COMPENDIUM OF TYPICAL HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH USE OF SCAFFOLDS AND THEIR CONTROL MEASURES IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY USE OF SCAFFOLDS

Transcription

1 COMPENDIUM OF TYPICAL HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH USE OF SCAFFOLDS AND THEIR CONTROL MEASURES IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY USE OF SCAFFOLDS Refer to Technical Advisory for Scaffolds 1 No. Hazards Possible Control Measures Useful Links/Tips 1. General Use of Scaffolds 1.1 Fall from heights Refer to Technical Advisory on Falls From Height 2 Provide proper access Use fall protection devices Provide, check and use appropriate & adequate PPE Display "Safe to use" tag Display warning signs Rectify deficiencies immediately Remove oil stains Ensure no one is on the mobile tower scaffold before moving it Modify scaffold with authorization Conduct briefing/training on access and safe use See Appendix Figure 1 See Appendix Figure 2 See Appendix Figure 3

2 1.2 Crushed by unsafe scaffold structure Instruct and check that users do not remove scaffold components Implement Permit-to-Work Ensure that there is no unauthorised removal of components Check that the scaffold is not overloaded Display "Safe Working Load" sign Structure must be designed and endorsed by professional engineer if necessary Conduct regular inspection Display of height limit for vehicular traffic Cordon off area to prevent unauthorised entry See Appendix Figure 4 See Appendix Figure Tripped by lying objects Practice good housekeeping at work Store loose materials( ties, clamps and etc) in sacks or bags Provide proper access Provide, check and use appropriate & adequate PPE Secure platforms to support at earliest opportunity after laying them Take caution against tripping objects See Appendix Figure Tripped by lying cables Suspend cables on 'S' hook 1.5 Electrocuted by exposed wires Provide proper insulation Check for damaged part Provide non-conductive supports Conduct regular inspection

3 1.6 Severe weather Implement effective communication system to stop work when there is bad weather 1.7 Inadequate lighting Provide adequate lighting 1.8 Tripped by lying objects Practice good housekeeping at work Take caution against tripping objects 1.9 Hit by falling objects Install overlay net Provide toe-boards Practice good housekeeping Ensure no work is carried out below the working level See Appendix Figure 7 See Appendix Figure Operation of machinery, vehicles, etc Implement Permit-to-Work system Implement proper site coordination of extraneous activities 1.11 Crane operation Employ qualified personnel 1.12 Crushed by scaffold due to unauthorised modifications of scaffold Use proper communication system Implement Permit-to-Work system Employ BCSS trained site supervisor Ensure the site safety supervisor is fully aware of his role and responsibilities Ensure effective coordination and communication between main contractor and sub-contractor regarding the modification to be made Impose main contractor staff to take safety awareness course and incorporate erection section See Appendix Figure Fall from heights due to use of Conduct regular inspections

4 defective PPE Provide, check and use appropriate & adequate PPE 2. Use of Scaffold by Plasters 2.1 Crushed by collapsing scaffold due to removal of tie/brace Check that there is no unauthorised removal of braces Place additional temporary braces and ties Use other type of scaffold (those without cross bracing) Use alternative mean of access Conduct stringent inspection Implement Permit-to-Work system for working at height Check tiebacks before and after plastering work 2.2 Hit by falling objects Install overlay net Provide toe-boards and guard rails Practice good housekeeping Check that no work is carried out below the working level Ensure that there is no accumulation of debris 2.3 Excessive inhalation of cement powder Provide effective mechanical ventilation (e.g. local exhaust ventilation) Provide enclosed vessel for mixing Implement effective safe work procedures

5 2.4 Lack of or inadequate inspection by scaffold supervisor Conduct training Provide, use and maintain suitable respirators, helmets, gloves, goggles and aprons Practice good personal hygiene Inform main contractor to get approved scaffold contractor to carry out inspection immediately Display of scaffold tags (safe to use or not safe for use) Main contactor to instruct plasterer that they can only carry out work on scaffold that are safe for use 2.5 Unsafe access Identify proper access points Implement Permit-to-Work system Display proper scaffold tags Provide, check and use appropriate and adequate PPE including safety harness and shock-absorbent device Ensure effective coordination and communication between main contractor and sub-contractor regarding the work to be made Refer to Factsheet on Preventing Skin Rash in Construction Work 3 See Appendix Figure Electrocution from improper use of electric tools 3. Use of Scaffold by Cladding Workers Provide proper insulation Ensure wires are properly hung up Suspend cables on 'S' hook Provide proper insulation Refer to Circular on Socket Outlet Assembly 4 Refer to Circular on Electrical Safety 5

