Scaffolding is an essential part of preparing your site or premises for building and maintenance works. Whether you are planning to carry out roof repair work, access high objects or industrial plant, or simply arrange for window cleaning, you must ensure that appropriate scaffolding is in place for the duration of your project.
The law says that you must use a qualified builder or scaffolder to erect the equipment, and that they must have a valid licence for public highway works. In addition, the safety of the scaffold equipment must be checked before use and once a week while in use. Extra checks must be carried out in the case of alterations or damage, and also for extreme weather conditions.
If you are at all uncertain, the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has a comprehensive Scaffold Checklist which is a good first reference point. Contact any reputable scaffolding company and they’ll be only too happy to give your professional guidance and supply the right equipment for your building and maintenance requirements.
Providing safe access and platforms for operatives and materials, while work takes place, is not a ‘nice to have’, though this essential message clearly hasn’t been grasped in the video clips below. And while these 5 examples are pretty hilarious you’ll want to share them with all your friends, the underlying cavalier attitude to health and safety is anything but funny.
1. Why bother with professional scaffolding when a homemade lash-up will do?
2. Scaffold erection in Nigeria: It’s teamwork, Jim, but not as we know it!
3. Technically perfect in every way. Except perhaps for one minor oversight…
4. What’s wrong with this scaffolding? The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind.
5. An erection that’s fit for purpose? Chocolate teapots come to mind.
Article provided by Mike James, an independent content writer working together with Sussex-based contractor Octego Ltd, who were consulted over this post.
