2021 has already brought with it a whole range of unsavoury weather conditions! But what does this mean for working with scaffolding? 

The risks of working at a height in bad weather should not be understated, and working in improper weather conditions can be extremely hazardous. However, there are ways that you can ensure that your employees stay safe during periods of bad weather. 

Introduce extra safety checks for scaffolding

As a requirement of the Working at Height Regulations 2005, scaffolding should be checked after every incident of bad weather. It’s important to ensure that planks are not slippery, particularly after rain or snow, or if there has been a risk of ice. 

Take precautions 

If you know you will be using scaffolding during a predicted period of bad weather, it’s worth considering this in advance. That way you can take extra precautions and steps to weatherproof your scaffolding as much as possible. For example, temporary roofs can assist in protecting scaffolding from extreme weather conditions. 

In addition, ensuring that workers wear harnesses and any other safety equipment and footwear, is of the utmost importance, particularly during inclement weather. So it’s important to ensure that your site is fully supplied with this equipment and that you implement checks to ensure your staff are following proper procedures. 

Prioritise the safety of your staff

When your employees are working in difficult weather conditions, it’s extremely important to prioritise their safety. It’s important to stay abreast of weather forecasts, and call off work in advance if extreme weather is predicted. 

Additionally, ensuring proper, more regular breaks are taken by your staff is extremely important, working in cold conditions can impact the wellbeing of your staff, and increase the likelihood of them making mistakes. Ensure that your staff have plenty of hot drinks, and access to a warm place to take their breaks. 

Contact us for more information

If you require any scaffolding services from Network Scaffold or are concerned about weather conditions, please don’t hesitate to contact us and speak to a member of our fantastic team today!