Safety Tips for Working with Scaffolding

Safe Work Australia classifies working with scaffolding as a dangerous job. Even the most experienced worker in the construction industry with the right training and skills is at risk. Despite this, there are ways of preventing accidents related to scaffolding use at work or home.

These safety tips will help you manage the risks and avoid scaffolding accidents while working with a temporary structure.

Identify Safety Hazards

You need to be aware of your surroundings when working with any type of scaffold. This way you can identify safety hazards like potholes, sharp edges, uneven ground, and electrical wires, and assess the harm they can cause to you. By identifying the dangers, you’ll also be able to estimate the likelihood of an accident happening and implement control measures to avoid them.

Use Scaffolding PPE

It’s crucial to wear appropriate safety gear when working on any scaffold platforms. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is particularly indispensable in industrial and construction settings, especially when working at elevated positions This includes hard hats, gloves, and fall protection equipment, all of which should be worn when working on or near scaffolding.

Recognise an Unsafe Scaffold

No matter how careful you are when working with scaffolding, you’ll remain at risk if the scaffold frame is unsafe. So, before climbing any part of the scaffold, check and double-check that all connections are firmly in place. Inspect the locks, clamps, and outriggers and see if they are all tightly secured.

If you are a construction worker using a mobile scaffold, make sure that the wheels are locked and completely immovable. Lastly, tools and small equipment can accidentally drop from the scaffold and hit someone. You must, therefore, ensure that a mid-rail and toeboard are installed on each deck to close the openings of the scaffold.

Utilise the Scaffold the Correct Way

To stay safe when working with scaffolding, you must follow the right directions when using the rig. Safe scaffolding means you need to properly use all components of a scaffold including the cross braces, handrails, toeboards, base plates and ladders. Don’t try to work outside the limits of the scaffold and don’t do any tricks or take any shortcuts when manoeuvring the scaffolding structure. 

Enlist the Help of Professional Scaffold Services

Perhaps, the biggest key to ensuring safety when working with scaffolding is choosing, designing, and building the right scaffold for your construction project, whether at home or work. The appropriate scaffolding is the safest one you can use according to the structure you’re working on.

There are plenty of scaffolding products available on the market and you can always buy one and build it on your own. But if you want to ensure your safety, it’s best to leave these tasks to businesses or a qualified person offering professional scaffold services. These experts have the proper training and high-risk work licenses to build scaffolding that’s safe for residential or commercial use.

Scaffolding Hire Service by CanDo

Working with scaffolding is a serious business that mustn’t be taken likely. By following these safety tips and by identifying potential hazards, there will be less chance of accidents occurring at your workplace.

If you are planning to carry out any construction works on the Gold Coast, Brisbane, or northern NSW soon; the best way to manage the risks of working with scaffolding is by hiring the services of a competent person or company, like CanDo. We provide a comprehensive range of scaffolding solutions that will suit any residential or light commercial construction works.

CanDo also provides consultation services to ensure that you get the best solution to your specific needs and to comply with the Work Place Health and Safety Regulations.

Contact CanDo today at 1300  226 336 and get a free quote and expert advice for your scaffolding hire needs.