Construction & Contractors Blog
Scaffolding, unquestionably, is indispensable for construction works that require accessibility at a height. Whether it is a remodelling project, repair jobs or new construction, you cannot do without this structure. Nonetheless, scaffolding erection and disassembly can be a risky endeavour, as can working at the platform. And while these structures do come with instructions, it is imperative to know the dos and don'ts of working with scaffolding to ensure that you have all your bases covered. Here are fundamental safety considerations that you should know about when working with scaffolding.
Setting up the foundation
Just as a building needs a stable foundation for the structure to be sturdy, the same goes for scaffolding. The first step to ensuring that you are observing safety standards when utilising scaffolding for your project is to guarantee that the foundation is solid. To begin, you should ensure that the ground on which the scaffolding will be erected from is flat and smooth. Secondly, make sure that the soil on the base is compacted. Loose soil is prone to shifting, which will compromise the stability of the scaffolding. If you will be working on the scaffolding during wet weather, it is critical to ensure that the ground and the soil will not shift due to the precipitation.
Inspection of the scaffolding
Once the scaffolding has been erected and you think that it will be safe for use, it is essential to have a safety inspector examine it and determine if it is structurally sound. These inspections should be carried out daily so that you can be certain that you or your staff will be safe every time you're on the platform. The inspector will begin by checking for any loose connections that can jeopardise the integrity of the scaffold. In addition to this, they will investigate the materials of the scaffold for any potential degradation in the form of corrosion, breakage and more. Lastly, they will also examine the handrails, platform, clamps, races and more to check for any worn parts.
Securing the construction site
The last step in ensuring the safety of the scaffolding is to keep both workers and outsiders safe from potential harm. One of the first measures that you can take is to close any streets near the site to ensure that there will not be people walking around the area when your staff are working on the scaffold. Moreover, you should also strategically place warning signs and make sure to barricade areas that the public could use to access the construction site. You may also want to consider carrying out work on the scaffold during low traffic hours, such as mid-morning or mid-afternoon, especially if the construction work is by a road that experiences rush hour traffic.
Remember all these things when working with scaffolding and you'll have a much better chance of having a safe experience.
Share12 September 2019
Hello, my name is Colin and this is my construction blog. When people think of the construction industry, they often just imagine guys in hard hats building brick walls. While this is a popular image of the industry, it doesn't reflect the true diversity of different contractors and tradesmen who are involved in a construction project. Lasy year, my wife and I decided to construct our dream home. I had to arrange visits of plumbers, roofers, electricians, surveyors and home builders in order to get the job done. I learnt a lot during that experience, so I decided to start this blog.