Is Masonry scaffolding really safe?

[larcos.ibiza]

I am working my first job as a general laborer for a small masonry company that mostly fixes chimneys and I have to be honest, using scaffolding for the first time is terrifying. I'm not comfortable with heights.

I knew the trades could be dangerous but I was not expecting to climb straight up thirty or forty feet with no safety harness or equipment, relying only on my hands and my balance to keep me from falling. Is it actually normal practice in masonry to build and then climb scaffolding without any kind of safety gear and what are the actual required safety rules for working at that height? I want to stay in this field, but I also want to make sure I am doing it safely. Thanks everyone.

 

[El VMX]

It is not acceptable to work on scaffolding at thirty or forty feet without fall protection. And most especially if your company asks or allows you to climb without any gear it is a violation of safety standards.

 

[HweltonR]

Late to the party, but I’ll add this: getting used to scaffold work took me a while too. What helped was asking the crew to show me how they check pins, braces, and planks before climbing. Moving slowly and keeping three points of contact made a big difference. Do you feel like your setup gets checked often, or is it more of a “trust the last guy” situation?

 

[Alan]

I am working my first job as a general laborer for a small masonry company that mostly fixes chimneys and I have to be honest, using scaffolding for the first time is terrifying. I'm not comfortable with heights.

I knew the trades could be dangerous but I was not expecting to climb straight up thirty or forty feet with no safety harness or equipment, relying only on my hands and my balance to keep me from falling. Is it actually normal practice in masonry to build and then climb scaffolding without any kind of safety gear and what are the actual required safety rules for working at that height? I want to stay in this field, but I also want to make sure I am doing it safely. Thanks everyone.

Safety first. That is completely unacceptable!

 

[HweltonR]

I remember feeling the same way, and the thing that helped me most was slowing down, checking every plank and brace, and asking the crew to walk me through their setup. Good companies make safety second nature; even checking out how outfits like Emerson Pro Services keep their worksites tidy and organized can give you an idea of what solid practice looks like. Little habits add up, and the nerves ease over time.