Before erecting scaffolding, plan and review codes. Inspect all parts and assemble from bottom up, completing each level. Choose the correct design and eliminate worn or corroded parts. Use at least two people and secure planks and railings. Follow safety guidelines to avoid compromising integrity.
When erecting scaffolding, a number of best practices should be followed. Before putting any components together, planning and code review will guide the selection of the correct scaffolding for the project. All parts must be inspected before a team of at least two people begins assembling the scaffold from the bottom up, completing each level before starting work on the next. Components should fit snugly and workers should have sturdy planks to stand on that are securely fastened to the scaffolding.
There are many guidelines that must be followed before and during the assembly of scaffolding, all related to safety. The first guideline is good planning, which should happen before any assembly. Planning includes reviewing all applicable ordinances and regulations and preparing the area where the scaffolding will be erected.
The next critical guideline is choosing the right scaffold design. This decision is influenced by a number of factors, such as the height of the project, the weight the scaffolding will support under both normal and extraordinary circumstances, the type and duration of the work to be carried out and foot traffic requirements. Once the correct design has been selected, the components themselves should be examined, eliminating those parts that show signs of excessive wear and any bent or corroded pipes or joints. In general, the scaffolding components should all be made by the same manufacturer and the metal parts should be made of the same metal, to avoid galvanic reaction.
The crew building a scaffolding should always consist of at least two people, one of whom delivers materials to the other. The scaffolding assembly process starts from the bottom up. The base of the scaffold should consist of vertical pipes attached to a metal base plate, which in turn is attached to a 2 x 10 inch (5.08 x 25.4 cm) length of lumber, called a sill, to help ensure the stability. The underlying soil must be compacted and, if soft or muddy, filled with gravel. Jacks can be used to make small adjustments to level the scaffold.
The levels of a scaffolding should be built one by one and each level should be completed before work on the next begins. This is a critical safety issue when erecting scaffolding: all elements on one level must be in place and secured to support the next level. Vertical pipes must be plumb and horizontal components level and braced to maintain squareness; it is advisable to periodically check the components with a level. Off-square scaffolding is inherently unstable and puts both those working on it and those working or walking nearby at risk.
Pipes, joints and braces must fit together easily for fastening. No component should be forced into place, as this places excessive pressure on the entire structure which can compromise its integrity. Parts that do not fit easily should be replaced with parts that fit properly.
Likewise, all fasteners should fit snugly; stripped nuts and bolts should be discarded. When scaffolding is erected, cables and other jury-rigged approaches to securing components cannot be tolerated. A single brace that is poorly fixed supports nothing and its failure could result in the failure of the entire scaffold.
All levels of scaffolding should have planks on which workers can stand and move. The planks must be secured to the scaffold structure to prevent tipping or sliding. There should be a minimum gap between the planks, generally no more than 1 inch (2.54 cm). Each level of a scaffold should also have railings.
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