Chapter III: Organisational measures and conditions of use of work equipment and personal protective equipment

Appropriate protection against the risk of falls from a height and the risk of falling objects must be provided before access to any level of scaffolding during its assembly, dismantling or conversion.

The materials of which scaffolding components are made are of a strength and resistance appropriate to their use. Assemblies are made safely, using compatible components of the same origin and under the conditions for which they have been tested. These components are checked to ensure that they are in good condition before any scaffolding is erected.

The stability of the scaffolding must be ensured. All scaffolding shall be constructed and installed in such a way as to prevent, during use, the displacement of any of its constituent parts in relation to the whole.

Fixed scaffolding is constructed and installed in such a way as to withstand the forces to which it is subjected and to resist stresses resulting from atmospheric conditions, particularly the effects of wind. They are anchored or moored to any point offering sufficient strength or protected against the risk of slipping and tipping by any other means of equivalent effectiveness. The load-bearing surface has sufficient strength to resist any subsidence.

Rolling scaffolds must be prevented from moving or tipping over accidentally during assembly, dismantling and use by means of appropriate devices. No worker shall remain on a mobile scaffold when it is being moved.

The load-bearing capacity of a scaffold is clearly marked on the scaffold and on each of its decks.

Scaffolding is fitted on the outside with collective protection devices as provided for in Article R. 4323-59.

The dimensions, shape and arrangement of scaffolding decks are appropriate to the nature of the work to be carried out and to the loads to be supported. They allow safe working and movement. Scaffolding decks are assembled in such a way that their components cannot move during use. There must be no gap of more than 20 centimetres between the edge of the decks and the structure or equipment against…

Sufficient safe means of access are provided between the various scaffolding decks.

When certain parts of a scaffold are not ready for use, particularly during erection, dismantling or alterations, these parts constitute restricted areas which are equipped with devices to prevent unauthorised persons from entering. Appropriate measures are taken to protect workers authorised to enter these areas.