Roofing and Building Center

Using an Aluminium Scaffold Tower

Posted on January 3, 2010 by Samuel Cheeseman ----- Advertisement

Scaffold towers are very popular with homeowners and professional tradesmen who need to complete work at height. An Aluminium scaffold tower will be used frequently due to its lightweight design and reasonable cost. Most towers are far superior to ladders in many situations as they are much safer and sturdier structures which also provide a much larger platform to work from and to store materials on. It is also relatively easy to purchase a cheap aluminium tower scaffold which is of good quality due to the large number of suppliers offering them for sale.

Although they provide a safe way to work at height without installing a full scaffolding system there are still various precautions which should be taken when using one of these towers.

Safety Checks and Construction

Safety begins before you actually start using your tower as a platform to work from. Every year many accidents occur due to the use of damaged aluminium tower scaffolding, which was either erected incorrectly or was just not suitable for the job at hand. First of all you should ensure that the tower you plan to use is the correct height for the structure you will be working on. Make sure that you understand whether the supplier quotes the working height or the platform height. If do not know what height you will need then your supplier should be happy to give you some advice. When you are making a purchase or looking at hire options it is important to check the structure for any signs of damage or wear and tear which could require maintenance. This is especially true when working with a used aluminium scaffold tower as it has likely been used many times before by many different operators. You should pay particular attention to any dents in the scaffold tubes as any with major dents in them will be significantly weakened and could even cause a tower to collapse. This is particularly important when using the aluminium scaffolding towers as they are more susceptible to denting that a steel tower would be. Damaged parts should always be replaced before the tower is used. You should also check that any tower you plan to use satisfies the European Committee HD1004 industrial usage standard. Most structures will meet the requirements but it will be sensible to make sure.

Any time you purchase a tower or take out an aluminium scaffold tower hire contract, the supplier has to provide you with documentation detailing safety and construction and procedures. These should be followed carefully. In the UK the Work at Height Regulations 2005 can also be used as a guide to safe working practices and carrying out assessments before starting a job. When constructing your aluminium scaffolding tower there are two methods developed by The Prefabricated Access Suppliers and Manufacturers Association which can be used. These methods ensure that the operator is always working from a platform protected by guard rails. The instructions provided with your tower will detail which method is to be used with that individual tower and the exact steps which should be taken. You should never attempt to construct a DIY aluminium scaffold tower on your own. A second person should always be present to increase safety and to take action if you are injured while using the tower.

Using the Tower Safely

After you have constructed the tower in accordance with the documentation there are several things you should keep in mind while working from it. Make sure that any stabilisers or braces are fitted correctly so that the tower does not wobble. Good quality products such as any Boss aluminium scaffold tower should always come complete with effective stabilisers. You should not fit any sheeting to the side of the tower as this could also cause the tower to move around if the wind is strong. Any wheel brakes should always be applied while the tower is in use. When climbing the tower be sure to use the method specified by the manufacturer. This will generally mean staying inside the structure and not climbing up and down the sides unless a ladder has been fitted for this purpose. A hoist should never be used on aluminum scaffold towers. The vast majority are simply not designed in a way that will allow a hoist to be attached safely.

It is important to consider the safety of others around you. Wherever possible you should cordon off the area you are working in to prevent anyone being struck by falling objects or attempting to climb the tower. Any ladders should be removed while the tower is unattended in order to discourage others from using them. As long as you follow the advice of companies offering tower hire or sales then you should be able to use a tower to your advantage and remain safe at the same time. If you feel that one of these structures would be of use to you then the internet is a great place to begin looking for reasonably priced aluminium scaffold towers for sale.