It’s cold, windy, dark and rainy: welcome to Winter! Here are the top scaffolding risks to look out for in the Winter season. 

Let’s face it; this is going to be the longest Winter since Game of Thrones. But, that doesn’t mean we can’t approach it in a safe, consistent way; that’s why we need to adjust our work practices to accomodate scaffolding risks in Winter.

Every season, we experience new hazards as scaffolders. Autumn is fraught with wet leaves and brighter (but less) sunlight, while Summer can bring with it heatstroke, dehydration and even explosions.

They key is preparation. Here we highlight the simple steps you can take to prepare and protect your team from seasonal scaffolding hazards.

The main scaffolding risks in Winter are slipping and falling and the repercussions of bad weather.

A report from HSE shows that almost half of scaffolding accidents are falls from height. The shorter, darker days – as well as the increase in rain and wind during winter – means that there is a higher chance of these accidents occurring. That’s why it’s important to take the necessary steps to minimise these very serious scaffolding hazards.

1 – Monitor the weather.

It may sound like an obvious one, but it’s crucial to monitor the weather on a regular basis.

Heavy rain and wind can result in:

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

You should mark all wet surfaces, and put procedures in place to protect workers (and the people below) from falling objects. This could be anything from netting and toe boards to shrink wrapping and barricades.

In addition, make sure that workers are equipped with 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).

Your scaffolders should never be expected to work in dangerous or extreme circumstances; remember that sometimes postponing a job will be the safest option.

2 – Take regular breaks.

We all know that the icy, Winter months make us want to hibernate. Your scaffolders are no different.

Add in a few extra breaks. This will not only increase their overall productivity, but it will also support their health.

3 – Increase your health and safety checks.

In addition to the slipping risks and the health repercussions, Winter 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. Plus, you can use this time to give surfaces a wipe down for any excess mud, snow or sleet.

4 – Be as visible as possible.

For the construction industry, winter working also means working for long periods without sufficient natural light. This can present a major risk to your scaffolders.

5 – Add in extra safety precautions.

Since Winter creates an undoubtedly riskier for scaffolders, bring in extra safety precautions to ensure the potential for hazards is as small as possible. This could include:

• Increasing health and safety staff training
• Giving staff harnesses to wear on site
• Installing anti-slip boards
• Checking that your workers’ footwear is suitable for the change in weather

We hope that this guide is a helpful introduction into the ways in which you can protect your staff – and the public – from scaffolding risks in Winter.