QATAR GAS 3 & 4 ONSHORE PROJECT

SCAFFOLDING PROCEDURE

PROCEDURE NO: QCS-GM-001-A-5610

Rev. No. Date Prepared by Checked by Approved by

0 05/04/07 MAS HCW ZG

Rev. No. 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
C. Date

Procedure No: QCS-GM-001-A-5610, Rev No: 0

 Scaffolding Procedure

Page 2/14 QCS-GM-001-A-5610 Date: 05/04/07

CONTENTS

1. PURPOSE

2. SCOPE

3. REFERENCES

3.1 All requirements as stipulated by Contract SHES documents

3.2 All applicable local Qatari laws and regulations
3.3 CTJV Scaffolding Procedure QGX/20/00/SA/PC/NA/106
3.4 QCS-GM-001-A-090: Scaffold Storage, Segregation And Quarantine Plan
3.5 British Standard 2482 Scaffolding Boards
3.6 British Standard BS 1139/BS EN 74, Tube and Fittings
3.7 BS EN 12811-1, Scaffold Erection

4 RESPONSIBILITIES

4.1 Project Site Manager

4.2 Site SHES Manager
4.3 Scaffolding Superintendent (sub-contractor)
4.4 Discipline Managers
4.5 Foremen, General Foremen and Supervisors
4.6 Workers

5 PROCEDURE

5.1 General Instructions

5.2 Storage
5.3 General rules for Scaffolding
5.4 Scaffolding Types
5.5 Erection of Scaffolding
5.6 Inspection
5.7 Scaffold Users

6 ATTACHMENTS

6.1 Attachment 1, Scaffolding Register

6.2 Attachment 2, Inspection Checklist (to be developed or supplied by subsontractor)

Procedure No: QCS-GM-001-A-5610, Rev No: 0

2 / 14
 Scaffolding Procedure

Page 3/14 QCS-GM-001-A-5610 Date: 05/04/07

1 PURPOSE

The purpose of this procedure is to provide guidance in the safe selection, maintenance and
erection of scaffolding equipments including work platforms. It is intended to provide sufficient
guidelines to ensure a consistent approach within all operating areas of project.

2 SCOPE

This procedure has been developed for control of ALL Scaffolding operations and Equipment used
at project locations, whether GAMA is the owner or where subcontractors work under supervision or
control of GAMA and applies to all scaffolding to be erected on the project.
All scaffold works for GAMA Qatar QCS will be performed by scaffold contractors approved by
Qatar Gas and CTJV only. All scaffold Superintendents and Supervisors shall be qualified to CITB
or equivalent and all scaffold materials tubes, fittings and timber boards shall be in compliance with
the requirements of the relevant British Standards (BS).

3 REFERENCES

3.1 All requirements as stipulated by Contract SHES documents

3.2 All applicable local Qatari laws and regulations
3.3 CTJV Scaffolding Procedure QGX/20/00/SA/PC/NA/106
3.4 QCS-GM-001-A-090: Scaffold Storage, Segregation And Quarantine Plan
3.5 British Standard 2482 Scaffolding Boards
3.6 British Standard BS 1139/BS EN 74, Tube and Fittings
3.7 BS EN 12811-1, Scaffold Erection

4 RESPONSIBILITIES
4.1. The Site Manager is responsible for the implementation of this procedure and ensuring
resources are available to maintain its effectiveness
4.2. The SHES Manager is responsible for ensuring all scaffolding safety requirements are
assessed, personnel are trained in the requirement and for maintaining records and reporting
results of assessments and reviews
4.3. The Scaffolding Superintendent (Subcontractor) is responsible for ensuring the requirements
of this procedure are applied.
4.3 It is the responsibility of Discipline Manager to ensure that this standard is uniformly applied to
their area of responsibility, that all hazardous work conditions are identified and that specific
safe working strategies are developed for the use of scaffolding equipment and their
platforms.
4.4 Foremen, General Foremen and Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that personnel are
trained and familiar with the control measures for the activity in hand

