Scaffolding Management System in Construction Industry.
Natverlal T Jadav
Senior EHS Management Consultant, Project Management professional, Master Trainer, Scaffolding & Safety Management Solution provider, Career Development Facilitator, Guide & Mentor, Lead Tutor, Motivational Speaker
Scaffolding is a term mainly used in the construction, heavy infrastructure and manufacturing industries. Scaffold is a temporary means of support required whenever working at height. It is a framework wherein a worker may position himself, place tools and materials and perform the job. Scaffolding management system is mainly required for all the activities of work at height. ??
Though by definition scaffold is a temporary support structure, it provides a stable, rigid and strong structural support for the activities like project execution, right from the time of excavation, foundation laying, erection of structures, equipment installation etc.
Scaffolding execution is a complex activity but at the same time essential and mandatory where safety is of utmost importance. A systematic approach towards scaffold execution is a key factor in preventing accidents. Scaffolding management systems undergo many complex and compulsory safety processes. All these factors necessitate a very systematic approach towards scaffold planning, design and engineering followed by scaffold erection, modification and dismantling process. ?
Recently in most of the industries scaffolding management system is considered as a separate vertical since the inception of project planning phase itself, a separate budget is allocated for scaffolding for entire work at height activities of project. Total budget of scaffolding management system includes cost of tested scaffold materials and scaffolding execution team consisting of trained and certified scaffolding manager, scaffolding engineer, scaffolding designer, scaffolding inspectors, scaffold supervisor, advance and basic scaffolder etc.? The budget also includes the cost of scaffolding execution of the entire project.
Scaffolding execution team need to have skill, competent and knowledgeable manpower. The manpower to follow scaffolding procedures and scaffold erection/dismantling methodology. The scaffolding team undergoes classroom and field practical training and assessment system to qualify to be competent person to carry out a systematic scaffold erection, modification and dismantling execution work.
Scaffolding training for respective job role includes knowledge and application of scaffold components, scaffolding terminology, types of scaffolding system, classification of load duties, scaffolding design principles, National and International standards, statutory norms and scaffolding erection/dismantling methodology. ?Scaffold design & engineering and scaffold safety considerations are the first step to conceive a scaffold for any application of work at height. ?
Scaffold Management System:
·?????? Established practices, scaffold standards, statutory rules and regulations, and mandatory provisions are essential factors to be taken into consideration. Inspection, scaffold tag system and certification for use, initially, after the completion of the erection and later, for the proper up-keep and regular use, are also important requirements.
? Scaffolding management and execution procedure includes the scaffolding types & system, the kind of scaffolding materials, scaffold erection,? alteration, dismantling methodology, scaffolding work method statement and ?Job Safety Analysis(JHA) of scaffolding work.
? Knowledge and awareness of scaffolding execution and management procedures should be up to the satisfactory level. This requires proper infrastructure, and practical sessions, which are required to be organized for all the concerned/associated personnel.
? Competency levels of scaffolding personnel such as basic scaffolders, advanced scaffolders, scaffold supervisors and the scaffold Inspectors need regular up-gradation.
? A six directional hazard identification needs to be completed prior to start of scaffold erection work. The preventive measures to manage safety to be communicated to the Scaffolding Team before erecting the scaffold.
? Competency training and refresher training on the various aspects/types of scaffold system need to be meticulously planned and executed with due assessment & certification.
? The scaffolding execution and management procedure shall be reviewed and revised considering national & international Standards as well as BOCW Rules.
It is very much essential to observe these practices to minimize accidental rates, increased productivity, saving of time and simultaneously comply with safety standards.
?Ensure following factors?for safe scaffolding execution
1.???? Design Consideration
A structural engineer is to be consulted to consider design aspects when a scaffold is to be erected at a height of 20m and above or the scaffold is considered critical. The design of special scaffolds like hanging scaffold, cantilever scaffold or suspended are to be reviewed, verified and if required to be designed by structural engineer.
领英推荐
Scaffold above 20 m and above height and critical scaffolds are to be designed by structural engineer for which the scaffolding management software is available. The basic design and engineering provide details of type of components to be used, component sizes, quantities of components, and dimensional distance between adjoining components, where tie is to be provided etc. The principles of scaffold like strength, stability and rigidity of scaffold are main consideration during scaffold design. The scaffold design through software ensures the safety of temporary structure in terms of selection of type of scaffold components and sizes, erection, modification and dismantling, methodology. ???
2.???? Duty load of scaffold and load combinations of scaffold
Safety factor 4 for scaffold is considered during designing the scaffold structure for a particular duty load. Each scaffold component and scaffold itself are capable of withstanding its own weight and?at least 4 times (Safety Factor 4)?the maximum load intended or transmitted to it.
Each scaffold resting on firm load bearing member or solid even ground withstands axially compressive load vertically and there are applied forces horizontally subject to total load on scaffold which are categorized as dead load, live load and environmental load or wind load. During scaffold design these loads are to be considered for load analysis. The load acting on load bearing member at each level creates stresses in the scaffold components, which is also considered for load analysis. A scaffold structure design software and proprietary 3D can provide solution to take care of duty load and different forces/movement considerations for the scaffold. The load combinations are as per scaffold standard IS 2750 – 1964 (Indian Standards, specifications for steel scaffolds).
3.???? Scaffolding Execution Plan
Before the start of scaffold erection, a detailed planning is to be carried out for safe execution of scaffold, based on scaffold design and related load duty of scaffold it become very easy to carry out execution of scaffolding. A scaffold being a temporary structure is a vulnerable structure with an inherent risk of exposing the workers to work at height. A policy to be developed during planning stage itself for safe scaffold execution and use of scaffold.
4.???? Safe scaffold policy and work rules:
At the start of scaffold, critical aspects are to be considered like hazard identification & risk assessment, job safety analysis, safety inspection and follow up procedures. There is a need for fall protection devise by providing mid rails, top rails and toe guards while working on scaffold. To overcome the inherent risk of work at height, safe work practices and awareness to be followed. ?
Maintain Productivity of Scaffolding Operations
Being complex in nature, scaffolding operations need mandatory safety processes that may contribute to the losses in terms of high rate of accidents and indirect cost. It is most important to have trained and certified scaffold manpower and required quality of scaffold materials.
Owing to its complex nature of operations, authorities face a huge challenge of monitoring and measuring activities at multiple scaffolding sites in a single project. It becomes difficult to have a physical presence at each working site within a given area / location just to monitor activity. Owing to this, it is difficult to identify whether the teams that have been allocated to a particular project are working as expected. At the same phase it not possible to monitor material used in a single scaffolding site.
The emergence of the computer and its multiple capabilities has successfully addressed many of these challenges. It is getting clearer that using technology, many of these complex procedures can be simplified.
With the help of scaffolding design software, it is very easy to calculate the number of materials to be used based on the scaffolding request and scaffold dimension. Optimal use of material materials can be accounted for by reference within the software and an accurate assessment can be made regarding the exact tonnage used in the particular job.
?
Scaffolding design software is used to measure productivity of teams working on a particular job. Given the demands of getting optimum work done in any job, software users can accurately measure the performance of each of the individuals who is a part of the scaffolding team. This allows authorities to cross-reference productivity vis-a-vis specific jobs. After all, as a popular saying goes, “What gets measured gets managed and what gets managed gets results.”