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Basic Scaffolding (SB) study materials
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Basic Scaffolding (SB) practice questions

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Question 1Scaffolding Terminology, Components, and Systems

In scaffolding terminology, what does the term "standard" refer to?

  1. A base plate distributing load
  2. A horizontal tube supporting the platform
  3. A diagonal brace resisting wind
  4. A vertical load-bearing tube Correct answer.

Explanation

A standard is the vertical member that carries the platform loads down to the base and ground. Horizontals and diagonals connect to standards but do not perform the same load-bearing function. Confusing standards with ledgers is a common source of erection errors.

Question 2Scaffolding Terminology, Components, and Systems

What is the primary function of a ledger in a tube-and-fitting scaffold?

  1. To tie the scaffold to the building
  2. To provide a toe board fixing point
  3. To support the platform and brace the standards horizontally Correct answer.
  4. To transfer load into the ground

Explanation

Ledgers are horizontal tubes fixed to standards at set lift heights. They carry the platform transoms or boards and brace the standards against horizontal movement. Ground load transfer is the job of base plates and the foundation.

Question 3Scaffolding Terminology, Components, and Systems

A scaffold platform board that spans between two supports is commonly called what?

  1. A reveal tie
  2. A putlog
  3. A transom
  4. A decking board Correct answer.

Explanation

Decking boards, also called platform boards or scaffold boards, form the working surface spanning between supports. Transoms are the横向 tubes that support those boards. Putlogs are a specific historical member type, not the board itself.

Question 4Scaffolding Terminology, Components, and Systems

What is the purpose of a sole board beneath a scaffold standard?

  1. To anchor the scaffold to the pavement
  2. To spread the leg load over a larger ground area Correct answer.
  3. To level the scaffold vertically
  4. To prevent the standard from rotating

Explanation

A sole board increases the bearing area under a base plate so the ground pressure stays within the soil's capacity. It does not plumb the scaffold or resist rotation. Anchoring is achieved by ties, not sole boards.

Question 5Scaffolding Terminology, Components, and Systems

In independent tied scaffold, what is the role of a scaffold tie?

  1. To support the inner edge of the platform
  2. To connect the scaffold to a stable structure and resist lateral movement Correct answer.
  3. To join two standards vertically
  4. To fix toe boards in position

Explanation

Ties anchor the scaffold to a building or other stable structure so wind and other lateral forces are transferred away. They are essential to the stability of independent tied scaffolds. Ties are not vertical joints or platform supports.

Question 6Scaffolding Terminology, Components, and Systems

Which member is installed specifically to resist wind and racking forces in a scaffold?

  1. A transom
  2. A base jack
  3. A ledger
  4. A diagonal brace Correct answer.

Explanation

Diagonal braces form triangulated panels that resist racking and wind loads. Ledgers and transoms are primarily horizontal load distributors. Base jacks adjust height and bear load but do not brace the frame.

Question 7Scaffolding Terminology, Components, and Systems

What does the term "lift" describe on a scaffold?

  1. The horizontal bay spacing
  2. The vertical distance between adjacent ledger levels Correct answer.
  3. The gap between the scaffold and the wall
  4. The total height of the scaffold

Explanation

A lift is the vertical spacing between one level of ledgers and the next, forming one working level. Total height is the overall scaffold dimension, not a lift. Bay spacing is the horizontal distance between standards.

Question 8Scaffolding Terminology, Components, and Systems

What is a putlog in traditional scaffolding?

  1. A coupler joining two tubes at right angles
  2. A horizontal member with a flattened end built into the wall Correct answer.
  3. A tie fixed into a window opening
  4. A short vertical prop under a beam

Explanation

Putlogs are horizontal members whose flattened ends are built into brickwork so the inner end of the platform is supported by the wall itself. This is the defining feature of putlog scaffold. They are not ties, props, or couplers.

Question 9Scaffolding Terminology, Components, and Systems

A scaffold erected inside a building to reach a high ceiling is best described by which term?

  1. Birdcage scaffold Correct answer.
  2. Mobile tower
  3. Cantilever scaffold
  4. Independent tied scaffold

Explanation

A birdcage scaffold is a grid of standards and ledgers standing on the floor to provide a working platform overhead, typically inside a building. Independent tied scaffolds rely on ties to a structure. Cantilever scaffolds project from a support and mobile towers are wheeled.

