WORKING ABOVE GROUND LEVEL

1. Prepare a checklist for the safe use of suspended access equipment, such as a
window-cleaning cradle.

Checklists for the safe use of suspended access equipment as a window-cleaning

cradle are:
Condition of cables.
Condition of pulleys.
Safety of platform boards (SWL).
Presence of guard rails
Presence of barriers below work area.
Presence of signs.
Communication arrangements.
Emergency arrangements.

2. Outline the circumstances in which it would be inappropriate to carry out work at

height from a ladder.

The circumstance in which it would be inappropriate to carry out work at height from a
ladder:

Inappropriate task (e.g. where two hands are needed or where the work area is
large.
The equipment or materials to be used are heavy and awkward.
Work at excessive height.
Work of a long duration where use of ladders will lead to ergonomic body problems.
The ladders cannot be secured or made stable
The ladder cannot be protect from vehicles
Advise weather conditions.

3. In relation to safe access for construction work above ground level.

a). Identify by means of a labeled sketch, the component parts of an independent

tied scaffold.

b). Outline the precautions that should be taken when using a ladder as a means of
access to the scaffold.

INDEPENDENT TIED SCAFFOLD: is not totally independent and must be tied to the
building where it is sited, to give it stability and to prevent any possible movement of
the scaffolding.

a). The following are the main components of independent tied scaffold.
Upright poles.
Diagonal poles
Bracing (transverse & longitudinal).
 Sole plates & base plates.
Working platform.
Guard rails
Toe board.
Ledger & transoms
Tie to the structure.
The working platform should include;

3 boards for footing

4 boards for footing and storing materials
5 boards for general work
6 boards for masonry work

Types of Independent Tied scaffold:

Light duty: where one platform is used at any one time e.g.: for painting.
General purpose: where up to four platforms can be used. Example for
general maintenance.
Heavy duty: where two heavy duty and two light duty platforms are used.
Example for masonry work.

b) Precautions that should be taken when using a ladder as a means of access to

the scaffold:
Ensuring suitability of the ladder (regarding type, length, free from damage,
etc.)
Securing the ladder.
Use of the ladder on a firm and level ground.
Safe position of the ladder (e.g.: away from traffic routes).
Correct height to base radio 4:1
Area at base to be kept clear of obstruction, mud, etc.
Platform at top to be kept clear of obstruction.
Ensuring removal at the end of the day.

4. Outline FIVE factors that may contribute to the collapse of an independent tied
scaffold

The factors that may contribute to the collapse of an independent tied scaffold are:

Incorrect design or assembly.

Unstable foundations (unconsolidated ground, close proximity to excavations,
inadequate sole plates & base plates).
Unauthorized alterations (e.g.: removal of ties).
Overloading of platforms.
Adverse weather conditions.
Collision by vehicles.

5. Outline precautions that could be taken to prevent materials falling from a scaffold
whilst work is being carried out.
 Precautions that could be taken to prevent materials falling from a scaffold whilst
work is being carried out are:

The close boarding of platforms.

The provision of toe boards, brick guards, nets, etc.
Good housekeeping to prevent the build-up of materials on the scaffold.

6. What are the main hazards associated with the use of ladders at work and how to
avoid these hazards.

The main hazards associated with the use of ladders at work are:
Falling hazards: due to slipping or due to insecure ladder (on top and / or base).
Falling materials over passers by (due to no guarding of area, no signs, etc.).
Electrical hazards: due to placing metallic ladders or wet wooden ladders near
power lines.
Collision of ladders by vehicles: if the area is not guarded.

How such hazards may be avoided:

Before using ladder be sure it is free from slippery substance.
Guarding of the work area & the use of signs & markings.
Make sure ladder is firmly secured (tied at top, secured at bottom or footed by a
second person if no more than 3 meters height access is required).
Ensure correct slope of ladder (with 75 angles) corresponding to a ratio of 4:1.
Ensure that the rungs are level and free from defects.
Metallic ladders & wet wooden ladders to be away from power lines.
Ensure that the ladders are regularly inspected & maintained.

