Construction sites can be dangerous and life-threatening to those involved or in close proximity, particularly if the correct precautions are not taken. The conventional work site can be characterized by a frenetic work load, where awkward and heavy materials need to be shifted around the site constantly. In this type of situation, it’s not hard to see why so many people get injured daily. However, if you know how to create and maintain safe scaffoldings, then you’ll find that your work site will be much safer for all those involved. There are many benefits with using safe building platforms on your work site, however, those advantages can only be utilized if the towers are well maintained and looked after. Here are some key tips on upholding high-quality scaffoldings.
Preliminary stages
Before any scaffoldings are to be safely and legally used on a worksite, several processes must be met. Firstly, managers must devise contingency plans and several risks assessments. These written plans are created so those operating the towers are aware of any of the risks associated with using the platforms and the degree to which their safety is compromised.
Any potential hazards, regardless of how small they may be, need to be identified, so that workers are aware of how to adapt should those hazards become a notable threat. It could range from inclement weather conditions (like strong winds) to damages to supporting towers. Put simply, with any scaffoldings on a construction site, control measures must be devised to counteract any problems. Everyone on site must be aware of those rules, ascertaining safety and security for all those involved.
Maintenance
Maintaining your building towers is also very important in preventing accidents or safety mishaps. If the platform is taller than four metres, there are a few important rules that must be adhered to. Indeed, any individual who is required to use the relevant scaffoldings are legally required to have written confirmation from a ‘competent’ individual. The person must have inspected the structure that day, so they can guarantee that safety of the structure.
Furthermore, all towers need to be inspected consistently – at least once every thirty days. If an accident occurs during this period, the use of scaffoldings must stop until they are deemed safe for use again. Following this, the tower must be examined and assessed fully, so as to determine what the issue was and how it can be fixed. If the tower passes the risk assessment, then it can become operational again. The purpose of this is to reduce the amount of accidents that are likely to occur or determine if the structure is poorly designed.
What are the benefits?
There are many great benefits associated with using building towers on your worksite.
Improved safety
Primarily, building platforms are crucial in guaranteeing the safety of those on the site or near the site. However, this is only if the building towers are well maintained and checked often – otherwise collapses can occur.
Improved productivity
Furthermore, scaffoldings are very helpful if you’re looking to boost work site efficiency and productivity. For example, building platforms allow for the easier movement of heavy materials across the worksite. It also means that workers can now operate more ‘sequentially’, in a manner that now allows them to verify any mistakes or flaws in the structure being built.
Walk-thru scaffoldings are made from interconnected building platforms. This allows for an improvement in worker mobility throughout the site, minimizing overcrowding during operation. It allows helps with productivity since multiple areas of the site can be active, all via the same network of building platforms. This is perfect for really large construction sites.