Equipment tagging: keeping on top of the elements

14 Dec 2015

UK weather patterns are infamously difficult to predict. As flooding, storms and erratic weather conditions becoming increasingly more common, it’s even more important that companies with sites outdoors are on top of their on-site equipment checks.

Prevention is always better than repair from a financial, operations and employee wellbeing perspective. Contractors and employees responsible for on-site safety are being encouraged to increase the frequency of their equipment checks to ensure the working environment is not compromised by storms, floods, frost or fog.

One way to resolve this is a simple daily spot check and the adoption of an Equipment Tagging System to display which equipment is unsafe or inoperable.

Things to consider

The weather affects different equipment in different ways. With years of experience developing solutions for various types of equipment, Scafftag has seen the effects of weather changing conditions and has compiled a list of warnings to consider:

General – Scaffolding needs to be inspected on a weekly basis. In the event of adverse weather it should be checked every day whilst the weather persists.
Rain – Can destabilise the ground structure and increase the threat of toppling mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) or vehicles.
High winds – Can change the physical structure of equipment. Fall protection netting acts like a windbreak which can effect temporary roofs and destabilise ladders. Wins can also put a strain on cradle hoisting mechanisms, cranes and mast climbers.
Snow – Scaffolding loading classification can be altered by falling snow.
Cold temperatures – Increase potential for slips, whilst a freeze can effect loading ability of scaffolding.
Lightening – Cranes and mast climbers are most susceptible to being struck.
Sun – Heat can crack and destabilise floor surface posing a risk to structures.

One-to-one sessions

Scafftag offer one-to-one sessions to help map out company’s current equipment management processes and identify any issues.

The sessions will provide the tools to help meet compliance requirements and legal responsibilities; with examples available to view from its database of thousand of bespoke Tagging System designs.

Enquire about a session today

Scafftag House
Wimborne Road
Barry
Vale of Glamorgan
UK
CF63 3DH

0845 089 4060

Visit Scafftag's website