COURSE OVERVIEW:
Welcome to the Hazard Prevention & Control in Scaffolding Operations course. This training will provide you with the knowledge, practical procedures, and regulatory context required to identify, manage, and control hazards associated with scaffolding work.
Scaffolding operations are among the highest-risk activities in construction due to the potential for falls, structural collapse, electrical contact, and manual handling injuries. Effective hazard prevention not only protects lives but also ensures legal compliance, project continuity, and workforce confidence.
The course begins by emphasising the importance of hazard prevention in all scaffold-related activities. Participants will explore the most common causes of scaffold-related incidents—such as unstable ground, improper component use, or unprotected edges—and understand their role in preventing recurrence. Legal responsibilities under the Work Health and Safety Act and Regulations are reinforced, highlighting the duty of care for both workers and persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs).
Understanding risk profiles is essential for planning safe scaffold operations. This section explains how to identify high-risk scaffolding types such as cantilever, suspended, and hung systems, and how to distinguish between basic and advanced scaffolding tasks. Each phase of the scaffold lifecycle—erection, modification, and dismantling—presents unique risks that must be recognised and controlled accordingly.
Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) are a legal requirement for all high-risk scaffolding activities. Participants will learn how to review SWMS documents to identify task-specific hazards and confirm that all controls are in place. The importance of involving workers in reviewing and signing SWMS prior to commencement is a key compliance factor.
Before setup begins, the site must be assessed. This section teaches how to identify hazards such as poor ground conditions, overhead services, weather exposure, and conflicts with other trades. A thorough site assessment ensures the scaffold is not only structurally sound but also contextually safe in the broader site environment.
Equipment selection is fundamental to scaffold safety. Participants will learn how to inspect scaffold components—including standards, ledgers, baseplates, and platforms—for compliance with AS/NZS 1576 and check for damage, wear, or corrosion. Pre-assembly checks and proper handling during transport are critical to maintaining equipment integrity.
Scaffold erection must follow sequential and secure procedures. This section outlines the correct methods for installing base components, vertical and horizontal members, and diagonal bracing. Participants will be warned against shortcuts that can compromise structure stability and trained to follow engineered plans or manufacturer instructions.
Fall prevention systems must be in place throughout erection and use. This section covers the installation of guardrails, mid-rails, toe boards, and harness anchor points where required. The proper use of personal fall arrest systems, including harnesses and lanyards, is also detailed with emphasis on anchor point selection and training.
Preventing scaffold collapse is a matter of engineering and vigilance. Participants will learn how to calculate working load limits (WLL), avoid overstacking, and ensure that loads are distributed evenly across planks and platforms. Tie-ins, outriggers, and bracing systems must all be installed according to design to support the scaffold’s structural integrity.
Electrical hazards must be actively controlled. This section explains how to maintain minimum approach distances to overhead powerlines, identify hidden electrical services, and implement controls such as insulated barriers and exclusion zones. Communication with asset owners is essential before erecting near utilities.
Manual handling remains a high-risk task in scaffolding. Participants will be taught safe lifting techniques, how to use mechanical aids where available, and how to reduce repetitive strain injuries through task planning and load distribution. Heavy or awkward items must be lifted by teams or handled mechanically to prevent injury.
Safe access is a regulatory requirement. This section covers the installation of compliant access systems such as ladder bays and stair towers, ensuring they are free from obstruction, non-slip, and protected from unauthorised access. Correctly designed access points help prevent falls during entry and exit.
Environmental conditions can quickly increase risk. Participants will learn how to monitor wind, visibility, rain, and surface stability, and to pause work when thresholds are exceeded. After-hours or high-wind securing procedures are covered, along with protocols for re-inspection after weather events.
Monitoring scaffold use is an ongoing responsibility. This section outlines how to supervise scaffold behaviour on-site, prevent tampering or overloading, and conduct toolbox talks and spot checks to reinforce safe use and discourage unsafe practices like overreaching or edge climbing.
Scaffold inspection and maintenance must be routine and documented. Participants will learn how to conduct daily checks, inspections after weather changes or modifications, and pre-handover assessments. Tagging systems (e.g., red, yellow, green) help communicate scaffold status and identify when structures are safe to use.
Dismantling scaffolds requires just as much care as erection. This section explains how to follow a step-by-step dismantling sequence to maintain balance, prevent collapse, and control falling components. Exclusion zones must be maintained throughout the process to protect other workers and site users.
