Health & safety bulletin
Lifting scaffolding poles
7th February 2005
A recent incident occurred on a client’s site where 35 scaffold poles 21ft long dropped 16m to the ground.
This was the result of the load being incorrectly slung with lifting chains by an unqualified person working under the direction of a banksman.
The photographs below show the correct method of lifting scaffold poles and boards - use double wrapped webbing slings, and the slinging of the load must only to be carried out by a competent trained person. The slinging of scaffold materials with chains is not permitted.
When loads are being slung on any Xmo Strata sites all staff have a duty to ensure that all works are carried out in a safe manner. All lead installers have been on slingers / banksman courses and know the correct method to sling MID signs; all other slinging should be done by a nominated competent person (e.g. a CITB approved scaffolder) in accordance with the method statement.
As part of the company’s commitment to achieving an Incident and Injury Free working environment, Xmo Strata would like to remind and encourage all employees and sub contractors to address any perceived unsafe practice such as this incident with the person involved.