Why is edge protection important?

Falls from heights are a major hazard which has caused injury and/or death of workers. Unprotected edges are one of the most common hazards which contribute to falls from height and as height increases, so does the risk of serious injury. Edge protection must be provided at every open edge of a work platform or scaffold platform to prevent both workers and materials from falling. It's imperative you get the safest height safety solution for your residential construction project on the Gold Coast, Brisbane or Northern NSW with correct installation methods and risk control measures to minimise key risk factors and workplace accidents.

What are the benefits of using a hang-on platform?

Cost effective protection for workers. Keeps the building site clear of scaffolding allowing unimpeded ground access. Reducing delays construction due to bad weather conditions. Allows for earlier roof installation. Allows sub-trades to complete wall installations earlier in the project. Speeds up the overall construction timeline. Allows roof trusses to be stood safely while building. Saves on scaffolding and safety hire costs because hang-on platforms are generally only needed for the later stages of a project.

What is a hang-on platform?

Hang-on platforms (also called hang on scaffolds) are designed to provide safe roof access for builders. They are often used an alternative to scaffolding or roof safety rails because they can: Speed up the construction process. Be quicker to install and remove. Eliminate the need for ground-up scaffolding. Reduce labour and hire costs. Best installed on timber frames, steel frames and concrete tilt slabs.

Can I erect my own scaffolding?

You can erect your own scaffolding tower as long as it is under 4m in height. Workcover/Worksafe regulation applies to any structure above this height We do not recommend that you attempt to erect a scaffold on your own. Working at heights poses significant risks to those working on the scaffold and those on the ground. Keeping people safe is too important to risk making the erection of scaffolding a DIY project.

Does CanDo offer any other roof edge protection products?

Yes - CanDo offers a comprehensive range of temporary roof edge protection systems. Our roof safety systems cater for various types of roof construction with a large range of mounting brackets: Under Eave Top Plate Tile Gable Re-Roof Pole System Tilt Slab Our customers have access to a wide range of options to suit all residential roofing projects. We can also provide edge protection scaffolding for commercial projects.

Are mobile scaffold towers safe?

Yes, when mobile scaffold towers are set up and used correctly they are a very safe structure. A scaffold tower is a self-supporting, highly rigid structure. These towers are designed for use on jobs where height is the fundamental requirement. Scaffold towers offer resistance against slips and provide more room to move about freely while you work. With the ability to accommodate the worker, their materials and tools, scaffold towers have become a popular choice amongst workers.

What height is edge protection required?

As stated in OSH Regulations, edge protection scaffolding must be installed if any person on a worksite is at risk of falling 2 metres or more from a flat edge such as scaffolds, stairs, landings etc. If workers are on something other than a flat edge such as a roof, roof truss or ladder, then only heights of 3 metres and above require edge protection to be installed.

What is edge protection designed for?

Temporary roof edge protection is designed to prevent a person falling from height to a lower level. Guardrails, handrails, safety rails and scaffolding are erected to create a barrier around the roof of a building to prevent a person or materials from falling.

Where shouldn't a mobile scaffold be used?

A mobile scaffold must be used only on a hard, level surface. It also must not be located within 1m to any slab edge, penetration or stepdown unless a fixed fence / rail / roof edge protection / void protection platform is in place.

Everything you need to know about scaffolding

Scaffolding is an essential part of safe construction and demolition. It ensures both efficiency and worker’s safety whenever a construction, building or renovation project is taking place.

Additionally, scaffolding plays a major role in preventing and minimising the risks of falls and injuries in any job required at a certain height. This can include painting or window cleaning as well.

To help you fully understand this temporary structure, here’s everything you need to know about scaffolding.

What is scaffolding?

Scaffolding in its most basic form is a platform made up of tubes, couplers and boards. They are temporarily built for workers so they can to navigate easily and safely around the work site. Scaffolds are mainly erected when working at a certain height especially in building constructions or renovations.

These fixtures, if used correctly, helps shave off time of the entire construction process while maximising safety and increasing risk management at the same time.

Read our tips on how to manage the risks in scaffolding.

How is scaffolding used?

Though numerous scaffolding types and systems are available, the type of scaffold to be used depends largely on the project requirements e.g., height and size, and other specifications such as safety requirement and weather forecasts.

Scaffold erection starts from the ground and extends to a height by interlocking its three key features. These three features are the standards (vertical posts with connector joints), ledgers (the horizontal braces), and transoms (a cross brace of longitudinal and transverse poles). The planks are set to rest on the transoms.

How safe is a scaffold structure?

Scaffolds provide a safe and secured workplace enabling workers to work efficiently at greater heights. It significantly reduces the risk of falls and other untoward accidents that may arise on site.

However, the safety of working on scaffolding all boils down to whoever erected the scaffold and can only be assured if managed correctly.

