Building a scaffold tower how to#
Building a scaffold tower install#
Building a scaffold tower professional#

Building a scaffold tower professional#

These reports may include professional opinions of the investigating engineer incident root cause opinions factual data and findings. Each investigation was performed at the request of an OSHA field office or State Plan OSHA as part of an enforcement inspection. Many of these incidents resulted in one or more worker fatalities, and property loss, lawsuits, or settlements of millions of dollars. We hope that this guide will help you erect your scaffold tower quickly and safely so you can start working at height in no time! Head to our scaffold towers page to shop:Įmail for more help finding the right scaffold tower for you.This webpage includes forensic engineering investigation reports of catastrophic incidents conducted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Directorate of Construction – Office of Engineering Services.

Choose a scaffold tower with toe boards to prevent the fall of any equipment/materials.Īt Ladders UK Direct we offer a wide range of DIY and professional scaffold towers to suit your needs.

Wear appropriate PPE and fall protection gear, (this will depend on the height and nature of your scaffold tower).

Ensure all fastenings are tightened securely before climbing the scaffold tower.

Safety tips when erecting a scaffold tower: Continue adding scaffold frames & work platformsĪll you need to do now is continue adding the remaining scaffold frames and work platforms until you reach the desired height. Guard rails should be installed on the first level of the scaffold tower before anyone attempts to climb the scaffold tower to continue building. Most scaffold towers come with an advanced guard rail system for added safety. For 3T (through the trap door) scaffold towers, you will need to ensure the trapdoor is in the correct place & orientation. It’s important that this is fully secure and level to prevent slips and falls.

Building a scaffold tower install#

Add a work platformīefore you can add the remaining scaffold frames and braces, you’ll need to install a work platform to stand on. These add an extra level of security before you build the scaffold tower to a significant height. There’s usually one stabiliser on each corner of the scaffold tower. Once you’ve erected the first level of the scaffold tower, you should install the scaffold stabilisers. These secure the scaffold tower and help to keep the rectangular shape all the way up. To stabilise the scaffold tower as you build the first level, you use diagonal braces. Ensure these are installed in the right place by referring to your manufacturer's guide. It’s likely that some of your scaffold frames will feature ladders to allow you to climb up and down the scaffold. Once the base of the scaffold tower is in place, you can add the first level. This could become a health and safety hazard, 4. It’s important that your scaffold tower doesn’t lean to one side. Check the scaffold tower is levelĭuring the building process, you should repeatedly check your scaffold tower is level using a spirit level.

Once these are in place you should have a sturdy rectangular base for your scaffold tower. The horizontal braces are put in place to secure the two sides together. Once attached, lock the brakes in place to prevent movement. If you’re building a mobile scaffold tower you should start by attaching the castors to the first scaffold frame. We’d recommend finding a friend or colleague to help you.

It is possible to erect a scaffold tower on your own, but it’s much easier with two people. Most scaffold towers are made of these major elements:

Building a scaffold tower how to#

How to Erect a Scaffold Tower: Step-By-Step Guide While you’re working on a scaffold tower, it’s vital that you periodically check that it’s safe to use. Alternatively, request a temporary road closure from your local council to reduce the risk of accidents. If your scaffold tower will be erected in a place that’s a risk to the public, for example, on a public footpath, it’s best to schedule your scaffold work during quiet times of day. If in doubt, please contact a licensed builder or scaffolding contractor to help you erect your scaffold tower safely. The person in charge of erecting a scaffold tower should be competent and trained to do so. You should always refer to the assembly instructions on your chosen make/model for a more detailed guide. Today we’re going to show you how to erect a scaffold tower so that it’s safe to use.ĭisclaimer: This guide is intended to show you how to erect a generic scaffold tower. In these scenarios, you might opt for a scaffold tower to provide you with extra height and workspace. There are some jobs that can’t be completed using a standard ladder.