IOSH forums home
»
Our public forums
»
OSH discussion forum
»
Scaffold Access/Egress and the gap to fall through?
Rank: Guest 
|
Posted By Starbuck
We have a scaffold tower with a ladder going up the inside, where the ladder intersects the working platform there is an aperture which is necessary to climb through. Now can this also not be viewed as a hole which you can also fall through unsuspectingly when working on the platform. Does anyone know the legal standard on this, has it ever been addressed?
I know you can get these trap door platforms which are great but that is not what we have but we do want to be legally compliant. Any help would be appreciated.
Thank You.
Emma.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Robert K Lewis
Emma
If this is an alloy tower I am surprised that there are no trap doors. The real art with these is to alternate the ladder section from one end to the other - that way even if a trap door is left open then the fall height is restricted.
You can also ensure the ladders are arranged such that they do not rise more than a single lift at a time. It annoys scaffolders enormously but makes for a much safer access. They can then be used as a partial guarding of the access opening. Best of all use staircase towers, you can carry things up to the top!
Bob
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Starbuck Well the scaffold we have is a do it yourself job. The HSE has accepted this from us before, but that one was slightly better contructed, I fear they would share my concerns over this one. Here are the pics... http://i2.photobucket.co...lancerXO02/Picture1b.jpghttp://i2.photobucket.co...lancerXO02/Picture2a.jpgI know they need to sort the kickboard out and the fact that there are no brakes on the wheels. I am also aware the platform needs to reach across the entire surface, except for the apperture which is where my problem comes in. Is it illegal to have this gap for the ladder, must we build a trap door system? Cheers, Emma
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Robert K Lewis
I shall take you at your word that these are genuine. Looking at the pictures an immediate concern is the cardinal sin of mixing steel and alloy - the dimensions and strengths are very different. The tower is actually a mobile gantry which seems to manage to break most of the rules one normally applies to such towers - I am surprised at the HSE if the last one approached this to any degree.
There are gantries available for hire and the cost is probably a lot less than the time spent erecting this.
Enough said
Bob
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Starbuck
I think we can agree that this is not acceptable but this is where we are and money is tight and it's cheaper for the site to construct their own than buy one in.
I don't know much about mobile towers but I take from what you're saying that mixing these materials during construction of the tower means it's not strong enough to take the weight of a person falling against it?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Robert K Lewis
Emma
Without seeing these in person, which will undoubtedly cost more than a tower, I have said all I really can say. I am unable to see the whole tower but would comment provisionally in the following manner:
a) Mixed use of tube breaches the general requirements from the alloy tower manufacturer.
b) External ladders should not be used on towers.
c) The access on picture 2 requires the operative to climb over handrails.
d) There seems to be a mismatch in the minimum base measurement to height ratio, maximum 3 - 3.5 times in external situations.
e) Query competence of erectors.
f) Query suitability of ladder, is it class 1 - Industrial?
etc etc
Bob
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Starbuck
Thanks for your help Bob, much appreciated.
I have just come down hard on this site and I have little doubt now that we will get this right next time with protected edges and trap door access and have the load capabilities externally tested.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By David Tilsley-Curtis
I have just come across your discussion regarding the access equipment and Robert seems to have identified a number of issues regarding the use of the equipment, however there are some glaring omissions in the construction of the towers.
I would be happy to send you some contact details for advice if it would help.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By CB
are the people erecting the scaffold competent and have they recieved training on the use and erection of scaffolds.
cb
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Alias
The people constructing this scaffold are qualified and experienced tradesmen who can construct anything you ask them to provided you give them the guidance. The pictures are of their efforts before guidance and they obviously need to be pointed in the right direction. I am aware of the need for this kind of work to be done by "competent" people, but as long as we get the end result certified by someone competent we should be fine.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Antony McManus
The opening for the ladder access has to be 3 boards wide (27"), scaffolding is still measured in imperial, and as small as reasonably practicable in the other dimension, ie enough for man access, without tools etc.
Tony Mc
|
|
|
|
|
|
IOSH forums home
»
Our public forums
»
OSH discussion forum
»
Scaffold Access/Egress and the gap to fall through?
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.