1.

0 Introduction

1.1 What is scaffolding?

Scaffolding is defined as any structure, framework, swinging stage, suspended scaffolding, or

boatswain’s chair, of a temporary nature, used or intended to be used for the support or
protection of workers engaged in or in connection with construction work, for the purpose of
carrying out that work or for the support of materials used in connection with any such work and
includes any scaffolding constructed as such and not dismantled, whether or not it is being used
as scaffolding and also includes any plank, coupling, fastening, fitting or device used in
connection with the construction, erection, or use of scaffolding.

Scaffolding process is defined as the planning for, the design of, the erection of, the inspection
of, the use of, and the dismantling of any scaffolding. The scaffolding process does not include
the erection of structures constructed using scaffolding components, such as falsework,
temporary grandstands, lighting towers and others.

Since ancient times, scaffolding has been existing and being used. Evidence of the ancient
Egyptians using the help of scaffolding for their pyramids construction had been found by the
historians. There are rules and guideline for scaffolding construction that have to be followed by
the construction companies in the current constructions industry. Many construction workmen,
painters and building maintenance crews are working on the scaffolding and due to the nature of
its use , the constructions companies must follow the rules properly to provide a safe platform to
work and a safe access to the materials required. Construction site workers should also be
trained to use the scaffolding. If proper training is not provided, those who works on scaffolding
are at risk for falls and failing objects which could lead to severe or even fatal injuries.

Figure 1.1: Frame Scaffolding

1.2 Competent And Qualified Person

The terms “competent person” and “qualified person” are created by the federal OSHA
(Occupational Safety and Health Administration) to label those whose are able to evaluate unsafe
conditions and mechanical systems, examine equipment, also train the others to work safely.

1.2.1 The Competent Person

The competent person is an individual who is able to evaluate unsafe working environment and
has authorization to take quick corrective measures to eliminate them. The individual is in charge
of supervising all assembly, disassembly and movement of scaffolding. Erectors and dismantlers
must be trained by the competent person to recognize hazards associated with their work. He
must have the knowledge of the requirements which are relevant to the types of scaffolds used.
The competent person should always decide if it is safe to work on scaffolds during bad
weathers. He must also have the sufficient knowledge to determine whether scaffold components
made of different metals or made by different manufacturers can be used together. Lastly, the
competent person has to identify the causes of deteriorated scaffold components and fix or
replace them.

1.2.2 The Qualified Person

A qualified person is someone who has an acknowledged degree, or has broad knowledge,
training and experience and has the capability to solve problems associated to the job. The
individual does not have to be a registered professional engineer. Scaffolds must be planned by a
qualified person and have to be built and loaded depending on the design.

1.3 Objectives

1. To help us get a more understanding on the basics of scaffolding construction process

while paying a visit to the site.
2. Let us aware of the importance of personal safety on site, and the safety precautions that
we need to take in order to avoid accidents from happening. For instance, we are required
to wear safety helmet on site.
3. To explore and identify various types of building materials and type of technology used
in construction while constructing a building.
4. To identify the advantages and disadvantages of scaffolding in construction project.
5.0 Methodology of Scaffolding (Frame Scaffolding)

STEP 1: Sole plates that are suitable are selected and their positions are being set out. Unless the
surface is concrete or other firm surfaces, the sole plates should be bedded as level as possible.

STEP 2: 2 people are needed for this step. One individual is needed to hold a unit frame of
scaffolding while the other one is needed to screw jack set to the lowest adjustment, fitted inside
the base of each leg or standard. Each ends of a folding brace to one frame on one side. After
that, attach the other end of the brace to the other unit frame on the same side.

STEP 3: Another brace is fitted on the other side of the bay. The levels of both sides are adjusted
using the adjustable screw jacks. Then, a plank or a straight edge is placed on top of the frames
to enable the leveling of the bay.

STEP 4: The working platform is decked with planks to the full length of the scaffolding. Height
coupler is inserted to connect the next unit frame and the previous 3 steps are repeated in order to
install an additional lift. The working platform should be fully decked out, toe boards fit, hand
rails fitted, additional bracing or outriggers fitted if required and the whole scaffolding is
checked for completion after the desired height (maximum 4 metres) is reached.
6.0 Case Study – Safety Precautions of Frame Scaffolding in Malaysia

6.1. Introduction

One of the major contributors of a country’s economic development is the construction industry.
However, Dayang, N.M.A.A. and Chai, G.M.W. (2010, p1) concluded that according to their
provided statistics the construction industry is also one of the major contributors when it comes
to deadly accidents. Quite a number of the fatal construction related accidents involves the
scaffolding. The figure provided by Malaysia’s Department of Occupational Safety and Health
(DOSH) shows the occupational accidents by sector until June 2014. The construction industry is
one of the sectors that contributed to the most numbers of occupational accidents.

Figure 6.1: Occupational Accidents by Sector until June 2014.

In Malaysia’s construction industry, one of the most commonly used types of scaffolding is
frame scaffolding. According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), there
are several guidelines that must be followed when it comes to scaffolding use in the construction
industry. Unfortunately, the guidelines are not fully followed by the individuals who are
involved in the construction industry. The following table provides the statistics of fatal
construction accidents that involves scaffolding from year 2007 to 2008 that were being recorded
by DOSH. Date Case Location 11 January 2007 Scaffolding Collapse Construction Site, Kuala
Lumpur. 20 August 2007 Fall from Scaffolding Construction Site, Negeri Sembilan. 5 May 2008
Struck by Scaffolding Frame Construction Site, Selangor. 28 July 2008 Slip from Platform
Construction Site, Johor. 25 August 2008 Struck by Scaffolding Construction Site, Kuala
Lumpur.
Table 6.1 Statistics of Fatal Construction Accidents That Involves Scaffolding from Year 2007 to
2008.