Procedure No: QCS-GM-001-A-5610, Rev No: 0

3 / 14
 Scaffolding Procedure

Page 4/14 QCS-GM-001-A-5610 Date: 05/04/07

4.5 Employees are responsible for complying with the requirements of this procedure and the
local safety program developed to compliment it. In addition, they are responsible to point out
immediately any detected non-conformance. Workers must ensure that they follow safe work
procedures and use all necessary equipment and any necessary personal protective devices
when erecting and using scaffold systems. Workers must also take care to protect other
workers when working on scaffolding

5 PROCEDURE

5.1 General Instructions

Many operations may present personal hazards to workers. Scaffolding and access equipment
provides a working platform which enables a variety of work tasks to be carried out at height.
Structures and platforms shall be built, inspected and maintained in such a way as to allow the work
to be completed safely, they should be properly constructed, and provide adequate space for
workers and equipment

5.1.1. Materials

5.1.1.1 Tubes, units, frames, etc. shall be straight, free of cracks, splits, excessive corrosion or
other defects. The ends shall be cut square. Any tube, unit or frame requiring a high
degree of maintenance such as wire brushing or scraping shall be replaced.

5.1.1.2 No tube, unit or frame shall be painted. The only acceptable coating shall be galvanising
and zinc primer.

5.1.1.3 No black steel tube shall be used.

5.1.1.4 Non conforming scaffolding materials shall be segregated and quaranteened in

accordance with document QCS-GM-001-A-090: Scaffold Storage, Segregation And
Quarantine Plan

5.1.1.5 Scaffolding Boards

 Boards of similar thickness shall be used to deck out individual scaffolds;

 Scaffolding boards are not acceptable if they have a knot larger than 50
mm diameter;
 Edge knots shall not exceed 50% of the thickness of the board;
 Warped boards shall not be used;
 Scaffold boards with splits are not acceptable;
 There shall be no cut outs (checks), burns, oil stains or projecting nails;
 Boards shall not be painted or treated in any other way which may conceal
defects. They may be fireproofed using an approved flame retardant
material;

Procedure No: QCS-GM-001-A-5610, Rev No: 0

4 / 14
 Scaffolding Procedure

Page 5/14 QCS-GM-001-A-5610 Date: 05/04/07

 Boards which are broken or excessively worn are not acceptable;

 Boards shall be square cut and bound with a hoop iron.

5.1.1.6 Couplers

Any coupler found to be broken or damaged or found to have rusty or damaged

threads shall be discarded.

5.1.1.7 Couplers shall be sorted by type. They shall be kept clean and lightly oiled to prevent
rust.

5.1.1.8 All scaffolding material shall be of sound construction and adequate strength and shall
be manufactured, constructed and maintained to international standards suitable for the
Project.

5.2 Storage

5.2.1 Storage of Materials

All scaffolding material shall be properly and neatly stored in properly constructed
scaffold racks and:

 Tubes shall be sorted and stored by length;

 Couplers shall be sorted and stored by type;
 Boards shall be stored no more than 20 high.
 Where materials are being stored at the site of erection for immediate use, they
shall be stored in a neat manner which does not present a tripping hazard or block
access routes. Scaffold materials shall be stored only in areas approved by site
management.

5.3 General Rules for Scaffolding

5.3.1 Foundations

 The foundations shall as far as possible be level and adequate to carry

the load imposed;
 Base plates shall be placed under every standard irrespective of the
foundation surface;
 Sole plates shall be placed under every base plate where the foundation
is other than concrete or metal plate decking. This rule shall apply to open
deck grating;
 Sole plates, where required, shall be placed underneath the base plates
on two adjacent standards, normally at right angles to the face of the
scaffold. The sole plate shall extend 600mm either side of the two
adjacent standards which it supports;

Procedure No: QCS-GM-001-A-5610, Rev No: 0

5 / 14
 Scaffolding Procedure

Page 6/14 QCS-GM-001-A-5610 Date: 05/04/07

 Under no circumstances shall scaffolds be undermined by carrying out

any excavation within 1 metre of concrete foundations and within 2 metres
on soft ground.

5.3.2 Standards (Tube & Coupler Scaffolds)

 Standards shall be plumbed vertical;

 The spacing between standards is determined by the intended use of the
scaffold. Under no circumstances shall the bay length exceed those
distances appended in Table 1;
 Joints in standards can be made with sleeve couplers or spigots (joint
pins). Joints must be staggered, i.e. they must not occur at the same level
in adjacent standards.

TABLE 1

Distributed Commonly Max.

