No — you should not use milk crates under scaffold feet on a patio or any other surface. Milk crates are not designed to bear scaffold loads, they can crack or collapse without warning, and using them puts anyone on or near the scaffold at serious risk of injury. NZ health and safety law requires scaffolding to be erected and used safely, and improvised supports like milk crates simply don't meet that standard.
Why Milk Crates Are Dangerous
Milk crates are moulded from recycled plastic and are designed to carry bottles of milk — not the concentrated point loads that scaffold standards (vertical poles) transfer into the ground. Under a loaded scaffold, each standard can carry hundreds of kilograms. Plastic milk crates can:
- Crack or shatter under point loads, especially in cold or UV-degraded plastic
- Tip or rock because they are not flat-bottomed in the way a sole board is
- Compress unevenly, causing the scaffold to lean or rack
- Void your insurance if someone is injured on a scaffold erected with non-compliant supports
WorkSafe NZ treats scaffolding as a high-risk structure under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. Any scaffolding over 5 metres in height must be designed, erected, and dismantled by a competent person — and even lower scaffolds must be erected safely.
What NZ Regulations Say
Scaffolding in New Zealand is governed by NZS 4576:1995 (Guidelines for Scaffolding Safety) and WorkSafe's guidance on scaffolding. These documents set out requirements for base plates, sole boards, and ground preparation. The NZ Building Code and WorkSafe both require that any temporary structure used for work at height is fit for purpose and stable.
Key requirements for scaffold feet include:
- Base plates — a steel plate welded or screwed to the bottom of each standard to spread the load
- Sole boards — a timber board (typically 225 mm wide and at least 35–50 mm thick) placed under the base plate to spread the load further across the ground surface
- Adjustable base jacks — used where the ground or patio surface is uneven, allowing the scaffold to be levelled properly
None of these functions can be safely replicated by a milk crate.
Patio Surfaces: Special Considerations
Patios present their own challenges for scaffold setup. Common NZ patio surfaces — concrete, pavers, timber decking, or tiles — each behave differently under load:
| Surface | Key concern | Recommended approach |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | Generally solid, but check for voids or cracks | Sole board + base plate |
| Pavers | Can rock or sink; joints may be soft | Sole board spanning multiple pavers |
| Timber decking | May flex or have weak joists below | Check joist capacity; spread load with large sole board |
| Tiles | Brittle; point loads can crack tiles | Protective pad + sole board |
If you are unsure whether your patio can handle the load, have a qualified scaffolder assess it before erecting anything.
What You Should Use Instead
For a compliant, safe scaffold setup on a patio:
- Use proper base plates on every standard — these are a standard part of any hired or purchased scaffold system.
- Place sole boards under each base plate. Treated timber is commonly used. Your scaffold hire company or a trade supplier such as Bunnings or Mitre 10 can supply suitable timber.
- Use adjustable screw jacks to level the scaffold on uneven surfaces — never pack up one side with random objects.
- Protect delicate surfaces with rubber matting or similar padding under the sole board if you are worried about tiles or timber decking.
- Tie or brace the scaffold to the building where required, especially for taller lifts.
Hiring vs. Buying Scaffold
For most homeowner DIY jobs, hiring scaffold from a local hire company is the most practical option. Hired systems come with the correct base plates and jacks included. The hire company can also advise on setup for your specific situation. If you are purchasing a smaller modular system (such as a low-level work platform), always follow the manufacturer's instructions — these will specify the correct base components.
When to Call a Professional
For scaffolding over 5 metres in height, WorkSafe NZ requires the work to be carried out by a competent scaffolder. Even below that height, if you are not confident about:
- Assessing ground or patio load capacity
- Correctly bracing and tying the scaffold
- Working safely at height
…then hiring a qualified scaffolder is the right call. A professional will erect a compliant, stable scaffold quickly and safely, and carry the appropriate liability insurance. You can find licensed local scaffolders on tradedirectory.co.nz to get quotes for your job.
Safety note: Never work on a scaffold that feels unstable, rocks, or has been erected with improvised supports. If in doubt, come down and reassess before continuing.
