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Advanced Scaffolding (SA) practice questions

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Question 1Scaffolding planning and site assessment

When planning a scaffold, what is the primary purpose of a site survey before design begins?

  1. To fix the final hire cost of the scaffold components
  2. To confirm the number of operatives needed for erection
  3. To decide the color scheme of the scaffold boards
  4. To establish ground conditions, obstructions, and access constraints that drive the design Correct answer.

Explanation

A site survey gathers physical facts about the location: ground bearing capacity, slopes, buried services, overhead lines, adjacent structures, and access routes. These facts determine foundation type, tie strategy, and crane or delivery access, so they must be established before any design work starts. Cost, appearance, and labor numbers follow from the design rather than driving it.

Question 2Scaffolding planning and site assessment

A scaffold is to stand on made ground of unknown strength. Which planning action is most appropriate?

  1. Require ground investigation or a designed foundation with spreader beams Correct answer.
  2. Double the number of standards without changing the bases
  3. Erect the scaffold and monitor settlement weekly
  4. Assume a standard bearing value and proceed with base plates on the soil

Explanation

Foundations must be capable of transmitting the leg loads to the ground without exceeding its bearing capacity. Where ground strength is unknown, investigation or a designed foundation such as spreader beams or a raft is required. Assuming values or relying on observation after erection leaves the structure at risk of differential settlement and collapse.

Question 3Scaffolding planning and site assessment

Which document defines the scaffold's intended use, loading, and configuration before erection?

  1. The delivery note
  2. The material safety data sheet
  3. The operative's site induction card
  4. The scaffold design or specification Correct answer.

Explanation

The design or specification sets out the scaffold type, dimensions, loading class, ties, and foundations, and it is the reference for erection and inspection. Delivery notes, induction cards, and safety data sheets serve other purposes and do not define structural configuration.

Question 4Scaffolding planning and site assessment

A planned scaffold will stand beneath high-voltage overhead lines. What is the correct planning response?

  1. Erect the scaffold and rely on the lines being insulated
  2. Ask operatives to wear rubber gloves during erection
  3. Reduce the number of boards to lower the scaffold height
  4. Arrange isolation or diversion, or maintain the statutory safety distance Correct answer.

Explanation

Work near overhead lines requires either isolation or diversion of the supply, or strict maintenance of the designated safety distance, often with goalposts or barriers. The distance is set by the electricity supplier or regulations and cannot be replaced by informal measures. Rubber gloves and reduced board counts provide no protection against arcing.

Question 5Scaffolding planning and site assessment

What is the main reason for planning a scaffold tie pattern at the design stage rather than on site?

  1. Tie positions are chosen by the client
  2. Ties are only needed for scaffolds above ten meters
  3. Tie spacing depends on wind loading, height, and sheeted area, which must be calculated Correct answer.
  4. Ties are cheaper when ordered in bulk

Explanation

Ties resist wind and other horizontal forces, and their spacing and type depend on calculated wind loading, scaffold height, and whether sheeting is used. These are engineering decisions made at design stage. Bulk pricing, arbitrary height thresholds, and client preference do not govern tie design.

Question 6Scaffolding planning and site assessment

Before siting a mobile tower scaffold, which factor most directly determines whether outriggers are needed?

  1. The number of operatives on site
  2. The color of the toe boards
  3. The distance to the site canteen
  4. The height-to-base ratio and the platform loading Correct answer.

Explanation

Stability of a mobile tower depends on the ratio of height to the base dimension and on the load carried. When the ratio exceeds the manufacturer's limit, outriggers or ballast are required to widen the base or lower the center of gravity. The other factors have no influence on stability.

Question 7Scaffolding planning and site assessment

What does a loading class such as 'heavy duty' on a scaffold specification primarily communicate to the planner?

