Work platforms, such as scaffolds and aerial lifts, can make working at height easier and safer. However, certain key safety precautions need to be taken in order to get the greatest value from scaffolds. This article discusses some of the key safety precautions that homeowners should remember when they hire a scaffold for use during a home improvement project for the first time.

Be Mindful of the Surroundings

You need to pay sufficient attention to the vicinity of the scaffold after setting it up in accordance with the recommendations of its manufacturer. This is because there may be hazards, such as electrical wires, that can put your safety at risk during the use of the scaffold. Take steps to reduce the risks that you have identified around that scaffold during a risk assessment before you start working. For instance, you can cut the power to the electrical wires around a work site so that you don't suffer an electrical shock as you work.

Avoid Windy Conditions

It is also advisable to avoid using a scaffold in case there is a high wind blowing. Windy conditions can make a scaffold unstable by straining the anchors holding the scaffold in place. Such stress can cause the anchors to be dislodged from their mounts. This may cause the whole structure to collapse while you are working.

Avoid Makeshift Ways of Increasing Height

Some people try to reach a higher level of a work surface by climbing an object, such as ladders, that they have placed on the scaffold. This is very risky because that object can topple while you are standing on it to reach up. You should therefore avoid standing on top of an object with the intention of increasing the height that can be accessed while you are on the scaffold. Instead, adjust the scaffold so that you can reach that higher level safely.

Have the Right Protection

Different types of scaffolds require different protection mechanisms. For instance, guardrails can be sufficient if you are using a supported scaffold. However, you may need to wear a fall arrester in addition to having the guardrails in place if you are using a single or two-point scaffold.

Talk to scaffold-hire experts about different aspects of scaffold safety, such as picking the right protection system for the different types of scaffolds. Those professionals will help you to choose the best scaffold for your needs so that you and your family members stay safe while working at height.