Hiring Heavy Construction Equipment: Tips, Ideas and Money-Saving AdviceHiring Heavy Construction Equipment: Tips, Ideas and Money-Saving Advice

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Hiring Heavy Construction Equipment: Tips, Ideas and Money-Saving Advice

After years in the construction industry, I went on hiatus last year to start my own company doing interior painting. But I decided to take my experience from construction work and start a blog. I hope that if you are hiring construction equipment, my posts provide you with the guidance you need. I love writing and hope that passion shows in these posts. When I'm not writing on this blog, I like to design kites and work on model railroads, and I just started dabbling with watercolours on canvas.

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4 Scaffold Hire Tips

29 May 2020
 Categories: , Blog

Scaffolding is vital for construction workers that are required to work at heights. Unlike ladders, scaffolding is safe to use and can be used tens or hundreds of feet above the ground level. Read the excerpt below for some scaffold hire tips. 

Tip 1: Assess Your Site

Inspect your site to determine whether it is safe to use a scaffold. For instance, it may be challenging to install a scaffold if the area has low-lying branches or electrical lines. Your site conditions will help you decide which type of scaffolding you should use. For example, a cantilever scaffold is ideal if the ground below cannot support a scaffold. On the other hand, suspended scaffolds are your best bet when conducting repair work on upper floors that are close to the roof. Cantilever scaffolds are perfect for indoor applications.

Tip 2: Choose An Appropriate Scaffold

Inspect the scaffolding before hire. Bent and cracked poles could be dangerous. When hiring a suspended scaffold, check the condition of the wires and ropes. Also check the features of the scaffold. For instance:

  • The scaffold should be longer than the building you intend to construct.
  • How much weight can the scaffold bear? You need a heavy-duty scaffold if you will have many employees working on the platform.
  • Steel scaffolds are durable and can bear a lot of weight. You could opt for a fibreglass or PVC scaffold when working close to electrical cables.
  • Check the scaffold's safety features. For instance, an access gate and guardrails can help prevent falls when working on the platform. The planking boards should not be smooth or slippery.
  • Go for fire-resistant scaffolding when working in hazardous locations.

Tip 3: Hire Conditions

The scaffold hire company should have friendly hire conditions. For example, they should provide free transport, repair and maintenance services. For long-term hire, you could negotiate for a lower daily rate. Check the payment terms. You may or may not be required to pay a deposit. 

Tip 4: Scaffold Safety

Train your employees on safe scaffold use. This is especially important when the scaffold needs to be dismantled and moved to a different location. People working on the platform should have personal protective clothing and fall protection systems. Inspect the scaffold to identify bends or lose connections that could cause the equipment to collapse. 

When hiring a scaffold, assess your site, choose an appropriate scaffold, check the hire conditions and observe the recommended safety tips. Contact a company like Sydney Hoist & Scaffolding to learn more.