The Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996

Regulations 6(2), 6(3)(b) and 8(2)

SCHEDULE 2 REQUIREMENTS FOR WORKING PLATFORMS

Interpretation

1.  In this Schedule, “supporting structure” means any structure used for the purpose of supporting a working platform and includes any plant and equipment used for that purpose.

Condition of surfaces

2.  Any surface upon which any supporting structure rests shall be stable, of sufficient strength and of suitable composition safely to support the supporting structure, the working platform and any load intended to be placed on the working platform.

Stability of supporting structure

3.  Any supporting structure shall—

(a) be suitable and of sufficient strength and rigidity for the purpose or purposes for which it is being used; and

(b) be so erected and, where necessary, securely attached to another structure as to ensure that it is stable; and

(c) when altered or modified, be so altered or modified as to ensure that it remains stable.

Stability of working platform

4.  A working platform shall—

(a) be suitable and of sufficient strength and rigidity for the purpose or purposes for which it is intended to be used or is being used; and

(b) be so erected and used as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that it does not become accidentally displaced so as to endanger any person; and

(c) when altered or modified, be so altered or modified as to ensure that it remains stable; and

(d) be dismantled in such a way as to prevent accidental displacement.

Safety on working platforms

5.  A working platform shall—

(a) be of sufficient dimensions to permit the free passage of persons and the safe use of any equipment or materials required to be used and to provide, so far as is reasonably practicable, a safe working area having regard to the work there being carried out; and

(b) without prejudice to paragraph (a), be not less than 600 millimetres wide; and

(c) be so constructed that the surface of the working platform has no gap giving rise to the risk of injury to any person or, where there is a risk of any person below the platform being struck, through which any material or object could fall; and

(d) be so erected and used, and maintained in such condition, as to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable—

(i) the risk of slipping or tripping; or

(ii) any person being caught between the working platform and any adjacent structure; and

(e) be provided with such handholds and footholds as are necessary to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, any person slipping from or falling from the working platform.

Loading

6.  A working platform and any supporting structure shall not be loaded so as to give rise to a danger of collapse or to any deformation which could affect its safe use.