Overview - recommendations on improving the safe use of suspended (swing stage) scaffolds

View/download the full report by Dr Andrew Baigent - recommendations on improving the safe use of suspended (swing stage) scaffolds (PDF, B)

Introduction

In response to the incident on the Gold Coast on 21 June 2008, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) instigated a thorough response to improve the safety of the operation of swing-stage scaffolds in Queensland.

A key part of this response was the formation of a tripartite reference group. The group was formed consisting of members from WHSQ, unions and the construction (including scaffolding) industry. This group oversaw the engagement of an independent consultant engineer (Dr Andrew Baigent - Victoria), with assistance from a height safety specialist from Victoria and a Queensland swing-stage industry representative, to conduct a review of swing-stage operation and use in Queensland and to provide Government with recommendations on possible enhancements to the use of this plant.

Dr Baigent provided his report “Recommendations on improving the safe use of suspended (swing stage) scaffolds” (dated 20 August 2008) to WHSQ in late August 2008. Following is a summary of Dr Baigent’s report and recommendations, together with WHSQ’s response (prepared in consultation with the reference group members).

Findings and recommendations

Dr Baigent states in his report that based on his review of the relevant Australian Standards and state authority publications in relation to suspended scaffolds, the “requirements for the design, installation, maintenance, inspection, training and other operational aspects are well defined”. In acknowledging that incidents are still occurring Dr Baigent recommends several new initiatives to increase the safe use of suspended scaffold systems in Queensland.

The key recommendation Dr Baigent makes is to upgrade information available to industry and raise levels of competencies of installers and users of swing-stage scaffolds. In addition, Dr Baigent recommends additional initiatives of:

Load testing on suspended scaffolds
Design to be carried out by a suitably qualified engineer
A compliance pack to be developed containing documentation associated with design, testing, inspection, etc of the suspended scaffold.

In response to the report and recommendations provided by Dr Baigent, WHSQ has consulted with the representatives from unions and the scaffolding industry to instigate actions to improve the safe use of suspended scaffolds in Queensland.

Response and actions

WHSQ, in consultation with industry and unions, has responded to the recommendations with a commitment to enhance the current Scaffolding Code of Practice 2009 and support the development and implementation of increased competencies for those installing and using swing-stage scaffolds. As these two activities will take time to introduce, immediate actions have been implemented. This includes new initiatives and providing clarification on existing requirements. The key measures being taken are:

A suitably qualified and experienced engineer must inspect and verify the initial set-up, including providing an engineering drawing and statement for the set-up of a swing-stage suspension system
A suitably qualified and experienced engineer must provide a statement on the adequacy of the building or structure that the swing-stage scaffold is being installed on.
A competent person (who meets the criteria provided by WHSQ) must inspect and verify subsequent installations of the swing-stage system that was initially verified by the engineer.
A load test is to be conducted on each installation of the swing-stage system.
The principal contractor or building owner (or representative of either party) must sight all relevant documentation before allowing work with the swing-stage scaffold to begin.

In order to assist industry, WHSQ has developed and released the following documentation:

WHSQ SS 01 – Principal contractor or building owner swing-stage statement (PDF, 41 kB)
WHSQ SS 02 – Competent person benchmarks for swing-stage set-up verification (PDF, 46 kB)
WHSQ SS 03 – Swing-stage suspension system verification statement (PDF, 47 kB)
WHSQ SS 04 – Swing-stage load test procedure (PDF, 40 kB),

In addition, WHSQ has provided enforcement information to inspectors reflecting the new requirements. Inspectors will follow a zero tolerance approach over the coming months.

View/download the full report by Dr Andrew Baigent - recommendations on improving the safe use of suspended (swing stage) scaffolds (PDF, B)

Scaffolding Code of Practice 2009

Ministerial Media Statement - Queensland to implement swing stage safety recommendations

WHSQ SS 01 - Principal contractor or building owner swing-stage statement (PDF, 41 kB)

WHSQ SS 02 - Competent person benchmarks for swing-stage set-up verification (PDF, 47 kB)

WHSQ SS 03 - Swing-stage suspension system verification statement (PDF, 46 kB)

WHSQ SS 04 - Swing-stage load test procedure (PDF, 40 kB)