Question 10Scaffolding Terminology, Components, and Systems

What distinguishes a system scaffold from a tube-and-fitting scaffold?

  1. It relies on prefabricated frames or modular components with fixed connection points Correct answer.
  2. It is limited to a single lift height
  3. It uses only timber members
  4. It cannot be tied to a building

Explanation

System scaffolds use manufactured frames, rosettes, or wedge connections at predetermined node points. This speeds erection and standardises geometry compared with tube-and-fitting, where tubes are joined at any position with couplers. System scaffolds can still be tied and can reach multiple lifts.

Question 11Scaffolding Terminology, Components, and Systems

On a scaffold, what is the component called that connects a transom to a standard at 90 degrees?

  1. Swivel coupler
  2. Right-angle coupler Correct answer.
  3. Girder coupler
  4. Sleeve coupler

Explanation

A right-angle coupler, also called a double coupler, joins two tubes that meet at right angles, such as a transom to a standard. Swivel couplers allow tubes to meet at any angle. Sleeve couplers join tubes end to end.

Question 12Scaffolding Terminology, Components, and Systems

A scaffold is to be erected on soft ground. Which measure best addresses bearing capacity?

  1. Increase the number of toe boards
  2. Add more ties to the building
  3. Use larger sole boards and base plates under each standard Correct answer.
  4. Reduce the number of transoms

Explanation

Soft ground requires the leg load to be spread over a larger area so ground pressure stays below capacity. Larger sole boards and base plates achieve this. Toe boards, ties, and transom spacing address different concerns and do not increase bearing area.

Question 13Scaffolding Terminology, Components, and Systems

Why must a scaffold's reveal ties be positioned with care around window openings?

  1. They must be removed before the scaffold is loaded
  2. They must resist pull-out from the masonry around the opening Correct answer.
  3. They must always be placed above the platform
  4. They must be painted a contrasting colour

Explanation

Reveal ties bear against the sides of an opening and rely on the strength of the surrounding masonry to resist pull-out. If the masonry is weak or the tie is poorly seated, the tie can fail under wind uplift. Colour and height above the platform are not the governing concern.

Question 14Scaffolding Terminology, Components, and Systems

What is the purpose of a toe board on a working platform?

  1. To mark the maximum load
  2. To support the outer standard
  3. To prevent materials and tools from falling off the edge Correct answer.
  4. To stiffen the platform boards

Explanation

Toe boards form a low upstand at the platform edge that stops tools and materials sliding or being kicked off. They do not stiffen the boards or support standards. Load limits are communicated by signage, not toe boards.

Question 15Scaffolding Terminology, Components, and Systems

In scaffold measurement, what is a "bay"?

  1. The width of the platform from inner to outer standard
  2. The vertical distance between lifts
  3. The depth of a foundation pad
  4. The horizontal distance between adjacent standards along the scaffold Correct answer.

Explanation

A bay is the horizontal spacing between neighbouring standards measured along the face of the scaffold. Lift is the vertical equivalent. Platform width is measured across the scaffold, not along it.

Question 16Scaffolding Terminology, Components, and Systems

A cantilever scaffold is best suited to which situation?

  1. Bracing a trench during excavation
  2. Forming a free-standing tower for painting a lamp post
  3. Providing internal ceiling access in a warehouse
  4. Providing access where the ground cannot support standards below Correct answer.

Explanation

Cantilever scaffolds project from a supporting structure so the working platform can be provided where standards cannot be founded at ground level, for example over a railway or water. Interior ceiling access is normally a birdcage, and free-standing towers are a separate type.

Question 17Scaffolding Terminology, Components, and Systems

What does a "swivel coupler" allow that a right-angle coupler does not?

  1. Clamping to a steel beam flange
  2. Fixing a toe board to a standard
  3. Joining tubes end to end
  4. Connecting tubes at any angle in one plane Correct answer.

Explanation

A swivel coupler has two hinged halves that can be locked at any angle, so it is used for diagonal braces meeting standards or ledgers. A right-angle coupler is fixed at 90 degrees. End-to-end joining is the role of a sleeve coupler.

Question 18Scaffolding Terminology, Components, and Systems

Why is a base jack preferred over a fixed base plate on uneven ground?

  1. It removes the need for sole boards
  2. It provides lateral bracing
  3. It increases the scaffold's tie capacity
  4. It allows fine height adjustment to level the scaffold Correct answer.

