What You Need to Understand about Scaffolding Safety

It’s no secret that the construction industry is prone to injuries. Recent data published by Safe Work Australia has disclosed that the construction industry is one of the most dangerous sectors in Australia, having the third highest frequency of serious injuries and fatalities. With scaffolding being such a vital component of the construction industry, stringent scaffolding safety measures must be integrated into construction sites to decrease the threat of injuries to employees as well as the public.

There are many scaffolding safety measures that must be adhered to on construction sites to reduce the risk of injuries. Each day, new threats and hazards need to be identified to make sure that workers can carry out their tasks in a safe working environment. One of the most common reasons for injury on scaffolding equipment is associated with human error, suggesting that the training of workers on scaffolding is crucial step in reducing the number of accidents. To give you a better understanding about what you need to understand about scaffolding safety, we have created a checklist of some of the most essential safety issues.

Appropriate training

Studies have indicated that two-thirds of construction workers utilise scaffolding at some point throughout a construction project, so sufficient scaffolding training is critical. Only workers that have the appropriate credentials and training can make use of scaffolding equipment. There are several aspects of scaffolding where appropriate knowledge is needed to safely accomplish work. All construction companies must appropriately train their staff in scaffolding safety, including assembly, how to safely mount and move around the structure, load capacities, as well as the best ways to safely exit the structure.

Inspections and maintenance

Weather conditions can quickly change the ground conditions and make previously safe scaffolding equipment unstable, which is why regular inspections and maintenance need to take place. Inspections must be performed after the scaffolding has been assembled, in addition to further inspections every seven days until the scaffolding is finally dismantled. These inspections must be carried out by an experienced individual, ideally an engineer or a person who has been approved by an engineer. Moreover, the structure must also be examined for any damage or corrosion and working platforms have to be examined regularly to ensure they are in good working condition.

Ground and site preparation

Even when a scaffolding structure has been assembled correctly, the ground conditions and location of other obstacles near the scaffolding will have a substantial effect on the level of safety. Recognising all prospective risks such as trees, electrical cables, and other high-risk obstacles is required so they can be swiftly resolved and managed in the future. If these obstacles cannot be removed, they should be integrated into the design of the scaffolding and evaluated daily to ensure they are not going to present any further threats to workers.

Correct PPE

Personal protective equipment (or PPE) is a vital safety concern when working on scaffolding and construction sites in general. It’s paramount that every worker is wearing the correct protective equipment, including non-slip boots, head protection, and fall protection. PPE save thousands of lives every year on construction sites. Normally, each construction site will have unique threats and hazards, so workers will be advised directly on what type of protective equipment should be used. Additionally, managers need to actively enforce the proper use of protective equipment.

Load Capacities

Among the biggest risks in scaffolding use is overloading working platforms with either workers or materials. Each working platform has a specific load capacity which must not be exceeded under any circumstances. It’s paramount that workers understand and respect load capacities simply because overloading working platforms is one of the most common causes of injuries on scaffolding. Only a few additional kilograms on a working platform can cause the entire structure to collapse, which can cause serious injuries to workers on and below the platform. 

Fall protection

Fall protection on scaffolding platforms is an essential security measure for all scaffolding structures that exceed three metres in height. Guardrails must be installed on scaffolding structures to lower the risk of workers and materials falling from these platforms, which poses a serious threat to workers on and below the scaffolding structure. Guardrails must be implemented on all three sides of the scaffolding that doesn’t face the building, and each guardrail should have three separate rails: a top rail, a mid rail, and a bottom rail (or toe board).

Housekeeping

Keeping tools and materials organised when working on scaffolding platforms is very important, considering the platforms are small especially when there are several workers occupying it. Accidentally kicking tools or materials off the platform can happen very easily which presents safety risks to workers below the structure. Workers must always be aware of what is around them, including tools, equipment, rubbish, and other workers.

While strict safety procedures and inspections may cause delays, ensuring that all potential risks and hazards are minimised is a key component in providing a safe workplace. The safety of all workers, visitors, and the general public is the number one priority on construction sites. Too many preventable accidents and injuries occur on scaffolding equipment, so sufficient training, preparation, and inspections must be performed along with using the correct protection equipment and respecting load capacities. 

At Uni-Span, we understand the importance of safety on construction sites and ensure all our scaffolding equipment and accessories meet Australian safety standards. We also offer engineering services to ensure that construction sites are as safe as possible. If you’d like to learn more about our scaffolding products and services, feel free to contact us on 1300 882 825, or visit our website for further information: https://uni-span.com.au