Table of Contents
- When should scaffolding be inspected?
- How often should a scaffold be inspected?
- Timing and Triggers
- Who Is Responsible for Scaffolding Inspections?
- Who Can Perform a Scaffold Inspection?
- Scaffolding Inspection Checklist: How To Do It
- Scaffolding Inspection Regulatory Requirements and Best Practices
- What To Remember With Scaffold Inspections
Safety is the paramount consideration with scaffolding. Properly erected scaffolds, using approved materials and fully tested before work starts are a critical part of a construction project. A thorough scaffold inspection is required to ensure this.
Scaffolding safety is subject to very strict laws and regulations, controlled by the NSW government, as per the Australian Standard For Scaffolding.
Let’s answer some of the most common questions when it comes to scaffolding inspection, like when does scaffolding need to be inspected, who is allowed to do it, and the procedures involved.
When should scaffolding be inspected?
Certain inspection intervals must be observed. These are:
- Pre-use – after the scaffold has been erected, before anyone uses it.
- Post-incident – whenever an incident has occurred, no matter how small.
- After repairs – once repairs have been made, the scaffold must be reinspected.
How often should a scaffold be inspected?
Inspections should be conducted every 30 days for scaffolds with fall risks over 4 meters. Scaffolds should be inspected more frequently if they are complex, heavily used, or exposed to challenging conditions. Consider factors like ground gradient, soil consistency, and weather conditions. Always consult the scaffold’s designer or supplier for specific inspection intervals when installed.
Timing and Triggers
Three types of cases trigger an automatic requirement for a scaffolding inspection, beyond the standard schedule. These are:
- After installation
- In conditions that could cause the scaffold’s integrity to be compromised, such as high winds
- Whenever changes in the conditions could threaten the safety of the scaffold.
Here are 10 Scaffolding Safety Tips to help you identify potential hazards that may require an immediate inspection.
Standard scaffold inspection timing
Under more normal circumstances, scaffolding must be inspected at pre-determined times:
1. Handover inspection:
A scaffold inspection must be carried out once it has been erected, before any work commences. This is often known as a “handover inspection”.
Once this initial scaffolding inspection is complete, a handover scaffold inspection certificate is issued, which confirms that the structure is in solid, safe working condition. The certificate must be kept readily available on-site until the project is finished.
2. After alterations
You need to have the scaffold re-inspected if any alterations are made after the initial set-up.
3. After repairs
If any repairs are required, the scaffold structure must be inspected afterwards.
4. After an incident
If an incident has occurred, the cause needs to be investigated.
5. Post-handover
Scaffolds must ideally be inspected at least every 7 days, regardless of whether there have been any changes, repairs or incidents. Some sources recommend 30-day intervals, but full compliance demands higher frequency.
Records of all post-erection inspections must be kept on-site. This paper trail will provide important information should an investigation be required and needs to be preserved for at least three months after the project has been completed.
Who Is Responsible for Scaffolding Inspections?
A number of people are responsible for ensuring workers’ health and safety when scaffolding is involved. This includes the construction company owners and its managers, and any other contractors.
Naturally, the scaffolding supplier is also usually involved in the scaffolding inspection process. Documentation should be provided to prove that all the component parts have been manufactured and tested to comply with Australian standards.
Who Can Perform a Scaffold Inspection?
By law, only “competent” persons are allowed to conduct scaffold inspections. This could be anyone from a professional scaffolding manufacturer to a trained scaffold engineer.
Training is essential. Competent inspectors need to be well-versed in skills like recognising existing hazards and predicting ones that could occur. They need to know how to make adjustments to the scaffolding to eliminate these risks and ensure that they’re implemented.
The person needs to complete a basic scaffold inspection course. This is after having become a qualified scaffolder by taking the Theoretical and Practical Assessments to acquire the necessary Units of Competency: Basic, Intermediate and Advanced licences.
Scaffolding Inspection Checklist: How To Do It
A scaffold inspection must include every component of the system, as well as things like access ladders, fall protection equipment, and the site conditions at ground level around the scaffolding.
Here’s the step-by-step process:
Pre-inspection checks
Before inspecting the actual scaffolding structure, there are some pre-inspection tasks to carry out:
Before the on-site inspection:
- Review the scaffolding owner’s manual.
