SCAFFOLDING WORKS PROCEDURE | METHOD STATEMENT
1.0 Scope
This method statement covers the general requirements for the provision of scaffolding services Tower Access Scaffold for Equipment & Suspended Scaffold for commercial buildings, plants and refineries.
1.1 Priority
1.1.1 In case of conflict between this method statement & specification, the requirement of the specification shall govern. However, no deviations shall be made from the specification without written authorization from the client.
1.2 Requirements
1.2.1 All scaffolding installed shall serve the purpose of providing safe access.
1.3 Reference Documents
1.3.1 The following specification applies to this project:
Saudi Aramco CSM II-2 – SCAFFOLDING, October 2011
Saudi Aramco General Instruction, GI 8.001, June 2011
2.0 RESPONSIBILITIES
2.1 The Construction Manager-RB Hilton or his representative is responsible for implementing this procedure through the various personnel.
2.2 The HSE Manager-RB Hilton or his designee has monitor the implementation and adherence to this procedure and report violations and / or noncompliance issues to project management for immediate corrective action.
2.3 Scaffolder Supervisor or his designee shall inspect all components for defects as the erection proceeds. Any components found to be defective shall be set aside and tagged “rejected-do-not use”. Only trained and certified personnel will inspect scaffolds.
3.0 MATERIALS
3.1 Specifications
3.1.1 Scaffolding Tubes conforming to BS 1139
3.1.2 Scaffolding Fittings conforming to BS 1139/EN74
3.1.3 Scaffolding Boards: minimum 38mm thick Microlam. LVL Proof Tested
3.1.4 Cuplok Material conforming to EN 10219
3.2 General
3.2.1 All R. B. Hilton’s scaffolding material shall be colour-coded with Red and White for identification.
3.2.2 All scaffolding material shall be stored in an orderly manner and the storage area shall be properly house kept.
3.2.3 Only material required for the immediate use for installation and that can be installed for the day shall be stored near the work area requiring scaffolds.
3.2.4 Scaffold Supervisor should complete “Job Specific Risk Assessment” before commencing any scaffolding activities.
4.0 TRANSPORTATION OF MEN & MATERIALS
4.1 Designated areas on the site shall be used for parking of vehicles, boarding / un-boarding of men, loading and unloading of material etc.
4.2 All drivers transporting men & material shall possess a valid Saudi government-driving license. Maximum speed limit on site shall be observed.
5.0 SCAFFOLDING OPERATION
5.1 General
5.1.1 Scaffolding shall be erected in accordance with Saudi Aramco Standard.
5.1.2 Scaffolding shall be erected on the request for erection from the Contractor and shall be kept in place for the entire duration of required works and shall be dismantled after request for dismantle from the Contractor.
5.2 Tools & Tackles
5.2.1 All tools to be used on site must be suitable for the work intended. The scaffolders must ensure that the tools are inspected and color coded prior to its usage.
5.2.2 All the scaffolders working with scaffold shall be made available with tools carrying belt and all scaffolders shall always secure during access and egress their tools in the tool carrying belt.
5.3 Installation of Scaffolding
5.3.1 Scaffolding operation shall commence only after appropriate permits are secured (Confined Space Permit, Work at height etc.), if applicable.
5.3.2 DAEWOO Engineering & Construction shall ensure prior to erection of Tower/Suspended type scaffolds, that the frame support is capable of supporting all intended loads from the scaffolding.
5.3.3 All scaffolds shall be erected, altered, and dismantled only under the direction of Scaffold Supervisor employed by R. B. Hilton. The Scaffold Supervisor shall have full supervisory authority over his scaffold craftsmen and provide effective supervision of all scaffolding work under his responsibility.
5.3.4 Proper barrication using barricading tapes shall be provided prior to commencing scaffolding activities.
5.3.5 Scaffold material shall be inspected before, during and after erection by the Scaffold Supervisor to ensure that they meet the site requirements, are in good condition, and are free of defects. Any scaffold component that is damaged, weakened, or does not meet the applicable codes and standards shall be immediately removed from site.
