Masonry Magazine March 2010 Page. 29
SCAFFOLD PLANK
LAMINATED OR SOLID SAWN
Masonry Magazine: How has your company managed to survive in such a down economy?
John Warlikowski: By providing excellent products and service.
Dean Cook: We have continued to hold to our principals of doing business by providing, excellent product, competitive pricing and timely service. Most companies who sell scaffold plank are brokers, not a mill. Since we are a mill, we are doing more direct advertising and sales to the consumers.
Masonry: What's the biggest concern in the industry when it comes to scaffold planking?
John Warlikowski: The biggest concern is still the same thing that it has been for many years: buyer beware. Are you buying certified scaffold planks? That is why we suggest contractors ask the following questions from those who are attempting to supply them.
Cook: Our biggest concern with scaffold plank in a down economy is that users will not buy a quality product, and workers will be needlessly injured.
Masonry: What are the possible repercussions that mason contractors might incur if they use uncertified scaffold planking?
Warlikowski: The worst, of course, is the would-be death of a worker. Second, the financial loss is immeasurable.
Cook: First are accidents; second is the loss of revenue, not just the contractor but their families, OSHA fines, litigation, higher insurance costs, and, eventually, bankruptcy. Many people don't understand the trickle-down effect one little accident has.
Masonry: Do you feel that uncertified lumber will not last as long as the certified types of scaffold planking?
Warlikowski: It will not last as long as certified planks. The requirements for Solid Sawn as well as Laminated (LVL) Scaffold Planks are far superior to standard solid sawn or LVL.
Cook: Definitely. The lumber purchased from most box stores or lumber yards is four to five grades below the grade needed for scaffold planking. Scaffold Plank gets its strength from the mandatory density and grain of the wood. The lower the grade of the wood, the less density and grain it may have; the greater the absorption of moisture and chemicals, and the faster the rate of decomposition.
"Our biggest concern is that users will not buy a quality product, and workers will be needlessly injured." Dean Cook, Indian Mill Corp. www.masonrymagazine.com
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