Weatherproofing Your Construction Site: Scaffold Safety

A hard hat, gloves and layers for warmth are only the start when prepping for construction site projects when the weather worsens. Scaffold clips are essential for weather protection when working on construction sites during all seasons. 
Prioritize scaffold safety and you’ll get the job done in full confidence. Scaffolds are that much safer and reliable with clips. Better yet, all-season clips are optimal. Use Deslauriers clips at your construction site and you’ll be prepped with the weather protection necessary for scaffold use in all seasons. 
Our scaffold clips help protect your construction team when the winds pick up, the rain starts falling and the temperatures dip down low. This is the temperature controlled work environment your crew needs to meet their full potential. 

No two scaffold clips are equal. Chose Deslauriers’ scaffold clip and you’ll find it firmly connects scaffolding to poly sheeting. The Deslauriers Clip L is the end result of hours of expert design and engineering. The clip breaks away from your construction site’s scaffold structure when high winds hit for security and protection. 
The end result is assurance that the scaffold won’t waver, crumble or act like a sail amidst high winds. The last thing you want is for your scaffold structure to topple over during a strong gust. 
Our industry-best scaffold clips are a standard 11” in length. These are affordable, fully reusable clips that save you both time and material. 
Our clips even feature internal ribbing to help grab ahold of poly sheeting. This is the strong and reliable connection your team needs to work with full confidence. 

Scaffold clips are only one piece of the construction site safety puzzle. Adhere to scaffolding safety guidelines and you’ll work safely without fear of weather-related injury. Scaffolding safety guidelines are especially important amidst harsh conditions including rain, wind, hail and sleet. 
Scaffolding stabilization requires more than clips. Stabilizing your worksite’s scaffolding also requires a solid base. Use sturdy and completely flat wood beneath your scaffold, ensuring the feet are firmly pressed against the ground. This approach guarantees the scaffolding does not sink down into the mud where it has the potential to become uneven. Uneven scaffolding ultimately tilts to one side, greatly increasing the potential for a tip and fall scenario. 
When in doubt, add more weight to keep the scaffold unit in place and prevent toppling. 

Do not let anyone use your site’s scaffolding until it is properly inspected. Ideally, professional inspectors will regularly analyze construction scaffolding. Such analysis is especially important immediately after the scaffolding is built. Moreover, scaffolding should also be inspected at the start of each workday. 
Installers are also advised to check scaffold materials prior to build, guaranteeing there is no damage or defects. Such defects or damage would ultimately reduce the structure’s integrity, putting construction workers in danger. 
If possible, use scaffolding containing components made by the same manufacturer so they fit properly. It is also in your interest for a qualified inspector to reference a scaffold safety checklist at the beginning of work shifts to guarantee the scaffold is secure and suitable for use. 
Scaffolds at your construction site should also be inspected prior to the start of work shifts. Moreover, if there is a severe weather event such as strong wind gusts, the scaffold should be inspected to guarantee structural integrity and safety. 
When inspecting the scaffold, be on the lookout for bends, cracks, rust and other signs of wear and tear. If there are loose connections, address them right away or replace the scaffold for peace of mind. Moreover, if there are missing parts, replace them for safe scaffold use. In particular, scaffold toe boards, guardrails and planks are critically important for worker safety.

If there is even a slight defect, remove the scaffold from service for repairs. When in doubt, prioritize safety over productivity.  

Your construction team needs and deserves in-depth scaffold safety training. Such training should be provided prior to the scaffold’s use. Provide your team with training and they’ll understand protocols for safe use. Such training identifies fall hazards, electrical hazards and more. 
Truly comprehensive training arms your team with the knowledge necessary to deal with the scenarios mentioned above. In addition to general scaffold use, employee training should also touch upon scaffold load capacity and material handling. 
A scaffold can hold only so much weight. A scaffold system that is properly rated to support a project load is essential for worker safety. Excessive weight leads to scaffold components breaking, cracking and possibly even collapsing. Such worst-case scenario events lead to painful injury or even death. 
If a fall occurs, injury will be less likely if a hard hat is worn. Hard hats also protect against falling objects. Scaffold users are also encouraged to don high-visibility vests and non-skid work boots for additional protection against potential hazards. 

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides a full list of standards and regulations for the construction industry. OSHA standards include the details necessary for scaffold safety. 
Review these regulations and standards with your construction team to minimize the chances of an accident. A thorough review will also help mitigate potential noncompliance liability. 

We invite you to explore our construction products including our industry-leading scaffold clips. You can also contact us by phone at 800-743-4106.