Scaffolding is essential for many construction and maintenance projects; however, it can be a significant source of accidents if not erected or used correctly. We have compiled a list of essential safety tips when working on a scaffold.
Did you know that each year, over 5,000 incidents involving falls from height in the UK are recorded by the HSE? Such incidents can cause serious physical injury, lost workdays, potential fines, higher insurance premiums and even death. There are many ways to protect employees and workers and prevent accidents altogether. Below, we have compiled our scaffolding safety tips to help reduce the risk of accidents when working on a scaffold.
If you’re new to scaffolding or want a deeper overview of its purpose and setup, check out our Scaffolding: ultimate guide to what it is, benefits and uses for more on types, components, and best practices.
PPE (Personal protective equipment) is vital in any construction, maintenance or industrial setting. Hard hats are crucial when working on a scaffold or at height, as they can help protect against falling objects. Steel-toe caps and non-slip footwear protect your feet when items are dropped and help prevent slipping on the working platform. Safety gloves with rubber will help you hold onto your tools and grip the handrails of a scaffold without slipping. A safety harness with a lanyard that connects to the scaffold helps prevent falls when working in more hazardous locations on a scaffold or at very high elevations.
All scaffolding components (tube, fittings and boards) are designed with specific load-bearing capacities and limits. If excessive loads are placed on a scaffold beyond its intended limits, the scaffold could fall or collapse, or specific components may break, causing severe injuries to workers on the scaffold and anyone nearby. Scaffolds are designed to withstand significant loads; however, it is always essential to know precisely what weight limits the scaffold’s structure can withstand before working on it. Your scaffolder should be able to advise you of this.
Every industry has its regulations and standards. Scaffolding has the NASC, the national trade body for access scaffolding. There are also SG4 standards for preventing falls in scaffolding and TG20 standards for specific types of scaffolding. The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) also provides “Work at Height Regulations 2005” regs.
Ensuring your scaffold is erected in accordance with the above regulations will ensure your structure is safe, reduce the risk of accidents, and avoid liability for failing to meet the required standards. Anyone using a scaffold should be trained to minimise risks and hazards.
Scaffolders should inspect all materials before building a scaffold; this includes checking that all components are not faulty or damaged, as this could compromise the scaffold’s integrity.
For a more in-depth look at why ongoing and regular inspections are so critical (including regulatory requirements and how they prevent failures), read our detailed guide: Why scaffold inspections are essential for safety.
It is essential to keep any vehicles or heavy equipment that could damage the scaffold’s base away from it, as this could cause the structure to collapse. It is best practice to create a safe perimeter around the scaffolding using temporary fencing or safety barriers, ensuring a minimum 10ft distance from heavy machinery and a 20ft exclusion area for larger vehicles. Maintaining this safe perimeter will prevent collisions that could compromise the scaffold.
Check the weather conditions before working on a scaffold. We know that the great British weather is forever changing, and wet weather is a standard feature; however, working during harsh weather or other environmental hazards can increase the risk of injury. High winds, heavy rain, snow, and ice can pose significant safety risks when on a scaffold structure. You should not climb, use or erect a scaffold during severe weather conditions. It is recommended to monitor the forecast before you begin work and to continue checking for changes.
Working with a scaffolding company that is fully qualified and trained in industry standards and provides RAMS (risk assessment and method statement), accreditations and liability insurance is strongly advised: this will confirm that they are authorities and have the knowledge and experience to erect a safe and secure scaffold that will help prevent accidents or injuries.
Discover why choosing professional, qualified scaffolders is so important for safety, compliance, and project success in our article: Professional scaffolding in West Sussex: Why it matters?.
Accessing or climbing a scaffold requires careful attention; generally, scaffolding companies provide fixed ladder access from the ground to all working platforms. All users must maintain 3 points of contact with the ladder; this means either two hands and one foot, or one hand and two feet, at all times. Scaffolders may climb on vertical and horizontal bars when erecting and dismantling the scaffold, provided they tie off with a safety harness.
Ensuring the scaffold is free of debris, tools, and clutter is essential; these items can cause tripping hazards or add additional stress to the structure. Regularly clean up your working area or tidy up as you work to ensure the scaffolding is entirely safe for you and other workers.
Unless you are a qualified scaffolder, you must NEVER alter or change the scaffold you are working on. Even a minor modification could be potentially fatal and have catastrophic consequences. Scaffolds are erected to support specific loads, and any unauthorised changes can compromise their structural integrity, leading to accidents and injuries. Potential risks associated with altering a scaffold include:
Structural integrity: Removing or adding a component can weaken a scaffold’s ability to support its intended weight and put extra stress on other parts of the structure.
Risk of collapse: Altering the scaffold’s design can increase the likelihood of collapse.
Fall hazards: Missing guardrails can increase the risk of falls from height if a scaffold has been incorrectly altered.
Electrical hazard: Alterations to a scaffold without authorisation could bring it closer to power lines or electrical hazards that a non-qualified scaffolder may not be aware of.
Following these essential tips for using a scaffold can considerably reduce the risk of accidents and injuries. By prioritising safety, you protect yourself and your team.
If you’re planning a project in West Sussex and need expert, compliant scaffolding erected safely, contact our team for a free site visit and quotation today. Stay safe out there!
