SA Scaffold Summary
SA Scaffold Summary
SA Scaffold Summary
Abu Abbas
th
7 Dec, 2018
For any suggestion, rectification, clarification or obtaining a copy of this material, contact on [email protected]
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About The Document:
This document contains the summarised information on scaffold requirements of Saudi Aramco. It is not an official
document of Saudi Aramco. Information is collected from latest available resources, on the purpose of “Easy To
Memorise”.
It is not solely designed for Scaffold Supervisor/Inspector Test, but may help in this regard. This document can
be utilised by HSE professionals, auditors and scaffold craftsman to improve on ground competency level.
References:
Unless not mentioned, the material is collected from;
G.I 8.001 “Safety Requirements For Scaffold” (issued on: 12/11/2016) {in this document, mentioned as “GI”}
Saudi Aramco Construction Safety Manual (revised on: 07/25/2017) {in this document, mentioned as “CSM”}
Saudi Aramco (SA) Scaffold Safety Handbook (revised: July 2003) {in this document, mentioned as “SASSH”}
Document History
The document will be updated if a change/update of SA standard is obtained, or on response for addition/rectification.
In case of any query, you can send Text or Audio message on given whatsapp number *
آپ دیئے گیئے واٹس ایپ نمبر پر تحریری یا صوتی (ٹیکسٹ یا آڈیو) پیغام بھیج سکتے ہیں،* کسی بھی سوال کی صورت میں
) ارسل رسالہ مكتوبة أو سمعیة (یفضل أن تكون باللغة اإلنجلیزیة،* اذا ایو سؤال
UNDERSTANDING GI
By Questions And Answers
1. Which GI governs/related-to scaffolding work?
Which is the GI for scaffolding work?
The GI 8.001
2. What GI 8.001 states?
What is mentioned in GI 8.001?
The GI 8.001, under the title of “Safety Requirements for Scaffold”, provide/states Minimum Administrative
Requirements for the safe design, erection, supervision, inspection, alteration, and dismantling of Stationary
and Mobile Scaffold with fixed platform heights.
This GI contains minimum administrative requirements for safe scaffold works in SA (Saudi Aramco) areas.
3. Where GI 8.001 is applicable/applied?
Applied to Scaffolds erected by contractors or SA department, anywhere in SA’s area of scope.
4. Who is the issuing authority/organization of GI 8.001?
“General Instruction Manual” 8.001 “Safety Requirements For Scaffold” is issued by Loss Prevention
Department of Saudi Aramco.
5. What is Scaffold Field Inspection Checklist?
It is a checklist with minimum requirements for field inspection of various types of Scaffolds.
6. What, Scaffold Inspector is supposed to do?
What are the Responsibilities of a Scaffold Inspector?
Identify Scaffold Hazards, Verify Compliance with applied standard (SA Standard) and Record Inspection Results.
7. Who is Scaffold Supervisor?
SA certified, full-time employee (of scaffold erector) having authority, training and experience necessary to
competently direct and do immediate supervision of craftsman, perform Scaffold work and also he verify
compliance with applicable standard.
SA Certified Person who is immediate supervisor of craftsman (workmen/scaffolders) performing erection,
altering or dismantling scaffold, as per applicable standard.
8. What is Scaffold Plan?
It is a scaffold design/layout package consists of drawings, design loads, scaffold material specifications and size,
manufacturer’s technical data for couplers and fittings and structural calculations required for “special
scaffolds” or when requested by SA for other Scaffolds.
9. What is a Scaffold Plan Completeness Check List?
It is a check list (SA Form 9613) for verifying completeness of information required for Scaffold Plan.
{This checklist shows all things need to be completed, when submitting “Scaffold Plan”}
10. When a Scaffold Plan Is Required?
“Scaffold Plan” is required for all scaffolds over 12.2m (40ft) in height, for all “Special Scaffolds” or for any other
scaffold as required by the Loss Prevention Department (LPD).
11. What is the purpose of Scaffold Tags?
Why Scaffold Tags are used?
What is the purpose of using Scaffold Tags?
