Scaffolding

An introduction to scaffolding including design / selection

Improving people’s lives.

 Costain at a glance

Costain is recognised as one of the UK’s leading smart infrastructure solutions

companies.

▪ Our purpose is to improve people’s lives by helping to: connect and keep the
nation moving: keep water clean and flowing: power communities sustainably
and keep people safe
▪ Founded in Liverpool in 1865 by Richard Costain
▪ Employees c. 3,100
▪ Turnover £1,070.5m year ended 31 December 2020
▪ Services: future-shaping strategic consultancy, consultancy and advisory, digital
technology solutions, asset optimisation and complex programme delivery
▪ Sectors Rail, Highways, Aviation, Energy, Water, Defence
Tom Pawson CEng FICE

▪ 18 years at Costain
▪ Chartered Civil Engineer (Fellow of ICE) and Chartered Manager
▪ Current role: Chief Engineer (Designated Individual for Lifting & Scaffolding)
▪ Member of several BSi committees for crane use / design
▪ Chairman of BSi committee for crane safety and testing standards (BS 7121
etc.)
▪ Contributor to best practice guidance from CPA, ALLMI and LEEA
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-pawson/
thomas.pawson@costain.com
Objectives
• Requirements from The Work at Height Regulations regarding scaffolding

• Types of scaffolds & scaffold components

• Load classes

• Ties

• Designed scaffolds vs. Compliant scaffolds

• Temporary works classifications

• How the process is managed @ Costain

• Inspection of scaffolds
 Scaffold incident
• Cardiff Scaffold Collapse Dec 2000 | ScaffMag.com

• Inadequate ties provided

(91 vs. 300 required).

• No ties in top 6m.

• Ties not correctly installed.

• Unapproved changes
made to design.

• PC didn’t check design or

installed scaffold.

• No system for undertaking

or recording inspections.

• Failed during high winds.

 Scaffold incident
• Anniversary of fatal Milton Keynes scaffold collapse | ScaffMag.com.

• 1 death and 2 major injuries.

• Not strong or stable enough for the

works being carried out.

• Inspection inadequate despite specific

instructions from HSE.

• Overloaded scaffold (loading bays

removed too soon?).

• Failed during high winds.

 Scaffold incident
• Scaffolding collapses near Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead - BBC News

• Failed during high winds.

 Scaffold incident
• CDM conviction over scaffold collapse | IOSH Magazine

• Not adequately tied.

• Not designed and installed to withstand

foreseeable wind loads.

• Erected using standard configuration

when bespoke design was required.

• Failed during high winds.

The Work at Height Regulations 2005
WAHR Schedule 3 – Working Platforms
• Any surface upon which any
supporting structure rests shall be
stable, of sufficient strength and of
suitable composition safely to support
the supporting structure, the working
platform and any loading intended to
be placed on the working platform.

• Strength and stability calculations for

scaffolding shall be carried out unless:

• a note of the calculations,

covering the structural
arrangements contemplated, is
available; or

• it is assembled in conformity with

a generally recognised standard
configuration.
Types of scaffold
 Types of scaffold
Tube and fitting
• Standard diameter tubes.
• Held together with fittings.
• Can accommodate almost any
shape, size and loading.
System Mobile Aluminium Towers
• Modular units (standards, ledgers, • Modular panels, tubes, braces
transoms). and boards.
• Held together in predetermined • Quick to assemble and suited
locations in accordance with system. to short duration work.
• Several key manufacturers, e.g. Haki.
• Systems grouped into “families”
depending on fixing method, e.g.
rosette, cup, wedge etc.
• Quick to assemble but more limited on
shape.
Types of scaffold

Tube and fitting System Mobile Aluminium Towers

• SSPTS (System Scaffold Product Training Scheme)
training.
• Training is in a product. Other products in same
family can be erected after familiarisation training.
Other families require formal training.
• https://cisrs.org.uk/system-scaffold-product-
training-scheme/
• PASMA for non-scaffolder erectors.
• CISRS scaffolders can erect aluminium towers if
they have completed the CISRS Alloy Towers
module.
• Advanced configurations not in basic training.
• https://pasma.co.uk/training/
 Scaffold terminology
Standards Ledgers Toe boards
Horizontal tubes fixed parallel to the
Guard rails Upright boards fixed to the edges of
Vertical tubes supporting the Horizontal tubes the platform
scaffold structure façade to support the transoms
protecting the platform
edges
Lifts Decking Right angle coupler (‘double’)
Assemblies of ledgers and transoms The boards comprising the scaffold
forming the horizontal levels platform

