2 Basic Guidelines on Safe Use of Scaffolds

Many construction workers who work on scaffolds get injured because of falling from heights. This is an extremely worrying trend because some of these workers succumb to their injuries. Although most scaffold accidents can be prevented, some contractors simply choose to pay little or no attention to safety rules and procedures recommended for scaffold use, at the peril of their employees. 

Do you need to perform a construction job that requires your workers to work on a scaffold? Are you familiar with the rules and requirements on scaffold safety? Here is an overview of what to do to ensure safe use of scaffolding. 

Ensure your workers are trained on scaffold safety.

All employees who are required to work on scaffolds must be trained by someone who is experienced in scaffold safety. The training is designed to equip workers with knowledge on how to identify potential hazards that are associated with the specific type of scaffold they will be using and how to manage or minimise those hazards. 

Training on scaffold safety should cover identification of electrical hazards, fall hazards, falling or flying object hazards and the appropriate actions for dealing with those hazards, including the right procedures for using personal-fall protection systems and falling-object protection systems.

The training should also cover the proper use of scaffolding, including how to handle materials or work equipment to avoid overloading the scaffold or compromising its stability. People working on scaffolds must not exceed the maximum load-carrying capacities of their scaffolds, as this is a major cause of falls from heights.

Ensure your scaffolds are erected and inspected by qualified personnel. 

Scaffolding must only be erected by someone who is trained and experienced in scaffold installation. Such a person will ensure that all of the components required to install the elevated work platform, including braces, base plates and securing devices, are used the right way. 

Before allowing your workers to get on a scaffold, you will also need to ensure that an experienced person has inspected the equipment to ascertain that it is in good repair and safe to use. If you're unsatisfied with the quality of a scaffold inspection, don't hesitate to get a second check. Don't use a scaffold that looks damaged or tampered with in any way.

Ensuring scaffold safety is vital to not only making the most of your rental, but also reducing your liability exposure as an employer. So, make sure you take safety very seriously. Contact a scaffold hire company to learn more.