In honour of Scaffolding Thursday on 18 April 2024, we will publish articles on scaffolding safety every day this week, mainly about challenges observed in the field and solutions to them, so that everyone can improve scaffolding safety even further.
In our previous articles on this week’s Scaffolding Thursday theme, we have emphasised the importance of the competence of scaffolding workers, such as scaffolders and inspectors. One of the root causes of problems in the scaffolding industry, and also of accidents, is specifically the lack of competence of scaffolders and scaffolding inspectors, which is due to a lack of training and orientation. In addition to avoiding accidents, training would also help in avoiding costly rework, when scaffolding is built correctly the first time. The importance of adequate training, which is also a legal obligation, cannot therefore be overemphasised.
Safely on scaffolding guide
At the beginning of the year, the Centre for Occupational Safety and the Construction Industry Branch Committee published the Safely on Scaffolding guide, which provides instructions for scaffolding clients, work supervisors and users of scaffolding for the safe selection, use and inspection of scaffolding.
It is great that such a guide has been prepared. It contains some good points, but unfortunately also factual errors. It is no use telling the authorities that we built and inspected the scaffolding in accordance with the instructions of the Centre for Occupational Safety, because the instructions are not an official document compared to legislation, for example. By no means will we criticise, but we just want to clarify and correct a few points based on law in a positive, developing spirit – so that the safety of scaffolding is ensured and that scaffolding will last even better.
A scaffolding safety expert’s comments
Below are excerpts from the guide in “quotes“, always followed by comments from Patera’s scaffolding safety expert regarding the section in question.
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“Use of unfinished, uninspected, inadequate or otherwise unsuitable scaffolding must be prevented with a sign prohibiting its use. It is recommended that each access route is marked separately and, where possible, access is physically prevented (with an access barrier from the scaffolding part, cover, lockable door, etc.).”
All access routes must be marked – this is not only a recommendation, but marking must be done.
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“A scaffolding construction plan must be prepared if the scaffolding is erected in a manner deviating from the scaffolding operating instructions, for example by using scaffolding parts from two different scaffolding manufacturers. No structural plan is required if operating instructions for combining different scaffolding models have been drawn up and the scaffolding is erected in accordance with the instructions.”
The mere preparation and availability of a structural plan does not allow the mixing of parts from different manufacturers. The parts must fit together without using force, in addition to which the designs must be made according to the weakest part used, meaning that the design programme of the manufacturer of the weakest part must be used in the designs. Mixing parts from different manufacturers is not recommended due to difficult management and risks. Some manufacturers do not allow parts from other manufacturers to be mixed in their own system, saying that “operating instructions will then not apply”. When using a mixing permit with a list of approved parts for mixing, the following must be observed: The mixing permit is not “open”, meaning that it does not cover all parts. The permits and their content, meaning the permitted mixed parts and their images, must be in Finnish and Swedish, and the scaffolders must be familiarised with them in their own language (native understanding), and the documents must be available on the site.
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Starting pieces must always be installed. Failure to do so will reduce the durability and stability of the scaffolding. As an exception, the starting pieces can only be omitted if the vertical tubes are subjected to a small load. It is recommended that the starting pieces are always installed.
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“Fall protection on scaffolding is always implemented when the fall height exceeds 2 metres.”
Fall protection is always implemented – regardless of height – as Finnish legislation never weakens the requirements.
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“Fall protection must also be implemented at lower heights when there are special hazards at the point of fall, such as sharp or puncturing structures, or if a fall can lead to a further fall. In that case, the obligation to eliminate the hazard is based on the identified hazard and the risk of accident.”
As above; not interpreting hazards in the environment, but always installing fall protection in accordance with DIN.
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“Fall protection (three railings) must also be installed on the inside of the scaffolding where the space between the scaffolding structure and the other structure is more than 25 cm and the fall height or other hazard requires fall protection. Even a 50 cm gap between the tops of railings generates a fall risk in the fall protection system.”
The 250 mm rule is not currently enforceable. Three-part side protection, consisting of railings and a toe board, must always be installed according to law. Only a risk assessment can justify deviation from this rule. Recommendation: toe boards are always installed.
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“Fall protection (three railings) must be implemented at the location shown in the picture when the height difference between the scaffolding platform and the bottom surface of the balcony slab is more than 50 cm and it is possible to fall from the platform to the balcony from more than 2 metres. The railing requirement also applies if the distance between the scaffolding structure and the wall structure is more than 25 cm.”
There is no safe falling height. The safety of each level difference must be ensured by means of appropriate access routes and railings.
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“NOTE: The working platform must be secured in such a way that the platform does not move or lift from its base under load.”
Always use the manufacturer’s own platform ties/platform locks. The platforms may be locked in an alternative, sufficiently durable way only when the manufacturer’s lock cannot be used. The platforms are always locked at both ends.
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“Mobile scaffolding higher than 2 m must be inspected before use and must have a scaffolding card. When the work platform height or fall height exceeds 2 m, scaffolding must be equipped with railings (three railings).”
All scaffolding must be inspected and equipped with a scaffolding card. The same rules apply to aluminium “installation scaffolding” as for steel scaffolding. Whether the scaffolding material is wood, aluminium or steel, with or without wheels, all scaffolding must be planned, and the instructions of the same law must be followed.
Safe and efficient Scaffolding Thursdays for everyone!
More information:
Janne Parantainen
Scaffolding safety expert
+358 40 554 5889
janne.parantainen@patera.fi
