Hazard identification tool – Aluminium mobile scaffolding

Job activity What can harm What can happen Causes which need to be
(Tasks) you (Hazards) (Risks) managed (Controlled)

General planning Inadequate Injury due to • Insufficient skills

training, inexperience or (competency) to complete the
consultation, failure to provide required task correctly.
planning and or use appropriate • Inadequate consultation with
improvisation. equipment relevant employees.
• Competent person not used
for scaffold erection up to 4
metres in height.
• Certificated scaffolder not
used to erect scaffold in
excess of 4 metres in height
or where complex
configurations are involved.

Unstable scaffold Injury due to • Competent person not used

due to lack of scaffold collapse for scaffold erection up to 4
competency in or partial collapse. metres in height.
erection. • Certificated scaffolder not
used to erect scaffold where
the working platform exceeds
4 metres in height or if the
scaffold has cantilevers or
outriggers.
• Foundation or ground not
suitable for mobile scaffold.
• Different scaffold systems
mixed together. (mix and
match problems)

Overload of Collapse causing • Wrong type of scaffold used

scaffold fall from height. for the job.
components. • Scaffold components
overloaded beyond design
limits.
• Different scaffold systems
mixed together. (mix and
match problems).

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 Hazard identification tool – Aluminium mobile scaffolding
Job activity What can harm What can happen Causes which need to be
(Tasks) you (Hazards) (Risks) managed (Controlled)

Unstable or Injury due to • Instructions are not provided,

incorrect erection scaffold collapse or are not clear – print is too
of scaffold. or partial collapse. small and/or photocopy
cannot be accurately
followed.
• Scaffold poorly maintained by
supplier – colour coding
referred to in instructions is
not visible on components.
• Damaged scaffold.

Planning by Scaffold erected Electric shock or • Earth Leakage Switch not

Principal too close to power electrocution. installed on mains supply or
Contractor or lines or completed portable generator.
Subcontractor scaffold is moved • Working on or moving mobile
depending on too close to power scaffold too close to live
contract lines during use. power lines.
conditions • Scaffold components or
material handled are greater
than 4 metres in length.
• Scaffold component or
material contacts power lines.
Insulation (tiger tails) not in
place on power lines or wet
conditions makes them
ineffective.
• Strong wind causes power
lines to swing closer to work
area.

Erection of base Unsupported Frames fall over • Bracing or team member not
frames and frames being striking person used to support first frames.
bracing erected at ground erecting scaffold • Foundation not level or
level. or other person unsuitable for mobile scaffold.
close to the work • Castor wheels not adjusted
area. correctly or not locked.

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 Hazard identification tool – Aluminium mobile scaffolding
Job activity What can harm What can happen Causes which need to be
(Tasks) you (Hazards) (Risks) managed (Controlled)

Incorrectly Fall from • Insufficient skills

assembled first completed (competency) to complete the
frames causing scaffold or fall required task.
unstable scaffold from scaffold • Instructions are not provided
base. during erection. or are not clear – print is too
small and/or photocopy
cannot be read.
• Scaffold poorly maintained –
colour coding referred to in
instructions is not visible on
components.
• Base frame assembled
upside down – castor wheels
will not fit correctly.

Erection of Climbing Scaffold tips over • Climbing up the outside of the

second level lightweight causing fall. frame causing scaffold to tip
frames and scaffold base sideways.
bracing frames during • Only one person used in
erection. frame erection.
• Foundation not level or
unsuitable for mobile scaffold.

Base frames not Instability/ • Scaffold distorts out of square

adequately braced collapse of base due to plan bracing being left
or supported. frames causing out.
fall. • Insufficient diagonal bracing
or bracing fixed incorrectly.
• Castor wheels not locked to
prevent movement or lock/s
broken.
• Foundation not level or
unsuitable for mobile scaffold.
• Castor wheels not adjusted
correctly when levelling the
base frames.

