Mobile scaffolding structures are a type of supported scaffold equipped with wheels or casters. The design of mobile scaffolds is meant to optimize freedom of movement. The major uses of mobile scaffolding include jobs where the worker is required to move frequently. Their adjustable nature, ease of dismantlement, and light weight structure help them expedite work.
Mobile scaffolding is suitable for painting big houses and structures, plastering, tiling, emergency repairs, theatrical performances using harnesses, mobile stairways for aircraft, foundry work, railway station repairs, and of course, normal building sites.
Besides the convenience of mobility in any direction, mobile scaffolding provides the added benefit of increasing tower height without much effort by adding a scaffold section to an existing tower.
There are a few safety measures to keep in mind during the assemblage and use of mobile scaffolding:
- The use of cross, horizontal and diagonal braces to provide a rigid structure is important.
- The scaffold should be (mandatory) level and squared.
- Platforms should not extend outward beyond the base supports of the scaffold unless outriggers or similar stabilizing devices are in use.
- When moving the scaffold, workers should not be riding it. Furthermore, if manual force is being used to move the scaffold, it should be applied as close to the base support as possible, but not more than five feet above the supporting surface.
How to choose the right mobile scaffold
There are a few general factors every builder or company must take into account when choosing their scaffolds.
Here they are, spelled out easy as pie:
- Choose a manufacturer with a good reputation and a technologically superior manufacturing process. Robot welding and laser cutting are your best bet for high quality components.
- Adjustable scaffolds with wheels can be quite expensive, so if you’re buying them, make sure your investment is worth it. Invest in a strong, durable material like steel rather than a shorter-lived one like aluminium. While steel is heavier, it maximizes a worker’s safety.
- Ensure that your scaffolding comes with a warranty so that you aren’t burdened with a flawed product.
- Scaffold towers with chassis beams will allow workers to simply release a break and relocate their scaffold. These provide convenience in terms of mobility, so chassis beams are a feature to look out for.
- New ranges of mobile scaffolding offer foldaway options that can fit into small spaces and optimize ease of assembly, and stability. You could be ready to roll in a jiffy.
- Depending on your requirements, some companies will customize your components for increased productivity. Contact your dealer to ask if they can make you a specialized scaffold.
When not to use mobile Scaffolding
It’s crucial to keep in mind that mobile scaffolding structures have certain shortcomings in terms of suitability to environments.
Using a mobile scaffolding structure in the following areas is not advisable in the following situations:
- In areas where the ground is unstable or uneven, for example, above mines and on floodplains. Unless you want to re-enact Jack and Jill going down the hill, best stay away from slopes as well.
- In landslide-prone regions of high altitude or mudslide prone regions in river basins.
- At building heights of above 15 meters.
- Wherever they will prohibit access to the inside of a building requiring convenient passage, especially in front of emergency escape routes.
Other than this, contractors should keep in mind that fiberglass scaffolding towers are essential for safety when dealing with electronic equipment atop scaffolding. It is a great idea to buy an aluminum mobile scaffold as they last longer and are sturdier. If you have any further question then make sure you give Alloy Access a call and we can help you out
