Scaffolds are designed and erected with the safety of the construction workers in mind. To prevent materials from falling, scaffolding higher than 2m must have netting, brick guards, or sheeting. When erecting scaffolding, you should ensure that the design can comfortably carry the load i.e the materials being used and equipment. Where there’s a higher risk of materials falling, extra protection should be availed in the form of covered walkways or scaffold fans.
There should be adequate edge protection where one is likely to fall more than 2m. The following should be observed as an equivalent:
- A main guard rail of at least 910mm above the edge
- A toe board that’s at least 150mm high
- Another barrier or intermediate guard rail ensuring that there’s no gap of more than 470mm
The use of fall arrest equipment is necessary to ensure the safety of the scaffolders during the erection, altering, and dismantling of the scaffolds. Here are some of the other requirements for scaffolding higher than 2m:
- Bracing
- Platform (at least four boards wide)
- Scaffold ties
- Scaffold sheeting or netting
- Should be erected following the manufacturer’s instructions.
The bracing is useful for preventing the scaffolds from collapsing. Be it system scaffolds or independent scaffolds, all scaffolds should be supported or securely tied. System scaffolds may however require more tying than independent scaffolds.
All scaffolding should be erected and supervised by a competent person. This will ensure that the Work at Height Regulations 2005 are adhered to and the Health and Safety requirements are as required.