Requirements for working platforms

In Schedule 3, “supporting structure” means any structure used for the purpose of supporting a working platform and includes any scaffolding, or plant, used for that purpose. This schedule covers (Regulation 27(2)(b)).

Condition of surfaces, a surface on which a supporting structure rests must be stable, of sufficient strength and of suitable composition safely to support the supporting structure, the working platform and any loading intended to be placed on the working platform.

Any supporting structure must:-

• Be of sufficient strength and rigidity, and otherwise suitable, for the purpose for which it is used
  • if it is a wheeled structure, be prevented by appropriate devices from moving inadvertently during work at height
  • it is not a wheeled structure, be prevented from slipping by secure attachment to the bearing surface or to another structure, provision of an effective anti-slip device or by other means of equivalent effectiveness
• Be stable while being erected, used, altered, modified or dismantled.

In regard to stability a working platform must:-

• Be of sufficient strength and rigidity, and otherwise suitable, for the purpose for which it is used
• Be so erected and used as to ensure that its components do not become accidentally displaced in such a way as to endanger any person
• Be stable while being used
• Not be dismantled in such a way as to present a risk of accidental displacement

In regard to safety a working platform must:-

• Be of sufficient dimensions:-
  • to permit the safe passage of persons that are to work on it
  • to permit the safe use of the relevant plant and materials, and
  • to provide a safe working area for the relevant work

• Have a suitable surface and, in particular, a surface that has no gap:-
  • through which a person could fall
  • through which any material or object could fall and injure a person, or
  • that could give rise to any other risk to any person, unless measures have been taken to control the risk

• Be so erected used and maintained as to control the risk that a person:-
  • slip or trip on it
  • be caught between it and any adjacent structure.

In regard to loading a working platform and any supporting structure must not be loaded so as to give rise to a risk of collapse or to any deformation that could affect its safe use.