Safety when using Scaffolding: How to avoid accidents?
Safe use of scaffolding is a series of precautions to ensure the well-being of workers and the productivity of work fronts.
Civil construction and facade cleaning services are just two of the situations that require work at height. Scaffoldings are essential structures for carrying out these tasks, but as they involve the risk of falls, it is essential to think about safety measures and protocols to maintain the physical integrity of workers.
Importance of safety when using Scaffolding:
Scaffoldings are temporary structures widely used to carry out work at heights above two meters above the ground, which cannot be carried out from the ground, such as demolition, construction, renovation, painting, cleaning and maintenance services. Click here for STI Course
Therefore, the importance of safety when using scaffolding is paramount and requires care when using this equipment. It is essential that a study be carried out on the risks, in addition to planning, organization and execution that guarantee the safety of all workers.
There are several types of scaffolding and each one has its specificities in terms of use and safety.
Scaffolding on trestles (modular): used at low heights, such as house renovation;
Tubular scaffolding: used at high heights, such as multi-storey houses;
Facade scaffolding: used in works and maintenance at greater heights;
Mobile scaffolding: it is easier to move within the construction site;
Suspended scaffolding: for external cladding and maintenance of facades in high-rise buildings.
Tips for staying safe when using scaffolding:
Scaffolding is equipment that directly influences the productivity of the work and this is yet another reason to ensure adequate safety measures. Learn some tips to maintain safety when using scaffolding.
Use personal protective equipment (PPE):
To maintain safety when using scaffolding, workers must use PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), which protects physical integrity in the event of falls or accidents, in addition to making work easier. Some essential items are:
- Safety belt similar to that of a parachutist with several connections that prevent the person from falling to the ground;
- Lanyard, equipment that connects the belt to some point of the structure to leave the worker suspended in the event of a fall;
- Helmet to reduce impact on the head;
- Belt to place tools;
- Boots to provide greater grip;
- Fall arrester, equipment that automatically locks to prevent the worker from falling;
- Protective glasses and gloves.
Use scaffolding correctly:
To increase safety when using scaffolding, it is essential to make sure that there is correct preparation so that people can climb it, checking the load weight that the structure supports and the maximum height it can reach.
For this and other features, there are technical standards to be strictly followed for the correct use of scaffolding, ensuring the safety of all workers.
Empower workers:
Although the condition of the equipment is a fundamental part of the safety when using scaffolding, employees must be trained and prepared to operate this type of structure.
Training goes beyond knowing how to use the scaffolding, it is necessary for workers to know the safety rules for these activities, such as:
- How to avoid falls;
- How to act in emergencies;
- Identify emergencies and return to the ground.
- Avoid overloading the structure
- Any scaffolding has a maximum load limit that it can support and this must be strictly respected by employees. Another important point of attention for safety when using scaffolding is distributing the weight correctly on the structure to ensure balance.
Check the condition of the scaffolding:
Workers must be instructed to check the condition of the scaffolding before using it. The preventive inspection of this equipment can observe important points, such as the leveling of the scaffold base; the condition of parts, wires, among others. click here for scaffold erector course
Avoid working in rainy conditions:
Safe use of scaffolding also involves observing weather conditions, such as the possibility of rain or strong winds. This is because work carried out at height should not be carried out under these conditions, which could compromise the safety of employees.
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