Use of platform loads on used widths bay
Duty
platforms using 225mm length
KN/m2 boards m
Inspection Inspection, painting, 0.75 3 boards 2.5
and very stone cleaning, light
light duty cleaning, cleaning and
access.
Light duty Plastering, painting, 1.50 4 boards 2.4
stone cleaning, glazing
and pointing
General General building work 2.00 5 boards or 4 2.1
purpose including brickwork, boards + 1
window and mullion inside
fixing, rendering,
plastering
Heavy duty Blockwork, brickwork, 2.50 5 boards or 5 1.8
heavy cladding boards + 1
inside or 4
boards + 1
inside
Masonry or Masonry work, concrete 3.00 6 to 8 boards 1.8
special duty blockwork, and very

Procedure No: QCS-GM-001-A-5610, Rev No: 0

6 / 14
 Scaffolding Procedure

Page 7/14 QCS-GM-001-A-5610 Date: 05/04/07

heavy cladding

5.3.3 Ledgers (Tube & Coupler Scaffolds)

 Ledgers must be plumbed level and fixed to the inside of standards using
right angle, load bearing couplers. The ledger must not extend more than 50
mm past the load bearing coupler;
 The vertical distance (lift height) between ledgers must not exceed 2
metres;
 Joints in ledgers shall be made with sleeve couplers, spigots (joint pins) are
not acceptable. All joints must be staggered.

IMPORTANT NOTE
Right angle couplers (doubles or 90’s) are the only fitting suitable as load bearing. Swivel couplers
are not acceptable in a load bearing capacity.

5.3.4 Transoms

 Transoms should, whenever possible, be secured to standards using right

angle couplers. They may however, be laid across ledgers and secured
with putlog clips provided that they are not more than 300 mm from each
pair of standards. A transom must not extend more than 50 mm past the
right angle coupler/ putlog clip;
 Tie-ins must be fixed at every second lift and every second standard;
 Where a scaffold has been sheeted out with tarpaulins, consideration shall
be given to additional wind loading and the insertion of additional ties;
 All ties shall be positive two way ties, i.e. they shall prevent movement of
the scaffold either into or away from the building;
 All tie-in’s must be secured as near to the node point as is possible (where
standards and ledgers intersect). Only load bearing couplers shall be
acceptable;
 The anchorage point to which a tie is secured must be of sufficient strength
to withstand the load imposed upon it. Under no circumstances shall
guard-rails be used as an anchorage point for ties;
 As a general rule, ties must always be inserted. Where this is not possible,
the following alternative actions may be taken;
 On small scaffolds not extending above three lifts, the stability of the
scaffold can be achieved by rakers. The raker shall be secured with right
angle couplers to the ledger at the second lift. The load in the raker shall
be distributed through a base plate or if required a soleboard. The foot of
the raker shall be tied back to the main scaffold. Rakers shall be inserted
at the same standard spacing as ties;
 No Raker shall extend more than 3 metres without being tied back at its
mid point.

Procedure No: QCS-GM-001-A-5610, Rev No: 0

7 / 14
 Scaffolding Procedure

Page 8/14 QCS-GM-001-A-5610 Date: 05/04/07

5.3.5 Braces
 All scaffolds shall be braced in both directions. Braces, whether facade or
ledger to ledger, shall extend to the full height of the structure;
 Facade braces shall be repeated at a maximum distance of every 10
metres;
 Ledger to ledger bracing shall be repeated at every alternate set of
standards;
 Joints in facade braces shall be made with sleeve couplers, spigots are not
acceptable;
 Where braces are fixed to transoms, the transom itself must be fixed with
right angle couplers.

