Scaffolding online
Employees who are to install or use scaffoldings, risk being left literally on the ground if they do not meet given training requirements. The Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority may decide to stop projects where scaffolding has not been installed in accordance with regulations or a lack of competence is discovered among employees. It can also be a very costly affair. So how do you get control of and increase the skills of those who will be working at height?
Norway has strict safety requirements when it comes to scaffolding and training requirements for those who will work at height. The reason is simple: Fall accidents are the type of accident that leads to the most serious injuries and deaths in the construction industry. The strict requirements for work at height have been prepared by the authorities and help companies stay focused on safety work and avoid risks.
– Our goal is to help provide effective online training for those who will work at height, as well as simplify course administration for our customers. We will be a partner with control over course and competence requirements, regulations and guidelines. The customer can thus focus on their core business – and we on ours, says Maria Ringnes, course manager for Instant Norge AS.
Qualification requirements?
-The current rules mean that everyone who is to build or use scaffolding over 2 meters must have documented training. The rules are particularly important for everyone who works with scaffolding, says Ringnes.
Previously, there was only a requirement for documented training for installation of scaffolding with a height of 5 meters or more. This has now been sharpened by the introduction of requirements for documented training for scaffolding installation from 2 meters platform height. In addition, the requirements for training are divided into three classes. Below is a brief introduction to the rules for training scaffolding fitters and scaffolding users.
Scaffolding height 2-5 m: To install scaffolding from 2 -5m, it is a requirement that you have documented training with at least 7.5 hours of theory + 7.5 hours of practical exercise.
Scaffolding height 5-9 m: In order to install scaffolding from 5-9 m, it is a requirement that you have documented training consisting of at least 15 hours of theory + 15 hours of practical exercise.
All scaffolding heights (Scaffolding fitter): In order to install all scaffolding, including those over 9 m, it is a requirement that you have documented training with 36 hours of theory + 72 hours of practical training + 6 months of practice. Those who install scaffolding that does not follow the standard installation in the supplier’s installation instructions must also have such documented training, regardless of the scaffolding height.
Scaffolding users: The current rules also set requirements for those who use scaffolding as a work platform to perform work at height.
Read more about Instant Norway’s course offers here.
Challenges on the construction site
The Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority’s statistics on occupational accidents with serious injuries show that falls are the type of accident that leads to the most injuries and deaths in the construction industry. Most accidents can be avoided by a thorough risk assessment and implementation of specific measures and control of scaffolding in use. Training and the right skills are also crucial.
Typical shortcomings of scaffolding are:
- lack of scaffolding or lack of fall protection
- missing railings and end railings
- poor foundation or anchoring of scaffolding
- defective finish against ceiling.
- various deficiencies at the scaffolding, such as missing baseboards, bracing etc.
- temporary work platforms that are not in line with the regulations
- unsecured holes, elevator shafts or stairwells (no railings or limbs)
Lack of communication in the construction industry can also pose a significant security risk. Especially when there are many foreign workers and companies engaged.
-Employees from different countries may not master each other’s languages and may not know each other’s cultures. Then it becomes especially important that safety training is given in a language the employees understand, says Ringnes.
Instant Norway has focused on language challenges in the industry and therefore offers most online course modules in several languages such as Norwegian, English, Polish, Lithuanian and Estonian.
The regulations have no direct requirements for Norwegian language skills, but training must be provided in a language the recipient understands. This means that many course participants who need important training can get this in their mother tongue via the course portal instantkurs.no.
Instant Norge AS offers a wide range of online courses for the construction industry available at instantkurs.no – including scaffolding courses that meet the regulatory requirements for installation and use of scaffolding. Instant also offers training for the use of lifts, fall protection equipment, hot work, lifting equipment, dangerous tools etc.
Instant Norway is one of the country’s leading suppliers of scaffolding, lifts, material handling and online training. Do you have questions or need advice? Do not hesitate to contact. Read more about Instant Norway and their products and serviceshere.
