One of the main safety hazards on nearly every building site is the scaffolding. If they are not put together properly it will result in serious injuries or even death. According to the Bureau Statistic Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries reveals that in the U.S., 54 fatalities were reported in 2009 from scaffolding. In the U.K. it was noted that 72% of workers injured themselves in scaffold accidents due to planking or support giving way or employee slipping or being struck by falling object.
Mistakes are bound to happen. For this reason it is imperative for both employers and workers to know of all the possible pit falls/risks involved and ensuring all the necessary precautions are taken. This in turn can make a big impact on reducing these incidents and claims at work. For example, according to the HSA in Ireland a man was awarded 750,000 euros for falling from a 3 meter-high scaffold
Types of Scaffolding
Four commonly types of scaffolding in construction are:
- Supported Scaffolding – This is a major form of scaffolding that normally built, has different sections, levels and normally used simultaneously by several workers on sites.
- Suspended Scaffolding – This type of scaffolding is use to extend to a tall construction roof/building and used to access different floors.
- Rolling Scaffolding – This scaffolding elevated to a certain level and has wheels at the bottom that allows for mobility. However, wheels are locked when being used to avoid movement.
- Aerial Lifts – This type of scaffolding is somewhat like a moving vehicle, not stationary and can be elevated at a distance in the air
Scaffolding Safety Regulations
- Fall protection – If a worker is extended for more than 10 feet off the ground, it a requirement for them to wear harness/ fall arrest system or guardrails to protect from a fall. The expectancy of falling should always be high risk factor and hence required PPE should always be worn.
- Flooring – Supported scaffold platforms shall be fully planked or decked.
- Capacity – Scaffolds and scaffold components must support at least 4 times the maximum intended load. Suspension scaffold rigging must support at least 6 times the intended load.
- Training – Employers must train each employee who works on a scaffold on the hazards and the procedures to control the hazards.
- Risk Assessment – The risk assessment should be based on the hazards in relation to the specific scaffold, e.g. adjacent overhead power lines, poor ground conditions or vulnerability to vehicle impact. It should assess how serious the risks are.
- Inspections – Before each workers shift and after any occurrence that could affect the structural integrity, a competent person must inspect the scaffold and scaffold components for visible defects or faults.
- Erecting and Dismantling – When erecting and dismantling supported scaffolds, a competent person must determine the feasibility of providing a safe means of access and fall protection for these operations.
Every contractor should be satisfied and comfortable with each scaffold. They should know it is stable and all safeguards are in place properly. If a scaffold has not been inspected within the last 7 days it is considered unsafe to work on. A contractor also has the right to refuse to work on a scaffold if there are no recordings of the risk assessment for him/her to read.
Qualifications around the World
- Those erecting or dismantling scaffolding in Ireland should be trained in accordance with the FÁS-approved Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) as required under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations.
- Anyone in the U.K. working with scaffolding need to complete a CISRS Operative Training Scheme (COTS). This course needs to be completed every five years before renewing their card.
- If you wish to be able to erect the scaffolding you must complete the CISRS Part 1 Scaffolding Training course. It is a requirement that as of 1st September 2015 anyone wishing to attend a course must have held a valid CISRS Trainee Scaffolder or Laborer card for a minimum of six months.
- Workers in the UK who are able to work with scaffolds are distinguished by different color cards based on their experience level. These cards are Green, Red, Blue and Gold in order of experience level.
- In the U.S., OSHA has issued a regulation that all employers must have each employee who performs work while on a scaffold trained by a person qualified in the subject matter to recognize the hazards associated with the type of scaffold being used, and to understand the procedures to control or minimize those hazards
It may be hard for employers to get all these qualification certificates from every one of their employees. Online platforms such as GoContractor will allow every employee to upload their qualification cards to the company’s platform prior to arriving on site for the first time. GoContractor also allows employees so assign site specific orientations to their employees coming on site.
When attempting to use a scaffold all risk factors must be anticipated. The key to working with Scaffold is to always be prepared for the unexpected risks. Also, following safety procedures and guidelines set out by your employer or as outlined by OSHA standards. Appropriate precautions should then be taken to control the safety risks and to prevent injuries. These precautions should be detailed in the safety statement and/or the safety and health plan as appropriate.
