Construction Safety: Scaffoldings, Equipment, and Demolition Rules

Sheathing

The vertical member of shoring and timbering which directly resists pressure from side of an excavation.

Wale

The longitudinal member of shoring and timbering which directly resists pressure from sheathing.

Strut

The transverse member of shoring and timbering which directly resists pressure from sheathing or wales.

Scaffold

A temporary structure of timber or metal work with a platform used in the construction, alteration or demolition of a building, or other maintenance work used to support workers or to allow the hoisting and lowering of workers, their tools and materials.

Standard or Upright

The vertical member of scaffold transmitting the load to the ground or to a base plate.

Ledger or Stringer

A scaffold bracing, which extends horizontally from standard to standard forming right angles with the putlogs and forms a tie between the standards.

Putlogs or Bearer

A scaffold member spanning between a ledger and a building wall or between two ledgers upon which the platform rests.

Brace

A scaffold member that holds standards or uprights in a fixed position to prevent any lateral movement.

Single Scaffold

A platform supported by a single row of uprights or standards tied along the wall, connected horizontally by a ledger and supporting putlogs which rests on ledger on one side and in holes left in walls on the other.

Double Scaffold

A platform supported on two rows of uprights or standards parallel to the wall of a building connected by horizontal ledgers and is independent from the building wall.

Suspended Scaffold

A scaffold suspended by means of ropes or chains capable of being lowered or raised by winch, pulley, block or such other means.

Trestle Scaffold

Scaffolds in which the supports for the platform are step ladders, tripods or similar movable contrivances.

Hoist

A lifting machine with a carriage, platform or cage which moves on guides.

Lifting Appliance

A crab, winch, pulley block or gin wheel used for raising or lowering a hoist crane, sheer legs excavators, draglines, pile driver, or pile excavators.

Lifting Gear

A chain sling, rope sling, ring, link, hook, shackle, swivel or eyebolt.

Mobile Crane

A crane capable of traveling under its own power.

Plant or Equipment

Any plant equipment gear, machinery, apparatus or appliances, or any part thereof.

Health and Safety Committee

At every construction site there shall be organized and maintained a Health and Safety Committee conforming with Rule 1040 and a medical and dental service conforming with Rule 1960.

Alternative Methods and Materials

In the application of this Rule, the construction, composition, size, and arrangement of materials used may vary provided that the strength of the structure is at least equal to that herein prescribed.

Electrical

Before any construction is commenced, and during the construction, steps shall be taken to prevent danger to the workers or operating equipment from any live electric cable or equipment either by rendering the cable or apparatus electrically dead or by providing barriers to prevent contact.

Machine Guarding

All moving parts of machinery used shall be guarded in accordance with the requirements of Rule 1200.

Fire Protection

Fire Protection equipment shall be provided in accordance with the requirements of Rule 1940.

Lighting of Work Areas

Every work-area and approach thereto, every place where raising or lowering operations with the use of a lifting appliance are in progress, and all openings dangerous to workers, shall be lighted with the minimum requirements provided in Rule 1210.

Lifting of Weights

For continued lifting, a male worker shall not be made to lift, carry or move any load over fifty kilograms (50 kgs.) and female workers over twenty-five kilograms (25 kgs.).

Pipelines

Repair work on any section of a pipeline under pressure shall not be undertaken until the pipeline is released of the pressure or the section under repair is blocked off the line pressure to ensure that no worker will be endangered.

Protection of the Public

A safe covered walkway shall be constructed over the sidewalk for use by pedestrians in a building construction work less than 2.3 m. (7 ft.) from a sidewalk or public road.

Protection from Falling Materials

Steps shall be taken to protect workers from falling materials, such as the provision of safety helmets and safety shoes.

Protruding Nails and Loose Materials

Material or lumber with protruding nails shall not be used in any work or be allowed to remain in any place where they are a source of danger to the workers.

Protection against Collapse of Structure

All temporary structure shall be properly supported by the use of guys, stays, and other fixings necessary for stability during construction.

Safe Means of Access

Safe means of access and egress shall be provided and maintained to and from every place where work is undertaken.

Storage of Materials

Building materials and equipment shall not be placed or stored on a permanent or temporary structure exceeding its safe load carrying capacity.

1412.15: Storage of Cylinders

Compressed gas cylinders shall be stored in upright position protected against heat and overturning and when not in use, the control valves shall be covered by protective caps screwed to proper positions.

1412.16: Traffic Control

In construction sites where a worker's safety is likely to be endangered by vehicular traffic, flagmen, warning signs, barriers or lane control devices shall be installed.

