Individuals who intend on making use of stabilizing construction equipment, such as scaffolding, might want to become comfortable with the items in a common scaffolding inspection list, as these will ensure that the item is sturdy in design and has been set up following regulated industry standards. It is not uncommon for a certified professional to go through the list on behalf of a construction company, but it is always a good idea to follow all of the guidelines that are outlined by the document to ensure the safety of those who are going to be using the platform.
Inspecting the Structure of the Scaffolding
The integrity of the material from which the scaffolding has been manufactured should be at the top of the scaffolding inspection list. Professionals will usually begin by determining the grade of the planks, as well as whether any damage has been done to the product itself. If the item cannot be used for the purpose for which it was intended, it should be replaced immediately. Once the integrity of the materials has been inspected, it is then necessary to determine whether the spacing of the frames, as well as the size of the sills, are able to carry the load that is intended for it.
The Finer Points of the Scaffolding
Once the major aspects of the inspection have been covered, the smaller details will need to be checked on, and these include the use of screw jacks in the leveling of the item, whether the item is stable, whether there are guard rails on the open sides of the product, and whether the legs are braced properly, among others. In order to determine whether all of these requirements have been properly followed, individuals need to ensure that they have a thorough and complete inspection list to work with.
It might be a good idea for construction professionals to store multiple copies of the inspection list at their place of work; every time they need to inspect the scaffolding on which they will be working, they can then bring out a copy of the list and manually tick off each and every item. While this might be slightly time consuming, it will also ensure that mistakes are avoided and that no item off the list is forgotten.
Inspections Carried Out by a Professional
The scaffolding inspection should be carried out by a professional, but it is just as important to determine whether a professional erected the platform in the first place. It should be noted that a simple mistake could end up costing people their lives; this is why it is so important to ensure that this job is done right. Whenever it comes to safety equipment, the highest regard should be placed on following the appropriate procedures; when you take the time to follow these, you can rest assured that you will have done everything possible for your project to go off without a hitch, and this could end up benefiting you multiple times over in the long run.
