4 risks faced by scaffolding workers

People who work at height are faced with the risk of accident and injury every day. Those who work with scaffolding are particularly at risk as there are so many things that employers must consider before it can be considered safe to work with scaffolding.

A Construction Index article last year confirmed that scaffolding accidents rose by 9 percent in one year from 2013 to 2014. I’d certainly hope that, with more awareness around the dangers faced by scaffolding workers, this figure would start to fall in the coming years.

Here are 4 risks regularly faced by scaffolding workers:

Falls from height

• The biggest causes of death or serious injury in the construction injury is falls from height. Working on scaffolding adds an extra risk as the scaffold structure needs to be assembled first.

Scaffold collapse

• If it’s not put together properly, scaffolding can be very dangerous. All it takes is for one loose bolt or one inadequately supported section for the scaffolding to collapse, putting workers at serious risk. Even if scaffolding is erected perfectly, employers should check there are no defective parts such as broken boards.

Inadequate safety equipment

• Employers must make sure scaffolding workers are supplied with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). They must also ensure that any safety equipment specific to scaffolding is fit for purpose. Loose harnesses, inadequate hand rails and the absence of safety nets have been known to be contributing factors in many cases.

Bad weather

• Poor weather can wreak havoc for outdoor workers, and can put those who work with scaffolding at a high risk of injury. Employers shouldn’t make you work in any unsafe conditions and should consider postponing scaffolding work until the weather improves.