Tag Archives: steel

Fall Safety, General Safety Issues

WHICH TYPE OF SCAFFOLDING TOWER IS BEST FOR YOUR CONSTRUCTION PROJECT? (GUEST POST)

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Submitted by Matthew Wood. 

Scaffolding helps to shape some of the major construction or repair plans of buildings and provides the formwork for the materials that will keep such structures in place.

Without scaffolding we wouldn’t have such glorious architecture in place in our society today. One particular form of scaffolding comes in towers – these are designed for construction workers to make changes to structures above the ground. Hence the appearance of a vertical framework against the side of a building and the name ‘tower’.

Scaffold towers come in three different formats and each has different attributes to them that make them appealing for various construction jobs. 

Aluminium Scaffolding Towers

Aluminium scaffolding towers are lightweight and designed to be easy to use – making them an ideal solution for residential structures and tasks such as painting or installing a window. Typically, scaffolding can be made of steel but the aluminium structure is a much more practical answer if you’re looking for mobility. While aluminium scaffolding can be more expensive than steel, it is more durable and rust free.

Fibreglass Scaffolding Towers

 Fibreglass scaffolding towers are developed to provide functionality while prioritising safety. Because the structure is made of fibreglass, it can prevent hazards such as electrocution – making it the only solution for environments where electricity is present. Durable and easy to use, the fibreglass scaffolding tower is the most expensive type of scaffold tower on the market. These units come with straight forward setup instructions and are built by simply piecing them together. This also makes them a fantastic portability option – some structures even come with wheels so you don’t have to dismantle them.

Steel Scaffolding Towers

Steel scaffolding towers are the most traditional and common type of formwork structure on the market. Noted for being extremely durable, steel scaffolding towers are predominantly used when workers are dealing with large, heavy and articulated materials. However, these structures are difficult to move – mainly because of their excessive weight – and therefore should only be used for specific jobs that don’t require mobility. For all operations that require the use of heavy-weighted materials, steel scaffolding towers really are the only answer to your problems.

In conclusion

With the use of this article, assessing the respective needs of your construction and the requirements of the job in hand should now be able to help you to make an informed decision when choosing which scaffolding to invest in or hire.

An experienced and talented copywriter, Matthew Wood writes SEO savvy content for a collection of online publications and web projects.  Matthew’s latest work involves writing creative and engaging content on the subjects of Scaffolding Supplies and Formwork for the established online brand Unit Plant Services.

I might add that safety harnesses and safety lanyardsshould be used when working on scaffolds.  Thanks, Matthew, for this advice on selecting the right scaffolding tower.  pb

 

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

DO YOU HAVE “HEIGHT-TRO-PHOBIA”?

Seriously, a fellow I worked with years ago, was telling some of us that he couldn’t stand heights!  There was no way he could climb, or stand on anything off the ground, and “height-tro-phobia” is the name he gave that fear.  I share “acrophobia” with him, as I don’t like heights, either. The weird thing is, I love to fly in planes and it doesn’t bother me at all, but I can’t stand to look down from the staircase at my daughter’s house!  Maybe you can help me figure that one out!

There are several occupations that require working at various heights, and these are considered some of America’s most dangerous jobs:

  • Electric Power Line Workers: These people work at high points and often have to position themselves at angles that make it hard to balance.  Power line workers wear special uniforms to keep from getting shocked and require special equipment to keep them balanced.  They also have to deal with a force to be reckoned with – electricity. Slipping, falling, and mechanical failure to equipment are just a few risks they have to contend with.  The next time your power goes down, think of what your friends at the power company are doing to restore electricity to the many homes that depend on them. Out of every 100,000 workers, 34 die each year.
  • Roofers: Some of the buildings and homes that they work on are extremely high.  In addition to the height, they have to carry heavy tools, walk and crawl to be where they can work.  Many times they must use safety harnesses to prevent them from falling, which may be restrictive for them to work to their full ability.  Risks they endure are high winds, skin cancer from too much sun, falls, and slipping off ladders. 35 roofers die each year per every 100,000 workers.
  • Steel/Iron Construction Workers: It makes me dizzy just thinking about walking on those steel beams while building skyscrapers!  It is extremely important that safety checks are stringent and performed often for these workers.  They wear protective gear, and depend on tethers and pullies, which must be maintained regularly.  Weather can be a dangerous factor for these guys.  Out of every 100,000 workers, 47 die annually.
  • Cell Phone Tower Workers: The statistics are very high: out of every 100,000 workers in this huge industry, 184 die each year. Cell phone companies are competing for higher towers and more towers to accommodate the demands of the public. Many times, the workers they hire are not fully trained and equipped to do the job properly.

Well, my hands are sweaty, just thinking about the jobs these folks do.  Most are experts in their fields and they all deserve our thanks.  Think of the things that wouldn’t be here without them!

Just please, while you’re up there looking down on us, work safely!

Source: Bureau of Labor