4 Advice to Choose a Steel scaffold boards

According to Federal labor statistics, there are more scaffold injuries related to planks giving way than any other cause. In addition to that, approximately 25% of workers using scaffolding do not get any training or guidance on how to properly install work platforms. This means that you need to choose the right scaffold boards for your broad, AND train your workers with how to properly install and use scaffold boards.

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Scaffold planks are a critical aspect of your scaffold system. If you&#;re a builder, don&#;t make the mistake of assuming that any type of scaffold board will suffice! It is important to understand that scaffold boards must meet the strict guidelines that are set by OSHA. In addition, each scaffold must be tested to ensure that they can support the weight of materials and workers alike.

There are a number of factors to selecting the right scaffold boards for the job. For example, consider material, overall quality, load capacity, length, width, durability, and whether it has a non-slip surface. Let&#;s look more into scaffold boards below:

Choosing Your Scaffold Board

When identifying the proper scaffold plank size, you will need to consider the type of work you&#;ll be doing. You&#;ll also need to be aware of the distance between frames. Here are some tips to consider for your scaffold board:

OSHA Requirements

OSHA requires a minimum of 6 in. of overlap on either side of the scaffolding frames. This means that your scaffold boards need to be a minimum of 1 ft. longer than the span between the frames. Also, when creating a long platform that connects multiple spans of frames, the board overlap must not be less than 12 in. This is true unless the boards or platforms are secured to reduce movement.

Scaffold Plank Sizes

The size of scaffold boards should be chosen based on the dimensions of the scaffolding system and the requirements of your building project. Ensure that the boards are long enough to overlap scaffold supports by a minimum required distance, providing stability and preventing tipping. Here are some of the most common scaffold plank sizes that are commonly used for building:

• 16 ft. scaffold planks: Contractors typically use 16 ft. for masonry and stucco applications. A 16 ft. plank size covers two 7-ft. spans.
• 12 ft. scaffold boards: Use a 12 ft. scaffold plank size for either a single 10-ft. span or two 5-ft. spans.
• 9 ft. scaffold planks: The 9 ft. scaffold plank size is appropriate for a 7-ft. span to create long platforms.
• 8 ft. scaffold boards: For 8 ft. scaffold boards, use for a single 7-ft. or 5-ft. span. Good for long platforms with 5-ft. spans.
• 80.5 in. scaffold planks: Lastly, this is a unique cut board used for applications such as non-stop scaffolding.

If you have any questions about scaffold plank sizing, please don&#;t hesitate to reach out to our team for help.

Load Capacity

We&#;ve alluded to this already, but make sure that you choose the right scaffold board to accommodate your load capacity. Your scaffold boards should be able to handle the combined weight of workers, tools, and materials. The strength and thickness of the board will determine its load-bearing capacity.

It&#;s essential to ensure that the boards you select can safely bear the maximum anticipated load. Whatever load capacity you choose, ensure it adheres to quality standards set by OSHA or ANSI.

Materials

The most common materials used for scaffold boards are timber and metal (often steel or aluminum). Timber boards, such as those made from pine, are traditional and offer good grip, especially in wet conditions. However, they require regular inspections for cracks, warps, or other damages. Timber scaffold boards are often treated to enhance their durability and resistance to the elements, fungal decay, and insect attack.

On the other hand, metal boards are more durable and resistant to wear and tear but can become slippery when wet. Having a non-slip surface can prevent many accidents. Some scaffold boards even come with a built-in anti-slip surface, while others might require the addition of non-slip mats or covers to help ensure safety during use.

Other Notes on Scaffold Boards

How many scaffold planks do I need for my project? To determine the number of scaffold planks you will need for your project, you should consider the:

1. width of the scaffolding frame, and
2. the length of the platform.

Also, another question you may have is &#;how can I recognize board wear?&#; If you are using older scaffold planks, you may notice some wear and tear. Some signs that it&#;s time to invest in new scaffold boards include the presence of: end splits, warping of the board, narrow face splits, face breaks, saw kerfs (or saw cuts), decaying of the wood, and drilled holes or dents in the surface of the wood. Read more here for understanding board wear and how to prevent it.

Our Products

You will find that scaffold planks are available online in a number of different load limits. At Badger Ladder, we make the process of choosing your scaffold board a straightforward one! In fact, we provide two different types of quality scaffold planks to make it simple, each with different lengths and weight capacities. This includes our aluminum with plywood top scaffold plank and also our all-aluminum scaffold plank.

All-Aluminum Scaffold Planks

Badger Ladder offers all-aluminum scaffold planks for a lightweight solution! For this plank design, we have options for both 7 ft. (handles a weight of 75 lbs per square ft.) and 10 ft. (handles a weight of 50 pounds per square foot.) Each length allows for safety and stability while working on your scaffolding structures. provide a stable work platform atop your scaffolding structures. Our all-aluminum scaffold planks are versatile and can easily be utilized for either supported or suspended scaffolding systems.

