3 Key Issues Scaffolders in Eltham and Sidcup Have To Consider

With the scale of the tallest building in the Etcham and Sidcup area reaching 56 metres the primary focus of every scaffolder is to erect and dismantle a scaffold safely. This is exactly why it is mandatory for these professionals to assess their task when working at a height. They need to stay aware of the various risks involved and take every necessary precaution to prevent any fatal or serious injury caused by accidentally falling from the structure.

The best way to maintain safety when working at a height is to organise and plan the work in such a way so that they can minimise any fall or injury. Since preventing working at a height isn’t possible in the construction industry, scaffolders should consider all the key issues which will help them to manage their work and communicate with other professionals while the work is being done.

Few Key Issues for Scaffolders in Eltham Working at a Height

• Risk Assessment

It is the responsibility of scaffolders and other sub-contractors in Sidcup to assess the risks and accordingly decide the necessary precautions. Every vital finding should be recorded and the assessment reviewed at fixed intervals. The process should be simple and not overcomplicated. Even the control measures suggested by them should be easy to apply.

• Precautions

The main reason for the risk assessment is to make it easier for the scaffolders to identify the risks, organise themselves, plan their work, and take the necessary precautions. A certified supervisor should also be responsible for ensuring that the work is carried out in a safe manner. The best way to prevent a worker from falling is by using a separate platform with tough toe-boards and double guard-rail.

• Method Statements

For someone not aware of the term, method statements are basically recordings made by scaffolders in Eltham clearly stating the hazards involved in working at a height and communicating the necessary precautions to everyone involved. The statement should be simple, short and effectively achieve the objectives stated above. If necessary, scaffolders can even include some simple sketches in the method statements.

It is mandatory for every scaffolder in Sidcup & Eltham to have adequate information about the three key issues stated above if they are willing to work at a height and prevent accidents.

 

Inspecting Scaffolding In Eltham? Here’s All You Need To Know!

Do you often worry about your workplace safety during construction? Wondering whether inspecting your structures will be a wise decision? Trust us; opting for scaffold inspection can undoubtedly be your best way to ensure the safety of your workers!

At a time when OHSA is stressing more on the safety of workers, carrying out a thorough inspection prior to every work is of paramount importance. No matter what the height of your structure is, every scaffold needs to be examined by a competent person once it is erected and before it is being used. While you may consider inspection to be an easy process, reality is that you have to fulfil the requirements as specified in the ‘Work at Height Regulations, 2005’.

Keep reading to know everything you need to know about scaffold inspection!

Scaffolding In Eltham: Questions To Ask For A Proper Inspection

1. Is Scaffold Inspection Essential Even After The Initial Inspection?
Yes. Even after you have undergone the initial inspection, scaffolding in Bromley should be inspected at regular intervals. This period should not exceed more than 7 days. Even when something happens which can have an impact on the safety of the structure, consider inspecting it at once. This includes vehicular impact, adverse climate conditions and removal of vital components.

2. When Should The Inspection Be Carried Out?
According to the Work at Height Regulations, your structure should be inspected when-

• Before using the structure for the first time after installation.
• After circumstances which could have an impact on the safety of the structure and the workers.
• When 7 days have passed since the last inspection.

3. Who Will Carry Out The Inspection?
Inspection of scaffolding in Eltham should always be carried out by well-qualified, well-experienced and competent individuals. Ensure that you are following the norms of the UK construction industry that a structure can be examined only by persons who have Scaffold Inspector Cards or hold Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS). This helps you to ensure that your structure is inspected by a person who is fully skilled and competent to inspect scaffolds.

4. Is Scaffold Inspection Necessary Even For Basic Scaffolding?
Yes. It’s your duty to ensure that the structure your workers are working on, is completely safe at all times. No matter whether your scaffolders in Eltham are working in a complex or non-complex structure, carrying out a thorough inspection is mandatory. According to the Work at Height Regulations Act, every structure should be inspected by a competent person before commencing with the work.

5. What Are The Inspection Requirements?
In every scaffolding inspection report, certain information must be fulfilled. These include-

• Name, address and position of the person who carried out your scaffold inspection
• Specification of the area where your inspection was carried out
• Time, date and location of the inspection
• Details of anything defective which was identified and the necessary action required
• Details of other necessary action

Now that you are aware of everything related to scaffold inspection, what are you still waiting for? Time to implement safe scaffolding!

7 Common Queries about Scaffolding In Eltham Has Been Resolved

Scaffolders in Sidcup

A scaffold is not only a temporary structure offering access to construction workers but also helps in improving productivity by enhancing the safety of workers. No wonder, more and more people engaged in the construction industry are making use of the structure irrespective of the project being big of small. If you still have any query about the structure have a look below.

Few Of Your Queries About Scaffolding Has Been Answered By scaffolders In Sidcup

• How Often Should It Be Inspected?
Inspect the structure after it has been erected and ready to use. Afterwards, it should be inspected after every 7 days until removed. If the structure is suddenly exposed to harsh weather conditions there are chances that it condition might deteriorate. Such being the condition, make sure to inspect it before using.

• What Training Does A Scaffolder Require?
Scaffolders in Sidcup are competent and have adequate knowledge about the structure they are erecting. Having irrelevant knowledge or inadequate experience can create havoc. Every team engaged in erecting the structure in Sidcup has a qualified trainer who is aware of the complexity of the structure they are erecting. A majority of them is also awarded a Scaffolder Card.

• When Is Interim Inspection Required?
The interim inspection generally takes place between the detailed inspections when a risk has been identified during assessment. An in-depth inspection is made and details recorded. How frequently these interim inspections are required completely depends on the usage of the structure.

