During the construction, modification, use and dismantling of scaffolding, the requirements of the manufacturer’s installation instructions and legislation must be followed to ensure safety. The scaffolding company and the main implementer must ensure that the safety measures in question are carried out. The main implementer remains responsible for supervising and ensuring the implementation of the required measures.
Orientation to scaffolding work
Among other things, the law requires the implementation of a scaffolding hazard assessment and fall protection plan, as well as compliance with instructions concerning the construction and inspection of scaffolding. Scaffolders must be familiar with scaffolding work and its risks, and the person in charge of scaffolding work must also be familiar with the requirements of the installation instructions of the scaffolding equipment used. How often is this verified in practice?
In 2018, there was a case in which the person leading the construction of the scaffolding had not received the special guidance required by the regulations. The employer had provided the scaffolding instructions in Swedish, but the scaffolders and foreman did not understand Swedish. In addition, the employer had neglected to investigate and assess site-specific hazards. The construction foreman was convicted of an occupational safety offence.
Putting operating models in order
During the construction, modification and dismantling of scaffolding, access to incomplete scaffolding must be prevented by means of warning signs prohibiting use, as well as appropriate barriers. In other words, the STOP sign on the scaffolding card alone does not comply with the legal requirement. Access to scaffolding must be prevented mechanically with scaffolding parts, for example. A person who had been in the scaffolding industry for a long time said that they do this by always removing the access route from the scaffolding, which means removing the lowest stairs or ladder from the scaffolding. Access to incomplete scaffolding must be prevented whenever there are no scaffolders on location, including during coffee breaks.
When installing scaffolding outdoors, the load-bearing capacity of the soil must be ensured and a soil survey must be carried out, if necessary. Asphalt can also collapse/sink. I was involved in a case where the tank rack’s adjustable feet were installed on asphalt and no supporting timber was placed under the adjustable feet to increase the load-bearing area. The scaffolding’s adjustable feet had begun to sink through the asphalt in the heat. The scaffolding was lifted with jacks, and luckily the scaffolding was located between the wall and the tank. The elimination of the hazard and marking off the area boundaries are also the responsibility of the scaffolding client/main implementer.
The scaffolding card indicates the usability of the scaffolding
The scaffolding card is the scaffolding’s “registration plate”. It indicates the dimensions and load-bearing capacity of the scaffolding and whether it has been inspected, whether it can be used, and so on. The “STOP” and “in working order/inspected” sides of the scaffolding card must always be properly visible to scaffolding users. The fact that the different sides of the card are always visible correctly according to the situation ensures that the client has taken responsibility for the safety of the scaffolding. The use of the scaffolding card must also comply with the manufacturer’s installation instructions and Finnish legislation. If the weekly inspection recorded on the scaffolding card (every 7 days) has not been carried out, the scaffolding is automatically prohibited from use.
Please note that: the main implementer is responsible for ensuring that commissioning and periodic inspections are carried out. Of course, the person climbing onto the scaffolding should check the scaffolding card, but if the commissioning or weekly inspection has not been carried out, the responsibility for operational safety lies with the scaffolding client/main implementer. There have also been court decisions on occupational safety offences in cases where the scaffolding could be accessed even though the commissioning inspection had not been carried out.
Providing training on correct operating models and clients’ responsibilities
Here are some of the legal requirements for which the main implementer is responsible. By training the persons responsible for scaffolding safety and their scaffolding client, the main implementer ensures that their employees are familiar with the manufacturer’s operating instructions and the legal requirements for scaffolding safety. The training encourages them to demand that their scaffolding suppliers operate more safely and in accordance with legal requirements, which improves occupational safety. Train your staff in good time, so that anticipation again wins over reaction.
Author:
Janne Parantainen
Scaffolding safety instructor
+358 44 236 2030
janne.parantainen@patera.fi