Scaffolding is an important tool for construction and maintenance workers, but it can be dangerous if not used correctly. It’s important to understand how to stay safe while working on scaffolding. Safety is a top priority for everyone who works on scaffolding. Even though you’re usually working high above ground, it’s important to remember that your safety is in your hands.
One of the most common questions we hear regarding scaffolding safety is can you work on scaffolding in the rain? The short answer is yes, you can work on scaffolding in the rain, otherwise we as a nation would never get any projects that require scaffolding complete! However, there are a few important steps you should take to ensure all health and safety measures are followed. This means erecting your scaffolding on concrete or hard surfaces and not on grass or dirt that can become boggy in wet weather as this can cause the scaffolding to sink or tilt.
Here at Beacon Scaffolding, our team are experts when it comes to supplying high quality scaffolding and scaffolding hire, and we have worked in everything the Great British weather can throw at us. Raining while you’re on scaffolding can pose a lot of problems, especially if you’re working at extreme height or you combine heavy rain with strong winds. Some important health and safety tips that will help you stay safe during these rainy days include:
Correct Tools & Proper Clothing
Make sure you have the right tools before starting a job. Don’t use a tool that is too heavy or inappropriate for your job, as this could cause injury or damage to the scaffolding. If you’re working outside, make sure to wear clothing that protects you from the elements and any possible falls.
If you are a team leader, you should always ensure your workers personal protective equipment is well maintained and up to date with current regulations, but this is especially important in cold or wet conditions as the weather provides an additional hazard.
To keep yourself, your crew, and the general public safe, you should always wear protective headgear and steel-toed boots if possible. In the rain, we recommend also investing in high quality waterproof clothing, such as jackets and trousers, and some decent eye protection to prevent water interfering with vision. This clothing should fit properly so that it doesn’t get caught on any parts of the scaffolding during your workday, and workers should be taught how to spot potential hazards with their clothing, which could include:
- Frayed ends that could get caught on scaffolding or tools.
- Damaged helmets or hard-hats.
- Loose fastenings in jackets or trousers.
- Footwear that doesn’t fit or don’t tie properly.
Making sure your crew can maintain their own clothing is vital not only for safety, but also for cost purposes. Protective gear that is looked after and mended saves money on replacements, which can be costly when purchasing industry standard items of clothing.
Rain Gear & Harnesses
In the UK, it’s never guaranteed whether rain will strike or not. A day that starts off beautifully warm and sunny can still lead to a downpour later in the day. This is why it’s important to ensure that you keep clothing suitable for rainy days that is kept close by, such as in a personal locker or vehicle. This can include waterproof jackets and shoes with stronger grips or anti-slip capabilities. While it may not always be possible, we recommend workers have at least two sets of clothing designed for the rain, one in their vehicle, and one in their storage space while on site. This guarantees that you and your crew will be prepared for the inevitable rain at all times.
If a worker has been injured while working on scaffolding, there is a good chance that they did not have a safety harness on them when they fell. Many times, even if they did have one tethered around them, the cord was not strong enough to hold them up if they slipped off of their footing or tripped over something while walking down stairs or ladders. While we don’t recommend deploying a large, bulky harness that could cause problems with space or fittings. Due to the nature of scaffolding, many construction workers opt to use an adjustable cable fitted to a carbina that can be attached to the scaffolding, allowing them to move easily and safely while working at height or in wet and slippery conditions.
Appropriate Protection
Wear goggles or safety glasses if there are any dangers around; for example, if there are chemicals or dust particles in the air which may pose a hazard to your eyesight when in contact with them for a prolonged period of time. Similarly, rain water can interfere with vision from it running into exposed eyes, which can be particularly challenging in heavy rainfall and, while hard-hats and helmets may provide some cover, making sure your vision is unobstructed when working in the rain at height is essential for staying safe and well.
For additional eye protection, you can implement a visor to sit above protective goggles to prevent rain water and body heat from fogging on both the inside and outside of the goggles, though it isn’t a necessity.
Wear waterproof boots and gloves. If you have to go up or down a ladder in the rain, use an umbrella to protect yourself from the elements and make sure that your footwear is completely dry before climbing onto a scaffold. Always use waterproof gloves when handling tools or materials that might become damaged by water exposure. Not only are these items important for keeping workers safe, dry, and secure in the rain, but also means that expensive tools, equipment, and materials used during construction will be kept in good condition and save money on replacements.
Be Mindful of Ladder Safety
Check all ladders before use by making sure that all rungs are secure. Also check the ropes that connect the ladder to other items such as poles or walls so that they do not come undone unexpectedly while someone is climbing up or down them. When working in the rain or in freezing conditions, double check that these ties are tight and won’t slip. Wet weather can make them more prone to sliding out of position or coming loose due to the added pressure of falling water.
Don’t climb up or down high ladders if it’s raining heavily or if there’s lightning in the area. If you have to climb up high ladders when it’s raining, make sure that someone else is there with a safety line attached to them in case they lose their footing or slip off a rung on the ladder while climbing up or down. Additionally, if there is lightning or a storm forecast for the day, avoid standing on metal structures. Workers can be protected with rubber-soled shoes and rubber based gloves to prevent shocks from built up static electricity on the scaffolding structure.
