PURPOSE AND SCOPE

This document gives guidance for the design, construction, maintenance and protection of temporary scaffold guards and where applicable nylon or polypropylene netting. It shall be used at Overhead line crossings of Roads, Railways, Waterways, Power lines, buildings and other obstacles requiring installation of scaffold guards. This guidance is intended to ensure that safety of the public, workers, livestock etc is provided at all times for the duration of the works. Best endeavour shall be used to maintain traffic flow at road, railway and waterway crossings during the installation, maintenance and removal of overhead line conductors. Similarly, at power line crossings, protection to the lower line if not removed or undergrounded shall be maintained at all times during work on the upper line.

When assessing scaffold requirements during walk over surveys at the early stages of the project, an assessment of the work method and risk assessment shall be undertaken with regard to minor roads to identify whether there is a requirement for a protection scaffold or other suitable methods of control. Other innovative protection structures can be utilised where their suitability can be demonstrated for the type of crossing under consideration.