It is often used in any project that requires work at high levels, so scaffolding can even be used on your home if you need work done above the first level of your home. Generally scaffolding is constructed with pipes that are metal, or with bamboos even in some cases.
Metal pipes, also known as scaffolding tubes are the material of choice, particularly if the site of the construction is extremely high. This is the safest and most reliable method of scaffolding tubes and thus is the most commonly used. Bamboo scaffolding tubes are still used today, but are primarily used and most popular in many Asian countries, as this material is easily available and cost effective for Eastern contractors. Whether your scaffolding tubes are metal or bamboo however, the main objective of scaffolding tubes is that they ensure a safe working environment for those that you hire to do your job.
Tube and clam scaffolding, or simply scaffolding tubes with clams are popular everywhere. These devise are extremely versatile and are used with sets of metal scaffolding tubes that are attached with metal clamps. The vertical scaffolding tubes will be connected to horizontal scaffolding tubes through the use of right angle metal clamps. Diagonal scaffolding tubes are then used to connect the scaffolding via swivel metal clamps as a means of securing and stabilizing the entire scaffolding tubes structure.
Four essential components comprise the scaffolding tubes system. These will be your scaffolding tubes which will be vertical, horizontal, and diagonal scaffolding tubes. The other three components in a scaffolding tubes system are right angle metal clamps, swivel metal clamps, and the base plates for the entire scaffolding tubes system. The base plates are the structures that the workers for the job will be standing and working on as they go up the scaffolding tubes system.
This kind of scaffolding tube system is the most commonly used when the contractor requires unlimited versatility. The reason for this is that the horizontal scaffolding tubes can be placed at virtually any height alongside the vertical scaffolding tube. Vertical scaffolding tubes are also known as legs, and these can be spaced any distance apart, up to and including the maximum distance set by engineering standards. While the tube and clamp scaffolding tube system is extremely versatile, it is also the most labor intensive, and as such, is often only used when versatility is a priority to all other issues on the job site.
Aluminium Scaffolding, Scaffolding, Scaffolding Tubes from Turbo International
Friday, February 5, 2010
Advice on Scaffolding Boards and Planks
When you add materials and tools and more height to the tumble, the number of injuries and deaths goes up. There are some experts that estimate that over ninety percent of the scaffold accidents involve the failure of the boards or planks that workers are actually standing on. Here are few quick tips to help you avoid accidents.
Tip 1: Use the Right Material
There are manufactured scaffold planks available made out if different materials like aluminum. While these planks are great, they’re also really expensive, so most people use wooden planking. Most of the time, wooden boards that can be used in scaffold as marked as ‘scaffold grade’. In most cases, a grade 1 board that is two inches thick by ten inches wide is okay for an eight foot span.
Tip 2: Inspect the Boards
When you first buy the planking you’re going to use on your scaffold, you want to check the boards for knots, bad grain, splits, warping and other imperfections.
You should also inspect the boards ever time you put your scaffold together. If they haven’t been stored properly and have started to split or crack, you may want to consider replacing them before you climb out on them at twenty feet in the air.
Tip 3: Storage
Store your boards in a dry, well ventilated location. Moisture is going to weaken the wood. If they are wet and put somewhere the air can’t get to them, they are going to start to rot. Leaving them out in the weather during a long term job isn’t a good idea. You will probably at least want to move them to an area where they are covered and protected from any potential rain. The way you stack them matters, too. You want to make sure the boards aren’t laying in such a way that causes them to warp of bow. Again, warping and bowing will weaken the board and even keep them from laying across the scaffold supports properly.
Tip 4: Don’t Abuse
In one recent case, workers were hurt on a jobsite and sued the company they worked for, accusing them of not having purchased proper boards. It was found that the boards were correct but the workers, when they would tear down the scaffold, would just drop the boards to the ground instead of lowering them. The force of the drop had embedded gravel in the ends of some of the boards. This kind of damage can seriously weaken the board. Like any tool, if you take care of them, they will take care of you.
Scaffolding, Aluminium Scaffolding, Scaffolding Planks from Turbo International
Tip 1: Use the Right Material
There are manufactured scaffold planks available made out if different materials like aluminum. While these planks are great, they’re also really expensive, so most people use wooden planking. Most of the time, wooden boards that can be used in scaffold as marked as ‘scaffold grade’. In most cases, a grade 1 board that is two inches thick by ten inches wide is okay for an eight foot span.
Tip 2: Inspect the Boards
When you first buy the planking you’re going to use on your scaffold, you want to check the boards for knots, bad grain, splits, warping and other imperfections.
You should also inspect the boards ever time you put your scaffold together. If they haven’t been stored properly and have started to split or crack, you may want to consider replacing them before you climb out on them at twenty feet in the air.
Tip 3: Storage
Store your boards in a dry, well ventilated location. Moisture is going to weaken the wood. If they are wet and put somewhere the air can’t get to them, they are going to start to rot. Leaving them out in the weather during a long term job isn’t a good idea. You will probably at least want to move them to an area where they are covered and protected from any potential rain. The way you stack them matters, too. You want to make sure the boards aren’t laying in such a way that causes them to warp of bow. Again, warping and bowing will weaken the board and even keep them from laying across the scaffold supports properly.
Tip 4: Don’t Abuse
In one recent case, workers were hurt on a jobsite and sued the company they worked for, accusing them of not having purchased proper boards. It was found that the boards were correct but the workers, when they would tear down the scaffold, would just drop the boards to the ground instead of lowering them. The force of the drop had embedded gravel in the ends of some of the boards. This kind of damage can seriously weaken the board. Like any tool, if you take care of them, they will take care of you.
