5 Things You Must Follow When Using Scaffold Towers Safely

by Jilli S. Consultant

Scaffold towers can prove to be a helpful tool for working at height as long as they are used in the right way. Scaffold towers are perfect for jobs that demand working at height for an extended time. Using a ladder for hours continuously is uncomfortable and not recommended. You should avoid using scaffold towers irresponsibly refraining from carelessness or giving into time pressure, as it could expose users and those in the vicinity to intense physical risk.

Here are five vital things you must follow when working with scaffold towers safely at a height. It will maintain your or the person’s safety working on scaffold towers and the people around the structure.

1. Follow Safe Workload for Scaffolding Towers

Like ladders, scaffold towers have a safe workload that you must follow when working with them and never exceed the limit. Furthermore, ensure you never use the scaffold tower to store tools or material for a long time as it can weaken the platform gradually. Those standing below it are vulnerable to the likelihood of injury if any material or tools fall off.

2. Never Use Other Objects For Increasing Height

Climbing back and forth on your access equipment, be it a ladder or a scaffold tower, can be relatively time-consuming. To minimise this climbing and get the work done faster, you may be tempted to gain extra height by using accessible items like a plastic box or chair but don’t give in to the desire. And reliable access equipment like a sturdy stepladder is intended for use on the ground and not at the top of an access tower. It can leave you in a dangerous position, so it is not worth taking the risk of using items like plastic boxes or chairs to gain extra access height.

3. Don’t Use a Scaffold Tower During Heavy Winds

Though aluminium scaffold towers are designed to withstand heavy winds, you must refrain from using them during heavy winds for safety reasons. If winds become too strong, making it difficult to work, it is best to delay your task. That’s because heavy winds can throw small objects like tree branches, grit and stones flying at you and may also shake up your balance while you’re at work. Over the last five years, the most common reason for fatal injury to workers is falling from a height, so make sure you don’t add to these numbers.

4. Move Cautiously at the Top of Scaffold Towers

Aluminium scaffold towers are sturdier than ladders but do not think they can tolerate excess load. They are intended to support the weight of a person standing and making the moves cautiously. Do not expose them to any jerky impacts. Dropping down anything onto them from any height or jumping up and down on them must be avoided.

5. Refrain From Buying Cheap or Substandard Scaffolding Towers

When buying access equipment, you should refrain from purchasing inferior or substandard equipment; instead, invest in quality equipment wisely as it involves your safety or the safety of one who will work on it.