Scaffolding is a great tool for construction, maintenance, or repair projects of large proportions. However, working with scaffolding can be incredibly dangerous. Here are a few tips to make sure you and your crew are safe on the job.
Three Important Tips for Working on Scaffolding
- Make sure your staff is trained
Don?t just talk to your crew about safety, make safety a priority. The best way to do this is by requiring thorough training before allowing anyone to work on scaffolding. Training should cover important topics such as how to safely mount and dismount the scaffold, how to properly use fall protection equipment, how to install and dismantle the scaffold, and other potential lifesaving instructions and details. Make sure everyone on the crew has a solid understanding of the equipment?s design and operation. - Do not sacrifice safety for speed
Safety must always come first, regardless of your project?s deadline. Cutting corners and working too fast increases the risk of careless and costly mistakes. Do not focus on working faster; rather, make the effort to work more efficiently. Efficiency means increasing speed without sacrificing quality or those little details that keep you safe. - Rely on common sense
It may seem obvious, but common sense is often overlooked when you are hyper-focused on completing a project quickly. Always follow the manufacturer?s instructions when you are setting up and breaking down scaffolding. Also, take environmental conditions into consideration. For instance, do not work on scaffold when the weather is windy or raining as this could increase your risk of slipping and falling. Do not climb scaffolding that is not secure; if something doesn?t look right, do a thorough inspection before climbing up.
No matter how much experience you have in construction and repair, working with equipment rentals, you need to always consider the safety risks of each project and prepare accordingly. Safety should be your top priority.
If you have any additional safety tips for working with scaffolding rentals and other rental tools, feel free to post in the comments section below.