Working at height is one of the most dangerous activities on a job site. It remains the leading cause of fatal job injuries in the UK, with 29 workers suffering fatal injuries in 2019/20, with over half of these fatalities coming from the construction industry. There are approximately 151 known falls per day, and when they aren’t fatal, they can result in costly job absences to the employer and life-changing injuries to the employee.
Dangers and Importance of Training
Scaffolding is an area where neither employers nor workers should take any chances when it comes to safety. When not assembled or dismantled correctly by competent operators, scaffolding can collapse, paving the way for severe injury or loss of life.
Even in nonfatal situations, companies can be fined for not following working at height regulations. In November of 2020, a London based scaffolding company was fined £160,000 plus costs after a structure collapsed in April 2018. This past month, a construction company working in Redditch, Worcestershire, being routinely inspected was fined £48,000 plus costs.
That’s why it is so important that labourers who use scaffolding are given frequent, in-depth safety training so that they have the skills and knowledge to work safely with scaffolding and access equipment. Workers and employers must understand when scaffolding is necessary, which certified workers can put up and inspect scaffolding, and the legal requirements that must be in place to keep the job site safe.
Training Courses Available
There are a variety of relevant safety training courses all available through www.easybooktraining.co.uk. For those starting out in scaffolding, the CISRS Construction Operatives Training Course (COTS) is your gateway to learning how to work safely. This 1-day training course will provide the basics of scaffolding, from the terminology to transporting the equipment. You will learn how to prevent occupational injuries as you begin to work at height.
For managers and supervisors, a comprehensive course such as the CISRS Basic Scaffold Inspection Course is needed. This CISRS course builds on your understanding of scaffolding and gives you the confidence to inspect scaffold structures for safety. You will be trained to recognise potential hazards and complete relevant safety reports, keeping you compliant with Working at Height regulations.
For those assembling traditional tube and fitting scaffolding equipment, the CISRS Part 1 Scaffolder Tube and Fitting Course and the CISRS Part 2 Scaffolder Tube and Fitting Course will provide hands-on experience in a practical setting. Part 1 will take you through basic construction and give you the ability to make alterations, such as changing the lift height. Part 2 of the scaffold safety course, taken six months after Part 1, allows you to work with more complex structures, including splay and truss out scaffold.
If you need help booking work at height training courses for your employees, please do get in touch with us or speak to one of our specialists by phone.