TOWER AND MOBILE SCAFFOLDS

INFORMATION SHEET
1

Overview Manufacturers and suppliers must provide

information about how to use and erect
This Information Sheet provides advice for mobile scaffolds safely. If a scaffold is to
small businesses and workers on managing be altered contact the manufacturer or
the risks associated with tower and mobile supplier for guidance. Prefabricated mobile
scaffolds and related scaffolding work. scaffolds should be erected in accordance
with manufacturer’s specifications.
For further information see the:

„„ General guide for scaffolds and When do I need a high

scaffolding work
risk work licence?
„„ Guide to scaffolds and scaffolding
A licensed scaffolder is required
„„ Guide to suspended (swing stage) for the erection, alteration or dismantling of
scaffolds a tower or mobile scaffold where there is a
„„ Guide to scaffold inspection and risk that a person or object could fall more
maintenance, and than 4 metres from the platform or the
structure.
„„ Information Sheet: Scaffolding work
near overhead electric lines. This means that if a scaffold that is less than
4 metres in height is located adjacent to, for
example an excavation, a licensed scaffolder
Tower and mobile scaffolds may still be required (see Figure 2).
A tower scaffold is an independent scaffold
consisting of four vertical standards
FIGURE 2 Scaffold height, fall
connected longitudinally and transversely
distance and licensing requirements
or two frames in plan connected
transversely to create a scaffold of one bay.
It may also have an extra, short stabiliser
bay or outriggers to increase stability.

A mobile scaffold is a tower scaffold

mounted on wheels (see Figure 1).

FIGURE 1 Mobile scaffold

Often tower and mobile scaffolds will not

require a licensed scaffolder to erect or
dismantle them as there is no risk of a fall
greater than 4 metres. However, the work
should still be carried out by a competent
person.

For further information on licensing

requirements see the General guide
for scaffolds and scaffolding work.

978-1-74361-780-9 [Multi-Vol. Set]

Safe Work Australia Contact Information 978-1-74361-771-7 [PDF]
Phone 1300 551 832 | Email info@swa.gov.au | Web www.swa.gov.au 978-1-74361-772-4 [DOCX]
 TOWER AND MOBILE SCAFFOLDS INFORMATION SHEET

Control measures „„ Keep wheel brakes locked at all times

unless moving the scaffold.
The following control measures should be
considered for tower and mobile scaffolds: Work should not be done from tower or
mobile scaffolds located on balconies or
„„ Construct a tower scaffold with raised areas unless the scaffold is stable
modular, frame or tube and coupler and secure or fixed to the structure to
scaffolding. prevent movement.
„„ Locate a scaffold on firm level ground
with the feet or wheels properly Moving a scaffold
supported. Do not use loose bricks or
building blocks to take the weight of Before moving or relocating
the scaffold. Where adjustable wheels a scaffold check:
are used, the slope of the surface „„ there are no people or materials on
should not exceed 5 degrees. the scaffold
„„ The height of the scaffold—from the „„ there are no overhead electric lines
bottom of the scaffold to the platform or other overhead obstructions in the
surface—should be no greater than the line of travel
multiple of the minimum base dimension
as specified in the manufacturer, supplier „„ the ground is firm, level and there are
or designer information. no obstructions—contact with a small
obstruction can cause a mobile scaffold
„„ Reduce the height to base ratios or to overturn, and
provide extra support if the scaffold
will be: „„ that electrical equipment and leads
cannot become tangled with the
„„ sheeted or likely to be exposed
scaffold.
to strong winds
Never move the scaffold in windy
„„ loaded with heavy equipment
conditions.
or materials
„„ used to hoist heavy materials Scaffolds with components that are not
or support rubbish chutes, and permanently fixed or which are not rated
for lifting should only be moved in frames
„„ used for operations involving heavy
designed to lift individual components
or awkward equipment e.g. grit
e.g. stillage’s.
blasting or water-jetting.
„„ Use a secure internal ladder with a If lifting a scaffold by crane, prepare a lifting
protected opening e.g. a hinged trap plan outlining safe lifting points and how
door for entry and exit to and from loose components like base jacks should
the scaffold. be secured. Sling the scaffold at the point
most likely to maintain stability and prevent
„„ The internal ladder should be free dislodgment of scaffolding components.
of the supporting surface.
„„ Select the correct size and capacity The load should be slung by a licensed
wheels to support the total mass of dogger or rigger and manoeuvred in a
the dead and live loads of the scaffold. way that ensures the load remains stable.

„„ Use wheels that have the working A crane should not be used to lift
load limit (WLL) clearly marked. aluminium mobile scaffolds because
the scaffolding components may fail.
„„ Wheels should be locked before
erection continues. More information on scaffolds and
„„ Wheels with adjustable legs should be scaffolding is in:
used and adjusted to keep the platform
„„ AS 1576 (series): Scaffolding
level when the supporting structure is
at uneven or different heights. „„ AS 1577: Scaffold decking components,
and
„„ Include plan bracing at the base of
mobile scaffolds to provide greater „„ AS/NZS 4576: Guidelines for scaffolding.
stability.
For further information see the Safe Work
„„ Install guardrails, mid-rails and Australia website (www.swa.gov.au).
toeboards on working platforms.

JULY 2014