Temporary Work Platforms

Awareness of Hazards

Heights and voids (e.g., excavations) are features of the working environment that increase the risks of work activities. Objects falling from height can injure workers below. TWPs can be a safe option for reaching high work. However, injuries often occur when TWPs are incorrectly constructed or used.

Understanding Risks

The severity of an injury depends on the fall distance and the impact surface (i.e., landing on objects). Short falls cause most serious injuries. Event likelihood depends on the design, build and correct use:

• Guardrails (incl. mid rails and toe boards) where there is a risk of a fall.
• Constructed by a competent person.
• Assembled from appropriate components or materials.
• Firm level ground and sole boards used on soft ground.
• Support workers, material, and plant required.
• Never piggyback TWPs on other platforms.
• Never use TWPs near to leading edges, step downs or voids.

Environment factors: Surfaces, dust, rubbish, debris, heat, moisture. Human factors: Decision making and health contributors. Organisational factors: Scheduling, planning, resourcing, training, culture. Safe behaviours are ensuring only competent people erect TWPs and checking the certification and condition. Unsafe behaviours are using as TWPs incorrectly or unauthorised interference with constructed TWPs.

Eliminate or Minimise Risks

Risk controls focus on either the hazard or the behaviour of workers and others.

Eliminate the hazard. Pre-fabricate/perform work at ground level.

Site management of equipment, rubbish, dust, and debris. Never piggyback TWP’s on other platforms.

Substitute the hazard. Mobile elevated work platforms. Scaffolding. Harness and work positioning systems.

Isolate the hazard. Guardrails (incl. mid rails and toe boards). Isolation zones around work platforms.

Use engineered modifications. Lighting. Sole boards used on soft ground.

Focusing on human behaviours include:

Administration of safe systems of work. TWPs constructed by a competent person. Checks, certs and audits. AS/NZS Standards. Permit to work system for step ladders.

Personal protection equipment (PPE). Hardhats, footwear, and gloves.