Explanation

A base jack has a screw thread that lets the standard be raised or lowered slightly to achieve a level scaffold on uneven ground. It does not replace sole boards, which still spread load, and it does not brace or tie the scaffold.

Question 19Scaffolding Terminology, Components, and Systems

What is the function of a guard rail on a scaffold?

  1. To carry the weight of the platform boards
  2. To transfer wind load to the ties
  3. To provide a handhold and prevent falls from the platform edge Correct answer.
  4. To align the standards during erection

Explanation

Guard rails, also called handrails, form a barrier at the platform edge at a set height to prevent people falling. They are not primary load-bearing members and do not align standards. Wind load is transferred through the scaffold frame and ties.

Question 20Scaffolding Terminology, Components, and Systems

A scaffold's inner standards are set 300 mm from the wall face. Which term describes this dimension?

  1. The reveal gap Correct answer.
  2. The lift
  3. The toe board offset
  4. The bay

Explanation

The gap between the inner face of the scaffold and the structure is the reveal gap, sometimes called the gap to the wall. It affects how ties are installed and how the platform edge is protected. Lift and bay describe vertical and horizontal spacing respectively.

Question 21Scaffolding Terminology, Components, and Systems

Why are ledgers typically required at both the top and bottom of a lift on a tied independent scaffold?

  1. To allow the scaffold to be moved without dismantling
  2. To eliminate the need for ties
  3. To carry the platform and to brace the standards at each working level Correct answer.
  4. To reduce the number of standards needed

Explanation

Ledgers at each lift level support the transoms and platform while also bracing the standards horizontally. This combination is why lifts are defined by ledger levels. They do not remove the need for ties or allow relocation without dismantling.

Question 22Scaffolding Terminology, Components, and Systems

During a design check, a scaffold shows excessive sway under wind load despite adequate ties. Which member change most directly addresses racking?

  1. Increasing the number of toe boards
  2. Adding full-face diagonal bracing in the plane of the standards Correct answer.
  3. Increasing the platform board thickness
  4. Reducing the number of transoms

Explanation

Racking is lateral distortion of the frame, and it is controlled by triangulation. Adding diagonal bracing in the plane of the standards or ledgers creates stiff triangles that resist sway. Toe boards, board thickness, and transom count do not provide this triangulation.

Question 23Scaffolding Terminology, Components, and Systems

A tube-and-fitting scaffold uses a coupler to join two standards vertically end to end. Which coupler type is correct, and why?

  1. Swivel coupler, because it can be angled to suit the joint
  2. Sleeve coupler, because it aligns and joins tubes in line Correct answer.
  3. Girder coupler, because it grips the tube ends
  4. Right-angle coupler, because it locks the tubes at 90 degrees

Explanation

A sleeve coupler is a short tube that slips over both tube ends and is clamped to join them in line, which is the correct fitting for a vertical standard-to-standard joint. Right-angle and swivel couplers are for angled connections, and girder couplers clamp to beam flanges.

Question 24Scaffolding Terminology, Components, and Systems

A site proposes a free-standing tower scaffold for work at height. Which characteristic most affects its stability compared with a tied independent scaffold?

  1. The number of toe boards fitted
  2. The colour of the standards
  3. The type of platform board used
  4. The height-to-base ratio and the need for outriggers or ballast Correct answer.

Explanation

A free-standing tower has no ties to a structure, so its stability depends on a favourable height-to-base ratio and on outriggers or ballast to widen the effective base. Exceeding the ratio makes overturning likely. Colour, toe boards, and board type do not govern overturning stability.

Question 25Scaffolding Terminology, Components, and Systems

Why must putlogs not be relied upon where the supporting wall is of low-strength or hollow construction?

  1. Putlogs cannot be spaced closer than 3 m
  2. Putlogs require ties at every lift
  3. Putlogs transfer platform load into the wall, which may not have adequate local strength Correct answer.
  4. Putlogs are designed only for steel frames

Explanation

Putlogs bear on the masonry into which they are built, so the wall must be strong enough locally to carry the platform loads without crushing or pull-out. Weak or hollow blocks may fail under this concentrated load. Putlog spacing and tie requirements are separate design matters.

Question 26Scaffolding Terminology, Components, and Systems

What is the primary function of a standard in a tube-and-fitting scaffold?

  1. To brace the scaffold against wind forces
  2. To provide the walking surface for operatives
  3. To connect the scaffold to the building facade
  4. To carry the vertical loads down to the base Correct answer.

