SCF/General/TBT-SCF-020

Suspended Scaffolds

Scaffolding › General › Suspended Scaffolds

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Suspended scaffolds hang from the building structure above using wire ropes, chains, or proprietary suspension systems.
They are used for facade work, painting, cladding, and maintenance where ground-based scaffolding is not practicable.
All suspended scaffolds must be designed by a structural engineer and erected by CISRS-qualified scaffolders.
The suspension points on the building structure must be verified for load capacity by a competent engineer.
Wire rope condition is critical — corrosion, broken wires, and kinking can cause catastrophic failure.
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 and BS EN 1808 set the requirements for suspended access platforms.
Workers on suspended scaffolds must wear a full body harness attached to an independent safety line.
Wind loading can cause dangerous swinging and impact against the building facade, injuring workers.
A thorough examination under LOLER is required before first use and every six months during service.
Overloading is a major risk — the safe working load must be clearly displayed and never exceeded.

Prevent fatal falls	Suspension system failure drops the scaffold and all workers on it — independent safety lines are the last defence.
Structural integrity	The building structure must support the full loaded weight — inadequate fixings cause the scaffold to detach.
Legal compliance	LOLER 1998, Work at Height Regulations 2005, and BS EN 1808 require design, inspection, and safe use controls.

Don't

Ensure the suspended scaffold is designed by a structural engineer with approved drawings
Verify suspension points are structurally adequate before loading the scaffold
Wear a full body harness attached to an independent safety line at all times
Check wire ropes for corrosion, broken wires, and kinking before every use
Display the safe working load clearly and never exceed it with workers or materials
Arrange LOLER thorough examination before first use and every six months thereafter
Use CISRS-qualified scaffolders for all erection, modification, and dismantling activities
Monitor wind conditions and stop work when swinging or impact risk becomes unsafe
Inspect all connections, clamps, and suspension hardware before each work shift begins
Brief all workers on the safe working load, harness use, and emergency lowering procedure

DON'T use a suspended scaffold without an approved structural design and load calculations
DON'T work on a suspended scaffold without a harness attached to an independent safety line
DON'T overload the platform beyond the displayed safe working load at any time
DON'T use wire ropes with visible corrosion, broken strands, or deformation
DON'T suspend the scaffold from building elements not verified for the required load
DON'T work in high winds that cause the platform to swing or impact the facade
DON'T modify or alter the scaffold without the designer and scaffolding contractor's approval
DON'T skip the LOLER thorough examination — it is a legal requirement before use
DON'T stand on guardrails or lean beyond the platform edge to reach the work face
DON'T store excessive materials on the platform — load it only for the immediate task

See also: Scaffold Safety Awareness | Harness and Lanyard Use

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