  1. The expected service life of the boards
  2. The maximum number of operatives allowed on the whole scaffold
  3. The uniformly distributed load the platform is designed to carry Correct answer.
  4. The wind speed the scaffold can withstand

Explanation

Loading classes define the uniformly distributed load, and often the concentrated load, that a working platform is designed to support. They allow the planner to match the scaffold to its intended use, such as light inspection work versus masonry. They do not specify wind resistance, service life, or total operative numbers.

Question 8Scaffolding planning and site assessment

A planner must position a scaffold next to a public footpath. Which control is most appropriate at the planning stage?

  1. Erecting the scaffold at night to avoid crowds
  2. A covered walkway or exclusion zone with barriers and signage Correct answer.
  3. Removing the toe boards to allow escape
  4. A note asking the public to be careful

Explanation

Where scaffolds adjoin public areas, planners must protect passers-by from falling materials and from the structure itself. A designed protective fan, covered walkway, or exclusion zone with barriers and signage achieves this. Warnings alone, timing tricks, and removing edge protection create rather than remove risk.

Question 9Scaffolding planning and site assessment

Which information is essential on a scaffold tag or handover record at the planning stage?

  1. The operative's home address
  2. The color of the scaffold tubes
  3. The name of the board supplier
  4. The date of the last inspection and the scaffold's status Correct answer.

Explanation

A handover or status tag records whether the scaffold is complete and safe to use, along with inspection dates and any restrictions. This lets users know the current condition and whether alterations have occurred. Supplier names, tube color, and personal addresses are irrelevant to safe use.

Question 10Scaffolding planning and site assessment

A scaffold must span over a vehicle access route. What planning measure protects the scaffold legs from impact?

  1. A wind sock on the highest standard
  2. Additional toe boards on the top lift
  3. Protection posts or goalposts with height restriction barriers Correct answer.
  4. Painted base plates

Explanation

Where vehicles pass close to standards, planners install protection posts, goalposts, or impact barriers and set a height restriction to keep traffic clear of the structure. These physical measures absorb or prevent impact. Paint, toe boards, and wind socks do not protect legs from vehicle strikes.

Question 11Scaffolding planning and site assessment

Why should the planner check for buried services before positioning scaffold standards?

  1. To choose the canteen menu
  2. To determine the scaffold's paint color
  3. To avoid damaging cables or pipes when base plates are loaded or ground anchors are installed Correct answer.
  4. To calculate the number of boards required

Explanation

Base plates concentrate load, and ground anchors or tie anchors penetrate the ground, both of which can damage buried cables or pipes and endanger workers. Service plans and cable avoidance tools identify these hazards during planning. Board counts, paint, and catering are unrelated to buried services.

Question 12Scaffolding planning and site assessment

A client wants a scaffold sheeted for weather protection on an exposed coastal site. What planning implication is most significant?

  1. Sheeting eliminates the need for foundations
  2. Sheeting allows the loading class to be increased
  3. Sheeting increases wind load, so tie design and anchoring must be recalculated Correct answer.
  4. Sheeting reduces wind load, so fewer ties are needed

Explanation

Sheeting or netting captures wind and greatly increases the horizontal force on the scaffold, so tie spacing, tie strength, and anchor capacity must be recalculated for the exposed location. Sheeting does not reduce wind load, remove foundation requirements, or permit a higher loading class.

Question 13Scaffolding planning and site assessment

What is the purpose of a scaffold register or drawing schedule kept on site?

  1. To record which operatives have taken breaks
  2. To list the hire company's shareholders
  3. To track the delivery vehicle mileage
  4. To provide a controlled reference for the design, alterations, and inspections Correct answer.

Explanation

A register or drawing schedule gives a controlled, current record of the design and any alterations, linked to inspection records. It allows anyone to verify the scaffold matches its design and that changes were authorized. Break records, shareholder lists, and mileage are unrelated to scaffold safety.

Question 14Scaffolding planning and site assessment

When planning access to a scaffold, what determines the maximum spacing between ladder access points?