Explanation

A standard is the vertical tube that transfers the weight of the platform, live loads, and attached members down through the base to the ground or supporting structure. It is the main load-bearing column of the scaffold, and its spacing and plumbness govern the overall capacity of the structure.

Question 27Scaffolding Terminology, Components, and Systems

Which statement best describes a ledger on a scaffold?

  1. A vertical tube placed close to the building face
  2. A diagonal member that stiffens the scaffold against racking
  3. A short tube fixed to the wall to anchor the scaffold
  4. A horizontal member running parallel to the wall that supports the putlogs or transoms Correct answer.

Explanation

A ledger is a horizontal tube that runs along the length of the scaffold, parallel to the face of the building. It supports the transoms or putlogs and ties the standards together at each lift, contributing to the scaffold's overall stiffness.

Question 28Scaffolding Terminology, Components, and Systems

A scaffold is described as being 'independent'. Which feature defines this type?

  1. It is built from prefabricated frames rather than tubes
  2. It is erected only inside a building for internal works
  3. It stands clear of the building on its own standards and is tied back for stability Correct answer.
  4. It relies on the building wall to support one end of each putlog

Explanation

An independent scaffold has two rows of standards and stands clear of the structure, supporting its own platform on both sides. It is connected to the building by ties for stability but does not depend on the wall to carry the platform loads.

Question 29Scaffolding Terminology, Components, and Systems

An operative needs to join two ledgers end to end so they act as a continuous horizontal member. Which coupler is most appropriate?

  1. A base coupler
  2. A right-angle coupler
  3. A sleeve or joint pin coupler Correct answer.
  4. A swivel coupler

Explanation

A sleeve (joint pin) coupler is designed to connect two tubes end to end in line, allowing a continuous run of ledger or standard. Right-angle and swivel couplers are used where tubes cross or meet at an angle, not for in-line splicing.

Question 30Scaffolding Terminology, Components, and Systems

A designer specifies that a scaffold must have a 'kicker lift' at its base. What is the purpose of this member?

  1. To brace the bottom of the standards and prevent them from spreading or lifting Correct answer.
  2. To carry the toe boards at the top lift
  3. To provide an extra working platform at the lowest level
  4. To support the scaffold's ties to the building

Explanation

A kicker lift is a short lift formed at the base of the scaffold, typically with ledgers and bracing close to ground level. It restrains the feet of the standards, resisting spreading and helping to distribute loads and stiffen the lower portion of the structure.

Question 31Hazard Identification and Worksite Safety

Before any scaffold is erected on a site, which document should identify the hazards and describe the controls for the work?

  1. The site's written risk assessment for the scaffold activity Correct answer.
  2. The scaffold tag attached after the previous inspection
  3. The supplier's delivery note for the tube and fittings
  4. The payroll record showing qualified erectors

Explanation

Hazard identification is a planning duty, so the hazards of erection, use, alteration and dismantling must be assessed and the controls recorded before work begins. Delivery notes, tags and payroll records are administrative documents that do not analyse risk.

Question 32Hazard Identification and Worksite Safety

A scaffold is being built beside a public footpath. Which control best protects pedestrians from falling objects during erection?

  1. Taping a single warning line along the kerb
  2. Erecting a fan or debris netting and closing off the area below Correct answer.
  3. Scheduling erection for a quiet time of day
  4. Asking pedestrians to look up while passing the site

Explanation

The hierarchy of control requires physical barriers and catch fans or netting so that dropped items cannot reach people below, together with exclusion of the drop zone. Warnings and timing alone rely on human behaviour and do not stop a falling object.

Question 33Hazard Identification and Worksite Safety

What is the main purpose of a scaffold inspection tag fixed at the access point?

  1. To record the purchase price of the scaffold components
  2. To show the scaffold's current status and the date of the last inspection Correct answer.
  3. To certify that every worker on site is trained
  4. To authorise payment to the scaffold contractor

Explanation

A tag communicates the inspection state of the scaffold and when it was last checked, so users can tell whether it is safe to use. It is a communication aid and does not certify people, prices or payments.

Question 34Hazard Identification and Worksite Safety

Which ground condition is most likely to make a scaffold unsafe before erection even begins?