Swivel coupler (‘single’)

Putlog coupler (‘transom clip’)

Façade bracing Transoms

Diagonal tubes parallel to the Horizontal tubes above the
façade to prevent sway ledgers to support the boards

Ledger bracing Sole boards Ties Sleeve coupler

Diagonal tubes connecting inner Boards placed under the base Connections between the scaffold and building
and outer line of ledgers plates to support the scaffold to give stability and strength
 Load classes
• All scaffolds have to be designed / selected with a load class in mind.

• Standard configurations come in 4 different load classes (uniformly distributed loads).

• Check the limitations – ordinarily only 1no. 100% loaded lift and 1no. 50% loaded lift allowed per scaffold at
any one time.

• Anything in excess of the load class, or point loads, will require design.

Very light duty Light duty General purpose Heavy duty

Access, inspection and light cleaning. Plastering, painting, glazing and pointing. General building work including Heavy duty masonry and cladding
0.75kN/m2 (75kg/m2) 1.5kN/m2 (150kg/m2) brickwork. 2.0kN/m2 (200kg/m2) 3.0kN/m2 (300kg/m2)
 Ties (anchorage type)
• The majority of scaffolds require ties to a structure for strength and stability.

• Ties can be formed by drilling fixings into the supporting structure.

50mm diameter ring bolt Small diameter ring bolt Band and plate
Allows a standard tube to be inserted. Used with a hook on the end of a tube. Plate is bolted to the wall.
Accommodates settlement of scaffold. Limited inward or sideways restraint. Tube restrained by plate being tightened.
 Ties (around a structural feature)
• Instead of drilling into a structure, ties can be formed around parts of the structure.

• Any restrictions on these methods are described in TG20.

Box tie Lip tie Through tie Reveal tie

An assembly of tubes and couplers Used where a full box can not be Assembly fitted through an opening, Fitted into an opening and forced
tightly fixed around a building constructed. Tie hooks around a building preventing inward and outward outwards. Rely on friction alone and
feature such as a column. feature and needs butting to prevent movement. should not be used for more than 50% of
inward movement. the ties.
 Ties capacity and layout
• The design / standard configuration will state what tie duty is required.

• The tie pattern will either be specified by the designer or may be stated as a frequency (e.g. 1 per 16m 2) for
the scaffolder to arrange as required.
Tie duty Tie class Suitable tying method
2.7kN or less Very light duty Rakers may be used at tie positions up to second lift

3.5kN or less Light duty Reveal ties may be used for no more than 50% of the ties

6.1kN or less Standard duty A Anchorages, or box, lip or through ties, connected with right-angle couplers.

9.1kN or less Standard duty B Anchorages, or box ,lip or through ties, with two right-angle couplers (Class A) or one right angle-coupler (Class B) per tie.

12.2kN or less Heavy duty Anchorages, or heavy-duty box ties, with two right angle-couplers.

More than 12.2kN - Use more ties to reduce the individual tie duty.
Generally recognised standard
configurations
 Generally recognised standard configurations
• Calculations, demonstrating strength and stability, have already
been carried out for the proposed configuration.
• Likely to be accompanied by a set of drawings / instructions.

• Tube and fitting scaffolds:

• Most common is to use the National Access & Scaffolding
Confederation TG20 “compliance sheets”.
• Some scaffolding companies also produce “technical manuals”
of common designs to be followed by their scaffolders.

• System scaffolds / Mobile Aluminium Towers:

• Manufacturers of system scaffolding provide manuals of
standard configurations that can be followed by the scaffolders,
together with instructions on how to erect / dismantle.
Compliance sheet scaffolding
I’ve built your scaffold, it’s tagged and ready to use.

Can I have the compliance sheet you used?

You don’t need one, it’s a compliant scaffold.

I’m glad it’s a compliant scaffold, but I need the

compliance sheet for the records.

There isn’t a compliance sheet for this one.

Well how is it compliant then?

It has been built to the principles of TG20.

Generally recognised standard configurations
• This is a common misconception – that something can be compliant without
a record of the standard configuration used.

