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HS&E Operatives practice question: Scaffolds and guard-rails (5 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 one fault that means it should not be used until a scaffolder puts it right.

Click on the fault.

A side view of a two-bay scaffold against a wall. Both bays have a top guard-rail and a board along the bottom edge of the platform. The left bay also has an intermediate guard-rail, but the right bay does not, leaving a large gap between the top rail and the toe board.

Find the right place on the picture. In the practice test you click or tap it.

Show the answer and explanation

Answer: the gap below the top rail in the right-hand bay

  • The gap below the top rail in the right-hand bay: Right. The intermediate guard-rail is missing in the right-hand bay. The gap is far bigger than 470 mm, so someone could fall through it.
  • The guard-rails in the left-hand bay: Wrong. The left-hand bay has a top rail and an intermediate rail, so it is protected.
  • The toe boards: Wrong. The toe board runs the full length of the platform in both bays.
  • The base plates: Wrong. All three uprights stand on base plates on timber boards.

Explanation

Every open edge of a working platform needs a top guard-rail, an intermediate rail or barrier so no gap is over 470 mm, and a toe board. If any are missing, don't use the scaffold and report it.

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