  1. Soft backfilled ground with no compaction or drainage Correct answer.
  2. Firm, level, drained ground with suitable sole plates
  3. Ground covered by a thin layer of clean gravel
  4. A paved surface with a slight fall away from the building

Explanation

Foundations must carry the leg loads without settlement, so loose backfill, poor drainage and lack of compaction are serious hazards. Firm, level and drained ground with proper sole plates spreads the load adequately.

Question 35Hazard Identification and Worksite Safety

A worker must reach a high fitting on a partly erected scaffold. What is the safest access method?

  1. Climbing the outside of the scaffold frame
  2. Being lifted on the forks of a forklift
  3. Standing on the guardrail to gain height
  4. Using a ladder or the designated internal access Correct answer.

Explanation

Access must be provided by a suitable ladder or stairway, ideally within the scaffold, so that workers keep three points of contact and do not destabilise the structure. Climbing the frame or guardrails and being lifted by plant are common causes of falls.

Question 36Hazard Identification and Worksite Safety

Which item of personal protective equipment is essential when erecting scaffolds at height where a fall cannot otherwise be prevented?

  1. A high-visibility vest worn over ordinary clothing
  2. Steel-toe boots alone
  3. Knee pads for kneeling on the platform
  4. A full body harness with a suitable lanyard and anchor point Correct answer.

Explanation

Where collective protection such as guardrails is not yet in place, fall arrest equipment must be used, and that means a full body harness correctly attached to a suitable anchor. Vests, knee pads and boots protect against other hazards but do not arrest a fall.

Question 37Hazard Identification and Worksite Safety

Which overhead hazard should be checked before erecting a scaffold in an open yard?

  1. The colour of the site office door
  2. Overhead power lines passing close to the proposed structure Correct answer.
  3. The number of parking spaces available
  4. The brand of cement stored nearby

Explanation

Overhead lines are a serious electrocution hazard because scaffold tubes are conductive and can be brought close to live conductors. The other items listed are unrelated to the physical hazards of the work area.

Question 38Hazard Identification and Worksite Safety

A mobile tower scaffold must be moved to a new position. What should happen first?

  1. The brakes are released and the tower is towed by a vehicle
  2. The tower is pushed slowly while workers remain on the platform
  3. Only the top guardrail is removed to reduce weight
  4. All workers and materials are removed before the tower is moved Correct answer.

Explanation

Mobile towers must never be moved with people or loose materials on the platform, because the tower can overturn or the occupants can fall. The tower is moved by pushing at the base with the castors unlocked only for the move.

Question 39Hazard Identification and Worksite Safety

During a site walk, an erector notices that a base plate is sitting on a loose brick instead of a sole plate. What is the correct immediate response?

  1. Note it in the diary and check again next week
  2. Stop work in that area and have the footing corrected Correct answer.
  3. Continue working and report it at the end of the shift
  4. Add a second loose brick to level the base plate

Explanation

An unstable foundation is an imminent danger of collapse, so work must stop and the footing be rebuilt on a proper sole plate before loading resumes. Deferring the report or adding more loose material makes the hazard worse.

Question 40Hazard Identification and Worksite Safety

Which factor most strongly determines the safe working load and configuration of a scaffold?

  1. The manufacturer's design and the intended duty classification Correct answer.
  2. The colour of the scaffold boards used
  3. The number of workers on site that day
  4. The distance from the site canteen

Explanation

Scaffolds are designed to a defined duty and configuration, so the manufacturer's design data and the intended use determine the loading limits. Board colour, headcount and site layout do not define structural capacity.

Question 41Hazard Identification and Worksite Safety

A load of bricks is stacked on a working platform. What is the main hazard this creates?

  1. The platform boards may become easier to inspect
  2. The bricks may change colour in sunlight
  3. The scaffold may be overloaded or become unstable Correct answer.
  4. The scaffold tag may need to be reprinted

Explanation

Platforms are rated for a defined duty, and concentrated or excessive material loads can exceed that rating, causing board failure or structural collapse. Materials should be distributed and kept within the stated load limit.

Question 42Hazard Identification and Worksite Safety

Why is it hazardous to leave scaffold boards projecting beyond the end of a platform?

  1. They may be struck or stepped on and tip, and they obstruct the access route Correct answer.
  2. They make the scaffold look untidy to the client
  3. They increase the resale value of the boards
  4. They reduce the amount of timber available for other jobs

Explanation

Overhanging boards can be knocked, trodden on or caught by loads, causing them to flip or the platform to be disturbed, and they block safe access. All boards should be secured and trimmed to the platform.

