Watch out! Scaffolding ahead

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Scaffolding collapses occur because of the number of companies who enter the business without proper certifications or training.

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Scaffolding is a very common construction component, one that should never be taken for granted. Accidents involving scaffolding are always in the news - but effective safety systems and stricter regulations can keep a check on them, says Shikha Mishra.

A scaffolding collapse is always bad news. What is an effective work platform can suddenly be transformed into a twisted mangle of steel and wood. A collapsing scaffold destroys equipment, buildings and in the worst case scenario, can be the cause of death on a construction site.

Scaffolding is used for access and support of buildings and for maintenance on construction sites. The most commonly used scaffolding brands are SCV, RMD, and Quickform.

"Since the copyright on scaffolding is not applicable anymore and does not lie with one company, these brands are now manufactured by companies which use the same design and manufacture scaffolding all over the world," says Al Futtaim Engineering's managing director, Dawood Ozair.

An important requirement in the scaffolding industry is a team that has the ability to design and build the scaffold scheme.

"Building scaffolding requires well-trained people because it is a safety sensitive business," says Ozair.

According to statistics released by Dubai Municipality earlier this year, out of the total number of accidents at construction sites, a considerable percentage occur due to negligence of safety practices.

For instance, falling from heights constituted 45% of the total 865 accidents from 2004 to 2007. Other types of accidents were: collapses at work sites (23%); accidents involving cranes and other machinery (14%); and fire and electrical shock (7%).

Scaffolding collapses occur in the UAE because of the number of small or medium-sized companies who enter the business without proper certifications or training.

There is also cut-throat competition, which can induce corner-cutting and the industry is populated by too many people with less than optimum experience.

"Such companies just register themselves, hire people and begin installing scaffoldings. They don't have a design and a safety office or team in place. It is very important that while installing scaffolding, it has to be designed and checked by qualified people," says Ozair.

Only a qualified design team is trained to do a wind load test on the scaffold, understand the pressure or load that will be applied on the scaffold, the direction it should be erected in, and how it should be anchored to the ground.

It is necessary that the government formulate regulations to monitor the scaffolding business closely.

Experts feel that as more regulations are falling into place within the construction industry, the same will happen with the scaffolding industry as well.

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