7. Describe the features that you would look for in properly erected scaffolding.

The features that you would look for in properly erected scaffolding are:

Correct design with adequate load bearing capacity, adequate foundations,

Structures should be erected by competent persons,
All working platform edges should be adequately protected. (by toe boards, nets,
handrails, etc.),
Safe stacking of all materials resting on platforms,
No overloading of platforms, working platforms provided with safe means of access,
and
Check inspection records to ensure regular inspection.

8. What is meant by INDEPENDENT SCAFFOLDING?

INDEPENDENT SCAFFOLDING: is scaffolding independent of the structure to which

access is required. It has many types:

INDEPENDENT TIED SCAFFOLDS: which are tied to the structure for stability (for
example to a window).
 INDEPENDENT MOBILE TOWERS: which are towers formed with scaffold tube
and mounted on wheels. They have single working platforms with handrails and
toe boards all around.

9. Outline the precautions to be taken when contractors are carrying out work on a
fragile roof.

The precautions to be taken when contractors are carrying out work on fragile roof
are:

The use of roof ladders or crawling boards: As an absolute minimum, two ladders or
boards are needed. (Never step onto a fragile roof).

The fragile area is to be covered and the cover should extend minimum of one
meter up the roof.

10. Describe the precaution necessary for the safe use of a mobile access tower.

Precaution for safe use of mobile towers:

Erection should be in accordance with manufacturers recommendation.
Erection, alternation & dismantling to be done by competent persons.
It should stand on firm level base.
Scaffold tubes to be free from defects e.g.: bent sections
Proper bracing to prevent twisting and collapse.
The ratio of the minimum base dimensions to be height should not exceed: 1:3 in
External use and 1:3.5 in Internal use.
The maximum height of free standing tower is 9.75 meters
The maximum height of tied tower is 12 meters.
A safe means of access to be provided on the narrowest side of the tower as
vertical ladder attached internally.
Platforms should be properly supported and fully boarded.
Toe boards & guardrails to be provided to prevent falls of workers / and or materials.
Ladders or stepladders should not be placed on the platform to gain extra height for
working.
Tie the mobile tower if:

- The scaffold is likely to be exposed to strong winds.

- The tower base is too small for the height
- The tower is to be used for operations like

a. Grit blasting
b. Heavy drilling
c. Water jetting
- It is necessary to lift materials & equipment up

On using a mobile tower, make sure the caster wheels are locked.
Toe boards & guardrails are to be provided for a platform of more that two meters
height. The guardrails should be 3 feet above the platform.
 Before moving towers, be sure no power lines, obstructions, holes in the ground,
etc.
Push the tower from the base.

11. Outline the precautions that may be needed when carrying out repairs of the flat roof
a building.

Provision of safe access to the roof: by scaffolding and / or ladder.

Edge protection: to prevent falling of people and / or materials.
Barriers around the area below the roof to prevent access to the area.
Netting under the roof is sometimes required
Means of transporting materials to and from the work area.
Protecting workers from weather conditions as sun, rains, winds, etc.
The proper positioning and the safe use of hazardous equipment as: Bitumen
boilers & gas cylinders.
Special measure for fragile roof: Never foot on fragile roof directly, use roof ladder
or crawling boards. (These are to be laid across the rood surface).
Wearing the suitable PPE (harness is required in addition to other PPE items as
helmet, gloves, safety shoes, overall, etc).

12. Woodwork on the exterior of a two-story office building is to be repaired during July
this year. Preparation work will be carried out from a mobile tower scaffold using
blowlamps, scrapers and an electrical hand-held sander.

a). Identify the measures that should be adopted in order to protect against the
dangers of people and / or materials falling from the scaffold.

b). Outline the practical measures to reduce the risk from electricity when using the
portable sander.

c). List four other hazards arising from the preparation work for each hazard; state
the possible means of protection.

a). The measures that should be adopted to protect against the dangers of
people / materials falling from the scaffold are:

Erection of scaffold should be in accordance with the manufactures

recommendation.
Erection of scaffold to be done by competent persons.
Barriers (by tape for example), warning sign and flash light around the work
area.
Scaffold should be rest on firm level ground.
Scaffold tubes to be free from defects.
Proper bracing to prevent scaffolding collapse.
Caster wheels to be locked while working.
To tie the mobile tower if there are winds or if using heavy materials or
equipment.
To be of a safe height: not to exceed: 9.75 meters for mobile tower & 12
meters for tied towers.
 Safe ratio of base dimensions to height: 1:3 in external use & 1:3.5 in
internal use.
Use of safe ladder of sound rungs, with no slipping hazards and the ladder
is to properly secure.
Toe boards and guardrails to be adequate enough to prevent persons and
materials falling.
Close boarding of platform.
Never move the tower while people and / or materials are still on platform.
Good housekeeping of materials on the platform.

