Before hiring a scaffolder in Canterbury or anywhere in the UK, make sure their workforce has CITB training. The ideal scaffolder will also have full public liability insurance coverage and comply with all pertinent health and safety regulations. These are the steps that will ensure the scaffolding in Canterbury that you have arranged for your project site will be stable and safe for the public and the workers on site.
How To Select A Scaffolder?
Before partnering up with a company offering scaffolding in Canterbury, choose the one that has the following attributes.
CISRS And CITB Qualifications
A scaffolder is considered the best if they hold CISRS (Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme) certification. A CISRS certification proves that a scaffolder’s workforce has CITB (Construction Industry Training Board) approved training.
Sourcing scaffolding from a CISRS-certified scaffolder will ensure that temporary structures are erected on the project site only after careful load calculations. This, in turn, will ensure the scaffolding remains securely tied to the structure at the project site, even when the weather turns or it gets extremely windy on a particular workday.
Thorough Risk Assessments
A reliable scaffolding company conducts a comprehensive site survey before unloading scaffolding poles. The site survey conducted by a reliable scaffolding company helps ensure they are aware of potential hazards in and around the project site, such as unstable ground, proximity to public roads, or overhead power lines.
For the best results, source scaffolding from a company that provides physical copies of RAMS (Risk Assessment and Method Statements). This document outlines the steps the scaffolder will take to mitigate on-site hazards before the first scaffolding pole is set on the project site.
Regular Inspection Protocols
Safe scaffolding is that which is inspected regularly. That is not it. The inspection protocols should comply with British safety regulations. According to the regulations, a competent individual or team should inspect scaffolding installed at a project site every 7 days.
Additionally, the in-depth inspection should be carried out immediately after a severe storm or a windy day. Choose a scaffolding company that not only carries out inspections periodically but also provides handover certificates as part of their standard and bespoke service packages.
Safe Builds Begin With Safe Scaffolding
When choosing a scaffolder, do not prioritise the one offering the lowest quote. You have to remember that a project site will only be safe if the scaffolding used is safe as well.
Always source scaffolding from a scaffolder like Island Scaffolding that has comprehensive insurance, accredited qualifications, and has made transparent risk management a part of their flexible services. In this way, you can protect your budget, meet deadlines and keep people safe.
FAQs
What Qualifications Should A Professional UK Scaffolder Hold?
Source scaffolding only from UK scaffolders with valid CISRS cards, which prove their workforce has all received CITB training.
How Much Public Liability Insurance Should A Scaffolding Company Have?
It is best to source scaffolding from a company that has at least £5 million worth of public liability insurance coverage.
How Often Does A Scaffolding Structure Need To Be Safety Inspected?
It is best to get the scaffolding at your project site professionally inspected after every seven days and right after a severe weather event.