6.2. Root Causes of Scaffolding Accidents

6.2.1. Lack of Proper Training

One of the mutual roots of accidents related to scaffolding is that the employees or
workers were not well trained. They fail to identify and avoid the hazards. They are lack of
knowledge on how to shield themselves from the accidents.

Although some employers may have already provided their employees to receive formal
training, however as majority of Malaysia’s construction workers consist of foreign worker form
countries like Bangladesh for instance, they may have problem in fully understanding the
training program as these programs are usually conducted in either Bahasa Malaysia or English.
Neither of these two languages clearly isn’t their mother tongue.

OSHA (2002) concluded that employers must train each employee who works on a
scaffold on the hazards and the procedures to control the hazards. Therefore, the employers have
the responsibilities to provide a sufficient amount of training to the employees in order to raise
their awareness in the possible dangers that they could expose themselves into if they do not
follow the provided safety precaution guidelines especially when it comes to scaffolding.
Without proper training, the employees would not be able to identify the life-threatening fall
hazards and dangers.

In the figure below, a worker at a construction site in Bandar Kinrara, Puchong who was
working on a scaffolding, exposed himself into danger by stepping on a timber formwork which
the length of it was extended beyond the scaffolding, if he took a wrong step and stepped on the
edge of the timber formwork, he might fall and suffered from deadly injuries as he did not wear a
safety belt.
 Figure 6.2: The worker was not aware of the danger he exposed himself into

6.2.2. Unsafe Site Condition

Poor housekeeping of the construction site may result in hazardous site condition,
eventually exposing the construction worker to fatal dangers. OSHA (2002) provided that each
platform must be planked and decked as fully as possible with the space between the platform
and uprights not more than 2.5 centimeters wide and scaffold planking must be able to support,
without failure, its own weight and at least four times the intended load.

The figure below shows that a piece of chipped timber is being used as the scaffolding
platform at a LRT construction site at Bandar Kinrara, Puchong. This clearly is violating the
guideline being set out by OSHA. A piece of chipped timber obviously is not capable enough to
the weight of a worker and the tools that are being carried by him or her. If the platform
collapses, the worker who is working on it at that time barely has any chances to survive.

Figure 6.3: Chipped timber plank being used as scaffolding platform

6.2.3. Safety Equipment Not Provided

Besides providing sufficient training, the employer also has the responsibility to provide
safety equipment for the employees in order to reduce the hazards working on sites. North
California State University’s Environmental and Public Safety Department (2014) concluded the
points that shall be kept in mind when working on scaffolding as the following:

 Hard hats are required gear whether you are working on scaffolding or near one.

 When working on a scaffold, wear non-skid shoes.

 When working on swinging scaffolds, use a safety belt attached to either a secure line
or to a structure - not to the scaffold.

However, some employers did not provide all the safety equipment that is being stated
above. The figure below show two construction workers who are working on a scaffolding. The
only safety equipment that they have on is the safety helmets. They are not wearing non-skid
shoes and safety belts.

Figure 6.4: Construction Workers Not Provided with Safety Equipment

7.0 Conclusion

After careful observations of several different construction sites in Malaysia, we came

into a conclusion that scaffolding related accidents are mainly resulted by three causes which are
lack of proper training, unsafe side condition and safety equipment not provided. These causes
are all results of negligence of the employers towards their employees’ safety.

In order to ensure the safety of the scaffolding user, the process of building up the
scaffoldings has to be supervised by the titled person. The scaffolding must be installed
following to the scheme of professional engineer. Before the erection of the scaffolding, all of
the components must be thoroughly checked and examined that they are in good condition and
free of rust.

During the period on construction, the scaffoldings used on site must be checked
regularly at least once a month to ensure the safety of the scaffolding users. Furthermore, the
main contractor has to conduct hazard calculation on the process of construction and prolong the
requirement to all the sub-contractors participating in the process.

Last but not least, “contractor must complies with Section X, Factories and Machinery
(Building Operations and Work of Engineering Construction) (Safety) Regulations 1986 on
scaffolds and make reference to the Guidelines of Safe Scaffolds Installation and Guidelines on
Protection from Falls at Workplace” (Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH),
2009).
 8.0 Reference

1. Brasch, E., (n.d.). Supported Scaffolds: Requirements and Best Practices for the
Construction Industry. Retrieved 30th October, 2014 from
http://www.cbs.state.or.us/osha/pdf/pubs/4904.pdf

2. Department of Occupational Safety and Health, (2014). Occupational Accident Statistics

by Sector. Retrieved on 16th November, 2014 from
http://www.dosh.gov.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=107%3Asca
ffolds-failure-at-construction-site&catid=440&Itemid=1127&lang=en

3. OSHA. (n.d). Supported Scaffolds [Website] Retrieved from

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/scaffolding/supported/ OSHA. (n.d). Frame or
Fabricated [Website] Retrieved from
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/scaffolding/supported/frame/frame.html

4. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.(2002). A Guide to Scaffold Use in the

Construction Industry. Retrieved on 16th November, 2014 from
https://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3150.pdf