Scaffolds are commonly used in construction work so workers have a safe, stable work platform when work cannot be done at ground level or on a finished floor. Prefabricated scaffolding is an integrated system of modular premanufactured components designed so that the shape and geometry of the assembled structure are predetermined. Prefabricated scaffolding can include modular, tower, cantilever, hung and suspended (swing-stage) scaffolds.

According to the WHS Regulations and SafeWork Australia’s General Guide for Scaffolds and Scaffolding Work:

  • Scaffold is a temporary structure specifically erected to support access or working platforms. Scaffolds are commonly used in construction work so workers have a safe, stable work platform when work cannot be done at ground level or on a finished floor.
  • Prefabricated scaffolding is an integrated system of pre-manufactured components designed to be easily and quickly assembled into a predetermined geometry. Also known as modular scaffolding, it relies on standardized, interlocking parts that connect without requiring traditional nuts, bolts, or complex couplers.
  • Scaffolding work means erecting, altering or dismantling a temporary structure that is or has been erected to support a platform and from which a person or object could fall more than 4 metres from the platform or the structure.
  • Scaffolding means the individual components, for example tubes, couplers or frames and materials that when assembled form a scaffold. Scaffolding is classified as plant under Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act.

Hazards

For more information refer to Scaffolding work | SafeWork SA and Guide to scaffolds and scaffolding | Safe Work Australia.

Scaffolding work may present a risk of injury to workers and other people from:

  • Adjacent buildings or structures:
  • Electric lines: whether overhead or underground can be a significant hazard. Construction work carried out on or near energised electrical installations or services is high risk construction work and a SWMS must be prepared before this work starts.
  • Entry and exit:
  • Falls: a risk to health and safety associated with a fall by a person from one level to another that is reasonably likely to cause injury to the person or any other person must be managed. Hazards that may increase the risk of falls include:
  • collapse of the scaffold onto an adjacent building or structure, and
  • collapse of an adjacent building or structure, or a part of a building or structure due to scaffolding work or related activities.
  • temporary stairs or ladder access systems installed at the start of erection and progressed with the scaffold
  • permanently installed platforms or ramps e.g. part of an adjacent building
  • personnel hoists—non-mechanical forms of exit e.g. a ladder or stair tower should be provided in case of emergency, and
  • the existing floor level of a building if entry from there is safe.
  • poor environmental conditions like:
    • strong winds that may cause workers to lose balance
    • rain causing slippery work surfaces
    • glare emitted from work surfaces or poor lighting affecting visibility
  • materials, equipment or protruding objects below or in adjoining work areas like:
    • pallets of construction materials
    • vertical reinforcing steel
    • rubbish skips
    • exposed starter bars
    • large tools
  • void areas not identified or protected e.g. ladder access voids
  • incomplete scaffolds or loose scaffolding in areas where work is being done or is likely to be done, and
  • inadequate training, instruction and supervision of scaffold workers.
  • passive engineering controls like handrails and edge protection can minimise the risk of a fall during work at height. Catch platforms can be used to minimise the distance a person could fall during work at height and also to catch falling objects.
  • fall arrest systems should only be used during the following scaffold activities:
    • erecting or dismantling drop or hung scaffolds where the scaffold is constructed from top to bottom—this allows for a clear fall zone in the event of a fall.
    • fixing and removing trolley tracks on suspension rigs.
    • erecting or dismantling cantilevered needles and decking between the needles. Fall arrest systems could also be used when the first lift of scaffold is erected where workers are standing on the deck between the needles.
    • erecting and dismantling the first lift of a cantilevered scaffold including the first platform.
    • attaching and removing spurs projecting from the supporting structure.

Safety requirements

  • Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS): See SWMS for high risk construction work | SafeWork SA. High risk construction work requires a SWMS being implemented prior to commencing work and includes work which:
    • involves structural alterations or repairs that require temporary support to prevent collapse.
    • is carried out on or near energised electrical installations or services, and
    • is carried out in an area at a workplace in which there is movement of powered mobile plant.
  • Falls from height: high risk construction work includes any construction work where there is a risk of a person falling more than two metres. Scaffolding work is defined with a four-metre threshold for licensing purposes. This means in some cases a high risk work licence may not be required to erect a scaffold—because it is less than four metres—but there may still be need for a SWMS because it is more than two metres.
  • Training: ensure operators are trained, including emergency procedures, and are licenced and follow SOPs and SWMSs.
  • Exclusion zones: ensure they are in in place.