5.3.6 A job specific risk assessment of the work area shall be carried out prior to job commencement. The Scaffold Supervisor shall be responsible for making the workforce well aware about any potential hazard present during the working operation.
5.3.7 Scaffolding shall be erected for a load rating of 1.2kN/m2 (120kg/m2).
5.3.8 The Scaffold Supervisor shall ensure that Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is used by his scaffold craftsmen in accordance with the site safety requirements during scaffold erection, alteration, and dismantling. Each scaffold craftsman shall continuously wear a full body harness with a shock-absorbing lanyard while erecting, altering or dismantling a scaffold. Scaffolders should be 100% tied-off while working.
5.3.9 Suitable ladder at a slope of 75
o to vertical shall be provided for safe access to all platform levels.
5.3.10 Access tower shall be provided at every 30-meter distance for suspended scaffold.
5.3.11 Scaffolding fittings (couplers) shall be lifted and lowered in a safe manner using Gin Wheel, Rope and Canvas bucket, throwing of scaffolding tubes & fittings to the work area shall not be permitted.
5.3.12 Boards and tubes shall be shifted by manual lifting.
5.3.13 All boarded platform levels shall have a double guardrail system with toe-boards for fall protection.
5.4 Manual lifting and lowering of material
5.4.1 All the operatives shall be in one line from first lift to the top lift.
5.4.2 All the operatives must follow proper manual handling procedure.
5.4.3 Operatives shall stand under the shade of scaffold and during lifting and lowering their body parts or body trunk shall be under the shade.
5.4.4 The man on the ground floor is on maximum Risk so he must face the scaffold and other team members to see clearly the status of material being lifted or lowered.
5.4.5 The operative on ground must stand under the shade if provided.
5.4.6 The operative on ground floor must stand on side to raise or receive the material rather than standing just below the lifting and lowering area.
5.4.7 The person on ground floor may stand on first lift side bay and a man at ground level shall pass the material from side of the lifting and lowering area.
5.4.8 All the operatives shall maintain a regular communication between them and strictly follow the other fellow’s instruction. Communication should involve the information regarding size of the tubes and boards while passing the material. Twist to confirm the complete hold of passed material before releasing the grip.
5.4.9 Avoid any distraction during lifting and lowering.
5.4.10 A continues supervision shall be present to monitor and check the distraction if any.
5.4.11 Only one tube or one board at a time shall be passed.
5.4.12 Job rotation and periodic rest must be followed to minimise the physical exhaustion.
5.4.13 Lift and hold the material in both hands and avoid using single hand for lifting and lowering of material.
5.4.14 Keep the load close to the waist. Keep the load close to the body for as long as possible while lifting. Keep the heaviest side of the load next to the body. If a close approach to the load is not possible, try to slide it towards the body before attempting to lift it.
5.4.15 Adopt a stable position for body balance, Avoid tight clothing or unsuitable footwear, which may make this difficult to work, keep body balance with feet apart and one leg slightly forward and the other slightly backward.
5.4.16 Avoid twisting the back or leaning sideways, especially while the back is bent. Shoulders should be kept level and facing in the same direction as the hips. Turning by moving the feet is better than twisting and lifting at the same time.
5.4.17 Keep the head up when handling. Look ahead, not down at the load, once it has been held securely.
5.4.18 Move smoothly if required. The load should not be jerked or snatched as this can make it harder to keep control and can increase the risk of injury.
5.4.19 Don’t lift or handle more than that can’t be easily managed.
5.4.20 Saudi Aramco certified scaffold supervisor shall be allocated for (1) one area of work only, supervisor will not supervise more than one activity at a time.
5.5 Inspection and Tagging of Scaffolding
5.5.1 All scaffolds shall be continuously tagged with a red, green, or yellow scaffold tag, as applicable. During the entire time that a scaffold is being erected, altered, repaired, or dismantled, a red (“Do Not Use”) scaffold tag shall be continuously attached to the scaffold at each point of access. Only the Scaffold Supervisor or Scaffold Inspector is authorized to remove a red scaffold tag.
