Workplace Safety and Health (Scaffold) Regulations 2011 - Part IV (Timber Scaffolds)

Timber scaffolds not to be used in shipyards
37. Duty of the occupier of a shipyard to ensure that no timber scaffold is used in the shipyard.
Materials for timber scaffolds
38.—(1) Responsible person to ensure that the requirements of paragraphs (2) to (7) are complied with.
(2) Timber used for any scaffold in a workplace —
(a) shall be of a suitable quality;
(b) shall be in good condition;
(c) shall have the bark completely stripped off; and
(d) shall not be painted or treated in any way such that defects in the wood cannot be seen easily.
(3) Timber used for any scaffold in a workplace shall comprise —
(a) Bintangor rollers; or
(b) other species of timber rollers which are of similar strength, durability and resilience as Bintangor rollers and which are approved in writing by the Commissioner.
(4) Every standard of a timber scaffold in a workplace shall have a diameter of at least 50mm throughout its length.
(5) Every timber roller used as a ledger or horizontal bracing, transom or putlog in a scaffold in a workplace shall have a diameter of at least 38mm at the tip.
(6) The members or components of a timber scaffold shall be lashed using rattan strips or other material approved in writing by the Commissioner.
(7) The lashing required shall be done with strips not less than 1.8m in length with a minimum of 6 turns per strip.



Construction of timber scaffolds
39.—(1) Responsible person to ensure that the requirements of paragraphs (2) to (5) are complied with.
(2) Timber scaffold shall not exceed 15m in height.
(3) No timber scaffold with a single row of standards shall be erected in a workplace.
(4) Every timber scaffold in a workplace shall be —
(a) securely tied and braced at the corners; and
(b) rigidly anchored to the building or other structure at regular close intervals.
(5) Transverse and longitudinal braces of a timber scaffold shall be securely placed and lashed to the standards.



Ties for timber scaffolds
40.—(1) Responsible person to ensure that the requirements of paragraphs (2) to (5) are complied with.
(2) A timber scaffold in a workplace shall be tied to a building or other structure by horizontal ties.
(3) Subject to paragraph (4), each tie shall —
(a) pass through an opening or hole in the wall in the building or structure; and
(b) be secured at a right angle to another pole which shall be fixed firmly inside the building or structure.
(4) Where it is not practicable to install any tie referred to in paragraph (3), the timber scaffold shall be tied to a building or other structure —
(a) using ties which are constructed and installed in accordance with the design and drawings of a professional engineer; or
(b) by such other means which are approved in writing by the Commissioner.
(5) Ties made up of wires shall not be used.
(6) Duty of a professional engineer who designs any tie of a timber scaffold referred to in paragraph (4)(a) to —
(a) take such measures to ensure that his design can be executed safely by any person who constructs, installs or uses the tie according to his design; and
(b) provide to any person who constructs or installs or is to construct or install the tie of the timber scaffold, all design documentation (including all relevant calculations, drawings
and construction procedures) as is necessary to facilitate the proper construction or installation of the tie according to his design.
(7) Duty of the occupier of a workplace to ensure that no timber scaffold with ties referred
to in paragraph (4)(a) is used unless the design and drawings certified by the professional engineer are kept available at the workplace for inspection by an inspector.
(8) Any person who contravenes paragraph (7) shall be guilty and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000.



Duration of use of timber scaffolds
41. Duty of the occupier of a workplace in which a timber scaffold is erected to ensure that the timber scaffold shall be dismantled within a period of 9 months after its erection.