High Risk Work Licence

A worker who undertakes scaffolding work must hold the relevant High Risk Work Licence.

Registration

Prefabricated scaffolding requires design registration but not plant item registration.

Registration costs can be found at Registration Fees.

Design registration

Plant design registration – Guidance notes

To register or alter the design of plant:

Plant design - New or alteration to design

The prefabricated scaffolding can be designed to any internationally recognised published technical standard with the following documents being required for the registration of the plant design:

  • each model must have a separate design registration application form.
  • statement signed by the designer of the plant stating:
  • the designer has complied with their obligations under section 22 of the WHS Act.
  • the published technical standards and engineering principles used in the design.
  • design calculations and drawing(s) in English, as referenced in the designer's statement
  • an independent design verification statement.
  • payment of the fee which lasts for the life of the design (payable on completion of the online application).

Note:

  • design registration applies to all plant items manufactured to the same design.
  • design registration is valid for the life of the plant.
  • manufacturers, importers, and suppliers of plant are prohibited from supplying plant unless the design of that plant is registered.
  • design registration in SA is not required if the plant design is registered in another state under a corresponding WHS law (WHS Act 2012 (SA)).
  • any alteration to the design of registered plant that may affect health, and safety requires an alteration to its design registration.

Change of details

You must provide us with written notice within 14 days if:

  • you change your name or address, or any other information stated on your application for registration.
  • the plant design has been altered to an extent where it is subject to new control measures.

Inspection and maintenance

WHS Regulation 225 - Scaffolds

  1. This regulation applies in relation to:
    1. a suspended scaffold; and
    2. a cantilevered scaffold; and
    3. a spur scaffold; and
    4. a hung scaffold; and
    5. any other scaffold from which a person or thing could fall more than 4 metres.
  2. The person with management or control of a scaffold at a workplace must ensure that the scaffold is not used unless the person receives written confirmation from a competent person who has inspected the scaffold that construction of the scaffold has been completed.
  3. The person with management or control of a scaffold at a workplace must ensure that the scaffold and its supporting structure are inspected by a competent person:
    1. before use of the scaffold is resumed after an incident occurs that may reasonably be expected to affect the stability of the scaffold; and
    2. before use of the scaffold is resumed after repairs; and
    3. at least every 30 days.
  4. If an inspection indicates that a scaffold at a workplace or its supporting structure creates a risk to health or safety, the person with management or control of the scaffold must ensure that:
    1. any necessary repairs, alterations and additions are made or carried out; and
    2. the scaffold and its supporting structure are inspected again by a competent person before use of the scaffold is resumed.
    3. The person with management or control of a scaffold at a workplace must ensure that unauthorised access to the scaffold is prevented while the scaffold is incomplete or unattended.

Inspections

Inspections shall be carried out at sufficient frequency to ensure the prefabricated scaffolding is kept in a safe and satisfactory condition as follows:

  1. Pre-installation inspections:
    1. all items specified by the manufacturer for inspection and maintenance shall be inspected and repaired where necessary; and
    2. all components shall be inspected to check for damage, corrosion, signs of overload and wear.
  2. Commissioning inspections: the prefabricated scaffolding shall be used only after receiving a handover certificate.
  3. Pre-operational (daily) inspection: before the prefabricated scaffolding is used, and at the beginning of each work shift, it shall undergo a visual inspection.
  4. Routine maintenance and inspections: routine maintenance and inspections shall be carried out in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Routine maintenance and inspections should typically be conducted monthly but not at intervals of more than three months, unless the prefabricated scaffolding is not in service.

Record keeping

A record (e.g. logbook) of the service and maintenance history of the plant needs to be kept and made readily available and be written in easy to understand English.

Refer to WHS Regulation 237.

Contact us

Visit: safework.sa.gov.au

Call: SafeWork Licensing Unit on 1300 365 255

Email: licensing.safework@sa.gov.au

Further information

SafeWork SA

Resources

Legislation

  • WHS Act 22 – Duties of PCBUs that design plant, substances or structures
  • WHS Regulation 213 – Maintenance and inspection of plant
  • WHS Regulation 225 – Scaffolds
  • WHS Regulation 237 – Records of plant
  • WHS Regulation 244 – Altered plant designs to be registered

Australian Standards

  • AS/NZS 1576: Scaffolding (Parts 1 – 4)
  • AS/NZS 1577: Scaffold decking components
  • AS 4100: Steel structures
  • AS/NZS 4576: Guidelines for Scaffolding

Codes of Practice

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