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Scaffolding safety tips for the coming winter

Author: Shahida Hussan
by Shahida Hussan
Posted: Dec 24, 2021

Scaffold safety changes as the warm summer weather give way to crisp and cold fall and winter temperatures. Winter is one of the most hazardous seasons for construction workers. Rapid weather changes, low temperatures, falling snow, and ice are just a few of the issues that construction workers confront on the job every day. When the unexpected winter weather strikes, use these periodic checks and procedures to keep your site secure. Working at a height should always put safety first.

The sudden change in weather is any indication- autumn has officially arrived, bringing with it some seasonal health and safety dangers for scaffolders and scaffolding. From many snow days to icy winds and weeks of rain, this can increase the likelihood of slips and falls, road accidents, diseases, and other hazards. Those who work in an office may not be too concerned about this. Individuals who work outside, such as building and scaffolding contractors, must take the appropriate safeguards to ensure that both the work and their safety are not jeopardized. We've compiled a list of our top winter safety advice for scaffolder and for Scaffolding Supplier in Iraq to follow:

Understanding the Most Common Accident Causes:

Over the years, the most prevalent causes of accidents have been under-trained personnel who do not notify their management that they do not have the required training, using wrong tools, failing to inspect the scaffold before climbing, failing to follow protocol, and slacking off.

On a scaffold, the saying "long way up and a long way down" is used. It takes a long time to be raised, but it takes even longer to tumble back down. The majority of injuries, including death, are caused by falling off the scaffold. A fall of merely 11 feet can kill you. If a 200-pound guy fell from it, he would die instantaneously after collapsing with 1,500 pounds of force on the earth.

Perform Extra Scaffolding Checks:

Scaffolding checks must be performed by a competent person or site manager at the start of each day before work begins to ensure that the site is safe to work from. This should be done at any time of year it is critical that these inspections, as well as additional checks, be completed. As the temperature rises throughout the day, the scaffolding boards may become slippery to work on, depending on the weather. If this is the case, make sure that your scaffolders are not operating from a height and begin later in the day.

Less Sunlight:

In the next few months, it will be darker during the day much sooner, so you will most likely be working with very little sunlight. It implies that your vision may be limited at times, making you more prone to trips and slips, walking into objects, or being hit by moving vehicles.

One technique of risk management would be to post clear and visible warning signs on the premises to highlight any threats that may be harder to spot in the dark. You should also make sure that no materials are left lying around to cause trip hazards and that everyone on site wears hi-vis jackets at all times so that everyone is visible in the dark.

Examine the Workplace:

Begin your day by inspecting the site to ensure that no snow or ice remains on areas where employees will be moving through or working. Alter each section and inspect the site continuously throughout the day to verify that no ice has formed on the scaffold. Check all heaters, instruct personnel on heater and generator safety, and keep combustible goods away from heaters. While the scaffold's overall structure will be designed to bear the weight of snow and ice, this may not be the case throughout various stages of construction. If you have gotten a significant or unexpected snowfall, consult with your management to ensure that the partial structure can withstand the additional weight of the snow without endangering the personnel.

Ensure That Employees Take Extra Breaks During Inclement Weather:

If there is a tight deadline but are confronted with inclement weather, it might be difficult to make your contractors work. One method to address this is to ensure that your staff takes extra breaks, are properly fed and hydrated, and spend time in a warm building to reduce the risk of disease and boost employee morale.

Weather Approved Clothing:

Always dress appropriately for the weather. It is advisable to wear non-slip shoes or boots in the winter but NEVER wears snow spikes or chains. If you fall, you could injure not just yourself but possibly a coworker nearby. When erecting and working on scaffolds, you should ensure that the scaffolders are wearing non-slip footwear, just as you would when dressing warmly.

Steel Scaffolding Supplier in Iraq work and combat boots are specifically intended to provide an excellent grip and resistance in icy conditions. After all, poor footwear can be the cause of a variety of terrible accidents for which you may be held guilty. Make it compulsory for scaffolders to wear these all winter, and don't let them work from a height if they don't.
About the Author

The Author is an associate editor for. Aluminum Scaffolding in Iraq Buy best aluminum scaffolding in Iraq.

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Author: Shahida Hussan

Shahida Hussan

Member since: Nov 18, 2021
Published articles: 2

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