Safety is the cornerstone of the construction process and the safeguard of life and property.Scaffolding is an essential facility in construction, but it is also a frequent site of accidents. Among them, falls from heights, object strikes, and electric shocks are referred to as the 'three major killers' in scaffolding operations.Behind every accident is a broken family, which also makes us realize the importance of safety in scaffolding work.

01 falls from heights

Falls from heights are the most frequent and deadliest 'killer' in scaffolding work.The damage it causes is devastating.And this is not just a matter of being 'careless'; behind it lies a series of systemic safety deficiencies.

Common causes of falls from height at construction sites include the following:

lThe edges of the scaffolding are not protected, or the protection is inadequate; openings are not guarded, or the protection is not strong enough; protective equipment is old and worn out.

lThe scaffolding itself does not meet standards: the spacing between vertical poles is too wide, horizontal poles are missing, and no base rails are installed, leading to overall structural instability; The scaffolding was not securely connected to the building and swayed in the wind and rain; the working platform boards were not fully laid, and the ends of the boards extended too far beyond the supports, creating a hazard.

lWhen working on scaffolding higher than 2 meters, safety harness attachment points must be installed (such as lifelines or secure anchorage points).However, on-site, it is often skipped due to trouble, cost, or a sense of luck. A seemingly simple safety rope is the last line of defense against free fall.

lHuman factors: Operators are blindly overconfident, seeking convenience by moving, crossing, or working without wearing safety belts; running on slippery, icy, or oil-stained scaffolding; working at heights after drinking or when fatigued; not using safe ramps or ladders but instead taking the risk of climbing the scaffold structure, which can easily lead to losing grip or missing a step.

Precautions:

lStrict acceptance system: Scaffolding must be erected by certified professionals. Once the erection is completed, it must be jointly inspected and accepted by the construction unit’s technical supervisor, safety officer, and the erection team. It can only be used after a 'Acceptance Passed' sign is hung.

lComprehensive Protection: The working layer must be equipped with guardrails 1.2 meters high and toe boards 18 centimeters high, and the planks must be fully laid and securely fastened. On the outside of the scaffolding, a fine-mesh safety net should be installed along the entire length, which can prevent falls as well as block falling debris.

lSecure safety ropes: Promote the use of the 'horizontal lifeline system' to provide workers with continuous and reliable safety harness attachment points.

lContinuing education and training: Ensure that every worker fully understands the consequences of falls and is proficient in the use of safety equipment.

lStrengthen on-site supervision: Safety officers must perform their duties responsibly, enforce a 'zero tolerance' policy for any violations such as not wearing a safety harness, and immediately stop and strictly handle such behavior.

02 Object Strike

It refers to accidents caused by uncontrolled objects moving under the influence of inertia, gravity, or other external forces, striking the human body and causing injury or death. In scaffolding work, such object strikes often occur suddenly, catching people off guard.

The common causes of objects striking people at construction sites are as follows:

lWorkers casually place tools and materials without using tool bags or taking fall-prevention measures.

lImproper disposal of waste and debris by people can cause injuries, and materials are carelessly thrown when handed over.

lDuring hoisting, assembly, disassembly, or formwork removal, falling materials can injure people.l

lScaffolding couplers are not tightened, and planks are not secured, causing them to fall under vibration.

lMaterials are not properly stacked on the scaffolding, and planks are not fully or properly laid.

lInsufficient personal protection: personnel entering the scaffolding area do not wear safety helmets correctly, or they wear helmets that are unqualified or damaged.

lNo warning area is marked below the scaffolding, or warning signs are not set up, or even when signs are present, personnel still pass through carelessly.

Precautions:

lDouble-layer safety net: A horizontal safety net (flat net) is installed below the working level as a 'catching net,' specifically designed to catch falling objects. The outer dense-mesh vertical net serves as the first line of defense.

lDelineate a safety zone: Around the scaffolding, especially above main passageways and work areas, a safety zone must be marked with rigid barriers and monitored by designated personnel to prevent unauthorized entry.

lSet up a safety passage: Erect a sturdy safety passage with a double-layer protective canopy at all areas where people must pass through, with a top that can effectively cushion and block falling objects.

lWearing a safety helmet: Personnel entering the construction site must wear a safety helmet as required and move within the designated safety channels.

03 Electric shock accident

Scaffolding is mostly made of metal components and is an excellent conductor of electricity. On complex construction sites, where wires and cables are everywhere, if scaffolding comes into contact with a power source, the entire scaffold can become electrified instantly, especially when these metal structures are near high-voltage lines, which can lead to disastrous consequences.

The common causes of electric shock accidents at construction sites are as follows:

lIllegal wiring: Directly tying cables to scaffolding steel pipes; wires passing through scaffolding without insulation protection; using "damaged cables" with aged or broken insulation.

lInsufficient safety distance: When erecting the scaffolding, the safe distance from nearby high-voltage lines was not taken into account, and collisions may occur during lifting or moving, leading to potential disasters.

lEquipment leakage: Electric welders, handheld power tools, and other equipment used on scaffolding may experience leakage, allowing current to conduct through the scaffold structure.

Precautions:

lStandardize electricity use: The erection and dismantling of scaffolding must strictly avoid using cables. On-site lighting and power lines must use insulated wires, be protected by conduits, and have dedicated electric poles or brackets set up independently from the scaffolding.

lMaintain a safe distance: Strictly follow the 'Technical Specifications for Temporary Electrical Safety on Construction Sites.' Scaffolding must maintain a minimum safe distance from external overhead power lines. If the distance is insufficient, mandatory measures such as power shutdown, relocation of the lines, or the erection of insulated protective shelters must be taken.

lUse low-voltage safety power supply: For scaffold work in hazardous environments such as wet conditions or metal containers, priority should be given to using 36V, 24V, or even 12V extra-low voltage lighting.

lInstall Residual Current Devices (RCDs): All electrical circuits entering the scaffolding area must be equipped with sensitive and reliable RCDs in a graded manner to ensure that the power can be instantly cut off in the event of a leakage.

lEnsure proper grounding and neutral connection: Ground or connect the scaffold to neutral reliably according to regulations, but it must never be used as equipment grounding.

lStrengthen inspections and education: Electricians must conduct daily inspections to promptly identify and address issues such as damaged wires or improper connections. Educate all workers to recognize electrical hazards and prohibit unauthorized wiring.

04 Safety Management

In addition to specific technical measures, systematic safety management is the last line of defense in preventing scaffolding accidents.The key management measure lies in effectively implementing laws, regulations, standards, and norms, truly adhering to the principle of 'safety first, prevention foremost'.Increase the cost of handling accidents and hold the responsible units and individuals fully accountable.At the same time, strengthen the safety education and training for operators, and urge them to strictly comply with all safety production rules and regulations.

Conclusion

Remember! Safety is not just a set of rules, a hard hat, or a safety harness; it should be a deeply ingrained belief and an unshirkable responsibility.Every standardized operation is a respect for life; every safety measure is a responsibility to the family.