Working Safely at Height - (Scaffold Towers)

Scaffold towers are available commercially in forms comparatively easy to construct. They may also be erected from traditional steel tubing and couplers. In either form, competent and trained personnel are required to ensure that all necessary components are present and in the right place. Many accidents have occurred because of poor erection standards; a further common cause is overturning. The Health and Safety Executives (HSE) 2000/01 figures show that year, that of the 295 fatalities, 106 occurred in the construction industry. In terms of types of fatality, 73 deaths were caused by falls from heights - approx. 68%.

The key points to be observed in the safe use of scaffold towers are:

• Erection should be in accordance with the manufactures or supplier's recommendations;
  
• Erection, alterations and dismantling should be carried out by an experienced, competent person(s) CITB approved;
  
• Towers should be stood on a firm level base, with wheel castors locked if present;
  
• Scaffold equipment should be in good condition, free from patent defects including bent or twisted sections, and properly maintained;
  
• The structure should be braced in all planes, to distribute loads correctly and prevent twisting and collapse;
  
• The ratio of the minimum base dimensions to the height of the working platform should not exceed 1:3 in external use, and 1:31/2 in internal use, unless the access tower is secured to another permanent structure at all times.
  
• Base ratios can be increased by the use of outriggers, but these should full extended and capable of taking the loads imposed at all times;
  
• Freestanding towers should not be used above 9.75 metres unless tied. The maximum height to the upper working platform when tied should not exceed 12 metres;
  
• A safe means of access should be provided on the narrowest side of the tower. This can be by vertical ladder attached internally, by internal stairways, or by ladder sections designed to form part of the frame members.
  
• It is not acceptable to climb frame members not designed for the purpose;
  
• Trapdoors should be provided in working platforms where internal access is provided;
  
• Platforms should be properly supported and fully boarded;
  
• Guardrails, toe boards and other appropriate means should be properly to prevent falls of workers, equipment and materials;
  
• Mobile scaffold towers should never be moved while people are still on the platform: (this is a significant cause of accidents); and
  
• Ladders or stepladders should not be placed on the tower platform to gain extra height for working.
  

Produced by the GMB, London Region,
Thorne House, 152 Brent Street, Hendon. NW4 2DP
Tel: 020 8202 8272
Fax: 020 8202 2893