Workplace Safety and Health Practice in Building Industry

Workplace Safety and Health Practice in Building Industry 1
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH PRACTICE IN BUILDING INDUSTRY
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Workplace Safety and Health Practice in Building Industry 2
Workplace Safety and Health Practice in Building Industry
Question 1
Primarily, scaffolds are defined as temporary structures used to support materials and
workers to aid in the construction, repair and maintenance of bridges, buildings, and other
manmade structures. To this end, they are extensively utilized in workplaces such as shipyards
and construction sites. Their use, however, can pose safety risks to personnel with reports
indicating that 13 percent of the accidents which occurred in construction sites from 2002 to
2005 are attributed to scaffolds. Likewise, 21 percent of accidents occurring in shipyards were
attributed to scaffolding (Chok, 2009). Such accidents, nevertheless, can be averted with the
compliance to the Factories (Scaffolding) regulations and requirements as well as the relevant
work safety procedures on site.
The Factories Regulations provides several types of scaffold use as stated below. First,
timber scaffolds should not be used in shipyards and when in use in construction sites they
should not exceed 15 meters in height. When in use in construction sites, metal and timber
scaffolds must be enveloped in a screening net or overlay with the exception of tower scaffold. A
tower scaffold should only be used on a firm ground with locking devices safely attached to
castors in order to hold it in position. Modular or frame scaffolds should not be used as a means
of egress or access by any individual in the workplace (Chan, Wong, Chan, Yam, Kwok, Lam,
and Cheung, 2008). Lastly, hanging scaffolds are suitable for use in shipyards. For safe use, the
hanging scaffold must be securely anchored to the relevant part of the ship to prevent sway or
any other lateral movement. In my opinion, the regulation on scaffold use is good and effective
in the prevention of accidents in workplaces. This is because the regulation clearly outlines best

Workplace Safety and Health Practice in Building Industry 3
practices in regards to the use of scaffolds. Therefore, employers and employees should adhere to
these regulations.
Question 2
A hierarchy or risk controls
The diagram above illustrates the hierarchy of controls for personnel working with scaffolds in
the workplace. The inverted pyramid denotes the order of controls from the most effective that is
elimination, to the least effective which is personal protective equipment (Berg, 2010).
 Elimination encourages employers to eliminate the need to work at heights that pose
safety risks to workers.
 Substitution refers to the use of fall prevention systems in the workplace such as
scaffolds, aerial work platforms, and mast work climbing platform. These systems
should be installed with the aid of a professional (Berg, 2010).
 Engineering controls refers to structural aids such as guardrails and barriers while
working at heights as prevention against falls.