9.1 SELECTION OF APPROPRIATE METHOD
To select the best method of raising and lowering equipment, consider:
• The size of the scaffold.
• The nature of the scaffold.
• The type of equipment.
• The amount of equipment.
• The proximity of hazards (e.g. electric wires, protrusions, obstructions).
• The ready availability of manual or mechanical lifting appliance (e.g. gin wheels, air or electric winches, on-site cranes).
9.2 ORGANIZING THE WORK SEQUENCE
When two or more scaffolders are working aloft on the scaffold, they should develop a methodical work sequence that:
• Allocates specific tasks to each scaffolder.
• Properly organizes the work.
• Ensures that the work is properly secured.
• Minimizes the risk of accidents.
9.3 ADVERSE WEATHER
Special precautions should be taken before:
• Working aloft in high winds that could cause the scaffolder to overbalance or lose control of the equipment being handled.
• Working from incomplete platforms when the scaffold is wet or coated with ice or snow.
9.4 PLATFORM
Scaffolders should work from a fully-decked platform.
Metal scaffold planks used with modular scaffolding should cover the full width of the framework, where there are no other means to prevent the planks from sliding.
Solid timber scaffold planks less than 44 mm thick should be supported at intervals of not more than 1.8 m.
9.5 GUARDRAILS
Guardrails should be installed as soon as practicable.
Where a scaffolder could fall a distance of more than 2 m, guardrails should be installed during erection of the scaffold. The guardrails should remain in place until that section of the scaffold is dismantled.
9.6 ACCESS
Means of access to the scaffold should be provided from the start of erection, progressed with the scaffold and used by the scaffolder whenever possible.
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9.7 WORKING ALOFT
Work practices must minimize the risk of injury from falling. Scaffolders should be trained in all aspects of fall prevention.
The use of safety nets is discussed in Appendix F.
9.8 SAFETY HARNESS
Safety harnesses may be used to provide protection against a fatal or serious fall when a scaffolder is required to work over a void, or lean out from the scaffold or supporting structure without the protection of a guardrail; however, they can increase the risk of injury if used incorrectly or unnecessarily.
Safety harnesses can be used during:
• The erection and dismantling of hung scaffolds prior to or upon removal of the platform.
• The fixing and removal of trolley tracks on suspension rigs.
• The attachment and removal of spurs projecting from the supporting structure.
• The erection and dismantling of cantilever scaffolds prior to or upon removal of the initial platform.
Safety harnesses and lanyards should comply with, be inspected in accordance with and be used in compliance with the relevant requirements of AS 1891, 2626, NZS 5811.1, NZS 5811.2 and the suppliers’ information. The inspection check list in AS 2626 is re-produced in Appendix G.
Anchorage points should have a working load limit of not less than 1500 kg and be located above or directly behind the scaffolder. Inertia reels should be used where vertical mobility is needed. The inspection check list in AS 2626 is reproduced in Appendix H.
9.9 EQUIPMENT HANDLING
The scaffolder must have suitable and serviceable lifting gear to raise and lower equipment.
Unserviceable gear should either be repaired (i.e. restored to sound condition) before use or be discarded.
9.10 HANDBALLING
Handballing (or chaining) is usually employed for the first few lifts of a scaffold. It involves a gang forming a human chain up the face of the scaffold, to pass equipment from one to another (see Figure 9.10).
Where guardrailing is not yet fixed, it is crucial that scaffolders brace themselves against an unjoined standard while leaving both hands free to pass equipment.
Do not release equipment until the next person in the chain has indicated they have full control. Scaffolders receiving the equipment should call ‘mine’ when they are ready and in control.
Handballing should only be used where scaffolders do not have to overreach or bend to pass or receive equipment.
9.11 HANDLINES
Handlines are used for raising or lowering equipment where it is not possible to set up a gin wheel.
Scaffolders using a handline should adopt a secure position. On lifts where guardrails have not been installed, use an unjointed standard for support with one leg placed behind the standard to act as an anchor (see Figure 9.11).
47 AS/NZS 4576:1995
FIGURE 9.10 HANDBALLING
9.12 TOPPING UP STANDARDS
Topping up standards is one of the most hazardous tasks for scaffolders. The dangers of muscle strain and overbalancing can be minimized if the following rules are followed:
• Wherever possible, make sure that the standard joints are positioned immediately above the lift to avoid high top ups.
• Avoid using standards with a length of more than 4 m. Longer tubes are very difficult to top up without strain and should only be used as ledgers, guardrails and braces.
• When topping up a standard, grasp the tube with one hand above your head with a straight arm as a pivot point and while grasping the base of the tube with the other hand, guide the tube to vertical and place it in position.
9.13 USE OF GIN WHEELS
Only blocks that incorporate a rope guide should be used as a gin wheel.
Hook-type gin wheels should not be hooked onto a coupler or onto the end of a tube.
A coupler should be fixed either side of the suspension point, to prevent movement of the gin wheel (see Figure 9.13).
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FIGURE 9.11 USE OF A HANDLINE
Where a gin wheel is attached to a cantilevered scaffold tube, the tube should be fixed to a standard with a right-angle coupler. Where the suspension point projects more than 600 mm beyond the standard, the tube should be braced back to the scaffold.
Hook-type gin wheels should be moused or provided with a spring-loaded safety catch.
The rope should normally be joined in a continuous loop using a double sheet bend (or similar), forming a tail for attaching the load. Alternatively, a figure-of-eight knot should be formed in the rope to stop it from running through the wheel.
Loads raised or lowered by the use of gin wheels should not exceed 50 kg.
9.14 CANTILEVER BUILDERS’ HOISTS
Information on the erection and use of cantilever builders’ hoists complying with AS 1418.7 is given in Appendix I.
49 AS/NZS 4576:1995
FIGURE 9.13 GIN WHEELS
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S E C T I O N 1 0 A D D I T I O N A L R E Q U I R E M E N T S