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WORK @ HEIGHT:
SCAFFOLDING AND THE INSTITUTE FOR WORK AT HEIGHT (IWH)
The Scaffolding Chamber of the IWH has
been debating, pleading and working endless-
ly the past couple of years to make their voice
heard. During presentations to the board by
Mr Perry Todd, the then Chamber Chair for
Scaffolding of the IWH, the following issues
were brought to our attention:
1. Scaffolding is not recognised as a profes-
sional trade in South Africa (where as in-
ternationally, it is seen as a proper trade).
2. Scaffolders are hired from Labour Brokers
with “training certificates”. Many of these
certificates are forged and correct training
/ assessments have not been done.
3. No nationwide record scheme bares proof
of training and assessment.
4. Many training providers have little knowl-
edge of the correct training procedures in
the scaffolding industry.
5. Certified training authorities have given
incompetent scaffolding training providers
accreditation.
6. These training authorities also have very
little knowledge in the erection and inspec-
tion of access scaffolding
7. Due to a lack of competent training, safety
standards related to safe erection of scaf-
folding are not being adhered to.
8. There are many companies in SA that are
erecting unsafe scaffolding due to the ig-
norance of companies directors and the
end user. Scaffolding providers are contin-
uously erecting sub standard scaffolding.
It has created an opportunity for any em-
ployer to become a scaffolding provider.
9. Scaffolding material being used by many
companies is of a sub standard quality.
10. The wall thickness of a scaffold tube is not
according to SANS specifications and in-
sufficient maintenance is being carried out
on the scaffolding material.
11. Through the IWH, codes of conduct have
been formalised and guidance standards are
in the process of being drafted regarding:
• Training
• Technical
• Health & Safety
• Quality
• Contractual
The following explains the role of the Scaffold-
ing Chamber of the IWH:
The Scaffolding Chamber of the IWH Pro-
fessional Body represents the practitioners
involved in erecting, dismantling and using
access Scaffolding. Scaffolding is a tempo-
rary structure used to support people and
materials. It is usually a modular system of
steel tubes, although it can be manufactured
from other materials. The IWH PB Scaffolding
Chamber is focusing on Steel Scaffolding.
The following practitioners for the Steel
Scaffolding industry will get special recog-
nition from the IWH Professional Body. The
recognition will be in the format of a PERMIT
TO OPERATE, stating that this person is rec-
ognised by the IWH Prof Body.
(Training and assessment must be conduct-
ed by a SETA ETQA accredited and IWH Pro-
fessional Body recognised training provider)
SCAFFOLD GENERAL WORKER
The Scaffold General Worker is the person
responsible for providing assistance with
loading / offloading, carrying and stacking of
scaffolding material. They must have sound
knowledge of carrying / stacking techniques.
Criteria for obtaining recognition
To be recognised with the IWH Prof Body as
a Scaffold General Worker the permit holder
must comply with the following minimum re-
quirements:
Must have completed an IWH PB approved
LNQ Programme, and work for at least 6
months. Outcomes of this programme have
been set by the Steel Scaffolding Chamber.
Providers can submit their material for this
programme for it to be approved by the IWH.
FRANCE ELEVATEUR CUSTOMISES
TRAMWAY TRUCK
Egypt’s Alexandria Passenger Transport Au-
thority (APTA) took delivery of a tramway
maintenance truck from France Elevateur
during July this year.
It is one of two custom-made machines
ordered by the authority and mounted on an
1 800 kg GVW, MAN truck for the Alexandria
tramway. They feature a 3500 volt insulated
platform, which is 3000 mm in length and
2 200 mm wide. It has a 500 kg load capacity
and a working height of 8 m. Also supplied on
request, by the client is a Fassi F95A knuck-
le boom crane with a two person fibreglass
work basket, allowing the crane to double-up
as a crane and also a personnel lift.
ORION AND PALFINGER PROVIDE EYE IN
THE SKY
The London Eye has been one of the most
popular tourist attractions in the English
capital city since it was installed next to the
River Thames some 15 years ago.
At a height of 135 m, it offers wonderful
views of London from its rotating glass cap-
sules. Its size, however, also proves a chal-
lenge when it comes to maintenance, one
that Orion Access Services has overcome
with the help of two large Palfinger truck
mounts.
To avoid any interruption, the work took
place over three nights. A 61 m WT610 and
a 55 m P550 were used. The P550, from the
Palfinger Jumbo class NX, is particularly
suited to such tasks. The three-person crew
were lifted to 50 m to inspect and grease the
rear cables that lead to the main hub of the
London Eye.
While the WT610 was used in a straight
line to the top, the P550 used its flexible X- jib
to circumvent the wheel’s structural parts so
the workers could reach the required areas.
With acknowledgement to: Euan Youdale
CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS
DECEMBER 2015
20
Dr ALTI KRIEL (PBM) Manager