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Edge protection on scaffold work platforms can be a lifesaver. While accidents on scaffolding are decreasing, scaffolding without appropriate guards or rails can increase the hazards associated with working at height.
When you choose a scaffolding hire firm, you should ask as many questions as you feel that you need to about the measures that will be taken to protect your on-site workers. We have a wide range of protective solutions that complement the many different types of scaffolds that we build for our customers.
Where there is a possibility of a fall of more than 2 metres, sufficient safeguarding for preventing falling should be provided. The Health & Safety Executive states that this must be as follows to meet minimum legal standards:
If it’s impossible to implement fall prevention, scaffolding companies must provide safety nets or harnesses as an alternative. However, we always prefer handrails, and we will go the extra mile to devise a solution wherever possible to protect the workers who will use the scaffold.
If required, we install a double rail at the appropriate height and toe boards to stop any tools or materials being inadvertently kicked off the work platform. On industrial or larger commercial scaffold projects, we use handrails that are built up and connected to the frame of the building so that roofers and ladders can enjoy complete safety while they work. We also use an access tower from ground to roof level so that access to the working platforms is safe and secure.
Steelwork handrails can be built from a ladder if the erection height is less than 4 metres, but anything taller than this will require us to use a mobile elevated work platform (MEWP). This is also known as a powered access platform or cherry picker, and the scaffolder that operates it needs to have undertaken specialist training. MEWPs give a basket to work that can be moved around at high level, keeping scaffolders safe while installing the required handrails.
Appropriate protection is essential when repairing or replacing roofs. We provide flat roofing guardrails and handrails from the ground upwards. We can install it off a ladder or flat roof, depending on the scaffold height required. We use upright tubes against the building up to the correct level and horizontal tubes on the flat roof area to create the guard rail to protect from falling.
If the building height is 6 metres or less, we’ll install an upright from ground level, with a raking tube incorporated from the top handrail height to support the tubes and keep them firm against the property. Providing scaffolds for buildings taller than 5 metres involves constructing a series of tower scaffolds up to the required height to allow a 6-metre tube to be added on top to reach the roof level.
We have to consider other options to ensure safety for steep roofs (for example, where the level exceeds 10 metres). In these circumstances, we generally use specialist hilti brackets to install a 1.5 metre upright from them. We then build in the horizontal tubes on what is referred to as the puncheon tube. The advantage of this option is that it reduces the amount of scaffold needed from ground level and, therefore, saves money.
We often use A-frame handrail systems if concrete slab edge protection is required and on some roof repair projects. These are achieved by cross-bracing 1.5 metre-long tubes with a horizontal tube to form the A shape and, as you can imagine, offer more robust fall protection for workers. Where the work involves roofing, we join the rails together around the perimeter of the roof and supply an access tower to reach the working level. Slab edge handrails are usually built at 6 metres in length to allow workers to move around safely.
Whatever your scaffolding requirements are, you can be sure that our scaffolding teams always have the appropriate edge protection in mind. Safety is our number one concern, but we don’t think ease of access should be compromised. In other words, because of the expertise of our scaffolders, we can achieve both for our customers and give them total peace of mind.
