As a construction worker, you may worry that your physical safety could be at risk due to a momentary slip in judgement.
Learning more about safety habits for working with scaffolds is helpful in daily situations.
Competent person
Asking a competent person to guide you is standard practice. OSHA states that someone who can identify problems and fix potential issues should supervise you in precarious situations on scaffolds. This helps minimize potential injuries for anyone working on a construction site.
Qualified person
Another safety measure is being trained by a qualified person in your workplace. This is typically someone with extensive knowledge of a particular design or process you work with.
A qualified person is different than a competent person in that there are stricter guidelines for who can instruct others. You may be a qualified person but not a competent person due to various reasons. This title also reflects the length of your technical experience in the field.
Checking for dangerous situations
Beyond getting guidance from professionals, you also need to follow general safety rules. Many of these revolve around double checking your tags or the weight limit of the scaffold, along with making sure the ladder is in its proper place while you climb on it.
In addition, you should never climb on the scaffold if extreme weather, such as ice or snow, has made it slippery. Do not jump or shake the platform while stepping across to another area. Climbing with tools in your hand is not recommended. Keeping these tips in mind can help you avoid making a preventable mistake.
