AS/NZS 1576.

1:2019
AS/NZS 1576.1:2019

Australian/New Zealand Standard™

Scaffolding

Part 1: General requirements

AS/NZS 1576.1:2019

This Joint Australian/New Zealand Standard™ was prepared by Joint Technical Committee
BD-036, Scaffolding. It was approved on behalf of the Council of Standards Australia on 8
February 2019 and by the New Zealand Standards Approval Board on 30 January 2019.
This Standard was published on 4 March 2019.

The following are represented on Committee BD-036:

Australian Aluminium Council
Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Australian Council of Trade Unions
Australian Industry Group
Australian Steel Institute
Business New Zealand
Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia
Engineers Australia
Hire and Rental Industry Association of Australia
Housing Industry Association
Master Builders Australia
National Scaffolding Association of Australia
SafeWork NSW
Scaffolding, Access and Rigging New Zealand
Scaffolding, Rigging and Industrial Rope Access Industries Training
WorkCover Queensland
WorkSafe Victoria

This Standard was issued in draft form for comment as DR AS/NZS 1576.1:2017.

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ISBN 978 1 76072 387 3

 AS/NZS 1576.1:2019

Australian/New Zealand Standard™

Scaffolding

Part 1: General requirements

Originally published as AS 1576—1974.

Revised and redesignated in part as AS 1576.1—1991.
Jointly revised and designated as AS/NZS 1576.1:1995.
Second edition 2010.
Third edition 2019.

COPYRIGHT
© Standards Australia Limited/the Crown in right of New Zealand, administered by the New
Zealand Standards Executive 2019
All rights are reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or copied in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, without the written
permission of the publisher, unless otherwise permitted under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth)
or the Copyright Act 1994 (New Zealand).
AS/NZS 1576.1:2019 ii

Preface
This Standard was prepared by the Joint Standards Australia/Standards New Zealand Committee BD-
036, Scaffolding, to supersede AS/NZS 1576.1:2010.
The scaffolding series of Standards comprises the following:
AS/NZS 1576.1, Scaffolding, Part 1: General requirements (this Standard)
AS/NZS 1576.2, Scaffolding, Part 2: Couplers and accessories
AS 1576.3, Scaffolding, Part 3: Prefabricated and tube-and-coupler scaffolding
AS/NZS 1576.4, Scaffolding, Part 4: Suspended scaffolding
AS/NZS 1576.5, Scaffolding, Part 5: Prefabricated splitheads and trestles
AS/NZS 1576.6, Scaffolding, Part 6: Metal tube-and-coupler scaffolding—Deemed to comply with
AS/NZS 1576.3
The objective of this Standard is to provide users, manufacturers and designers of scaffolding systems
with unified rules for the design and detailing of scaffolding systems using principles of engineering
design as detailed in this Standard.
Scaffolding required to also act as roof edge protection is now linked to AS/NZS 4994.1, Temporary
edge protection, Part 1: General requirements and AS/NZS 4994.2, Temporary edge protection, Part 2:
Roof edge protection—Installation and dismantling.
The major changes in this edition are as follows:
(a) New definitions added for various types of anchors post-installed into concrete and masonry,
erection platforms and special work zones.
(b) System combinations substantially revised.
(c) Duty actions expanded to include actions for special work zones, partial area loads for loading
platforms and the duty load for a closed platform. Duty rating for a ladder hatch within a working
platform has been specified.
(d) Prefabricated platform units are now required to conform to the performance requirements of
AS/NZS 1577.
(e) Connection stiffness deleted.
(f) Drilled-in anchors now referred to as concrete anchors. Concrete anchors substantially revised.
(g) Bay and platform dimensions generally revised.
(h) Stairways and landings revised to clarify the requirement for toeboards and kickplates.
(i) Climbing of end frames now allowed with specified limitations.
(j) Additional requirements added for minor scaffolds.
(k) Surface finish of cast iron and steel components substantially revised.
(l) Appendix E (informative) added, listing assumptions for the design and installation of anchors.
The terms “normative” and “informative” are used in Standards to define the application of the appendix
to which they apply. A “normative” appendix is an integral part of a Standard, whereas an “informative”
appendix is only for information and guidance.

© Standards Australia Limited/Standards New Zealand 2019

 iii AS/NZS 1576.1:2019

This Standard incorporates a Commentary on some clauses. The Commentary directly follows the
relevant clause, is designated by “C” preceding the clause number and is printed in italics in a panel. The
Commentary is intended to help readers understand the background to the clause but does not form
part of the clause.