5.3.6 Working Platform

 Working platforms shall normally be five boards wide but may be reduced to
two boards where the scaffold has been erected for inspection or access
purposes only;
 All working platforms shall be close boarded with boards butted together
end to end. Boards shall either be cut to fit around standards, pipe
penetrations etc., or have the gaps filled in with the use of suitable fixed
wooden boarding i.e. ply wood;
 Each individual board shall be securely lashed;
 Guard-rails shall be fixed to the inside of the standards on all working
platforms to a height of between 1.1 metres (minimum) and 1.5 metres
(maximum). The space between the top of the toeboard and the underside
of the guard-rail shall not exceed 690 mm;
 An intermediate guard-rail shall be fixed to the inside of standards in every
instance;
 Toeboards including stop end boards shall be fitted to all working platforms.
The minimum height shall be 150 mm;
 If materials are to be stacked above the height of the toeboard, a suitable
barrier (brick guards) shall be erected;
 Ladder access openings shall not be more than 500 mm wide (2 boards)
and shall be as short as possible in the other direction;
 The maximum span of any board forming the working platform shall be 1.2
metres;
 The minimum overhang of any board shall not be less than 50 mm and the
maximum overhang shall not exceed 150 mm;
 No more than 2 boards width shall be supported on needle transoms unless
the transoms are fixed with right angle coupler and ‘picked up’.

5.3.7 Ladder Access Platforms

Procedure No: QCS-GM-001-A-5610, Rev No: 0

8 / 14
 Scaffolding Procedure

Page 9/14 QCS-GM-001-A-5610 Date: 05/04/07

 The vertical height between ladder access platforms, shall not exceed 4.5
metres;
 Ladder access platforms shall be close boarded and shall have guard-rails
and toeboards secured.

5.3.8 Ladders

 Ladders shall project beyond working platforms or ladder access platforms

by a minimum distance of 1.05 metres (five rungs);
 Ladders shall be based on a sound footing. They shall be lashed or
secured by a proprietary clamp at both the foot and near the top;
 The angle at which the ladder is set shall (with the exception of scaffold
towers) be 75 or 300 mm out for every 1.2 metres of vertical length;
 Long ladders shall be supported and lashed at their mid point to remove
any bounce;
 Ladders shall be constructed of aluminium or wood. Only properly
constructed and manufactured ladders shall be used. ‘Home made’ ladders
are strictly forbidden;
 All ladders shall be of good repair and sound construction. They shall be
checked for damage, faults and wear & tear, by the Approved Scaffolding
Supervisor, before use;
 Metal tie rods shall be used;
 Ladders may be on the outside of a scaffold for the first two lifts, above
ground level. In every other instance, the ladder run shall be internal to the
scaffold.

5.3.9 Protective Barrication and Signage

 Where it is likely that material may fall from a building or a scaffold and
where people are working in, or passing in close proximity to the structure,
exclusion barrication and warning signs shall be provided

5.3.10 Check Fittings

 Without exception, check fittings shall be used whenever a scaffold tube is

punched up, picked up, rakered or hanging.

5.3.11 Scaffold Loadings

 It is the responsibility of the Approved Scaffold Supervisor to ensure that

the scaffold construction and strength is suitable for the purpose to which it
shall be used;

Procedure No: QCS-GM-001-A-5610, Rev No: 0

9 / 14
 Scaffolding Procedure

Page 10/14 QCS-GM-001-A-5610 Date: 05/04/07

 Design calculations shall be submitted to the Engineering Department for

any scaffolding other than a common access scaffold. The calculation
shall show both dead and live loadings.

5.3.12 Scafftag

 Scafftag is a system of inspection whereby a weather proofed plasticised

tag is placed at all access points of a scaffold. Information on the tag shall
include the date built, safe working load, initial inspectors name and
signature and company. The tag (generally green) indicates that the
scaffold is “Safe to Use”;
 Within a period not exceeding 7 days, the scaffold shall be re-inspected by
a competent person (scaffolding supervisor) and a signature and date
placed upon the tag. Where a scaffold does not meet safety standards the
tag shall be removed and a prohibition notice placed at the access to inform
personnel not to use;
 A separate record of all scaffold inspections shall be kept in an approved
scaffold register.

5.3.13 Traffic Movements

Where a scaffold is erected in an area where it is likely to be struck by a

vehicle, the base of the scaffold shall be properly barriered off using hard
barriers. The barrier shall be illuminated with flashing warning lights during
the hours of darkness.

5.4 Scaffold Types

5.4.1 Common access scaffolds shall be taken to mean:

 Independent tied
 Birdcage
 Freestanding tower (fixed or mobile)
 Hanging scaffold (single lift only)

5.4.2 System Scaffold

 Where a system scaffold is being erected it shall be constructed in strict
compliance with manufacturers’ instructions;
 Different manufacturers’ systems shall not be intermixed, it is however
permissible to use standard tube and coupler with any one system;
 A copy of the manufacturers’ instructions shall be given to the SHE
Department before any system scaffold is erected;
 Personnel who erect system scaffolds shall be trained and competent to do
so.

