Scaffolding Competent Person

Scaffolding Competent Person
Scaffolding Erection & Dismantling

Erection and dismantling of scaffolding remains a high-risk activity, not only for those doing the work, but for other workers and the general public.

The following guide outlines the steps that anyone involved in this work should take into account. It is aimed not only at those who work directly in the scaffolding industry but also for clients, planning supervisors and major contractors. Below are a number of key issues that you will need to consider to ensure that scaffolding operations are performed safely.

This guide is not designed to explain the above legislation in detail. However, it is important to remember that a wide range of people ranging from clients to the self-employed have legal responsibilities. In simple terms, the law requires that scaffolding operations be properly planned, and that planning results carried out to ensure work is carried out safely on site.

public protection

When scaffolding operations are in progress, the public must be excluded from both the work area and the sufficient area around it. Steps to ensure this include:

Obtaining a temporary sidewalk or closing the street during operations

Perform operations in “quiet” hours, that is, early in the morning, at night, or on weekends

Incorporate propellers, impact surfaces and “tunnels” as close as possible into a scaffold

Erecting barriers and signals and keeping the public away from operations

Store scaffold clips and other loose materials safely on the scaffold

Not to raise or lower the material to members of the public or other workers on the site.

Also keep in mind that people with disabilities need appropriate access along scaffolding covered sidewalks.

scaffolding running at height
Scaffolding must follow safe working systems to prevent people from falling. especially:
When lifting or lowering materials,
Scaffolding must be cut or worked inside a fully covered delivery platform,
With double safety bars and toe plates
A working platform of at least 3 panels with one guard rail is provided as installation or dismantling work progresses

Safety harnesses to be worn at all times by scaffolders with 1.75m rope and 55m open scaffold hook or similar for one-handed operation

The belts must be installed at a secure anchorage point that requires the following minimum conditions:
The scaffold must be attached to a sound structure as work progresses:
They can be attached to a ledger, transom, or load-supported guard rails. Bearing or book-supported transom couplers in the lift above are fixed at both ends by single couplers.

At least one opening of the scaffold must remain covered outside as work progresses and this must be used to access the ladder for mounts for the full height of the scaffold.

Safe access of ladders to scaffolding should be incorporated as close as possible to the erection process

Scaffolding workers should not climb up and down scaffolding without access to the appropriate ladder and safe work platforms provided on each lift being worked.

scaffolding stability

Every year there are a number of scaffolding collapses across the country. To ensure that the scaffold does not collapse, you should ensure that:

The anchors specified for attaching the scaffold to the structure are suitable for the base material and are properly installed

Scaffold anchors or ties are installed as erection works progress. On the contrary, it should not be removed too early during disassembly operations

More ties will be required on a scaffold covered with boards or mesh to ensure its stability

Scaffolding is not loaded with equipment, especially pipes and fittings, during installation or dismantling operations.

Training, supervision and monitoring
Effective training of pregnant women is perhaps the most important factor in preventing accidents on site. Additionally, don’t forget the importance of keeping an eye on the scaffolding contractor. Customers, principal contractors and other responsible persons shall take reasonable steps to ensure that any work performed on their site or premises is carried out safely. Simple steps to take include:

Check scaffolding training levels and who will supervise them on site
Monitor scaffolding site to ensure they are following appropriate safety standards