A Guide to Using Scaffolding

Safe Use Of Scaffold Towers

Scaffolding is an essential piece of equipment for various construction projects across various sectors. Building companies specialising in many types of work can utilise scaffold towers, which is vital for worker safety.

The Work at Height (2005) Regulations covers the safe use of scaffolding towers. The law is there to prevent death or injury from a fall from a height, and if you are an employer or regularly work at a height, the rules apply to you. It includes guidance on using scaffolding towers, how to use the correct equipment, and what precautions you need to take (no matter your job role).

Scaffolding will sometimes be used for large-scale schemes to erect new buildings. While in some instances, this may be a new housing development with properties consisting of two levels, it could also be towering commercial buildings several storeys high that take months to complete.

If used to support existing buildings--be they commercial or residential--and allow workers access to higher levels when they are being renovated or improved, construction companies may instead wish to use a more portable tower.

This is a bit more temporary, requiring less setting up and allowing access to various areas and heights in one go without much adaptation.

Whatever you use, it is essential to be fully aware of all safety issues surrounding scaffolding and other working-from-height structures and what companies must do to keep everyone on site–as well as passers-by and visitors–safe at all times.

How to safely erect and dismantle scaffolding

If scaffolding is not erected correctly, it can cause serious problems. From the scaffolding collapsing (which causes harm to anyone using it or anyone in the vicinity) to the scaffolding not being safe for people to use as it lacks barriers, working from height causes thousands of injuries on construction sites every year.

This is why towers may be more practical for people than scaffolding. They're designed to be built in a fixed, organised way rather than adapted to suit the job. If you hire towers from Speedy Hire, you will receive guidance and instructions regarding building and dismantling when the time comes.

Stability

You need to:

• ensure the tower is on a stable surface
• ensure the tower is on firm ground
• check that the wheels are locked
• avoid using bricks or other temporary bases
• avoid adapting the height or size of the scaffolding

Ready-made towers are designed to be stable and secure if built correctly, but the above points need to be ensured by the construction companies aside from this.

When moving a tower, you should always ensure it is no taller than 4 metres, check there are no obstructions (such as power lines) overhead, and avoid moving the tower solely from the base. Never move a tower when somebody is using it.

Additional safety

Guard rails, toeboards, netting, bracing and access ladders should all be in place before the tower is used.

The product should include everything required when hiring or purchasing an access tower. There should also be clear documentation explaining what is required. Towers can rely on all components being in place to strengthen them and avoid collapse, including what you may refer to as additional safety products.

All towers should be inspected when being built and throughout their use. Always inspect scaffolding and towers before they are first used during the day in case weather or incidents of trespassing have caused damage to the scaffolding.

When not to use scaffolding towers

Never use a tower:

• In high winds and bad weather
• If it has not been checked over since last used
• Which has broken or missing parts
• If it doesn't have the correct equipment and you have adapted
• In place of a ladder, or other equipment