In New South Wales, building platforms are strictly regulated and monitored. This is because conventional worksites, whether they are big or small, can be dangerous to both those working on them and bystanders. Because of this, when it comes to scaffolding in Sydney, precautions must be taken to ensure safe use. When you see the regular workload of a construction site, it’s easy to see why a lot of labourers are injured on a daily basis. The constant movement of heavy materials, machinery and persistent foot traffic make it an environment that can be dangerous at the best of times. If you want to improve the safety of your construction site, it is essential that your scaffolding in Sydney adheres to all federal and state regulations. Let’s check out some of the things you need to remember.
Introductory phase
Before your building towers can be used by those on site, there are several things the manager must complete. Risk assessments must be performed to determine if the environment poses any risks to the use of scaffolding in Sydney. If an individual’s safety is compromised in any way, control measures need to be put in place to counteract the effect of these risks. It doesn’t matter how small or serious the risks may be – a plan must be put in place. Workers need to know how they should adapt should factors change during the day. Poor weather conditions like rain or strong winds may undermine the use of the building platforms for a period of time.
Monitoring processes
Maintaining your scaffolding in Sydney is essential. Once the tower has been installed, the job is not done. Through general wear and tear, your platforms may become unsafe to use, which could lead to a serious or fatal accident. Anyone using the platforms must have written confirmation from a qualified person onsite. The person must inspect the structure each day to guarantee its safety.
Inspections
Inspections must also occur regularly. This must occur on a monthly basis (or in a 30 day window). A full inspection must also take place on your scaffolding in Sydney if an accident occurs. The platform cannot be used until it is deemed safe to use again. During this period, your scaffolding in Sydney will be examined in the hope of ascertaining what caused the problem and how it can be fixed. It could be anything from a design fault in the single or double frame or an issue with the wires or ropes if the platform is suspended from the roof of construction. Once your tower has passed the risk assessment, it can legally be used again by all workers on site.
Types of building platforms
There are various types of platforms which can be used on a wide array of different worksites. Your choice will need to take into consideration the nature of the work you will be undertaking and whether it will be suitable for all those involved.
Light duty
Light duty platforms are perfect for construction work that is less intensive. They are also very flexible and can be moved around the site quite easily. They work best for in-house or private construction work on residential homes.
Walk-thru
Walk-thru platforms are more common when it comes to scaffolding in Sydney, purely because they are common use in the CBD. This is where towers are connected via walkways, allowing for a boost in worksite efficiency and an improvement in the ease of moving heavy materials across site.
Suspended platforms
This is where the platform hangs from the roof of the structure via ropes, wire and pulleys. This type works really well when it comes to modifying existing structures.