Australia Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces 7.1: 7.1 Catch platforms

A catch platform is a temporary robust platform below the work area, designed for the maximum impact load. Those using cantilevered, spur or tube and coupler scaffolding must be installed by holders of an intermediate or advanced scaffolding high risk work licence (or supervised enrolled trainees); those on prefabricated scaffolding from which a person or object could fall more than 4 metres by holders of a basic scaffolding licence (or supervised trainees). A catch platform should have a fully planked deck, extend at least 2 metres beyond unprotected edges of the work area unless extended guardrails are fitted, sit as close as possible below the work area with a fall onto it of no more than 1 metre, and always be used with edge protection.