Incident response must be swift and effective. Participants will be trained in how to isolate unsafe scaffolds, initiate emergency procedures in case of collapse or fall, and report and investigate near misses or injuries. This section also explores how root cause analysis can prevent recurrence and improve controls.
Finally, building a safety culture ensures long-term success. Participants will explore how to encourage hazard reporting, recognise and reward safe behaviour, and foster open communication around risk. Continuous improvement, peer review, and structured feedback help raise standards and reduce incidents over time.
By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the hazard identification strategies, control measures, and regulatory knowledge required to ensure that scaffolding operations are carried out safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with Australian standards and WHS obligations.
Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:
1. Introduction to Hazard Prevention in Scaffolding Operations
- Importance of hazard control in scaffold-related work
- Overview of common incidents and causes in scaffolding activities
- Legal responsibilities under WHS legislation
2. Understanding Scaffolding Risk Profiles
- Identifying high-risk scaffolding tasks
- Differentiating between basic and advanced scaffolding risk categories
- Specific risks during erection, alteration, and dismantling
3. Reviewing Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS)
- Requirement for SWMS in scaffolding activities
- Identifying task-specific hazards and controls in documentation
- Ensuring SWMS is reviewed, understood, and signed by all personnel
4. Site Assessment and Hazard Identification Before Setup
- Reviewing ground conditions, overhead services, and access limitations
- Checking environmental risks: weather, lighting, traffic, and terrain
- Identifying interfaces with other trades or plant
5. Inspecting and Selecting Scaffolding Equipment
- Verifying compliance of scaffold components with AS/NZS 1576
- Inspecting ledgers, standards, base plates, and platforms for damage
- Managing storage, transport, and pre-assembly inspections
6. Erecting Scaffold Structures Safely
- Using sequential and secure erection methods
- Installing ties, braces, and base components correctly
- Avoiding shortcuts that lead to structural compromise
7. Controlling Fall Hazards During Erection and Use
- Implementing edge protection and fall prevention systems
- Installing guardrails, toe boards, and mid-rails during all stages
- Using harnesses and fall arrest systems where required
8. Preventing Scaffold Collapse and Overload
- Calculating load limits and working load ratings (WLL)
- Distributing loads evenly and avoiding overstacking of materials
- Ensuring all connections and ties meet required configurations
9. Managing Electrical and Overhead Service Hazards
- Maintaining exclusion zones from powerlines (based on voltage)
- Identifying hidden electrical risks and communicating with asset owners
- Using insulated barriers and signage as control measures
10. Managing Manual Handling and Ergonomic Risks
- Lifting scaffold components safely using correct technique
- Using lifting aids or mechanical assistance for heavy materials
- Minimising repetitive strain through job rotation and planning
11. Establishing Access and Egress Controls
- Installing compliant stair towers or ladder bays
- Ensuring access points are unobstructed and non-slip
- Preventing unauthorised use through signage and physical control
12. Managing Environmental Conditions During Work
- Monitoring for wind speeds, wet surfaces, or poor visibility
- Securing scaffold in high-wind areas or after-hours
- Suspending work when conditions exceed safe limits
13. Monitoring Scaffold Use and Behaviour Onsite
- Supervising proper use of scaffold by workers
- Preventing tampering, overreaching, or misuse of platforms
- Reinforcing compliance through toolbox talks and spot checks
14. Routine Scaffold Inspection and Maintenance
- Conducting inspections: daily, post-weather, and pre-handover
- Logging inspection results and defect reports
- Tagging systems for scaffold status
15. Dismantling Scaffolds with Safety Controls
- Following correct dismantling sequence to maintain stability
- Removing components carefully to prevent falling debris
- Maintaining exclusion zones during dismantling process
16. Responding to Scaffold-Related Incidents or Near Misses
- Isolating and reporting unsafe scaffold structures
- Initiating emergency protocols for collapse, fall, or injury
- Investigating root causes and updating control measures
17. Promoting a Safety Culture in Scaffolding Teams
- Encouraging hazard reporting and near-miss discussions
- Recognising safe behaviours and team compliance
- Reinforcing continuous improvement through reviews and feedback
COURSE DURATION:
The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.
COURSE DELIVERY:
Purchase and download course content.
ASSESSMENT:
A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.
CERTIFICATION:
Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.