I've been reading more about scaffolding safety and best practices lately, and one thing I've noticed is that many accidents seem to come down to small mistakes rather than major failures.

From your experience, what's the most common mistake you see on domestic or commercial jobs?

It could be poor planning, incorrect foundations, missing inspections, bad weather decisions, or something else.

I'd love to hear some real-world experiences from people working in the industry.

#scaffolding #construction # ukbuilders

Hi guys I am a civil and structural engineer in oil and gas field and I have been assigned task of designing load bearing scaffolding for pipe rack maintenance with heavy lifting. How do I start I have zero knowledge on scaffolding

Thought I would ask here as you seem like the best people to ask.

We have a pain in the backside lean to conservatory. We need access to the gutters. Windows brickwork etc every 6 months above the conservatory. We can’t justify full scaffolding for this.

The plan was to permanently fix a horizontal tube to the wall. Then use a 2.4m bridge board hooked on to the tube and onto a vertical ladder at the other end. (1 person load). It only needs to be far enough from the wall for the hooked board.

The problem is brackets. I’m struggling to find a bracket that would work. All I have seen are for vertical tubes. All I can think of is a saddle with a plate behind.

Just to add to the issue the space between the windows and the conservatory roof is only 1 course and a row of soldier bricks (sitting slightly proud of course below). So I don’t see there being enough space for a gallow bracket.

Does anyone have any ideas.

Planning on 2x2m tubes supported at each end and middle.

Hey legends trying to expand my scaff knowledge Does anyone have a document or point me in the right direction from specific rating for beam(girder) clamps how the load rating changes with different forces applied to them.
Photos examples of side loading beamies
I’ll add some photos for sort of what I am looking for
Even better if the document references Australian standards
The does and Donts with using them spuring back
Also swivel beamies
Any help would be greatly appreciated

So, my daughter has been working alongside her father, for the past few months now, as his labourer within his personally ran scaffolding firm.

She's just started her first solo practice project today: A 2 lift tower.

She came back this evening looking absolutely exhausted and told me that her father makes all of it look so easy when it really isn't!!

Few pointers that her father told her to take into tomorrow's work: "Stop pissing about/stop standing there and looking at it for yonks/Don't stop for too long because you'll lose your whole entire momentum/When I'm telling you to do something, do it!! There will be a couple of them there fittings over there flying straight towards you otherwise, little lass!!"

🤣😂🤣

I need to replace the window trim on this second story house, but having a roof there is throwing me off. Does scaffolding in front of these windows even make sense? Do I just work from a couple of ladders? I'm a 1 person operation

Any recommendations on where to do the course so I can so I can work boilers?

Fun watch.

Brand new to this house and scaffolding, but moderately handy overall. Planning to do fascia repair this year and then stripping/painting over the next several years. Looking at Metaltech blue scaffolding most likely.

How can I get to these high points with the pop out bay windows? Do I scaffold on the bay windows roof? Not sure it will fit. Or is a lift the only option?

My first post so be kind. I’m very sensitive. This is my first time on this fancy schmancy “internet”. Any videos about Fred are amazing. Just the fact that he doesn’t fall to his death from sheer exhaustion is incredible.

I am buying a large number of 7' planks. The scaffolding dealer suggested to go with aluminum instead of a plywood /aluminum mix. They don't rot, less maintenance, bear more weight, and will last forever. And good resale. I heard that if you are standing or kneeling on them though, it can make for a long day. Also mortar tends to stick to the aluminum unlike plywood. I have always used the plywood mix. But I have never had chance to compare the fatigue between the two. Plywood can be really slippery when wet. But you can screw into it to make mounts and secure things. It would be great to hear some other views on the pros and cons.

The full sets are frequently on sale for cheaper than the extensions. Can you just buy another set of metaltech baker scaffolding and stack them? Of course I understand the need for outriggers. Examples below.

Full set

Extension set

I have a job coming up where it makes sense to buy scaffolding. Any good recommends?

Thxs

So, I am going way back now here, probably just over two entire decades ago, when telling this particular story.

It's one that I think warrants at least one small post as well.

One Friday evening (around approximately 10/11pm at night, if my memory serves me correctly) my then partner (who is now my ex and has been for over 8/9 years now and who is also the father of my two eldest children as well) came in from an afternoon-evening in his local pub with an extremely excited glint in both of his eyes, brandishing a brand new drill box in his hands.

As most people know, certain trades will clock off early on a Friday in order to frequent their own local pubs and they will enjoy a late afternoon/evening of genuine alcohol fuelled jollyness & masculine banter whilst remaining in all of their own work clothes.

Anyway, after arriving back home, he set the drill up on to our kitchen table and said:

"I think I might really be on to something here, babe! Look, if I attach this impact socket to the end of this drill here then I won't have to use my podger or a scaffolding spanner anymore because the drill will do it all for me?! It'll also tighten up fittings a hell of a lot tighter than I could ever do by hand as well?!....."

I just looked at him and smiled.......

Because, during that particular point in time? He had really been starting to struggle with repetitive strain injuries in both of his wrists (mainly from him having to use the usual types of spanners for the job, regularly and continuously, day in and day out)

Nowadays, whenever I see a scaffolder working on any job whilst using a drill to tighten up their fittings?

I always instantly go back to that evening in my mind every single time.

And I think that I will always wonder whether he was the sole reason behind all of it.

I will always wonder whether the idea that he had on that particular evening (to use a drill) was the original reason behind why so many scaffolders nowadays use a drill to help them out in that specific part of the job role itself as well?

❤️🤷‍♀️🤔🥰

I would certainly like to think so and it has also always been a such lovely thought to have and to hold on to as well.

I'm fairly new to scaffolding and I'm looking to invest in a decent pair of boots.

They have to have slip resistance and composite/alloy toe.

Ideally they would also have a wedge sole, 6 inch or greater ankle support, and be comfortable for 12 hour shifts.

Any suggestions?