Scaffold is any temporary structure set up to support access or working platforms. This encompasses various types, including modular or prefabricated scaffold, tube and coupler scaffold, cantilevered scaffold, spur scaffold, hung scaffold, and suspended scaffold.
Engaging in the erection, alteration, use, and dismantling of scaffold exposes workers to the potential risk of a serious fall or being struck by falling objects, such as scaffold components, tools, or, in worst-case scenarios, the entire scaffold collapsing.
WorkCover Queensland, in collaboration with Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, executed compliance campaigns focusing on the safe practices related to scaffold activities, specifically in 2009, 2010, and a follow-up in 2012 targeting swing stage scaffolds.
For those working on swing stage scaffolds, completion of the Course in the Safe Use of Swing Stage Scaffold is mandatory. This includes two users in the stage operating hoists, with an engineer serving as a third person. Before commencing work, it must be ensured that the combined weight of three individuals does not exceed the safe working load (SWL) of the stage. Engineers undertaking inspections from a swing stage scaffold are exempt from this course requirement.
WorkCover Queensland acknowledges incidents in Queensland where tie bars on scaffolding hop-up brackets have inadvertently detached, resulting in falls or workers being struck. Additionally, the increasing use of zip ties on scaffolding, not specified by the manufacturer, has become a notable concern.
The specific legislative requirements for scaffold and scaffolding work are outlined in the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011, particularly in Part 5.1, Subdivision 3, covering additional control measures for particular plant, and Part 6.3, Subdivision 4, addressing scaffolding. WorkCover Queensland remains dedicated to ensuring compliance with these regulations for the safety of workers in the industry.
The Scaffolding code of practice 2021 (PDF, 1.63 MB) provides guidance on managing the risks associated with scaffolding.
| Specific legislative requirements for scaffold and scaffolding work | ||
|---|---|---|
High risk work licence | Scaffolding work is defined as high risk work and requires users to be appropriately licensed. Scaffolding work is divided into three levels (basic, intermediate and advanced) recognising the different levels of risk and the different techniques required for certain types of scaffolding. View information about obtaining a high risk work licence for scaffolding work. | WHS Regulation 2011, s81 and schedule 3 – High risk work licences and classes of high risk work |
Safe work method statements | Safe work method statements are required for all high risk construction work, including any construction work that involves the risk of a person falling more than two metres. | WHS Regulation 2011, s291 and s299 |
Scaffold – written confirmation from a competent person | The person with management or control of a scaffold at a workplace must ensure that it is not used unless they receive written confirmation from a competent person that the construction of the scaffold has been completed. | WHS Regulation 2011, s225(2) |
Scaffold – inspection by a competent person | The person with management or control of a scaffold at a workplace must ensure that the scaffold and its supporting structure are inspected by a competent person:
If an inspection indicates that the scaffold or the supporting structure creates a risk to health and safety then any necessary repairs, alterations and additions must be carried out. The scaffold and its supporting structure must be inspected by a competent person again before use is resumed. | WHS Regulation 2011, s225(3) and (4) |
Scaffold – unauthorised access | The person with management or control of a scaffold at a workplace must prevent unauthorised access to any incomplete or unattended scaffold. | WHS Regulation 2011, s225(5) |
Erecting scaffolding | A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must not erect or allow another person to erect scaffolding if there is a risk a person could fall three metres, for housing construction, or two metres for all other types of construction unless:
Note 1: r306P(4) describes a specific process for scaffolding erection that minimises the risk of a fall. Note 2: A PCBU must still manage the risk of a fall at any height under Part 4.4 Falls. | WHS Regulation 2011, s306P |
Dismantling scaffolding | A PCBU must not dismantle or allow another person to dismantle scaffolding a there is a risk a person could fall three metres, for housing construction, or two metres for all other types of construction unless:
Note 1: s306Q(3)(b) describes a specific process for scaffolding erection that minimises the risk of a fall. Note 2: A PCBU must still manage the risk of a fall at any height under Part 4.4 Falls. | WHS Regulation 2011, s306Q |
Notifiable incidents | Dangerous incidents, such as the collapse or partial collapse of a structure (e.g. a scaffold) or the fall or release from a height of any plant, substance or thing (e.g. scaffold component), must be notified to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland. View additional information about the notification of dangerous incidents, including the notification form. | WHS Act 2011, s35, s36, s37, s38 and s39 |