A Safety Guide When Using Scaffolding To Build Your Tall Concrete Construction
Because the use scaffolding involves working at height, the risk of a fall is always present. Work at height refers to work in any place where an individual could be hurt if they were to fall from that place. If you are a concrete contractor planning to build a high-rise building with the use of scaffolding, it is important that you understand the safety hazards involved, and what can be done to prevent them. Follow these practices to ensure the safety of the construction site and your crew when you are using scaffolding.
Make sure the scaffolds are competently erected
The erection of scaffolding is not an easy job. If the job is carried out shoddily, the entire structure could come tumbling down anytime. Regardless of whether it is because of your crew not being well-versed in the assembly of the scaffold or unsuitable scaffolding elements being used, the consequences can be hazardous and even fatal. To keep your construction workers safe, make sure to meet all the set standards and requirements for erecting scaffolding.
Those tasked with the responsibility of building scaffolds must have been formally trained for the job. If possible, scaffold erectors should have a training certificate issued by a recognised training institution to prove their competence.
Make sure the scaffolds are properly inspected
Once your scaffold has been constructed, be sure to ask a scaffold inspector to inspect the equipment for safety. Like your scaffold erectors, your scaffold inspector must also hold a formal training certificate to prove that they are qualified. It is their job to inspect scaffolds and scaffold elements like ledgers, transoms and uprights for visible defects before embarking on any work, after any incident that could compromise the structural integrity of the system, and immediately performing a remedial action that will improve operational safety a great deal.
Make sure electrical hazards are eliminated
With the great heights at which scaffolding can be used, the equipment can pose a safety hazard, particularly where overhead electrical lines are in proximity. Even though the number of accidents that arise as a result of electrical risk is usually small, the injuries caused by high voltages can be life-threatening if left unattended. One of the most effective ways to mitigate the hazard is to make sure the scaffolds are erected a safe distance away from the power lines or to ask the local power service company if they can help you create enough clearance between the power lines and the scaffolds.
Never take any chances in places where safety is involved as errors can lead to severe consequences.
Share