- Evaluate the planned scaffold configuration.
- Examine the erection plan.
Inspecting the site:
- Make sure there are no live power sources within a 3m radius of the scaffold.
- Visually inspect the scaffold as suitable for the required work, bearing in mind the material mass, number of workers, and weather conditions.
- Check that the ground supporting the scaffolding is firm and level, and solid enough to bear the weight at all pressure points.
Inspecting the scaffold itself
The actual scaffold inspection covers these main areas:
- Checking that the scaffold configuration matches the approved planned configuration.
- Ensuring all components are properly compatible.
- Determining that the scaffold construction is safe and appropriate for its intended use.
All scaffold access points, such as ramps, ladders or scaffold stairs are checked. Fall protection measures are closely inspected. The physical working conditions on the scaffold are also examined, including overhead protection. The scaffold must be clear of debris and unnecessary materials too.
Key components of a scaffold inspection
Besides the overall design and construction, a scaffolding inspection requires that individual components are examined for integrity. This includes making sure they are properly assembled and safely connected.
- Standards: the upright poles. They must be properly spaced, joined at the same height, and stand plumb.
- Footings: the base plates supporting the standards. They must be intact, solid and level.
- Bracings: the diagonal tubes that strengthen and stabilise the scaffold. There should be none missing, and they should be properly securely.
- Ledgers: horizontal tubes connecting the standards. They should be tightened and level, with all joints in the same bay.
- Couplings: these connect the other scaffold components with each other. They must not be loose or ill-fitting.
- Ties: connecting the scaffold to the building itself. There must always be enough of these to provide robust stability.
- Boards: the platforms on which people work. These must have full structural integrity, and be properly supported and secured to the scaffold framework.
- Guardrails: these essential horizontal tubes help to prevent falls. They must be at the right height and there should never be gaps.
- Toe boards: designed to prevent tripping and falls. They prevent materials and tools from falling, and must be installed all around the boards.
Once everything has been checked, the inspector will complete the required Scaffold Inspection Checklist and certify the scaffolding, provided it’s up to scratch.
You can download a detailed SafeWork Australia scaffold inspection and maintenance checklist to make sure that all the boxes are ticked.
Scaffolding Inspection Regulatory Requirements and Best Practices
According to WHS Regulation Section 225(3), a competent person must inspect any scaffold that is cantilevered, hung, suspended or spurred, where a worker could fall more than 4 metres.
WHS Regulation Section 213(1) states that the person responsible for managing the scaffolding work must ensure that it is inspected, tested and maintained by a competent person. This scaffold inspection must comply with the manufacturer’s inspection and maintenance procedures, as per WHS Regulation Section 213(2).
WHS Regulation Section 199 requires suppliers to provide written notification of any faults to the company intending to use the scaffold.
WHS Act Section 25 mandates scaffold suppliers to take all reasonable practical measures to ensure that the construction is without risk.
Best practices for maintaining scaffold safety
When it comes to scaffold safety, most best practices are enshrined in Australian law. These include preventative measures like pre-erection inspections, comprehensive scaffolding inspections, proactive maintenance, and other preventative measures. All equipment should be regularly tested for wear and tear. Accurate record-keeping is also important, as mentioned above.
The importance of scaffold tags
As scaffold inspectors move through the various sections, they attach colour-coded tags to indicate the safety status of each:
- Green (Safe) – the area is safe for intended use.
- Yellow (Caution) – special mitigation required (additional PPE may be needed, for example).
- Red (Do Not Use) – no one is allowed to enter the area.
These tags must remain prominently displayed throughout the project.
What about mobile scaffolding towers?
Small mobile scaffold towers don’t require independent scaffold inspection if they’re lower than 4m in height. However, they must still be designed and constructed by a licensed and certified professional. If they’re over 4m-high, they do need to be inspected.
What To Remember With Scaffold Inspections
Scaffolding safety is a joint responsibility, requiring all parties to work together. A comprehensive scaffold inspection is a legal requirement, and every element must be included – from the initial design and erection plan to the physical components that make up the structure.
These inspections must be conducted regularly, and scaffolding should always be properly maintained by suppliers.
For comprehensive, professional scaffolding inspections, speak to us. We’re scaffolding experts, always available to advise on your scaffolding project and give you a reliable quote.
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