How to Use Scaffoldings in Construction Industry?

Scaffoldings is a temporary structure used to support people in the construction industries. It is usually a modular system of metal pipes or tubes, although it can be from other materials. Some different kinds of scaffold include, the independent or birdcage scaffold; the single pole scaffold; the suspended, or swing stage, scaffold; the cantilever scaffold; and the hanging bracket scaffold. To use scaffoldings properly these should always be assembled in accordance with the designer's instructions and the scaffold plan. If these are not assembled according to the engineer’s instruction then these can be risky for the workers. It is very essential that workers are very well aware of the risk hazards and problems they can come into while working in construction industry. Any person or worker doing scaffolding work must possess a particular training and certificate to work with scaffoldings. If a person tries to deal with scaffoldings without any proper training it can be very dangerous for him.

Scaffolding offers a safer and more comfortable work arrangement compared to leaning over edges, stretching overhead and working from ladders. Suitable and sufficient scaffolding must be supplied for work at elevations that cannot be accomplished safely by other means. Scaffolding accidents mainly occur when people are not aware of or not properly trained how to use scaffoldings. It involves people falling, incorrect operating procedures, environmental conditions and falling materials caused by equipment failure. The causes of scaffolding accidents include failures at attachment points, parts failure, inadequate fall protection, improper construction or work rules, and changing environmental conditions. Employees must be aware as to what type of scaffoldings provides what type of hazards. Emergency escape and rescue devices must not be used as working platforms, unless designed to function as suspension scaffolds and emergency systems.

It is important to note that when scaffoldings are above or below a point of access ladders or walkways should be used. A competent person must inspect ropes for defects prior to each work shift and after every occurrence that could affect a rope’s integrity. Emergency escape and rescue devices must not be used as working platforms, unless designed to function as suspension scaffolds and emergency systems. All support devices must rest on surfaces capable of supporting at least four times the load imposed on them by the scaffold when operating at the rated load of the hoist, or at least one-and-a-half times the load imposed on them by the scaffold at the Stall capacity of the hoist, whichever is greater.

It is the duty of the superior or the employers to ensure that workers dealing with scaffoldings are aware of its risks and hazards. Another important thing to take care of is that the workers must be given adequate training of dealing with scaffoldings; the scaffoldings should have automatic locking devices or independent support lines for the safety of the workers. A qualified and experienced person must properly inspect all the construction material that the workers will be working with.