This month’s Health & Safety theme is focused around the safe use of scaffolding. It is vitally important that all scaffolding is erected, dismantled and altered in a safe manner. All employees should be competent for the type of scaffolding work they are undertaking and should have received appropriate training relevant to the type and complexity of scaffolding they are working on. Employers must provide appropriate levels of supervision taking into account the complexity of the work and the levels of training and competence of the scaffolders involved.
If you are involved in scaffolding works, please read the below Toolbox Talk guidance provided by the Health and Safety Authority.
- Only trained and authorised CSCS scaffolders are allowed to erect, modify or dismantle scaffolding
- Scaffolding must be certified as safe to use
- Scaffolding must be adequately tied, braced and not overloaded
- Loading bays must be marked with the safe working load and must be used • All working platforms must have double guardrails and toe boards
- Boards, guardrails or ties must not be removed
- Scaffolding must be inspected by a competent person before first use, at least once a week and after alteration or bad weather, and the form GA3 completed
- Each contractor (employer) must check before the scaffolding is used that it has been inspected and is safe to use e.g. signs, tags, etc
- Designated scaffold access points must be provided and used and employees must not climb scaffolding
- Materials or equipment must never be thrown or dropped from scaffolding
- Scaffold platforms must be kept clean and clear of materials with a clear passageway of 430mm for employees to pass
Visit www.hsa.ie or www.BeSMART.ie for more information