b). The practical measures to reduce the risk from electricity when using
portable sander.
Use certified suitable sander free from any defects.
Check the cable condition and connections.
Use double insulated cable with impact proof cover / water proof cover.
Use low voltage (110V).
Fit protective device as residual current breaker (RCB) or fuse.
If possible use battery powdered equipment (to avoid electrical risks).
Earthing: to connect the equipment to earth so that in fault conditions, earth
will constitute the least resistant pathway for current.
Proper training and competence of users.
Regular inspection and maintenance of equipment.
Proper storage of the equipment.
Use the proper PPE.

c). List FOUR other Hazards arising from the preparation work and possible
means of protection.

HAZARDS PRECAUTIONS
* Heat Hazards: Due to working under the Reduce time of exposure
heat of the Sun Frequents rest breaks in a shady
area
Wear suitable clothes and wear Hardhat
Sufficient fluid & Salt intake
* Manual Handling Hazards: Due to lifting Mechanical handling (as by the aid of
of paint materials. Forklifts)
Team Handling
Use of proper PPE (as cloth glove)
Training workers about good kinetic
handling techniques.
* Ergonomic Hazards: Due to awkward Proper work station design
postures during painting. Safe system of work.
Workers training & supervision at work
Task to be interrupted by rest breaks
* Exposure to Asbestos and or Lead: While Identification and segregation of
removing old paints Asbestos materials.
Use of appropriate PPE (respirator with
 dust cartridge)
* Paint Health Hazards: as dermatitis, Use of protective clothes and required
asthma, effects on central nervous system, PPE (as rubber gloves, masks, etc.)
dizziness, etc. Reducing time of exposure.

* Fire and explosion: due to hot work or Avoid hot work as cutting, grinding,
ignition source close to painting welding, etc. close to painting.
Exclusion of all ignition source (including
smoking) in painting area.

13. Doing repainting work using tower scaffold, outline:

a). The likely hazards of this operation.

b). The required control measures to avoid risks from this operation.

Tower scaffolds are towers made with scaffold tubes and having a single working
platform accessible by a ladder. It is commonly used for painting and simple
maintenances jobs on buildings. It can be used mobile as it is or tied to the building.

a). The likely hazards are:

Health hazards due to exposure to paints, leading to dermatitis, asthma,

effects on central nervous system, dizziness, etc. Also lead hazards due to
removal of old paints.
Ergonomic hazards: due to awkward postures & movements during
painting.
Manual handling hazards: due to carrying heavy cans & other instruments.
Heat hazards: due to working under the Sun.
Falling hazards: due to:

- The use of unsafe ladder.

- Improper boarding of the platform.
- Inadequate toe boards, guardrails & bracing.
- Collapse of the tower due to many reasons (improperly erected tower,
doing unauthorized alterations, use of defective scaffold tubes, or
erection on non firm & non level ground).

Collision with power lines & other obstructions.

Falling of materials (if toe boards & guardrails are inadequate).

b). The precautions:

Erection of the tower scaffold should be in accordance with manufacturers

recommendations.
Erection, alternation and dismantling of tower scaffold to be done by
competent persons.
Tower scaffold should stand on firm level base.
Scaffold tube to be free from defects.
 Proper bracing to prevent twisting & collapse.
Base dimensions to height should not exceed: 1:3 in External use & 1:3.5
in Internal use.
The maximum height is: 9.75 meters for the mobile tower & 12 meters for
tied towers.
Tower should never be moved while people or materials are still on the
platform.
Platform should be properly supported & fully boarded,
Toe boards & guardrails to be provided to prevent falling of workers and / or
materials.
To make sure that wheel casters are locked.
Before moving tower, be sure no power lines/ obstructions or holes on the
ground.
Training of painters about how to work safely.
Use protective clothes and PPE during painting (as gloves, suitable overall,
face shield, respirator).
Good supervision of the painting process.
Good communication.
Stand-by first aid and emergency services.