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HS&E Operatives practice question: Scaffolds and guard-rails (4 of 7)

C. Safety A free question from our original HS&E Operatives practice exam. Try it, then open the answer to see why each option is right or wrong.

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This scaffold has a working platform with edge protection.

Which part stops tools and materials falling off the edge of the platform?

A side view of a two-bay scaffold against a wall. Above the working platform there is a top guard-rail, an intermediate guard-rail below it and a board along the bottom edge of the platform. The uprights stand on base plates on timber boards.1234

Choose one of the numbered areas on the picture.

Show the answer and explanation

Answer: area 3, the toe board

  • The top guard-rail: Wrong. The top guard-rail stops people falling over the edge. It is too high to stop things sliding off the platform.
  • The intermediate guard-rail: Wrong. The intermediate rail closes the gap below the top rail so people can't fall through. It does not stop small objects at platform level.
  • The toe board: Right. The toe board runs along the edge of the platform. It stops tools, bricks and other materials being kicked or knocked off onto people below.
  • A base plate: Wrong. Base plates spread the load of the uprights onto the ground. They don't protect the platform edge.

Explanation

Guard-rails stop people falling. The toe board, at the platform edge, stops materials and tools falling onto people below.

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