All you need to know about safe scaffolding

Safeway Scaffolding looks at recent reports and statistics highlighting the risks and aspects to consider when keeping workers safe during the installation and use of scaffolding. 

The National Access & Scaffolding Confederation has recently released an annual safety report documenting accident statistics for NASC contracting member companies. 

The report covers almost 15,000 operatives, which constitutes a large percentage of the UK’s scaffolding workforce and details injuries, fatalities, causes of accidents and how the NASC support safe scaffolding.

Although zero fatalities were reported, there was a 105 accidents, a 9% increase on 2013. This included 39 incidents of slips, trips and falls – with 21-30 year olds the most accident prone age group. The highest range of injuries occurred to the feet, toes and ankles and the highest reported fall was 6 metres.

The report detailed all the incidents which occurred from people that signed up to include their stats in the report. The data will be used to improve protection for workers and ensure all current legislation is in place to provide maximum safety.

HSE Checklist

The government’s online workplace safety regulator, HSE.gov, has a scaffold checklist intended to clarify when a scaffold design is required; and the level of training and competence required of those who work with scaffolding.

This takes readers through the planning process, checks before installation, supervision for employees erecting scaffolding, inspection upon installation and guides those for bespoke scaffold structures.

Things to Remember

It is required by law for an inspection to be undertaken on scaffolding that is higher than 2 metres. Any modifications to the scaffold structure will require further inspections.

As per the Work at Height Regulations 2005, all aspects of the scaffolding process must be carried out under the inspection and direction of a competent supervisor.

Choosing a company

When deciding on a company to complete the installation of scaffolding, ensure that they can answer the questions outlined above. If unsure, it is better to check than risk an accident occurring to you, your staff or anyone else.

Find out more about Safeway Scaffolding