Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act No. 85 of 1993)

Regulations

General Safety Regulations, 1986

13D. Scaffold framework

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1)An employer shall ensure that—
a)Scaffold standards are properly propped against displacement and are secured vertically on firm foundations: Provided that putlog scaffolds shall incline slightly towards the structure;
b)
i)steel scaffold standards with 'heavy', 'medium', 'light', or 'very light', platform loadings which shall not exceed 320, 240, 160 and 80 kg/m2 respectively, are spaced not more than 1.8 m, 2 m, 2.5 m and 3 m apart, respectively; and
ii)wooden scaffold standards are spaced not more than 3 m apart;
c)ladders are spaced vertically not more than 2.1 m apart;
d)putlogs or transoms—
i)which do not support a platform, are spaced at the same distances as the distances prescribed in paragraph (b) in respect of scaffold standards.
ii)which support a platform, are spaced not more than 1.25 m apart if the platform is constructed of solid timber boards; and
e)every part of a wooden scaffold frame has a diameter of at least 75 mm or a section of similar strength.

 

2)No employer shall use a scaffold, or permit it to be used unless it—
a)is securely and effectively braced to ensure stability in all directions;
b)is secured at suitable vertical and horizontal distances to the structure to which work is being done, unless it is designed to be completely free-standing;
c)is so constructed that it has a throughout factor of safety of at least two; and
d)is inspected at least once a week and every time after bad weather by a person who has adequate experience in the erection and maintenance of scaffolds, and all findings are recorded in a register or report book.

 

3)No employer shall require or permit that—
a)a scaffold with a supporting wooden framework exceeds a height of 10m; and
b)a scaffold is erected, altered or dismantled by or under the supervision of a person other than a person who has had the necessary training and experience of such work and who has been appointed by the employer in writing for this purpose.