Do you make considerable efforts, ensuring safety in sign installation? Here are a few things to keep in mind.
Of all construction operations, sign installation is by far the most technical one. Signs are usually installed on storefronts, and places that are adjacent to highways and streets. Because signs are placed considerably higher from the ground, the installers put themselves in a lot of risks. As important as the visibility of the sign is, maximum safety should be observed when installing these signs. Therefore, sign companies invest in specialized safety equipment to keep their personnel safe. The availability of equipment such as ladders and scaffolds depends upon the company’s size, as well as its resources.
Drawbacks of Freestanding Scaffolds and Ladders
Scaffolds and ladders may suffice if you are installing signs that are smaller and lightweight. However, it is vital not to ignore the limitations of such equipment. The purpose of ladders, scaffold and similar equipment is to position the workers as they install signage. This equipment doesn’t necessarily hold or provide support to the signs being installed. Therefore, the range of operations this equipment can perform is pretty limited. Usually, a freestanding scaffold or ladder isn’t suitable for tasks that involve heavy lifting, pulling or pushing.
For your awareness, we would like to share a real-life accident that happened, a couple of years back. Few sign installation workers were trying to install a big and hefty sign. They were standing on top of a 40 feet tall, free-standing scaffold, and were holding the sing by their hands when a double dose of disaster struck. Just when they were about to place the sign, a strong wind blew. As a result, all of them fell to the ground, and one of them died on the spot, leaving the rest, badly injured. This and other similar incidents show that ladders and freestanding scaffolds aren’t the best equipment for the job.
Keeping such incidents in view, sign installation companies have given up using the freestanding support system. Instead, they are now transitioning to crane-mounted platforms. Such equipment can be controlled by the worker and provides almost the same level of safety as if one is standing on the ground. Not only does it ensure safety, but it also enhances productivity.
Going Up
Now that we have discussed the drawbacks of freestanding scaffolds, let’s move forward. For bigger projects, cranes do not suffice, and other arrangements need to be made. For example, for higher installation projects, suspended work platforms, and construction cranes are used. Such equipment is good with protective gear, but otherwise, it has certain drawbacks, which are as follows.
- The workers need to communicate with the crane operator at all times.
- Lifting, pushing and pulling of the signs will swing the structure automatically.
- It consumes more time.
- The constant movement of the structure may damage the sign that doesn’t come cheap either.
In some cases, the largest structures are insufficient for higher buildings. In such situations, swing stages are used. These structures are worker-controlled and remain suspended from the roof of the building. To ensure safety, rappelling is deployed in such installation projects.
If you want your sign installation project to be safe and secure, seek help from a professional sign manufacturing company and installation company in San Diego, CA.