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 Hazard identification tool – Aluminium mobile scaffolding
Job activity What can harm What can happen Causes which need to be
(Tasks) you (Hazards) (Risks) managed (Controlled)

Live power lines Electric shock • Earth Leakage Switch not

too close to work burns or installed on mains supply or
area. electrocution. portable generator.
• Working too close to live
power lines.
• Scaffold components or
materials handled are greater
than 4 metres in length.
• Tiger Tails (insulation) not in
place on power lines or wet
conditions make them
ineffective.
• High wind causes power lines
to swing closer to work area.
• Scaffold component strikes
and shatters unprotected light
bulb.

Scaffold used Scaffold topples • General height of the light

without following over causing a fall duty prefabricated aluminium
manufacturers from height. mobile scaffold exceeds three
instructions (e.g. times the minimum base
indoor or outdoor dimension (ref AS/NZS4576).
specifications). • e.g. a scaffold with base
dimensions of 2.4m x 1.8m
the height to the working
platform should be no more
than 5.4m.
• For a scaffold with a narrow
base width of less than 1.2m
the height of the light duty
prefabricated aluminium
mobile scaffold exceeds twice
the base width (ref AS4576).
• e.g. a scaffold with a base of
2.4m x 1.2m the height to the
working platform should be
no more than 2.4m.

Erection of Manual Handling. Sprains, strains • Only one person used to lift
working platform and fractures. platforms onto second level
frames.

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 Hazard identification tool – Aluminium mobile scaffolding
Job activity What can harm What can happen Causes which need to be
(Tasks) you (Hazards) (Risks) managed (Controlled)

Split (uneven) Step backward off • Working platform installed

decks installed higher deck with split decks, i.e. both deck
onto second causing fall from platforms are not set at the
frames. height. same height.

Erection of edge Climbing on Scaffold moves • Only one person used in

protection, lightweight unexpectedly or frame erection.
ladder and scaffold base tips over causing • Foundation uneven or soft.
toeboards frames. fall. • Planks and ply or steel plates
not used where soft ground is
a problem.

Movement of Fall from • Castor wheels not locked to

scaffold tower. unprotected prevent movement whilst
working platform. edge protection is erected.

Edge protection Fall from the edge • Handrail not positioned 900 –
incomplete. of the working 1100mm above the working
platform. platform on all sides.
• No midrail or fenderboard
installed to all sides.

Ladder access Fall through • Hatch not closed or trapdoor

hatch (trap door) ladder access missing.
in working deck. hatch.

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 Hazard identification tool – Aluminium mobile scaffolding
Job activity What can harm What can happen Causes which need to be
(Tasks) you (Hazards) (Risks) managed (Controlled)

Inappropriate Fall whilst gaining • Climbing up or down the

access to working access to working outside of the scaffold – no
deck. platform. ladder access.
• Ladder not positioned
internally and at the
appropriate angle 1:4 i.e. for
every 4 metres in height 1
metre out from the base.
• Ladder not secured at the top
and the bottom.
• Ladder does not project at
least 900 mm above the
working platform.
• Ladder does not access the
working platform through a
trapdoor.
• Ladder hung vertically off the
handrail or ledger on the
external or internal face of the
scaffold.

Unsecured tools Struck by falling • No fenderboards fitted to the

and/or equipment object. working platform.
lying on working • No exclusion zone around
platform. scaffold positioned in a public
or work area.
• Area around base of scaffold
not barricaded or bunted off.

Use of scaffold Vehicle or mobile Injury due to • Scaffold positioned too close
plant strikes scaffold collapse. to plant operating area.
scaffold. • Plant not operated in a
defined exclusion zone.
• Base of scaffold not
adequately protected from
impact e.g. concrete kerbs.
• “Spotter” not used to
supervise plant.

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 Hazard identification tool – Aluminium mobile scaffolding
Job activity What can harm What can happen Causes which need to be
(Tasks) you (Hazards) (Risks) managed (Controlled)

Carrying out “hot Burns. • Fire extinguisher not

work” from the maintained or adjacent to
scaffold. work area on scaffold working
platform.
• Worker/s not trained in the
use of fire fighting equipment.
• Incorrect type of fire
extinguisher provided for the
required task.
• No PPE or incorrect PPE for
the required task.

