Masonry Magazine February 2006 Page. 30
Scaffolding
Scaffolding rental companies have the expertise and equipment to quickly set up and dismantle scaffolding. Since scaffolding can take one day to several weeks to erect, the timesavings can be significant.
"The savings are in the efficiency. It's a time issue and it's a liability issue. Rather than the contractor taking the risk, they're saying, 'Hey, you take care of it," Bredl said. "What they need to be aware of is, if they are erecting and dismantling, they have to have the people who are properly trained."
Painter said the decision to buy set-up services comes down to a manpower issue. "Generally, it will save you time to get it set up, but it will cost you more," he said. "It really is a trade-off."
Micki Hentges, president and owner of Scaffold Service Inc., in St. Paul, Minn., is making a conscious effort to serve mason contractors, who are becoming a larger client base, by offering additional services. Besides scaffold set up and take down, Hentges has a 3-D CAD program that enables contractors to see where all of the scaffolding and planks will be placed on the job site.
"It's an amazing piece of equipment. It just shows it all. The response from contractors is great," she said, adding that each job is designed with CAD drawings so the contractor can visualize the scaffolding before authorizing the work.
Why is Waco the Contractor's Choice?
For over 60 years, contractors across the country have relied on Waco Scaffolding & Equipment to keep access projects on target and within budget. From engineering your project to closeout, Waco manages each step with trained industry professionals bringing years of experience in both access and construction techniques and practices.
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For Dealer Sales, call Sue Votroubek at 216-749-8900 ext. 130 or visit Waco on the web at www.wacoscaf.com
Accommodating Products, Increasing Costs
WHILE HAND CRANKS and hundreds of feet of scaffolding are still commonplace on many masonry jobs, new developments are making life easier. Universal Manufacturing's Bredl said that, within the last five years, he's seen a major resurgence in large, electric and gas-powered scaffolding.
"A mason usually had to move up and down the wall," Bredl said. "The [powered) platforms raise on the wall, taking the men and supplies with them."
Two years ago, Scaffold Service started offering elevated platform scaffolding, and it's been a big hit, Hentges said. The platforms jack up every seven feet, eliminating the need for raising planks.
Having scaffolding options is important. As Painter points out, "No one scaffolding will meet every requirement for every job." Masons need different sizes, shapes, weights and access, depending on the project. Painter owns elevated scaffolding, but still rents mastclimbers.
Price is playing a greater role in buying new scaffolding, too. Bredl explains that material costs have forced price hikes. "Everyone has had to deal with two to three price increases in the last 18 months. It's tied directly to steel. Our raw material prices have increased dramatically," he said. "It's tough on the contractor who doesn't take these costs into consideration on a job."
Because masonry crews are known for being demanding on scaffolding, Bredl advises contractors to purchase scaffolding that can meet their needs.
"Most importantly, they have to make sure they're buying quality products," he said. "The main thing I would stress, due to foreign dumping of steel, is to make sure the scaffolding has been tested. Make sure they're comfortable with the product they're buying; that it's a strong, durable product."
Language Everyone Understands
WHEN IT COMES to scaffold training and safety, instructors have a variety of teaching methods. The approach used by David G. Allie, president and owner of 4-Safety Training LLC in Marquette, Mich., is to focus on what's sure to get contractors' attention-money. He points out that safety impacts the bottom line.
"If you don't get hurt, you save the company money. If you do get hurt, it costs the company money," he said. "You have claims and insurance costs. Safety is about money, but a lot of safety people don't talk about it that way. I'm a realist."
Working safely can also save money by averting fines from OSHA. As any mason contractor can testify, scaffolding can be a magnet for violations if safety guidelines aren't followed.
Over the last three years, the top scaffolding violations have been issued for inadequate access or lack of access, inadequate or unavailable fall protection, and platforms that were not fully planked, said Russell "Bruce" Swanson, director of OSHA'S Directorate of Construction.
Penalties are typically assessed up to $7,000 per violation, Swanson said. For willful violations in which there is an