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Dempsey, H, Curran, M and Spillane, J P (2020) Scaffolding Safety in the UK and Ireland: A Framework to Improve Health and Safety Neglect on Small and Medium-sized Construction Projects. In: Scott, L and Neilson, C J (Eds.), Proceedings 36th Annual ARCOM Conference, 7-8 September 2020, UK, Association of Researchers in Construction Management, 406-415.
- Type: Conference Proceedings
- Keywords: Health and Safety, Ireland, Kwikstage, Scaffolding, UK.
- ISBN/ISSN: 978-0-9955463-3-2
- URL: http://www.arcom.ac.uk/-docs/proceedings/c615177c5860bf8e84dc7fc3f82e38f8.pdf
- Abstract:
The health, safety and well-being of construction operatives is a fundamental aspect of the construction industry, and safety standards have improved greatly with the introduction of safety training initiatives and welfare facilities on-site. However, one area that often tends to be neglected is scaffolding safety, particularly on smaller construction sites. Scaffolding is used to enable construction operatives to work from a height, and if incorrectly erected, altered or dismantled, can cause dangerous consequences. Therefore, this study aims to analyse current scaffolding safety systems in the UK and Ireland, identify any differences between the two, investigate current neglect of scaffold safety, if any, and finally, create a framework to encourage operatives to be more aware of the dangers of working with scaffolding on construction sites. Data for the research is accumulated using a mixed-method approach. A detailed literature review and pilot study provided foundations for the research to lead to both qualitative and quantitative approaches respectfully, using a combination of interviews and questionnaire surveys. Results were analysed consistently to ensure comparability, linking key phrases and topics from each method of research undertaken. Findings identified that scaffolding safety is neglected more-so by SME's based on smaller-scaled construction sites, who tend not to sub-contract scaffolding temporary works. This research led to the creation of a new ‘INSPECT’ framework, designed to be displayed at scaffolding access and egress points, along with the development of a ‘traffic light system’ for the inspection of erected scaffolding. The INSPECT framework, developed using key words from the research undertaken, is an acronym for Inspect, Neat, Secure, PPE, Entry, Caution and Trips. Overall, the key contribution of this work is the development of a framework, using key information to display to construction operatives on site, to improve their overall health, safety and well-being on-site when entering a scaffolding structure.