Safety on construction sites is undoubtedly a top priority for construction companies. Safe Work Australia has recently published a report which reveals that the construction industry in Australia has the third highest rate of fatalities and injuries than any other sector. It’s estimated that two-thirds of construction workers will use scaffolding equipment when working on construction sites, making scaffolding safety an extremely important aspect of overall workplace safety on construction sites. Naturally, stringent scaffolding safety measures must be incorporated to minimise the risk of injuries.
While scaffolding equipment may be deemed safe by a competent person on one day, this can change rapidly with changing weather and other workplace hazards appearing on the next day. New workplace risks and hazards must be routinely assessed and managed to ensure that workers can carry out their jobs in the safest working environment possible. Yet, the most common cause of scaffolding related injuries result from human error, indicating that adequate training of workers on scaffolding equipment is paramount to their safety and the safety of those around them. To give you some insight into what you need to know and understand about scaffolding safety, the following outlines the most important safety concerns when working with scaffolding equipment.
Ground preparation
The ground conditions naturally play an important role in the safety of scaffolding equipment. Even when scaffolding has been erected correctly and inspected, the state of the ground and other areas of the worksite will have a substantial effect on the amount of safety that the scaffolding provides. Recognising and addressing potential hazards such as trees, construction equipment, electrical wires, and other high-risk obstacles is mandatory. If these obstacles can’t be removed, they should be integrated into the design of the scaffolding and assessed regularly to ensure they do not present any risks to workers.
Sufficient training
Sufficient training in scaffolding equipment is mandatory for all workers who intent to use it. Only workers that have the appropriate qualifications and training are authorised to assemble and disassemble scaffolding equipment. For those working on scaffolding platforms, there are many aspects about scaffolding use where specialist knowledge is required to safely carry out work. The training provided to workers must incorporate all aspects of scaffolding use, including basic safety training, how to mount and safely move around the structure, load capacities, and how to safely exit the structure.
Load capacities
Each working platform on scaffolding structures has a maximum load capacity which cannot be exceeding. Workers must understand and respect load capacities at all times to ensure that neither workers or materials overload the working platform. This is one of the most common cause of injuries on scaffolding. All workers and materials cannot exceed this load capacity, as only a couple of extra kilograms in weight can cause the scaffolding structure to collapse.
Inspections and maintenance
One of the most critical safety issues on scaffolding is regular inspections and maintenance. Once erected, the scaffolding structure must be inspected to ensure it is safe to use, and further inspections are required every seven days until the scaffolding is finally dismantled. The weather can quickly deteriorate the ground and therefore the stability of the structure itself, so inspections should be performed by a competent person, preferably an engineer or someone who has been has been approved by an engineer in writing. In addition to this, working platforms should be routinely inspected (preferably each day) to ensure they are in good working order, along with checking the rest of the structure for any damage or corrosion.
Fall protection
On any scaffolding structure that is greater than three metres in height, fall protection must be used. Today, fall protection is mainly used in the form of guardrails which ensure that workers perform their jobs on a stable platform and the risk of falls to workers and materials is significantly decreased. Guardrails should be installed on all three sides of the scaffolding that faces away from the building, and there should be three rails on each guardrail: a top rail, a mid rail, and a bottom rail, also known as a toe board.
Housekeeping
Given that working platforms are small, especially when there are several workers using the scaffolding at one time, it’s critical that equipment and materials are organised to reduce the risk of falls. It’s very easy for equipment and materials to be accidentally kicked off the platform, which presents serious safety risks to those working below the structure. Workers need to be aware of their surroundings when working on scaffolding, including other workers, materials, equipment, and rubbish.
Correct PPE
Using the correct PPE, or personal protective equipment, is a critical safety issue when working with scaffolding. Protective equipment such as non-slip boots, head protection, and fall protection save countless lives every year on construction sites. Generally, each construction site will have unique risks and hazards, so workers will be advised on exactly what protective equipment must be used on site. Employers also need to actively enforce the correct use of protective equipment.
Weather
The weather plays in integral role in the safety of workers on construction sites. Not only does certain weather conditions deteriorate tools and equipment, but it can pose serious risks to those working at heights. Wet and windy weather conditions pose substantial threats to all workers on construction sites, so the weather must be closely monitored to ensure that the construction site remains a safe working environment for everyone.
While stringent safety procedures and inspections can cause delays and therefore increased costs, ensuring that all risks and hazards are minimised is a key component in providing a safe workplace. The safety of all workers and visitors of a construction site is the number one priority. Too many preventable accidents and injuries occur on scaffolding equipment, so adequate training, preparation, and inspections must be performed in conjunction 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 consulting services to ensure that your construction site is as safe as possible. If you’d like to learn more about our scaffolding products and services, don’t hesitate to phone us on 1300 882 825, or visit our website for further information: https://uni-span.com.au
Formwork and Scaffolding | Uni-Span 