Masonry Magazine December 2000 Page. 26
Ryd-Up Scaffolding:
Delivers 21st Century Features
See your profits
Ride Up with
RRyd - Up
USCAFFOLDING
DURA-BIL, INC.
800-578-8500
■Widest heavy-duty frame in the industry (2" to 6" wider) means more stability
Two-speed, super-duty winch makes it easy to raise heavy loads
Glide-down speed wheel comes down smooth, with minimum effort
■Strong, flexible galvanized aircraft cable is easy to handle
■Exceeds OSHA standards to climb
■Only brace lock designed to keep tightening X braces
Self-aligning carriage provides continuous alignment
Up to 11 boards provide generous material area
Includes convenient slide out for hop board
Mason's working platform can hold stocked material
■Square coupling pins prevent legs from flaring
Two full boards between towers exceeds OSHA standards (no under size planks)
■Accessories available for all applications
FOR SALE OR LEASE
JB: As an industry we just need to do a little better job of educating both our workforce and our customers. Educate the public on what to expect from masonry and not to expect a perfect piece of masonry. It would help to have some form of continuing education for our workforce and the contractors. Simply because we have done things the same for years doesn't mean that its always the best way to do things today.
CO: We need to educate the customer and contractors. The customer has to realize that if they get a bid that is twenty-five percent less than the next lowest bid, a mistake was clearly made in the forming of that contractor's bid. They can't accept that bid and expect the job to operate and run smoothly. Customers need to know what to ask for. One item that is often overlooked is the sample panel. A customer could learn a lot about the craftsmanship they will receive from the sample panel. They also need to have all of the important information on the drawings. A lot of contractors look to the drawings for all their information for the bid. Scope drawings produce scope pricing (if you don't show it you don't get it)!
EG: One serious problem we have in St. Louis involves testing - either poor tests, or misunderstanding of test results. In order to address this issue, we hold monthly seminars for contractors, architects, engineers, and code officials to educate them on proper testing procedures, and how to identify poorly conducted tests. Our only way to battle these types of quality concerns is to involve educating all parties.
LN: The frequency and quality of on-site inspection needs to be increased. The first inspection should not be conducted when the job is ninety-percent complete. Inspections should be conducted throughout the entire process to catch problems before they become major. Tough and fair inspection practice is good for professional masonry contractors because it weeds out the poor performers. We need to stress to masonry contractors that we are our own worst enemy when we allow work to be completed unsatisfactorily. That's an invitation for the customer to try an alternate building system.