Construction and maintenance of a building involve working at heights that calls for strategic positioning, enhanced security.

Construction of high-rise buildings is challenging as many parts of the building are hard to reach for workers because of their position. Scaffolding solves this problem enabling workers to focus on their work without any difficulty. They can reach any part of the wall or ceiling of a building within arm’s length. A major advantage of scaffolding is the strategic position it provides to workers. It’s installed prior to construction or starting of maintenance work. So, whatever the size of a building or structure scaffolding will always be required to start work.

Safety topmost priority
Using scaffolding at industrial sites becomes important for creating a secure workplace for workers who work at heights during the construction of a building, says Mithilesh Kumar, Director, Layher Scaffolding Systems.

“Scaffolding provides a flat and balanced working platform that allows multiple workers to work on a site simultaneously, and expedites construction of structures. Maintaining balance for workers becomes easier with scaffolding equipment; so, the chances of unwarranted accidents go down,” he adds.

MFE Formwork Technology has introduced ‘The MFE Self-climbing Safety Platform System’. It is powered hydraulically and is able to climb up the building as work proceeds, or can be quickly positioned by crane if the site has sufficient crane time available. “The safety platform is available in several versions to provide the ideal solution for every requirement and building type, and can be supplied to cover 2 or 3 working levels of a structure with a 1.5m high protection guardrail at the utmost working slab. It covers working level, pouring level and one level below working level for post concrete activities. So, safety is a primary reason for preferring scaffolding for the construction, says Ketan Shah, Managing Director, MFE Formwork Technology India Pvt Ltd.

Easier and safer place to work
Comparing to the conventional use of other types of scaffolding, bamboo or steel scaffolding, the use of aluminium scaffolding has made the construction site a much easier and safer place to work. “Aluminium scaffolding has the unique advantage of being lighter and convenient to move or mobilise than any other form of scaffolding. The safety features built in these are far superior, complete with toe boards and handrails even for ascending one level to another,” says Pradeep Agarwal, Associate Director, Mtandt Group.

Projects involving construction and maintenance activates always require working at heights which can be accessed by means of scaffolding. For successful scaffolding operations, project leader should consider scaffolding as a separate vertical and appoint a separate team to focus on successful execution. There are two key pre-execution factors that will determine the success of scaffolding operations they are design philosophy and know your load combinations. “The design stage requires one to select appropriate type of combinations like stationary scaffold, mobile scaffolds, hanging scaffolds, cantilever scaffolds, suspended scaffolds or combinations of the same. It also selects the scaffolding system to be used i.e. conventional tube or coupler or modular scaffolding like cuplock or wedge lock or HFrames or any other modular scaffolding, says Hari Om, Director, BSL Scaffolding Ltd.

Scaffolding software – run operations efficiently
Use of scaffolding management software is also recommended at the design stage. In the know your load and load combinations scaffolding, systems are designed so that components are capable of supporting all possible expected design loads without failure. Proprietary 3D and structural analysis software is helpful in load bearing analysis. After these two stages, execution at site starts and it is recommended that users develop a scaffolding usage policy based on their needs, to put in place broad parameters for scaffolding management, erection, modification and dismantling methodology, storage solutions, maintenance plans, scaffolding monitoring and inspection plans and working methods. These steps broadly spell out how scaffolding execution takes place, but all these intricate details need to be analysed in the light of job safety.

Fastest and most economical solution
The unique combination of positive and non-positive connections in rapid bolt-free system technology with AutoLock function permits connections that are automatically right-angled, obtuse-angled and acute-angled as required, with built-in safety at the same time, says Mithilesh Kumar, Director, Layher Scaffolding Systems.

This original system has been continually improved since it was launched in 1974, and offers an unmatched variety of uses: at every construction site, in industry, chemical plants, power stations, shipyards and for events. As scaffolding for working, protection, façades or for support, as internal or birdcage scaffolding, or as rolling towers.

Even with difficult layouts and architecture styles and with heightened safety requirements, Allround Scaffolding is always the fastest, safest and most economical solution.
The quality objective of Layher Scaffold is to make products which meet the requirements and expectations of the customers in respect of their suitability for use, and which afford the required performance, safety and dependability, Kumar adds.

Benefits for end user
Thanks to special high-tensile steel and constructive improvement, scaffolding provides higher fitting performance and more shipping space, reducing weight of components and raising load-bearing capacity. There is also no time-consuming fitting of spigots and double storage, owing to single standard with integrated spigot for supported and suspended scaffolding.

The integrated scaffolding system for easy and complicated applications is fully combinable with all former generations. Additionally, hot dip galvanise and maintenance-free systems also ensure maximum investment protections to long durability. The AutoLock function improves working safety and saves time saving on assembly. The light weight of components aids improved working.

Efficient use of cross braces with special locking arrangement, durability is equal if not more than steel scaffolding. Our products conform to EN standards which directly translate to the highest level of safety, says Agarwal.

“With appropriately designed outriggers of side supports, stability is enhanced; the base to height ratio is maintained on a 1:3 formula, assuring complete stability. Even the wheels are lockable when the scaffolds are in use,” he adds.

BSL has its experienced design team, state-of-the-art manufacturing bases and competent site supervision experts. They have designed, manufactured and supplied scaffolding to various residential, commercial and infrastructural projects and also have a proven track record in boiler scaffolding, most of the power plants in the nation boast of using BSL.

The company has it’s own proprietary software for scaffolding design. It’s design capabilities has helped successfully access most complex boilers and structures. “We encourage our customers to execute third party checks and inspection to ensure them of our adherence to quality standards. We have our scaffolding experts supervising erection sites to ensure all safety norms and guidelines are put in practice,” says Om.

Maintaining balance for workers becomes easier with scaffolding equipment; so, the chances of unwarranted accidents go down.
Mithilesh Kumar, Director, Layher Scaffolding Systems

Safety platform is available in several versions to provide solution for every requirement and building type.
Ketan Shah, Managing Director, MFE Formwork Technology India Pvt Ltd

Aluminium scaffolding has the unique advantage of being lighter and convenient to move or mobilise than any other form of scaffolding.
Pradeep Agarwal, Associate Director, Mtandt Group

For successful operations, project leader should consider scaffolding as a separate vertical and appoint a separate team to focus on successful execution.
Hari Om, Director, BSL Scaffolding Ltd