This safety alert reminds people of the fire hazards associated with scaffold encapsulation or equivalent used in the construction industry, and the measures that should be implemented to control the associated risks.
Scaffold encapsulation may also be referred to as ‘containment netting’, ‘containment sheeting’, ‘screening’ or ‘scaffolding mesh’.
Updated: 29 September 2021
Background
In 2018 a number of incidents occurred where polymer based scaffold encapsulation ignited on construction and demolition sites. The incidents exposed workers and the public to serious risks to their health and safety.
In each case the containment netting was manufactured with little or no fire retardance and the material was observed to be highly flammable.
Key considerations
Many materials and substances found in workplaces are flammable or combustible. The risks associated with a certain material or substance may not be immediately obvious. Subsequently, independent testing of building materials for fire hazard properties is required to appropriately assess and control the risks.
Australian standard 1576.7 (Int):2021 Scaffolding, Part 7 – Safe use of encapsulation on scaffolding provides industry guidance on acceptable performance criteria for the flammability of scaffold encapsulation, and its safe use.
Action required by suppliers
Suppliers of containment netting have specific duties under Work Health and Safety legislation, including:
- a supplier must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the scaffold encapsulation is supplied without risks to the health and safety to persons who work with it, or persons whose health and safety may be affected by the use of it.
- a supplier must carry out, or arrange the carrying out of, any calculations, analysis, testing or examination that may be necessary to ensure health and safety e.g. flame propagation, flammability, or strength.
- adequate information must be provided when supplying scaffold encapsulation, including:
- the results of all testing
- the conditions necessary to ensure it is installed, used and dismantled without risks to health and safety
- current, relevant information must also be provided when requested by persons who handle, use, store or dispose of the product.
Designers, Manufacturers and Importers have similar duties.
Action required by principal contractors
The risks associated with fire hazards and scaffold encapsulation must be managed, so far as is reasonably practicable, by ensuring:
- the scaffold encapsulation used on site meets the performance criteria set out in industry standards, such as AS1576.7
- work undertaken in proximity to the scaffold encapsulation does not use possible ignition sources without appropriate protection e.g. shields for hot works
- combustible materials are not stored in proximity to scaffold encapsulation
- uncontrolled or unauthorised access to the scaffold encapsulation is eliminated or minimised
- emergency systems, including evacuation procedures, are in place, and are regularly tested
- all site personnel and contractors are informed of the fire hazards associated with scaffold encapsulation during the induction process, and are trained in emergency procedures.
To manage the risks associated with fire hazards and scaffold encapsulation, Principal Contractors should request information from the supplier, including:
- the results of fire property testing and analysis
- the conditions necessary to eliminate or minimise any residual risk associated with fire hazards and the scaffold encapsulation.
Guidance on the relevant information to be provided is contained in AS1576.7. The product information, including test results, should be consistent with the product labelling.
When selecting which product to be used, consideration should be given to the inherent risks associated with the site. Sites with a high risk may require products with very low fire hazard properties.
Further information
SafeWork NSW Safety Alert – Hot Work
SafeWork NSW Code of practice for welding processes
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