Scaffold Tags are use to communicate with end user of the scaffold. Tags informs about the status of
scaffold to those, want to use scaffold, and all other having concern with job and/or site safety. By using
tags of different colours, it is made clear to all that a particular scaffold is complete and inspected (was safe
to use at time of inspection), need special requirements (i.e. of Full Body Harness) to use it or it is unsafe
and no one is allowed to use the scaffold (except scaffold craftsman).
Scaffold card are used to “indicate” the status of scaffold that it is safe to use or not, or can be used only
wearing and properly anchoring (tie-off) full body harness.
12. What are different Tags used in Saudi Aramco, and their SAP Material Numbers?
Describe/name different Tags used in Saudi Aramco:
Tags of Three different colours are used In Saudi Aramco Scaffold Tag System
Red Scaffold Tag, SAP Material # 1000123277 (also it is Holder for other Tags)
Green Scaffold Tag, SAP Material # 1000123290
Yellow Scaffold Tag, SAP Material # 1000123293
Erection
37. What should be checked before starting scaffolding erection?
The area should be checked (Job site should be surveyed) to mitigate/reduce potential hazard, such as
Debris, overhead power lines, electric cables, excavations, roads, etc.
For Scaffold requiring Scaffold Plan, ALPD reviewed Plan must be available.
Scaffold Material shall be checked for defects and to ensure that they meet all SA requirements.
38. Who should do site survey, before erecting Scaffold?
Proponent representative (i.e. work permit Issuer) and Scaffold Supervisor.
39. What should be done with material that is defective or does not comply with SA requirements?
Any material which is damaged, weakened or not meets the applicable codes and standards, shall be marked
with Bright Fluorescent Orange paint and immediately removed from SA properties.
Such material should be destroyed to make sure, it cannot be reused on any other SA facility or project site.
40. Who is responsible/authorise to give direction to erect, alter and dismantle Scaffold on SA site/project?
Scaffold Supervisor (employed by the Scaffold erector)
SA SCAFFOLD MEASUREMENTS
(As per SASSH & CSM)
General:
Hot Surface: Is the surface of a structure or equipment that is hotter than 70C (160F)
Work on scaffold, roof or other temporary elevated work areas, is not allowed during sustained winds of more
than 65 Kph (40 mph), storms and lightning
Every scaffold and scaffold component shall be capable of supporting without failure, its own weight (dead load)
and at least 4 times the maximum intended load (live load)(D + 4L)
Post (standard) shall be capable of supporting, without failure, four times all gravity loads (i.e. 4D+4L)
Light-duty scaffold supports; uniformly distributed maximum intended load of 120 Kg/m2 (1.2 kN/m2)(25
lb/ft2(PSF))
Medium-duty scaffold supports; uniformly distributed maximum intended load of 240 Kg/m2 (2.4 kN/m2)(50
lb/ft2)
Special-duty scaffold is designed to supports; uniformly distributed maximum intended loads of greater than
240 Kg/m2 (2.4 kN/m2)(50 lb/ft2)
Tubes and Fittings:
Testing:
Scaffold tubing shall be of 48.3 mm (1.9 in) nominal outer diameter
2 lengths, from 500 lengths are required to mechanically tested, as per ASTM A370 or EN 10002-1
Marking Requirements On Tubes:
The marking interval on the tube shall not exceed 1.5 m (5 ft)
Depth of embossed character shall be at least 0.2 mm (0.008 in)
Height of character shall ne minimum 4 mm (0.16 in)
