The new season is officially upon us; and so too are a fresh load of scaffolding hazards to content with this Autumn. 

Much like all of 2020, summer has passed us by in the blink of an eye. We have now officially stepped into Autumn; a season renowned for its log fires, mulled wine and overall comfort.

But, as scaffolders, we also know Autumn as the season where an entirely new set of risks and hazards land on our doorstep. Rain, darkness, wet leaves… they aren’t exactly the most welcome arrivals for scaffolders.

That’s why it’s important to be prepared. Which is precisely what this blog is all about.

Whatever the season, there are always hazards to look out for when you’re a scaffolder.

If, like us, you live and work in the UK you’ll know that Autumn can present some pretty extreme weather conditions. To help you tackle them, we’ve outlined our top 5 scaffolding hazards to look out for in Autumn.

Scaffolding hazard 1 – poor weather conditions.

Rain and heavy wind are Autumn’s best friend.

While, during this season, we will still be able to enjoy brighter, warm days, the risk of torrential rain and storms starts to amp up. Rain and wind can result in:

• Wet surfaces
• Falling objects
• Unstable scaffolding structures
• Tougher, colder working conditions

It is therefore paramount that all wet surfaces are continuously marked, and procedures are put in place to protect workers (and the public below) from falling objects. This could be anything from netting and toe boards to shrink wrapping and barricades.

In addition, you should ensure that workers have the right PPE to protect them from the drop in temperature, such as hats and fleeced jackets (note that PPE should always remain hi-vis and hard hats must always be worn).

It is crucial that scaffolders are never put to work in dangerous or extreme circumstances; as we progress through Autumn, be sure to check the weather forecast every day and always be prepared to postpone work if it is the safest option.

Scaffolding hazard 2 – less sunlight.

Now the days are getting shorter, and our sunlight hours are dropping more and more. As such, we find ourselves working with very little light as the day progresses.

Unsurprisingly, this can restrict vision which can, in turn, put you at a higher risk of slips and accidents. Consequently, it is vital that scaffolding sites are properly lit and that warning signs are visible at all times to draw attention to hazards, even when it is dark.

Similarly, hi-vis jackets should be worn at all times when light is low and your scaffolding team should make a big effort to keep all materials out of walking pathways (to minimise trip hazards).

Scaffolding hazard 3 – brighter sunlight.

While this may seem like a contradiction, the sun is lower during Autumn which means that the amount of UV radiation that your eyes are exposed to dramatically increases. This not only can be a health hazard for your workers, but it can also have a drastic impact on visibility.

This can easily be solved with the right PPE; sunshine brims on hard hats, sunglasses and UV protective lenses will all help keep your staff safe from this bright, often piercing sunshine.

Scaffolding hazard 4 – wet leaves.

How many times have you stepped outside during Autumn only to nearly fall head over heels on a wet leaf?

It is, easily, the most irritating part of this beautiful season! And our scaffolding structures are no exception to their slippery tendencies.

Although you can’t stop leaves from falling, you can make sure your surfaces are swept clean of them.

Scaffolding hazard 5 – weathering of scaffolding

As well as the slipping risks, the impact on health and the weather mayhem, Autumn can also pose a big impact on the scaffolds themselves.

Reputable scaffolding companies should only use systems designed to withstand even the toughest of weather conditions… saying that, it’s crucial that you never rest on your laurels.

Up your safety inspection checks on your scaffolding as the weather takes a turn. It’s better to spend more time checking over every element of your systems than to face a nasty accident that could have been avoided.