Scaffolding 101
What is Scaffolding?
In construction, scaffolding refers to a temporary, elevated structure or framework built to provide support, access, and a safe working platform for workers, tools, and materials. Scaffolding is an essential element of the construction industry, allowing construction workers to work at heights and access various parts of a building or structure during construction, maintenance, repair, or renovation projects.
Scaffolding helps to distribute the weight of workers and materials, ensuring structural stability. This secure platform creates safe and convenient access to different areas of a building like ceilings, roofs, and windows. A flat platform also provides more efficient access to work areas than ladders, helping speed up construction projects.
Above all, scaffolding is designed to enhance safety by reducing the risk of falls.
How Scaffolding Works
Traditional scaffolding has 4 core elements: standards, ledgers, and transoms.
Standards are the upright, vertical tubes that transfer the weight of the structure to the ground. These standards rest on square base plates which distribute the weight evenly.
Ledgers are the horizontal tubes link the standards together and provide horizontal support.
Transoms are horizontal tubes that are perpendicular to the ledgers. The transoms hold the standards in place and support the platforms workers walk on.
Cross braces are often used to increase rigidity as well, placed from ledger to ledger. And couplers are used to join ledgers or transoms to standards.
Finally, scaffolds are rarely independently built, and framework ties are typically fixed to the building being worked on. This provides additional stability and security to the scaffold.
How Does Scaffolding Work on Uneven Ground?
Scaffolding is only as good as its foundation. Often, scaffolding needs to be build on uneven ground where a simple base plate isn’t enough. In many instances, steps can be cut for base plates on uneven ground.
Softer surfaces require sole boards to be placed under the standards. Heavy duty scaffolds require baulks set in concrete.
Other elements required to make uneven ground scaffolds safe include a close-boarded construction, double guard rails, as well as toe and stop boards.
What Are the Different Types of Scaffolding?
There are many different types of scaffolding. Examples include:
Tube and Coupler
Fabricated Frame
Outrigger
Ladder Jacks
Carpenters’ Bracket Scaffolds
Step, Platform, and Trestle Ladder Scaffolds
Single-Point Adjustable Suspension
Two-point Adjustable Suspension (Swing Stage)
Stilts
Interior Hung
Needle Beam
Multilevel Suspended
What Type of Scaffold is the Whalen-Jack?
The Whalen-Jack is a carpenters’ bracket scaffold. This is a scaffolding type specifically designed for carpentry and woodworking tasks. It’s a scaffold type especially used when conventional scaffolding may not be practical or possible.
Because the Whalen-Jack is non-ground based, this makes it a more versatile option.
Carpentry bracket scaffolds have several key components: brackets, fasteners and connectors, guardrails, and wooden planks.
Brackets: These are the primary support elements of the scaffold, designed to attach securely to a building's structure. Brackets are positioned beneath the working platform and provide stability and support for the scaffold.
Fasteners and Connectors: Various fasteners and connectors are used to securely attach the brackets to the building's structure and to connect the wooden planks to the brackets. Proper installation and secure fastening are critical for the stability and safety of the scaffold.
Guardrails: To enhance safety, carpentry bracket scaffolds include guardrails and toeboards to prevent workers from accidentally falling off the scaffold.
Wooden Planks: Wooden planks or platforms are placed on top of the brackets to create a working surface.
When Is Scaffolding Required?
While standards vary by region, in Canada, fall protection is required at heights over 3 meters.
Fall protection is required below 3 meters when the surface provides a greater risk of injury than the height alone, including water, chemicals, operating machinery, or paths for wheelbarrows and other equipment.
Is Scaffolding Safe?
Scaffolding is a critical safety tool, and it needs to be safe. This requires scaffolding to be properly designed, inspected, set up, and used according to safety regulations. When used and maintained properly, scaffolding provides a stable and secure working platform that reduces the risk of falls and accidents on a construction site.
The Whalen-Jack system meets and exceeds OSHA safety standards, and has officially been recognized by OSHA as a viable option for safe work sites. If you’d like to learn more about how the Whalen-Jack can benefit your business of project, contact us today, we’d be happy to help.