Do's and Don'ts When Working with Domestic Scaffolding
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Every time we discuss or plan for scaffolding service, safety issues should necessarily remain at the centre of it. Oftentimes, scaffold-related accidents occur due to improper or poor safety measures, and other times, due to not following or maintaining the safety guidelines. These accidents cause injuries, cost extra money or even come with the expenses of human lives.
To get an idea of how damaging such casualties are, we just need to give a cursory look at some statistics. For example, according to the BLS, every year approximately 60 deaths, and 4,500 injuries result from scaffold-related accidents. Again, according to the HSE, the cost of workplace injuries in the UK construction sector was £1,204 million just in 2018. If these are the scenarios of the USA and UK, you can imagine the global scale of damages this actually causes each year!
To avoid scaffold-related accidents, ensure safety to the highest standard. That means everybody involved in scaffolding works must follow some guidelines and/or activities. You have to know what to do and don’t when working with scaffolding.
Here is a list of the most important dos and don’ts of scaffolding safety.
Essential Dos of Domestic Scaffolding
Install scaffolds by professionals under the strict supervision of a competent supervisor. The supervisor will inspect and monitor to verify if the scaffolding is safe or not. He/she will further instruct steps on ensuring safety.
The design and construction of scaffolds should conform with HSE standard requirements.
Get appropriate training from a qualified organization or person that meets HSE guidelines. You also can take CITB training for CISRS qualifications. You will learn about the risks of falling, falling objects hazards, how to use scaffolds, and much more.
Before you get on a scaffold, check and wear your personal protection equipment. You should also wear a hard hat when working on, under, or near a scaffold.
Apply the recommended techniques to anchor drop lines for harness systems and tiebacks.
Maintain the recommended instructions to protect the suspension ropes and harnesses from damages.
Get retrained, if there are any changes in scaffold or fall protection.
Always stay aware of coworkers above, below, and besides you. Thus you can notice any mistakes and prevent an accident caused by someone other than you.
Inspect scaffold for damages and problems with structural integrity.
Inspect personal protection equipment for damages and malfunctions.
Follow the manufacturer’s suggestions during assembly, rigging, use, and dismantling of scaffolds.
After a project completes, dismantle or move the scaffolds with professional scaffolders.
Don’ts of Domestic Scaffolding
Don’t leave your tools, building materials, or anything else on the scaffold when you finish your shift. These items can cause fall hazards to scaffold structures or people. And it may be a reason for tripping hazards to other workers.
Don’t overload a scaffold you are working on. Never try to compensate for your work shortage by making an overloaded move.
Don’t take a wrong or shaky way to reach a height you can’t reach with the existing setup. Inform your supervisor to provide a safe solution.
Don’t work on a scaffold covered with snow, mud, oily substance, or excess water.
Don’t use support frames for climbing or walking or keeping your tools or building materials.
Don’t use a scaffold with damaged and broken parts, missing components.
Don’t try to repair scaffold damage or any other issue by yourself.
Conclusion
Safety is of paramount importance in scaffolding from start to finish. If you make a mistake at any stage, it can add project cost and time, or even cost human life. A fall, which might not claim a life, but can cause a severe injury or physical damage – that can turn your life upside down. So it is essential that you take professional scaffolding service to ensure safety in every step.
We hope you will not forget to follow any of the vital dos and don’ts we have shared with you. Please keep in mind that it is not wise to ignore any of the safety guidelines considering it as less important or unnecessary. Never let this less important matter become the reason for a big problem or accident in your life.
