We have created an exhaustive scaffolding guide that includes all applicable information related to scaffolding inspections and maintenance in Australia.

Scaffold Inspections

The longer the scaffolding has been in use, inspections of the scaffolding system get more and more critical.

Inspections for Scaffolds Over the Height of 4 Metres

Suspended, cantilevered, hung and spur scaffolds including any other type of supporting system where a person or object could fall, above the height of 4 metres – before using this type of scaffolds, a written confirmation ought to be in place from a competent person certifying that the scaffolding construction is complete and an inspection has declared the structure to be safe for use.

Scheduled Inspections Ought to be Performed by a Competent Person

• At the minimum, once every 30 days scheduled inspections need to be carried out.
• If an incident may have impacted the structural wholeness of the scaffolding, inspections should be carried out before using the scaffolding.
• If any part of the scaffold undergoes repairs, then the scaffolding should be inspected before use.

If a Scaffold Inspection Has Revealed that the Scaffolding System Exhibits One or More Health and Safety Risks:

• The required repairs, modifications and additions should be made before the scaffolds can be used again.
• After the repairs, modifications or additions have been made to the scaffold, a competent person has to inspect and certify.

Avert Unauthorised Access

• Unauthorised people should be kept away from accessing scaffolds at all times regardless of whether it’s complete or under repairs or attended or unattended, to avert injuries and even death.
• Only trained and experienced persons using scaffolds should walk or work on scaffold systems for the sake of safety.
• If an incident has occurred, then the scaffolds involved ought to be inspected right away to confirm it happened and what future course of actions needs to be taken, if any, to restore the safe condition of the scaffold.

 Handover Inspections

 If a scaffolding structure has been newly assembled, or if any repairs, modifications or additions have been performed, then handover inspections are obligatory. Generally, handover inspections need written confirmation from a capable person that normally happen in the form of a handover certificate. These handover certificates need to be preserved at the construction site till the scaffolding system is disassembled at the end of the project.

 Post-Handover Inspections

Post-handover inspections are carried out after a qualified person examines the scaffolding system and the scaffolding is in use. These inspections ought to be carried out every 30 days at a minimum where a person or object could have a fall at a height that is above 4 metres but could be performed at shorter time gaps, depending on the structure’s size, conditions of the workplace, weather conditions, and any other components that could impact the structure’s stability.

 Other Considerations

Contact the supplier or manufacturer of the scaffolding system and ask them regarding the intervals needed for inspections, to make sure the system remains safe for use.

• Scheduled scaffold maintenance should include inspections of the components in use, as well as, the components in storage.
• When scaffolding is stored in areas unprotected from the weather, rust formation is a common problem and so each component of scaffold ought to be properly inspected before it is taken for use on the construction site.
• All inspection records ought to be preserved at the construction site, so they are accessible when needed.
• Every inspection record should include the date and time of inspection, location, remarks, applicable model or specification reference along with the name of the person who carried out the inspection.

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All scaffold should be inspected before use and a qualified competent scaffolder should be signing off that the scaffold is safe to use before any access is granted. Any scaffolding structure that a person could fall from that is more than 4 metres from the ground must be erected by a ticketed Scaffolder and needs to be inspected by a qualified scaffolder as well to ensure the safety of anyone that comes in contact with the structure.

As scaffold towers will differ in their design and their purpose they should be erected by a qualified Scaffolder that holds the level of certification required for that particular build. These towers range from basic single level construction to canter-lever and stairs access. Keeping this in mind all scaffold should be signed off by a person with the relevant skill set and certification for the level of complexity.

Related post: The Importance of Scaffolding Inspection

All construction companies that deal with scaffold need to formulate their own processes and procedures to ensure that inspections take place before any workers use the scaffold. This can be done with the use of scaff tags whereby the qualified person signs off that the structure has been built and certified by a qualified and ticketed scaffolder, hence taking responsibility for any failures. They should also ensure all scaffold is inspected at the following intervals:

• When first erected
• Every 30 days until it is dismantled
• After every weather incident that could be detrimental to the structure, ie: strong winds or heavy rain.
• After all repairs
• After any alterations

Extenuating circumstances

There are definitely circumstances such as shifting ground surfaces such as sand of loose dirt and also commercial projects that may need to be engineered and therefore inspected by an external engineer.

The bottom line is if you’re erecting scaffolding in Sydney, or you are part of a scaffolding company in Brisbane or any other major city you will need to comply with scaffold inspections as part of your day to day business. Scaffold collapse is rare, but if it does happen there is a high chance for serious injury or a fatality so take precautions and stay safe on the worksite.