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Safety when erecting and working from scaffolding

Every year, serious accidents occur in which construction workers fall from scaffolding. This risk applies to scaffold erectors who erect and dismantle the scaffolding as well as construction workers on the scaffolding working on a building.

The employer is responsible for ensuring that it is safe for employees to carry out
scaffolding work. For instance, you can improve safety by using fold-down railings or by erecting the scaffolding in a safe sequence. If this is not possible, you must use fall protection equipment with a fall line.

It is also important to have an appropriate access route up the scaffolding, and to ensure that the scaffolding decks are properly secured to prevent them from becoming displaced or tilting.

Read below about safety when erecting, dismantling or working from scaffolding.

Remember

  • Non-mobile scaffolding more than 2 metres high must be fitted with a sign stating the scaffolding class and the purpose of the scaffolding.
  • Only erect system scaffolding, e.g. facade scaffolding and scaffolding for bricklayers, higher than 3 metres if you have undergone special training or have received a letter of recognition of qualifications from the Danish Working Environment Authority (WEA). The employer is responsible for documenting that your qualifications have been approved by the Danish WEA.
  • Scaffolding must be erected according to safety and health legislation and the instructions for use from the manufacturer. The instructions for use from the manufacturer and any supplementary instructions for use must be kept at the site where the scaffolding is erected. The instructions for use must be available in Danish and in a language understood by the employees.

 

 

 

When carrying out roof work, install the scaffolding at the foot of the roof with a closed vertical and horizontal screen to prevent you from falling down. The vertical screen must be at least 1 metre high.

For roof work, secure the scaffolding to the facade at several places. This also applies when the scaffolding is covered in plastic and when fitting electric hoists or waste chutes to the scaffolding.

Adjust the distance between the wall and scaffolding to the work to be performed. E.g., for installing windows, the distance must be 10 to 15 cm. This also applies for plastering and smooth finishing.

The distance between the wall and scaffolding must never exceed 30 cm. If the distance is more than 30 cm, there must be internal railings.

If you want to be able to walk under the scaffolding, you need to set up a passage frame. Remember closed screen.

Only erect scaffolding on a firm and load-bearing base, and support blocks may not be higher than 20 cm

 

 


All scaffolding must have safe access routes, e.g. stairs or ladders.

Scaffolding must be reinforced, e.g. with diagonals.

Scaffolding decks placed at a height of 2 metres or more must always be fitted with full railings with hand, knee and foot rails.

Support with blocks may not exceed 20 cm.

 


When using rolling scaffolding, the scaffolding must be secured to prevent it from falling over. Always follow the instructions for use from the manufacturer, check the maximum height of the scaffolding and use support legs, for example.

Never carry anything in your hands when climbing up and down rolling scaffolding on vertical ladders.

 

 


 

Wheels on rolling scaffolding must have brakes
and must be secured from falling off.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read more about the regulations

Note that we have only highlighted the most important regulations on safety during
scaffolding work. Learn more about the regulations in the WEA Guidelines and Executive Order as well as the MANUAL – Working Environment for Building and Construction prepared by the Sector Council on OSH in the building and construction industry.

Responsibility of the scaffolding erector, WEA Guidelines. 2015 (in Danish)
Falls from heights when working on roofs, WEA Guidelines, 2014 (in Danish)
Fall protection, WEA Guidelines, 2007(in Danish)
Manual: Working Environment for Building and Construction (BFA Bygge & Anlæg)

Any questions?

Contact Arbejdstilsynet
The Danish Working Environment Authority (WEA)

Phone hours
Monday - Thursday: 8 - 15
Friday: 8 - 14

+45 70 12 12 88

Press 9 for English

at@at.dk