Author: Scaffolding Quote
If you are involved in any kind of building or construction work that requires the use of scaffolding, safety should always be uppermost in your mind:
- Safety for anyone erecting, altering or dismantling scaffolding
- Safety for workers using scaffolding
- Safety for members of the public
It's no exaggeration to say that the correct use of scaffolding is a matter of life and death. Falling from a height is the most common type of fatal accident in the construction industry. Accidents associated with scaffolding also cause thousands of serious injuries each year.
The Work at Height Regulations govern scaffolding safety, and infringement of these regulations can lead to large fines or even imprisonment. The Health and Safety Executive issues clear guidelines and advice on all scaffolding safety issues, so ignorance is no excuse for taking dangerous short cuts.
The most important things to consider are:
Design of scaffold
Any scaffolding that is not a basic configuration covered by the manufacturer's instructions or guidance issued by the National Access & Scaffolding Confederation, must be designed by someone who is adequately qualified and experienced.
Erection and dismantling
Scaffolding must be properly erected and dismantled following sequences and methods detailed in the recognised guidelines. A scaffolding gang must include at least one fully qualified scaffolder and any trainees must always be directly supervised by a qualified person.
Inspection
A person inspecting scaffolding must be qualified and experienced in working with the particular type of scaffolding being used. Regular inspections should be made and a report must be completed each time detailing any defects found and the measures taken to correct those faults.
Access
Warning signs and physical barriers should be used to prevent access to scaffolding by unauthorised people. Handover
When completed scaffolding is handed over, the relevant certificates should include any restrictions of use and details of permitted working platform loadings.
Safe use
Builders and other workers who will be using the completed scaffolding must be trained to recognise the potential dangers of working at height and to take precautions to safeguard themselves and other people.
The first step in ensuring scaffolding safety is to choose an approved scaffolding contractor, but finding the right one for your particular needs is often a time-consuming process. The most effective way is to get a number of online scaffolding quotations from a website that will only put you in touch with reputable scaffolding contractors who work in your local area.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/construction-articles/the-importance-of-safety-in-scaffolding-2896082.html
About the Author
If you need a local company that specialises in scaffolding, simply visit http://www.scaffoldingquotes.co.uk/index.asp and follow the easy instructions to receive estimates from a number of local companies to help you make massive savings on your home improvements.
Shop for steel scaffolding, tower scaffolds and work platforms
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!