Health, Safety and Welfare in

Construction and Associated Industries

Basic Working Platforms

Tutor Copy

‘Work at height’ is:

Any work at any height where a person could fall any distance and injure

themselves.

There are various types of equipment that can assist you

when required to work at height.

• Hop-up working platforms.• Step ladders• Ladders.• Trestles.• Tower scaffolds.• Tubular scaffolds.

Hop-up Working PlatformsThis type of working platform is intended to provide safe working up to approx. 2.4m.The top, which is used as the working platform should be at least 500mm square.

Step Ladders

Timber step ladders can become damaged (warping and twisting)

Aluminium type step ladders are much lighter and stronger as

well as rot proof.

Step ladders must not be used if they are broken or damaged or have be repaired or have missing

parts.

Timber step ladders must not be painted as this may hide defects

Step ladders must not be used near overhead electric power lines.

If you find any defects on a step ladder, do not use it and go and tell your supervisor straight

away.

Ladders

Ladders are mainly used to gain access to another

work place, or onto a working platform or onto a

scaffold.

They may also be used for doing light work of

short duration provided that it is safe to do so and

that the employers risk assessment has shown it

to be the best method.

• Single-section

• Multi-section

There two types of ladders:

Types and Sizes of Ladders

Single section

Types and Sizes of Ladders

Double extension ladders

Types and Sizes of Ladders

Triple extension ladders

Extending to 19m.

Types and Sizes of Ladders

Pole laddersSingle section ladders made from one straight tree trunk cut down the middle.This ensures even strength and flexibility. Used mainly for access onto scaffolding.

Parts of a Ladder

Safety checklist

Ladders should not be used if they have any of the following defects:

• Broken, missing or makeshift rungs.

• Broken, weakened or repaired stiles.

• Broken or defective ropes, guide brackets, latching hooks or pulley wheels.

Ladder timber must be:

• Free from knots and from resin pockets.

• Free from splits, cracks, rot and decay.

Safety checklist

Rungs must be clean – and free from mud, dirt and grease.

REMEMBER!

Do not paint timber ladders, paint can hide defects.

Do not use ladders near overhead power cables.

Aluminium Ladders

Aluminium ladders are lighter than timber ladders, very strong, rot-proof and will not twist, warp, burn or rust. The rungs are non-slip.

Extend and Climb

REMEMBER! Ladders must extend

above the working platform.

This will provide asafe handhold.

Lifting and Carrying Ladders

To lift and carry ladders over short distances:

• Rest them on the shoulder

• Lift them on the shoulder

• Lift vertically by grasping the rung just below normal reach.

The correct balance and angle must be found before moving.

When moving ladders more then a few metres, they should be lowered and carried on the shoulders by two persons, one on either end.

Lifting and Carrying Ladders

Safe WorkingNever:

Stand ladders on uneven, soft or loose ground.

Support a ladder on a fragile surface.

Use a makeshift ladder.

Use a ladder, which is too short.

Climb ladders with slippery, icy or greasy rungs.

Wear soft-soled shoes or footwear with slippery soles.

Carry anything up a ladder.

Over-reach when working on a ladder.

The correct angle of a ladder is 75º or 1 in 4

Storing Ladders• Always store ladders in a covered, well-ventilated area,

protected from the weather off ground.• Never leave ladders leant against a wall or building. Ladders

can fall if stored vertically.• Never hang a ladder vertically from a rung.• Storing horizontally, a rack or wall bracket is ideal. Always

support them on the lower stile, supported every 1m maximum.

Access

Relevant Barriers and NoticesA scaffold, which is partly erected or

dismantled, should have its access blocked off and should have a notice displayed saying

that this scaffold should not be used.

Folding Trestles

Folding trestles usually about 2m tall and are made of softwood or aluminium alloy.

Lightweight Staging's

Sizes: 450mm wide, in lengths from 1.8m to 7.3m.

Scaffolding Boards

To prevent boards from splitting, the ends should be bound with a galvanised metal band called a “Hoop”.

Safety checklistScaffold boards must be:• Made from straight

grained timber.• Free from knots, shakes

and split ends.• Free from decay.• Clean and free from

grease, thick paint and mortar etc.

• Straight.

Adjustable Metal TrestlesAdjustable metal trestle scaffolds provide working platforms up to 3m in height usually inside buildings.They are quickly and easily erected and dismantled.

Ground base conditionsHazards to look for when erecting and dismantling these scaffolds are:

• Overhead cables.• Soft spots in ground conditions.

Positioning of trestle

Trestles are positioned to suit the staging board thickness.Boards normally used on sites should be supported every 1.2m.

NOTE: Guard rails not shown in this diagram

Tower ScaffoldsThere are two kinds of tower scaffolds.

They can be either:

• Static – Stationery, remains in one place cannot be moved.

• Mobile – Can be moved to different location when needed.

Tower Scaffolds

Both kinds of tower scaffold can:

• Tailor made – for a particular job and built where it is going to be used.

• Proprietary – made by a manufacture with standard sections which fit together.

Proprietary static tower scaffolds

These towers are constructed with steel interlocking sections that are manufactured to slot into one another.

The sections are preformed ‘H’ shaped units, welded together to give strength.

REMEMBER!Scaffolds may only be put up,

altered or taken down by competent persons. If you are not

competent then leave it alone.

Working on site you will find two main types of tubular scaffolds:

Independent Scaffolds

Putlog Scaffolds

Guard rails and toe boardsAccess platforms will usually have guard rails and toe boards.

The risk of falling materials causing injury should be minimised by keeping platforms clear of loose materials.

Protective covers should also be used to protect the public from falling objects

Scaffold DangersDangers when working on scaffolding:

• Falling from height• Head injuries• Materials falling• Fragile roofs• Proximity hazards • Dangers to the general public