At the very centre of building work is usually some form of scaffolding. Unless this has been erected, how can tradesmen possibly expect to complete their work based high above the ground? It’s needless to say that many houses, events and landmarks owe a lot to the scaffolding trade as it continues to provide the very platforms required to get projects over the line. Below are just some of the key areas that scaffolding gets deployed and why it has become so integral to their respective industries.
Roofing
The roofing industry is all about working a great height. Certain tasks that require basic maintenance may get away with ladders, but more substantial projects such as a complete roofing overhaul is going to need scaffolding. With scaffolding installed, roofers will be able to manoeuvre around buildings in a proficient manner and have the capacity to pass materials between different people in a methodical fashion. Scaffolding also allows roofers to feel at ease when they are working with harnesses often used whilst working on major commercial buildings.
Events
If an event is only around for a short period of the year, why would you go through the trouble of installing permanent seating? Many music festivals and shows use scaffolding to help create temporary seating that can be erected and then dismantled after the festivities have come to an end. Many scaffolding companies will be using the same materials and transport them across the country, which can only be good for the environment with less reliance on further production of things made from steel or aluminium. The main stages at events such as Glastonbury will also be held up with scaffolding.
Film
When you watch a movie or tv show, you really are looking at a very small portion of the main studio. Away from the camera, you are likely to see a vast array of scaffolding keeping all the lighting and cameras in position as the action gets underway. Simply head over to any behind the scenes for major movies and you will soon notice just how extensive the scaffolding can be for establishing certain shots and providing the atmosphere conducive to the type of film or show being worked on.
Landmarks
A whole host of landmarks across the world would have used scaffolding in order to get constructed. When you think big, you will usually cast your mind to things like the Eifel Tower in France and the imperious Statue of Liberty in New York, both of which couldn’t have possibly been built without the use of scaffolding. Closer to home, you may have recently heard that Big Ben will see its scaffolding removed after a few years of renovation work. It’s clear we owe a lot to the people who design and erect scaffolding at this scale, especially as they have helped to restore and even construct some of our favourite sites around the globe.
Home Extensions
Taking it back a notch and you will often notice how smaller-scale projects such as a residential extensions will also call upon scaffolding. Certain extensions are almost like building a whole new house on an existing structure, so you can imagine the need for easy manoeuvrability and of course adherence to health and safety almost all the time.
This post was written by B3 Scaffolding.
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If you’ve ever had to complete a job around the house that requires you to use a ladder on your stairs, maybe removing some wallpaper or hanging up Christmas lights, it’s safe to say the thought of falling and hurting yourself may have crossed your mind at least once or twice.
By doing so, you may feel as if you are taking your life into your own hands and as a result can become anxious whilst carrying out your particular task. Especially if the ladder you are using isn’t suitable.
To avoid this altogether, you may opt to ditch the ladder and find another creative way to get the job done. Either way, it’s a dangerous game to be playing when you could use a suitable ladder that not only ensures your safety but you get the job done easily and efficiently.
The same can be applied to a professional setting also. If you work in an industry that requires you to use ladders in a range of environments, you may not always find yourself in the best situation when having to work on stairs.
So, what are the best ladders to use when working on the stairs? The answer is combination ladders! These ladders have been designed specifically for jobs such as those that require you to work on stairs. They provide a perfect solution for all of your worries with the ability to adapt to almost any job you may have.
Despite combination ladders being suited to stairs, there is still a particular way in which to set them up to avoid any unnecessary injuries. So, let’s take a look at what you need to do.
Once these things have been done, your combination ladder is now ready to be used. All that is left to do is to ensure that other health and safety measures are met. These include making sure the ladder’s feet are secure and as far from the edges of the stairs’ steps as possible and that no other objects can affect your work such as a hanging light. If you’re working by yourself, it’s recommended that you tie the ladder to the stair’s bannister to ensure it is kept steady whilst you carry out your work.
By following these easy steps, you will ensure that whenever you work on stairs with a suitable combination ladder, you can do so in a safe and relaxed environment.
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The panelised modular building systems market in the UK was worth £753m in 2019. It is worth noting that due to the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic, AMA Research are forecasting that contractors’ output is expected to be down by 20% in 2020. As a result of this downward turn, the panelised modular building systems market will also experience a decline in 2020 as the two are not mutually exclusive. This will result in a drop of 15% decreasing the market value to £636m.
Off-site manufacturing, such as panelised modular building systems may recover faster as it is more conducive to Covid-19 safety measures such as social distancing. The adaptation of the working environment has been an easier transition than a traditional construction setting, due to it being less labour intensive and requiring fewer personnel on site. With all construction work carried out on a production line, activity can be planned and monitored to ensure that social distancing is adhered to.
More importantly there is now a strong likelihood of an increase in the use of volumetric and other types of off-site construction method to help meet the chronic housing shortage, cope with the lack of traditional construction skills within the construction industry and help meet the government’s pledge to be carbon neutral by 2050.
Off-site construction, with open panel timber frame systems the most widely used type, could very well be the solution to delivering much needed affordable homes and to deliver them quickly. It is anticipated there will be a significant increase in off-site production capacity with many leading housebuilders and RPRs declaring their intentions to substantially increase their use of off-site systems to build new homes.
Timber frame systems is the largest sector, with a share estimated to be 70%, due to a larger supply base and extensive usage in the Scottish housebuilding market and self-build sector. