While working on a construction site, you may be unaware of the many hidden dangers that scaffolding presents for workers.
Knowing how to properly construct and use a scaffold can help keep you and your fellow employees safe.
Inability to hold the required weight
According to the American Safety Council, each scaffold must be able to carry up to four times the intended weight it should hold. If these platforms break, you could fall to the concrete ground and suffer from head wounds or serious bodily injuries.
A competent and certified person should test the structural integrity of the ropes and materials before use. Even falls from ten feet or less can be seriously harmful or even deadly if the scaffold is not constructed correctly.
Lack of safety systems
While working, you should always have a personal fall arrest system on a scaffold that helps prevent serious injuries in the event you trip and fall. Many platforms have guardrails and other methods of fall protection as well.
Every worker should wear protective gear, such as hardhats or screens, during his or her shift. Securely made counterweights should resist up to four times the pressure typically exerted in order to be as safe as possible.
Not enough training
Each employee should be thoroughly trained in how to use and walk safely on the scaffold. However, in cases where a qualified or competent person is unable to teach safety procedures, workers may find themselves at a loss for what to do when confronted with an issue. Keeping yourself safe on scaffolding requires specific knowledge and skills in order to avoid injuries.