METAL SCAFFOLDING SAFETY – Introduction

1.1    This   Code   of   Practice   for   Metal   Scaffolding   Safety   is   issued   by   the Commissioner  for  Labour  under  Section  7A of  the  Factories  and  Industrial Undertakings Ordinance, Chapter 59. It provides practical guidance for the compliance with the requirements set out in Sections 6A & 6B of the Factories and  Industrial  Undertakings  Ordinance  and  the  requirements  of  the  Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations regarding the safety in metal scaffolding. In this Code, metal scaffolding refers to scaffolding with metal components as structural skeleton. The advice contained in this Code should not be regarded as exhausting those matters that need to be covered by the relevant safety legislation. Compliance with this Code of Practice does not confer immunity from relevant legal requirements.

1.2    This Code of Practice has a special legal status. Although failure to observe any provision of this Code is not itself an offence, that failure may be taken by a court in criminal proceedings as a relevant factor in determining whether or not a person has breached the relevant safety and health legislation under the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance.

1.3    Metal scaffolding can be used for different purposes in different construction activities. In Hong Kong, it is commonly used as the supporting scaffolding in a falsework system. Collapse of falsework due to reasons such as insufficient strength to carry the imposed loads or inadequacy in design and construction frequently occurs and has inflicted heavy casualties to workers working on it. In order to prevent collapse of falsework on construction sites, this Code of Practice also highlights good practices that have frequently been overlooked.

1.4    Section 5 of this Code of Practice has given technical guidance that should be followed in respect of metal scaffolding safety. If in any special situation where such requirements need to be modified, the stability and strength of the scaffolds should be justified by recognized engineering principles and national/ international standards or provisions so that equal or even higher safety standards can be achieved.

1.5   The statutory provisions summarized or referred to in this Code of Practice are

the provisions in force as at 1 January 2013.