Watch Out For Free Runners On Your Scaffolding Towers

Watch Out For Free Runners On Your Scaffolding Towers

You’d like to think that people would be wise enough to steer well clear of building sites and dangerous scaffolding, but it seems that perhaps some aren’t as clever as you might well assume.

According to the Liverpool Echo, a group of free runners in Liverpool have been using scaffolding to train and practice their hobbies, with friends filming them as they leap from building to building. Police were apparently called out at the end of December to 60 Old Hall Street (formerly Ralli House) in the city, which is being redeveloped by Signature Living – and as such, covered in scaffolding.

The group in question were spoken to by the police and fire crews, but no further action was taken. One of their spokesman was quoted by the news source as saying: “We chose this building for training because of the view. We were going to spend a little longer up there but came down when told to by police.”

Part of your job when it comes to erecting scaffolding and embarking on a construction job is to protect members of the general public, particularly when there’s no one official on site. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 requires employers and self-employed people to take reasonably practicable steps to protect the health and safety of those not in their employment, like members of the public.

You also need to plan, provide and maintain appropriate perimeters and barriers wherever necessary to separate the public from the work in question. You need to consider issues like risks created outside the site perimeter, such as unloading materials from lorries, as well as specific risk areas inside the site itself, such as around deep excavations.

The risk assessment you carry out should decide how to define these perimeters, what type of perimeter will be required to protect the public, and where it needs to be placed. Factors to bear in mind include the type of construction work, the population density of the local area, who will need to visit the site during work, site characteristics and whether or not the site will attract children.

In terms of security measures, you may deem it necessary to consider the use of extra steps like razor or barbed wire. If so, warning signs need to be in place so people know it’s there and can avoid accidental contact with it. Other deterrents include CCTV and infrared systems, as well as security guards.

Because security guards often work alone, you need to provide information about the site risks to their employer, ensure there is safe access, a well-lit route and clear information for the guards themselves, including any changes you may make to the site in future. For further help and advice relating to site security, you may also be wise to get in touch with the local police crime prevention officer.

To find out more about scaffolding construction, get in touch with us today.

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