Top Tips for Safe Scaffold Erection
There’s no doubt that construction sites are dangerous places. In Australia, the construction industry is ranked within the top 5 most dangerous industries with the most accidents or injuries. Scaffolding is an essential component which is used to support workers and materials when operating at heights. Not only are safety measures needed when workers are performing tasks on scaffolding, but there are many safety protocols which must be followed when assembling the scaffolding itself.
To offer you some insight into the factors to consider when erecting scaffolding structures, today we’ll be providing you with our top tips for scaffold erection to ensure your project runs safely and smoothly.
Qualifications
The most crucial issue when assembling scaffolding is making sure that only certified personnel are performing this task on the construction site. There are three types of 'Scaffolding High-Risk Work License' (Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced) which permits individuals to construct different types of scaffolding depending on their credentials. As an example, a Basic license allows workers to erect a cantilevered scaffold but an Advanced license is mandated to assemble hung scaffolding. Where any scaffolding goes above four metres in height, it's vital that those who construct scaffolding have the appropriate license.
Protecting the public
A lot of construction sites are positioned within high density places where pedestrians are continuously walking nearby. During the construction of scaffolding, it's critical that the public are excluded from both the area of work and a sufficient area around it. The following steps should be performed:
Attain a temporary street/sidewalk closure permit over the course of construction
Install barriers and signs to steer the public away from the construction site
Never hoist or lower materials over members of the public or other construction workers
Look into disability access along the sidewalks where scaffolding stands
Integrate scaffold tunnels, crash decks, and fans into the scaffold as soon as feasible
Scaffold stability
One of the most vital considerations during the construction process is scaffold stability. To ensure your scaffold is stable and doesn't show any risks of collapsing, ensure that:
On a sheeted or netted scaffold, more ties may be necessitated to ensure stability
Scaffolds are never overloaded with equipment or materials during the assembly process
The anchors specified to tie a scaffold to a structure are set up correctly and are suitable for the base material
Each scaffold anchor and tie is placed incrementally as work proceeds during the assembly process
Ensure a detailed inspection of the scaffold structure is carried out before the scaffold is used
Fall prevention
To minimise the risks of falls, contractors should pinpoint any hazards, analyse the risk of injury, and employ control measures which lower these risks.
Hazards which can amplify the risk of a fall while erecting scaffold include:
Inadequate training or supervision
Poor environmental conditions, for instance glare, rain, and wind
Equipment, materials, or protruding objects below the scaffolding, for example rubbish skips, pallets, reinforcing steel, and picket fences
Incomplete scaffolds or loose components where work is being carried out
Unprotected void areas, for instance ladder access voids
Fall-arrest systems are only needed during certain scaffold assembly operations and are normally not used when constructing scaffolding because:
Workers may crash into a component of the scaffold before being arrested
Continuously hooking on and off the scaffold is cumbersome
Fall arrest lines could become trip hazards
Attaining appropriate anchorage points is tough
Along with the above, the following measures should also be performed:
Whenever lowering or elevating materials, workers must be clipped on or working from a platform that is wholly boarded and has double guard rails and toe boards
As erection work goes forward, a minimum of three board working platforms together with a single guard rail must be provided
Safe ladder access should be integrated as soon as possible when constructing scaffolding
At least one bay of scaffolding should remain boarded out as work continues and this should be used for ladder access for the full height of the scaffold
Training
Naturally, the most significant factor in decreasing any accidents when using scaffolding is practical training and supervision. Ensuring that all safety standards are being maintained is an undertaking that needs to be constantly conducted. If you have any questions relating to safety during the erection of scaffolding, or you're interested in attaining your High-Risk Work License, contact the experts at Uni-Span who can point you in the right direction. For additional information, phone 1300 882 825.
