Strong Man Safety Products will always have your back when you or your employees are up on a scaffold. Here are a few of the best practices that keep everyone safe around scaffolding.
Can you guess what the most frequently cited OSHA violation is? (We’ll give you a hint.)
That’s right, fall protection. Falls are also the leading cause of death for construction workers, according to OSHA. Combine those facts with the 2.3 million construction workers working on scaffolds, and there’s a real risk that needs to be addressed here. Construction Superintendent compiled a list of best practices for crewmembers and project superintendents to ensure safety. The following are a select few; please follow this link for the exhaustive list.
All scaffolds must be fit for intended use, with all structural members free from visible defects.
Perhaps this seems self-explanatory, but taking the time to thoroughly inspect your scaffolds for obvious defect is a necessary first step to ensure that your structure will safely hold the people, tools and materials necessary for your project.
All access/landing points at different levels of the scaffold must be designed to minimize the potential for falls.
Moving between levels of the scaffold means workers will be traversing stairs or ladders, usually with gear in tow. Personnel netting, like Strong Man Personnel Safety Nets, will provide an extra layer of protection against falls.
Guard rails, mid-rails and toe boards must be installed on all open sides of platforms from which people or materials may fall. Where there is a risk of materials falling over toe boards, means of preventing materials falling must be provided.
Those working below, or just passing by, your construction project must also be protected from potential harm. Installing safety debris netting will keep workers—on lower levels of the scaffold and at ground level—and passersby alike from being hit, should anything drop off.
Where there is dust, fine debris or small objects arising from work on scaffolds creating risks to workers or the public, additional precautions, such as plastic nets/sheeting, must be installed.
They may not be heavy, but dust, fine debris and small objects (screws, nuts, bolts, etc.) can still create a hazard. Catch them before they cause problems with a heavy-duty mesh tarp.
Scaffolds help us complete our projects safely, but only when properly maintained and supplemented with the proper safety products. Doing so can prevent tens of thousands of accidents and dozens of deaths per year. At Strong Man, we are committed to providing the superior products that help you keep your people and the public safe.