• There are some underlying principles behind standard configurations but

you cannot simply follow the underlying principles when building scaffolds,
you must have the relevant standard configuration.

• If a suitable standard configuration cannot be identified, then a specific

design will be required.

• The process of design is more of a selection of an appropriate “off the shelf”

solution. The person making the selection of the appropriate solution
becomes the designer by default.

• Although something is pre-designed, do not overlook the execution risk and

consequence of failure risk, and ensure that appropriate independent
confirmation of acceptable selection is carried out.

• Standard configurations can include some very tall & complex scaffolds,
with lots of “add on” features, and be used in high risk environments!
Scaffolds covered by TG20 compliance sheets

Tied independent scaffolding Independent scaffolding with rakers

Note: “Independent” means there are two lines of supporting standards to support vertical loads, i.e. vertical support is
independent of the structure it is up against (as opposed to putlog, which uses the structure to support the back face of
vertical loads through putlog tubes). It does not mean free-standing!
Scaffolds covered by TG20 compliance sheets

Towers Birdcages
Scaffolds covered by TG20 compliance sheets

Ladder access scaffolds Loading bays

Scaffolds covered by TG20 compliance sheets

Chimney-stack scaffolds Tied putlog scaffolds

Scaffolds covered by TG20 compliance sheets
TG20 compliance sheet scaffolding
• An idealised image of what the scaffold may look like.

• Height limits using paper compliance sheets (from TG20:13) –

c. 16m max.

• Height limits using ePortal – c. 50m max.

• Supporting information – how it should be built, loaded, tied

etc.

• Seasonal restrictions, e.g. wind loading assessment.

• Imposed loading from ties and standards.

• Information on structure – permeable or impermeable.

• Reference should be made, as required, to “TG20 Operational

guide” for tolerances, alternative tie patterns e.g. when
choosing box ties not fixed in ties etc.
NASC TG20 ePortal
Designed scaffold
 Designed scaffolding
• Any scaffolding that is not covered by a standard configuration will require a specific design to be carried out.

• The below are some examples of what would not be covered by standard configurations.

Lifting facilities Use as temporary works Complex loading Locations exposed

other than gin solution, i.e. not an access conditions, e.g. not a to wind in excess
wheels. scaffold. Examples include Uniformly Distributed of the standard
falsework support, crash Load within the limits configuration
decks, handrailing etc. covered by TG20. limits, e.g. close
proximity to sea,
top of hills etc.
Designed scaffolding
• What standards can be used in the design?
• BS EN 12811 Temporary works equipment – Scaffolds – Performance requirements and general design
• NASC TG20 Design guide

• How is the design process managed?

• BS 5975 Code of practice for temporary works procedures and the permissible stress design of falsework
• Company procedures on management of temporary works

• Who undertakes the design / design check?

• Design undertaken by competent designers either internally or externally.
• Checks completed by independent competent design checker (either internal / external depending on
complexity and risk – in accordance with BS 5975).
Temporary works process
 Stage 1
Stage 1 - Brief.

Project Example Reference Scaffold 1

• Detail:
Date of brief 2nd May 2020 Brief prepared by
• Location
Anticipated temporary works risk class 1 Scope (delete as New scaffold
• Use
(in accordance with TWS-T-016) appropriate)

Site address including postcode Costain House, SL6 4UB.

• Loading
Location of scaffolding on site Adjacent to main building west entrance • Access requirements
What is the scaffolding for? (e.g. detail proposed use, potential Undertake painting to façade. • Duration of presence on site
public use, loading bays, built-in lifting requirements etc)

What distributed loading load class is required? • Responsible Person (Scaffolding

1 - very light duty 2 - light duty 3 - general purpose 4 - heavy duty Coordinator)
UDL 0.75 kN/m2 UDL 1.5 kN/m2 UDL 2.0 kN/m2 UDL 3.0 kN/m2
e.g. inspection or cleaning e.g. painting or pointing e.g. brickwork or plastering e.g. conc. blocks or heavy cladding

Are there any other specific loading requirements? None.

