"Safety first" is a term used across various industries, especially when workers are operating machines or working at heights. However, height-related accidents continue to occur every year, resulting in many lost workdays and delays in projects. One type of equipment that people use when working at height is a scaffold. As a project manager, it is your responsibility to ensure your workers are safe when using scaffolding equipment. Here are some scaffolding safety tips to follow.

1. Get Rid of Any Rogue Workers

One of the leading causes of scaffold accidents is carelessness. Rogue workers carry on their duties with no regard to the safety standards set by the WHS and the local authorities. They use unsafe work practices when on the site, endangering their lives and those of others. Failure to follow proper scaffold safety measures increases the risk of accidents. You can prevent such incidences by dismissing rogue employees and hiring qualified and trained professionals who follow safety measures. 

2. Get the Right Safety Equipment

Anyone working in an industrial or construction setting should always put on the proper safety gear. These gears reduce the severity of injury in the event of an accident. So, ensure you get the proper personal protective equipment for your workers, more so those working at heights. They include harnesses, strong hats, boots and reflective vests. You should also consider other fall protection equipment such as safety nets, warning line systems, positioning device systems and guardrails. 

3. Secure the Scaffolding Well

It is important to brace your scaffolding to ensure it is safe. That involves wrapping the whole equipment using a shade and chain mesh to prevent slipping of industrial or construction materials. Also, an unsecured scaffold increases the risk of being blown over by the wind. Such winds will cause shaking of the scaffold or even dislodging or destabilisation. For this reason, you should never use a scaffold that is not securely braced. 

4. Inspect and Maintain the Scaffold Regularly

Checking the condition of your scaffold is vital in ensuring the safety of your workers. You can increase safety by removing all tools or materials present in the scaffold at the end of the day. It is also vital to have a trained expert who can inspect the scaffold's condition daily and determine if it is okay. If there are any worn-out, rusted or warped components, fix or replace them to guarantee safety when in use.

Using a scaffold makes it easier to reach and work at height. That's why most industries are incorporating them into their projects. If you wish to use a scaffold, follow the safety guidelines above to protect your workers and stay on the right side of the law. 

Contact a local scaffolding service to get more tips.