Safety is of the utmost importance in the construction sector, especially while working at heights. Safety harnesses distribute the force of a fall from a scaffold tower and serve as a preventive measure, which helps to reduce injuries and fatalities. In light of UK regulations, this blog post investigates the necessity of a safety harness for workers on scaffold towers.
Before you work at height, it’s important to conduct a thorough risk assessment. Take all the appropriate measures to prevent a nasty fall. In most situations, a safety harness is essential for your own security and protection. But is it necessary to wear a safety harness when working on a scaffold tower?
Key Takeaways
- Scaffold towers offer more stability and a larger surface area than ladders, reducing the risk of falls, but proper construction and adherence to safety regulations are essential.
- UK regulations require scaffold towers to have secure platforms, edge protection, access ladders, double guardrails, toeboards, and bracing to ensure stability and prevent falls.
- A safety harness is necessary when working at heights over 4 meters without a secure platform and edge protection.
- The ‘Through The Trap’ (3T) method is an HSE-endorsed practice that provides sufficient protection during scaffold tower assembly and eliminates the need for a safety harness.
- Regular inspections, proper setup, and the use of stabilizers and outriggers are critical for maintaining scaffold tower safety.
Scaffold Tower Safety
Scaffold towers are are more stable and have a larger surface area than ladders, reducing the risk of falling. To maintain this stability, it’s essential to ensure the tower is properly constructed and follows all safety regulations.
UK Safety Regulations for Scaffold Towers
There are specific guidelines provided by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for working at heights, which includes using scaffold towers. Scaffold towers are required to have access ladders, secure platforms, edge protection, double guardrails, toeboards, bracing, and bracing. These elements are intended to guarantee the stability of the scaffold and prevent falls.
Do I Need to Wear a Safety Harness on a Scaffold Tower?
The extra safety precautions and features of a scaffold tower mean you don’t have to wear a safety harness. In comparison to a ladder, a scaffold may take longer to set up. However, it does reduce your risk of falling from height due to its surface area and stability. The risk of falling from height is minimised as long as the tower is erected properly.
While scaffold towers provide inherent stability, a safety harness is required when working at heights exceeding 4 meters without a secure platform and edge protection. Recently it was reported in The Construction Index that a scaffolder was fined £750 and required to pay £643 in costs for failing to wear a harness while working on a four-storey scaffold.
Giant Scaffolding Ltd, his client, received a significantly larger fine of £15,000 and was ordered to pay an additional £5,000 in costs. HSE inspector Melvyn Stancliffe commented on the case saying, “The simple measure of wearing a harness can save scaffolders from death or serious injury. A basic common-sense approach to work is all that’s needed to prevent a possible tragedy. In many cases, harnesses are available but some workmen just cannot be bothered to wear them. They should take a moment to think about the consequences.”
How Do I Ensure That I’m Safe on a Scaffold Tower?
To ensure safety on a scaffold tower, consider the following best practices:
- Use the ‘Through The Trap’ (3T) Method. This method endorsed by the HSE involves the assembler sitting on the platform trapdoor to add or remove guardrails, providing protection throughout the assembly process.
- Have a competent person inspect the tower after assembly and at regular intervals. If the tower is used for construction work, inspections must occur every seven days.
- Place the tower on firm, level ground with locked castors or properly supported base plates. Avoid using bricks or building blocks for support.
- Install these as specified in the instruction manual to enhance stability.
Why Would I Use a Scaffold Tower Instead of a Ladder?
You would use a scaffold tower instead of a ladder when:
- You need to work at height for more than 30 mins
- You need greater freedom of movement when working at height
- You are unable to stabilise your ladder
To ensure safety when using a ladder, you must always maintain three points of contact. This is not essential with a scaffold tower due to its sturdiness, meaning that you can easily carry out fiddly work that requires the use of both of your hands.
Conclusion
Adhering to UK safety laws is necessary to keep workers on scaffold towers safe and accident-free. Although using a safety harness isn’t always required, observing industry standards and best practices—like the ‘Through The Trap’ technique—can offer sufficient protection. Safety must come first for both employers and employees to prevent legal issues and save lives.
