Regardless if you are under contract to build a 10-story luxury hotel for the Marriott or you simply want to do a roofing or structural repair on your home, it is imperative to have some rudimentary knowledgeable about scaffolding. Scaffoldings are structures that are temporarily erected for repair, construction or decoration of commercial buildings, homes or other edifices. Not only is it important to purchase or rent the correct type of scaffolding to insure that the job is done correctly, but also to maintain the safety of the construction workers employed on the job. It is estimated that 65% of those employed in the construction industry frequently work on scaffolds. Therefore, it should not be surprising that some of the most common accidents on worksites involve injuries incurred on or related to scaffolds.
Scaffolds are erected of easily assembled structures of steel or timber. On these frameworks, working platforms are placed for easy accessibility to high elevations of a building or other structure under construction or repair. There are two primary categories of scaffolding, fixed and mobile.
Fixed Scaffolds
Fixed scaffolds are constructed alongside a building and can be either independent or putlog. The independent scaffold has standards or uprights on both sides of its working platforms. This allows the independent scaffold to remain upright without support from the building under construction or repair.
The putlog scaffold has standards or uprights along its outer edges, but its inner side is supported by the structure or building itself. Putlogs have flattened ends that are placed between courses of brickwork in the building or edifice to add support. The putlogs are used to support a working platform. Independent scaffolds should also be secured or tied to the structure under repair or construction at various intervals to lend support to its overall stability.
Mobile Scaffolds
A mobile scaffold is a type of freestanding independent scaffold. It is mounted on castors or wheels that swivel and allow the scaffold to be easily moved from location to location.
Suspended or Swingstage Scaffold
A suspended or swingstage scaffold has a platform that can be raised or lowered. An example of a suspended scaffold are those commonly used as a means to wash the outer windows on highrises.
Hanging Bracket Scaffold
Hanging bracket scaffolds may have horizontal structures that are supported by the floors of the building or other edifice under construction or repair. These scaffolds should be designed by an engineer and include load testing and other safety measures.