© Standards Australia Limited/Standards New Zealand 2019

AS/NZS 1576.1:2019 iv

Contents
Preface................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ ii
Section 1 Scope and general................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Scope..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Normative references............................................................................................................................................................................. 1
1.3 Terms and definitions............................................................................................................................................................................. 3
1.4 Types of scaffold....................................................................................................................................................................................... 10
1.5 Marking requirements for scaffolding equipment...................................................................................................... 11
1.5.1 General scaffolding equipment............................................................................................................................. 11
1.5.2 Minor scaffolds................................................................................................................................................................... 11
1.6 Product information............................................................................................................................................................................. 11
1.6.1 Documented information.......................................................................................................................................... 11
1.6.2 Labelled information..................................................................................................................................................... 12
1.6.3 Labels.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
1.7 Alternative design methods and materials....................................................................................................................... 13
Section 2 Design requirements........................................................................................................................................................................14
2.1 Scope of section........................................................................................................................................................................................ 14
2.2 System design methods...................................................................................................................................................................... 14
2.2.1 General....................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
2.2.2 Theoretical analysis........................................................................................................................................................ 14
2.2.3 Testing........................................................................................................................................................................................ 15
2.3 Material and tube combinations................................................................................................................................................ 15
2.4 System combinations........................................................................................................................................................................... 15
2.5 Actions.............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 15
2.5.1 General....................................................................................................................................................................................... 15
2.5.2 Permanent actions........................................................................................................................................................... 15
2.5.3 Imposed actions................................................................................................................................................................. 16
2.5.4 Environmental actions................................................................................................................................................. 24
2.6 Installation design.................................................................................................................................................................................. 25
2.6.1 General....................................................................................................................................................................................... 25
2.6.2 Combining platform loadings for a scaffold bay.................................................................................... 25
2.6.3 Provision of information............................................................................................................................................ 26
2.7 Combinations of actions.................................................................................................................................................................... 26
2.7.1 General....................................................................................................................................................................................... 26
2.7.2 Strength..................................................................................................................................................................................... 26
2.7.3 Stability..................................................................................................................................................................................... 27
2.7.4 Serviceability........................................................................................................................................................................ 29
2.8 Design considerations......................................................................................................................................................................... 29
2.8.1 Materials.................................................................................................................................................................................. 29
2.8.2 Structural analysis........................................................................................................................................................... 30
2.8.3 Eccentricity............................................................................................................................................................................ 30
2.8.4 Anchorage and tie assemblies............................................................................................................................... 31
2.8.5 Ropes and chains.............................................................................................................................................................. 32
2.9 Supporting structure............................................................................................................................................................................ 33
2.10 Check couplers....................................................................................................................................................................................... 33
Section 3 Operational requirements..........................................................................................................................................................34
3.1 Scope of section........................................................................................................................................................................................ 34
3.2 Erection tolerance................................................................................................................................................................................... 34
3.3 Soleplates....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 34
3.4 Platforms........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 34
3.5 Working platform.................................................................................................................................................................................... 35
3.6 Bay extension platform...................................................................................................................................................................... 35
3.6.1 General....................................................................................................................................................................................... 35
3.6.2 Location requirements of bay extension platforms............................................................................ 36
3.7 Bay and platform dimensions....................................................................................................................................................... 38
 v AS/NZS 1576.1:2019

3.7.1 General bay dimensions for working platforms.................................................................................... 38

