Safety at the scaffolding
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High caution is favoured while working at heights in construction industry
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High risk zone: Fall from elevation, due to lack of ‘fall protection’ mechanism, is a common hazard.
Working at heights is a very critical activity in any construction site. Fall from heights is a significant problem on construction sites, resulting in serious injury and death of workers. Therefore, practical information and solutions for creating and maintaining a safe working environment when working at heights is of paramount importance like
Common fall hazards;
Fall hazards associated with scaffoldings;
Fall hazards associated with roofs and plastering and painting;
Fall hazards associated with concreting works (including form work and brick laying).
It is estimated that falls account for approximately 9 per cent of traumatic occupational deaths and fatal falls from scaffolds account for 17 per cent of falls from elevations.
Majority of workers injured in scaffolding accidents attribute the accident to either planking or supports giving away, or workers slipping or being struck by falling objects. One of the frequently cited violations is lack of fall protection on scaffoldings.
We often hear about collapse of scaffolds at construction sites resulting in multiple fatalities. All these accidents are results of ignoring common and simple precautions.
What is a scaffold? A scaffold is an elevated temporary work platform.
Common hazards associated with scaffolds:
Falls from elevation, due to lack of fall protection are the most common incidents occurring while working at elevations.
Collapse of the scaffold is generally caused by instability or overloading
Electrocution, principally due to proximity of the scaffold to overhead power lines.
Specific control measures:
The risks associated with working at heights must be controlled. The following control measures are listed in the order in which they must be applied at a construction site.
1. Temporary work platforms: Risks must be controlled through the use of stable and securely fenced work platforms (such as scaffolding or other forms of portable work platform).
2. Guardrails: Guardrails should only be used in situations when it is not reasonably practicable to use temporary work platforms.
3. Fall arrest systems: Fall arrest systems should only be used in situations when it is not reasonably practicable to use either temporary work platforms or guardrails.
Suggestions for safe use of fall-arrest systems:
The following measures should also be considered as a means of controlling risks:
• It is strongly recommended that persons using fall arrest systems should not work alone.
Where it is necessary that persons do work alone they should be constantly monitored to ensure that they have not fallen.
In the event of a fall, it is vital that the person be rescued as soon as possible, even if uninjured.
This is necessary as a suspended person may suffer suspension trauma.
• Before each use, hooks should be checked for correct operation. If the hook does not close and lock quickly the mechanism may be partially jammed, bent or the spring weakened. Unless cleaning rectifies the problem the hook should not be used.
• Loose clothing should be avoided as it may become entangled in the hook and prevent closure.
• A visual check should be made to ensure that the hook has closed fully and is not tangled in clothing. For the rear connection, a person should connect before putting on the harness or have someone else check it for them.
• The user should be familiar with the operation of the hook before use.
• There should be adequate clearance inside the snap hook enclosure so that the D-ring cannot become jammed in any position.
• Whenever a hook is required to make a connection between the worker and the anchorage point, an automatic locking or double locking hook is recommended as snap hooks can open accidentally.
‘Fall protection’ tips
One should identify all potential tripping and fall hazards before work starts.
Look for fall hazards such as unprotected floor openings/edges, shafts, skylights, stairwells and roof openings/edges.
Also visitors / customers who visits the project sites should always be more cautious as they are new to the project sites and do not have knowledge of various hazards associated with construction activities.
Many companies think investing in personal protective equipment is additional cost on the project.
But when it comes to handle a serious accident it becomes even more costly. When this is understood and appreciated, all necessary measures would be taken up to ensure utmost safety practices.
ASWATHA NARAYANA
Sr Manager - HSE
Maytas Infra Ltd
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