SCAFFOLDING STUDY GUIDE

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Scope of the Scaffold Certification Tests
2. Purpose of the Certification Tests
3. Purpose of the Study Guide
4. Scaffold Certification Tests
5. Certification Performance Tests
6. Types of Performance Tests
7. Test Durations
8. Example of Performance Inspection Sheet

1. Scope of the Scaffold Certification Tests

The Scaffold Certification Tests cover the certification of employees/contractors as defined in GI 8.001
– Safety Requirements for Scaffolds.
• Scaffold Supervisor I (S-I)
• Scaffold Supervisor II-T (S-IIT)
• Scaffold Supervisor II-S (S-IIS)
• Scaffold Inspector (INSP.)

2. Purpose of the Certification Tests

To determine if an employee/contractor can demonstrate the theoretical and practical knowledge, as
defined in GI 8.001 – Safety Requirements for Scaffolds and the Saudi Aramco Scaffold Safety
Handbook (SSH), to perform at the worksite as a Scaffold Supervisor or Inspector.

3. Purpose of the Study Guide

This study guide is designed to prepare candidates for the written and performance Scaffold
Certification Tests. Specifically the study guide specifies
• Which topics are covered in each of the Scaffold Certification Written Tests
• The types of questions in the Scaffold Certification Written Tests
• What is required of the candidate in the Scaffold Certification Performance Tests

4. Scaffold Certification Written Tests

Questions in the Certification Written Test will be consistent with:
• GI 8.001 - Safety Requirements for Scaffolds
• Saudi Aramco Scaffold Safety Handbook (SSH)
• Current working procedures and practices for the safe erection, alteration and dismantling of
scaffolding.
The written test is in two parts.
Part 1 requires the candidate to answer questions, without the aid of any reference material, on

• The safe erection, alteration and dismantling of scaffolding (S-I, S-IIT, & S-IIS)
• The duties and responsibilities of a Scaffold Supervisor/Inspector (S-I, S-IIT, S-IIS, & INSP.)
• The inspection and tagging procedures of the Saudi Aramco scaffold tagging system (S-I, S-IIT, S-IIS, &
INSP.)
• Interpreting scaffold plans (S-I, & INSP.)
• Fall protection for scaffold crews (S-I, S-IIT & S-IIS)
• Conditions and installation of portable ladders (S-I, S-IIT, S-IIS, & INSP.)
• Usage and storage of scaffold components (S-I, S-IIT, S-IIS, & INSP.)
• Load duty ratings of scaffolds (S-I, S-IIT, S-IIS, & INSP.)
• Conditions for safe scaffold foundations (S-I, S-IIT, S-IIS, & INSP.)
• Configurations of bracing for system and fabricated tubular frame scaffolds (S-I, S-IIS, & INSP.)
• Installation of ties, rakers, anchors and outriggers (S-I, S-IIT, S-IIS, & INSP.)
• Scaffold working platform construction (S-I, S-IIT, S-IIS, & INSP.)
• Scaffold landing construction (S-I, S-IIT, S-IIS, & INSP.)
• Installation of tube and coupler scaffold components (S-I, S-IIT & INSP.)
• Installation of system and fabricated tubular frame scaffold components (S-I, S-IIS & INSP.)
• Construction of mobile and tower scaffolds (S-I, S-IIT, S-IIS, & INSP.)
• Construction of underhung scaffolds (S-I, S-IIT & INSP.)
• Construction of bracket scaffolds (S-I & INSP.)

Part 2 requires the candidate to locate specifications/information using the Scaffold Safety Handbook
(SSH) and Loss Prevention/Manufactures documentation, including:

• Procedures for special hazards associated with high winds, work over water, hot surfaces and
unstable structures (S-I, S-IIT & S-IIS)
• Safe scaffold access and egress (including job-made ladders, ramps, stairways) specifications (S-I, S-
IIT, S-IIS & INSP.)
• Safe clearances between scaffolds and power lines and excavations (S-I, S-IIT, S-IIS & S)
• Acceptable post (standard) spacing for light- and medium-duty tube and coupler (S-I, S-IIT & INSP.),
system (S-I, S-IIS & INSP.), underhung (S-I, S-IIT & INSP.), and bracket scaffolds (S-I & INSP.)
• Allowable maximum number of working levels and additional planked levels required for light- and
medium-duty tube and coupler (S-I, S-IIT & INSP.) and system scaffolds (S-I, S-IIS & INSP.)

The performance test will be administered only to candidates who have successfully passed the written
certification test.

5. Certification Performance Tests

For the performance test, scaffolds will be constructed with built-in faults. The candidates will be
required to inspect and document which parts of the constructions are acceptable and document all
the faults and their corrective actions.
(Attached is an example of Performance Inspection Sheet for Supervisor II-T)
6. Types of Performance Tests
Supervisor I and Inspector – Base supported tube and coupler, system and underhung scaffolds.
Supervisor II-T – Base supported tube and coupler and underhung scaffolds.
Supervisor II-S – System scaffold.

7. Test Durations

The duration of the written tests will be

Supervisor I - 2 hours
Supervisors II-T, II-S, and Inspector - 1 1/2 hours

Twenty (20) minutes will be allowed for the inspection and documentation of each of the scaffold
constructions.