Category: Safety & quality
Prepared by Eng. Ahmed Fathy, Projects Manager ·
Definition
Scaffolding is a temporary structure of tubes, fittings and boards forming safe working platforms at height, for construction, external finishing and maintenance.
Why it matters on a project
Most serious site injuries are falls from height, and uninspected or incomplete scaffolds are a leading cause.
Measurement and pricing
Usually priced per square metre of facade for a set period, or as monthly hire.
Worked example
A facade 20 m long and 9 m high: scaffolding = 20 × 9 = 180 m² for the agreed period.
Common mistake
Using a scaffold without a valid inspection tag or without guardrails and toe boards.
Frequently asked questions
Who inspects the scaffold?
A competent person before first use, periodically, and after any alteration or high wind, with a tag fixed to it.
When is rope access an alternative?
On tall facades and short or scattered jobs, where scaffolding would be costly or slow to erect.
Related terms
- Permit to workWritten authorisation for hazardous work (hot work, work at height, confined spaces) under set conditions.
- PPEHelmet, high-visibility vest, safety boots, glasses, gloves and harness as the activity requires.
- Risk assessmentIdentifying hazards in each activity, estimating likelihood and severity and setting controls before work starts.
- Work at heightAny work where a person could fall from one level to a lower one.
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