Inspection checklists

Note: WSH Council's 2025 guidance adds this check; the Regulations do not list it.

“After substantial alteration; or” Source: WSH Council — WSH Insights 23 January 2025: Working Safely with Metal Scaffolds (opens in new tab)

“upon completion of its construction, erection or installation, as the case may be;” Source: AGC (statute) — Workplace Safety and Health (Scaffolds) Regulations 2011 (opens in new tab)

“thereafter, at intervals of not more than 7 days immediately following the date of the last inspection by the scaffold supervisor; and” Source: AGC (statute) — Workplace Safety and Health (Scaffolds) Regulations 2011 (opens in new tab)

“after exposure to weather conditions likely to have affected its strength or stability or to have displaced any part.” Source: AGC (statute) — Workplace Safety and Health (Scaffolds) Regulations 2011 (opens in new tab)

Note: Also check: SS 659, the code of practice for scaffolds (SAGE does not hold it).

“80. SS 659: Code of practice for scaffolds 2020” Source: WSH Council — Workplace Safety and Health (Approved Codes of Practice) Notification 2025 (opens in new tab)

The scaffold is erected, altered and dismantled by an approved scaffold contractor, unless it is an excluded scaffold.

“No person shall construct, erect, install, re-position, alter, maintain, repair or dismantle any scaffold, not being an excluded scaffold, in any workplace unless he is an approved scaffold contractor.” Source: AGC (statute) — Workplace Safety and Health (Scaffolds) Regulations 2011 (opens in new tab)

Excluded scaffolds include one under 4 m high when complete, not counting its top-lift handrails, other than a suspended, hanging, cantilever or jib scaffold.

“a scaffold (other than a suspended scaffold, hanging scaffold or a scaffold erected on cantilever or jib supports) which, when completed and excluding the handrails and their supports at the uppermost lift of the scaffold, is less than 4 metres in height.” Source: AGC (statute) — Workplace Safety and Health (Scaffolds) Regulations 2011 (opens in new tab)

A scaffold supervisor is appointed and the work is done under their immediate supervision.

“It shall be the duty of the responsible person to appoint a scaffold supervisor before any construction, erection, installation, repositioning, alteration, maintenance, repair or dismantling of a scaffold in a workplace.” Source: AGC (statute) — Workplace Safety and Health (Scaffolds) Regulations 2011 (opens in new tab)

“except under the immediate supervision of a scaffold supervisor.” Source: AGC (statute) — Workplace Safety and Health (Scaffolds) Regulations 2011 (opens in new tab)

The scaffold is of sound material and adequate strength, free from visible defects.

“of sound material, good construction and adequate strength;” Source: AGC (statute) — Workplace Safety and Health (Scaffolds) Regulations 2011 (opens in new tab)

“free from patent defects; and” Source: AGC (statute) — Workplace Safety and Health (Scaffolds) Regulations 2011 (opens in new tab)

It stands on foundations of adequate strength, with no cavity under any sole plate.

“Every scaffold in a workplace shall be constructed, erected or installed on structures or foundations of adequate strength.” Source: AGC (statute) — Workplace Safety and Health (Scaffolds) Regulations 2011 (opens in new tab)

“There shall be no cavity under the sole plate immediately below any standard of a scaffold in a workplace.” Source: AGC (statute) — Workplace Safety and Health (Scaffolds) Regulations 2011 (opens in new tab)

There is at least one designated access point, clearly marked with a sign or label.

“every scaffold shall have at least one designated access point from which a person may gain access onto the scaffold.” Source: AGC (statute) — Workplace Safety and Health (Scaffolds) Regulations 2011 (opens in new tab)

“clearly marked with a sign or label; and” Source: AGC (statute) — Workplace Safety and Health (Scaffolds) Regulations 2011 (opens in new tab)

Work platforms are closely boarded and at least 500 mm wide, with any gap to the structure no more than 300 mm.

“be at least 500 millimeters wide; and” Source: AGC (statute) — Workplace Safety and Health (Scaffolds) Regulations 2011 (opens in new tab)

“be closely boarded, planked or decked;” Source: AGC (statute) — Workplace Safety and Health (Scaffolds) Regulations 2011 (opens in new tab)

“shall be as narrow as is reasonably practicable and shall not exceed 300 millimetres.” Source: AGC (statute) — Workplace Safety and Health (Scaffolds) Regulations 2011 (opens in new tab)

Where a fall of more than 2 m is possible: toe-boards at least 90 mm high and 2 or more guard-rails, the top one at least 1 m above the platform.

“Every side of a work platform or workplace from which a person is liable to fall more than 2 metres shall be provided with toeboards and 2 or more guard-rails.” Source: AGC (statute) — Workplace Safety and Health (Scaffolds) Regulations 2011 (opens in new tab)

“The uppermost guard-rail provided under paragraph (2) shall be at least one metre above the work platform” Source: AGC (statute) — Workplace Safety and Health (Scaffolds) Regulations 2011 (opens in new tab)

“The height of the toe-boards provided under paragraph (2) shall not be less than 90 millimetres.” Source: AGC (statute) — Workplace Safety and Health (Scaffolds) Regulations 2011 (opens in new tab)

Signboards show the maximum weight of tools and materials and the maximum number of persons on each bay.

