Construction site safety in the new normal

Scaffoldings are one of the most important elements in a construction site. This temporary structure helps workers execute their tasks, such as repairing and lifting materials efficiently on elevated areas.

But scaffoldings remain a root cause of safety issues. Authorities mandate builders to keep scaffolds in good condition, observe all protocols for every stage of the scaffoldings’ set-up and conduct training for workers building the structure regularly. 

For logistic provider JP Marzan Project Ventures Inc., a complete approach to building safe scaffoldings consider both the internal and external threats in its surrounding area. 

Provide PPE

Construction workers must always wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Providing workers with PPEs, such as hard caps, safety goggles, or face shields, as well as masks will protect their heads from debris.

Use proper gloves for specific jobs like welding gloves, heavy-duty rubber gloves, or insulated gloves. Wearing work boots that are slip-resistant and puncture-resistant is also important. They also need earmuffs to prevent them from having hearing damage from the noise pollution at the site.

Worker training

The safe use of scaffolds requires it to be erected, moved, dismantled, and maintained properly, which means workers responsible for these tasks must be familiar with the procedures to install it. They can achieve this objective through training.

Training should focus on the correct use of the scaffold and how to handle its materials and tools. They should be made aware of load capacity and how that may affect their tasks, as well as, needed fall-protection equipment and other hazards such as electrical wires.

Evaluate site conditions

Make sure that the foundational conditions of the scaffolding are enough to proceed with its construction. Concerns like erosion or potential flooding are not easily seen by the naked eye.

Scaffolding must also not get in the way of any blasting planned in the project or nearby excavations, which can, eventually, compromise the stability of the soil or ground.

If the site requires other industrial-grade heavy equipment, like cranes, lifts, or other structures, make sure that there is no overhead work being performed on the scaffolding.

Field level risk assessment

Doing a field level risk assessment (FLRA) helps identify possible hazards, and control them before workers start doing their tasks. 

Potential risks like material handling on scaffolding, nearby powerlines, and inclement weather conditions should be closely monitored to help ensure the safety of workers.

Respect complexity

Do not underestimate scaffoldings as simple structures. Though temporary, its construction involves complex engineering. Companies that design and build them heavily invest in engineering and, that is why it is important to ensure that only reliable experts oversee its construction, as well as the workers’ training for its completion.

JP Marzan Project Ventures Inc. provides services such as heavy-lift support, trucking, forwarding, logistics, domestic distribution, warehousing, rigging works, plant transfer, factory machine installation, powerplant assembly, project consultation, equipment rental, civil engineering, and trading of industrial equipment and services.