Couplers And Fittings:
Applied loads (un-factored) on a coupler shall be less than 40 % of the rated SWL (to ensure a safety factor of 4)
Scaffold coupler shall be tightened to the torque as indicated by the manufacturer, preferable between 4 Kg-m
(40 N-m) (30 ft-lbs) and 8 Kg-m (80 N-m) (60 ft-lbs)
Safe working load (slip along the tube) of right-angle (double) coupler (EN74, Class A) is 6.3 kN (630 Kg)(1415 lb)
Safe working load (slip along the tube) of adjustable (swivel) coupler (EN74,Class A) is 5.3 kN (530 Kg)(1190 lb)
o Class B, of both couplers have SWL of 9.4 kN (940 Kg (2100 lb))
Bearer (putlog/single) coupler’s SWL (force to pull the tube axially out of the coupler) is 0.53 kN (53 Kg (120 lb))
End-to-end (sleeve) (type B) coupler’s SWL for Tension is 3.0 kN (300 Kg (675 lb)) and for Bending is 0.59 kN/m
(435 lb/ft (59 Kg)
Joint-pin SWL against Tension is 0 kN (it cannot withstand against tension load), however, it can withstand a
compression load of similar as a scaffold tube/post
Planks:
Solid sawn timber planks shall be of solid sawn timber, and may be either of following dimensions(size);
o 2 × 10 in, nominal
o 2 × 9 in, rough
o 38 mm × 225 mm, basic or
o 50 mm × 225 mm basic
LVL planks shall measure 38 mm (1 ½ in) thick by 225 mm (9 in) wide, or larger
LVL scaffold planks shall have an allowable span at least 1.8 m (6 ft) for the three-man concentrated load case
(as shown in Figure 2.10 of CSM & SASSH Table II.9.3)
Fabricated metal planks and platform span shall be able to support, without failure, the platform unit’s own
weight and at least 4 (four) times the 1-man and 2-man concentrated load case as shown in Figure 2.10 of CSM
Plank ends shall not be split more than 25 mm (1 in) without metal banding
Plank ends shall not be split over 300 mm (12 in), even with banding
Plank ends shall not be twisted from end-to-end or curled from side to side, more than 13 mm (½ in)
When height of a stack exceeds 20 planks, measures shall be taken to tie or bond succeeding layers
Foundation:
Timber sill (sole board); at least 225 mm (9 in) wide by 38 mm (1-½in) thick
Sill shall extend under two (2) posts, when not practicable, sill for one post shall be at least 765 mm (30 in) long
Size of base plate; 6 × 6 in (150 × 150 mm) and ¼ in (6 mm) thick
Screw jack shall not be adjusted to more than 2/3 of the total length of the threaded section
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Structure (Frame):
When a bearer is coupled to a supporting runner, the coupler (joint) shall be as close as possible to post, not in
access of 300 mm (12 in)
Bearers, including board bearers, shall extend at least 100 mm (4 in) beyond the centerline of runner and shall
provided full contact with the coupler
The lowest runners and bearers (base lift) shall be located approximately 150 mm (6 in) above the scaffold base
(except where this is not possible)
When end-to-end (sleeve) coupler is used for joints in runners or bearers, the joint shall not be located more
than 300 mm (12 in) from post
When runner bearer joint is more than 300 mm (12 in) from node point, runner or bearer can be joined by end-
to-end (sleeve) coupler and overlapped by 600 mm (24 in) tube, with equally spaced two adjustable (swivel)
couplers with each runner or bearer (minimum total 4 couplers), in this setup, joints shall not be located in
middle third of the runner or bearer span
Preferably, properly designed system scaffold should be used instead of tube and coupler construction for
