Masonry Magazine November 2006 Page. 30
SCAFFOLD PLANKING
Companies, such as Kennison Forest Products and McCausey Lumber, might have to deal with if these uncertified and unsafe planks end up on the job site.
Kennison: Having uncertified planking on the same job site as certified products, with them being mixed together, is certainly a concern for us. If an accident occurs, people may automatically assume that it is all plank on site as a whole is to blame. Uncertified scaffold plank ruins the image of quality plank in the market; however, the credibility of our company would be at stake as a leader in the industry. Our goal is not only to provide quality scaffold plank, but to educate customers on safety and care of scaffold plank.
Gilleran: Basically, if uncertified and certified planks are mixed together on the same scaffold assembly and there's a failure, and someone is hurt or killed, both suppliers will be under the microscope. From a litigation standpoint, they're going to go after anybody and everybody involved, especially the contractor because he or she knowingly let their people work with potentially unsafe plank.
However, as a long-time supplier to the industry, the biggest repercussion would probably be the effect on my conscience. Despite legal expenses and the effect upon our good reputation, it is the lives at stake and families affected that matters most. I would feel tremendously guilty if I did absolutely nothing to share my knowledge and experience.
Kennison: I can't stress enough how important it is for the contractor to re-inspect job sites for damaged plank using a competent and trained person. These measures combined with strict storage and handling procedures will help prevent accidents and save lives.
Now, there are different agencies and associations involved in the subject of scaffold planking. You've got ANSI [American National Standards Institute) in charge of creating the standards, OSHA is in charge
www.masoncontractors.org
NEED STANCHIONS? (SLAB GRABBERS) WE GOT'EM
Guard Rail Stanchions
All steel construction guard rail stanchion with adjustment from 0 to 24"
Positive clamping mechanism with threaded rod and wing nut
"L" brackets on upper post to accept guard rail
From a handful to a truckload
(No freight Charge On Full Container Loads)
We Also Carry A Full Line of
Scaffolding
Call:
Bald Eagle Scaffold Products, Inc.
Bill Oliver
TEL: 352-281-4077
FAX: 352-473-3870
CIRCLE 244 ON READER SERVICE CARD
November 2006
CHECKLISTS FOR PURCHASING SCAFFOLD PLANK
The following are simple checklists that mason contractors should keep in mind when purchasing solid sawn and engineered wood plank.
Solid Sawn Scaffold Plank
Can the supplier provide written documentation substantiating that boards were graded by an inspector, certified by the American Lumber Standards Committee? When in doubt, ask for a certificate of grade.
•Is each board stamped "SCAFFOLD PLANK"?
•Is each board stamped with a mill number, identifying what lumber mill actually produced and graded the lumber?
Is each plank stamped "OSHA"?
•What is the designated grade of lumber noted on the ink stamp of the boards?
Southem Yellow Pine: D165
Douglas Fir: 1718
Spruce: 180A
Engineered Wood Plank
• Can the supplier provide written documentation to substantiate that boards are tested by a nationally recognized, independent, inspection agency?
• Can the supplier provide literature with appropriate span charts according to the OSHA deflection limits?
Is each board stamped "SCAFFOLD PLANK?
• Is each board stamped with the manufacturers name and information?
• Is each board stamped with "OSHA"?