The safety of steel scaffolding in the construction industry

Abstract

The Building and Construction Industry is associated with a high degree of risk to workers, and the erection and use of scaffolds is no exception. Statistics in other countries have shown the high incidence of accidents occurring as a result of unsafe work practices including those connected with scaffolding. No relevant local statistics related to scaffold erection, use and dismantling are collected. A study was carried out by means of a questionnaire to analyse various work practice and the level of awareness of risks to occupational health and safety associated with the use of steel scaffolding, a structure widely used in the construction industry. The questionnaire was administered to a number of random selected workers using scaffoldings and questions were asked about competency, use of personal protective equipment and safe scaffold erecting. The results collected during the study clearly indicate a low standard of occupational health and safety and lack of information, training and safety awareness. Suggestions aimed at the way scaffold users should perform their duties in a safer way have been given.