Procedure No: QCS-GM-001-A-5610, Rev No: 0

10 / 14
 Scaffolding Procedure

Page 11/14 QCS-GM-001-A-5610 Date: 05/04/07

5.4.3 Independent Tied Scaffolds

 This consists of two rows of standards running parallel to a building joined
together with ledgers and transoms and adequately braced in two
directions. In all respects they shall comply with the general requirements as
specified in Section 4 of this procedure;
 Independent tied scaffolds shall not be erected to a height of more than 45
metres without design calculations being submitted to the Engineering
Department, by a competent scaffold engineer.

5.4.4 System Scaffold

 Birdcage scaffolds are constructed in a grid pattern using standards
arranged at regular intervals in parallel lines;
 The standards shall be laced together with a grid of ledgers and transoms
fixed by right angle couplers at every lift. The transoms in the top working
lift may be secured with putlog clips;
 Standards shall be spaced at a maximum distance of 2.5 metres in each
direction;
 The first lift shall be secured at a maximum height of 2.5 metres.
Subsequent lifts shall not exceed 2 metres vertical height;
 Braces shall be provided for every six standards in each line, in both
directions;
 In all other respects, a birdcage scaffold shall comply with the general
requirements as specified in Section 4.

5.4.5 Free Standing Towers/Mobile Scaffolds

 Free standing towers may be fitted with castors or wheels for mobility or
erected as free standing towers. They support a single working platform
only, which shall not project beyond the base area. Access to the platform
shall be by vertical ladder lashed internal to the tower at one of the shortest
sides;
 The maximum loading shall not exceed that for Light Duty Scaffolding as
specified in Table l of Section 4, unless the structure has been designed by
a competent engineer and design calculations checked;
 The smallest base dimension shall be no less than 1.2 metres;
 The height to base dimension ratio shall be as follows:
- Mobile Towers :No more than three times the minimum base dimension.
- Stationary Towers: No more than three times the minimum base dimension.

 Mobile towers shall only be used and moved on firm and level surfaces;
 Castors or wheels shall be used which suit the size and loading of the
tower. They must be fixed to each extreme corner in the base of mobile
towers and secured so that they cannot fall out when tower is moved;

Procedure No: QCS-GM-001-A-5610, Rev No: 0

11 / 14
 Scaffolding Procedure

Page 12/14 QCS-GM-001-A-5610 Date: 05/04/07

 Castors and wheels shall be marked with their safe working load. They shall
be fitted with an effective brake which must be applied when the mobile
tower is in use;
 Lift heights shall not exceed 2.7 metres, with the lowest lift being fixed as
near to the base as possible. Transoms and ledgers shall be secured using
right angle couplers;
 Ledger to ledger (dog leg braces), shall be fixed to the full height of the
tower on every side;
 Plan braces shall be fixed at every alternate lift, using right angle couplers.
The bottom lift and the top lift shall always be plan braced;
 Under no circumstances shall horizontal forces be applied at the level of the
working platform by pulling heavy cables or ropes;
 Under no circumstances shall mobile towers be moved with men or material
on the working platform;
 In all other respects free standing towers shall comply with the general
requirements as specified in this Section.

5.4.6 Slung Scaffolds (Single Lift Only)

 A grid platform of tubes and couplers suspended below load bearing beams,
structural members or other overhead structures;
 In all instances, the integrity and adequate strength of the suspension points
shall first be determined;
 Guard-rails shall not be used as supports for slung scaffolds;
 Hangers shall not be spaced more than 2.5 metres in either directions;
 The imposed load shall not exceed that specified for inspection and Very
light Duty Scaffolds in Table 1 of Section 4;
 Horizontal tubes used to support the hangers shall be secured to steelwork
with S.K. or gravlock fittings. These shall be used in pairs;
 Vertical hanging tubes shall be secured with right angle couplers. A check
fitting shall be fixed to the hanging tube immediately above the securing
right angle coupler, at the suspension point and immediately underneath
the right angle coupler securing the ledger, at the working platform;
 Adequate braces shall be inserted to remove any sway in either direction;
 In all other respects a hanging scaffold shall comply with the general
requirements as specified in this Section;
 Where a hanging scaffold is to consist of more than one lift, it shall be
designed by a competent engineer and design calculations submitted for
approval.

