Top 10 Scaffolding Safety tips you need to know

Today in India, Infrastructure project is booming as a result of an all round development. Construction of building is also on rise however the safety of the labor still lacks behind.

In a construction Industry sixty five percent of the work is done on an elevated work platform using cherry picker, scaffold, ladder, etc.

Every year thousand of labor die or get seriously injured due to fall from height.

However the problem is that there is no government agency in India who controls all the statistics related to injury & death of the construction workers.

Around ninety percent of the construction industry in India does not follow all the guidelines suggested by the government of India. 

According to unofficial data, everyday hundreds of workers in India get injured while working on a scaffold.

If you are in search of a reputed scaffolding manufacturer and supplier who can offer you right services, then you can contact them immediately.

A top class scaffolding manufacturer will offer you services which are affordable and genuine. They offer services like scaffolding material on rent.

1.      Ensure everyone is properly trained:

Safety regulations require that workers should be trained in the design and operation of scaffolding.

Training includes important safe work practices like how to safely get on and off the scaffold using an access ladder.

It also cover all-inclusive fall protection training specific to erecting and dismantling procedures for people involved in these activities, and a host of other lifesaving details.

2.      Take the time for prep work:

Before using scaffolding, worker should do a physical inspection and ensure that the scaffolding tag is at place and is valid.

Also, the base is sound, level and adjusted, braces are in place, locking devices and ties are secured, cross members are properly levelled, and the guard rails, planks, and decks are installed and secure.

Check the location for ground conditions, like slopes. Also, stay clear away from hazards like overhead wires, obstructions and changes in surface elevation.

3.      Keep it legal:

All the work should be done under the legal guidelines & the material used for erection of the scaffold should be as per the standards.

All legal requirements should be followed while working on a scaffold. All the PPE used for working on a scaffold should be according to the safety standards. Never use non-standardized PPE.

4.      Know and respect the load capacity:

The scaffold must be strong enough and capable of holding its own weight plus 4 times the desired weight, otherwise it could collapse.

Do not try to fit more workers on the platform than it can handle & do not overload it with equipment and materials.

Also do not rest anything on the guard rails. Capacity of the scaffold is determined by the strength of the material being used.

5.      Ensure the scaffold is properly secured:

The scaffold should be adequately braced or tied to the building. Bracing should be properly secured in place.

Several different brace retention or locking systems are found on scaffolds. These devices should operate freely for ease of assembling or dismantling.

Also lock securely to prevent a brace from dislodging. Nails and other miscellaneous odds and ends shouldn’t be used in place of proper retention parts supplied by the manufacturer.

6.      Use guard rails:

The design of the scaffold should incorporate guard rails on at least the three sides facing away from the building if the scaffold is more than ten feet above ground.

While hoisting materials if you remove any guard rails, then replace them promptly. Always wear fall protection at all times.

7.      Inspect and maintain:

Scaffolding should be routinely inspected by the supervisor or by a competent person, ideally a professional engineer or a person elected in writing by a professional engineer.

In the case of a suspended platform, inspect and test all the components including connecting pins, beams and working surface, welds, stirrups, connecting plates, and trusses.

Check that the lumber is of good quality. If any piece gets broken or damaged, you can replace them immediately.

Inspect braces, frames, and other components for bends, damage, and excessive rust or wear. Also check wire ropes, motors, or other platforms for damage from corrosive material or chemicals.

8.      Good housekeeping:

There isn’t much room on a scaffold, so it is important to store tools and materials in an orderly manner.

Always keep the platform free from obstacles. Place waste materials and debris in a container and remove it from the platform immediately.

9.      Keep your balance:

A scaffold and its platform should be perfectly levelled to minimize the risk of workers losing balance and falling off.

Take special care while working on a scaffold. Any sudden movements, or reaching too far from the platform, may cause a loss of balance.

10.  Use appropriate PPE:

This includes fall protection, head protection, and non-slip protective footwear as required, in the form of a safety harness tied off to a solid structure.

Conclusion:

1.       Ensure everyone is licensed

2.       Understanding load capacity

3.       Secure the platform

4.       Take advantage of guardrails

5.       Keep things organized

6.       Use protection, or PPE

7.       Balance yourself

8.       Use protection, or PPE

9.       Inspect it

10.   Ensure everyone is licensed

About Author:

Baba Jagta shuttering is one of the reputed scaffold suppliers and manufacturers in Delhi, Gurgaon and NCR.

We offer services which are affordable as well as reasonable. Our services include scaffolding on rent services.

We’ve gained expertise in offering a quality approved Scaffolding Rental Services. Our scaffold materials are widely utilized in construction industries.