If you have recently ventured into the construction industry and have bought your first scaffolding, you may be excited about the fact that your construction projects will not be limited to short buildings. However, while scaffolding, irrespective of the type, is designed with durability in mind, its robust nature will still be vulnerable to eventual damage. To mitigate this from happening in the short term, it is crucial to know what forms of damage that can affect the scaffolding so that you can take measures to prevent premature harm. This piece explores a few of the general risks posed against the integrity of your scaffolding.
Improper installation methods
Scaffolding installation is not merely about putting the formwork together and hoping that it will be sturdy. In fact, the installation needs to adhere to Work Health and Safety regulations if it is to be viable for a construction site. A few of the safety regulations that need conforming to include not creating uneven pressure on the formwork, ensuring even load bearing of the platform and so on. You also need to take measures to keep the scaffold itself is safe and secure, for instance by integrating stabilising mechanisms, integrating fasteners and so on. Therefore, to ensure that your scaffolding is safe and not susceptible to damage, you need to have it installed by professionals.
Overloading the scaffolding
Scaffolding systems, admittedly, are employed for weight bearing at an elevated height. Nonetheless, each type of scaffolding system will be designed with specific weight-bearing capabilities. If you have not taken into consideration what the load capacity of the scaffolding system is, it will definitely acquire damage due to excessive workers, heaving construction supplies and so on. Not only should you ensure that you are well versed with the load capacity of the scaffolding system, but you need to ensure that all your construction contractors are aware of it so that they do not the system and platform unknowingly.
Natural wear and tear
When scaffolding is not in use, it needs to be disassembled correctly and stored appropriately in an environment where it will not be exposed to moisture, heat and other elements. However, if your construction project is going to last several weeks or months, then your scaffolding could be exposed to these elements regardless. Exposure to moisture can cause steel scaffolding to corrode, which will weaken the formwork. To prevent this undue damage, it is critical to ensure the scaffolding is covered in a tarp as long as it is not in use and the weather is erratic. Additionally, since the scaffolding system on an occasional basis so that any onset of damage can be attended to and remedied before it worsens.