SCF/General/TBT-SCF-007

Scaffold Foundation and Base Plates

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The foundation is the most critical element of any scaffold — failure causes complete collapse.
Base plates spread the load from scaffold standards onto the supporting surface below.
The ground or surface must support the full design load of the scaffold.
Sole boards distribute loads further on soft ground, tarmac, or yielding surfaces.
Standards must be set on base plates — never placed directly on bricks or blocks.
TG20 guidance provides scaffold foundation requirements for standard configurations.
Scaffold foundations must be inspected before loading and after adverse weather.
Settlement of one standard can cause progressive collapse of the entire structure.
On paved areas, the underlying ground condition must be assessed, not just the surface.
Scaffold on suspended slabs or roofs requires structural checks on the support.

Prevent collapse	Foundation failure is the primary cause of catastrophic scaffold collapses.
Load distribution	Inadequate base plates cause point loading and ground failure.
Legal requirement	Work at Height Regulations require scaffolds on suitable foundations.
Progressive failure	One settling standard creates uneven loading bringing down the scaffold.

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See also: Scaffold Safety Awareness | Scaffold Inspection and Tagging

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