Contractor for Scaffolding Management

A need of scaffolding contractor has come up to work at elevated height. Scaffolding has been used ever since man began making buildings more than one story high and needed to find a practical way of working at height. Although the materials and designs have changed over the centuries, the purpose of scaffolding remains the same – to provide a safe, temporary access and platform from which all types of construction, repair and maintenance work can be carried out. 

It has been observed that biggest contributor of accident is while working at height. Scaffolding accidents mainly involve people falling, incorrect operating procedures, environmental conditions and falling materials due to equipment failure. The causes of scaffolding accidents include failures at attachment points, parts failure, inadequate fall protection, improper construction or work rules, and changing environmental conditions (high winds, temperature extremes or the presence of toxic gases). Additionally, overloading of scaffolding is a frequent cause of major scaffold failure. Individuals exposed to scaffolding hazards include scaffold erectors and dismantlers, personnel working on scaffolds, and employees and the general public near scaffolding. Scaffold erectors and dismantlers are at particular risk, since they work on scaffolds before ladders, guardrails, platforms and planks are completely installed.

Scaffolding has a variety of applications. It is used in construction, routine maintenance and renovation activities. Scaffolding offers a safer and more comfortable work arrangement compared to leaning over edges, stretching overhead and working from ladders. Suitable and sufficient scaffolding must be supplied for work at elevations that cannot be accomplished safely by other means. Properly erected and maintained, scaffolding provides workers safe access to work locations, level and stable working platforms, and temporary storage for tools and materials for performing immediate tasks.

Basically Scaffolding contractor ensures safety & quality in scaffolding work.

• Competent, Certified & Experienced Manpower
• Pre-assessment of all Scaffolding team members
• Training as per Method Statements
• Testing and Certification of Scaffold Materials
• Inspection of all materials, Before & After Use
• Working under Permit to Work System
• Always work under system
• Conduct Job Hazards Assessment
• A TBM to be conducted before each work
• Follow the “Scaffolding Management Procedure”
• Maintain Zero level of accidents/incidents

Scaffolding Contractor follows policy for safe scaffold erection and use

Safe scaffold erection and use should begin by developing policy and work rules. Policy and work rules should concentrate on:

• Sound design
• Selecting the right scaffold for the job
• Assigning personnel
• Training
•  Fall protection
• Guidelines for proper erection
• Guidelines for use
• Guidelines for alteration and dismantling
• Inspections
• Maintenance and storage

The scaffold Inspection will require the Inspector to physically access and review all areas of the scaffolding including:

• The foundations
•  The core structure of the scaffolding - All standards, ledgers, transoms, Rakers, Beams and other support tubes.
• All bracing and ties
•  The working platform, Decking and Edge Protection
•  All access points, stairs, ladders and Ramps
• Any Gin wheels and Rope attached to the scaffold
• Competent Person and Scaffolders

Competent Persons are required to follow followings:

• Manage and supervise all scaffolding operations
• Inspect scaffolds
• Train Scaffold erectors, inspectors and Maintenance/repair personnel
• Resolve technical scaffolding related issues
• Approval is given if the scaffolder meets all of the following criteria
•  The scaffolder must be experienced and trained
•  The scaffolder must be experienced, trained and qualified for the scaffolding type he is using.
• Must have knowledge of applicable scaffolding standards and regulations.

Handover and Scaffold Inspection responsibility of Scaffolding Contractor:

• A completed scaffold status tag will be attached near the access point of any scaffold being used, erected, or dismantled, as follows
• Red Tag - DO NOT USE - prohibits use of the scaffold, as the unit is undergoing some stage of erection, alteration, or dismantling.
• Green Tag - SCAFFOLD IS ERECTED TO CODE / APPROVED FOR USE - indicates that the scaffold is complete, meets erection requirements, and is safe to use for its intended purpose.
• Before any modifications are carried out on a scaffold the green tag must be removed. Nobody except scaffolders may work on a red tagged scaffold.
•  Yellow tags will not be used, they are purely for the use of the scaffold inspector and do not signify any kind of special access requirements.
• A scaffold without a tag must be considered to be RED tagged, i.e. it must not be used.