6 Conduct regular inspection on electrical appliances Conduct training Obtain professional design for modifications 3.2 Crushed by collapsing scaffold due to structural instability 3.3 Crushed by collapsing scaffold due to removal of tie/brace Allow only approved scaffold contractors to carry out modifications Check that there is no unauthorised removal of braces Place additional temporary braces and ties Use other type of scaffold (those without cross bracing) Use alternative mean of access Conduct stringent inspection Implement Permit-to-Work system for working at height Check tiebacks before and after plastering work Install overlay net 3.4 Hit by falling objects Provide toe-boards and guard rails Practice good housekeeping Check that no work is carried out below the working level Ensure that there is no accumulation of debris Provide and use of type approved hard hats Conduct training on proper transfer of materials

7 3.5 Crushed by collapsing materials during transfer of materials Check that materials are properly rigged & transferred Check that there is no unauthorised removal of scaffold components Use tag lines and props Provide and use appropriate gloves & safety shoes Implement safe work procedure 4. Use of Scaffold by Painters 4.1 Falling from heights Provide work platform Provide guardrails and toe-boards Provide safe access Conduct training Provide lifelines Provide, check and use appropriate & adequate PPE Employ qualified personnel Implement buddy system among workers Conduct safe work procedures briefing Check well-being of painters Implement effective communication system to stop work when there is bad weather 4.2 Tripped by lying objects Practice good housekeeping Provide proper access Provide, check and use appropriate & adequate PPE See Appendix Figure 11 See Appendix Figure 12

8 4.3 Excessive inhalation of toxic spray paint vapours Substitute with less hazardous paint Provide effective mechanical ventilation Implement effective safe work procedures Conduct training Provide, use and maintain respirators, gloves, goggles, aprons & helmets 5. Use of Scaffold by Window Installers 5.1 Height difference of working level and scaffold platform level Carry out pre-erection planning between the approved scaffold contractor with main contractor so as to construct working level at appropriate height Use alternative mean of access 5.2 Exposure to public Provide overhead shelter Provide overlay net 1 This document can be retrieved from under Programmebased Engagement Scaffold programme 2 This document can be retrieved from under Programmebased Engagement Falls from height programme 3 This document can be retrieved from under Managing Workplace Hazards Guidelines Factsheets and Circulars Chemicals Factsheets and Booklets 4 This document can be retrieved from under Managing Workplace Hazards Guidelines Factsheets and Circulars Safety

9 5 This document can be retrieved from under Managing Workplace Hazards Guidelines Factsheets and Circulars Safety

10 Appendix Figure 1: Proper access type 1 Figure 2: Use of fall protection device Return to Section 1.1 Return to Section 1.1 Figure 3: Safe to use tag Figure 4: Permit-to-Work Return to Section 1.1 Return to Section 1.1

11 Figure 5: Regular Inspection Figure 6: Good housekeeping Return to Section 1.2 Return to Section 1.3 Figure 7: Overlay net Figure 8: Toe-board Return to Section 1.9 Return to Section 1.9

12 Figure 9: Qualified personnel Figure 10: Display of Scaffold Tag Return to Section 1.11 Return to Section 2.4 Figure 11: Proper access type 2 Figure 12: Adequate and appropriate PPE Return to Section 4.2 Return to Section 4.2

13 *Contents of this resource are originated from the Risk Assessment workshops organised by the Singapore Contractors Association Limited with the support of the Occupational Safety and Health Division of the Ministry of Manpower. This material is not intended to be an exhaustive list of hazards and control measures for the above-said activities. Companies are to conduct risk assessment on the work activities specific to their workplaces by identifying the hazards, evaluating the risk and determining suitable control measures where appropriate. References should be made to the relevant regulations and code of practices when in doubt.