Nov. 21.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 3945

(4) Ladder-brackets shall be used only on ladders approved by the Inspector, and shall not be used above the height of 12 ft.

(5) Every working-platform at a greater height than 10 ft. from the ground shall be at least 18 in. wide, and, unless otherwise authorized by the Inspector, shall have a guard-rail 3 ft. from the floor of the platform. Such guard-rail shall be of timber not less than 3 in. by 2 in.

Provided that working-platforms used by painters up to a height of 16 ft. shall be considered to be sufficiently wide if constructed of one 12 in. by 1½ in. plank.

(6) No person except the dog-man shall be lifted by a crane or ride in a barrow-hoist or adopt other unsafe means of moving from place to place about a building; every other person shall use the ladders, staircases, or gangways provided for the purpose. No owner or person in charge shall permit any person except the dog-man to be lifted by a crane or ride in a barrow-hoist: Provided that it shall be permissible for a person to ride in a suitable receptacle of sufficient depth to ensure safety if effective means are taken to prevent spinning and ensure an efficient system of signalling.

(7) Every box used for hoisting bricks or other material shall be closed in except on one side. One or more of the sides may be hinged or securely slotted.

(8) All wellholes and openings in floors, whether on scaffolding or buildings, shall be properly fenced with a substantial guard-rail at the height of 3 ft.

(9) No person shall interfere with or remove or alter any material or gear from any scaffolding or in connection with any scaffolding except under the direct orders of the employer or person in charge of such scaffolding.

(10) No person shall work upon any scaffolding in course of erection without the permission of the employer or the person in charge of such scaffolding.

EXCAVATIONS.

23. (1) When any excavation is being made or used, such excavation shall be shored and timbered to the satisfaction of the Inspector, and kept so shored and timbered while in the opinion of the Inspector there is danger to any person.

(2) All material used for sheeting and poling-boards shall be in good condition, and all timbers shall be sound, straight, free from cracks, shakes, and large or loose knots, and of the required dimensions throughout.

(3) When deemed necessary by an Inspector, the sides of all trenches which are 5 ft. or more in depth and over 8 ft. in length, shall be securely held by poling-boards and struts.

(4) All trenches of over 8 ft. in length and 5 ft. or more in depth in hard compact material shall be braced at intervals not exceeding 8 ft. with 6 in. by 2 in. poling-boards or heavier material, placed vertically in the trench opposite each other against the walls. The poling-boards shall, if possible, extend to the bottom of the trench, otherwise as low as possible to clear the top of the pipe, sewer, conduit, or other material to be placed in the bottom of the trench.

(5) The poling-boards shall be supported by walings placed horizontally, and held in position by screw-jacks or by struts.

The number of walings shall be as follows:—

Depth of Trench. Number of Walings. Depth of Trench. Number of Walings.
5 ft. to 8 ft. 2 12 ft. to 16 ft. 4
8 ft. ,, 12 ft. 3 16 ft. ,, 20 ft. 5

The struts shall be not less than the size given in the following table. Struts and screw-jacks shall be spaced not more than 6 ft. apart, except at the joints of the walings, where they must be closer.

Width of Trench. Size of Strut.
1 ft. to 3 ft. 4 in. by 3 in.
3 ft. ,, 6 ft. 6 in. ,, 3 in.
6 ft. ,, 8 ft. 6 in. ,, 6 in.

(6) The timbering of trenches shall be carried along with the excavation, and shall in no case be omitted, except that where a mechanical digger is used the timbering shall be placed within 10 ft. of the lower end of the jib.

(7) Trenches in saturated, filled, or unstable material (not running material) shall be close timbered. Poling-boards shall be not less than 6 in. by 2 in., and held by walings not less than 6 in. by 3 in. Struts shall be of the same size and number as defined by paragraph (5).