Chargehand
Job Summary
The Scaffold Chargehand leads a small team of scaffold erectors on site, ensuring that scaffolding is erected, modified, and dismantled safely, efficiently, and in compliance with legal and company standards. This role requires hands-on technical expertise and the ability to supervise daily tasks without holding full managerial qualifications (e.g., Legal Liability, Scaffold Inspector, Incident Investigator).
Key Responsibilities
- Supervision & Team Leadership
- Lead and coordinate a crew of scaffold erectors and laborers during day or night shifts.
- Assign daily tasks and ensure all team members understand job requirements.
- Act as the first point of contact for the Scaffold Site Manager regarding progress, delays, or safety concerns.
- Scaffold Erection & Dismantling
- Erect, modify, and dismantle access scaffolding (tube & fitting, system, or frame scaffolding as applicable).
- Ensure all scaffold components are correctly installed according to design drawings.
- Maintain proper stacking and storage of materials on site (basic housekeeping).
- Safety & Risk Management
- Working at Height – Ensure all team members use fall arrest/fall protection systems correctly.
- Fall Protection Implementation / Basic Fall Arrest – Supervise the correct use of lanyards, harnesses, anchor points, and rescue planning.
- HIRA (Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment) – Conduct daily on-the-job risk assessments before starting tasks.
- Permit Acceptor – Accept valid work permits for scaffolding activities (e.g., working at height, hot work near scaffolds if applicable).
- Confined Space Training – Identify confined space risks near scaffolding and ensure no unauthorized entry occurs.
- Quality Assurance
- Inspect scaffolding under construction for stability and compliance (though not a certified Scaffold Inspector – refer major inspections to Site Manager).
- Immediately stop work if unsafe conditions are identified.
- Documentation & Communication
- Report incidents, near misses, or equipment defects to the Site Manager.
- Complete basic shift handover reports (verbal or written).
- Use basic digital tools if required (no advanced data capturing needed).
Mandatory Qualifications & Certifications
- Working at Height: Yes
- Scaffold Erector Training: Yes
- Confined Space Training: Yes
- HIRA: Yes
- Permit Acceptor: Yes
- Fall Protection Implementation / Basic Fall Arrest: Yes
- Drivers License: Not required
- PDP: Not required
Working ConditionsConstruction or industrial sites (mining, petrochemical, building).Regular work at heights – using fall arrest systems.Exposure to confined space areas (not entry, but adjacent work).Physical demands – lifting, climbing, carrying scaffold components.Shift work including nights, weekends, or overtime as needed.
