SCAFFOLDS

Contents

SCAFFOLDS

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Fall from height is the Constructio Industries biggest killer and accounts for 50% of the Construction Industries deaths every year. Falling objects is another of the Construction Industries biggest killer but this has reduced with the requirement to wear hard hats.

HAZARDS

Falling through Scaffolds
Falling off Scaffolds
Falling objects
Scaffold collapsing due to overloading
Scaffold collapsing due to not being tied or braced properly

HEALTH AND SAFETY POINTS

Only competent scaffolders are allowed to erect, alter or dismantle scaffolds
Never remove or alter any part of a scaffold unless trained and authorized to do so
Ensure that scaffolds are properly boarded (that means no gaps!) and fitted with guard-rails and toeboard
Report any defective scaffolding immediately. Defective means; toeboards missing, guard-ails missing, ladders to short, access ways blocked or scaffold feels unstable
Never use a scaffold whilst it is being erected, dismantled or in any way incomplete. Obey the warning notice – they are for your protection
Do not overload a scaffold know how much material the scaffold can support
Do not stack material in such a way that they could fall over and injure work mates or the public below. If loose material is stacked on a scaffold, such as bricks, then brick guards should be fitted to the area where the bricks are stacked
Never throw materials down from a scaffold
Never jump from or climb a scaffold. Always use the safe access provided
Ensure that any ladder used for access onto a scaffold is securely lashed and footed, that it raizes about 1 meter above any landing place and that it is at an angle of approximately 1 out 4 up