Scaffolding is a dangerous job, especially considering that falls from scaffolding are among the leading cause of most injuries in the construction industry. A scaffold is meant to provide a stable and safe working platform when working on unreachable areas and it’s meant to be used by competent persons only.
Read on to see some of the hazards that make scaffolding a dangerous job.
Poor scaffold construction
Scaffolds should be erected, used and dismantled by qualified and competent persons only. If the scaffold is built by someone who isn’t qualified, this puts the lives of the users and construction workers at risk. To avoid accidents associated with poor scaffold construction, it’s advisable to ensure that you hire a competent person for the job.
Accidents caused by falling objects
Objects falling from one scaffolding level to the other can be dangerous to the workers and passers by. Wearing the right PPE like hard hats helps prevent any bad head injuries in case there’s a falling objects. Other things like debris, loose components or equipment can also fall from the scaffold causing serious injuries.
Not using the right PPE
Wearing the right personal protective equipment ( PPE ) enhances safety when working on scaffolding. Working on scaffolding without any PPE puts you at a risk of getting injured on site. For instance, without a hard hat, your head can easily get hurt by falling objects or debris.
Another one is the safety harness, which gives you additional safety thus reducing your chances of falling from scaffolding. Any qualified builder or scaffolder should have the right knowledge on what PPE is required for the job.
Poor scaffold inspection
Scaffold inspections should be conducted regularly by a trained expert who is conversant with the relevant industry specifications. Inspection is crucial because it helps identify different faults on the scaffold so that the faulty components are replaced or fixed immediately.
This ideally reduces the chances of any eventualities due to poor or no scaffold inspection. It should be done at intervals of seven days, and in the event the structural integrity and safety of the scaffold is compromised.
Inadequate training
For anyone to use or work on scaffolding, they need to be properly trained and qualified for the job. Without proper training, there’s a higher risk of hazardous accidents happening on site.
Poor weather conditions
From strong winds, snow, to heavy storms, weather can be pretty unpredictable. Such conditions can be pretty hazardous when using scaffolding. From poor visibility due to the snow to slippery working platforms from the heavy storms, you need to be weary of such poor weather conditions. It’s advisable to avoid using or working on scaffolding under such conditions to prevent any accidents.
Electrocution
It’s advisable to ensure that there’s at least ten inches between scaffolding and any electrical hazards. If the distance can’t be maintained the electric hazard should be insulated or de-energised by the power company as work goes on on the scaffold. All scaffold workers should be sufficiently trained on how to identify electrical hazards.
So, is scaffolding safe? Its exposure to multiple hazards makes scaffolding dangerous for incompetent user. When precaution is taken such as only a competent person or a scaffolder himself erect or work atop any scaffolding structure reduces the danger. Taking the necessary precautions will help avoid most of the hazardous risks that make scaffolding a dangerous job.