5.5 Erection Of Scaffolding

Note: Prior to erecting any scaffolding structure on project section 6 of CTJV

Scaffolding Procedure QGX/20/00/SA/PC/NA/106 will be complied with in

Procedure No: QCS-GM-001-A-5610, Rev No: 0

12 / 14
 Scaffolding Procedure

Page 13/14 QCS-GM-001-A-5610 Date: 05/04/07

ful. Wherever there is any conflict between the requirements of that

procedure and this, then the more stringent shall apply.

 Scaffolds shall be erected by competent workmen and shall be under the

supervision of competent supervisor.
 Whenever possible, workmen erecting a scaffold shall work from the
minimum of a three board run. It is not acceptable for scaffolders to be
perched on tubes, unless a fall arrest device is provided and secured to a
suitable anchorage point at all times.
 Ladders shall be properly lashed throughout the vertical height of a scaffold
as it progresses. Workmen, erecting the scaffold shall use the ladders to
gain access to the working level.
 Tubes or boards being used in the construction of the scaffold shall be
stored flat in a neat and tidy manner. They shall not be stacked vertically
against the scaffold.
 Loose tubes or boards shall not be left on a scaffolding after its’ completion.
 Where men are erecting a slung or cantilevered section or crawling around
on a pipe bridge or other structural steelwork they shall, in all instances,
where there is a possibility of falling more than 2 metres, wear a safety belt
(or harness) and life line which shall be hooked off at all times.
 Where a scaffold is left in an incomplete state, the bottom ladder shall be
removed and a notice shall be secured to the lower lift stating ‘Danger
Incomplete Scaffold Keep Off’.
 Where one section of a working platform is incomplete, access may be
gained to the completed section provided that a stop end, preventing entry,
is placed over the working platform at guard-rail height. A notice stating
‘Danger Incomplete Scaffold Keep Off’ shall be secured to the stop end.
 Handballing shall be the normal method of erecting a scaffold. Where,
however, a scaffold consists of a considerable number of lifts a gin wheel
may be used, provided the following requirements are met:

1. The gin wheel is accompanied by a valid certificate stating that it has

been examined by an approved Professional Engineer within the last
six months.
2. The cantilevered tube to which the gin wheel is secured does not
project more than 760mm beyond the scaffold, unless it is
adequately supported.
3. The cantilevered tube is secured to the inside and outside standard
using right angle couplers. Both standards to be diagonally braced.
4. The Fibre Rope which shall have a minimum diameter of 18mm and
shall be checked daily by the approved Scaffolding Supervisor and
discarded if unfit for use.
5. The maximum load to be lifted by a Gin Wheel shall not exceed 50
kg.

Procedure No: QCS-GM-001-A-5610, Rev No: 0

13 / 14
 Scaffolding Procedure

Page 14/14 QCS-GM-001-A-5610 Date: 05/04/07

5.6 Inspection

 All scaffolds shall be inspected prior to use and at seven-day periods

thereafter;
 All scaffold inspections shall be recorded in a register.
 Inspection Checklists shall be completed and maintained for all new-build
and altered scaffolds during their life-cycle

5.7 Scaffold Users

 Scaffolds shall be used for the purpose to which they have been erected.
Under no circumstances shall they be overloaded;
 Scaffold users shall under no circumstances interfere with, modify or
remove any part of a scaffold (this includes scaffold boards). Interferences
with a scaffold shall result in disciplinary action;
 If a scaffold requires modification it shall be carried out by an approved
Scaffolder on the instruction of the approved Scaffold Supervisor;
 If for any reason a user considers a scaffold to be unsafe, the person shall
immediately contact his/her supervisor. The supervisor shall immediately
remove the Scaffold tag and place barrier tape through the lower rungs of
the first access ladder. The supervisor shall then notify the Scaffolding
Supervisor.

6 ATTACHMENTS
6.1 Attachment 1, Scaffolding Register
6.2 Attachment 2, Inspection Checklist

Procedure No: QCS-GM-001-A-5610, Rev No: 0

14 / 14