Ladder and Scaffolding- Safety Precautions

 

If your job requires you to work at heights, the employers’ foremost responsibility is to have a secure safety system in place for the benefit of its employees. The employers of scaffolding in Dubai, must deploy safety tools; train the staff, and above all follow safety guidelines for a safe and sound work environment. By following the protection and safety guidelines, you can help prevent falls and injuries.

Let us look at these three fall protection systems:

1. Guardrails (barriers between you and an upper-level edge) should be at least 42” high so that they can withstand a force of at least 200

lbs. Ladder Manufacturers in Dubai suggest keeping in mind the choice of materials so that it doesn’t puncture, skin, or snag clothes.

2. Safety nets (catch you if you fall) must be 30’ in height or less below elevated workers or working areas. Strong rope borders with mesh openings smaller than 6” per side are an ideal choice for tying. Strength testing is essential which can be done by dropping 400 lb of 30” diameter bag of sand. Mandatory inspection each week of material, tools, and equipment for wear and tear, damage, and deterioration ensure safety and protection.

3. Personal fall arrest system can be secured by wearing a body harness connected to a fixed anchor by a lanyard, lifeline, or deceleration device. Self-locking, self-closing connectors are the most preferred for guaranteed safety. Anchor support must be at least 5,000 lbs. per attached employee. Do not connect to platform supports or suspension points, guardrails, or hoists with a hitch knot. Avoid connecting the equipment to rough edges; tie to “H” or “I” beams only with a webbing lanyard or lifeline with a wire core.

Staying Safe on Ladders & Scaffolds and avoiding accidents and casualties at work enables a protected environment and happy employees. However, lack of training, Unsafe use of ladders and scaffolds, and non-maintained equipment use cause many accidents.

Checklist to avoid accidents and ensure fall protection that:

• Use well maintained and repaired equipment like Steps and rungs.
• They must be in good repair, free of grease and oil, and should have slip-resistant treads.
• Side rails must not have any cracks or splits.
• Ensure adequate lubrication of all metal parts.
• The rope should not be worn out or frayed
• Ensure that Spreaders or other locking devices are in place
• Splinters or sharp edges have been removed or filed away.
• Safety feet must be solidly in place.

Ladders DO’s:

• The ladder must be firmly secured at the top and bottom.
• The ladder should be placed on a level surface.
• Using the 4 to 1 ratio-bottom, the ladder should be 1 foot away from the wall for every 4 feet between the base of the ladder and its support point
• Always face the ladder when you climb up or down.
• An ideal extension of 3 feet above should be observed.

Ladder DON’Ts:

• Do Not place the ladder against a weak wall or surface or window.
• Do Not use metal ladders near live electrical lines.
• Do Not set ladders on unstable boxes or other objects.
• Do Not try using the same ladder if another person is working on it.
• Do Not use a ladder in extremely windy weather
• Do Not reposition a ladder while you are already on it.

Scaffolding Safety Do’s

• Proper training is to be imparted before using a scaffold by a qualified person.
• Training must include identification of electrocution, fall, and falling objects hazards and the procedures for dealing with those hazards.
• Training must also include the proper use of the scaffold and how to handle materials along with gaining enough information about the load capacities of the scaffold.
• Retrain staff when additional hazards show themselves due to changes done at the job site or change of site location.
• Regular inspection of a scaffold for wear and tear or any other physical damage should be carried out by a competent person to make sure that it is safe to use and in proper working order. Aluminium mobile scaffolding manufacturers always ensure that the scaffolds are in working condition before use.
• Scaffolds should only be erected, dismantled, altered, or moved under the guidance and supervision of a professionally competent person.
• Always wear your safety hat at construction sites while working on, under, or around a scaffold.
• A good sturdy, non-skid pair of work boots will be an added advantage to having a firm grip when you are on the scaffold.

Scaffolding Safety Don’ts

• Do Not leave anything on the scaffold at the end of your shift like any building materials or tools that you may have been using on the scaffold while working.
• Do Not overload the scaffold and never go beyond the maximum intended load of the scaffold.
• Do Not use boxes or ladders to increase your work height.
• Raise the platform if the desired height is unreachable.
• Do Not use stilts unless the guardrails on the scaffold have been extended to a height that is equal to the height of the stilts.
• A tampered or damaged guardrail should be immediately reported. It must not be used until repaired or fixed.

Aluminium mobile scaffolding is preferred and used at most of the sites. Ace is a leading name in providing trustworthy products like scaffoldings and ladders.