Incomplete Fall from scaffold • Un-authorised removal of or

scaffold. frames or working interference with scaffold
platform. components.
• Scaffold not inspected by
competent person prior to
use.
• No isolation system for
incomplete scaffolds, e.g.
Danger tag warning signs not
in place.
• Incomplete edge protection to
working platform – no
Handrail, midrail, or
fenderboards.

Split (uneven) Step backward off • Working platform installed

decks installed higher deck with split decks, i.e. both deck
onto second causing fall from platforms are not set at the
frames. height. same height.

Scaffold left Scaffold accessed • Scaffold not barricaded to

unattended and by inexperienced prevent un-authorised use.
unsecured. person or scaffold Scaffold not secured to
falls onto person prevent movement e.g.
or object. during windy weather.
• Castor wheels not locked.

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 Hazard identification tool – Aluminium mobile scaffolding
Job activity What can harm What can happen Causes which need to be
(Tasks) you (Hazards) (Risks) managed (Controlled)

Moving scaffold Moving scaffold to Scaffold topples • Failure to descend from

to new location a new location. over resulting in a scaffold and re-position from
fall. the base of scaffold.
• Moving scaffold whilst a
person is still positioned aloft
on the working platform, e.g.
grasping overhead roof
trusses to pull scaffold along.
• Scaffold moved onto bitumen
or other soft surface causing
castor wheels to subside.
• Planks and ply or steel plates
not used where soft ground is
a problem.
• Scaffold too close to an
exposed edge or penetration,
i.e. within 1 metre.

Electrical supply Electric shock • Earth Leakage Switch not

too close to work burns or installed on mains supply or
area. electrocution. portable generator.
• New work area not inspected
for electrical hazards.
• Working too close to live
power line, check for danger
zones.
• Scaffold components are
greater than 4 metres in
length.
• Insulation - Tiger Tails not in
place over power lines.
• Strong wind causes power
lines to swing closer to the
work area.
• Scaffold component strikes
and shatters unprotected light
bulb.

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 Hazard identification tool – Aluminium mobile scaffolding
Job activity What can harm What can happen Causes which need to be
(Tasks) you (Hazards) (Risks) managed (Controlled)

Dismantling Scaffold Fall from scaffold. • Un-authorised removal of or

and/or alteration incomplete or interference with scaffold
partly dismantled. components.
• Scaffold not inspected by
competent person prior to
use.
• Isolation system for
incomplete scaffold, e.g.
danger tag or warning signs,
not in place.

Unstable or Injury due to • Insufficient skills

incorrect scaffold collapse. (competency) to complete the
dismantling of required task.
scaffold. • Instructions are not provided
or are not clear – print is too
small and/or photocopy
cannot be accurately
followed.
• Scaffold poorly maintained by
supplier – colour coding
referred to in instructions is
not visible on components.

Inappropriate Scaffold collapse • Competent person not used

alterations to or fall from for scaffold alteration.
scaffold. scaffold. • Certificated scaffolder not
used for complex alteration,
e.g. cantilever or outrigger.
• Scaffold not inspected by
competent person prior to
use.
• Isolation system for
incomplete scaffold, e.g.
danger tag or warning signs,
not in place.

Hazard identification tool for aluminium mobile scaffolding Page 9 of 10

 Check-list for Lightweight Aluminium Mobile Scaffolds

Clear of electrical hazards

during erection and use
Only light duty work carried out

Handrail at correct height

Ladder projects minimum

900mm above deck
Midrail at correct height

Ladder across trapdoor

operational
Toeboard fitted
Deck at suitable working height All end clip mechanisms in place
Full platform for working deck
Diagonal bracing secured

All standard joints firmly fitted

Ladder placed at correct angle

All standards (uprights) plumb

Ladder correctly fixed at base

Plan brace as low as possible
Castor locking device Base frame in square and level
operational
Castor adjustment device
Ladder clear of the ground operational

Foundation suitable – level and

firm
Source: Adapted from
diagram by Instant Access
At all times refer to manufacturers
recommendations

W:\POLICYS\WPARTY\CISAC\Hazard Profiles\from Construction Team\HazProfAlumScafWA.doc

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