scaffolding planks

Scaffolding consists of a temporary high platform to support equipment and employees while working at height. In most cases, the scaffolding can be equipped with guardrails on any side where the employee is exposed to a fall in height. See aluminum scaffold plank.

There are different types of scaffolding:

Scaffolding - Scaffolding on a support formed by a platform supported by fasteners attached to a building or load-bearing walls

Scaffolding of metal - Scaffolding with trestles - Scaffolding on support formed by a platform supported by trestles (carpenter's easels). Metal trestle scaffolding is also known as scaffolding.

Trestle scaffolding

Scaffolding on Ladder - A scaffolding on a support consisting of a platform resting on fasteners attached to ladders.

Ladder scaffolding

Pumping Easels - A scaffolding on a platform support supported by vertical posts and movable support straps.

Pumping easels

Scaffolding - Scaffolding on portable support mounted on wheels or wheels.

Frame scaffolding

Tube and Flange Systems - Consists of steel or aluminum tubing of various lengths connected by rigid flanges where vertical and horizontal elements intersect, and by pivoting flanges where diagonal elements are used.

Tube and flange systems

The hazards associated with scaffolding are:

· Access

· Collapse

· Failure of guardrails, boards and platforms

· Power lines

· falls

· Falling objects / items

· Instability

Proper pre-planning and appropriate measures help ensure that the scaffolding is safely erected and well used. This includes :

When using manufactured scaffolding ensure that it is assembled, operated, maintained and disassembled in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.

If a scaffold is more than 3 m high or if it is a rolling scaffold, install a guardrail system along all free sides and at the ends of the platforms.

Provide safe means of access to platforms.

When using metal scaffolding, access must be provided from ground level. If the scaffolding is less than 6 m in height, provide a staircase or ladder with continuous access. If it is 6 m high or more, provide a continuous access staircase.

Make sure no one climbs the spacers to access the scaffolding.

It is important to know how to recognize faults in boards. Here are the common faults of scaffold planks:

Gerces - Cracks or separations along the board that cross the growth rings. Such cracks or crevices must not be less than three inches from the edge of the board. Boards with slots wider than 3/8 "(10 mm) must be removed and not used.

Slots - Separations along the board in the direction of the thread, most of which is located between the growth rings.

Flach - Bark or lack of wood on the edge of a board.

Nodes - They must be strong, tight and well spaced. On the wide face of a 2 "x 10" board, their size should not exceed 50mm or 1 7/8 ". For 2 "x 12" boards, the maximum knot size is 60 mm or 2 3/8 ". Edges should not contain knots larger than 10mm or 3/8 "in the middle third of the board. Planks with flat knots should be rejected.