SAFETY / FAQS

Safety is our FIRST consideration when providing access solutions. In 1972, we became a founding member of the SAIA (Scaffold & Access Industry Association), whose cornerstone of existence is promoting safety in the scaffold and access industries.

We integrate our safety policies with our experience in order to provide our customers with the safest solutions to their access needs.

For additional information on scaffold safety, please click on the following links.

 

SELECTING THE PROPER SCAFFOLD


FRAMING/
DRYWALL

WINDOW
INSTALL

PLASTERING/
STUCCO

EXTERIOR
PAINTING

MASONRY

INTERIOR
PAINTING

GUTTERS/
FASCIA

HVAC

POSSIBILITIES

 

Scaffold Attributes for the Various Trades

Scaffold for Masonry/Brickwork

Scaffold frame width: 5’
Standard frame span: 7’
Duty rating: medium duty, not to exceed 50 pounds per square foot, uniformly distributed, for personnel and materials

Masonry scaffold is usually erected in stages as the wall is built, not all at once. Masonry scaffold is designed to support the load of both material and personnel. Materials are usually stored on the scaffold frames. Special brackets are attached to the scaffold frames, between the frames and the wall, providing a movable working platform for the masons. These brackets are moved up as the work progresses, in order to maintain an optimum working height. The scaffold platform is moved up when additional frame heights are installed.

 

Scaffold for Plaster/Stucco

Scaffold frame width: 3’
Standard frame span: 10’
Duty rating: light duty, not to exceed 25 pounds per square foot, uniformly distributed, for personnel only

Plaster scaffold is usually erected all at once, along the entire length of the work area. Plaster scaffold is designed to support personnel only. Plaster scaffold has working platforms at each level. Plaster scaffold is usually braced with an “open-face” configuration to allow maximum access to the work surface. “Walk-through” type frames are used to allow clear passage along the length of the scaffold.

 

Scaffold for Exterior Painting

Scaffold frame width: 3’
Standard frame span: 10’
Duty rating: light duty, not to exceed 25 pounds per square foot, uniformly distributed, for personnel only

Painting scaffold is usually erected all at once, along the entire length of the work area. Painting scaffold is designed to support personnel only. Painting scaffold has working platforms at each level. Painting scaffold is usually braced with an “open-face” configuration to allow maximum access to the work surface. “Walk-through” type frames are used to allow clear passage along the length of the scaffold.

 

Scaffold for Interior Drywall

Scaffold frame width: 5’
Standard frame span: 10’
Duty rating: light duty, not to exceed 25 pounds per square foot, uniformly distributed, for personnel only

Interior drywall is often performed using a rolling scaffold tower with the dimensions noted above. A rolling tower is often used when the work is performed in only one area at a time, but must be moved to other areas. Rolling towers are also used for overhead work. A rolling tower should be used on a hard, level surface. Additional precautions may be required when there are openings or obstructions in the work area.

 

Scaffold for Siding

Scaffold frame width: 3’
Standard frame span: 10’
Duty rating: light duty, not to exceed 25 pounds per square foot, uniformly distributed, for personnel only

Siding scaffold is usually erected all at once, along the entire length of the work area. Siding scaffold is designed to support personnel only. Siding scaffold has working platforms at each level. Siding scaffold is usually braced with an “open-face” configuration to allow maximum access to the work surface. “Walk-through” type frames are used to allow clear passage along the length of the scaffold. Ties to the structure can sometimes be substituted with outriggers or other stabilizing methods to prevent their interference with the siding installation.

 

Scaffold for Interior Painting

Scaffold frame width: 5’
Standard frame span: 10’
Duty rating: light duty, not to exceed 25 pounds per square foot, uniformly distributed, for personnel

Interior painting is often performed using a rolling scaffold tower. The dimensions of the tower can be modified, according to the size of the room and height desired. A rolling tower is often used when the work is performed in only one area at a time, but must be moved to other areas. Rolling towers are also used for overhead work. A rolling tower should be used on a hard, level surface. Additional precautions may be required when there are openings or obstructions in the work area.

 

Scaffold for Fascia and Gutter Repair or Replacement

Scaffold frame width: 3’
Standard frame span: 10’
Duty rating: light duty, not to exceed 25 pounds per square foot, uniformly distributed, for personnel only

This scaffold is usually erected all at once, along the entire length of the work area. The scaffold is designed to support personnel only. The scaffold generally has a working platform at the top only. The use of scaffolding allows the entire run to be completed continuously.

 

Scaffold for Window Installation

Scaffold frame width: 5’ or 3’
Standard frame span: 10’
Duty rating: light duty, not to exceed 25 pounds per square foot, uniformly distributed, for personnel only

This scaffold is usually a stationary, single length tower. It can be either 3’ or 5’ wide, depending on the amount of work surface required. Multiple working levels can be provided for installing columns of windows. The frame spans can be reduced to provide a higher duty rating when the material will be stored on the scaffold platform.

 

Scaffold for HVAC

Scaffold frame width: 5’ or 3’
Standard frame span: 10’
Duty rating: light duty, not to exceed 25 pounds per square foot, uniformly distributed, for personnel only

This scaffold can be a stationary, single length tower or continuous run. It can be either 3’ or 5’ wide, depending on the amount of work surface required. A wider tower is often preferred when access to both sides of ductwork is required. Specially designed scaffolds are often required when there are obstacles or existing fixtures in the scaffold area.

 

Scaffold for General Maintenance and Miscellaneous Work

Scaffold is available in common frame widths of either 2’, 3’ or 5’ wide. Standard frame spacing or spans are available in 5, 7’, or 10’. Remember that the load capacity of the platform is inversely related to the length. The longer the span, the smaller the load capacity of the platform. Scaffold can be erected in a continuous run or just a single span. The top platform height of the scaffold will be determined by the height and type of work to be performed. When figuring height, allow for the height and reach of the worker.

Scaffolds for Other Applications or Uses

No Space for a Lift or a Ladder?

Scaffold can be used whenever and wherever there is a need to perform work at height. Some work which may normally be accessed by other means, such as mechanical lifts or ladders, may be in environments that prevent their use. Can’t fit your lift through a narrow opening? Don’t have enough space to provide proper lean angle for your ladder? Scaffold may be your only access solution.

 

Cantilevered Platforms

Scaffolds can often be used to provide cantilevered platforms when access is required over obstacles, or where work surfaces extend beyond the foundation below. There are many scaffold parts available to provide a variety of cantilevered platforms. All cantilevered platforms must be designed and installed by a qualified and competent persons.

 

Sidewalk Canopies

Scaffold can also be used to provide overhead protection for pedestrians. This scaffold configuration is typically referred to as a “sidewalk canopy” or “pedestrian canopy”. This type of scaffold is used to protect pedestrians in areas of construction or other work, where there is a need to protect the public from falling objects. Special canopy configurations can also be installed to provide protection for vehicles, or inside structures to protect occupants from overhead work.

 

Lightweight Shoring

Scaffold can be used to provide temporary shoring. When you need to replace a post supporting a deck, or even a portion of floor to repair framing below, scaffold may be used to provide support and access at the same time.

 

Set Dressing, Props, and Aesthetics

Scaffold is often seen on movies, television shows, commercials and other forms of media. It provides a construction related theme for viewers and is highly recognizable and versatile. It also provides an “industrial” look for designers, artists, and others, who like to create thematic spaces and environments.