Scaffolding is the technology that enables work at height, upwards of more than one floor for workers, especially in the construction industry. Over the course of industrial development, Scaffolding has enabled the transition of the global landscape, enabling major and minor “work at height” tasks and helping us rise higher.

We had already pointed out the fact that Scaffolds are temporary structures. While there are still accidents and fatalities while working at height are well known in the construction industry.

Scaffolding also needs to be taken care of. What we are suggesting is that there can be issues that can damage or destroy Scaffolds, leaving us vulnerable with faulty and damaged Scaffolding equipment. Here are five such issues:

1. Environmental conditions. Extreme weather can cause the Scaffolding equipment to develop rust, deformation arising due to temperature changes that become pronounced, over a period of time.

2. Improper work protocols and rules are the work practices and habits of the workmen which may reflect poorly on scaffolding activities. This is the often cited reason for damage to scaffolding equipment.

3. Lack of established work at height protocols. It means the behavior expected from a work at height worker not being in accordance with the prescribed protocol. In some cases, there can be a complete lack of an established procedure that would allow the worker to behave correctly while working on the scaffold working platform.

4. Overloading can lead to disastrous consequences. The structural integrity of a scaffold and its components are severely tested under overloading. The fact of the matter remains that the scaffold may survive in one-off case but as suggested earlier, its load bearing capacity and integrity would be compromised due to such damage.

5. The absence of qualified or experienced personnel is the human factor that determines the other mentioned issues in a transitive sense. Qualified or experienced personnel can help suggest proper storage of scaffolding equipment, before use. They can ensure the existence of proper work rules and also helps in establishing correct work at height protocols. Due to their knowledge, guidance, and influence, the scaffold can become safer. Therefore, the absence of experienced personnel becomes an issue that can lead to damage of scaffolds.

The key solution to all five of these issues is the essential need for having an established work procedure while undertaking work at height with the help of scaffolding. And trained supervision, which can help the workers understand how safe practices can ensure the longevity of scaffold components.