SEC Training 1

Requires 1,600+ hours in the scaffold industry

This document provides safety guidelines, best practices, and technical information for the proper use and construction of scaffolding in the Canadian construction industry 

Safety Regulations and Responsibilities 

• Workers must follow OH&S standards, regulations, and best practices applicable to their jurisdiction 
• Employees have the right to refuse unsafe work and must report hazards to supervisors 

Hazard Identification and Control 

• Workers are responsible for recognizing, controlling, and eliminating site hazards like falling objects, obstructions, electrical, and environmental risks 
• Hazard assessments are ongoing, and control methods include engineering, substitution, administrative controls, and PPE 

Scaffold Standards and Manufacturer Guidelines 

• CSA standards govern scaffold use, safety, and inspection 
• Understanding manufacturer’s specifications ensures safe use of scaffold components and prevents injuries 

Training and Essential Skills 

• First-year scaffolder must complete safety training, hazard identification, and sitespecific instruction 
• Competency in safety procedures, tool use, and understanding the construction lifecycle is required for site work 

Incident Reporting and Notification Procedures 

• All safety-related events must be reported to OH&S, even without injuries 
• Responsible workers must notify their employer with incident location, site contact, details, and involved parties 

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Standards 

• Workers must wear approved PPE such as hard hats, safety eyewear, steel-toed footwear, and harnesses 
• PPE includes inspections, maintenance, and adherence to site-specific requirements, with responsibilities for personal safety 

First-Year Scaffolder PPE and Tool Use 

• Scaffolder must wear site attire including coveralls, gloves, and clean boots 
• Training in safe use of hand and power tools like hammers, levels, tape measures, and wrenches is mandatory 

Safety and Hazard Identification 

• Proper housekeeping involves cleaning and storing materials properly 
• Reporting hazards prevents future incidents and ensures safety compliance 

Scaffold Training and Competency Recording 

• Scaffolder must complete a training progress book documenting hours, skills, and competency grades 
• The record supports professional development and wage determination 

Basic Math Skills for Construction 

• Arithmetic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division are essential 
• Understanding order of operations and conversions between metric and imperial units is critical 

Scaffold Material and Measurement 

• Accurate measurement reading, including fractions on tape measures, is vital 
• Conversion charts assist in changing units between inches, centimeters, and weights 

Foundation and Support Systems 

• Foundations must support loads, with supports like mudsills, base plates, and screw-jacks 
• Ground conditions influence support choices; unstable terrain requires special preparation 

Ground Conditions and Terrain Adaptation 

• Soil, sloping, wet, frozen, or asphalt surfaces need specific support measures 
• Changes in terrain conditions may require excavation, leveling, or replacing materials 

Scaffold Stability and Ties 

• Height-to-base ratio determines stability; exceeding three times height needs stabilization 
• Ties, outriggers, and buttresses prevent leaning and collapse by anchoring scaffold to structures 

Scaffold Components and Compatibility 

• Components include frames, braces, pins, guardrails, and casters, often made of steel or aluminum 
• Compatibility is crucial; mixing parts from different manufacturers can cause hazards 

Scaffold Platforms and Load Ratings 

• Platforms are rated as light, medium, or heavy duty, supporting varying weights 
• Guardrails, toe boards, and access ladders ensure safety at heights 

Inspection and Maintenance of Platforms 

• Regular inspection for damage like warping, splits, or corrosion is mandatory 
• Damaged materials must be tagged and removed from service to prevent failure 

Scaffold Types and Construction 

• Frame scaffolds are common for square or level ground, used in construction and maintenance 
• Proper assembly involves creating stable configurations with compatible components and supports 

Scaffold Erection and Configuration 

• Proper planning involves understanding project height, footprint, loads, and access 
• Scaffold height is typically 153 m below work height; in this case, 3 m from ground 
• Width is usually no more than 152 m for stability; length depends on load and brace spacing 
• Base must be level on uneven surfaces using swivel screw-jacks and sills 

Scaffold Components and Equipment 

• Essential items include frames, cross-braces, decks, guardrails, toe boards, and base plates 
• Equipment list should be detailed, matching components to project needs 
• Proper inspection and securing of all parts are critical before use 

Scaffold Types and Applications 

• Frame scaffolds are versatile, using frames and braces for stability 
• System scaffolds are pre-engineered, suitable for limited access, irregular shapes, and heights over 15 m require engineering 
• Tube and coupler scaffolds are highly adaptable, ideal for complex or custom structures, and involve tubes, couplers, and bases 

Scaffold Assembly Procedures 

• Base lifts must be plumb, level, and square
• Cross-braces and guardrails are installed progressively to ensure stability 
• Multi-lift and multi-bay scaffolds require tie-ins, outriggers, and final inspections by a competent person 

Special Scaffold Structures 

• Bridging spans large obstructions; shoring supports structures during construction 
• Cantilevered scaffolds extend beyond support; suspended scaffolds hang from overhead structures 
• Bleachers are temporary seating; enclosures and hoarding protect against weather and debris 

Material Handling and Safety 

• Proper manual lifting techniques prevent back injuries 
• Knots like bowline and half hitch are essential for secure tie-ins 
• Material management emphasizes safe handling, ergonomic practices, and correct knot usage 

Knot Types and Rope Usage 

• Various knots like the overhand, wagoner’s hitch, and clove hitch are used for securing loads and attachments 
• Rope selection must match load requirements, with regular inspections for wear and damage 

Load Security and Safety Standards 

• Loads should be tightly secured before lifting, considering a 50% reduction in rope strength for knots 
• CSA standards specify maximum lifting weights: 27 kg (60 pounds) by hand, and loads must be properly secured during transport 

Hand Signals for Material Movement 

• Hand signals communicate instructions in noisy environments, such as indicating clamps, planks, or ladders 

Scaffold Dismantling Procedures 

• All scaffolds require inspection before dismantling; damaged parts must be tagged and replaced 
• Work areas must be kept clear, and components should be lowered with hoisting devices, not thrown 

Material Handling and Sequencing 

• Materials are loaded in reverse order for efficient unloading; last in, first out 
• Proper sequencing ensures scaffold stability and compliance with safety standards during erection and dismantling

Inspection, Tagging, and Housekeeping

• Scaffolds are inspected regularly; tags (green, yellow, red) indicate safety status 
• Maintaining a clean site reduces hazards and supports safety compliance throughout the project 

Final Notes 

• The focus is on safety, proper procedures, and adherence to standards for scaffold assembly and dismantling 
• First-year scaffolder is responsible for understanding these processes and participating under supervision 

Scaffold Types and Components 

• Includes supported, suspended, system, tower, and trestle scaffolds 
• Components like standards, transoms, braces, and planks are used 

Scaffold Accessories and Safety Devices 

• Features screens, toe boards, shackle, sheave, and tie-down straps 
• Safety devices include screw-jacks, snap-hooks, and tag lines

 Equipment and Material Specifications 

• Covers scaffold planks (wood, laminated, metal) and shoring layouts 
• Emphasizes equipment testing, stability, and load support standards