The Right Tools for the Job
So, imagine this, you’ve joined our incredible team at RG Scaffolding-Solihull | Birmingham Hire, your scaffolding specialists, and you’re in charge of erecting the scaffold, what tools do you need?
The work platform is too high to reach from conventional working methods, and there is four basic parts to put together such as: The Planks, cross-bars, frame and connecting pins.
If not connected properly, accidents may happen because the scaffolding was incorrectly assembled by the scaffolder. Read on to find out what tools you need.
Level Tools
Assembling the scaffolding requires the base unit to be placed on a solid foundation within the project sight in Birmingham. To complete this task, the scaffolder needs a good level tools that will check the assembled pieces to ensure they are horizontal. A good level will accomplish this, but a smaller level may be the best choice, as it can easily be carried in a work pouch.
Claw Hammer
Even though the scaffolder has put the scaffolding together with pins and clamps, the best tools are still required such as, the Claw Hammer, which is used to drive pins into place or help remove the pins when the scaffold needs disassembling. The tools all come in different lengths and weights, but the scaffolder should use the heavy-duty commercial hammer.
Tape Measure
A tape measure will be needed to measure the height the scaffold needs to be and to assist the scaffold worker square up the frames. The scaffolder needs to make his own planks, and these special tools, the tape measure is needed to measure the size of plank required. A worker will also need to measure the distance the scaffold is from the building to make sure the assembly is not tilting as it goes up.
Socket Tools Set
A good socket set is required to assemble scaffolding. The cross-braces are attached to the main-frame with pins or clamps. These pins and clamps have nuts and bolts that need to be tightened or loosened when the scaffold is disassembled. Get a socket set that has both standard and metric sockets, as not all scaffolding accessories come with standard nuts and bolts, especially if the scaffold was built within the Birmingham construction industry.
Harnesses and Health & Safety
The higher the scaffolding goes, the more you will need a Health and Safety harness to protect yourself from falls. The Harness comes in many waist and full-body sizes, it’s attached safely from a rope and will protect you from falling from high places.
It is important that harnesses must be examined or have anyone inspect the harness every 12 months, and it should also be a subject to Pre-Use Checks, detailed periodic inspections and interim inspections.
These must be carried out before each use and should include the following visual and tactile inspections such as:
Webbing – Check the signs of damage like bobbing/strained or badly pulled webbing, cracks, cuts and fraying, as well as loose stitching or fading which may affect the strength.
Buckles – Make sure all rivets are tight and the buckles aren’t bent, chipped or have sharp edges that could damage the rest of the harness.
D-Rings: Check for any signs of distortion, fatigue or rust and make sure the ring pivots freely.
The Straps – You must carefully check the straps and also the rope for signs of fraying or broken fibres, also check for loose stitching.
Most importantly, is the label, serial number and inspection all date? This could be missed if not checked.
When you’re selecting a harness, it is important to make sure you choose one designed specifically for the proposed project. For example, if you’re carrying out electrical installations, you will need to combine fall arrest and positioning, in which case you would probably select a 5-point harness where the waist connections are used for positioning.
Harnesses generally feature webbing, side, rear and frontal D-rings, lanyard connections and adjustable waist and leg straps. Wearing the wrong type of harness or wearing it incorrectly, or not having anyone inspect it can lead to serious injury, or even death should a fall occur.
