Working at height can be a dangerous task, making the safety of your scaffold tower even more important. The consequences of using dangerous access equipment can be fatal. Here we provide you with the ultimate inspection checklist for work at height safety:
Ensuring The Safety Of Your Scaffold Towers
- Make sure anyone operating the product has been properly trained
- Make sure you’re using the correct equipment for your working needs
- Make a program that establishes visual and functional checks on a daily basis
- Ensure you’ve completed a risk assessment for all jobs that will involve scaffold towers
- Maintain a safe culture throughout the workplace
Daily Pre-Use Inspection Checks
The HSE suggests that checking equipment daily before it is used will ensure that it is operational, therefore allowing you to work at height safely. Recording these results will also protect your business if an accident does take place, as you will have proof that it wasn’t down to faulty equipment that should have been checked.
Occasionally, a Thorough Examination will also be required. Specifically, this will be needed when:
- The safety of any equipment will depend on the conditions of installation. It should therefore be checked after installation, before use, and again at any new locations.
- Equipment has been exposed to any conditions that may cause deterioration.
- Any exceptional circumstances, for example, damage or a change in its use which may have jeopardised the safety of the equipment.
What Should Your Inspections Cover?
Your inspections should focus on the safety of the product, whilst also taking into account the manufacturer recommendations and the type of equipment you are using. Your inspection could cover checks at three main levels:
- Fast pre-use – quick and simple visual inspections to see if there is anything immediately and noticeably amiss.
- Weekly – a more thorough check once a week to make sure it is functioning safely and to its optimum levels.
- Extensive – a full and comprehensive inspection of all safety features. We recommend that you carry out an extensive check every few months, and this should be done by someone who is appropriately qualified.
Who Should Carry Out Your Inspections?
As long as a person has the appropriate experience and knowledge, they can carry out your safety inspections. This may vary depending on the manner of the inspection you are carrying out; for example, someone who is qualified to carry out a fast pre-use check may not have the knowledge to do an extensive one. In any case, when conducting an assessment, the person should always take into account:
- Manufacturer recommendations
- Industry advice
- Their own experience using the equipment, of which they should have some
- PUWER and LOLER guidance
Here at Ability International, we can help with safely working at height over desks. If you require further information, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
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