Many industrial labourers who operate at heights face dangers due to the risk in their jobs. If you don’t maintain protocols, it could be a perilous job. There is always the threat of sliding and falling.
Even though specialised working at heights training can quickly eliminate this potential danger, workers should be aware of the most crucial working at height equipment. This post will also walk you through the risks associated with each type of tool and equipment to ensure your security.
Fixed Scaffolding:
You’ve undoubtedly noticed fixed scaffolding when driving by a construction site, an industrial, residential, or commercial structure. Scaffolding is a makeshift structure of interconnected metal pipes and wooden planks.
Workers secure the scaffolding by tying it to a structural element. They utilise permanent scaffolding to reach the top levels of a building. This is better than employing ladders since scaffolding, when adequately placed, has safety rails to avoid accidents.
Fixed scaffolds are a kind of fall avoidance device in various shapes and sizes. The building the labourers are working on, as well as the job’s height, will determine the kind of scaffolding used.
Tower Scaffolding:
Tower scaffolding includes a premade free-standing movable tower usually employed when there isn’t a building to secure it. However, workers can anchor it to one. Safety rails minimise while working at height.
Workers extensively use tower scaffolding, although it is most frequently used in the construction, manufacturing, and service industries. You can use it both inside and outside, and it comes in pieces that you can easily self-assemble on the spot.
Tower scaffolds are available in numerous shapes and sizes, but they are limited in height. You can only raise them to a maximum altitude of 12 metres, except if they are specially engineered. This is still an extremely high risk, and falling from such a height will undoubtedly lead to severe injury or death.
Mobile Elevated Work Platforms:
MEWPs are essentially working at height platforms that can be powered by fuel or electricity. They are employed for high-level operations at height, such as replacing warehouse lighting systems and doing tree maintenance outside.
MEWPs come in a variety of sizes and weight capacities. The task and the job’s height will determine the kind employed. However, you can use MEWPs both inside and outside, and different tyres are available according to the surface.
Stepladders and Ladders:
Fibreglass, wood, and aluminium are some materials manufacturers use to make stepladders and ladders. There are also various classes available based on the type of job performed.
Staging and Trestles:
If stepladders or ladders aren’t an option, you can employ staging and trestles, provided the job entails more than a single person or exposure to a larger space. A trestle is a working platform that builders and decorators typically employ for working at height.
Trestles are made of a horizontal plank covering the trestle’s slanting legs. Scaffold or staging boards are the most commonly utilised boards. To create a stable platform, these are put over the trestles.
It would be best to use a trestle for short-term light labour. If labourers may be wounded on falling, it should have proper edge security. Stepladders, ladders, staging, and trestles should be your last alternatives. This type of apparatus is only suitable for light, short-term work.
Wrapping Up :
You can employ various platforms when operating at height. Each one is tailored to a specific environment, so having the right gear is essential.
To reiterate, accidents are common when working at heights, and while working at heights, training may easily prevent them; having adequate equipment knowledge will help you take precautions ahead of time.
This blog post was all about working at heights and the equipment you may need to use. You’re now better equipped to understand how to operate such equipment properly and avoid injury.
