Full 360° access to the internal façade of a large storage tank

At Masta Scaffold, we pride ourselves on delivering safe, efficient, and tailored scaffolding solutions for every challenge , including those in confined, high-compliance environments.

Recently, we were engaged to provide full 360° access to the internal façade of a large storage tank to facilitate cleaning and painting works. The project required a bespoke scaffold design that met both structural requirements and strict confined space safety regulations in New South Wales, Australia.

Understanding the Scope

Our design team first worked closely with the client to understand the full scope and constraints of the job:

• Complete 360° internal access without obstructing work zones

• Zero gaps to ensure a safe and stable working platform

• Compliance with confined space entry and work at heights regulations

• Strict timeframes for scaffold erection and dismantling

Once the scope was finalised, our scaffold designers produced detailed engineering drawings, ensuring every part of the structure could be built safely and efficiently inside the tank.

Operations & Execution

Our fully trained scaffolders, all holding current Confined Spaces Tickets and Work at Heights certification, carried out the erection in strict accordance with the approved design.

We utilised the Layher Allround system with lap board decking, ensuring there were no gaps in the platform. 

This provided:

• A continuous, stable, and trip-free work surface

• Safe edge protection and fall prevention measures

• Full compliance with AS/NZS 1576 Scaffolding Standards

The scaffold was completed within the allocated erection timeframe, allowing the client to commence cleaning and painting works without delay.

Safety & Compliance in Confined Spaces (NSW)

Working inside tanks in NSW comes with strict safety requirements under the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017 (NSW) and relevant SafeWork NSW Codes of Practice, including:

• Confined Space Risk Assessment prior to entry

• Entry permits issued before any work commenced

• Continuous air quality monitoring inside the tank

• Adequate ventilation systems in place

• Emergency and rescue procedures established before work began

• Use of PPE appropriate for confined space and painting environments

Masta Scaffold’s team followed all these requirements, ensuring full compliance and zero incidents.

The Result

The client received a fully compliant, custom-built scaffold that allowed safe, unrestricted access to the entire internal tank wall. This project highlighted our ability to combine engineering precision with safety-first operations, delivering exceptional results even in challenging confined space environments.