Construction has its own set of challenges, such as ensuring that materials are delivered on-site timeously, staying within budget constraints, and ensuring that the architectural designs and plans are carried out to the letter. As concerning as these challenges are, scaffolding needs to take priority, as without it, workers would not be able to carry out construction at heights safely or access hard-to-reach areas.
At Disc-O-Scaff, we understand how vital scaffolding is to several tasks and offer both Kwikstage and Selflock scaffold solutions, giving workers safe working platforms when the job at hand needs to be done at considerable heights.
Where the First Steps towards Modern Scaffolding Started
From the Palaeolithic era through to Ancient Egypt, scaffolds used to create paintings and pyramids were rudimentary at best. The concept of modern scaffolding found its roots in China, where bamboo stalks tied together by rope provided safe access and secure working platforms that are still in use today. The birth of the Industrial Revolution introduced the construction industry to steel – a more durable and viable scaffolding option. However, it still had its flaws. With the invention of the universal coupler, the safety and stability of scaffolding significantly improved to the temporary structures that are used today.
Preventing Possible Hazards
As effective as using scaffolds is to reach heights, certain factors must be taken into consideration to ensure the safety of workers and prevent possible scaffold hazards. The efficiency of your scaffolding has a lot to do with the proper assembly of the various scaffold components, each designed with safety in mind.
- Ensure the proper installation of safety features, such as toe boards and guardrails, which enable workers to keep tools close at hand without fear of them falling off the platform.
- Diagonal braces are there to add rigidity to the scaffold frame, not to be used as a ladder to access multiple platforms. Hook-on ladders are specifically designed to hook onto the scaffold tube, providing safe access.
- Scaffold collapses occur if assembly has not been done properly. Before assembling your scaffold tower, you need to ensure that the scaffold is placed on a firm foundation and that the weight of the scaffolding combined with the weight of the tools and workers has not been exceeded.
- Make sure that the couplers and connectors have all been securely fitted.
Scaffolding has been uniquely designed to provide safe access when building from heights. However, its efficacy relies on the safe assembly, use, and dismantling of these temporary structures.
Superior Scaffolding and Formwork
At Disc-O-Scaff, we pride ourselves on the superior quality of our scaffolding and formwork solutions. All our scaffolding components are engineered in-house, using only SABS-approved materials, and are manufactured in accordance with scaffolding standards, ensuring that safety is always at the forefront of our access solutions. Contact us and we will gladly assist you with your scaffold requirements.