Scaffold 

Safety Interview Questions & Answers

What is scaffolding?

Scaffolding is a temporary working platform to provide supports to both men and materials for working place. It is used in maintenance, construction and demolition work, etc.

 

Types of scaffoldings:-

·         Independent scaffolding

·         Cantilever scaffolding

·         Hanging scaffolding

·         Suspended scaffolding

·         Mobile scaffolding.

 

What are the points to be checked while green tagging erected scaffolding?

·         Soleplate

·         Baseplate

·         Standards

·         Ledger

·         Transom

·         Couplers

·         Planks (boards)

·         Toeboards

·         Braising

·         Guard rails

·         Mid rail

·         Outriggers

·         Ladders

 

What are the Potential Hazards of scaffolding?

·          The collapse of Scaffolding.

·         Falling from a height.

·         Falling object.

·         Slip & Trip hazards.

·         Pinch point hazards / Sharp edges

·         Opening without a guardrail.

·         Scaffold erection during the storm or high winds, raining, and poor visibility.

·         Blocking emergency access and walkways

 

What is the cause of scaffolding failure?

·         Slipping off the unsecured ladder.

·         Use of unsuitable scaffold or faulty materials.

·         Inadequate or irregular platform width.

·         The omission of guard rails or toe boards.

·         Failure to properly secure the scaffold to the building or to brace it adequately.

·         Overloading on the scaffold platforms.

 

What is the precaution during scaffolding erection?

 

·         Scaffolding erection, dismantling should be done under the supervision of a COMPETENT PERSON (Scaffolding Supervisor).

·         Red Tag‟ means Danger “do not use” and Green Tag means “scaffold complete-ready for use” when completed.

·         The gap between boards/planks should be 1 inch (25mm).

·         Top guardrail, mid-rail, and toe board should be provided.

·         Guard rails and Toa boards shall be fitted to the inside of standards.

·         Guard rail should have a height between 915 mm (0.9 m or 90 cm or 3‟ feet) to 1143 mm (1.15 m or 3‟ 9”)

·         Toeboard should be 6” (15 cm) high and secured with toe board clips.

·         If scaffold to be erected on soft ground should be used soleplate.

·         The worker shall be not working on scaffolds during storms or high winds or poor visibility.

·         Soleplate shall extend under at least two standards.

·         Base plates with screw jacks should be proper scaffold leveling adjustment.

·         All standard shall be vertical.

·         Ledgers shall be securely fixed to standards couplers.

·         Scaffolds should be properly braced by cross bracing or diagonal braces or both for securing vertical members together.

·         Access ladder must be provided for any platform & clamped with scaffold structure.

·         The ladder should be 4:1 ratio and angle 75.

·         The ladder should be rise 1 meter (42 inches) above from the landing-place/platform.

·         The scaffold should be not obstructed access to/from any firefighting equipment/emergency equipment, operating area equipment, instrument and control panels, ladders, stairways, etc.

·         Scaffold platform opening should be secured with guardrail and signboard.

·         All scaffolding couplers should be tightened.