1412.17: Vehicular Loading

No person shall remain on or in a vehicle during loading or unloading except those required to be there and only when all necessary protection against hazards are provided.

1412.18: Vehicle Driving

No person shall operate any vehicle or equipment in a construction site unless he has adequate training and experience to operate such vehicle or equipment and is authorized by his immediate supervisor.

1412.19: Internal Combustion Engine

No internal combustion engine shall be operated in an enclosed area unless the exhaust gases or fumes are discharged directly outside to a point where the discharge gases or fumes cannot return to the enclosure, and the place is ventilated to protect workers from exhaust gases.

1412.20: Personal Protective Equipment

Personal Protective equipment as required in Rule 1080 shall be provided to the workers.

1412.21: Other Standards

The provisions of this Rule are minimum requirements and any other regulation of other government authority of the same nature but with higher numerical values prevail.

1413: Excavation

Excavation regulations concerning safety measures and requirements.

1413.01: Shoring and Timbering

The walls of every excavation over 1 m. (3 ft.) deep shall be supported by adequate shoring and timbering to prevent collapse, with exceptions for certain conditions.

1413.02: Minimum Berm

Excavated material shall be kept from the edge of the excavation to provide a clear berm of a distance not less than one third of the depth of the excavation.

1413.03: Tools Materials and Machinery

Tools or materials shall be kept a minimum of 1 m. (3 ft.) away from the edge of the excavation to prevent their being knocked down into the excavation.

1413.04: Provision for Barricades

The top of the walls of an excavation more than 2.0 m. (6 ft.) deep shall be barricaded to a height of at least 1 m. (3 ft.) to prevent the fall of workers.

1413.05: Means of Access and Escape

Every excavation over 1 m. (3 ft.) deep shall be provided with means of access and escape in case of flooding or collapse of the excavation work.

1413.06: Inspection and Examination of Excavation

Every part of an excavation over 2 m. (6 ft.) deep where workers work shall be inspected by the person in charge at least once every day.

1413.07: Supervision and Execution of Timbering and other Work

Timbering or support for any excavation shall be erected, added, altered or dismantled only under the direction of the project supervisor.

1413.08: Harmful Dust, Gases, Fumes

When harmful dusts, gases and fumes are present in an excavation to such a degree hazardous to the safety and health of the workers, all measures shall be taken either by exhaust ventilation or by other means to free the area of such contaminants.

1413.09: Sizes and Spacing of Members

Sheating shall not be less than 5 cm. x 15 cm. (2" x 6") in section, wales not less than 10 cm. x 15 cm. (4"x 6") in section and struts not less than 10 cm. x 15 cm. (4" x 6") in section.

1414: Scaffoldings

Every scaffold shall be of good construction of sound materials and strength for the purpose for which it is intended.

1414.01: Maintenance of Scaffolds

All scaffolds shall be properly maintained and every part shall be kept, fixed and secured in position to prevent displacement.

1414.02: Supervision and inspection of Scaffolds

Scaffold shall be erected, added, altered or dismantled only under the supervision of the person in charge of the construction.

Rule 1410

Regulations governing the construction and safety of scaffolds.

1414.03

Strength and Stability of Scaffolds.

Maximum Load Support

Every scaffold shall be capable of supporting twice the maximum load to which it may be subjected.

Bracing Requirements

All standards must be diagonally and horizontally braced to prevent lateral movement.

Splice Restrictions

No splices shall be between the points of support of horizontal members.

Construction of Timber Scaffolds

Specific guidelines for constructing timber scaffolds.

Single Scaffold Standard Placement

Standards shall be placed at 1.18 to 2.43 meters apart at a distance of 1 m from the wall.

Standard Size for Single Scaffold

The size of the standard shall not be less than 8.9 cm in diameter.

Double Scaffold Outer Row Distance

The outer row shall be at a distance of 1.22 to 1.32 m from the wall.

Standard Size for Double Scaffold

Standards for double scaffold shall not be less than 10 cm in diameter.

Fastening Requirements

Ledgers, standards, and putlogs shall be securely fastened by bolts, dogs, or ropes.

Putlog Spacing Minimum Rule

Spacing shall not exceed 1 m for 3.2 cm thick planks and 1.5 m for 3.8 cm thick planks.

Foot of Standard Displacement Prevention

Displacement shall be prevented by sinking into the ground or fixing on a base plate.

Traveling Scaffold Requirements

Must be of stable construction, weighted at the base, and used only on firm surfaces.

Suspended Scaffold Support Requirements

Must be capable of supporting at least four times the maximum load.

