Scaffolding plays an essential role in the construction industry, allowing workers to erect buildings, perform restoration work, roof repairs, paint ceilings and more. An estimated 2.3 million construction workers (around 65% of the construction industry) regularly work with scaffolding, but it’s not without its hazards. Scaffold-related accidents account for around 4,500 injuries each year, so it’s vital to know how to work with this equipment safely.
Scaffolding injuries can be devastating for workers, but they can also cost employers a great deal of money, in either compensation or workdays lost. Read on to find out how to stay safe when working with scaffolding, and protect your business and employees. Don’t overload the scaffold Workers should always be aware of the maximum intended load of any scaffold they’re working on, as well as its load carrying capacities. Overloading the platform can compromise a scaffold’s integrity, and it increases the chances of fall hazards for workers below. Pay attention to the weather Never work on scaffolding if it’s covered in ice, snow, or mud, and consider delaying work after heavy rain as scaffolding can be extremely slippery when wet. Any debris like wet leaves or twigs should be removed before you start work and avoid using scaffolding if the weather is very wet or windy. Arrange scaffolding safety training All employees should be properly trained before working on a scaffold, and the training should cover issues such as falling object hazards, how to handle equipment, load capacities and electrocution risks. A competent person should also inspect the scaffolding before you start work each day to ensure that it’s safe for use. Always dress appropriately Employees should always wear a hard hat when working on or around scaffolding, as well as a high vis jacket and non slip work boots. You may also need additional protective equipment, such as eye goggles, a safety harness or protective gloves, depending on the job. If you’re looking for a talented, professional scaffolding team that adheres to the highest safety standards, get in touch with the experts at Rodells. We’re proud to offer scaffolding solutions for both the commercial and industrial sectors and as an accredited member of NASC, our workforce is highly trained and adheres to all regulations set out in the industry. For more information about any of our scaffolding services or our safety procedures, give us a call today or visit our website.
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Whether you are the homeowner of a residential property or the manager for a high-rise building, renovations are a necessary part of all property ownership. For homeowners of residential properties, the desire to renovate instead of move home is becoming stronger. In 2018, 15% of homeowners admitted that they’d prefer to ‘improve rather than move’. This trend towards renovation is driven by an expensive property market, particularly for those on lower incomes. Depending on the type of property you are looking to renovate, as well as the type of work you plan to carry out, you may require a range of services - including scaffolding services.
The processes involved in renovating a property can be complicated. You may need to employ services from a whole host of different professionals. Making sure that all of the work you have completed, particularly if you’re working on a residential high-rise with many tenants, is of the utmost importance. When working on your own home, employing the right services for the job at hand will ensure that the project is completed efficiently and effectively. As well as this, having a renovation completed to a high standard can even increase the value of your home. To give you some advice around this subject, we’ve created a brief guide to just some of the services you could need during a home or high-rise renovation project. Scaffolding Services From Professionals Whether you have decided that you are going to convert your loft, renovate your roof or you’re a high-rise owner making amendments, professional scaffolding services are essential. Domestic scaffolding and commercial scaffolding services provide a means for contractors to reach the areas they need to. More importantly, it allows them to do so in a safe, secure and relatively risk-free way. Scaffolding services are enacted at the very beginning of a renovation project as a temporary skeletal support system. These systems allow workers to get the materials they require to the areas they need. Domestic scaffolding ensures that workers who are completing a loft conversion can do so safely. As well as being safe, both domestic scaffolding and commercial scaffolding services provide efficiency. Domestic scaffolding can only take a single day to erect but saves countless hours afterwards. By providing workers with ease of access, both commercial and domestic scaffolding makes the job far easier. Particularly for high-rise residential buildings, the work cannot be completed without it. It’s vital to choose scaffolding services from professionals with a proven track record of safety and security. Lightning Conductor Testing Lighting conductor testing is more common on larger, high-rise projects like residential tower blocks. You may not think it, but there are scores of injuries related to lightning strikes and the resulting damage on an annual basis. It is the responsibility of a landlord or property manager to ensure that the necessary steps are taken to prevent accidents occurring as much as possible. Installing lightning conductors and performing lightning conductor testing is a great way to mitigate any risk of death or injury due to lightning. If thunderstorms and lightning are particularly prone in the area you are building or renovating in, you should perform some additional research on the risk of strikes. If you find that your high-rise project is in danger, you should install a conductor and schedule lightning conductor tests as part of the property’s ongoing maintenance. Waste Management Services When working on a renovation project, whether it’s commercial or domestic, you will likely create a huge amount of waste. Ensuring that you are responsible about how that waste is disposed of is critical. Working closely with a waste management service provider will ensure that as much of the waste you produce can be disposed of responsibly as well as make sure that your site is kept clean and safe. If you’re working on a domestic renovation yourself, you won’t want to put your family in danger by leaving aggregates all over the property. Instead, you can rent a waste disposal skip or van for the duration of the project. Many waste disposal organisations operate on a ‘zero to landfill’ basis. If you are a keen environmentalist, keep an eye out for this. Health and Safety Inspections Particularly if you have been employed to work on a large scale project, like a high-rise residential building, industrial site or commercial property, health and safety guidelines need to be kept to at all times. Throughout the process, you’ll need to have health and safety inspections completed to ensure that the work being done is safe and that the result won’t put anyone at risk. Having health and safety professionals check in on the property at designated waypoints during the project will ensure that you stay on track. Without this vital service, you could be liable if an accident did occur. Electricians The services of electricians and electrical contractors is vital for any renovation project. If a building has become damaged and needs uplifting or if an extension is being made to a residential property, an electrician will likely have to be called out. From the smallest projects to high-rise renovations, ensuring electrical safety as well as efficiency is critical. Without it, tragic accidents can take place or homeowners could be spending far more than they need to on their bills. Updating electrical systems will always require the skilled hand of professionals. Architects and Surveyors Architects and surveyors play an important role in many renovations. If a homeowner is looking to build an extension and wants to make the most of the space they have available, they will need the services of an architect. Similarly, if a new high-rise residential building is being commissioned, architects will play a key role in the design. Their work - and the work of surveyors - ensures that buildings are fit for purpose to house people and reduces the risk of any structural damage occurring. Energy Consultants To Make The Renovation ‘Green’Depending on the type of project you are working on and for the type of client you are working with, you might be asked to focus on being as ‘green’ as possible. This can mean several things and can even alter the design and construction process. It’s worth seeking expert advice from a consultant who specialises in this area to discover which materials can be used, how a building can be changed to make use of natural light and ventilation and many of the other steps taken to make a renovation ‘green’. This is still a developing science so this could be a vital service to seek out if relevant. Looking For Scaffolding Services For Your Renovation in St Albans? Rodells Ltd Can HelpRodells is primarily known for our work providing lightning protection services. However, we also supply scaffolding for industrial, commercial and domestic clients. If you’re looking for services for a renovation you have planned, look no further. We understand the vital importance of health and safety during a project. That’s why we make sure that all of our qualified professionals work to the best standards possible. We have a wide range of experience working with clients renovating residential properties as well as industrial buildings. Rodells has been trading since 1898, so we certainly know what we’re doing! We have a long track record of helping our clients achieve their goals and ensuring that buildings are safe and secure. For domestic scaffolding services, get in touch with Rodells. To find out more about our services, please feel free to contact us. You can find us at Cell Barnes House, Cell Barnes Lane, St Albans, Herts, AL1 5AS. Alternatively, call us on 01727 841 855 or email us at info@rodells.uk. |