Make sure that there is nothing blocking the ladder so that it does not slip when someone climbs up or down it, especially if they are carrying heavy items like tools or supplies up with them. If possible, place a non-slip mat at the bottom of each step for added safety and comfort for those who will be climbing up and down regularly during their shift at work.
Take Care on Slippery Boards
Most scaffolding boards are made from wood or metal, both of which become very slippery when exposed to wet conditions. Lower levels of scaffolding may remain dry during lighter rainfall, but higher tiers are more likely to experience water build up, leading to puddles that can become even more of a slipping hazard.
If you’re working on some of the lower levels of scaffolding, you can make sure yourself and other workers are kept safe by wiping down wet patches with a dry cloth and wearing shoes that offer a good grip even in damp conditions. For higher levels, being exposed to rainfall for a longer period of time can result in the surface becoming too slippery to work on. The time this takes to happen can vary depending on a number of factors, including the material of the scaffolding board used, the temperature outdoors, and how heavy the rainfall is. You may be able to continue working even in torrential conditions for five or six hours, or the boards could become too slippery after as little as two hours.
To extend the amount of time you can work on wet scaffolding, you can turn the boards at least once. The underside of the boards are unlikely to get wet during rainfall unless the wind is pushing the water below, so there should be sufficient grip for workers to keep on track with construction projects. If the rain stops, it may be possible to flip the boards a second time if they have dried out enough on the underside, however if this isn’t an option, you will have to pause work for the day and resume when conditions improve and worker and public safety can be guaranteed.
Follow General Health and Safety Guidelines
Electric shocks from electrical equipment are another common reason for injuries involving scaffolding in the rain. If you’re using an extension cord for power tools in the rain, make sure that its ground wire is connected properly so it doesn’t conduct electricity through water down its length into your body. Additionally, watch out for frayed wires or damaged insulation because these can provide pathways for electricity. Outlets can be protected using rubber or plastic coverings to prevent water from getting inside and creating a hazard.
Working with electricity has its own safety regulations and our team at Beacon Scaffolding recommend researching all current rules and regulations about working with electrical tools in wet or cold environments before undertaking a project. It’s also important to educate all workers on these safety regulations and make them aware of steps they can take to keep themselves safe in the rain.
Some other general scaffolding health and safety rules and regulations you need to be aware of include:
Scaffolding use always requires caution and mindfulness, regardless of the weather. Some basic rules of scaffolding that you should know before beginning your project are:
Weather Awareness: Monitor weather conditions throughout the day and be mindful of forecasts before erecting, using, or dismantling scaffolding. If conditions become too dangerous to work in, pause the project until such a time that it can be resumed.
Worker Breaks: Make sure employees and coworkers are having regular breaks during their shift and are eating and drinking enough while working. Even in cold or wet conditions, it’s easy to become dehydrated from exertion while working on a project.
Appropriate Contact: Workers should ensure that they are making three points of contact on the scaffolding at all times, especially when working at height. This reduces the risk of injury should a slip or fall occur.
Protective Barriers: Handrails and guardrails should always be implemented and used by workers while on scaffolding. These are designed to aid with both keeping three points of contact and with harness attachments to keep workers, and the general public, safe.
Proper Use: Only use scaffolding for its intended purpose. Scaffolding is designed to create a structure for working on projects, and is typically created for individual projects. Therefore, it should not be used for other reasons.
Inspect Throughout: Frequently check the condition and stability of scaffolding throughout the duration of the construction project. It could be damaged by weather, but also unintentionally by the public or workers.
Use Trusted Sources: If you’re hiring or purchasing scaffolding, make sure it comes from a reputable scaffolding company to guarantee quality. High quality, industry standard scaffolding is much safer than substandard but cheaper options.
Proper Training: Ensure all workers are properly trained to work on scaffolding and understand the health and safety guidelines in place. For training, safety inspections, and installation, ensure you consult a professional scaffolding company.
Terrain and Weight: Make sure scaffolding is erected on even terrain like concrete that won’t become soft or shift in poor weather conditions. Be aware of weight limits and consider workers as well as the equipment they use when making these calculations.
Inspect Scaffolding After Rain
Scaffolding is designed to be worked on in all weather conditions, however, heavy rainfall, strong winds, or storms can pick up debris or loosen attachments that can cause damage to the overall structure. Before continuing a project after adverse weather, make sure that all scaffolding is still up to health and safety regulations. It’s fairly easy and inexpensive to replace individual scaffolding boards or pipes and its rare to require new scaffolding to be erected, especially if you get high quality, industry standard scaffolding from our team at Beacon Scaffolding!
To inspect your scaffolding, check for dents, nicks, or deep scratches that could potentially impact the structural integrity of your scaffolding. Additionally, look for weak spots or separation from the project that is being worked on. If you aren’t sure if some damages will lead to hazards, it may be worth hiring a reputable scaffolding inspector to perform a thorough safety check before work resumes.
For more information, contact Beacon Scaffolding today!
If you want to know more about keeping yourself or your crew safe when using scaffolding in the rain and would like some more safety advice, please feel free to contact our team at Beacon Scaffolding today! Alternatively, if you’re looking for scaffolding for use on a construction project, we provide domestic, commercial, and specialist scaffolding to our clients in London, Fulham, Romford, and the surrounding areas. Get in touch to find out more!