Top five: SG28 Timber Frame Buildings
NASC has produced comprehensive guidance on Safe Systems of Work for scaffolders working with timber frame buildings. Here, Steve Kearney, Health & Safety Manager at NASC, highlights the five key messages to take away from the guidance.
- Timber frame scaffolds always require a bespoke scaffold design
- Timber frame scaffolds are not covered by TG20 or TG30
- A competent scaffolding designer must provide project-specific designs with calculations for every project.
- Scaffold stability is the critical risk during early construction
- The design must consider the risk of overturning
- Before the timber frame can provide support, scaffold stability must be achieved through measures such as kentledge, buttresses, rakers, stair towers, loading bays, or designed ties into timbers
- Collapse and overturning risks and required control measures must be in place and considered throughout all construction phases.
- Planning and coordination between all parties is essential
- Clients, principal designers, principal contractors, timber frame engineers, scaffold designers, and scaffold contractors must collaborate during the tender/pre-construction phase
- Design requirements, access arrangements, tie locations, lift heights, loading bays, and safe systems of work must be agreed before work starts.
- Fall prevention should prioritise collective protection
- In line with the Work at Height Regulations, collective measures such as guardrails take precedence over personal fall protection
- Scaffolders must work in compliance with SG4 Preventing falls in scaffolding operations
- NASC and Structural Timber Association (STA) recommend double internal guardrails on all lifts to protect scaffolders and timber frame installers.
- Safe access, inspection, and change control are mandatory
- Access and egress arrangements should be planned from the outset, with stair towers preferred over ladders where practicable (but note that it is the customer who ultimately decides on requirements based on their own risk assessment)
- Any design changes affecting scaffold stability must be reviewed by key people e.g. temporary works, the scaffolding designer
- RAMS, inspections, handovers, tie testing records, and other key documents must be maintained throughout the project lifecycle
