As we know, there are many possible hazards when working on a construction site. In particular when erecting scaffold. The main dangers to be aware of are power lines, underground cables, moving machinery and tripping hazards.
TOP 5 HAZARDS ON THE CONSTRUCTION SITE:
It is imperative for scaffold teams to be very aware of their surroundings when carrying, erecting and dismantling scaffold. They must always be looking out for potential power lines, phone lines and wires. It is not unusual for scaffolders to be working alongside electricians, so new lines is something to be aware of. At some point there could be live electrical wires in and around your worksite and you need to stay safe.
Top tips for staying safe around overhead lines:
As scaffolders, working at heights is a part of our day to day life. However this does not mean we can relax and cut corners. This is when accidents happen that could have been avoided. No matter the circumstance, it is important that a harness is worn.
It is important that the scaffold team ensures the use of sufficient guard rails and that the scaffold ladders are secure and in the right position.
When working at heights, there is always the potential for objects including tools to fall over the side and harm those below. This is why kick boards must be well secured. You can also attach double guard rails and also a safety net below your scaffolding for added at height protection.
Tips to prevent at height hazards:
With many different trades working on the one construction site, there is no real way to know what kinds of hazardous materials you may come up against. Some may include asbestos, gyprock dust, metal shards and split wood.
All of these materials have the ability to cause illness if inhaled. Especially if there are welders and builders on the construction site there are bound to be exposed metal, wood and dust everywhere. To avoid inhaling any hazardous material, a PPE mask should be worn.
Tips to avoid inhaling hazardous materials:
As mentioned above, there are normally many trades all working on the one construction site. This can cause hazard’s when material is being left around the place. It is important to be careful and aware of trip hazards, especially when carrying scaffold.
This also means when you are transporting your scaffold, making sure you’re stacking it in an area out of the way of other workers to minimise the risk of causing a trip hazard.
Tips to prevent tripping
Generally on a construction site, there will be lots of different machinery. From forklifts to a B-Double truck. Always be aware of your surroundings and be mindful of where the machinery is stationed and where it is moving to ensure your team stands clear. It is also a good idea to ask the machine operator to yell out or give you the heads up when it’s about to be moved.
When it comes to Scaffold, there is a lot of manual handling and walking gear back and forth from your trucks to site so you’ll need to be aware of your surroundings to stay safe.
Tips to avoid machinery accidents:
