Good Scaffold Practices 3 - Well Decked Out

Construction Safety Association of Ontario

Taken from Construction Safety Magazine, Volume 12, Number 4, Winter 2001/02

Masonry Information Bulletin

This is the third in a series of bulletins intended to promote good scaffold practices in the masonry industry. The series deals with arch-frame scaffolds and this issue looks at planks and platforms.

Scaffold platforms can be either sawn or laminated lumber planks or prefabricated aluminum and plywood platforms. Due to the heavy loads involved in masonry work, 2 x 10 sawn lumber planks are the most common platforms used.

Planks are often overlooked as an important element is scaffold construction. They are in fact one of the most important components of the scaffold. The Construction Regulation has specific requirements for scaffold planks.

Planks must:

• Be number 1 grade SPF or better
• Be at least 48mm x 248mm (2" x 10" full size)
• Be arranged so their span does not exceed 2.1 meters (7 feet)
• Overhang their supports by no less then 150 mm (6") an no more than 300 mm (12")
• Be laid tightly side by side across the full width of the working level
• Be cleated or otherwise secured against slipping
• Be capable of carrying any load likely to be applied and as a minimum be capable of carrying 2.4 kN per square metre (50 pounds per > square foot).
  
  Dressed lumber should never be used as scaffold material.

Loading

One of the biggest concerns in masonry scaffolding is overloading. The Construction Regulation stipulates that, where possible, cubes of masonry units are to be placed directly over the frame. The most effective way to accomplish this is to load material as the scaffold is being erected. Where the scaffold has already been erected and this is not possible, the planks should be laid double thickness and loads maintained below 1300 kg.

This full box of mortar is causing too much deflection in the single layer planks and can weaken and break the planks. It is also creating a tripping hazard.

Planks

Before a plank is used for scaffolding it should be checked by a competent worker for: Large knots Worm holes Saw cuts Splits Steeply sloping grain pattern.

	Plants must be cleated, as above, or be otherwise secured to prevent slipping.

Side Platforms

In the masonry trade the working platform is a combination of planks and scaffold brackets. Side brackets are fitted on the front of the scaffold, planked two wide, and can be adjusted to keep the mason working at a convenient height. When using scaffold brackets take the following precautions:

• Make sure that brackets are mounted securely on the frame.
• Never stock materials on the working platform. The working platform is for workers only.
• Make sure the planks extend 150 mm (6") beyond the brackets and are cleated to prevent slipping.
• Place brackets so that the level where the worker stands is no more than 1 metre below the level wherre the material is stored.
  
  Clean ice, snow, oil and grease off planks. Platform decks should be slip-resistant and should not be allowed to accumulate water.

Unsafe Practices

	Rotten or damaged planks should be destroyed.
Insufficient overhang and lack of cleats can lead to a fall hazard.

For more information or training, contact:
© Construction Safety Association of Ontario
21 Voyager Court South, Etobicoke, Ontario M9W 5M7

Tel: (416) 674-2726
Fax: (416) 674-8866
1-800-781-2726

info@csao.org
www.csao.org

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