This is the third and final part of Telinethurstai's series of blog posts. Tapio Jääskeläinen of the Construction Association and Eero Honka of the Finnish Work Safety Center have recalled the theme day's long shared history in the construction industry in their own blogs about scaffolding.
In previous years, spring was clearly the time to look for scaffolding in construction, when, for example, facade repairs were started in abundance after winter. The increase in the use of weather protection and covering racks has leveled this peak, but spring is still a good time to raise rack things. Not only the dangers and disadvantages related to their construction and use, but also positive things: well-functioning scaffolding creates good ergonomic working conditions, not to mention increased safety.
Scaffolding safety is a particularly topical issue in construction this spring, because the Accident Investigation Center issued safety recommendations in the winter due to the collapse of Espoo's scaffolding bridge last summer.
The scaffolding industry, like many other things in construction, has changed significantly over the past couple of decades. Many basic facts, such as the fact that the scaffolding goes much higher than the ground level and the fact that you cannot pile any materials on the scaffolding without limit, still affect the safety aspects of the scaffolding.
One theme day does not make the summer of scaffolding safety, but the theme day and its accompanying events are an excellent opportunity to increase safety awareness about scaffolding and working at heights.
Awareness of the dangers of work and the work environment is at the heart of the matter when thinking about how to know and be able to anticipate challenges at the organizational, construction site, and individual level as well. For those who are already familiar with things, the theme day offers a good opportunity to strengthen awareness.
Around Telinethursday, Rakennusteollisuus RT together with Rakennusliitto and the Finnish Work Safety Center have put together more than just the theme day itself. In February, the Safely scaffolding guide was published, the purpose of which is to guide those who need scaffolding in what kind of blocks are used to create good, safe and suitable scaffolding. In March, we distributed the safety discussion and guarding materials compiled by the collective body, which can be used to hold information or joint talks about an important issue in companies and on construction sites.
Topping it all off is the Scaffold Thursday theme day on April 18.4, when companies focus on scaffolding. The authorities that supervise occupational health and safety regionally, more familiarly AVIs, participate by orienting their supervision to the theme of the day.
Henri Litmanen
Specialist, occupational safety
henri.litmanen@rt.fi + 358 50 576 5988Talonrakennusteollisuus ry, Uusimaa
Write a comment