Independent free practice by AL-YASSIN. It is not the official SVP (Takamol) test and does not give a certificate.
See all 30 questions with the answers
A scaffold has a red tag. What does it mean?
Do not use it.
Why: Red means unsafe or not finished. Nobody climbs it.
A scaffold has a green tag. What does it mean?
It was inspected and is safe to use.
Why: Green: inspected and safe for normal work. Check the date on the tag.
What does a yellow tag mean?
Use it only with the limits written on the tag.
Why: Yellow: limits apply, for example a harness or a closed area. Read the tag first.
You find a scaffold with no tag. What do you do?
Do not use it and tell your supervisor.
Why: No tag, no climb.
Who may move a tie, a board or a guardrail on a scaffold?
Only trained scaffolders, with the supervisor's permission.
Why: Only the scaffold crew changes a scaffold. After a change it is inspected again.
A ladder is at the right angle when, for every 4 m up, its foot is about:
1 m out from the wall
Why: About 1 out for 4 up, close to 75 degrees.
How far should an access ladder go above the platform it serves?
About 1 m, so you have something to hold when you step on and off.
Why: About 1 m above the landing, and tied at the top.
When you climb a ladder you should:
Keep three points of contact and have both hands free.
Why: Two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand, all the time. Material goes up by hand-to-hand or a hoist.
How do tubes and fittings get up to the lift where you work?
Passed up hand to hand or lifted with a gin wheel or hoist.
Why: Never carry material on a ladder. Pass it up or use a hoist.
Can you throw fittings or tools down from a scaffold?
No. Lower them or pass them down.
Why: A falling coupler can kill. Lower it, never drop it.
Why must loose fittings and tools not be left at the edge of a platform?
They can fall on people below.
Why: Keep the platform clear and use the toe boards. Falling objects are a main danger.
While a scaffold is being built or taken down, the area below should be:
Closed with barriers and signs.
Why: Keep everyone out of the area below while the crew works above.
You find a split or rotten board. What do you do?
Put it aside, mark it damaged and tell the supervisor.
Why: Damaged material never goes back into a scaffold.
A tube is bent, cracked or badly rusted. What do you do?
Do not use it. Mark it and send it for repair or scrap.
Why: Only sound material is used. Damaged items go back to the yard, marked.
About how heavy is a 6.3 m steel scaffold tube?
About 28 kg
Why: About 4.4 kg per metre, so about 28 kg. Lift with care and ask for help.
How do you lift a heavy load safely?
Bend your knees, keep your back straight and the load close to you.
Why: Use your legs, not your back. Get help for long or heavy items.
Which set of PPE is right for scaffold work?
Hard hat with chin strap, safety boots, gloves and safety glasses, plus a harness when the work needs it.
Why: The chin strap keeps the hard hat on when you bend or work at height.
When you wear a harness at height, where do you clip on?
To a strong anchor point or lifeline the supervisor approved.
Why: A harness only works when the lanyard is clipped to a strong anchor.
Before you use a harness you should:
Check the straps, stitching, buckles and lanyard, and not use it if damaged.
Why: Check it every time. A damaged harness goes back to the store.
Strong wind or lightning starts. What do you do?
Stop work at height, secure loose material and come down when told.
Why: Weather can blow material off and make the scaffold unsafe. Stop and secure.
Working in summer heat, you should:
Drink water often, rest in the shade and tell the supervisor if you feel dizzy or sick.
Why: Heat illness is dangerous. In Saudi Arabia outdoor work is stopped at midday in the summer months.
You carry a long tube near overhead power lines. You should:
Keep well away and follow the permit and the supervisor's safe distance.
Why: Electricity can jump to a steel tube. Keep the distance you were given.
Why keep platforms and walkways clear?
To stop trips and falls.
Why: Good housekeeping prevents many accidents.
You see a missing guardrail or a gap in the platform. What do you do?
Keep away from it, stop and report it to the scaffold supervisor.
Why: Only the scaffold crew repairs it. Until then nobody works there.
Can you jump from a scaffold to the ground or onto a truck?
No. Always use the ladder or stairs.
Why: Jumping causes many injuries. Use the access.
Base plates and sole boards are put under the standards to:
Spread the load and stop the scaffold sinking.
Why: The ground must carry the load. Sole boards spread it.
Which coupler joins a ledger to a standard at 90 degrees?
Right-angle (double) coupler
Why: The right-angle coupler carries load. The swivel coupler is for braces at any angle.
Which fitting joins two tubes end to end?
Sleeve coupler
Why: The sleeve coupler joins tubes end to end.
You get a small cut at work. What do you do?
Report it and get first aid, even if it is small.
Why: Every injury is reported. Small cuts can get infected.
Before scaffold work starts in a plant area, the crew needs:
A valid work permit and a toolbox talk.
Why: In plant areas no work starts without a permit. The toolbox talk explains today's hazards.
About the skills test for Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia's Skill Verification Program (SVP, run by Takamol) checks the skills of workers in listed trades before they travel for work. In Pakistan the list includes "Scaffold Labourer" under Civil & Construction.
The official assessment has a 15-question computer test and practical tasks at an approved test centre. Check the official SVP portal and your test centre for your trade and country.
Source: NAVTTC (Pakistan), Pakistan Saudi Arabia Skill Verification Program, read 29 Oct 2026.