Question 43Hazard Identification and Worksite Safety

What is the primary hazard associated with a scaffold erected too close to an excavation?

  1. Faster drying of the scaffold boards
  2. Reduced visibility of the site entrance
  3. Increased noise levels near the excavation
  4. Loss of foundation support as the excavation edge gives way Correct answer.

Explanation

Legs bearing near an unsupported excavation edge can load the soil that would otherwise support the trench, leading to collapse of the edge and settlement of the scaffold. Foundations must be kept back from excavations or the ground supported.

Question 44Hazard Identification and Worksite Safety

Which practice best controls the risk of manual handling injury when moving scaffold tubes?

  1. Throwing tubes to a colleague on the platform above
  2. Dragging tubes along the ground by one end
  3. Carrying several tubes at once to reduce the number of trips
  4. Using two people or mechanical aids and keeping loads close to the body Correct answer.

Explanation

Tubes are long and heavy, so team lifting or mechanical aids reduce individual strain, and keeping the load close to the body lowers spinal loading. Carrying multiple tubes, dragging and throwing all increase the risk of musculoskeletal injury or being struck.

Question 45Hazard Identification and Worksite Safety

A scaffold is to be used by a trade that needs to store heavy materials on the platform. What should happen before that use begins?

  1. The materials are loaded first and the scaffold checked afterwards
  2. Nothing, provided the workers keep their tools tidy
  3. The tag is removed so the scaffold is treated as unclassified
  4. The duty rating is checked against the intended load and the scaffold adjusted if needed Correct answer.

Explanation

Different duties allow different loads, so the intended use must be matched to the design before loading begins and the scaffold upgraded if necessary. Loading first and checking later exposes workers to collapse.

Question 46Hazard Identification and Worksite Safety

Which condition on a scaffold platform should cause it to be taken out of service immediately?

  1. A tag that was printed on a different colour card
  2. A board with a small chalk mark on its edge
  3. A slightly scuffed paint finish on a standard
  4. A missing guardrail or a gap in the platform boards Correct answer.

Explanation

Missing guardrails or gaps in the platform are fall hazards that make the scaffold unsafe for use until repaired. Cosmetic marks, scuffs and card colours do not affect the structural or fall-protection integrity.

Question 47Hazard Identification and Worksite Safety

Why should the area beneath a scaffold be kept clear of stored materials during use?

  1. To make the site look more organised for visitors
  2. To prevent damage to the materials from rain
  3. To provide space for a site vehicle turning circle
  4. To reduce the risk of injury from falling objects and allow inspection access Correct answer.

Explanation

The drop zone beneath a scaffold is where falling tools and fittings land, so keeping it clear reduces struck-by injuries and allows the scaffold to be inspected. Appearance and vehicle movements are secondary considerations.

Question 48Hazard Identification and Worksite Safety

What is the main risk when a scaffold is erected on a slope without adjustment?

  1. The scaffold may be harder to paint
  2. The boards may become slippery when it rains
  3. The standards may not be vertical, causing eccentric loading and instability Correct answer.
  4. The inspection tag may fall off

Explanation

Standards must be vertical and bases must bear evenly, so erecting on a slope without levelling introduces eccentric loads and a tendency to overturn. Rain, paint and tags are not the primary structural concern.

Question 49Hazard Identification and Worksite Safety

A worker notices a scaffold standard has been struck by a site vehicle and is visibly bent. What is the correct action?

  1. Report it and stop using the scaffold until it is assessed and repaired Correct answer.
  2. Straighten it by hand and continue working
  3. Add a diagonal brace nearby and carry on
  4. Ignore it because the scaffold is still standing

Explanation

A bent standard has lost strength and may fail under load, so the scaffold must be taken out of service and assessed by a competent person before repair or reuse. Improvised bracing does not restore the damaged member.

Question 50Hazard Identification and Worksite Safety

Which environmental condition should trigger a reassessment of scaffold safety during the working day?

  1. The arrival of a delivery of hand tools
  2. A change from overcast to sunny weather
  3. A rise in the ambient temperature of a few degrees
  4. High winds that could destabilise sheeting or the structure Correct answer.

Explanation

High winds increase loads on the scaffold, especially where sheeting or netting is fitted, and can destabilise it or blow materials off. Weather changes of this kind require the scaffold to be checked and, if necessary, use suspended.