PASMA Tower Inspection Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During an inspection, what should be checked about the diagonal and horizontal braces?
- That they are all the same length
- That they are all present, correctly positioned, and securely locked into place (Correct answer)
- That they have been polished
- That they are loosely fitted for flexibility
Correct answer: That they are all present, correctly positioned, and securely locked into place
All braces must be present as specified in the manufacturer's instruction manual, correctly positioned (diagonals in the right pattern), and securely locked with all clips or locks fully engaged. Missing or loose braces significantly reduce stability.
Question 2: What should be inspected regarding the platforms and decking of a tower scaffold?
- That they are lightweight enough to carry by hand
- That they are fully boarded, free from defects, wind locks engaged, and trapdoors functional (Correct answer)
- That they are painted with non-slip paint
- That they can be easily removed by one person
Correct answer: That they are fully boarded, free from defects, wind locks engaged, and trapdoors functional
Platforms must be fully boarded with no gaps, wind locks or clips engaged to prevent uplift, trapdoors functioning correctly, and boards free from splits, cracks, warping, or excessive wear that could compromise their strength.
Question 3: When inspecting castors, what specific checks should be made?
- That they are all different sizes for easier steering
- That they are correctly fitted, not damaged, brakes fully functional, and all brakes applied during use (Correct answer)
- That they spin freely with no resistance
- That they are inflatable
Correct answer: That they are correctly fitted, not damaged, brakes fully functional, and all brakes applied during use
Castors must be checked for correct fitting to the frame, damage to the wheel or housing, full brake functionality (brakes must hold firmly), and that all brakes are applied when the tower is in use. A damaged or non-functioning brake is a critical defect.
Question 4: What does a visual check for 'plumb' involve during a tower inspection?
- Checking the tower has been painted correctly
- Checking that the tower is vertically straight and not leaning to one side (Correct answer)
- Checking the plumbing connections for water
- Checking the tower can withstand an earthquake
Correct answer: Checking that the tower is vertically straight and not leaning to one side
Checking for plumb means verifying the tower is vertically upright and not leaning in any direction. A tower that is out of plumb has a shifted centre of gravity, increasing the risk of overturning. A spirit level can be used to verify.
Question 5: What should be checked about the toeboards during a tower scaffold inspection?
- That they are at least 150mm high, securely fitted on all open sides, and free from damage (Correct answer)
- That they are removable without tools
- That they are transparent so workers can see through them
- That they are made of rubber
Correct answer: That they are at least 150mm high, securely fitted on all open sides, and free from damage
Toeboards must be at least 150mm high, fitted on all open sides of the platform, securely fixed, and in good condition without splits or damage. They prevent tools and materials from falling off the platform edge onto people below.
Question 6: After an inspection reveals a tower is safe to use, how should this be communicated?
- By shouting to all workers on site
- By completing and displaying the inspection record/tag and briefing relevant workers (Correct answer)
- By sending a text message to the site manager
- No communication is needed if it passes
Correct answer: By completing and displaying the inspection record/tag and briefing relevant workers
The completed inspection record should be available on site (often displayed on or near the tower using a scaffold tag system), and relevant workers should be briefed on the tower's status and any conditions of use.
PASMA Tower Inspection Procedures 2
During an inspection, what should be checked about the diagonal and horizontal braces?