Guidance Notes for Safe Use of Suspended Working Platforms

Introduction
Accidents involving the use of Suspended Working Platform (SWP) could be very
severe or even fatal. This Guidance Notes shows some common safety
measures which are norms for ArchSD site on the safe use of SWP. However,
the measures mentioned in this Guidance Notes should not be regarded as
exhaustive and the Contractor should conduct assessment based on situations
specific to the project site.

Safe System of Works

1. Before the Installation of the SWP
1.1. Contractors should submit risk assessments with recommendations to the
project officers 2 months before the start of the works involving the use of
SWP.
1.2. Contractors should submit to the project officers the method statements
including manufacturers manual on the safe use of the SWP. The method
statement should include but not limited to the phasing of the works, the
numbers of the SWP, the duration of the works and a plan showing the
locations and types of fixing brackets, anchorage methods including
arrangement of expansion bolts wherever necessary, outriggers,
counterweights, safe means of access to and egress from the SWP, extent
of ground floor fencing off, etc. Wherever parapet wall clamps are used, a
horizontal structural member should be arranged to serve as tie/strut to
maintain constant distance between the two outriggers/supports for
hanging the gondola.
1.3. Structural engineers comments on the installation of SWP should be
obtained whenever necessary.
1.4. The use of SWP ( e.g. unbolted saddle outrigger as shown in Figure 1 and
2) other than those types permitted in Code of Practices for the Safe Use
and Operation of Suspended Working Platform should be prohibited
unless the installation of those permitted types is not practicable, and with
agreement of the project officers.
1.5. Contractors should ensure that the above submissions are accepted by
the project officers before work commences.

Endorsed by SSERC in June 2011 Page 1 of 5 First Issue Date 13.11.2006

Current Issue Date 15.6.2011
Guidance Notes for Safe Use of Suspended Working Platforms

Figure 1. Prohibited SWP Type - Unbolted Saddle Outrigger

(Photo sourced from Labour Departments Draft Guidelines on Safe Use of Unbolted Saddle Outriggers)

Figure 2. Prohibited SWP Type - Unbolted Saddle Outrigger

(Photo sourced from Labour Departments Draft Guidelines on Safe Use of Unbolted Saddle Outriggers)

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Guidance Notes for Safe Use of Suspended Working Platforms

2. Safe and Proper Use of Temporary SWP

2.1. Contractors should ensure that the erection, dismantling of any part of a
SWP is carried out by or under the supervision of a competent person in
accordance with the manufacturers assembly manual.
2.2. Contractors should ensure that no alteration to the electrical or mechanical
parts of the SWP is allowed except under the written permission of the
manufacturer.
2.3. For the type of SWP with parapet clamps, contractors should ensure that
the structural strength of the parapet is adequate prior to installation of the
SWP.
2.4. Contractors should ensure that every person operating the SWP or
working thereon is at least 18 years old and has obtained a certificate in
respect of relevant training under Regulation 17(1) of the Suspended
Working Platform Regulations (SWPR). Safety training should be arranged
to address control measures devised from the risk assessment conducted
for the intended task with respect to the prevailing site condition.
2.5. Contractors should ensure that every person carried on a SWP wears a
suitable safety harness equipped with fall arresting device and buckles to
an independent lifeline or suitable anchorage and fittings. No part of the
SWP should be used to anchor the lanyard of a safety harness.
Independent lifeline should not be secured to any part of the roof rig,
including the outriggers, parapet clamps or any counterweights of the
SWP.
2.6. Contractors should ensure that the SWP is working within its safe working
load at any moment.
2.7. Contractors should ensure that warning notices stipulated under
Regulation 15(3) and 19(2)(b) of the SWPR is displayed prominently on
the SWP. Warning notices together with safety rules and regulations
should be established and displayed on the spot for the workers
immediate reference and strict compliance.
2.8. Contractors should not use the SWP under weather conditions likely to
endanger its stability or cause danger to the persons carried thereon. A
competent person should be assigned to decide if work has to be stopped
in case of inclement weather condition.

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Guidance Notes for Safe Use of Suspended Working Platforms

2.9. Contractors should arrange load test and thorough examination to the
SWP by a competent examiner (Registered Professional Engineer) before
use or as soon as practicable after its exposure to weather conditions
likely to have affected its stability. Such test and examination should be
conducted after the SWP has been taken down and re-installed in another
location of the site.
2.10. Contractors should ensure the safety measures such as daily inspections,
fencing off of the works areas and the affected areas, in particular those on
the ground level, safe system of works and use of personal protective
equipment, etc. are carried out in accordance with the recommendations
stated in the risk assessment reports.
2.11. A designated personnel not on the gondola should be assigned to provide
continual attendance to those workers working within the gondola.
2.12. Contractors should ensure that there is no danger of open windows or
other projections from the face of the building when operating the SWP.
2.13. Contractors should secure hand tools to the platform wherever practicable.
2.14. Contractors should check power supply and all electrical cables and
connections to ensure that they are in good working order and are not
disturbed. Power supply should be disconnected when the SWP is not in
use.
2.15. The power supply cable or lifting wires/ropes should be properly guided
and kept in order to avoid any accidental entanglement.
2.16. Housekeeping within the gondola should be effectively upkept, in
particular to avoid any overload.
2.17. Contractors should draw up an emergency procedure for the breakdowns
and malfunctions of SWP and for the accident relating to SWP.
2.18. Site supervisory staff should possess a copy of the risk assessment report
for conducting supervision.

3. Maintenance, Inspection, Test and Maintenance of Temporary SWP

3.1. Contractors should ensure that all parts are properly maintained by a
competent person in accordance with the manufacturers instructions, and
no maintenance or alteration of the SWP is carried out whilst it is in use.
3.2. Contractors should ensure that prior to commencement of daily work all
suspension ropes and safety ropes have been inspected by a competent
person. The ropes should be in safe working condition and no bolts are
loose or have been removed and that all connections are sound.

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Guidance Notes for Safe Use of Suspended Working Platforms

3.3. Contractors should ensure that every SWP has been inspected by a
competent person in the immediately preceding 7 days before its use.
Form 1 should be completed and submitted to the project officers
promptly.
3.4. Contractors should ensure that every SWP has been thoroughly examined
by a competent examiner in the immediately preceding 6 months before its
use. Form 2 should be completed and submitted to the project officers
promptly.
3.5. Contractors should ensure that every SWP has been load tested and
thoroughly examined by a competent examiner during the preceding 12
months before its use. Form 3 should be completed and submitted to the
project officers promptly.
3.6. Contractors should ensure that every SWP has been further load tested
and thoroughly examined by a competent examiner when the SWP has
subsequently undergone (a) substantial repair, (b) re-erection including
erection following its removal to a different location, (c) changes in the
arrangements for anchoring or supporting, or (d) failure or collapse. Form
3 should be completed and submitted to the project officers promptly.
3.7. The above certificates and/or reports should be prominently displayed on
the suspended working platform.

4. Reference
4.1. The Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Suspended Working Platforms)
Regulation, Cap 59.
4.2. Guidance note on classification and use of safety belts and their anchorage
systems by Labour Department, HKSAR.
4.3. Code of Practice for the Safe Use and Operation of Suspended Working
Platform by Labour Department, HKSAR.
4.4. Guidance Notes on the Inspection, Thorough Examination and Testing of
Suspended Working Platform by Labour Department, HKSAR.
4.5. Construction Site Safety Handbook for Public Works Programme by Works
Bureau, 2000.

Endorsed by SSERC in June 2011 Page 5 of 5 First Issue Date 13.11.2006

Current Issue Date 15.6.2011