#falsework

There’s no doubt that home improvement projects can be very rewarding. Not only can you save a bundle of money by doing the task by yourself, but you also get to channel your creative desires and be rewarded (with any luck!) with your finished product. One of the most essential pieces of equipment that is typically used in home improvement projects is scaffolding.

Scaffolding is used for a range of purposes, but its main use is to support people and materials when working from heights. Safety is constantly an issue when operating at heights, so naturally there are strict regulations that must be respected when working with scaffolding. If you're a tradie or planning a DIY job that will require the use of scaffolding, there are some vital safety facts and considerations to remember.

Scaffolding can only be used up to 4m in height without a license

The first and most vital point to keep in mind is that if your task involves scaffolding where any equipment or persons can fall greater than 4m in height, you’ll need a high-risk work license for scaffolding.  'Working with scaffolding' means the assembly, altering, or dismantling of scaffolding equipment, along with using the equipment of course. For any construction work that mandates the use of scaffolding more than 4m in height, you'll need to acquire this license or you’ll need to hire a 3rd party to complete the job.

Look at hiring an expert to erect the scaffolding

Assembling the scaffolding and ensuring that it's safe to sustain the maximum load is one of the biggest safety considerations when using scaffolding. Often, if you are renting scaffolding from a credible contractor, they will arrange for an authorised professional to erect and disassemble your scaffolding equipment, in addition to the necessary inspections and paperwork. Therefore, you should always check that all quotes you obtain for scaffolding equipment includes this service.

Conversely, if you buy scaffolding for your personal use, look at employing a professional to erect the scaffolding. Regardless of how seasoned you are with home DIY undertakings, scaffolding erection is extremely important for the safety of you and those around you, so it's strongly recommended that you hire a certified specialist to construct and inspect your scaffolding. If you really want to erect the scaffolding yourself, the best suggestion is to get your high-risk work license for scaffolding.

Check your insurance coverage

Most house owners have insurance to cover any losses that are sustained with home ownership, including liability provisions to cover you if anyone is injured on your property. It's crucial that you examine your insurance coverage to see if any accidents resulting from home improvement jobs are covered. Whatever you do, don't start your project without first checking if you are thoroughly insured, as you may find that using scaffolding for a home improvement project is not included in your policy.

Understand the most common causes of accidents

Human error is the most common cause of scaffolding accidents, so it's essential that you have knowledge of what you're doing before you start your venture. Studies have shown that the large majority of scaffolding incidents can be averted, so do some preparation and watch educational videos on the web or even enrol in training courses that will assist you when working with scaffolding. Recognising the most common causes of injuries associated with scaffolding equipment will give you a greater understanding of the fundamental risks. Therefore, the top three causes of scaffolding related injuries are:

●     Falls associated with incorrect scaffold erection

●     Scaffolding platforms or structure failing and collapsing

●     Being struck by airborne materials (namely people under the scaffolding itself)

Having knowledge of how scaffolding functions and operates is imperative for the safety of you and those around you, so it's critical that you carry out sufficient research before undertaking any project involving scaffolding.

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