A majority of the accidents occur at construction sites due to fall hazards. Construction workers are also exposed to hazards like electrocutions, falls and accidents from falling objects. The easiest way to ensure their safety is by approaching an experienced company offering high-quality scaffolds on hire. With the right structure erected in your construction site, you can stay assured that its quality won’t deteriorate when the weather changes. It should also be erected by a trained professional and inspected by someone trained before you start using it. The construction workers should also be equipped with the right protective equipment and follow safe work practices.      

Few Things To Follow When Using Scaffolds

The person erecting or using scaffolding in Chichester should be appropriately trained. The training should be undertaken by someone qualified who will let the students know the various falling objects hazards, help them with identification of electrocution and teach how to deal with the hazards. Construction workers undergoing the training should know how to use the scaffold, handle materials and know the structure’s load capacity. A competent person should inspect the scaffold at fixed intervals. It should be erected, dismantled and moved under the guidance of a trained personnel.

Things To Avoid When Using Scaffolds

No building materials or tools should be left on the scaffold after your shift ends. These items can blow off the structure or lead to tripping hazards for someone using it. The person using it should also know the maximum intended load of the scaffold. He should never exceed its load-carrying capacities. Ask the supervisor for a raised scaffold platform instead of using ladders or boxes to increase work height. Don’t walk on a scaffold plank if it is covered in snow, ice or mud as worn planks become slippery when wet.

Hire A Trained Scaffolding Contractor

You can stay assured about the safety of a scaffold if it has been erected by a trained scaffolding contractor who can identify both existing and predictable hazards in his working conditions or surroundings. It is the responsibility of the project manager to take prompt actions to eliminate those risks. Look for someone who has earned a recognised certification or degree or has extensive training, knowledge and experience. He should be capable of using his abilities to resolve issues related to the work, subject matter or project.

Responsibility Of Construction Workers

Just wearing safety equipment is not sufficient to ensure the safety of your construction workers. They should always pay attention to their surroundings. If they are walking below a scaffold, their entire body should be below the plank. They should resist sticking out their heads just to see whatever is going up or down the structure. Any sort of scaffolding issue should be immediately reported to the supervisor. These being said, it’s time construction workers start following the scaffold safety tips stated above.

Scaffolding is one of the most effective construction tools which have been used for years to complete small and large construction projects successfully. If you want multiple workers to work on it side by side, ask the company to erect scaffolding with a wider surface. It has four anchors which enhance their safety. Though there are so many benefits of using scaffolding at construction sites, there are still a few builders who have not started looking for a company offering it yet. This is primarily because they think that hiring them will punch a hole in their pocket. This is nothing more than a myth which people need to debunk if they want to reap all the benefits offered by the structure.

10 Common Factors Which Affect The Price Of Scaffolding In Eastbourne

• The estimated height and length of the project.
• The number of scaffolding sections used from the starting to completion of the project.
• Number of workers willing to work at the structure at the same time.
• The total weight the structure has to support including the workers and the construction materials.
• The total time the scaffold will be required at the job site.
• Style and type of scaffolding you are willing to hire.
• The time of the year you are willing to hire the structure.
• The number of companies offering scaffolds on hire in that area.
• The distance between the rental company and your construction site.
• The weight of the scaffold components you are renting as you will have to pay more for heavier components.

Save Money By Approaching The Right Company

One of the primary benefits of opting for scaffolding in Eastbourne is that you can choose from numerous suppliers offering the structure at competitive prices. The factors they consider when pricing their services differ from one supplier to another. Just discuss your construction needs with them and they will suggest a suitable structure within your budget. Generally, you will have to pay more for larger scaffolding sections. Similarly, stay prepared to pay a few extra bucks if you are planning to build a concrete block wall and require numerous block masons. The type of scaffolding you will require to support the blocks, mortar and block masons will be more advanced and expensive than the simple structures.  

Domestic Or Commercial Project?

Everyone hiring scaffolding for industrial use will agree with the fact that these scaffolds are not only sturdier than the home-use scaffold but also a bit more expensive. Erecting the former will be a cost-effective option only if you are planning to rent them on a frequent basis. If you want to ensure your safety, it is always advisable to opt for the metal scaffolding instead of the wooden version even if you have to pay a bit more for the former. Since you are now aware of the various factors on which the price of scaffolding you are hiring depends, it’s time you start looking for a renowned rental company in Eastbourne and customise the structure to suit your construction needs.

Scaling dramatic heights every day is the nature of the construction industry. And, thanks to reliable scaffolding in Chichester, workers can do their job safely when working at heights. But, do you know that keeping in mind the safety issues is important, particularly when working during the winter months? Wondering how to ensure safety when using scaffolds in the winter season? Read on. No matter how small or big a construction project is, working at heights is a tricky business altogether. Ensuring the scaffolds erected on the site adheres to the all the safety guidelines and is as soundly built as possible is important. While it’s true that working at heights on temporary structures is always risky, the risks get magnified during the winter season when the weather can be very difficult. Extra attention and care should thus be exercised. Here’re a few seasonal scaffolding safety tips to ensure your site stays safe.  

Scaffolding In Chichester: Useful Safety Tips For The Winter Season Ahead

1. Consider Additional Safety Checks

During the winter months, the need for safety is paramount since risks increase due to the windy, cold and wet weather. Trips and falls are two of the greatest risks for construction workers throughout the year, but when planks are slippery following snow, rain or ice, trips and falls are more common. Carrying out regular checks as well as risk assessments on your scaffold structure is thus important.

2. Be Vigilant & Stay Safe

Keep a watchful eye on the weather forecast and if extreme winds, severe morning frost or a torrential downpour is predicted, postponing work till weather conditions improve is important. Even though you may have deadlines, working in atrocious weather isn’t worth the risk. Pausing the work to keep all workers safe must be at the forefront of every site’s manager during the harsh winters.