Suspended Scaffold Platform Width

The platform must be at least 25 cm wide.

Cantilever Scaffold Support

Must be properly supported, fixed, and anchored on the opposite side of the supports.

Skip and Bracket Scaffold Use

Shall not be used as a substitute for suspended scaffold unless under supervision.

Ladder Scaffold Use Conditions

Shall be used only when the work is light and material can be hung on the ladder.

Trestle Scaffold Height Limit

Shall not be used if the working platform is more than 5 m from the ground.

Outrigger Scaffold Platform Distance

Shall have its platform within 8 cm from the wall.

Bamboo Scaffold Use Conditions

May be used for painting or light construction work if constructed and maintained properly.

Bamboo Scaffold Maximum Height

The maximum height allowed is 20 meters.

Platform Width Requirements

Platforms from which workers may fall more than 2 m shall have minimum widths specified.

Guard Rail Height

Guard rails shall be provided up to a height of 91 cm above the working surface.

Minimum Design Load for Platforms

The uniformly distributed minimum design load shall be 650 kg/sq.m.

Planking Thickness Requirement

Planking used shall not be less than 3 cm thick.

Scaffold Platform Projection

A scaffold platform shall not project beyond its end support to a distance exceeding four times the thickness of the plank, unless secured to prevent tipping.

Support for Planks and Platforms

All planks, platforms, runways and ramps shall be fixed and supported to prevent sagging and moving.

Slope of Runway or Ramp

Slope of runway or ramp shall not exceed 2 in 3.

Stepping Laths Requirements

When the slope of runway or ramp requires additional foothold using stepping laths, they shall have a minimum section of 5 x 8 cm. (2 in. x 3 in.) placed at maximum intervals of 46 cm. (18 in.) on centers.

Stepping Laths Extension

Stepping laths shall extend to the full width of the runway or ramp except that they may be interrupted over a width of not more than 10 cm. (4 in.) to facilitate the passage of barrows.

Lifting Appliances Construction

Every lifting appliance including working gear and all other plant equipment used for anchoring or fixing shall be of good mechanical construction, of sound material and adequate strength for the load it will carry.

Maintenance of Lifting Appliances

Lifting appliances shall be properly maintained and inspected at least once a week, and the result of such inspection shall be recorded in a log book maintained by the employer or user of the equipment, open to enforcing authority.

Anchoring Arrangement Requirements

Any anchoring or fixing arrangement provided in connection with a lifting appliance shall be adequate and secure to hold the imposed load.

Crane Brake Requirement

Every crane, crab and winch shall be provided with a brake to prevent the fall of the load and to control operation when the load is lowered.

Lifting Appliance Handle Safety

Every handle or lever of a lifting appliance provided for controlling its operation shall be provided with suitable locking arrangement to prevent its accidental movement.

Marking of Control Levers

Every lever or handle provided for controlling the operation of a lifting appliance shall have clear marking to indicate purpose and mode of operation.

Crane Driver Platform Requirements

Platform for crane drivers and signalers shall be of sufficient area, closely planked, plated and provided with safe means of access and egress.

Guard Rails Requirement

Every side of a platform more than 2.16 meters (6.5 ft.) high shall be provided with guard rails and toeboards.

Crane Driver Cabin Protection

The driver of every power driven lifting appliance shall be provided with a cabin which shall afford protection from the weather and falling objects.

Stability Measures for Cranes

When lifting appliances are used on soft or uneven ground or on a slope, adequate measures shall be taken to ensure their stability or undue movement.

Crane Usage Conditions

No crane shall be used for raising or lowering loads unless it is securely anchored and adequately balanced by a weight properly placed and secured.

Crane Load Testing

Every crane after erection altered or any kind of change shall be tested by the contractor/supervisor with the imposition of a load of twenty-five percent (25%) above the maximum load to be lifted.

Log Book for Crane Tests

A report of the test shall be recorded in a log book to be maintained by the employer.

Maximum Load Visibility

The maximum load allowed shall be affixed in a place where it can be readily seen by the crane operator.

Drum and Pulley Security

Every chain or rope that terminates at the winding drum of a lifting appliance shall be properly secured thereto and at least two turns or such chain or rope shall remain on the drum in every operating maximum end position of the appliance.

Derricking Jib Inter-locking

When the derricking jib of a crane is operated through a clutch, there shall be an effective inter-locking arrangement between the derricking drum.

Crane Operation Training

A lifting appliance shall not be operated other than by a person trained, competent, physically fit, and authorized to operate the appliance.