Using scaffold when working at height is one of the better ways to improve efficiency and productivity.
While doing so, it’s imperative to follow a variety of important safety tips. Neglecting to do so could result in an accident, such as a slip and fall or collapse.
Here are a handful of scaffold safety tips that you always want to keep in mind:
- Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when building the scaffold
- Never work on scaffold when the weather takes a turn for the worse
- Don’t use scaffold that is leaning or wobbling
- Never place scaffold on unstable ground
- Use a safety belt at all times, even if you don’t think you need it
- Never attempt to jump from one scaffold to another
- Make sure you put all flooring and guardrails in place
- Never lean out of scaffold, such as to reach something that is too far away
- Don’t partake in horseplay when using scaffold
- Keep all loose tools and debris out of the way, as these can act as trip hazards
- All people and material should be removed from the scaffold before moving it to a new location
These are some of the many scaffold safety tips you can follow to improve your safety.
If you follow these tips and are still part of an accident, stay where you are and wait for help to arrive. Also, report the incident to your employer so they have a clear idea of what went wrong.
After you receive treatment and understand the recovery process, consider if you qualify for workers’ compensation benefits.
Source: Amerisafe, “Basic Scaffold Safety,” accessed June 14, 2018