This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Industrial deafness is irreversible !! Food for thought □ Unboarded scaffold, Fully boarded, on beamwork, inside work etc. Noise is the only prohibitive item I have listed above, it would be interesting to learn of the Peak Noise levels emitted from the different wrenches used in scaffolding and in different situations, ie. Proerly risk assessed with control measures in place. There use would be required to be included in a safe plan of work….RAMS. The considerations to formulate a Policy on their safe use would be based around: Why? Because if anything goes wrong the company the operator is working for is ultimately liable and also the said company would not want anyone to suffer ill heath or injury by doing so. Before scaffolding organisations freely allow them to be generally used there are many considerations to be taken into account. Impact wrenches may have their uses and maybe favoured by many scaffold operatives. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. The NASC has also developed a basic Form which users of impact wrenches may find useful. The NASC does not recommend the use of impact wrenches with ‘pressed’ type scaffold fittings. This statement only applies to drop forged scaffold fittings.However the confederation recommends that all users follow manufacturer’s instructions and that battery life should be monitored. Impact wrenches are normally supplied with rechargeable lithium batteries that provide a more stable power pack.In the event that a nut is stripped off the ‘T’ bolt it is recommended that the fitting should be returned to the employer’s yard where a new replacement ensemble (‘T’ bolt, nut & washer) can be fitted by the company’s maintenance team.In addition to the initial training and familiarisation phases, it is recommended that employers should carry out regular toolbox talks refreshing operatives with company policy and rules for the safe use of impact wrenches.It is recommended that any assessment should also address noise and hand/arm vibration. Employers should adequately assess the risk for their own particular situation and ensure that they put in place protocols to cover safe use. However members and users of such equipment should be aware that there is potential for concern regarding use and operation. The NASC recognises that impact wrenches can offer certain benefits.It is recommended that prior to use of an impact wrench on site the employee should first undergo a suitable period of training, familiarisation and monitoring, to ensure that the impact wrench is being used in the correct manner at all times.Further to completion of an adequate risk assessment by the employer the impact wrench may then be deemed fit for purpose for erection/dismantling and alterations to scaffolding by their employees. It is therefore recommended that any employer considering authorising the use of impact wrenches carries out testing to establish that the impact wrench which they intend to authorise for use by their employees is capable of applying the correct torque to scaffold fittings on a consistent and recurring basis. However during testing it was noted that settings published by the manufacturer can differ greatly from what is actually achieved. Most wrenches have stated torque settings (N/mtr) in excess of this recommended figure. The recommended force required to tighten a fitting is 50 N/mtr as stated in EN 74. However the confederation has released a statement highlighting several important recommendations to be considered by the employer before the use of impact wrenches by operatives: Subsequently the NASC has deemed the use of impact wrenches for scaffolding purposes acceptable. Industry experts at the NASC analyzed the data and found no concerns or adverse effects to the couplers from the tests carried out with both impact wrenches and the traditional scaffold spanner. The couplers were from different suppliers in various conditions, new, used, lubricated and unlubricated. The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation ( NASC) has been busy behind the scenes performing vigorous tests tightening couplers with two popular types of impact wrenches and a wide range of drop forged couplers. Many scaffolders across the country are ditching the traditional scaffold spanner in favour for a never tiring Impact Wrench (battery depending) for the erection and dismantle of scaffolding.Ĭould this be the future for our industry? Will we all end up having one of these hanging from our belts? But seriously.
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