Tips for Preventing Accidents While Scaffolding
Scaffolds are the trademark fixtures in almost every construction site. They are temporary structures that play a significant role in the different types of work available in a construction site. They provide construction workers access to platforms and elevated areas for materials. You can also find scaffolds in offshore oil rigs and refineries, and they are quite useful in this industry as well.
But, when they are improperly installed or poorly built, workers can be killed or seriously injured. Here are some tips you can use to prevent accidents during scaffolding.
Train Workers
Training is an essential component of preventing scaffolding accidents. As an employer, it is vital to make sure you train all your workers for their jobs. Those who work around or on scaffolds should receive training which addresses the following aspects:
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Fall protection measures
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The nature of scaffold-related hazards
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How to identify a defective scaffold
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Procedures to try to relocate mobile scaffolds
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The load capacity for each scaffold
The training you provide should be specific to the scaffolds present at the site.
Wear the appropriate protective equipment
Personal protective equipment is vital at a construction site, especially for workers on the scaffolding. The protective equipment you provide should include head protection and protective non-slip footwear. Also, to prevent falls, your workers should have a safety harness. It is the responsibility of the employer to provide workers with all the necessary protective equipment before they can start working on the scaffolds.
Look for hazards
Before building or working on a scaffolding, it is essential to look for potential hazards on and around the construction site. For instance, you can try checking whether the ground is unstable or uneven. You can also confirm if the scaffold might be too close to a power line. Looking for hazards is something you should continue doing even after constructing the scaffolding, as other risks can arise and you need to handle them immediately.
Understand the provided safety rules
Federal and state safety regulations enforce strict requirements when it comes to industrial scaffolding set-up and design. Depending on the scaffold type—whether suspended or supported, stationary or mobile, adjustable or not—employers must follow every specification. The specs provided in the safety rules address support, cross-bracing, loading capacity, counterweights and more.
Implementing the above safety tips can help prevent your workers from scaffolding accidents. They will not only be prepared to work on a scaffold, but they will also know how to handle accidents or injuries when they occur.
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