Cladding Installation at Height

Cladding installation involves fixing panels, rails, and insulation to the external face of buildings at height.
Workers operate from scaffolding, mast climbers, or MEWPs positioned at the building facade.
Cladding panels are large, flat, and lightweight, making them highly susceptible to wind loading.
Panels can act as sails when lifted by crane or handled at height, pulling workers off balance.
Falls from the outer edge of scaffolds during panel handling are a significant cause of fatality.
Manual handling of panels at height in awkward positions causes musculoskeletal injuries.
Insulation boards and membranes are combustible — fire risk during installation must be managed.
Cutting cladding materials generates dust, noise, and sharp offcuts that require controls.
The scaffold must be designed to accommodate the additional wind load from partially fixed panels.
Working over public areas requires netting, fans, or exclusion zones to protect pedestrians below.

Fall hazard	Handling large panels at the outer edge of scaffolds creates severe overbalancing and fall risks.
Wind effects	Cladding panels catch wind at height, making them uncontrollable and pulling workers from safe positions.
Fire risk	Combustible insulation and membrane materials on the scaffold create fire hazards during installation.

Do

Don't

Check wind speed before lifting or handling cladding panels at height
Use panel lifting equipment or vacuum lifters to reduce manual handling demands
Ensure scaffolds are designed for the additional wind load of partially fixed cladding
Wear a harness at leading edges where panel fixing exposes you beyond guardrails
Install debris netting or fans to protect the public below the working area
Store panels securely on the scaffold to prevent them being blown off in wind
Control fire risk from combustible insulation with hot works permits and fire watches
Use RPE and hearing protection when cutting cladding materials on the scaffold
Brief the team on the daily work plan, wind limits, and panel handling procedures
Inspect scaffold ties and fixings regularly as cladding changes the wind loading profile

DON'T handle large cladding panels at height in winds above the agreed limit
DON'T lean over scaffold guardrails to fix panels — reposition the platform instead
DON'T stack excessive quantities of panels on the scaffold beyond the design load
DON'T leave unfixed panels on the scaffold overnight where wind could dislodge them
DON'T cut cladding on the scaffold without dust extraction and hearing protection
DON'T store combustible insulation boards near hot works areas on the scaffold
DON'T work above the public without netting, fans, or exclusion zones in place
DON'T modify scaffold ties or bracing to accommodate cladding without scaffolder approval
DON'T allow panels to swing freely during crane lifts — use taglines for control
DON'T ignore changes in wind conditions during the shift — reassess and stop if needed

See also: External Cladding Installation | Scaffold Ties and Stability

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