scaffolds over 38 m (125 ft) tall
No lift height shall exceed 2 m (6.5 ft)
Light Duty:
Light duty tube and coupler scaffold can be of size; {Note 1}
o 1 m (3.25 ft) Transverse and 2.7 m (9 ft) longitudinal (maximum)
o 1.2 m (4 ft) Transverse and 2.4 m (8 ft) longitudinal (maximum)
The maximum uniformly distributed load on (each) working level shall be 120 Kg/m2 (1.2 kN/m2)(25 lb/ft2)
Scaffold of 38 m (125 ft), having 9 planked levels, at a time one (1) level can be used *
Scaffold of 38 m (125 ft), having 6 planked levels, two (2) levels can be used simultaneously (at a time) *
Scaffold of 28 m (91 ft), having 3 planked levels, all 3 (three) can be used at a single time *
* Crossing any one limit (number of planked or in-use levels, or height), scaffold will be classed Special Scaffold
Medium Duty:
Maximum allowed transverse post spacing is 1.2 m (4 ft) and maximum allowed longitudinal post spacing is 1.8
m (6 ft) {Note 1}
The maximum distributed load on (each) working level shall not exceed 240 Kg/m2 (2.4 kN/m2)(50 lb/ft2)
1 (one) board bearer (intermediate transom) shall be installed in each bay of every platform (planked) level
For scaffold of 38 m (125 ft) tall, having 7 planked levels, one (1) platform can be used at any single time *
For scaffold of 24 m (78 ft) tall, having 2 planked levels, both/two (2) can be used simultaneously (at any single
time/same time) *
* Crossing any one limit (number of planked or in-use levels, or height), scaffold will be classed Special Scaffold
Special Duty:
Any scaffold which is specially designed and constructed to carry maximum intended load greater than 240
Kg/m2 (2.4 kN/m2)(50 lb/ft2)
Platform:
Minimum headroom clearance for scaffold platforms and landing shall be 1.8 m (6 ft)
Minimum headroom clearance above walking/working surface, including stairways (except scaffold), shall be 2
m (6.5 ft)
The maximum deflection for platform unit shall not exceed 1/60th of the span length, when supporting any
concentrated or uniformly distributed maximum intended load
Securing of plank in platform, by fiber rope or wire lashing, clamped toeboard, or other equivalent means, is
especially important for planks of length less than 1.8 m (6 ft)
Ends of planks shall extend beyond the centerline of their end support bearer (transom) by at least 150 mm (6
in) {unless cleated or otherwise restrained by equivalent means}
End of planks shall not extended beyond the centerline of their end support bearer (transom), more than 300
mm (12 in)
Planks overlap shall occur only over supports (board bearers) and planks lap lengths shall not be less than 300
mm (12 in)
Scaffold platforms, landings, and walkways shall be at least 675 mm (27 in)(3 planks) wide, including during
scaffold erection, dismantling and alteration
Number of planks per 1 m transverse space will be 4, and in 1.2 m, 5 planks can be accumulated (in width)
Common Measurements
150 mm (15 cm) (6 in):
1. Minimum height of Riser, in temporary stairways
2. Minimum size of base plate (6 × 6 in)
3. Requirement for a plank ends to be extend (if not cleated), from centerline of their end support bearer
4. Base lift (kicker lift) height (except where this is not possible)
5. The requirement for welding bracket strap along the top edge of the strap (in two 3 in welds, minimum)
6. The size for spigot pin or sleeve, for guardrails uprights support in tank-builder(bracket scaffold) {when
safety pin (hair pin) is not used}
300 mm (30 cm) (12 in):
