In the field of construction, having safety equipment like scaffolding is just as important as proper pacing. Both are essential when it comes to creating proper situational awareness and preventing accidents from taking place in any construction site.

But how does proper scaffolding save lives?

The Advantages

Constructing any edifice means working at certain heights. This very nature of this job poses an inherent risk. In fact, around 33.5% of construction fatalities are caused by a fall hazard.

To prevent such mishaps, construction workers need to rely on some equipment. The scaffold is one of those.

Unlike ladders, the way scaffolds are designed (a wider surface with a handrail; typically with four anchor points as base support) gives workers a more solid and stable platform on which they can stand on while performing a particular task at height. This equipment also provides them with a tool they can use to reach areas (such as ceilings and higher walls) in an efficient and safe manner.

While scaffolds are traditionally fixed and uninstalled only once the project is complete, mobile ones are also available. This gives more room for versatility and cost-effectiveness.

Things To Know

When using scaffolds, here are the most important things you need to know:

Proper training is a must. To maximise the safety of using scaffolds, you must ensure that any personnel who’d use them are properly trained. A qualified construction worker should know, primarily, how to use them and what their load capacities are. They should also know how to identify falling object hazards and risks of electrocution — and what to do when they’re dealing with such a situation.

The use of appropriate scaffolds is essential. When requesting for scaffolds, you should know your needs first. How will you use them? How many people do you want them to hold? Will you need a fixed or a mobile one? Which material do you prefer — fibreglass or wood? Knowing the answers to these will help you guarantee safety throughout the construction process.

Knowing scaffolding safety don’ts can save more lives. Sure, scaffolds themselves are tools that heighten safety within a construction site. But not knowing the "don’ts" can also cost you lives. For instance, you should never climb with tools in your hand (they should be sent up separately). After a day’s worth of work, don’t leave any tools or materials on the scaffold. If you need extra height, don’t use boxes or any other stuff; have the scaffold properly raised. As load capacity is essential, so never attempt to overload your scaffold — nor should you use it when it appears to be damaged.

Access One: A Leading Name in Scaffolding

Access One — New Zealand’s premier scaffolder —offers both fixed and mobile scaffolds to provide the safety needs of construction project owners. As they know just how properly scaffolding can save lives, they make sure that their scaffolds are resilient and properly installed. You can learn more about this on their latest blog post at https://accessone.co.nz/all-the-scaffolding-in-the-world-wont-save-a-worker-in-a-hurry/.

Since they started their business three decades ago, they’ve kept a clean track record of providing safe and highly cost-effective scaffolding in the country.

For enquiries, call them at 09 525 3123 or email them at [email protected] or visit website https://accessone.co.nz/all-the-scaffolding-in-the-world-wont-save-a-worker-in-a-hurry/.