• Where Should I Place The Guardrails On The Structure?
Scaffolders ensure that the first guardrail is placed at a minimum height of 950mm from the platform where construction workers will be working. The maximum gap between the intermediate rail and the top rail is never more than 470mm. There are also regulations which made it compulsory to use toe boards as they prevent materials and workers from falling.

• How Can I Prevent Fall From The Structure?
There is a wide range of ways you can adopt to prevent fall from the structure. Using advanced guardrails, special equipment, tools, and undertaking safe methods of working enhances safety. It is advisable for every scaffolder to abide by the technical guidance offered by the National Access & Scaffolding Confederation.

• Who Can Inspect The Structure?
Only a competent person having adequate knowledge, experience, and training in inspecting scaffolding in Eltham should be shouldered the responsibility. There is a wide range of the structure and each has separate complexities, make sure the person you appoint for inspection have sufficient knowledge about each.

• Who Can Erect The Structure?
Erecting the scaffolding by competent scaffolders is a must. Opt for someone who has undergone training from an industry recognised training institute like PASMA (Prefabricated Access Suppliers and Manufacturers’ Association). Though, there are numerous other licensed manufacturers and supplier schemes offering recognised scaffolding training.

Since a majority of your common queries about scaffolding has been answered, it’s high time you erect the structure and enhance the safety of your construction site.

Related post:

5 Accidents In The Construction Site And Scaffolding in Sidcup As An Answer

Hazards Faced by Scaffolders in Eltham & Ways to Avoid Them

“You can’t test courage cautiously”

Do you think it is right? Wrong!

When you are hanging down from a multi storey building just by the ropes or normal bamboo shafts, you might imagine “such is life” as stated by Ned Kelley. The absurdity of life comes to an end if the rope is tied loosely or any of those various factors that can cause a fall or an accident, work against your favour. In such situation, after surfing the rate of accidents, the experts have come with the blessing in disguise.

Scaffolding has been a great blessing in the world of construction from the time it was invented. The technical ways of building and dismantling it has made it a common usage for every construction process. The new way scaffolding and its methods, if used properly can easily reduce the accident rates that are recorded in the past times.

The OSHA rules if followed and training when giving to the workers in the construction world, then it can be of great help. Many scaffolders prove to be those who follow the rules and regulations of OSHA and report the most efficient piece of work in their genre.

Even after restrictions and regulations, there can be accidents, as they don’t come knocking at the door. So, one must know and be aware of the most common falls and the ways to avoid them, too. Here goes the list:

Falls from Great Heights

Being a scaffolder one has to work with heights, and falling from heights is the most common hazards faced by the workers, hence one can avoid them by:

1) A guardrail can be of great help. A number of good guardrail must be present in every space along with the top of the scaffolding, then lowering down to the mid rails and finally the cross braces.

2) Graded planks must be used and they should be tightly sealed and planked.

3) One must use the scaffold by the ladders to access it.

Slipping Down

Often, it is seen that accidents occur due to the workers slipping out from the scaffolding. Ways to avoid them:

1) Workers must avoid working under slippery condition or even when there is ice everywhere.

2) Customised boots must be provided where there is slope.

3) The stair ways should be made slip resistant.

Electrocution Problems

One of the major life taking risks about scaffolders in Eltham is when the workers face the perils of electrocution. Ways to avoid them would be:

1) Power lines should be kept at least 10 feet away.

2) One must check for the power lines which are just above the head.

3) One must also check whether there are any loose wires or faulty electrical wirings left or not.

Collapsing of the Entire Structure

It might so happen that scaffolding can collapse entirely if not tied properly.

• Base plates should be secure and tightened nicely.
• The scaffold itself should be strong enough to carry the weight it that it is meant to for the work purpose.
• One must avoid using any weakened or damaged items for the scaffolding.
• There should a competent inspector present who can judge the former mentioned factors.
• The ropes that will be used must be heat resistant

 

When the Objects Fall from Heights

People are injured or even face fatal accidents when objects from a height suddenly fall on them. But, how to avoid such a situation?

 

1. A protective canopy should always be used with the barricade along with it.

2. There should be toe boards along with the edges of platforms

3. Wearing hard hats can also be a protective measure.

So, from now on, you can be extra cautious and then can you test your courage! Happy and safe working!

The 5 Aids Followed in Scaffolding in Eltham Which are Life Savers

Scaffolding holds the utmost importance in the construction site because of the safety and security it ensures. If you are residing near the suburban district of south-east London, England and working on a construction site for any domestic or commercial project then you must give a call to the scaffolders in Eltham for one of the matchless services that they provide.

Below is a list of 5 helping aids that the scaffolding provides:

Guardrails – the usage of guardrails is very important in the three sides of scaffolding while constructing a building. The tree rails would be top rail, a mid rail and a bottom rail. If removed any of these then it might arouse a chance of falling apart so it should be done promptly.

Inspection – this is the main spinal cord of any scaffolding. A professional engineer would give a routine checkup and maintain the scaffolding before the regular use to affirm the security of the workers. His checking points include stirrups, welds, connecting plates, connecting pins, trusses, working surface and beams in case of suspended platform.

Good housekeeping – since there isn’t much space in the scaffolding so it is important to remove all the debris from the platform so that there remains a bit of room for the tools to be carried. Hence, a good housekeeping is important too.

Balance – the most important factor of using a scaffold is the balance. The balance can only be pulled over if the ground on which the scaffolding rests is leveled, that is without any pebbles or stones.

Accurate equipments – the usage of accurate equipments while working on scaffolding should also be remembered. This would include non-slip protective footwear with head protection and definitely with fall protection if necessary. As a form of safety harness it can be tied off to a solid structure, such as the building.

Like to know about the Top 5 Rules to be Followed in Scaffolding? Click here.