3 WAYS TO IMPROVE SCAFFOLDING SAFETY AT A JOB SITE
June 28, 2019
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), more than 2.3 million construction workers
— or 65 percent of the industry — work on scaffolds. It is a dangerous job: 4,500 scaffold-related injuries and 60 scaffold-related deaths hit job sites in the U.S. each year. That adds up to $90 million in lost work days.
As a site manager, one of your main priorities – in addition to delivering customer satisfaction – is scaffolding safety. Once scaffolding goes up, it is not just a set-it-and-forget-it addition to the job site. So, how can you effectively protect your crew on your next job?
1. Use High-Quality, Properly Installed Equipment
Of the workers injured in scaffold-related accidents, 72 percent attributed the incident
to either the planking, support giving way, or to the employee slipping or being struck by a falling object.
What does that tell us? Well, for starters it indicates that the scaffolding in use may not be properly designed and deployed. A poorly designed scaffolding system can have disastrous consequences. If your job requires non-slick surfaces or special materials, any missing component could mean injury or worse for your team members.
Train your employees to recognize deficient, noncompliant and/or damaged structures, including missing essential safety components like Toeboards, Planks, or Guardrails. Also, consider working with a scaffolding manufacturer that provides application engineering to ensure you have the correct equipment for your project requirements.
2. Ensure Proper Training
A key scaffolding safety issue is whether or not the scaffold has been erected by trained professionals. Erection and dismantling must be done by competent persons to ensure a solid work space for overhead workers and a solid foundation to keep the scaffold stable.
In addition to being trained and up to date on OSHA requirements, all workers must be properly trained on setup, construction of scaffolding, how to handle materials and load capacities. Proper training should also be given on the type of scaffolding they are working on and the complexity of the scaffold being erected or dismantled.
3. Keep the Site Clean and Organized
You have likely heard the saying, “A clean job site is a safe job site. Still, “Housekeeping” is one of the most cited OSHA safety infractions. People who tend to leave a mess have a higher chance of tripping over equipment or slipping over messy work areas and causing accidents. Make sure all workers follow standard procedures to secure the job site before leaving for the day. This might include dewatering, removing debris, and ensuring all equipment is properly and securely stored.
4. Keep Your FLRA Updated
Refer back to your field level risk assessment (FLRA) on a periodic basis to identify hazards that may not have been previously documented. Review processes for material handling, power lines, inclement weather, and load-carrying capacity to keep these potential hazards top of mind and add to the list when needed. As workers get accustomed to a job site, they are less likely to be on alert to potential safety issues. A regular review of your FLRA can help prevent oversight and avoid simple mistakes that could affect job site safety.
No matter where you are or what job you are on, safety is nonnegotiable. If you need scaffolding that you can trust to get the job done while protecting the safety of your workers, please contact us
online today or call the branch office closest to you. We’ll begin the process of finding a scaffolding solution that meets your unique needs.
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AT-PAC Expands Global Footprint with New Darwin Branch Opening AT-PAC continues to strengthen its global presence with the official opening of its new branch in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia- marking another strategic step in bringing high-quality scaffolding solutions closer to customers across key industrial and infrastructure markets. Strengthening Local Presence in the Northern Territory The Darwin branch represents a significant investment in the Northern Territory, reinforcing AT-PAC’s commitment to supporting industrial, energy, mining, and infrastructure projects with locally available inventory, engineering expertise, and responsive service. By expanding its footprint in the Northern Territory, AT-PAC is better positioned to: Reduce lead times for customers Provide faster access to Ringlock scaffolding systems Deliver localized support backed by global standards This new location ensures customers across the Northern Territory and surrounding regions have direct access to the equipment and expertise needed to execute projects safely, efficiently, and reliably. Built for Proximity, Designed for Performance At the core of AT-PAC’s global strategy is a simple principle: proximity to the customer matters. The Darwin branch has been designed to function as more than just a distribution point. It serves as a hub for: Scaffold sales and rental solutions Engineering and technical support Project collaboration and planning With a strong local team in place, the branch enables closer partnerships with contractors, industrial clients, and project stakeholders throughout Northern Australia. Supporting Growth Across Key Industries The Northern Territory continues to see strong investment across major industrial sectors, making Darwin a strategic location for AT-PAC’s continued growth. Key industries supported by the new branch include: Oil & Gas Mining Energy Infrastructure Defence and Marine The Darwin expansion allows AT-PAC to further support these industries with scalable scaffold systems designed to meet the demands of complex and remote projects. A Continued Commitment to Global Expansion The opening of the Darwin branch is part of AT-PAC’s broader mission to become a top-tier global scaffolding provider. By investing in regional infrastructure and strengthening its branch network, the company continues to deliver on its promise: The right scaffold system—available where and when it’s needed.
Discover essential scaffolding safety tips from AT-PAC. Learn how to prevent accidents, stay OSHA compliant, and improve jobsite efficiency and safety.
Learn the main types of scaffolding used in construction, including supported, suspended, rolling, cantilever, and system scaffolds like Ringlock.