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 of 36th Annual ARCOM Conference, 7-8 September 2020, Online Event, UK.
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.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | health and safety, Ireland, kwikstage, scaffolding, UK. |
| Index terms: | scaffolding, construction site, literature review, survey, inspection, interview, health and safety, safety standards, safety training, construction industry, construction operative, foundations, operative, Ireland, well-being, construction project, questionnaire, temporary work |
| Subjects: | operations management, work location, data analysis and analytics, mental health and wellbeing, data collection methods, practitioner, occupational health and safety management, quality assurance, industry analysis, structural engineering, Geography, health safety and environment, production management |
| Topics: | Roles and Professions, Health and Safety, Engineering Principles, Research Practice, Geographical Context, Project Management, Site Management, Quality Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here