“signboards stating the maximum permissible weight of tools and materials and the maximum number of persons permissible on each bay are prominently displayed at suitable locations on the scaffold in a workplace.” Source: AGC (statute) — Workplace Safety and Health (Scaffolds) Regulations 2011 (opens in new tab)

Material and debris that may endanger anyone are removed from the scaffold.

“to remove any material, including waste material or debris, from the scaffold which may endanger the safety of any person.” Source: AGC (statute) — Workplace Safety and Health (Scaffolds) Regulations 2011 (opens in new tab)

The scaffold supervisor inspects it on completion, then at intervals of no more than 7 days, and after weather that may have affected it.

“upon completion of its construction, erection or installation, as the case may be;” Source: AGC (statute) — Workplace Safety and Health (Scaffolds) Regulations 2011 (opens in new tab)

“thereafter, at intervals of not more than 7 days immediately following the date of the last inspection by the scaffold supervisor; and” Source: AGC (statute) — Workplace Safety and Health (Scaffolds) Regulations 2011 (opens in new tab)

“after exposure to weather conditions likely to have affected its strength or stability or to have displaced any part.” Source: AGC (statute) — Workplace Safety and Health (Scaffolds) Regulations 2011 (opens in new tab)

This inspection rule does not apply to a trestle scaffold, or to a scaffold from which no one can fall more than 2 m.

“a scaffold, from no part of which a person is liable to fall more than 2 metres.” Source: AGC (statute) — Workplace Safety and Health (Scaffolds) Regulations 2011 (opens in new tab)

“a trestle scaffold; or” Source: AGC (statute) — Workplace Safety and Health (Scaffolds) Regulations 2011 (opens in new tab)

Inspection results are entered in a register, kept at the workplace and shown to an inspector on request.

“enter the results of every inspection referred to in paragraph (1) into a register containing such details as may be required by the Commissioner; and” Source: AGC (statute) — Workplace Safety and Health (Scaffolds) Regulations 2011 (opens in new tab)

“keep the register referred to in paragraph (2) at the workplace; and” Source: AGC (statute) — Workplace Safety and Health (Scaffolds) Regulations 2011 (opens in new tab)

“produce the register for inspection upon request by an inspector.” Source: AGC (statute) — Workplace Safety and Health (Scaffolds) Regulations 2011 (opens in new tab)

After each inspection, a notice or label saying whether the scaffold is safe for use is displayed at every designated access point.

“display a notice or label indicating whether the scaffold is safe for use or otherwise.” Source: AGC (statute) — Workplace Safety and Health (Scaffolds) Regulations 2011 (opens in new tab)

“be displayed at every designated access point.” Source: AGC (statute) — Workplace Safety and Health (Scaffolds) Regulations 2011 (opens in new tab)

No one uses the scaffold unless the label at the access point says it is safe for use.

“the person does not use the scaffold unless a notice or label is displayed at the designated access point indicating that the scaffold is safe for use.” Source: AGC (statute) — Workplace Safety and Health (Scaffolds) Regulations 2011 (opens in new tab)

Damaged or weakened parts are repaired as soon as reasonably practicable; only the erector repairing it is allowed on it.

“Any scaffold, and any member or component thereof, that has been damaged or weakened shall be repaired as soon as is reasonably practicable.” Source: AGC (statute) — Workplace Safety and Health (Scaffolds) Regulations 2011 (opens in new tab)

“No person shall be permitted on a scaffold that is damaged or weakened except a scaffold erector who is carrying out the repair of the scaffold.” Source: AGC (statute) — Workplace Safety and Health (Scaffolds) Regulations 2011 (opens in new tab)

Inspect again after substantial alteration.

“After substantial alteration; or” Source: WSH Council — WSH Insights 23 January 2025: Working Safely with Metal Scaffolds (opens in new tab)

Metal scaffolds are secured to the building or structure with tiebacks.

“Use tiebacks to secure metal scaffolds to a building or structure.” Source: WSH Council — WSH Insights 23 January 2025: Working Safely with Metal Scaffolds (opens in new tab)

Barrier bars with warning signs stop workers falling into platform access openings.

“Install barrier bars with warning signs to prevent workers from falling into work platform access openings.” Source: WSH Council — WSH Insights 23 January 2025: Working Safely with Metal Scaffolds (opens in new tab)

Visible barricades protect metal scaffolds where vehicles move a lot.

“Install visible barricades at work areas with high vehicular movement to protect the metal scaffolds.” Source: WSH Council — WSH Insights 23 January 2025: Working Safely with Metal Scaffolds (opens in new tab)