Scaffold key dimensions (e.g. detail height, length and any other Maximum height 5m.
key dimensions or advise if this is to be determined by the designer)
Access requirements including within the scaffold (e.g. access stairs, External ladder tower.
ladders, bridged openings, pavement lifts)
Any relevant environmental considerations (e.g. internal / External scaffold located on existing
external scaffold, openings in structures, basements, 3rd parties, public) tarmac hardstanding. Public excluded.
Will the environment change during the life span of the
No.
scaffolding? (e.g. removal or change to structures)
When is the scaffold required on site? (dates are important as 01/06/2020 to 31/09/2020
they may affect seasonal restrictions)
Are there sheeting / netting / guarding requirements? (If No.
yes, other than brick guards, automatically minimum risk class 1)
Existing exposed steel columns appear
Are there any known points suitable for tying?
suitable. To be assessed by TWC.
Reference any relevant supporting information (e.g. See attached.
drawings, photos etc)
Detail any other relevant information (e.g. lighting None.
requirements, electrical bonding etc)

Scaffolding Coordinator name Joe Bloggs

Stage 2
Stage 2 – Design review and check.

Have the requirements of the brief been met? Yes

Reference construction issue drawings (required for all
bespoke design scaffolds and generally recognised standard configurations N/A.
of risk class 1 and above)

Has the design been checked and approved? Yes.

Reference design check certificate (if required) Not required (class 0).
Design approval by SC, sign and date (generally recognised Joe Bloggs 3rd May 2020
standard configurations risk class 0 only)

• After receipt of design:

• Confirm requirements of Stage 1 are met.
• Reference any drawings.
• Reference design check certificate (if > Class 0).
• Approve design (Scaffolding Coordinator if standard configuration, TWC if bespoke design).
Stage 3

• TWC approval for imposed loading from standards / ties.

• Can be issued here or referred to separate Permit to Load.
 Stage 4
Stage 4 – Approval to erect / modify / dismantle scaffold.

RAMS reference RAMS 679.

Has preparatory works (e.g. ground support) been
Yes.
completed?
Has the imposed loading been checked and
Yes – see permit to load TW 12.
authorised? (i.e. permit to load)
SC approval to proceed with scaffolding operations

Print Joe Bloggs Sign Joe Bloggs Date 01/06/2020

• After receipt of RAMS, design, TWC approval for imposed loading:

• Check that RAMS are approved.
• Check that preparatory works complete.
• Check TWC approval in place for imposed loading.
• Scaffolding Coordinator approves building of scaffold.
 Stage 5
Stage 5 – Putting into service.

Has the design been followed? Yes. Compliance sheet signed.

Have ties been proof tested and records kept? Yes. Records in file.
Is there any other testing required, has it been completed
N/A
and are records kept?
Has a handover certificate been provided and signed off
Yes. Record in file.
by the supplier? (if required)
Has a tag been attached? Yes. Tagged on 02/06/20.
Advanced
Scaffolder Print Spanner Spinner Sign Spanner Spinner Date 02/06/20
handover
SC
approval Joe Bloggs
Print Joe Bloggs Sign Date 02/06/20
to put into
use
TWC permit to load (can be signed below by the TWC to permit loading or referenced to a separate permit to load. Required for all
bespoke design scaffolds and generally recognised standard configurations of risk class 1 and above)

Print Fred Smith Sign Fred Smith Date 02/06/20

• Once built, confirm:

• Design followed.
• Testing records completed.
• Handover certificate completed.
• Tag attached.

• TWC required to sign also for Permit to Load (bespoke scaffolds only).
Temporary works
classification Very Low Low Medium High
Class 0 Class 1 Class 2 Class 3

Scaffolds - tied tube and fitting Unsheeted, covered by standard designs (e.g. TG20 Unsheeted, not covered by standard designs (i.e. Unsheeted or sheeted, not exceeding 16m high. All others.
(independent). compliance sheets), not exceeding 6m high. bespoke design), not exceeding 6m high.

See Note 4. Sheeted - None. Sheeted, covered by standard designs (e.g. TG20
compliance sheets), not exceeding 6m high.
Scaffolds - free-standing tower Unsheeted, covered by standard designs (e.g. TG20 Unsheeted, not covered by standard designs (i.e. Covered by standard designs (e.g. TG20 compliance All others.
tube and fitting. compliance sheets), not exceeding 2m high. bespoke design), not exceeding 2m high. sheets), interior use not exceeding 10.8m high, exterior
use not exceeding 8m high.
See Note 4. Sheeted - None. Sheeted - None.
Unsheeted or sheeted, not covered by standard designs
(i.e. bespoke design), not exceeding 6m high.
Scaffolds - birdcage tube and None. Interior birdcages, covered by standard designs (e.g. Interior birdcages, covered by standard designs (e.g. All others.
fitting. TG20 compliance sheets), not exceeding 6m high. TG20 compliance sheets), not exceeding 10.5m high.