Scaffolding, Aluminium Scaffolding, Scaffolding Planks from Turbo International
Hiring Scaffolding
To hire scaffolding you'll need to contact a scaffolding hire company. Your local council may have a list of approved hire companies. You should contact them to find out.
You should employ a qualified builder or scaffolding company to carry out the erection of scaffolding, and a qualified builder to do related building work.
Scaffolding licences
It is the responsibility of the builder or scaffolding hire company to get a licence for any scaffolding that is put up on the highway (this includes the pavement). However it’s your responsibility to check they have this legal document and that it does not run out before the building work is finished.
Contact your local authority to apply for more information about this licence.
Things To Consider When Having Scaffolding Erected
Employing qualified people to erect your scaffolding and carry out building work should help to make sure your building site is a safe place. However, you should discuss certain issues with the person or company you employ. In particular, you will need to be aware of the following points:
* Scaffolding should be erected on a firm, level foundation.
* If there is a risk to the public, schedule scaffolding work for quiet times or get a highway closure your local council.
* List item three. List item three.
* It is dangerous to erect scaffolding too near power lines.
* Boards used should be British Standard BS2482.
* Strong barriers should be in place if someone could fall more than two metres.
* Avoid building waste falling on passers-by by keeping scaffold boards clear.
* Ladders should be strong, secure and in good condition, domestic ladders are generally not suitable.
* Heavy or bulky loads shouldn't be carried up and down ladder.
* Scaffolding structures should be checked weekly, and inspected after alterations, damage and extreme weather conditions.
* Components should never be removed.
Building Regulations
Contact your local council for details of any building regulations you may need to consider, like the 'materials and workmanship' regulation or the 'access to and use of building' regulation. Copies of the current building regulations are available from Building Regulations Publications HMSO. You also need to make sure you have any necessary planning permission for the building project your scaffolding relates to. Your local council will be able to advise you on this.
Falls From Height
Including scaffolding, falls from heights are one of the most common forms of accidents. Every year this equates to nearly 20% of all workplace injuries. Falls result in approximately 80 fatalities and around 5,000 cases of major injury. These are all usually from heights of above 2 metres. The construction industry alone accounts for half of these incidents. It is estimated that the annual cost of accidents caused by falls is more than 300 million pounds. This includes personal suffering and medical costs, costs to employers, lost of output and damage to equipment.
When working at heights it is essential that you:
* Determine and evaluate all the potential fall risks on site.
* Identify any hazards.
* Establish safe methods of work which are understood by all.
* Provide adequate resources to ensure safe working.
* Do not allow workers to work alone.
* Provide training and maintain training records for each member of the workforce.
* Supervise correct working methods.
* Implement an inspection regime which includes the appointment of a competent person to carry out pre-use checks, detailed and interim inspections.
* You will also need to keep and maintain interim and periodic records.
* You must also undertake periodic reviews of your systems and procedures.
Saffolding, Mobile Scaffold from Turbo International
You should employ a qualified builder or scaffolding company to carry out the erection of scaffolding, and a qualified builder to do related building work.
Scaffolding licences
It is the responsibility of the builder or scaffolding hire company to get a licence for any scaffolding that is put up on the highway (this includes the pavement). However it’s your responsibility to check they have this legal document and that it does not run out before the building work is finished.
Contact your local authority to apply for more information about this licence.
Things To Consider When Having Scaffolding Erected
Employing qualified people to erect your scaffolding and carry out building work should help to make sure your building site is a safe place. However, you should discuss certain issues with the person or company you employ. In particular, you will need to be aware of the following points:
* Scaffolding should be erected on a firm, level foundation.
* If there is a risk to the public, schedule scaffolding work for quiet times or get a highway closure your local council.
* List item three. List item three.
* It is dangerous to erect scaffolding too near power lines.
* Boards used should be British Standard BS2482.
* Strong barriers should be in place if someone could fall more than two metres.
* Avoid building waste falling on passers-by by keeping scaffold boards clear.
* Ladders should be strong, secure and in good condition, domestic ladders are generally not suitable.
* Heavy or bulky loads shouldn't be carried up and down ladder.
* Scaffolding structures should be checked weekly, and inspected after alterations, damage and extreme weather conditions.
* Components should never be removed.
Building Regulations
Contact your local council for details of any building regulations you may need to consider, like the 'materials and workmanship' regulation or the 'access to and use of building' regulation. Copies of the current building regulations are available from Building Regulations Publications HMSO. You also need to make sure you have any necessary planning permission for the building project your scaffolding relates to. Your local council will be able to advise you on this.
Falls From Height
Including scaffolding, falls from heights are one of the most common forms of accidents. Every year this equates to nearly 20% of all workplace injuries. Falls result in approximately 80 fatalities and around 5,000 cases of major injury. These are all usually from heights of above 2 metres. The construction industry alone accounts for half of these incidents. It is estimated that the annual cost of accidents caused by falls is more than 300 million pounds. This includes personal suffering and medical costs, costs to employers, lost of output and damage to equipment.
When working at heights it is essential that you:
* Determine and evaluate all the potential fall risks on site.
* Identify any hazards.
* Establish safe methods of work which are understood by all.
* Provide adequate resources to ensure safe working.
* Do not allow workers to work alone.
* Provide training and maintain training records for each member of the workforce.
* Supervise correct working methods.
* Implement an inspection regime which includes the appointment of a competent person to carry out pre-use checks, detailed and interim inspections.
* You will also need to keep and maintain interim and periodic records.
* You must also undertake periodic reviews of your systems and procedures.
Saffolding, Mobile Scaffold from Turbo International
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