MEASURES
Footings
Assess ground conditions before erecting the scaffolding.
Do not erect the scaffolding if footings are inadequate.
Always use base plates on standards.
Where timber is required to level base plates, use hardwood.
Bracing
Erect bracing as per the suppliers, manufacturers or site-specific engineering requirements.
Include face, heel and toe bracing.
Prevent scaffolding from being used until bracing has been installed.
Do not provide handover certificate, scaffold tag or sign-off until all bracing has been installed.
Access
Discuss access requirements before scaffolding is erected.
Monitor access requirements eg during alterations and inspections.

Ties
Erect ties as per suppliers, manufacturers or site-specific engineering requirements, and AS/NZS 1576.
Inspect and re-install ties as required.
Prevent scaffolding from being used until ties have been installed.
Discuss the consequences of removing scaffolding components when giving the builder, subcontractor or duty
holder the handover certificate, scaffold tag or sign-off.
Overhead powerlines
Ensure that the power supply has been de-energised or isolated before erecting, altering or dismantling the scaffolding.
Implement safe systems of work when erecting scaffolding in close proximity to powerlines.
Suspended scaffolding
Install and secure the counter weights as per the suppliers, manufacturers or site-specific engineering requirements.
Inform the builder, subcontractor or duty holder of the number of counter weights required, and how they are to be
secured.
Consult drawings and the engineers certificate before calculating the number of counter weights to use.
Calculations made by the scaffolder must be provided to the builder, subcontractor or duty holder, together with all
information relating to those calculations.
Install and secure counter weights before providing the handover certificate, scaffold tag or sign-off.
Only advanced licensed scaffolders and riggers, with experience with suspended scaffolding, are to erect, move or
alter suspended scaffolding.
Inform the builder, subcontractor or duty holder of inspections, safe use, alterations, access and the like.
Discuss the consequences of removing counter weights with subcontractors using the scaffolding.
Cradle
Once erected, inspect the cradle before use.
Give a handover certificate, scaffolding tag or sign-off to the builder, subcontractor or duty holder.
Do not install cradles that are unsafe report faulty cradles to the employer or site controller.
Give all relevant information, such as log books and inspection checklists, to the builder, subcontractor or duty holder.
Training
Scaffolders must hold a licence to perform high-risk work.
Ensure only licensed scaffolders and riggers with suspended scaffolding experience erect, move or alter suspended
scaffolding.
Further information
AS/NZS 1576 Scaffolding
AS 4576 Guidelines for scaffolding
AS 1577 Scaffold planks

Contact your safety authority for more information.

Disclaimer
This publication may contain occupational health and safety and workers compensation information. It may include some of your obligations under the
various legislations that WorkCover NSW administers. To ensure you comply with your legal obligations you must refer to the appropriate legislation.
Information on the latest laws can be checked by visiting the NSW legislation website (www.legislation.nsw.gov.au).
This publication does not represent a comprehensive statement of the law as it applies to particular problems or to individuals or as a substitute for
legal advice. You should seek independent legal advice if you need assistance on the application of the law to your situation.
WorkCover NSW

Catalogue No. WC02774 WorkCover Publications Hotline 1300 799 003

WorkCover NSW 92-100 Donnison Street Gosford NSW 2250
Locked Bag 2906 Lisarow NSW 2252 WorkCover Assistance Service 13 10 50
Website www.workcover.nsw.gov.au
ISBN 978 1 74218 607 8 Copyright WorkCover NSW 0410