Scaffold Risk Assessment And Method Statement Template for New Zealand
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What is a Scaffold Risk Assessment And Method Statement?
The Scaffold Risk Assessment And Method Statement is a crucial document required for any scaffolding work in New Zealand, designed to ensure compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and associated regulations. This document is essential when planning, executing, and managing scaffolding operations, whether for construction, maintenance, or renovation projects. It provides a comprehensive framework for identifying potential hazards, implementing control measures, and establishing safe work procedures. The RAMS must be prepared before commencing any scaffolding work and should be regularly reviewed and updated throughout the project lifecycle. It serves as a key reference document for all stakeholders involved in scaffolding operations and demonstrates compliance with New Zealand's strict workplace safety requirements.
About the Scaffold Risk Assessment And Method Statement
A Scaffold Risk Assessment And Method Statement (RAMS) is a mandatory safety planning document that you must prepare before undertaking any scaffolding work in New Zealand. This comprehensive document combines risk assessment with detailed method statements to ensure your scaffolding operations comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and WorkSafe NZ guidelines. The RAMS identifies potential hazards, establishes control measures, and outlines safe work procedures for scaffold erection, use, and dismantling.
When do you need this document?
You need a Scaffold Risk Assessment And Method Statement whenever scaffolding work is planned on your construction, maintenance, or renovation project. This includes temporary scaffolds for building work, access scaffolds for maintenance tasks, and complex scaffolding systems for high-rise construction. The document is required whether you're a principal contractor engaging scaffolding services or a scaffolding contractor performing the work directly. You must have an approved RAMS in place before any scaffold erection begins, and it should be readily accessible to all workers and site supervisors throughout the project duration.
Key legal considerations
Your RAMS must demonstrate compliance with several critical legal requirements under New Zealand law. The document must identify all reasonably foreseeable hazards associated with scaffolding work, including fall risks, structural collapse, electrical hazards, and weather-related dangers. You need to specify control measures for each identified risk, following the hierarchy of controls prescribed in safety legislation. The RAMS should detail competency requirements for scaffolding workers, including certification and training records. Additionally, you must include emergency procedures, communication protocols, and inspection schedules. The document requires approval from competent persons and must be reviewed whenever site conditions change or incidents occur.
Legal requirements in New Zealand
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) duties require you to ensure scaffolding work is planned, supervised, and executed safely. Your RAMS must align with WorkSafe NZ's Good Practice Guidelines for Scaffolding (2016), which specify design requirements, load calculations, and safety factors. The document must address specific regulatory requirements including working at height provisions, structural stability standards, and fall protection measures. You may need to notify WorkSafe NZ for certain high-risk scaffolding work and obtain local authority permits for scaffolds affecting public areas. The RAMS should also incorporate relevant Australian/New Zealand Standards (AS/NZS) for scaffolding design and construction, ensuring your scaffolding operations meet recognized industry benchmarks for safety and structural integrity.
GOVERNING LAW
Applicable law
This Scaffold Risk Assessment And Method Statement is drafted to comply with New Zealand law. Key legislation includes:
Health and Safety in Employment Regulations 1995: Contains specific requirements for hazard management, particularly relating to working at heights and construction work
Good Practice Guidelines for Scaffolding in New Zealand (2016): WorkSafe NZ's comprehensive guidelines specifically for scaffolding work, including requirements for design, erection, use, and dismantling of scaffolds
Approved Code of Practice for Load-Lifting Rigging: Provides standards for rigging operations which are essential for scaffold assembly and disassembly
AS/NZS 1576 (Parts 1-6) Scaffolding Standards: Joint Australian/New Zealand standards specifying requirements for scaffolding materials, components, and assembly
Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016: Outlines requirements for risk assessment, management of hazards, and emergency procedures
Health and Safety at Work (Worker Engagement, Participation, and Representation) Regulations 2016: Details requirements for worker consultation and engagement in health and safety matters, including risk assessment processes
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