Masonry Magazine April 2012 Page. 20
PLANKS
Dents, gouges and depressions: Dents may reflect internal structural damage. Remove these from service and get them inspected by qualified personnel. (Fig. 9)
Figure 9.
Face breaks: These are irregular cracks across the face of the scaffold plank, and are usually a result of overloading.
Figure 10.
Face cracks dramatically reduce the strength of the plank. Remove planks with face breaks from service. (Fig. 10)
Other physical signs include discoloration; odor; or soft, spongy wood. Remove planks with these characteristics from service. Remember to immediately remove damaged scaffold planks from service as damaged planks may result in injury or death.
Regarding scaffold plank storage, keep scaffold planks dry, since strength and performance are reduced by moisture. Store planks in a dry, well-ventilated area. Storage in wet or unventilated areas will accelerate wood decay and plank deterioration. Always allow wet planks to dry quickly by providing proper air circulation.
Kennison
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MASONRY
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READER SERVICE #144
April 2012
www.masoncontractors.org
Protect planks from extreme weather conditions, including excessive exposure to water and temperatures exceeding 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Store planks under a roof or porous cover that will shed water, but allow moisture to escape. Keep planks stacked in bundles off the ground and supported by stickers spaced no more than eight feet apart. Line up the stickers between the bundles with the ground stickers. This will allow easy forklift access and provide air circulation. Misalignment of the stickers can damage the planks by creating a bow. Do not store heavy objects on the planks.
When discarding contaminated planks, assure they are disposed of properly per any regulatory requirement, based on the type of contamination.
Masonry: What information and advice can you give contractors concerning the disposal of damaged or un-useable scaffold plank?
Kennison: Cutting damaged planks into mudsills or non-useable lengths is a good way to prevent future use. Never dump or abandon a damaged plank, since the discarded plank may end up being used by someone else. When discarding contaminated planks, assure they are disposed of properly per any regulatory requirement, based on the type of contamination.
It is never a good idea to burn damaged planks as a means of disposal. The different chemicals associated with concrete, mortar and plaster may emit harmful fumes, and cause particles to become airborne, polluting the air.
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