1. Sag allowed in horizontal (unloaded) lifeline, for every 10 m (33 ft) length between anchor points
2. Preferable space between rungs of portable ladder, stepladder, and job-made ladder (on center)
3. Height of bottom/first rung of ladder, from lower level
4. Maximum allowed split in plank ends, with banding
5. Maximum allowed planks extension (length), beyond the centerline of their end support bearer (transom)
6. Minimum planks overlap in platforms (except in bracket scaffold)
7. Minimum overlap of plywood on both sides of a gape, when used to cover gape of less than 2 ft.
8. Maximum distance for a brace attachment point, from node point
9. Overlap requirement for brace-tubes/bracing
10. Maximum allowed distance from post, for a bearer (end bearer/transom) to be attached with runner
11. Maximum allowed distance from post, for a bearer or runner joint made with end-to-end coupler
12. Width of a specified board, for tank-builder scaffold. (If Used, Not Mandatory)
600 mm (60 cm) (2 ft) (24 in):
1. Requirement for ladder or other means of access started with difference of elevation
2. Maximum width of a gape, which can be covered by a plywood
3. Minimum width of a gape, which need to be covered by cross planks
4. Size of tube used to overlap, abutted runner or barer, to make joint
5. Maximum size of trapeze tube
6. Approximate distance of a trapeze tube below/beneath the runner
760 mm (76 cm) (30 in):
1. Length of landing of temporary stairways (in direction of travel)
2. Minimum height of temporary stairways, when handrails are required to be installed
3. Clearance/distance required on the climbing side of a ladder
4. Maximum length of rung in job made ladder, which require 20 mm thickness and 95 mm width
5. Minimum length of sill/sole board (765 mm)
6. Maximum width of step-through opening in guardrail, when external ladder is used
7. Maximum distance of gin wheel from platform
1.8 m (6 ft):
1. When reached to this height from lower level, requirement of fall protection system starts/applicable/applied;
a. Guardrails are required on all open sides and ends of elevated platforms/work-areas, landings, ramps,
walkways
b. Toeboards shall be installed along all edges of elevated work areas
c. Scaffold erector have to anchor his lanyard, when not protected by guardrail
d. Lanyard shall be used and anchored (if possible) to a point where it can prevent worker from free fall of
more than 6 ft, when not protected by guardrail
e. When working from a ladder on height of 6 ft or more, worker need to keep one hand on ladder
continuously or use personal fall arrest system
2. Guardrail (rigid or wire rope) or use of personal fall restraint system is required, when working in 1.8 m of the
edge of a roof (flat or sloop)
3. From edge of roof, prohibited area to store material, If guardrail including toeboard is not installed
4. It is the maximum length of lanyard
5. Maximum free fall distance allowed while using shock absorber lanyard
6. Minimum headroom clearance for scaffold platform and landing
7. Planks of less than 6 ft, needs special importance in securing by toeboard, fiber rope, clamp or any other means
8. Maximum allowed longitudinal post spacing for medium-duty tube and coupler scaffold
TUBE SPECIFICATION
Table 4
Reference Specification
ASTM A 500, Grade B 290 N/mm (42 Ksi) (30 kg/mm2) minimum yield stress,
2
DISCRETIONARY NOTES
Note 1:
Larger post spacing may be used if justified (per section 9.8.1 of SASSH & per section 2.5.1 of CSM) by structural
calculations or load tests submitted for review per GI 8.100, along with material tensile/yield stress test reports
for the specific scaffold tubing to be used.
Note 2:
Longer spans for planks are allowed, when planks fulfill requirements of SASSH (section 9.8.1) and CSM (section
2.4.3) and literature/documents of manufacturer supports (mentioned in documents) longer spans and
identification mark of manufacturer is clearly marked/present on boards. However in wet applications (e.g.
offshore) span shall not be more than 1.5 m (5 ft).
Note 3:
If the ladder is installed in more degreed than 75 (4:1), it can still be used, but it’s side rails have to be clamped
(tied rigidly) from top, middle and bottom.
Note 4:
Required distance from excavation or trench (i.e. 1.5 times (×) the depth of excavation), can be reduce, if
precautionary measures are taken to prevent the collapse of the excavation and the integrity of the scaffold
foundation is ensured.
Note 5:
a) 3.2 m (10.5 ft) distance is allowed between bracket on their center, when 50 mm (2 in) thick by 300 mm (12 in)
wide “Douglas Fir” or “Southern Yellow Pine” of “Selected Structural Grade” or “Scaffold Grade” plank is used
and all other components are certified to meet requirements of 29 CFR 1926.450 (OSHA), Appendix A, Section 2
(z) “Tank Builder’s Scaffold”.
b) Guardrails and supporting uprights that are certified to meet 29 CFR 1926.450 (OSHA), Appendix A, Section 1 (d)
may be used for bracket scaffolds.
MEASURING UNITS
SI Units Of Length
Millimeter (mm) Centimeter (cm) Meter (m) Kilometer (km)
10 1
25.4 2.54
1000 100 1 0.100
1000 1
10 m = 1 dam (decameter) 10 dam = 1 hm (hectometer) (so 1 hm = 100 m)
1 km = 1000 m, 10 hm, 100 dam
Note 6:
When converting values from one system to another as from “mm” to “in” resulting number is not always a
“round number”, sometime this variation is removed to got an nearest round number so can be east to
remember or mention.