Ensuring Safety in Scaffolding Work: Key Points on Scaffolding Operation Chiefs and Special Education

Getting Started

Ensuring safety is the top priority in daily construction operations.
High-elevation work, in particular, carries inherent risks such as falls and slips.

To mitigate these hazards, national regulations mandate specific qualifications and training based on the risk level of the tasks involved.
These are essential rules designed to protect the lives of everyone working on-site.

In this article, we will break down the key points regarding safety measures required for scaffolding work, specifically focusing on the Scaffolding Assembly Operation Chiefs and Special Education for Scaffolding Assembly, Dismantling, and Alteration.　

Key safety measures required in scaffolding work

(Industrial Safety and Health Regulations: Articles 518, 564–575, and other related scaffolding provisions)

While the specific legal requirements for safe scaffolding work are highly detailed, they can be broadly summarized as follows:

　　

1. Installation of Working Platforms (Article 518)
For work performed at heights of two meters or higher, a secure working platform must be installed to prevent falls. If installing a platform is unfeasible, safety nets must be set up, or workers must use safety harnesses.

2. Ensuring Material Safety (Articles 559 & 560)
All materials used for scaffolding must be free of damage or defects. Steel pipes and joint fittings must strictly comply with official safety standards.

3. Structural Integrity of Scaffolding (Articles 561 & 561-2)
Scaffolding must be stable and structurally sound. For work areas with a width of one meter or wider, the use of full structural scaffolding is required.

4. Maximum Load Capacity Management (Article 562)
A maximum load capacity must be established for the scaffolding, and overloading is strictly prohibited. Suspended scaffolding must be designed based on safety factors, and these load limits must be clearly communicated to all workers.

5. Working Platform Standards & Fall Prevention Equipment (Articles 563 & 564)
Working platforms must be installed in accordance with specific width and gap regulations. They must also be equipped with fall prevention systems, including handrails, mid-rails, and toe boards.

6. Safety Measures for Assembly, Dismantling, and Alteration (Article 564)
Management must ensure work procedures are fully communicated, restricted areas are clearly marked, work is suspended during severe weather, and proper fall prevention protocols are enforced.

7. Appointment and Duties of an Operations Chief (Articles 565 & 566)
An appointed operations chief must inspect materials, direct the work, and monitor the proper use of safety equipment.

8. Scaffolding Inspections (Article 575)
Inspections must be conducted before daily use, after severe weather events, and during dismantling. Any detected abnormalities must be repaired immediately.

　　　

To ensure that these measures are executed properly, specific qualifications and training are required for both the person directing safety and the person performing the actual work. Below, we will break down the two central regulatory programs that govern these roles.

　　

Operations Chief of Assembling of Scaffolding

(Industrial Safety and Health Act: Article 14 / Enforcement Order: Article 6, Item 15)

Roles and operations requiring an operations chief

The Operations Chief of Assembling of Scaffolding acts as the safety manager responsible for the assembly, dismantling, and alteration of scaffolding. They oversee the entire operation by determining work procedures, inspecting materials, instructing workers, and verifying the proper use of safety equipment.

Appointing an operations chief is legally required whenever assembly, dismantling, or alteration work is performed on any of the following types of scaffolding:

When any of these operations are carried out, a supervisor must be formally appointed from among the individuals who have successfully completed the required skill training course.

Our products requiring an operations chief

The following products available in our inventory reach structural heights of five meters or higher. When assembling, dismantling, or altering these structures, you must appoint a certified operations chief.
(※ Click on any product name below to view its specific details page.)

• Rolling Tower (3 or more steps)
• Rolling Tower with Internal Staircase (3 or more steps)
• Aluminum Rolling Tower / Wide Type (3 or more steps)

　

Special Education for Scaffolding Assembly, Dismantling, and Alteration

Training overview

This special education program is a legally mandated safety course for all workers engaged in the assembly, dismantling, or alteration of scaffolding. Completion of this training became mandatory following a regulatory amendment on July 1, 2015.

The education curriculum covers the following core areas:

• Types and structural engineering of scaffolding
• Procedures for assembly, dismantling, and alteration
• Knowledge of foundations, load-bearing capacity, and leveling
• Proper use of personal protective equipment for fall prevention
• Case studies of past site accidents and preventative measures

The primary objective of this education is to enhance on-site safety for the workers performing the actual labor.

Our products requiring special education

(※ Click a product name below to go to its product page.)

Products requiring special education for assembly, dismantling, or alteration

　　

Products used in multi-unit connections or foundations (special education may apply)

　　

Conclusion

Ensuring safety during scaffolding operations is more than just a regulatory box to check—it is an everyday commitment to protecting the lives of everyone on-site.

By implementing safety measures tailored to specific site conditions and building a system where trained workers assemble scaffolding under the watchful eye of an operations chief, companies can establish a highly effective framework for accident prevention.

We carry a comprehensive selection of products for various scaffolding operations. If you have any trouble selecting a product, please feel free to contact us.