See Note 4. Interior birdcages not covered by standard designs (i.e.

bespoke design), not exceeding 6m high.

Exterior birdcages not exceeding 6m high.

Scaffolds - non-standard scaffolds Access to back of formwork in accordance with None. Cantilever scaffolds. All others.
for access ("specials"). formwork designer instructions. Truss-out scaffolds.
Slung and suspended scaffolds.
See Note 4. Pedestrian bridges and walkways.
Vehicle ramps and elevated roadways.
Temporary seating.
Scaffolds - non-standard scaffolds None. Temporary storage on site. Protection decks.
not for access ("specials"). Hoarding and fences. Power line crossing scaffolds.
Temporary roof structures.
See Note 4. Lifting gantries.
Scaffolds - system scaffolds (e.g. Not exceeding 3m high, in accordance with the user Not exceeding 6m high, in accordance with the user Not exceeding 12m high, in accordance with the user All others.
Haki, Layher etc.) manual. manual. manual.

See Note 4.

Scaffolds - mobile aluminium Use of MAT in accordance with the user manual, not Special application MAT, e.g. cantilevered, ballasted, Use of MAT in accordance with the user manual, not All others.
towers (MAT) (e.g. PASMA exceeding 6m high. stair case, not exceeding 6m high. exceeding 12m high.
scaffolds).
Special application MAT, e.g. cantilevered, ballasted,
See Note 4. stair case, not exceeding 12m high.
Scaffold components used in non- None. Edge protection used in low risk situations (e.g. low Edge protection not in low risk situations or with public None.
standard applications. access requirements, low height of potential fall, flat interface.
ground on access side).
Note 4. Inclusion of loading bays, bridged openings, lifting arrangements (other than gin wheels), 3rd party interfaces (e.g. pavement lifts, protection fans), seasonal restrictions, high/extreme wind exposure, unusual topography or any other unusual characteristics will result in an increase in Class.
 Evidence trail for scaffolds
Designer / design checker roles for guidance purposes only – constituency of individual project members will
determine who carries out roles. The important principle is increasing seniority and independence.

Don’t forget – even standard configuration scaffolds should be defined and managed through a design brief.

Very Low Low Medium High

Temporary works classification
Class 0 Class 1 Class 2 Class 3

Brief ✓ scaffold  PASMA tower ✓ scaffold ✓ PASMA tower

Designer Advanced Scaffolder Advanced Scaffolder Scaffold Supervisor Scaffold Manager

Design checker Scaffolder in gang Scaffold Supervisor Scaffold Manager External independent design checker or CES

Generally recognised standard Check certificate Can be recorded on brief & compliance sheet
configuratons Permit to load  scaffold ✓ supports

Handover ✓ tag ✓ handover certificate

Drawings Not required Sketch Scale drawing

Other As-built photos recommended

Brief ✓

Designer Competent designer

Design checker Competent project team design checker Competent independent design checker External independent design checker or CES

Check certificate ✓
Bespoke design N/A
Permit to load ✓ scaffold ✓ supports

Handover ✓ tag ✓ handover certificate

Drawings Sketch Scale drawing

Other As-built photos recommended

Note: The Scaffolding Coordinator can be either the designer or design checker, if competent, except for design checker of Class 3 designs.
Scaffolding inspection
Scaffolding inspection
• All scaffolds must be formally inspected:
• After installation (completed by the scaffolder as part of the handover process)
• After alteration (effectively a new handover)
• Every 7 days
• After exceptional events (e.g. high winds, exposure to high vibration levels, flooding, collision etc.)

• Inspection after handover should be carried out by an independent person (i.e. free of fear or favour)

Can inspect basic Can also inspect Since 2016, scaffolder training also included
scaffolds, i.e. advanced scaffolds, inspection at the relevant level without requiring a
compliant scaffolds i.e. designed scaffolds separate inspector card – check the card
Any questions?
Thank you
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