Steps That Should Be Taken To Ensure Safety Of Scaffolding In Winter 

In the UK, winter can be very unpredictable, which is very normal in Britain. For all building projects including scaffolding-related ones, scaffolding in the winter presents unique difficulties. This can be an especially difficult time for scaffolders because of the possibility of heavy rain, wind, frost, and even snowfall. Furthermore, employees and staff start to prioritize safety. It’s imperative that you make sure your scaffolding is safe to avoid mishaps, hold-ups, and expensive damage. In order to combat the winter’s chill and guarantee that construction projects go smoothly, we’ll cover the most important scaffolding advice in this article. 

Do regular inspections

Make sure your scaffolding structures are in good condition by the time the winter months arrive. Look for any indications of deterioration, loosely fitted or broken parts. Ensure that the base plates are securely fastened by paying close attention. You can find possible problems early on and take action to resolve them with the assistance of routine inspections. 

Take anti-slip measures

Slippery conditions during the winter can make working on scaffolding hazardous for employees and other staff members. Use slip resistant materials on the stairwells and scaffold boards to help prevent this. Slippery surfaces can be less likely to cause falls and accidents with the added grip that slip resistant mats, anti-slip coatings, and tightly secured scaffold boards can offer. 

Monitor the weather

The weather is beyond our control, but we can keep ourselves informed with the most recent forecast. The UK has unpredictable, fast-changing weather. The stability of your scaffolding structure can be jeopardized by freezing rain, strong winds, and snow. Weather monitoring on a daily basis is essential, as is taking the necessary safety measures, like lowering the height of scaffolding or postponing work in the event of severe weather.

Snow removal and de-icing

Your scaffolding may become noticeably heavier and more brittle if it has been coated in snow or ice. Apply an appropriate de-icing agent beforehand or use snow shovels or other appropriate tools to regularly remove snow and ice from the area. To avoid falls and slips, make sure all paths and entryways are free of snow or ice. Black ice can be avoided and additional underfoot grip can be added by gritting walkways with rock salt. If not, it could be worthwhile to designate a detour or barring workers from entering the area until the situation has improved if walkways or access points are dangerous. 

Use right PPE

It is imperative that scaffold workers wear appropriate clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) year-round, especially in the winter. Wintertime working at heights can make the temperature feel even lower. Workers can be protected when working outside in the cold by wearing thermal clothing, waterproof jackets, anti-slip steel toe cap boots, and insulated gloves. Furthermore, in cloudy conditions, anti-fog goggles can preserve sharp vision. 

Use proper lighting

Enough lighting is also necessary to maintain clear visibility during the winter months because of the shortened daylight hours. For workers’ safety and clear vision during early morning, late evening, or night shifts, install LED lights around the scaffold structure. 
At Scaffolding Southampton, the renowned Hampshire scaffolding services, keeping the public and employees safe is the first priority. They service most of Hampshire if you’re in need of scaffolding services.