  1. The color of the access ladder
  2. The distance the longest board can reach
  3. The travel distance and escape requirements set by the design and regulations Correct answer.
  4. The number of operatives on the site payroll

Explanation

Access points must be positioned so users can reach a platform within a reasonable travel distance and escape readily in an emergency, as set by the design and applicable rules. Board length, payroll numbers, and ladder color do not govern access spacing.

Question 15Scaffolding planning and site assessment

Which condition most strongly indicates that a designed scaffold rather than a standard configuration is required?

  1. The scaffold must bridge an opening or support a loading bay Correct answer.
  2. The scaffold is erected by a trained team
  3. The scaffold is rectangular and under ten meters high
  4. The scaffold uses steel tubes

Explanation

Bridging openings, supporting loading bays, or carrying unusual concentrated loads takes the scaffold outside standard tables and requires specific design. Simple rectangular scaffolds within standard limits, steel tubes, and trained teams are normal and do not by themselves demand design.

Question 16Scaffolding planning and site assessment

What is the primary role of the scaffold planner when coordinating with other trades on a shared site?

  1. To allocate scaffold use so that loading limits and alterations are controlled Correct answer.
  2. To sign off other trades' risk assessments
  3. To purchase materials for all trades
  4. To decide each trade's working hours

Explanation

The planner coordinates who uses the scaffold, for what, and within which loading limits, and controls any alterations so the structure stays within its design. Working hours, purchasing, and other trades' assessments remain the responsibility of those parties.

Question 17Scaffolding planning and site assessment

Why must the planner consider the sequence of erection and dismantling during site assessment?

  1. To ensure components can be handled safely and the structure remains stable at every stage Correct answer.
  2. To reduce the number of inspections
  3. To decide the scaffold's color
  4. To avoid the need for a design

Explanation

A scaffold is not fully stable until complete, so the erection and dismantling sequence must keep it stable at each stage and allow safe handling of components. This planning also identifies where partial ties or temporary bracing are needed. Color, inspection counts, and design exemptions are not outcomes of sequencing.

Question 18Scaffolding planning and site assessment

A planner is assessing ground that slopes across the scaffold footprint. What is the correct approach?

  1. Use longer tubes on the downhill side only
  2. Set base plates directly on the slope and rely on friction
  3. Level the ground, use adjustable bases within limits, or design a stepped foundation Correct answer.
  4. Ignore the slope if the scaffold is short

Explanation

Sloping ground causes uneven leg seating and possible sliding or differential settlement. The planner should level the ground, use adjustable base jacks within their extension limits, or design a stepped or built-up foundation. Relying on friction, ignoring the slope, or mixing tube lengths does not provide a sound base.

Question 19Scaffolding planning and site assessment

Which factor is most important when deciding the location of scaffold ties relative to openings and edges?

  1. The aesthetic alignment of ties with windows
  2. The ability of the supporting structure to resist the tie force at that point Correct answer.
  3. The number of boards on the lift
  4. The distance to the nearest ladder

Explanation

Ties transfer horizontal forces into the building, so they must be fixed where the structure can safely resist those forces, avoiding weak points such as unfilled openings or thin cladding. Aesthetics, ladder proximity, and board counts do not determine whether a tie anchorage is structurally adequate.

Question 20Scaffolding planning and site assessment

What is the purpose of a scaffold inspection schedule agreed at the planning stage?

  1. To determine the scaffold's hire period
  2. To replace the need for a handover certificate
  3. To set the wages of inspectors
  4. To ensure inspections occur at required intervals and after events such as alteration or severe weather Correct answer.

Explanation

An inspection schedule ensures the scaffold is checked before first use, at statutory intervals, and after alterations, impacts, or severe weather. It supports rather than replaces handover documentation. Hire periods and wages are commercial matters unrelated to inspection frequency.

Question 21Scaffolding planning and site assessment

A planner is told the scaffold will be struck and re-erected in a different position every few weeks. Which planning consideration becomes most important?