3. Install A Temporary Roof

Another great way to protect your construction site against the hazardous weather in the winter months is installing a temporary roof to keep your scaffolds safe. Getting a temporary roof installed can even keep your workers safe from the high winds which make structures unstable, thus increasing the risk of falls. Just the way opting for premium quality scaffolding in Chichester is important, considering adequate safety measures is essential when the weather is bad.

4. Let Workers Take Regular Breaks

Working in cold winter can adversely impact the well-being of your workers and affect their overall productivity. When workers continue to work in snow, rain or frost, they end up putting their lives at risk. Since boards become slippery easily, they can easily lead to falls and slips. So, workers must take regular breaks in warm environment to ensure they stay well and warm. Furthermore, workers must wear additional thermal clothing when working on temporary structures. Ensuring your site is well-protected from the cold and wet weather conditions is important. So what are you still waiting for? Time to emphasise seasonal scaffolding safety! Contact us at – https://www.agrscaffolding.co.uk/contact-map/

Though there are some well-defined standards regarding placements of scaffolds, scaffold-related accidents are still quite common. The easiest way to avoid injuries and fatalities on construction sites is by staying aware of all the safety requirements when assembling and installing the structure. Not only should the scaffolders undergo training but all the necessary safety measures should also be undertaken. Unless the scaffolding in your construction site is inspected thoroughly on a regular basis, you can’t ensure the safety of the people working on it.

6 Vital Pre-Check Requirements Of Scaffolding

• Erection of The Structure

Scaffolding in Crawley should always be erected under the supervision of a competent person. A licensed professional engineer should shoulder the responsibility of designing the scaffold without exceeding the safety limits recommended by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Unsafe scaffolds made using blocks, barrels and boxes should be immediately disqualified.  

• Planks And Materials

Though the planks can be made using a wide variety of materials, it is always advisable to use strong metals like aluminium or stress-graded lumber. Scaffold-grade planks of 2”x10” should be used for planking. They should be within 6 feet if you are using it for heavy use, within 10 feet for light use and 8 feet if you require it for medium use. The poles and legs should be braced securely to avoid swaying.  

• Toe-boards And Guardrails

Examine the height of your scaffold and if it is more than 10 feet, ensure there are guardrails on all the open sides and ends. As far as the size of the guardrails is concerned, have a talk with the company you are approaching for scaffolds. There should also be toe-boards on all the open sides and ends of the structure if its height is more than 10 feet.  

• Integrity Of The Structure

Overloading the scaffold with equipment and other construction materials can compromise its safety. You need to ensure that the loads you are placing on the planks are capable of sustaining it. The easiest way to secure the scaffold is by using the right braces, supports and uprights. You should not remove them before substituting the scaffold with suitable replacements.  

• Ensure Proper Access

The construction workers should be capable of safely accessing the scaffold platforms without any blockage. If they are using some stairways or ladders to access the platforms, they should be located at a safe distance so that they don’t make the scaffold unstable. If a ladder is being used, you need to attach it securely with the structure.  

• Safety Precautions

Every safety precaution must be taken while working on the scaffold so as to prevent any sort of overhead hazard. Clean up slippery conditions quickly in case of high winds or steady rain. There should be no materials, tools or other debris on the scaffold while people are working on it. Since you are now aware of the common pre-check requirements, it’s time you ensure the safety of the people working on the scaffold.

Everyone in the construction industry will agree to the fact that two common reasons why scaffolds generally collapse are overloading and instability. This is why it is the responsibility of the people installing and using them to take every safety measure which will help in preventing such tragedies.  

How Frequently Should You Inspect The Scaffolding?

The best professional who can answer this is the company from whom you have hired the scaffold. A majority of them follow the OSHA regulations which state that the structure should be inspected,

• After it has been installed
• Before anyone starts using it
• At least once every week
• After adverse weather conditions like storm or rain
• You feel that its structural integrity has been affected.

Who Can Inspect The Structure?

Even if you think that inspecting a scaffold is quite simple, it is actually not so. This is why it is advisable to get it inspected from a competent person with adequate knowledge and experience about the structure you are using. The complexity of the scaffold is generally dependent on the size and type of structure you have hired for your construction project. When you get the structure inspected by someone who has the authorization to undertake the task, you can stay assured that they know how to identify hazards and eliminate those by taking prompt corrective measures.

How Is The Inspection Done?

It is the entire responsibility of the company offering scaffolding in Crawley to keep everyone away from scaffold-related hazards like structural instability, electrocution, falling objects, falls and overloading. Few vital components of the scaffold which should be inspected thoroughly are,

• Base

The easiest way to prevent any sort of accident caused due to electrocution is by keeping the structure away from electrical lines. If it is not possible for you to remove the power lines, de-energise them. There should also not be any tool or material within 10 feet of the structure.

• Planks

Even a minute split or crack on the wooden planks can lead to scaffold hazards. This is why you should get those inspected by a competent person at fixed intervals. They will ensure that the size of the crack is not more than ¼ inch or there are not many large loose knots. The planks should be constructed using high-quality scaffold grade lumber.

• Platform

If you want to ensure your safety when working on platforms, use those with midrails and guardrails. Construction workers installing or using those are also advised to use suitable fall protection and hard hats.

Importance of Scaffold Tagging

Everyone inspecting scaffolds is aware of the importance of scaffold tagging. A competent person should inspect the structure before marking it with appropriate identification tags. Using untagged scaffolds is a strict no-no. The tags are generally fastened at a suitable place on the scaffold where it is easier for the users to locate them. When you can identify safe scaffolds in Crawley, you can use them with complete peace of mind.