Masonry Magazine July 2003 Page. 24
EQUIPMENT SAFETY
The work's progress ensuring that all workers on the platform benefit from the safety protection. Guardrails and toe boards are required on all scaffold platforms over 10 feet high.
Job site and Workspace Cleanliness
OFTEN UNDERESTIMATED, a dean job site can offer tremendous safety benefits. Most debris and other materials used by the masonry contractor are often associated near and around the scaffold work area. This is because of the need for the laborer to constantly "jump" planks. Jumping planks requires all materials to be relocated to the ground before again being reloaded back to the work deck. As all masons know, this damages materials and creates waste-waste that is often left at or near the scaffold work area creating hazards and potential accidents. Adjustable scaffolding requires no board jumps thereby eliminating material relocation.
Workspace cleanliness is altogether different than job site cleanliness. Workspace cleanliness directly affects all masons and laborers on the platform. Adjustable scaffolds offer a larger work platform than tubular scaffolds. The larger work platform allows masons room to organize the materials on the deck, thereby allowing more room and less obstruction for maneuvering. There are fewer accidents when maneuvering on adjustable scaffold decks.
Conclusion
Adjustable scaffolding systems continue to be progressively innovative as manufacturers improve designs and models. The design of adjustable scaffolding is simple and efficient. With it also being safe and cost-effective, adjustable scaffolding is a viable option for most mason contractors.
Eugene Sak is Chairman of the Adjustable Scaffold Council for the SIA and has been involved in the Adjustable Scaffold Industry for more than 15 years.
The Scaffold Industry Association (SIA) formed the Adjustable Scaffold Council in response to its members' years of work and activities within the adjustable scaffold industry. The Adjustable Scaffold Council assists the SIA in its regulatory involvement with agencies such as OSHA, MSHA, Cal-OSHA and other entities. Members of the SIA include users, dealers, labor groups and manufacturers.
Call The FOM Company, Ltd..... for THE BEST foam core fill insulation for cmu's. The Best R-Value... The Best Pricing... The Best Coverage... AND The Best Contractors!
For Information on Joining our National Network of FOM Insulation Contractors, CALL 1-877-381-1200 or write
The FOM Company, Ltd.
5102 West Village Green Drive, Ste. 106
Midlothian, VA 23112
www.thefomcompany.com
The FOM Company is proud to be a member of the Masonry Institute and The Mason Contractors Association of America.
The Engineered Wood Specialists!
For Industrial Applications... Scaffold Plank • MasterPlank • TecLam • Microllam
Concrete Forming
Building & More!
MCCAU CAUSEY LUMBER CO.
Roseville, Michigan 800.365.9663
Fax 586.294.1505 www.mccauseylumber.com