  1. Selecting a system that can be repeatedly erected safely with a documented sequence Correct answer.
  2. Choosing the cheapest possible boards
  3. Maximizing the scaffold height each time
  4. Avoiding all inspections to save time

Explanation

Frequent relocation favors a system scaffold with a repeatable, documented erection sequence and pre-planned foundations and tie options for each position. Cost-cutting on boards, maximizing height, and skipping inspections would undermine safety rather than support repeated use.

Question 22Scaffolding planning and site assessment

What does a 'tie test' during planning confirm about an anchorage?

  1. That the ladder is the correct length
  2. That the anchor can sustain the design tie load without pulling out Correct answer.
  3. That the base plates are painted
  4. That the scaffold boards are dry

Explanation

Tie testing verifies that the selected anchor and substrate can carry the design tie load with an adequate factor of safety. It addresses anchorage capacity only. Board dryness, ladder length, and base plate finish are unrelated to tie performance.

Question 23Scaffolding planning and site assessment

Why is it important to identify the scaffold's intended lifespan at the planning stage?

  1. To avoid the need for a design
  2. To decide the color of the scaffold
  3. To choose materials, protection, and inspection frequency suited to long-term exposure Correct answer.
  4. To reduce the number of operatives permanently

Explanation

Long-term scaffolds face greater exposure to weather and corrosion, so material selection, protective coatings, and inspection frequency must be planned accordingly. Lifespan does not determine color, remove the design requirement, or permanently reduce operative numbers.

Question 24Scaffolding planning and site assessment

During site assessment, a planner finds the only access route passes under a low bridge. What is the most relevant planning consequence?

  1. The scaffold color must change
  2. The scaffold must be taller
  3. The loading class must be increased
  4. Deliveries and plant may be restricted, affecting component size and erection method Correct answer.

Explanation

A height-restricted access route limits the size of vehicles and plant that can reach the site, which affects component lengths, delivery methods, and how the scaffold is erected. Color, loading class, and scaffold height are not determined by an access restriction.

Question 25Scaffolding planning and site assessment

What is the main purpose of a scaffold design brief prepared before detailed design?

  1. To replace the need for a site survey
  2. To set the final hire invoice amount
  3. To record the client's requirements, intended use, and site constraints for the designer Correct answer.
  4. To list the names of all site visitors

Explanation

A design brief captures what the scaffold must achieve, including intended use, loading, dimensions, and site constraints, so the designer works from correct requirements. It supports but does not replace the site survey. Invoices and visitor lists are unrelated to design input.

Question 26Scaffolding planning and site assessment

Which document should a planner consult first to confirm the maximum intended height of a scaffold at the planning stage?

  1. The waste transfer note
  2. The site induction attendance sheet
  3. The delivery driver's manifest
  4. The scaffold design brief or specification Correct answer.

Explanation

The design brief or specification defines the intended use, dimensions and loading of the scaffold, so it is the primary source for the planned height. Delivery and waste documents do not describe the structure's design intent.

Question 27Scaffolding planning and site assessment

What is the main purpose of a site survey carried out before scaffold planning is finalised?

  1. To establish the actual ground conditions and obstructions affecting the scaffold footprint Correct answer.
  2. To select the colour of the scaffold boards
  3. To decide which supplier will deliver the scaffold
  4. To calculate the wages for the erection crew

Explanation

A site survey records ground bearing capacity, slopes, buried services, overhead hazards and obstructions so the scaffold can be planned to suit real conditions. Commercial and cosmetic choices are not the purpose of the survey.

Question 28Scaffolding planning and site assessment

When planning a scaffold on made ground of unknown bearing capacity, which action is most appropriate?

  1. Assume the ground is adequate because the scaffold is only two lifts high
  2. Proceed and monitor for settlement after the scaffold is complete
  3. Place the standards directly on the surface and add extra ties
  4. Arrange for the ground to be assessed and, if needed, designed foundations or spreader arrangements Correct answer.

