The Necessity for Insurance and Scaffold Standards in Scaffolding Hire Services

January 29, 2016

Scaffolding work is a discipline that doesn't hide its hazardous nature. Even from outside the construction site, a bystander or two can look up and see what looks like a precarious working arrangement. Sure, every possible safeguard is in place, from guardrails to scaffold stabilization aids, but you can't escape the basic fact that someone is working at a dangerous height. The potential for a tragic accident does exist, no matter how minimized by safe working practices, and scaffolding hire services have a duty to prepare for this dire prospect.

When Safety-Centered Scaffold Erection Isn't Enough

Professional scaffolding hire services take great pride in getting the work done efficiently and the erected structure completed in a timely manner. The only part of the work that receives greater attention is the safety element. Scaffold standards (WHS Act) guide the safety-centric efforts and, in an ideal world, this alone would be enough to protect those who stand on the elevated platforms of the scaffold. Unfortunately, it's far from an ideal world. Accidents do happen. Freak conditions do disturb the balance of an exhausted labourer, and both situations do cause nasty falls. Culpability becomes the next question, with lawyers and local authorities looking to assign blame. Fortunately, if the scaffolding agency has stuck conscientiously to nationally legislated safety standards, then all should be well, but, yet again, life is seldom that simple.

Importance of Insurance Protection

Scaffolding hire services equip their company with an insurance policy as a matter of course. In fact, the provision of insurance paperwork is mandatory, so as to protect life and property. Imagine a national treasure, a building that's been standing for centuries. The time comes to maintain the structure and erect scaffolding. The scaffolding company becomes culpable, in no small part, for any damage done in this scenario. Human life is at risk from a fall, yes, and the condition of the building is also at risk, in danger of being damaged by falling tools or loose parts of the scaffolding, which only serves to underscore the importance of insurance, a planning for the worst mindset. Fall hazards cause serious injury (Sheehan) every year. A minefield of forms and emotion takes over during this period, which is why safety standards and a sound insurance policy is not just mandated but essential when dealing with the rigours of scaffolding work. 

The lawful document, in essence, is the legal framework that supports the at-height labour, a virtual supporting frame for ensuring the hire company is covered against virtually any incident. 

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