Scaffolds are safe if they were erected, dismantled, or reconstructed by licensed scaffolders and have been duly inspected by a professional before their use.

What are the risks of scaffolding?

Even when scaffolds are erected and inspected adequately by licensed professionals like Cando, the platform will never be a risk-free area. There will still be unforeseen issues arising in this high-risk workplace.

These issues can include event such as:

falls;
falling debris;
electrocution;
slipping;
trip hazards;
weather issues;
human error related injuries.

Therefore, to practice utmost safety, a risk management plan for emergency procedures for falls should be in place at every worksite.

How can the risks be prevented or minimised?

To prevent or minimise the aforementioned risks, it is important that each worker has adequate training on safe work practices and procedures consistent with the Australian Safety Standards. They must also be well equipped with personal protective equipment while working on a scaffold. Erecting barricades, warning signs of the possible hazards, guard rails, safety nets, covers, and restraints are also helpful in preventing or minimising the risks of injuries for both workers and visitors on site.

Frequently Asked Questions

We do not recommend mixing scaffolding from different manufacturers or suppliers. Even though they may look compatible, they often have different dimensions and tolerances. Mixing scaffolding can reduce the structural integrity and lead to a collapse of the scaffold.

You can erect your own scaffolding structure under 4m. Workcover/Worksafe regulation applies to any structure above this height and must be undertaken by a scaffolder with relevant qualifications.

CanDo can take care of all aspects of scaffolding hire and system installation on the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Northern NSW. Call us today on 1300 226 336.

All our Scaffolders are equipped with proper protective equipment (PPE) and have been trained and are up to scratch with safe work practices.

Yes! You need to use an internal ladder with a scaffold to be compliant with WorkCover/WorkSafe practices.

Yes! CanDo’s whole business revolves around hiring out scaffolds.

We provide cost effective scaffolding solutions in Brisbane, Gold Coast & the Northern Rivers. Our experienced team are knowledgable in construction methodology which save our clients time on construction and minimises scaffolding costs.

The cost of scaffolding depends on many factors. These include:

How high the scaffolding needs to be;
The location of the scaffolding;
The type of job the scaffolding will be used for;
The type of scaffolding required;
How long you need to hire the scaffolding for.

The best way to find out the cost of scaffolding hire would be to give us a call on 1300 226 336 or request a quote online.

Many of our scaffolding installations have a component of difficulty that other companies cannot be bothered with. Our goal is to meet the project requirements of our clients by providing a comprehensive service.

CanDo provide a range of scaffolding hire solutions including:

Lightweight Scaffolding

Aluminium stage scaffolding is extremely versatile. It is much faster to erect than steel scaffolding and can be erected on existing and new structures easily. Despite its lightweight nature, the Quick Ally aluminium scaffolding is incredibly durable and efficient, with many combinations available.

Steel Scaffolding

Steel Scaffolding is hired out for projects needing longer hire periods (exceeding 2 weeks). It involve concrete, blockwork and brickwork in the construction process. This is due to a higher load rating than Lightweight Aluminium Scaffolding.

We typically undertake projects up to 15 metres high to the top working deck.

Mobile Scaffold Towers

When you need to access heights across a large surface, an aluminium mobile scaffold is an excellent option. Our mobile towers provide a safe and stable working platform with a 225kg safe work load and are available as square or rectangular towers.

Edge Protection

We offer a comprehensive range of roof edge protection systems for both residential applications and commercial job sites.

Void Protection Platforms

Our void platforms turn an upper level void into a working & catch platform. This enables tradesmen to work on, around or above the platform safely.

Hang On Platforms

Hang On Working Platforms reduce labour and hire costs by eliminating the need for ground-up scaffolding.

CanDo offers scaffolding hire in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Northern NSW and everywhere in-between.

Absolutely!

At CanDo, we take pride in ensuring every scaffold is erected and maintained to the highest standards.

We regularly test all our equipment to ensure its safety and compliance. Every job we do is audited and reported back to our office.

Yes we do.

Our aluminium mobile towers provide a safe and stable working platform with a 225kg safe work load and are available as square or rectangular towers.

The experienced team at CanDo will assess your work site and recommend the most appropriate mobile scaffolding solution.

Mobile Scaffold Towers →

Scaffolding hire with CanDo

We have a comprehensive range of height service and scaffolding hire designed to save you money and time.

If you need experienced and credible scaffolding professionals, CanDo provides cost-effective scaffolding solutions, edge protection and consultation services to all clients on the Gold Coast, Brisbane, and northern NSW.

Call CanDo today at 1300 226 336 or send an email to theguys@cando.com.au.

Our hire service is available to the residential and light commercial building industries. We also can provide private property owners with height safety, fixed scaffolding hire and mobile scaffolding hire.