Explanation

Made ground of unknown capacity cannot be assumed to carry scaffold loads, so the planner should obtain a ground assessment and design suitable foundations or load-spreading. Monitoring after erection is too late because settlement can cause collapse.

Question 29Scaffolding planning and site assessment

A planner is assessing a site where the scaffold will stand adjacent to an excavation. Which planning measure is most important?

  1. Check that the excavation support and scaffold foundations are designed so loads do not affect each other Correct answer.
  2. Site the scaffold as far from the excavation as the site boundary allows
  3. Increase the number of scaffold boards on each lift
  4. Confirm the excavation is backfilled before any scaffold is planned

Explanation

Scaffold loads close to an excavation can impose surcharge on the excavation support and undermine the scaffold foundations, so both must be designed together. Simply moving the scaffold or adding boards does not address the interaction of loads.

Question 30Scaffolding planning and site assessment

Which overhead hazard must a planner identify when assessing where to position a scaffold?

  1. The number of pedestrian gates on the boundary
  2. The location of the site canteen
  3. The colour of the site fencing
  4. Overhead power lines and their safe clearance distances Correct answer.

Explanation

Overhead power lines present a serious risk of electric shock and arcing, so the planner must identify them and maintain safe clearance or arrange isolation. The other items are site logistics or cosmetic matters.

Question 31Scaffolding planning and site assessment

A planner is assessing a site where the scaffold will be exposed to wind from an open aspect. Which planning consideration is most relevant?

  1. The delivery schedule for scaffold boards
  2. The colour of the scaffold netting
  3. The number of operatives who will use the scaffold
  4. The wind loading on the scaffold and the need for additional ties or design checks Correct answer.

Explanation

Exposure to wind increases the loads on the scaffold, particularly when netting or sheeting is used, so the planner must ensure the design accounts for wind and that tying is adequate. Operative numbers and delivery schedules do not address wind loading.

Question 32Scaffolding planning and site assessment

What is the purpose of a scaffold handover certificate at the planning stage?

  1. To authorise payment to the scaffold contractor
  2. To list the names of all site visitors
  3. To confirm the scaffold will never need alteration
  4. To record that the scaffold has been erected to the design and is fit for its intended use Correct answer.

Explanation

A handover certificate is a formal record that the completed scaffold matches the design and is safe for its intended use. It is not a payment instrument and does not imply the scaffold will remain unchanged.

Question 33Scaffolding planning and site assessment

A planner is assessing a site where the scaffold must be erected over a public right of way. Which planning control is most appropriate?

  1. Close the right of way permanently without notice
  2. Arrange a suitable diversion or protected walkway and obtain any necessary permissions Correct answer.
  3. Ask the public to walk around the site without any formal control
  4. Erect the scaffold at night to avoid public contact

Explanation

Where a public right of way is affected, the planner must arrange a safe alternative route or protected walkway and secure the required permissions. Informal or unapproved closures are not acceptable controls.

Question 34Scaffolding planning and site assessment

Which factor most strongly indicates that a scaffold requires a design rather than a standard configuration?

  1. The scaffold is located on a level concrete slab
  2. The scaffold must support a loading that exceeds the standard configuration limits Correct answer.
  3. The scaffold is painted a non-standard colour
  4. The scaffold is erected by an experienced crew

Explanation

A standard configuration is only valid within defined limits of height, loading and geometry; exceeding those limits requires a design. Level ground and crew experience do not by themselves trigger a design.

Question 35Scaffolding planning and site assessment

When planning the location of scaffold ties, which principle should guide the planner?

  1. Ties should be fixed to any convenient temporary fence
  2. Ties should be omitted where they obstruct window access
  3. Ties should be distributed to suit the design and fixed to a structure capable of resisting the loads Correct answer.
  4. Ties should be placed only at the top of the scaffold

Explanation

Ties must be positioned as required by the design and anchored to a structure that can resist both tension and compression loads. Temporary fences and convenience cannot be relied upon for tie capacity.

