Whenever any large build project is conceived, design and engineering considerations are the first steps that kick-start the project. These are supported by the technology supplier and the engineering consultant that form the project management team. Any major or minor project involving construction activities always requires work at the height which can be met by the means of scaffolding. The project lead must consider scaffolding as a separate vertical along with major activities like civil work, mechanical work, electrical work, etc.

Here are 3 key factors that will determine the success of any scaffolding operation:

Design Philosophy

When the scaffold is to be erected at a height of 20m and above or when the scaffold is considered critical, a structural engineer would help you in making an informed decision on the design aspects of the scaffold system. Whether your build would require hanging scaffold, cantilever scaffold or suspended scaffold, the structural engineer is at hand to bridge this gap.

There are a few scaffolding management software that can help you with the basic design and engineering considerations, in order to safely erect the scaffold. The scaffold should maintain strength, stability as well as the rigidity of the structure while the build is in progress. Such software might also provide input on how to ensure safe dismantling, modification or alterations which might be required as the build progresses.

Know your load and load combinations

Scaffolds are designed so that the structure and its components are capable of supporting, without failure, their own weight and at least four times the maximum intended load.

Loads are categorized as dead load, live load and wind load which acts upon a structure based on where the load is being applied i.e. horizontal or vertical axis. There can be other loads based on the location of your build such as snow. The self-weight of all the members should also be considered for analysis. The load acting on each level will create stresses in all the members of the scaffolding, thus requiring necessary inclusion as a factor.

The crucial aspect to remember in this stage is the number of man-days that would be required to prepare new geometry of scaffold design and execution of load calculations on the software. They can increase the overall build strategy for your project.

Executing the Plan

Once you have traversed through the above two stages, you would arrive at the execution of your scaffolding plan. Scaffold by design is vulnerable structures with an inherent risk exposing the workers at the site. It may also pose dangers to public safety. Safe scaffold execution and use should begin by developing policy and work rules with appropriate planning. Here is a short list of scaffolding plan:

 #1 Scaffold management and monitoring with fall protection

 #2 Scaffold erection, modification and dismantling methodology

 #3 Storage and maintenance of scaffold materials

#4 Scaffold inspection and tagging system

#5  Weather conditions and working conditions

#6  Entry and exit from the scaffold

#7 Ensuring the health and safety of the workers and people around the building site

These steps broadly spell out how to scaffold the execution plan takes shape. However, there are other intricate details such as job safety analysis, safety inspection and follow up procedures for the plan which are critical and mostly mark the beginning of such a plan.

Public safety and ensuring HSE aspects remain a vital process in scaffolding. Here is a safety animation video from our archives which clearly demonstrates the need for protection for workers while working on the scaffold.

Guardrails and handrails as protection are a necessary safety feature that is included in scaffolding nowadays. The inherent risk of work at height is another issue that can be mitigated via safe work practices and awareness. Here is another safety animation video that addresses the risks posed when working on the scaffold and the measures to mitigate such risks.

We hope that through this article, we have clarified a few doubts and added some scaffolding information that may come handy to you in the future.