Scaffolding Safety | Knowing and Preventing Common Mistakes

A properly erected scaffold protects workers and speeds up progress. But when teams make mistakes during assembly or use, they introduce serious life-threatening hazards. Mishandling of scaffolding or improper protection systems installed can commonly lead to work-related fall incidents in the UK. These errors mostly happen when the frame is constructed by non-competent and unqualified engineers or when damaged tools are used. To avoid fatal accidents due to scaffolding errors, organizations must do proper planning, training, and safety measures for their workers.
Stop Making 5 Common Scaffolding Errors for a Safer Worksite
Workers trust scaffolding with their lives every day as they work at height. However, improper practices or even a small error in its erection may contribute to countless accidents and injuries. Understanding the usual or ignored mistakes while framing at construction sites helps you avoid them and the associated consequences.
Neglecting Proper Inspection Before Every Use
The most frequent mistake made at the project site is avoiding routine checks of the frame structure. Loose connections or damaged components might go unnoticed without regular inspection, posing severe risks of structural failure and potential collapse. It happens when workers don’t adhere to the manufacturer’s inspecting guidelines and overlook the safety protocols while focusing on completing tasks quickly.
How to Avoid

• Scaffolds should be inspected before each work shift or after any event that could compromise their integrity.
• OSHA mandates
  
  inspections by a competent person
  
  who can identify hazards beforehand and take corrective actions. This individual should have enough knowledge and authority to address any safety concerns promptly.
• You must look for each critical area to ensure a firm base, safe access points, and adequate bracing and ties.

Failing to Secure the Scaffolding Correctly on Unstable Ground
You use a scaffold as a solid and firm platform to stand on while working at heights. But a flawed foundation can compromise the entire frame structure. The error mostly occurs when scaffolds are erected on uneven or sloping surfaces, weight isn’t evenly distributed, and special wooden bases are not used. If the base is unstable or unable to bear the load, the structure becomes prone to tipping and buckling, which is the real concern.
How to Avoid

• Evaluate the ground conditions where you are going to construct the scaffold. It should be leveled and compact.
• Use base plates or all scaffold legs to distribute the load. On soft grounds, use mud sills beneath too.
• Ensure all scaffold components are securely connected with bracing to prevent swaying and collapse.
• Tie the scaffold to the building or structure for added stability, especially at higher elevations.

Overloading the Scaffold With Materials and too Many Workers
Scaffolds have a specific weight limit, ranging from light to heavy-duty frames. Exceeding this load-bearing capacity causes components to buckle and collapse. The error occurs when workers and supervisors are unaware of the intended weight limits and overload it with bricks, blocks, or too many persons.
The accident report on the OSHA website mentions that five employees fell when a job-made scaffold collapsed due to overloading.
How to Avoid

• It is important to ensure that the scaffold can support the expected weight. Choose the structural frame that meets your project requirements.
• As per the legal requirements, each scaffold and its components should support its own weight plus four times the maximum intended load.
• Be aware of all the weight classes available on the market.
• Calculate the total load capacity and make sure to evenly distribute on the scaffold platform to avoid exceeding limits.

Inadequate or Improperly Installed Fall Protection Systems
Falls from a height were the leading cause of work-related injuries and deaths in Great Britain in the last two years. This is mainly due to inadequate PFAS on construction sites or at scaffolds. Several common deficiencies might occur while working with scaffolding, like failure to install guardrails along all open sides and ends of the frame platform or incorrectly wearing protective systems like harnesses, lanyards, or anchorage points. These mistakes often pose workers with significant life-threatening injuries or even death.
How to Avoid

• OSHA mandates fall protection for employees on scaffolds more than 10 feet above a lower level. This protection can include guardrail systems and toe boards to prevent even material from falling off the platform.
• Train employers on the proper use of PFAS to arrest a worker’s fall in case it happens.
• Ensure that the guardrails or egress system are correctly installed and meet height requirements.

Incorrect Assembly and Dismantling by Inexperienced Person
Workers don’t follow the manufacturer’s instructions and industry standards during framing. Erecting scaffolds improperly can lead to instability and affect their load-bearing capacity. Also, many employees climb the frame instead of using designated access points, which further increases the chances of collapse. Employing damaged, deteriorated, or mismatched parts or assembling with incorrect or loose connections can be a big mistake.
While dismantling, workers often make errors like dropping scaffold parts, removing essential supports, or neglecting to remove all materials and debris from the platform.
How to Avoid
Scaffolds must be assembled or disassembled by qualified practitioners, as a minor mistake may cause structural failure.

1. Always adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines for assembly or dismantling.
2. Thoroughly inspect all components before use for defects.
3. Hire an experienced scaffolder to develop a detailed plan to do both tasks safely and efficiently.

Conclusion
​Avoiding common scaffolding mistakes ensures safety and efficiency in construction projects​. Use sturdy materials and focus on correct framing on stable ground by professionals to reduce risks significantly. Prioritize everyone’s safety with safe scaffolding practices while ensuring compliance with regulations. It is recommended to always read manufacturing guidelines carefully so you do not miss any essential steps while assembling scaffolds.