Intro
The important thing to remember when answering the question if scaffolding is needed is to remember that the regulations for working at height is definitely not clear cut, and always come down to conducting a sufficient risk assessment for your working at height project. So in this article, Hausbots will try to help you understand the guidelines better to make decisions.
When Scaffolding is Needed
The very short answer is: when a risk assessment outlines it is necessary!
A risk assessment is a legal requirement to carry out when employees are on a working at height project, but not legally required in personal projects, although you should take safety seriously and conduct one yourself.
Examples where scaffolding might be specified:
- The job requires more than 30 minutes of work at a height at a time. Work at height is generally defined as anywork where a fall could cause injury.
- The job requires some overstretched working (ie, leaning off a ladder or stepladder).
- Lots of moving around at height is required.
- Poor or unpredictable weather conditions.
Scaffolding Benefits
Scaffolding has some major benefits including:
- Versatility. Lots of types of projects and buildings can use scaffolding
- Safety. If appropriately designed and used it can be one of the safer methods to access a height.
Scaffolding Negatives
Equally, and as with anything, there are some negatives to consider with your scaffolding project for working at height:
- Cost. Scaffolding is one of, if not the most expensive option to set yourself up on a work at height project. Average costings can be found here, but on average to scaffold a 2 story semi detached house will be c. £1,500-2,000
- Disruption and licenses. The scaffolding can represent disruption in the form of ‘getting in the way’ or even just an eyesore, and don’t forget if the scaffolding needs to be erected on a public right of way licenses and permits will need to be obtained.
- Time. It’s not a quick endeavour to set up and take down the scaffolding, so if you need a job done quickly, this may not be the most time efficient way for you.
- Insurance. And finally, being careful on who is responsible for health and safety and liability and job insurances is imperative.
HausBots Solution
At HausBots, we use technology to protect and maintain the built environment.
Another solution that you may wish to consider in a work at height project is novel wall climbing robot technologies.
HausBots have developed a series of attachments for the patent pending system.
The use cases we specialise in are:
- Exterior protective paints for residential, such as Stormdry
- Commercial and warehouse painting
- Commercial exterior painting
- External building works
- Inspection of buildings
- Inspection of industrial assets, silos, power plants
- Cleaning (solar panels, windows)
- Monitoring large structures (bridges,
concrete dams,)
We service all clients including:
- Housing association and councils
- Block managers and property managers
- Homeowners
- Subcontract to professional painting contractors
- Infrastructure owners
- Engineering surveyors and consultants
- Insurance surveys
Conclusion
To conclude, when assessing your options for a working at height project, consider involving a professional firm who can risk assess the situation properly and offer solutions.
Please do get in touch with photos of your project to see if HausBots can use robotics in your next work at height project to info@hausbots.com