Scaffolding injuries have become a major problem in any construction project. Recent incidents in Sydney saw dozens of school children injured when a temporary scaffolding collapsed in Sydney. At the same time, the life of a teenage apprentice ended after a massive collapse took place. It means securing the safety of all scaffolding hires must be a priority.
In general, scaffolding is not exactly dangerous. Builders and their workers only need to follow all the safety protocols to minimize the risk of accidents. Learning these steps to achieve safer scaffolding will also protect everyone on the construction site.
Begin With The Training
Scaffolding requires proper erection, transfer, dismantling, and maintenance to ensure its safety. It can be achieved if all workers who use the scaffold better understand the safety procedures for using the platform. Because of this, mandatory training is necessary to provide helpful information for every person involved in the project.
The training must center on how to use the scaffolding accurately. It should also teach the right way to operate the tools and materials when using the scaffolding. Training the workers on how to be aware of load rating and how it can affect their tasks is also necessary. The training must be updated each time the scaffold undergoes substantial changes in the structure or any alterations to the tasks performed.
Follow Instructions Properly
Accidents involving scaffolding hire are usually voidable by keeping a fundamental yet important reminder in mind: Follow instructions to a tee.
Workers tend to be very familiar with the scaffolds they use, making them believe that all the applications and systems are similar. But most of the time, that is not the case, especially if the components of the scaffolding frame come from different manufacturers. It usually happens if the builders cannot find the scaffolding they need for a particular function.
While scaffolds may have basic structures, all systems are created differently. Therefore, using a component from another manufacturer or taken from another system could compromise its structural integrity. It is one of the reasons why scaffolds can be unstable. So always follow the general instructions when using scaffolding systems to prevent untoward incidents. Click here to know more about workers’ compensation.
Think About The Hazards
The hazards that come with the use of scaffolding systems depend on the tasks and the operating situation. Most of the time, the most prevalent risk is falling from the top of the scaffold, so it is necessary to attach the guardrails properly and use some personal protection equipment (PPE) to protect workers from falls.
Also, most scaffolding systems are made using metal components. It makes its possible proximity to live electrical lines lead to electrocution hazards. The weather may also bring various hazards when using scaffolds outdoors. If the platform gets wet or covered with ice, it may cause the workers to slip or fall while working on the scaffold.
Utilize A Tagging System
A construction manager can be held responsible for giving instructions to all workers regarding the safe use of the scaffold. In addition, they must implement a tagging system to indicate if the scaffold can be used properly.
A green tag means the scaffold passed the inspection and was deemed safe for use in a typical tagging system. On the other hand, a red tag means the structure is not safe. The workers could also find a scaffold with a yellow tag, which means that they can use it safely under a specified condition.
Undergo Regular Inspection
Construction managers must also schedule regular scaffolding inspections all over the site. It should take place at least once a day. But if there are changes in the work conditions like unexpected weather disruption, the inspection should happen more than once.
Regular inspection will ensure that the scaffolding structure is safe to work on. It must include the evaluation of the platform as well as the frames that build the structure.
Understanding the complexity of the scaffolding system can ensure the safety and protection of all the workers. It will significantly reduce incidents of injuries and equipment damages brought by scaffolding mishaps. By keeping all these steps in mind, the builders and everyone involved in the construction project will have peace of mind knowing that they are safe from possible scaffolding issues.