Prior to being listed on our website, our scaffold boards undergo rigorous testing to ensure OSHA compliance and your safety. You can rest assured that you will receive a high-quality, safe scaffolding product that adheres to industry standards.

Aluminum with Plywood Top Scaffold Planks

For your convenience, we also carry the aluminum with plywood top scaffold plank product. This scaffold board features a 19&#; wide plywood deck. Similar to our all-aluminum plank, we also provide 7 ft. and 10 ft. options. Our 7 ft. has a weight capacity of 75 lbs., while our 10 ft. permits up to 50 lbs.

Each of our aluminum with plywood top scaffold planks either meet or exceed OSHA standards and ensure that your workers stay safe while using scaffolding systems on the jobsite. Shop all scaffold plank products here.

Choosing the Right Scaffold Boards FAQs

What are scaffold boards made from?

When choosing scaffold boards, you&#;ll find that they&#;re typically made from two main materials: timber and metal. Timber is a traditional choice and offers a natural grip, especially in damp or wet conditions. It provides a warm and non-conductive surface, making it comfortable for workers in various weather conditions. On the other hand, metal scaffold boards, typically made of steel or aluminum, offer enhanced durability and resistance to wear and tear. Metal boards are often chosen for projects where longevity and low maintenance are prioritized, although they can become slippery when wet.

How thick are scaffold boards?

The thickness of scaffold boards can vary based on their intended use, material, and manufacturing standards. While there are thicker options available for specific heavy-duty applications, the standard for many boards is around 38mm. Metal scaffold boards can also vary in thickness, but they are often designed to provide equivalent strength and load-bearing capacity as their timber counterparts.

What wood are scaffold boards made from?

Timber scaffold boards are predominantly made from softwood species due to their flexibility, affordability, and availability. The most commonly used woods for scaffold boards include spruce pine. These woods are chosen for their strength, durability, and resistance to environmental factors when appropriately treated. To enhance their lifespan and ensure safety, these wooden scaffold boards are often treated against fungal decay, insect attack, and other potential damages.

Where to buy scaffold boards?

Scaffold boards can be purchased from a variety of sources. Specialized construction supply stores often carry both timber and metal scaffold boards. Many larger home improvement stores or builders&#; merchants will also stock them. Additionally, for those looking for bulk orders or specific types, manufacturers and wholesalers can be a good option. It&#;s always essential to ensure that any supplier meets both safety and quality standards. Purchasing from a reputable dealer like Badger Ladder guarantees that the boards adhere to the necessary standards, ensuring safety and reliability for your construction project.

Guide to Scaffold Boards: In Conclusion

Ultimately, choosing the right scaffold board for your building project is critical for the safety of your workers and the overall efficiency of your project. Before purchasing your scaffold planks or beginning any work, always consider the size and load limits of the planks. And, of course, always be sure you are purchasing from a company who sells products in compliance with OSHA standards.

Let our scaffolding and ladder company help you make an informed decision about your scaffold planks! We have nearly 30 years of industry experience helping our customers with scaffold products including scaffold planks. Have questions? Give our team a call at (800) 863-, or contact us today.

When your workers need to do their job high above the ground level, scaffolding can actually offer considerable support. But, in today&#;s world, you have to choose the right type of steel for the elevated support to ensure safety. If you&#;re managing a construction project and living in the US, then you can approach us for steel scaffolding. But first and foremost, do read ahead to know how you can select suitable steel for the elevated support.  

For more information, please visit Steel scaffold boards.

Understanding Steel Scaffolding

While your construction project is progressing ahead, steel scaffolding can surely help the workers access high locations with an assurance of safety. Such kind of support is known for its strength as it is made from high quality steel. Moreover, the entire support or the structure is easy to erect and has the capacity to withstand high loads. The structure can also be adjusted to a certain height with the steel props, shoring jacks, and screw jacks.  

Factors to Consider When Choosing Steel Scaffolding

Whenever you&#;re selecting steel scaffolding for the construction project, here are a few factors that you need to keep in mind. 

Safety: Firstly, you should be able to gauge the strength of the steel structure so that the workers don&#;t have to bother about safety. The support should also be able to bear the weight of workers and should wobble at any instance. 

Durability: If you&#;re seeking scaffolding that will last for a long time span, then you should opt for a structure made from steel. While the metallic structure stays intact under different climatic conditions, the metal will also not rust easily. However, if the workers are going to use heavy machinery, then consider heavy-duty steel structures. 

Ease of use: When you want to erect scaffolding at the construction site, make sure that it&#;s easier to assemble the components. Besides, the workers should not find it difficult to dismantle the entire steel structure. 

Compatibility: If the existing scaffolding has to be augmented by a new structure, then ensure that the steel is compatible with what has been already erected. 

