Used Scaffolding For Sale
If you have run your construction company for any length of time, you have probably found yourself needing scaffolding, or extra scaffolds quite a few times. If you are looking for used scaffolding for sale, rather than spending upwards of 50% more on brand new scaffolds, you may want to start by checking out online auction sites, such as eBay. You can find quite a few different companies that are looking to recoup some of their operating costs during the times of a downturned economy. To help you with your purchase, we’ve outlined the three major types of scaffolding that you will come across while shopping, and also outlined five different tips to help make sure that you are keeping your employees safe while they are working on the scaffolds.
Main Types Of Scaffolding
Suspended Scaffolding – Suspended scaffolding requires the use of pulleys attached to the ceiling, roof or rafters, where you are working. The pulleys, with ropes attached, will allow you to raise and lower the scaffolding so that you are able to work in front of the heights that you need to get to. You can find two main types of suspended scaffolding. Scaffolds that operate manually, or require your works to raise and lower both sides of the scaffolds to get to the height they need to be, or electrically operated scaffolds. Electrical scaffolding is slightly more expensive to purchase than manual scaffolds, and requires periodic maintenance to keep it operating under safe conditions.
Supported Scaffolding – Supported scaffolding is the type that you see around most job sites. This type of scaffolding is constructed from the ground up, and is usually built from metal piping, with cross sections to support the scaffolds, along with flat boards that give your workers a place to stand. These pieces of equipment are usually stacked on top of one another to get to the desired height where you are working. Because of their design, this is typically the cheapest priced scaffolding that you will come across, which will also make them the most common types that you will find when you are shopping around.
Aerial Lifts – Aerial lifts are typically wheeled machines that have a motor that can move them around while your workers are physically on the machine. These are also called ‘scissor lifts’ around some circles. Aerial lifts are the most expensive types of scaffolding that you will find, but their ease of use greatly makes up for the difference in price that you will see. The only downside to aerial lifts is that you must make sure they are on a flat surface, which is clear of debris, in order to prevent any accidents from happening.
Safe Scaffolding Usage Tips
Tip #1: Use Qualified Individuals To Construct The Scaffolding – Before you allow any of your workers to setup the scaffolding on your job sites you want to make sure that they are qualified in the construction. This will prevent accidents from happening that could have potentially been prevented by proper constructing of the equipment.
Tip #2: Pay Attention To The Maximum Weight Load And Distribution – Making sure that there are no problems, you are going to want to ensure that the weight on top of the scaffolding falls within the recommended operating weights found in the owners manual, as well as making sure that the weight is evenly distributed across the flat surface on the scaffold.
Tip #3: Inspect The Scaffolding Before Each Use – Before any of your workers climb onto the scaffolds you are going to need to ensure that the equipment has been properly inspected, and that any potential problems are remedied before work can progress forward.
Tip #4: Pay Attention To Overhead Or Hanging Lines Or Wires – One of the biggest hazards when working in the air is not paying attention to overhanging lines or wires. Bumping into these can potentially knock them loose, causing more work for another crew, or potentially harming the workers on your own crew.
Tip #5: Ensure The Scaffolding Is A Level Surface At All Times – While you are setting up the scaffolding you want to make sure that it is on a flat surface, free of any debris or inclines / declines that could allow the equipment to fall over when weight is shifted around on top of it. This is one of the most common reasons for scaffolding failing, or causing injuries on the jobsite and can be completely prevented with the proper safety measures in place.