Top 10 Scaffolding and Site Safety interview Questions and Answers

Q: What is scaffolding?

Scaffolding is a temporary working platform used in construction, demolition, maintenance, and other related fields to support workers and supplies in the workplace.

2) Types of scaffolding:

Trestle Scaffolding.
Steel Scaffolding.
Patented Scaffolding.
Suspended Scaffolding.
Cantilever Scaffolding.
Single Scaffolding.
Double Scaffolding.
Mobil scaffolding.

Q: What are the points to be checked while green-tagging scaffolding is erected?

Answer: Before using the scaffold, check the tag (7-day validity). Green tag: we can use the scaffold; red tag: not used; and yellow tag: used only for scaffolding works.
1) The level and firmness of the ground.
2) Sole plate
3) Base plate
4) Standards
5) Ledger
6) Transom
7) Couplers
8) Planks (boards)
9) Toe boards
10) Braising
11) Guard rails
12) Mid rail
13) Out riggers
14) Ladders

Also Read More Related Article: Scaffolding Interview

Q: What are the potential hazards of scaffolding?
1) Collapse of scaffolding.
2) falling from a height.
3) A falling object.
4) Slip & trip hazards.
5) Pinch-point hazards / Sharp edges
6) Opening without a guardrail.
7) Scaffold erection during a storm, high winds, rain, or poor visibility.
8) Blocking emergency access and walkways

Q: What is the cause of scaffolding failure?
1) Slipping on an unsecured ladder.
2) Use of unsuitable scaffold or faulty materials.
3) Inadequate or irregular platform width.
4) Omission of guard rails or toe boards.
5) inadequate bracing or inadequate fastening of the scaffold to the building.
6) Overloading on the scaffold platforms.

Q: What is the precaution during scaffolding erection?
1) Scaffolding, erection, and dismantling should be done under the supervision of a competent person (the scaffolding supervisor).
2) „Red Tag means “do not use” and green Tag means “scaffold complete-ready for use” when completed.
3) The gap between boards/planks should be 1 inch (25mm).
4) A top guardrail, midrail, and toe board should be provided.
5) Guard rails and TOA boards shall be fitted to the inside of standards.
6) Guard rail should have a height between 915 mm (0.9 m, 90 cm or 3 feet) and 1143 mm (1.15 m or 3 feet)
7) With toe board clips, the toe board, which measures 6″ (15 cm) high, is fastened.
8) If a scaffold is to be built on soft ground, only one plate should be utilized.
9) The worker shall not work on scaffolds during storms, high winds, or poor visibility.
10) The single plate must extend beneath a minimum of two standards.
11) Base plates with screw jacks should have proper scaffold leveling adjustments.
12) All standards shall be vertical.
13) Ledgers shall be securely fixed to standard couplers.
14) In order to securely fasten vertical members together, scaffolds must be appropriately braced using cross bracing, diagonal bracing, or both.
15) An access ladder must be provided for any platform & clamped to the scaffold structure.
16) The ladder should have an angle of 750 and a 4:1 ratio.
17) The ladder should be raised 1 meter (42 inches) above the landing place/platform.
18) Scaffold should be not obstruct access to/from any fire fighting equipment, emergency equipment, operating area equipment, instrument and control panels, ladders, stairways, etc.
19) The scaffold platform opening should be secured with a guardrail and sign board.
20) All scaffolding couplers should be tightened.

▶ work involved: >1.8 mtr height.
▶ lanyard length: 1.8 mtr
▶ shock observer req-> 6 mtr height.
▶ The wire thickness for the life line is 12 mm.

▶ 19 mm for manila rope.
▶ Rescue required: height greater than 10 mtr.
▶ Top handrail: 1200 mm

▶ Mid-hand rail: 600 mm
▶ Toe guard: 150 mm
▶ anchor point: steel str or pipe > 2 inches may be used.
▶ retractable life line load: 365 kg
▶ anchor point capability: 2300 kg per person.
▶ Safety net-mesh opening: 10×10 cm

▶ Fix up- as close possible
▶ Not allowed more than 6 mtr of working level
▶ extends out at least 2 meters from the side of the open edge.
▶ Cautionary Barricades: Keep away from falling hazards.
▶ Don’t carry anything while climbing up/down a ladder.
▶ Straight ladder/extension

1) Rug space: 30 cm
2) landing platform (6 mtr)
3) monkey ladder cage strip distance: 68–76 cm
4) Cage guard required: 2.1 mtr
5) The ladder must extend at least one meter above the step.
6) Snap the chain/gate request at the end of the landing.

▶ Ladder bottom distance: 1/4 or 75 degrees
▶ Scaffolding at 12 feet is required for fall protection while climbing.
▶ A man basket-full body harness with a diuble lanyard is required with a propet anchor.
▶ height with confined space—rescue harness required.

▶ Types of scaffolding
1) Static tower scaffolding
2) Independent scaffolding
3) Birdcage scaffolding
4) Hanging scaffolding
5) Cantilever scaffolding
6) Mobile tower scaffolding

▶ Types of clamp
1) Right-angle clamp (fix clamp): 610 kg
2) Swivel clamp (chalu clamp): 610 kg
3) Sleeve coupler (box clamp): 550 kg
4) Ladder clamp: 550 kg
5) Beam clamp (3000 kg)
6) Plank coupler (jali clamp): 565 kg

▶ Types of bracing.
1) Sway bracing 45 Degree
2) Ledger bracing 45 Degree
3) Knee bracing 35 Degree
5) Plan bracing
6) Diagonal bracing

What are the following?
A) STARRT: Safety Task Analysis and Risk Reduction Talk.
B) COSHH: Control of Substances Hazardous to Health.
C) OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
D) ELCB: Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker.
E) GFCI: Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter.
F) SWL: Safe Working Load.
G) LTI: Lost Time Injury

▶ Is there a code for PPE & safety equipment?
▶ Helmet-2925
▶ Safety shoes: 15298
▶ Ear plugs: 9167
▶ Hand gloves: 6994 Goggles: 5983
▶ Full-body harness (3521)
▶ Welding face shield 8521
▶ Grinding wheel, 1991
▶ Flash-back arrest 11006
▶ Fire extinguisher: 15683
▶ Scaffolding: 3696
▶ Ladder: 7010.