Northern Ireland’s Health and Safety Executive has officially issued a warning in relation to dangerous, sub-standard scaffold boards.
Following a recent incident on a Belfast building site, concerns have been raised by Northern Ireland’s Health and Safety Executive (HSENI) at widespread use of dangerous, deadly and sub-standard scaffold boards in use throughout Northern Ireland.
It has been reported following numerous onsite visits that many of the scaffold boards in use on the surface look safe, stable and suffice. Upon closer inspection, reveal a much more dangerous picture.
Many of the scaffold boards that looked superficially sound, where in fact weakened and showing signs of rot.
[box type=”warning” align=”aligncenter” width=”1200″ ]A number of dangerous boards in widespread use are commonly known and referred to as “Grade A” Boards.[/box]
“Grade A” boards have NOT been graded to the industry required standard which is – BS2482:2009.
The HSENI recommends that’s ONLY boards manufactured to meet BS2482:2009 safety standard are acceptable, when working at height and putting lives at risk.
Scaffold boards can become compromised for a multitude of reasons, mainly due to; poor storage causing degradation, overloading, misuse and general damage from tools, machinery, equipment and cutting materials.
It was also outlined, all scaffold boards in use must be regularly inspected for damage, rot and defects.