Everything you need to know about Scaffolding

Working from a height is an integral part of working in the security industry. With this in mind, health and safety is extremely important. Because of this it’s a necessity that the scaffolding you use is as safe as possible.

Modern alterations now mean that scaffolding has become more compact and lighter than ever. The mobile scaffold towers that are used nowadays are extremely durable, and also light and very easy to move around. This means that they can meet the demands of the industry and are also are a lot easier to transport than previous designs.

Typically, these scaffold towers are made from lightweight aluminium and are strong as well as light. In addition, set up times are quick too and many of these aluminium scaffolds can be set up within 20 minutes. However, it’s still worth taking a number of things into account when using them.

Base

The base area is very important in these towers as it is there to supply stability and prevent the tower toppling. The higher the tower is the wider the base should be, generally the height should be around four times the base and any more than that can be unstable. A good company will supply you with all the equipment necessary to stabilise the tower, including podium steps, and ensure that there are no problem. Always be sure to read through the user guide too.

Pushing

Pushing a scaffold if it’s a mobile version is fine, however you need to know the best practice for doing so. It’s best not to push the body as this is can cause problems and even tip the equipment over. If this happens it can be hard to counter it. It’s best not to push a tower if it’s over 3.5m high.

Castors

Ensure the castors are high quality as this will prevent problems with the equipment when pushing it and will prevent it tipping. Always push from as close to the bottom as possible as this strategy is safer and will allow you more control over the scaffolding when you meet uneven areas or mini obstructions. Never push at chest height, as anything above 1.5m will cause the scaffold to be unsafe in motion.

Weight

Scaffolds can only hold so much weight, so it’s best to always check the weight specification before you push the scaffold. This will ensure it’s not overloaded and that there are no stability issues with the base.

Finally, before you ever climb a scaffold, double check that the castors are locked into place as this will prevent movement and limits the chance for problems.

Scaffold Towers provides a variety of scaffold solutions, including scaffold towers for use in construction or other projects.