Question 36Scaffolding planning and site assessment

What is the main purpose of agreeing a scaffold inspection schedule at the planning stage?

  1. To reduce the number of scaffold boards required
  2. To replace the need for a handover certificate
  3. To ensure inspections occur at defined intervals and after events that may affect stability Correct answer.
  4. To determine the colour of the scaffold tags

Explanation

An inspection schedule sets out when inspections will take place, including after bad weather or alterations, so that defects are found and corrected. It does not affect material quantities or replace handover records.

Question 37Scaffolding planning and site assessment

A planner is told that a scaffold will be struck and re-erected in a new position every few weeks. Which planning approach is most suitable?

  1. Avoid planning and rely on the crew to improvise
  2. Use a scaffold that cannot be dismantled
  3. Design a bespoke fixed scaffold for each position
  4. Select a system scaffold that can be reconfigured efficiently and plan for repeated surveys Correct answer.

Explanation

Frequent relocation favours a modular system that can be reconfigured quickly, with surveys repeated at each new position to confirm ground and obstructions. Bespoke fixed designs would be slow and costly for each move.

Question 38Scaffolding planning and site assessment

A planner is checking an anchorage for scaffold ties. What does a pull test primarily confirm?

  1. That the site office has been notified
  2. That the scaffold has been painted correctly
  3. That the anchorage can resist the design tie load Correct answer.
  4. That the scaffold boards are dry

Explanation

A pull test applies a known load to the anchorage to verify it can resist the design tie force. It does not test board condition, paint finish or communication.

Question 39Scaffolding planning and site assessment

Why is identifying the intended lifespan of a scaffold important at the planning stage?

  1. It decides the delivery route to site
  2. It determines the number of operatives needed for erection
  3. It influences the choice of materials, protection and inspection regime Correct answer.
  4. It sets the colour of the scaffold tags

Explanation

The planned duration affects decisions such as material durability, weather protection and how often inspections are needed. Erection labour, tag colour and delivery routes are separate matters.

Question 40Scaffolding planning and site assessment

During site assessment, a planner finds that the only access route passes under a low bridge. What is the most relevant planning implication?

  1. The scaffold must be erected at night
  2. The number of ties must be doubled
  3. Deliveries of long scaffold tubes and boards may be restricted, affecting the erection method Correct answer.
  4. The scaffold must be painted a lighter colour

Explanation

A low bridge limits the height of vehicles and loads that can pass, which may prevent delivery of long tubes and boards and require different erection methods. It does not directly affect paint, working hours or tie numbers.

Question 41Scaffolding planning and site assessment

A planner is assessing a site where the scaffold will be adjacent to a railway line. Which planning control is most important?

  1. Increasing the number of scaffold boards
  2. Agreeing possession arrangements and clearance requirements with the railway authority Correct answer.
  3. Erecting the scaffold without notifying the railway authority
  4. Ensuring the scaffold is painted yellow

Explanation

Work near a railway requires coordination with the railway authority to agree possessions, clearances and protection so that trains and workers are not endangered. Colour and board quantities do not address railway interface risks.

Question 42Scaffolding planning and site assessment

Which ground condition most directly reduces the stability of a scaffold founded on spreader plates?

  1. A firm, level concrete slab
  2. A slight slope that has been levelled with firm packing
  3. A dry, compacted gravel surface
  4. Soft ground that allows the spreader plates to settle unevenly Correct answer.

Explanation

Soft ground can allow individual spreader plates to settle at different rates, causing the scaffold to distort and lose stability. Firm, level or properly prepared surfaces provide reliable support.

Question 43Scaffolding planning and site assessment

A planner is assessing a site where the scaffold will be used by several trades at once. Which planning measure best manages the shared use?

