The various knots, tyings, marryings, &c., should be carefully watched, as, if used in a damp condition, the cordage relaxes considerably when drying. The scaffolder should have instructions to examine carefully all cordage in use and tighten the same as required.
The use of sound plant should be insisted upon. Defective plant should be at once marked, so that its use cannot be unknowingly continued.
Only the scaffolder or his assistant should be allowed to erect, alter or adapt the scaffolding for its different purposes. Many accidents, again, occur owing to the scaffolding having been altered during a temporary absence of the mechanic, and the reconstruction not having been made safe by his return. This most frequently happens when the scaffolding is not under the charge of one responsible person.
No working platform should be used by the mechanic until its construction is complete. Sufficient plant should be on the job to enable this to be done without disturbing the platform already in use.
Scaffolds should not be heavily loaded. Apart from the risk of the timbers failing, the weight, in the case of the bricklayers’ scaffold, has a bad effect upon the new work.
Fan guards, as shown on [fig. 145], are usually erected in urban districts to safeguard the public from falling material. There is no reason why, for the safety of the workmen, they should not be always fixed.
Due care should be exercised by the workmen themselves, and observance made to the unwritten rules of experience.
The following instance is given as an illustration of what is meant.
Fig. 146