Scaffolding assembly and dismantling is a job for experts. After all, as an experienced scaffolder, you’re in charge of the safety of the workers working on your scaffold.
To do this, you’ll need to adhere to established standards and guidelines to reduce the risk of scaffold falls.
We’ve broken down what you need to do to assemble scaffolding securely.
Safety is the number one priority for scaffolding. And to achieve that, proper preparation is essential. That’s why there are a few things you can do before tightening the first bolt on the scaffolding. For instance, you can:
Site and risk assessment
Before you can begin planning your scaffolding, you’ll need to conduct a site assessment and a risk assessment.
The site assessment will provide you with information such as:
What are the structural features of the site?
What scaffolding material should be planned for the site?
How should your scaffolding be secured against unauthorized access?
What safety devices should be used on your scaffold?
What hazards should your team be prepared for?
Both the assembly and later use of your scaffold will be affected by the risk assessment.
Assessing the project requirement
Once you’ve thoroughly evaluated your project’s needs, you can begin to plan your scaffold. You’ll want to consider things like: how tall you want your scaffold to be when you’re working on it, what your scaffold’s load capacity should be, where you’d like your scaffold to anchor, etc.
Clear the standing area
Once you’re on site, it’s usually time to clean up. The space where you’re going to set up your scaffolding needs to be cleared of debris like tools and building supplies.
Preparing the ground
Before you begin the scaffolding assembly process, ensure that the ground is able to support all of the loads on the scaffold. Later, the scaffolding should be set on a level base. If necessary, use base plates that are adjustable or use screw jacks for stability and to compensate for uneven ground. Make sure that your base plates are firmly attached and able to support the weight of the scaffold.
Assembly of scaffolding starts
Once everything is set up, you can begin to put the scaffold together. Be sure to wear the right safety gear. Depending on your job, you may need a hard hat, safety shoes, and work gloves.
Depending on your scaffold’s configuration and location, you may need to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) during the assembly process. To learn more about when this is necessary, check out our blog articles about scaffold PPE and scaffold fall protection.
How to assemble your scaffold
The way you assemble your scaffold depends heavily on the kind of scaffold you have. The manufacturer’s erection manual will walk you through the proper assembly process for your scaffold. It will explain and illustrate the steps for each kind of scaffold in detail.
When can the scaffold be used?
You’ve set up your scaffold, it’s stable and there’s nothing to prevent you using it. But before you can use it, it needs to be checked by a qualified person. This includes verifying that it meets the relevant safety standards, that it’s in good condition and that the safety measures you’ve chosen for it are appropriate and effective. If your scaffold passes inspection, you’re good to go. For more tips on scaffolding installation visit Beaconscaffolding.com, the best suppliers of London scaffolding at Selwyn.