  1. Allocate loading areas and access points by agreement and record them in the scaffold plan Correct answer.
  2. Remove all ties to improve access
  3. Prohibit any communication between trades
  4. Allow each trade to modify the scaffold as needed

Explanation

Shared use requires agreed loading limits, access points and protection so that one trade does not overload or damage the scaffold used by others. Uncontrolled modification or removal of ties would compromise safety.

Question 44Scaffolding planning and site assessment

Which document should the planner use to confirm that the scaffold design has been checked by a competent person?

  1. The site diary
  2. The delivery note
  3. The design calculations and check certificate Correct answer.
  4. The toolbox talk record

Explanation

Design calculations and a check certificate provide evidence that a competent person has verified the design. Site diaries, delivery notes and talk records do not verify structural design.

Question 45Scaffolding planning and site assessment

A planner is assessing a site where the scaffold will be close to overhead power lines that cannot be isolated. Which control is most appropriate?

  1. Paint the scaffold tubes a bright colour
  2. Erect the scaffold at night when lines are switched off
  3. Maintain the required safe clearance and use barriers or goalposts to prevent contact Correct answer.
  4. Ask operatives to be careful when handling tubes

Explanation

Where lines cannot be isolated, the planner must ensure safe clearance is maintained and physical barriers or goalposts prevent people and materials from approaching too close. Care and colour are not reliable controls.

Question 46Scaffolding planning and site assessment

What is the purpose of a scaffold register kept at the planning stage?

  1. To list scaffold users and their training records
  2. To record the weather forecast for the week
  3. To record the location, type and status of scaffolds on the site Correct answer.
  4. To list the names of delivery drivers

Explanation

A scaffold register identifies each scaffold on site, its type and its current status so that it can be managed and inspected. It is not a training, weather or delivery record.

Question 47Scaffolding planning and site assessment

When planning the erection sequence, why should the planner consider the position of the scaffold relative to overhead crane movements?

  1. To decide the colour of the crane
  2. To avoid collision between crane loads and the scaffold and to plan exclusion zones Correct answer.
  3. To reduce the number of scaffold boards
  4. To ensure the scaffold is painted before lifting

Explanation

Crane movements over or near a scaffold can cause collision or dropped-load hazards, so the planner should define exclusion zones and coordinate lifting. Paint, board quantities and crane colour are irrelevant to this risk.

Question 48Scaffolding planning and site assessment

A planner is assessing a site where the scaffold will be founded on a suspended concrete slab. Which planning check is most important?

  1. Confirm the slab is at least one metre thick
  2. Confirm the slab can carry the scaffold leg loads at the proposed positions Correct answer.
  3. Confirm the slab is painted a light colour
  4. Confirm the slab has no expansion joints

Explanation

A suspended slab has limited load capacity, so the planner must verify that the scaffold leg loads can be carried at the chosen positions, possibly using spreaders. Colour, joints and an arbitrary thickness do not confirm capacity.

Question 49Scaffolding planning and site assessment

Which factor should the planner consider when deciding the location of scaffold access ladders?

  1. The delivery date of the scaffold boards
  2. The colour of the ladder rungs
  3. The need for a safe, unobstructed route to each working platform Correct answer.
  4. The number of visitors expected on site

Explanation

Ladders must be positioned to give a safe and unobstructed route to each platform, with due regard to openings, edges and traffic routes. Colour, visitor numbers and delivery dates do not determine safe access location.

Question 50Scaffolding planning and site assessment

A planner is assessing a site where the scaffold will be exposed to potential vehicle impact at a loading bay. Which planning control is most appropriate?

  1. Ask drivers to sound their horns when reversing
  2. Reduce the number of ties to allow the scaffold to flex
  3. Paint the scaffold legs a bright colour only
  4. Install physical protection such as barriers or bollards around the scaffold legs Correct answer.

Explanation

Physical protection is the reliable control against vehicle impact; barriers or bollards absorb or deflect impact before it reaches the scaffold legs. Warnings and paint alone do not prevent collision.