3.7.2 Bay dimensions for duty-rated working platforms............................................................................. 38
3.7.3 Dimensions for access platform........................................................................................................................... 39
3.7.4 Headroom............................................................................................................................................................................... 39
3.7.5 Loading platform.............................................................................................................................................................. 39
3.8 Slope of platforms................................................................................................................................................................................... 39
3.8.1 Working and closed platforms.............................................................................................................................. 39
3.8.2 Access platform.................................................................................................................................................................. 39
3.9 Catch platforms......................................................................................................................................................................................... 40
3.10 Edge protection...................................................................................................................................................................................... 40
3.10.1 General................................................................................................................................................................................... 40
3.10.2 Forms of edge protection....................................................................................................................................... 40
3.10.3 Openings in edge protection................................................................................................................................ 41
3.10.4 Omission of edge protection................................................................................................................................ 42
3.10.5 Additional protection................................................................................................................................................. 45
3.11 Access............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 45
3.11.1 General................................................................................................................................................................................... 45
3.11.2 Access by climbing end frames.......................................................................................................................... 46
3.11.3 Temporary stairways................................................................................................................................................. 46
3.11.4 Handrails.............................................................................................................................................................................. 48
3.11.5 Portable ladders............................................................................................................................................................. 48
3.12 Additional requirements for mobile scaffolds............................................................................................................ 49
3.12.1 Castors.................................................................................................................................................................................... 49
3.12.2 Other wheels..................................................................................................................................................................... 49
3.12.3 Supporting structure.................................................................................................................................................. 49
3.12.4 Additional bracing........................................................................................................................................................ 49
3.12.5 Movement of mobile scaffolds........................................................................................................................... 49
3.13 Additional requirements for minor scaffolds.............................................................................................................. 49
3.13.1 General................................................................................................................................................................................... 49
3.13.2 Minor scaffold access................................................................................................................................................. 49
3.14 Minor scaffold supports................................................................................................................................................................. 50
3.14.1 General................................................................................................................................................................................... 50
3.14.2 Footplate on a minor scaffold............................................................................................................................. 50
3.15 Stability and rigidity of a minor scaffold.......................................................................................................................... 51
3.15.1 Platform proportions................................................................................................................................................. 51
3.15.2 Resistance to collapse............................................................................................................................................... 51
3.16 Wheeled movement of unloaded minor scaffolds................................................................................................... 51
3.16.1 General................................................................................................................................................................................... 51
3.16.2 Wheels to ease the transport of a disassembled minor scaffold.......................................... 51
3.16.3 Wheels to relocate an assembled minor scaffold.............................................................................. 51
3.17 Component modification............................................................................................................................................................... 51
3.18 Tube extension....................................................................................................................................................................................... 52
Appendix A (normative) Materials and design considerations — General scaffolds......................................53
Appendix B (normative) Materials, design considerations and manufacture — Minor
scaffolds..............................................................................................................................................................................................57
Appendix C (informative) Flowchart for design of new individual components or a group of
new components........................................................................................................................................................................59
Appendix D (informative) Flowchart for structural design check of a scaffold.....................................................60
Appendix E (informative) Assumptions for the design and installation of anchors.........................................62
Bibliography.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 64
NOTES
 1 AS/NZS 1576.1:2019

Australian/New Zealand Standard

Scaffolding
Part 1: General requirements

Section 1 Scope and general

1.1 Scope
This Standard sets out design and operational requirements for scaffolding systems, scaffolding
equipment and scaffolds. It includes specifications for catch platforms erected on scaffolds and covers
temporary stairways for use on a general construction site.
Where specified, particular requirements of other parts of this series of Standards will take precedence
over specific requirements of this Part.
NOTE 1 When importing scaffolding equipment and/or components, the use of Standards from another country
may not result in conformance with this series. Design, performance and/or test criteria may be of a lesser level
in other Standards. It is imperative to ensure that a Standard from another country is equivalent to this series
before assuming scaffolding equipment to be in conformance with this Standard.

NOTE  2 For the purposes of this Standard some types of equipment that incorporate temporary working
platforms may not be considered to be a scaffold. These types of equipment may include the following:

(a) Equipment covered in other Standards, for example —

(i) elevating work platforms, AS/NZS 1418.10;

(ii) mast climbing work platforms, AS 1418.16;

(iii) portable ladders, AS/NZS 1892 series; and

(iv) falsework constructed primarily to support concrete, AS 3610 (all parts).

(b) Stools under 1 m in height which may allow for height adjustment but do not require assembly prior to use.

NOTE 3 Trestle ladders are covered in the AS/NZS 1892 series. It is intended that trestle ladder scaffolds will be
incorporated into AS/NZS 1576.5.

1.2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document:
NOTE Documents referenced for informative purposes are listed in the Bibliography.

AS 1170.4, Structural design actions, Part 4: Earthquake actions in Australia

AS 1391, Metallic materials—Tensile testing at ambient temperature
AS 1444, Wrought alloy steels—Standard, hardenability (H) series and hardened and tempered to
designated mechanical properties
AS 1576.3, Scaffolding, Part 3: Prefabricated and tube-and-coupler scaffolding
AS 1831, Ductile cast iron
AS 1832, Malleable cast iron
AS 2321, Short-link chain for lifting purposes
AS 2423, Coated steel wire fencing products for terrestrial, aquatic and general use

© Standards Australia Limited/Standards New Zealand 2019