Why is edge protection important?

Falls from heights are a major hazard which has caused injury and/or death of workers. Unprotected edges are one of the most common hazards which contribute to falls from height and as height increases, so does the risk of serious injury. Edge protection must be provided at every open edge of a work platform or scaffold platform to prevent both workers and materials from falling. It's imperative you get the safest height safety solution for your residential construction project on the Gold Coast, Brisbane or Northern NSW with correct installation methods and risk control measures to minimise key risk factors and workplace accidents.

What are the benefits of using a hang-on platform?

Cost effective protection for workers. Keeps the building site clear of scaffolding allowing unimpeded ground access. Reducing delays construction due to bad weather conditions. Allows for earlier roof installation. Allows sub-trades to complete wall installations earlier in the project. Speeds up the overall construction timeline. Allows roof trusses to be stood safely while building. Saves on scaffolding and safety hire costs because hang-on platforms are generally only needed for the later stages of a project.

What is a hang-on platform?

Hang-on platforms (also called hang on scaffolds) are designed to provide safe roof access for builders. They are often used an alternative to scaffolding or roof safety rails because they can: Speed up the construction process. Be quicker to install and remove. Eliminate the need for ground-up scaffolding. Reduce labour and hire costs. Best installed on timber frames, steel frames and concrete tilt slabs.

Can I erect my own scaffolding?

You can erect your own scaffolding tower as long as it is under 4m in height. Workcover/Worksafe regulation applies to any structure above this height We do not recommend that you attempt to erect a scaffold on your own. Working at heights poses significant risks to those working on the scaffold and those on the ground. Keeping people safe is too important to risk making the erection of scaffolding a DIY project.

Does CanDo offer any other roof edge protection products?

Yes - CanDo offers a comprehensive range of temporary roof edge protection systems. Our roof safety systems cater for various types of roof construction with a large range of mounting brackets: Under Eave Top Plate Tile Gable Re-Roof Pole System Tilt Slab Our customers have access to a wide range of options to suit all residential roofing projects. We can also provide edge protection scaffolding for commercial projects.

Are mobile scaffold towers safe?

Yes, when mobile scaffold towers are set up and used correctly they are a very safe structure. A scaffold tower is a self-supporting, highly rigid structure. These towers are designed for use on jobs where height is the fundamental requirement. Scaffold towers offer resistance against slips and provide more room to move about freely while you work. With the ability to accommodate the worker, their materials and tools, scaffold towers have become a popular choice amongst workers.

What height is edge protection required?

As stated in OSH Regulations, edge protection scaffolding must be installed if any person on a worksite is at risk of falling 2 metres or more from a flat edge such as scaffolds, stairs, landings etc. If workers are on something other than a flat edge such as a roof, roof truss or ladder, then only heights of 3 metres and above require edge protection to be installed.

What is edge protection designed for?

Temporary roof edge protection is designed to prevent a person falling from height to a lower level. Guardrails, handrails, safety rails and scaffolding are erected to create a barrier around the roof of a building to prevent a person or materials from falling.

Where shouldn't a mobile scaffold be used?

A mobile scaffold must be used only on a hard, level surface. It also must not be located within 1m to any slab edge, penetration or stepdown unless a fixed fence / rail / roof edge protection / void protection platform is in place.

Emergency Procedures For Falls In The Workplace

Working with scaffolding can be very dangerous and comes with a high risk of injuries and fall accidents in the workplace. Falls may result in head injuries, fractures, or worse.

For the safety of people on-site, it’s therefore necessary that industries are ready to implement an emergency plan and safety measures should an unfortunate event occur during scaffolding works. Under section 21 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, all employers must provide and maintain a healthy and safe working environment without risks of harm.

Here are some elements of sound emergency response procedures for falls in the workplace the employer’s duty of care includes:

Emergency Plans and Procedures

There must be established emergency plans and procedures for falls when scaffolding work is done at your construction site. It’s also crucial that the protocols are known and understood by the staff and potential emergency personnel and relevant workers across all levels. Detailed steps must be provided for all workers to follow in every worksite and must be included in the overall safety plan.

These procedures should take into account different scenarios and potential hazards. Doing so will ensure that the emergency procedures for falls will be adequate in case of a real emergency. Below are the things that must be considered when devising emergency procedures for falls in the workplace:

1. Access to the Worksite

Easy access to the work location will play a big role in the success of your emergency procedures. Emergency services and emergency vehicles must not encounter any difficulties entering and leaving the worksite so that quick rescue can be performed. During your planning, make sure to design the fastest route possible for rescuers and remove any blockage like machines and equipment.

2. Rescuer capability

As an emergency standard, every worker in your team must be capable of potentially saving a life from a height accident and assess the preceding danger for himself and other people on the site. Adequate first aid and life-saving equipment manipulation training must be given to enhance all rescuers’ capabilities.

3. Rescue & aid equipment

Rescue and emergency equipment suitable for working at heights must be at hand and readily available for easy access. These include first aid tools, ropes, ladders, wheelchairs, and stretchers, which must be clearly marked and kept close for easier access. Trained personnel must also be within close proximity during work hours at the site. This is to ensure that rapid response in medical treatment will be provided while waiting for an ambulance to arrive. Suitable protective equipment (PPE) and protective clothing should also be worn by everyone entering the work site.

Also read: Essential Personal Protective Equipment For Scaffolders

4. Adequate Communication

Accidents related to scaffolding works need immediate communication and coordination between the workers above and personnel on the ground. A radio communication system is the best way to respond to an emergency. However, all workers should be trained in using communications equipment without causing an additional risk of falls and accidents.

5. Local Emergency Rescue

Your emergency procedure for falls must also include immediate notification of the local emergency rescue. This means that all workers must be aware of the emergency hotlines and other contact information. The typical response time must also be known to all so that appropriate actions will be done while waiting for the rescuers.

6. Rapid Response

Suspension trauma also called Harness Hang Syndrome, is a situation wherein a victim is suspended in a safety harness and loses consciousness because of the trapped blood in the legs for being held upright. This position restricts adequate oxygen from reaching the brain and slows down the heart rate which causes the passing out of the victim.

A rapid and effective response plan must be carried out in a matter of 10 minutes by trained and competent people to ensure safety from the danger of life-threatening suspension trauma.

However, there are ways to avoid the occurrence of suspension trauma in the event of falls while working with scaffolding. These include the implementation of a buddy system and ensuring that the harness to be used will allow workers to position horizontally.

Should a harness suspension occur after a fall, height workers must remain calm and take deep breaths regularly to avoid hyperventilating. They should maintain leg motion as much as possible and horizontally position their legs to allow blood to flow from the legs. As a supervisor, make sure that all scaffolding workers know these actions to prevent worse scenarios from happening.

Contact CanDo Scaffolding

By conducting a risk assessment and implementing the necessary emergency procedures for falls in the workplace, you are ensuring that no further harm will occur to your workers. Still, the best way to guarantee safety while working at heights is by getting a reliable scaffolding service.

If you need professional scaffolding services and height safety solutions on the Gold Coast, Northern Rivers, or Greater Brisbane, CanDo is the best help you can get.

We provide a wide range of scaffolding and height services, including steel scaffolding, hang on platform, mobile scaffold tower, and edge protection. All of our services are designed to provide safety to your height workers while helping you save money and time on scaffolding works.

Call CanDo today at 1 300 226 336 for all your scaffolding needs or send an email to theguys@cando.com.au for your enquiries. You can also contact them via their Facebook page.

Emergency Procedures For Falls In The Workplace: A guide