5.5.2 Any scaffold, tagged with a red scaffold tag shall not be used, except by scaffold craftsmen for the purpose of erecting, dismantling, altering, or correcting scaffold deficiencies.
5.5.3 The Aramco Certified Scaffold Inspector who is responsible for the scaffold shall personally inspect the scaffold at the job site as soon as possible after completion by his scaffold craftsmen, and before workers other than scaffold craftsmen may use the scaffold.
5.5.4 All green (“Passed Inspection”) or yellow (“Full Body Harness Required”) scaffold tags shall be signed by Scaffold Inspector.
5.5.5 For any scaffold with platform(s) which physically cannot be completely erected (i.e., interference with equipment or structure prevents installation of all guardrails or planks), yellow scaffold tag(s) (instead of green tags) shall be signed by the Scaffold Inspector and securely affixed to the scaffold, in a clearly visible location at each point of access. In no case shall a scaffold that is missing members required for structural stability (i.e., bearers, runners, posts, or braces) be tagged with yellow or green scaffold tag(s). Use of yellow scaffold tag does not permit intentional erection of incomplete scaffolds.
5.5.6 Red and yellow scaffold tags shall not be removed or re-used elsewhere prior to dismantling to which they are attached. No green tag is used in package 1 area.
5.5.7 Scaffolding shall be inspected in every 14 days as per Aramco Standard. If a scaffold has been improperly altered or is unsafe, the Scaffold Inspector shall ensure that the Scaffold Supervisor tags it with a red scaffold tag. Alternatively, he may immediately correct the deficiencies, sign and attach another green or yellow scaffold tag(s) as applicable.
Note: The Scaffold shall not be overloaded beyond its designed / rated capacity as per section 5.3.7 of this method statement.
5.6 Modification of Scaffolding
5.6.1 Only scaffold craftsmen, under the direct supervision of a Scaffold Supervisor are permitted to alter or repair any part of an existing scaffold, including guardrails, planks, and ladders.
5.6.2 The altered scaffold shall be re-inspected by a Scaffold Inspector after each alteration. If the scaffold is safe for use, newly signed green or yellow scaffold tags (as applicable) shall be securely attached to the scaffold prior to re-use.
5.7 Dismantling of Scaffolding
5.7.1 Immediately after completion of the scaffold’s intended use, and upon verification that no other workers need to use the scaffold, the Scaffold Supervisor shall ensure that all green or yellow scaffold tags are removed from the scaffold and that a red (“Do Not Use”) scaffold tag is securely affixed at each point of access. The Scaffold Supervisor shall then arrange workforce to dismantle the scaffolding.
5.7.2 The Scaffold Supervisor shall ensure that dismantling of scaffold is planned, orderly, and performed level by level in a proper sequence. Scaffold components, tools, and fittings, shall be lowered in an orderly manner and not thrown down. The Scaffold Supervisor shall ensure that scaffolding materials are returned and properly stacked at their designated storage location immediately after the scaffolding is dismantled.
6.0 HEALTH & SAFETY
6.1 Personal Protective Equipment
6.1.1 All personnel working with scaffolding shall wear the following personal protective equipment as a minimum requirement:
6.1.1.1 Safety coverall or long sleeved clothing
6.1.1.2 Safety boots
6.1.1.3 Hardhats or Helmets
6.1.1.4 Safety harness and lanyard
6.1.1.5 Dust Mask (in case of any dust)
6.1.1.6 Safety glass with side shields
6.1.1.7 Safety Goggles for overhead works
6.1.1.8 Hand Gloves (leather palmed gloves/cotton gloves with rubber palm)
6.1.1.9 Ear plugs (for noisy areas)
6.1.1.10 Any PPE found with defect will be replaced immediately.
6.2 Working at Heights
6.2.1 Fall Arrest equipment shall always be worn prior to start erection, dismantling and or any modification to the scaffold above 1.8meter height.
6.2.2 When work over 1.8 meters is required, the worker must always ensure 100% tie – up of fall arrest equipment to the suitable anchorage point.