A.— sc.

Regulation 12. —Light Suspended Scaffolds with Movable Platforms. 1. Light suspended scaffolds shall comply with the provisions of this Regulation. 2. The outriggers shall be of adequate length and cross-section and shall be properly installed and supported. 3. (1) The inside ends of the outriggers shall be firmly secured. (2) When the outriggers are anchored by bags of ballast or other loose counter-weights the bags or counterweights shall be securely lashed to the outriggers. (3) The suspension ropes shall have a factor of safety of at least ten. 4. The maximum length of the platform shall be 8 m. 5. The platform shall hang on at least three ropes which shall be not more than 3m. apart. No intermediate rope shall at any time be tauter than either of the end ropes. 6. The pulley-blocks shall be fastened to the platforms by stout iron bands, which shall be properly secured, shall be continued round the sides and bottom of the platform, and shall have eyes in the iron to receive the ropes. 7. Suspended scaffolds on which the workers sit to work shall be provided with devices to keep the platform at a distance of at least 30 cm. from the wall and to prevent the workers from knocking their knees against the wall if the scaffold swings. Regulation 13. —Other Suspended Scaffolds. 1. A skip, large basket, boatswain's chair or similar equipment shall only be used as a suspended scaffold in exceptional circumstances for work of short duration, and under the supervision of a responsible person. 2. When such equipment is used as a suspended scaffold — (a) It shall be supported by ropes having a safety factor of at least ten, based on the total load including the dead weight; and (b) The necessary precautions shall be taken to prevent the workers from falling out. 3. When a skip or large basket is used as a suspended scaffold— (a) It shall be at least 75 cm. deep ; and (b) It shall be carried by two strong iron bands which shall be properly fastened, shall be continued round the sides and bottom, and shall have eyes in the iron to receive the ropes. Regulation 14. —Transport and Storage of Materials on Scaffolds : Distribution of the Load. 1. In transferring heavy loads on or to a scaffold no sudden shock shall be transmitted to the scaffold. 2. The load on the scaffold shall be evenly distributed as far as is practicable and in any case shall be so distributed as to avoid any dangerous disturbance of the equilibrium. 3. During the use of a scaffold care shall constantly be taken that it is not overloaded and that materials are not unnecessarily kept upon it. Regulation 15. —Installation of Lifting-gear on Scaffolds. 1. When lifting-gear is to be used on a scaffold— (a) The parts of the scaffold shall be carefully inspected, and, if need be, adequately strengthened ; (b) Any movement of the putlogs shall be prevented ; and (c) If possible the uprights shall be rigidly connected to a solid part of the building at the place where the lifting-gear is erected. 2. When the platform of the lifting-gear does not move in guides, or when the load is liable to come into contact with the scaffold during hoisting or lowering, a vertical hoarding shall be erected to the full height of the scaffold to prevent loads from being caught in it. Regulation 16. —Periodic Inspection of Scaffolds. Scaffolds shall be inspected by a competent person — (a) At least once a week ; and (b) After every spell of bad weather and every material interruption in the work. Regulation 17.—Examination of Scaffolds before Use, especially of Scaffolds constructed by other Contractors. Every scaffold, whether or not it has been erected by the employer whose workmen are about to use it — (a) Shall before use be examined by a competent person to ensure more particularly (i) That it is in a stable condition ; (ii) That the materials used in its construction are sound ; (iii) That it is adequate for the purpose for which it is to be used ; and (iv) That the required safeguards are in position ; and (b) Shall during use be maintained in good condition. Regulation 18. —Working-platforms. 1. Every working-platform which is more than 2 m. above the ground or floor shall be closely boarded or planked.

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