Section 7: Use of working platforms, walkways and stairways.

The provisions of this section are without prejudice to those applicable to the performance of temporary work at a height and to the work equipment used for this purpose, as set out in Articles R. 4323-58 et seq.

Work platforms, walkways and stairways must be: 1° Constructed in such a way that none of their parts can be subjected to excessive or uneven bending; 2° Constructed and maintained in such a way as to reduce as far as possible, given existing conditions, the risks of people tripping or slipping; 3° Kept free of any unnecessary clutter; 4° Cleared of all rubble and debris.

Work platforms are established on solid parts of the building. Platforms used to carry out work inside buildings are supported on crossbeams resting on joists. They may not be supported on infill slabs.

Working platforms and the bolts supporting their floors comply with the characteristics laid down for scaffolding in Articles R. 4323-69 et seq.

Work platforms are fitted on the outside with: 1° Guardrails consisting of two rails, one one metre and the other 45 centimetres above the floor; 2° Skirting boards at least 15 centimetres high. However, these provisions do not prevent the installation of protective devices of at least equivalent effectiveness.

Work platform guardrails are securely fixed to the inside of the uprights.

Where work platforms rest on trestles or trestles, these should be no more than 2 metres apart. They must be rigid, with their feet carefully treaded and resting on sturdy support points. It is forbidden to raise them by makeshift means, to stack them one on top of the other or to place them on the floor of another scaffold or platform.