Most Important Scaffolding Safety Requirements in the UK

Scaffolding safety requirements in the UK

Scaffolders in Somerset

Recently, a 78-year-old man died falling 15 feet from scaffolding as he was working in the refurbishment of a store in Cribbs Causeway. This is just one incident. Every year there are many fatalities due to scaffold accidents. Construction is a huge industry in the UK. There are lots of job opportunities. Though the pay is good the jobs are risky. When the constructors work on great heights for doing building repair works, installing windows, painting, roofing, or other tasks, scaffolding should be constructed so that they can work.

The scaffold is one of the riskiest areas in a building to work as there is a high chance that you may fall or slip. When constructing a scaffolding structure it is necessary to maintain all the basic scaffolding regulations and rules. It is recommended that you must hire a professional for the job. You must ensure that the professional you hire adheres to the government rules and has the proper insurance to cover accidents of workers. You will find some good scaffolders in Somerset.

Scaffolding Safety Precautions and Inspection

Scaffolds are platforms temporarily made of wood, bamboo, tube, clip, etc. so that the workers can access the area of their work. These platforms are also needed to hold the supplies that are required for the construction job. As the workers have to work in great heights, it can be dangerous to work. The scaffolding companies need to take safety precautions and do regular inspections to ensure that the scaffold is safe and secure.

Precautions

When you work on a scaffold you should be aware of the laws and regulations. These laws can vary from one city to the other and also from one job to the next. Any employee who is working on a scaffold must be trained about the nature of the hazards involved, usage of the materials and procedures undertaken to deal with the various hazards. The workers can have protection system for falling objects or their personal fall arrest system.

Inspection

Any company building scaffolds in construction sites must adhere to the Scaffolding regulations. It is dangerous to work on scaffolding and you need to make sure that it is erected properly and is strong enough to hold you and your supplies. Scaffolding inspection is needed once every weak to ensure that the scaffolding is in good shape. Approved inspectors carry out the inspection and give their remarks on the scaffolding inspection report. He or she is responsible for identifying and noting down any defects found that can be risky. The inspector will also suggest any action that is necessary to ensure complete safety.

The inspection of scaffolding should start with a survey of the site. The inspection professional must prepare a scaffold inspection checklist. Any hazard should be noted, like debris, ditches, unguarded openings, high tension wires, etc. Steps must be taken to get rid of these hazards. Then the inspection professional looks for any damage or defect in the scaffold. If anything is found, the work must be stopped. Workers will only able to work once the damages are repaired. Proper scaffolding inspection procedure must be in place when the scaffold is assembled, changed, moved or taken apart. The inspection specialist ensures that the recommended load amount is placed on the scaffold; otherwise, it might break. It is important to cover the scaffold so that people on the road don’t get hurt due to falling objects from the scaffold.

Changes in legislation

Since 2005, there have been changes in the legislation of scaffolding industry. Besides the regular weekly visits, the inspection professionals pay surprise visits to the construction site. There are detailed guidelines available for erecting and dismantling the scaffolds. The scaffold must be assembled to a certain standard configuration; for example, you can use the scaffolding regulations TG20. The designs of scaffolds are explained in detail as well. It is necessary that the scaffold is designed by someone competent so that the scaffold has the right strength and stability. The visual tagging system is now used for the safety inspection process.

Tower scaffolds

One way to prevent fall when working at height is to have tower scaffolds. However, you should make sure that it is erected by competent people. The tower structure must be rested on the ground firmly. The tower should never be erected above the recommended height in order to ensure tower stability. If there are strong winds then it is adviced not to use a tower.

Using and Moving Scaffolds

In some construction sites, you will see that ladder is being used to do the jobs at heights. But scaffolding is much safer than the ladders. You get a wide platform to stand on and do your work. When you work using ladder, you need to constantly move it to reach other areas. But with scaffolding, you don’t need to move much. It will take less time to complete your work with scaffolding.

Scaffolding provides a large area to stand, keep your tools, and work. It uses pulley to move the scaffold up and down when needed. When moving, you need to be careful and keep the following things in mind.

•    The scaffold can be fixed or mobile; in either case, you shouldn’t move the scaffold horizontally when there are people on it.

•    You should be careful not to leave any tools on the platform while moving it. The tools might fall and you can be hurt.

•    Make sure after moving the scaffold you use the screw or lever to secure it properly to the ground.

•    Repositioning the scaffold can be difficult; so, it is better to make multiple structures so that you don’t have to reposition one scaffold again and again.

•    You must wear protective headgear when moving or removing the scaffold. That way you won’t hurt yourself if something falls from top.

•    When you move a tower, you should decrease the height to 4m. You should push or pull manually from the base.

What You Are Allowed To Do

•    You must set up scaffold on a stable ground. If there are wheels these must be locked.

•    If there are any open ends on the scaffold platform then you must have midrails, guardrails, etc. to avoid an accident. This will make the platform safe for the other workers.

•    You should wear a proper head gear when working on scaffold. You should also wear your work boot to prevent your feet from getting hurt in case any object falls.

•    You should be 10-foot away from any electric power lines when you are working on a scaffold.

•    You should get proper training before working on a scaffold.

•    You should be aware of the various hazards associated with working on a scaffold. You should know what to do in case of electrocution or falling. You should also be cautious to avoid such incidents.

•    You should know about the load capacities and height limitations.

•    Before starting your work on a scaffold, you should get it inspected by a professional.

What You Are Not Allowed To Do

•    You shouldn’t use the scaffold as storage for your tools. It increases the chance of accidents.

•    You shouldn’t move the scaffolds when others are working. People may fall or objects may fall too. Make sure you don’t leave any tools or materials there at the end of your work shift.

•    You should refrain yourself from working on scaffolds during bad weather conditions like rain or snowfall.

•    Don’t use ladders on top of the scaffolds.

•    Never overload the scaffold; it might break. You should know the maximum load you are allowed to take on the scaffold.

•    If you find that the scaffold is damaged, don’t use it. If there is any component missing on the scaffold, like the guardrails or debris net then also avoid using the scaffold for work.

•    You should never walk on the scaffold if you see that it’s covered with snow, mud or anything wet.It increases the chance of falling.

•    You should never climb on the frames of the scaffold. The frames will break and accident will occur.

According to a study, 16% of falling incidents in the construction sites occur due to working on scaffolds. There are strict scaffolding regulations in place for working on scaffolding in the UK. As a result, the number of fatalities has decreased in the past few years. About 65% of construction workers work on scaffolds. These people are at risk of electrocution, falls, or falling objects. Before working on scaffolds it is necessary to make sure that it is strongly built by trained and competent professionals. The right materials must be used in constructing it. The workers must read the scaffolding safety guidelines before working. The scaffold must be inspected thoroughly before the construction workers start working on it.  The workers must wear protective gears and get proper training in order to avoid accidents.

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