Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act No. 85 of 1993)RegulationsGeneral Safety Regulations, 198613E. Scaffold platforms |
| 1) | An employer shall ensure that — |
| a) | every plank of a solid wooden scaffold platform is at least 275 mm wide and 38 mm thick; |
| b) | every plank which forms part of a scaffold platform is supported at distances not exceeding 1.25 m, and its ends are projected not less than 70 mm and not more than 200 mm beyond the last prop; |
| c) | every plank of a scaffold platform is firmly secured to prevent its displacement; and |
| d) | every platform is so constructed as to prevent materials and tools from falling through. |
| 2) | An employer shall ensure that every scaffold platform- |
| a) | with 'heavy' 'medium', 'light' or 'very light' platform loadings as referred to in regulation 13D (1) (b) (i) is not less than 1 125 mm and not more than 1 380 mm, not less than 1 125 mm and not more than 1 150 mm, not less than 900 mm and not more than 1 150 mm, and not less than 675 mm and not more than 1 150 mm, respectively, wide: Provided that where a platform is used only as a gangway, a platform width of 450 mm shall be sufficient; |
| b) | which is more than 2 m above the ground is on all sides, except the side facing the structure, provided with- |
| i) | substantial guard rails of at least 900 mm and not exceeding 1 000 mm in height; and |
| ii) | toe-boards which are at least 150 mm high from the level of the scaffold platform and so affixed that no open space exists between the toe-boards and the scaffold platform: Provided that if the toe-boards are constructed of timber, they shall be at least 25 mm thick; |
| c) | is not more than 75 mm from the structure: Provided that where workmen must sit to work, this distance may be in creased to not more than 300 mm; and |
| d) | is kept free of waste, projecting nails or any other obstructions, and is kept in a non-slip state. |
| 3) | No employer shall require or permit that a working platform which is higher than 600 mm be supported on a scaffold platform, and shall provide an additional guard rail of at least 900 mm and not exceeding 1000 mm in height above every such working platform. |
| 4) | An employer shall ensure that convenient and safe access is provided to every scaffold platform, and where the access is a ladder, the ladder shall project at least 900 mm beyond the top of the platform. |