Platforms, Ladders and Scaffolds
Equipment selection, design, assembly, inspection, loading, alteration and safe use.
How to prepare for an IOSH construction course
Use the developing site scenario to practise proportionate decisions, then confirm the exact assessment and delivery arrangements with your IOSH-approved provider.
Core concepts
Concept 1
Access equipment selection follows the risk, task, duration, environment and need for stable collective protection.
Exam cue: Verify foundation, ties, edge protection, access and inspection status.
Concept 2
Scaffolds and working platforms need appropriate design, competent assembly, handover, inspection and loading control.
Exam cue: Keep unauthorised people from altering a scaffold.
Concept 3
Ladders are reserved for suitable low-risk, short-duration work where more protective equipment is not justified.
Exam cue: Maintain safe contact and prevent overreach when ladder use is justified.
Risk pitfalls and guardrails
Choosing a ladder solely because it is available.
Guardrail: Do not turn course attendance, a signed form or personal confidence into authority for uncontrolled work.
Removing a guardrail for loading without controlled replacement.
Guardrail: Do not turn course attendance, a signed form or personal confidence into authority for uncontrolled work.
Overloading a platform with materials.
Guardrail: Do not turn course attendance, a signed form or personal confidence into authority for uncontrolled work.
Memory anchors
Select for the Task
Duration and risk determine the access system.
Built, Handed, Inspected
Competent erection and documented control precede use.
No Unauthorised Alteration
A small scaffold change can affect the whole system.
Ladders Are Conditional
Use only when the risk and duration justify them.
Checkpoint rule
Do the check-up only after you can summarize each concept in one sentence and identify one dangerous pitfall from memory.
Knowledge Check (after reading)
Short check-up to confirm understanding of this module.
Check-up Questions
Next step personalized recommendations
Continue learning
Move forward only after this module is stable.
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