Basic Scaffolding Course

Lesson 1 • Scaffolding Industry Overview

Covers the role of scaffolding in construction and industrial maintenance. Connects industry context to the professional responsibilities learners will develop throughout the course.

Lesson 2 • Core Scaffolding Terminology

Introduces standard terms used across all scaffold systems and documentation. Accurate terminology is essential for safe communication on every job site.

Lesson 3 • Regulatory Framework and Duty of Care

Outlines the regulatory obligations governing scaffolding work and the duty of care owed by all parties. Students connect legal accountability to daily site decisions.

Lesson 1 • Component Inspection and Rejection Criteria

Teaches systematic inspection of all components before use and establishes clear rejection standards. Defective components removed before erection prevent on-site failures.

Lesson 2 • Tubes, Boards, and Planks

Examines the specifications, grades, and load ratings of tubes, boards, and planks. Proper material knowledge prevents structural failure during erection and use.

Lesson 3 • Base Plates, Sole Boards, and Adjustable Bases

Explains how base components distribute load to the ground and prevent settlement. Correct base selection is the first step in a stable scaffold structure.

Lesson 1 • Scaffold Design and Documentation

Covers the preparation and interpretation of scaffold drawings, specifications, and handover documents. Proper documentation provides a legal record and guides safe erection.

Lesson 2 • Erection Sequence Planning

Establishes the logical sequence for erecting each scaffold type to maintain stability at every stage. A planned sequence reduces the risk of partial-structure collapse.

Lesson 3 • Site Assessment and Hazard Identification

Guides students through a structured site assessment to identify ground, overhead, and environmental hazards. Assessment findings directly shape the erection plan.

Lesson 4 • Permits and Pre-Work Approvals

Explains the permit-to-work system and approvals required before erection begins. Students understand how permits control risk and assign accountability.

Lesson 1 • Platform Installation and Edge Protection

Covers correct placement of scaffold boards and installation of guardrails, mid-rails, and toe boards. A compliant platform is the primary fall-prevention measure for workers.

Lesson 2 • Standards, Ledgers, and Transoms

Teaches the correct installation of vertical standards and horizontal ledgers and transoms. These primary members form the structural skeleton of the scaffold.

Lesson 3 • Access and Egress Provisions

Addresses the installation of ladders, stair towers, and trapdoors for safe scaffold access. Adequate access prevents falls during entry and exit from working platforms.

Lesson 4 • Bracing and Tying the Structure

Explains the installation of facade bracing, ledger bracing, and structural ties to the building. Bracing and tying prevent racking and overturning under load.

Lesson 1 • Proprietary Platform and Decking Systems

Explains the installation of system-specific decking units, trap hatches, and edge protection components. Proprietary decking must be installed per manufacturer tolerances to remain safe.

Lesson 2 • Frame Scaffold Erection

Covers the assembly of prefabricated frame scaffolds including cross-bracing and coupling pins. Frame systems require strict adherence to manufacturer assembly sequences.

Lesson 3 • Adapting System Scaffolds to Site Conditions

Addresses techniques for handling irregular ground, curved facades, and confined spaces with system scaffolds. Adaptation requires understanding the limits of proprietary components.

Lesson 1 • Rigging and Operating Suspended Scaffolds

Covers the rigging of outrigger beams, wire ropes, and hoisting equipment for suspended platforms. Correct rigging is the sole structural support for workers on suspended systems.

Lesson 2 • Safe Use and Movement of Mobile Towers

Teaches the procedures for safely moving, braking, and repositioning mobile towers on site. Uncontrolled movement is the primary cause of mobile tower overturning incidents.

Lesson 3 • Mobile Scaffold Tower Assembly

Covers the step-by-step assembly of mobile aluminium and steel towers including outriggers and castors. Correct assembly sequence prevents instability during use and movement.

Lesson 4 • Suspended Scaffold Types and Components

Introduces two-point, multi-point, and outrigger beam suspended scaffold systems and their key components. Understanding component function is prerequisite to safe rigging and operation.

Lesson 1 • Scaffold Tagging and Status Communication

Covers the three-tag system and other status communication methods used to control scaffold access. Clear tagging prevents unauthorised use of incomplete or defective scaffolds.

Lesson 2 • Formal Scaffold Inspection Process

Teaches the structured inspection methodology required before handover and at regular intervals during use. Formal inspection identifies defects that routine visual checks may miss.

Lesson 3 • Controlled Scaffold Modification Procedures

Addresses the process for authorising and executing modifications to an erected scaffold. Unauthorised modifications are a leading cause of scaffold collapse incidents.

Lesson 4 • Handover Certification and Documentation

Explains the handover process from scaffolder to scaffold user and the documentation required. A signed handover certificate transfers responsibility and confirms compliance.

Lesson 1 • Falling Object Prevention

Addresses controls for preventing tools, materials, and debris from falling from scaffold platforms. Falling objects cause serious injuries to workers and members of the public below.

Lesson 2 • Personal Fall Arrest Systems on Scaffolds

Covers the selection, inspection, and correct use of harnesses, lanyards, and anchor points on scaffolds. Incorrect anchor selection is the most common personal fall arrest failure mode.

Lesson 3 • Emergency Response on Scaffold Sites

Prepares students to respond to scaffold collapses, falls, and entrapments on site. A practised emergency response plan reduces injury severity and saves lives.

Lesson 4 • Hierarchy of Fall Prevention Controls

Applies the hierarchy of controls specifically to fall hazards on and around scaffolds. Students prioritise elimination and engineering controls over personal protective equipment.