Yesterday evening, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that the entire UK will be placed under lockdown in an effort to curb the spread of the highly contagious coronavirus. Despite this, construction sites are to remain open while all other businesses close their doors for a period of three weeks or longer.
The UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, declared a nationwide lockdown in the country to control the spread of the highly contagious coronavirus. The lockdown restricts citizens to leave their homes only for necessary tasks like taking one dose of exercise daily, going to work if they are deemed essential workers, and obtaining essential supplies. However, the construction industry, including scaffolding, is excluded from this “stay at home” directive.
The Prime Minister’s announcement left the status of scaffolding and construction workers unclear, leading to confusion about whether they would be continuing work during the UK lockdown.
What can we do during the UK Lockdown?
Scaffolding Direct London, the leading scaffolding company, has recently released its Site Operating Procedures, in line with the government’s social distancing guidelines. I highly advise that these procedures be followed by all operational construction sites, with the goal of establishing a consistent approach throughout the industry that all companies and workers can adhere to.
It is crucial that scaffolding work does not compromise health and safety measures at this time. If social distancing guidelines or the unavailability of qualified personnel make a task unsafe, it should not be carried out. Additionally, we understand that emergency services may be stretched thin and may not be able to respond as promptly as usual.
About scaffolding direct london – Frequently asked Questions
Must I use a tag system on a Scaffold?
Inspection of scaffolding is legally required when a scaffolder falls more than two metres or more. Upon completion of the scaffolding, a report must be issued by a competent person and further inspections must occur on a weekly basis. However, a risk assessment may be needed to determine the need for additional inspections, such as after bad weather or after any modifications are made.Using a visible tag system may supplement the inspection reports, but it is a useful way of ensuring those who need to use the scaffolding know that it is safe to use on the construction project.
How can I prevent falls?
To prevent falls while erecting scaffolding, an advanced guard rail system should be employed. If this is not possible, workers should wear harnesses to reduce the risk of a fall.
