Navigating Edge Protection: Why Kwikstage Scaffolding Could Be Your Best Bet!
When working at heights over two meters, ensuring proper edge protection is critical for the safety of everyone involved. A question we frequently hear at Sunrise Scaffolding, a leading scaffolding company servicing the Geelong, Ballarat, and Bellarine Peninsula areas, is whether we install guardrails for edge protection. The short answer? No, we don't—but there’s more to it.
If you're specifically looking for a guardrail system, we can certainly assist in making that happen. We work closely with a reliable company that specialises in guardrails, and we're happy to coordinate that service for you to ensure a seamless experience. However, what we typically recommend, and what often exceeds our client's expectations, is using Kwikstage scaffolding for edge protection. This method, sometimes referred to as a scaffold platform or fall protection roof system, offers several advantages depending on your project.
Kwikstage vs Guardrails: The Better Option for Edge Protection
Guardrail systems typically screw into the eaves or fascia of a building. While this can be effective, it can also present some challenges. For instance, guardrails can obstruct the roofline, making it difficult to attend to some external works, such as the fascia, without removing the rails first. On the other hand, Kwikstage scaffolding as edge protection avoids this issue entirely, as it doesn’t connect to the building in the same way. Workers will be able to walk around the perimeter of the building freely, with easy access to the roof also.
There are scenarios where a guardrail system alone won’t be suitable. If the roof incline is more than 26 degrees, infill panels are required in addition to guardrails. If a roof incline exceeds 35 degrees, a guardrail system as the main safety control is not suitable. In these cases, a scaffold platform positioned at the roof’s edge is an effective solution.
Leaders of construction projects in the Geelong and Ballarat regions might prefer a guardrail system because it can be more cost-effective for short-term projects, like roof work that may only last a few days. Since scaffold hire often comes with a four-week minimum, guardrails might seem the better option. However, for longer projects, especially those involving additional external work like rendering or window replacement, Kwikstage scaffolding can be a more practical choice. In such cases, when we’ve provided quotes for both options, the scaffolding hire cost difference is usually minimal, and the pros of using Kwikstage scaffolding often outweigh the cons.
Compliance and Safety Considerations
It’s important to remember that the decision isn’t just about cost or convenience. The person in control of a construction project has a legal responsibility to ensure workers aren’t exposed to fall hazards, and that means following a proper risk management process. Cutting corners with a cheaper option could lead to non-compliance with safety regulations, resulting in serious injury or even death. The national standard mandates a process to identify fall hazards, assess risks, and control those risks. Whether you choose scaffolding or guardrail, it’s crucial that the provider adheres to the relevant compliance codes and occupational health and safety regulations. It’s not enough for the system to look safe—it needs to be safe, according to the law.
There are specific guidelines on everything from the height and distance between rails to the positioning of platforms. The requirements change depending on other factors, such as roof pitch.
The takeaway?
There are multiple options for edge protection, but it’s critical to choose the one that best suits your project and complies with all safety guidelines. For more detailed information, including a diagram of a scaffold platform similar to what we would build here at Sunrise Scaffolding, check out page 53, figure 23a of the compliance code. At Sunrise Scaffolding, we always go four handrails high, even though the diagram shows three. Stay safe and choose the right edge protection system for your project. If you need help deciding, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.