Construction Scaffolding Safety

Construction scaffolding is one way of placing the worker close to the building that they are working on. Just like other construction equipment, scaffolding must be inspected and maintained on a daily basis. OSHA requires that someone specifically trained for the job must erect any type of scaffolding.

Once your equipment is erected, it should not be taken apart and moved except by the same-trained personnel. It must have guardrails and midrails so that a worker cannot tumble out. It must have planks that are sitting tightly next to each other, and must be made of quality planking material. It must be stable and strong so when people walk across it you are confident that it will hold. It must be erected 10 or more feet from all electrical lines.

Construction workers should be well-trained before stepping on the construction scaffolding, and taught how to inspect it. Generally, the supervisor will inspect it at the beginning of his shift before any worker is allowed to use it. The scaffolding itself should be structurally sound, and the supervisor should make sure that all the fasteners are tight, and the rigging is safe. After the initial inspection at the start of the shift, it should be reinspected during lunch break and at the end of your shift.

You should be able to get to the construction scaffolding via stairwells or special ladders made for that purpose. No one should ever climb up the sides of this equipment because this is an unsafe practice. It is imperative to go by all safety regulations when operating any piece of construction equipment. Construction is one of the top ten most hazardous jobs that you can have today. Keeping yourself and your crew safe at all, times should be your number one concern. You do not want any accidents on the job site because of faulty equipment.