Keeping employees safe on the job is a huge concern in the construction industry. This is particularly true for companies where employees are often working on scaffolding ten or more feet above the ground. Injuries related to scaffolding safety are costly, both in terms of employee health and the financial health of the contractor.

According to information provided by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OHSA), falls and other accidents relating to the use of scaffolding in the construction industry causes an estimated 4,500 injuries and more than 60 fatalities each year. If you are a contractor in the construction industry with concerns about improving employee safety when working on scaffolding, here are some helpful tips. 

Make sure your scaffolding is suitable for the job 

Scaffolding comes in many different types, many of which are designed for a specific type of construction work, such as masonry, siding, or framing. Contractors who are using scaffolding that is outdated or not designed for their particular construction type may be creating risk for their workers. 

Inspect scaffolding each day for issues

Busy construction sites typically have delivery trucks, cranes, hoists, and many other forms of heavy equipment bustling about. An accidental bump from any these large machines can bend or damage scaffolding legs or the braces and make it unsafe for use. Also, simple stress from heavy loads of materials and the movement of workers can cause stress cracks in welds and other types of wear that can eventually cause the scaffolding to collapse or break. In addition to any mandated periodic safety inspections for your industry, contractors can train their scaffolding crew to do a quick visual inspection at the start of each workday. 

Insist that employees make scaffolding safety a priority

Working on any construction project involves meeting deadlines and dealing with distractions from the weather, traffic, and many other sources. These conditions can place additional stress on employees, sometimes causing them to overlook proper safety protocols as they try to save time or steps. Contractors must be alert for this type of behavior and make sure that each employee understands that it will not be tolerated, even in tight deadline scenarios. A good way to get this message out to every employee is to hold mandatory safety meetings periodically where safety concerns can be discussed by both the contractor and their employees. 

Construction equipment suppliers are a good source of information about changes to scaffolding rules and industry information that contractors can use to make their job sites as safe as possible. Check out a website like http://www.allstareq.com/ for more information and assistance. 

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