Cost: Lastly, you should also think whether you can afford the scaffolding. If the structure is quite expensive and not within your budget, then look for some other suppliers that can offer the best price.  

By considering the above factors, you can source a suitable scaffolding for the construction project. 

Setting up a safe and strong workspace for industrial projects is really important. Industrial scaffolding options are a key part of this.

Selecting a Steel Scaffolding Supplier

Selecting the most suitable supplier for steel scaffolding is always important for your construction project. Hence, let&#;s quickly go through how you can select an ideal supplier. 

Check for Quality: When you&#;re about to connect with a supplier, make sure that he provides scaffolding that is safe to use. In case you&#;re skeptical, then the reviews from customers can enable you to figure out whether the products are reliable.  

Look for Options: A reliable supplier should always offer different types of scaffolding for various kinds of projects. In addition, they should also be ready to offer extra components that you may need in future. 

Ensure that the supplier is trustworthy: If you&#;re unsure about the supplier, then skim through how they have been dealing with the customers in the past. You should consider someone else in case the supplier doesn&#;t keep up with his promises as communicated at the first instance.  

Make sure the supplier is helpful: Always choose a supplier who is ready to help at any point of time. Apart from answering your questions, the supplier should also help you choose the right structure and offer assistance after making a purchase. 

Look for a Fair Price: While you&#;re about to deal with the supplier, make sure you get in touch with the ones in the market and compare the prices. But, when quality matters most to you, you should be comfortable to cross the budget to a certain extent. 

Location and Delivery: Eventually, you should select a supplier whose outlet is near the construction site. Besides, the supplier should also be ready to deliver the components at the site.  

Maintenance and Care for Steel Scaffolding

As the steel scaffolding offers support for the workers day after day, you also have to maintain it across a period of time. So, let&#;s take a look at some tips you must consider for maintaining the steel scaffolding.  After all, the scaffolding shouldn&#;t collapse suddenly when the workers are busy with their tasks. 

Regular Checks: Before you commence using the scaffolding every time during the year, you should check for damage and whether the components are loose. But, if the workers will be busy for a long time span, then it&#;s better to choose a heavy-duty steel support. These not only bear a lot of weight but also don&#;t get damaged easily due to the weather.  

Keep the structure clean: Debris may accumulate on the components due to frequent use of the steel scaffolding. Hence, whenever the workers are taking rest, you could insist someone to wipe off the dirt using a cloth or a brush.

Prevent the structure from rusting: Steel tends to rust especially when it becomes wet. Therefore, it&#;s advisable to paint the steel rods so that they don&#;t rust when they are exposed to water. 

Store the components properly: When you would not be using the scaffolding for a long time, you should keep it at a dry place and protect it from the weather. 

Replace the broken components: If you come across cracks across some components, then you need to replace them right away. In case you overlook this tip, then the structure will be unsafe to use. 

Ensure regular lubrication: As and when it&#;s required, you must always set aside some to lubricate some parts. This will ensure smooth working of the moving parts and prevent it from wearing quickly. 

Impart training: Before you erect steel scaffolding at the construction site, you must ensure that everybody knows how to assemble and dismantle the structure. But, for safety, it&#;s ideal to invest in heavy-duty steel supports.

Maintain a record of everything: When you keep maintaining the steel scaffolding, you should make a note of everything. These notes will help you to keep a track of the structure&#;s condition when you have to follow safety standards.  

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When you&#;re using the steel structures frequently, there are many mistakes that you&#;re likely to commit. But, you need to avoid the mistakes to ensure safety.

Improper Assembly: If you&#;re not sure about how to assemble the structure, then you must refer to the instruction manual. Skipping certain steps can eventually lead to instability and lead to a collapse. 

Refraining from overloading: Steel scaffolding is designed to bear certain weight limits. However, surpassing the limits can increase the chances for a collapse and endanger workers.   

Ignoring Stability: Ensure that the scaffolding is properly anchored and leveled on stable ground. If you fail to check for stability, then it will result in a collapse. 

Poor Inspection: Inspect the scaffolding regularly for damage, cracks or bent steel bars. In case you come across any damages, then you have to replace the components immediately. 

Lack of Guardrails: Guardrails are always incorporated to mitigate the occurrences of falling from the structure. Therefore, when you finish setting up the scaffolding, make sure that the guardrails are set up at the open sides and at the ends of the scaffolding system. 

Conclusion

Finally, we would like to state that you must consider steel scaffolding which are safe to use and are extremely efficient. Before you buy anything, you should check the strength of the metal, the design and the special features of the structure. 

Understanding the diverse industrial scaffolding options empowers project managers to select the most suitable solution for enhancing worksite productivity while prioritizing safety.

About AAIT

Since inception, AAIT has always been one of the best scaffold distributors in the USA because it is known for top-quality products and years of experience. While our team adheres to the quality 

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