You may be a true do-it-yourselfer when it comes the landscape at your residence. If you are like some people, your efforts include may include trees and other greenery or objects that require you to be off the ground. You may need to be significantly above the ground, and able to work with tools, in some instances.
With this in mind, you may have determined that utilizing scaffolding for some of your landscaping efforts makes sense. This decision may present you with your first opportunity to take advantage of scaffolding for a residential projection. As a result, you may have a variety of questions, including some centering around safety issues associated with the use of scaffolding.
Scaffold Risks and Common Types of Accidents
Although statistics surrounding the use of scaffolding by do-it-yourselfers like you are a bit unclear, because of reporting requirements in the construction industry, the use of scaffolding can present some risks. Each year, thousands of workers, and more than a few passersby, are injured in accidents associated with the use of scaffolding.
If you intend to use scaffolding at your residence to perfect your landscaping efforts, you are wise to pay attention to what generally are the most common causes of accidents associated with scaffolding. These common accidents include incidents in when the planking or support associated with scaffolding gives way. This tends to occur primarily because scaffolding was not properly assembled in the first instance. This type of accident can also occur if too much weight is placed on a scaffold.
Another common cause of an accident involving scaffolding is a person slipping and falling from a scaffold. Yet another type of relatively common accident involving scaffolding is a person being hit with some sort of falling object.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA, does not have jurisdiction over home improvement projects undertaken by a do-it-yourselfer. However, and as noted, with the significant number of workers using scaffolding as part of their jobs, information from OSHA can be helpful to you when it comes to using scaffolding for your residential landscaping efforts.
OSHA has made it abundantly clear that the vast majority of scaffolding accidents are preventable. These accidents can be avoided if scaffolding is assembled properly in the first instance. Moreover, these incidents can be eliminated if people would utilize scaffolding properly in the first instance.
One Size Can’t be Force to Fit All
When you read a sentence that states “when it comes to scaffolding, one size doesn’t fit all jobs,” you may be inclined to scoff. You may retort “but of course not.” And, if this is your response, you would be spot-on. The problem is, people say that the understand that when it comes to the use of scaffolding, one size does not fit all, but they do not put that admonition into practice.
Time and again, home improvers will obtain pre-assembled scaffolding that “almost” or is “close enough” to meet their needs, goals, and objectives. They get the pre-assembled scaffold home and promptly start using it improperly.
For example, a pre-assembled scaffold isn’t quite tall enough for the job at hand. A homeowner thinks the issue can be resolved by using a foot ladder at the top of the scaffold.
Yes, the do-it-yourselfer may be saving a dab of money by renting or purchasing a pre-assembled scaffold. However, an individual taking this approach and them trying to come up work-arounds is setting his or her self up for an accident, possible even for a major disaster.
Defer to a Pro
When it comes to assembling scaffolding for use on your landscaping efforts, this may represent one aspect of your project that you would be best served deferring to a professional. There are companies that specialize in renting quality scaffolding. These enterprises also maintain employees who are specialized in assembling scaffolding. These pros understand the ins and outs of ensuring that scaffolding is assembled safely in the first instance.
Brush Up on Scaffold Safety
Once you are certain that scaffolding has been assembled correctly and safely, you will want to take one more step before you go to work on your landscaping project. You will want to educate yourself more fully on scaffolding use safety.
As is the case with so much in the world today, the internet is a valuable resource when it comes to scaffold safe use information. One solid resource is the website maintained by OSHA. Don’t assume that you intuitively will know safe scaffolding use practices. Do your homework before you launch into your landscaping project.
Jessica Kane is a professional blogger who writes for Scaffold Store, the favorite and trusted scaffold supplier of the largest contractors.
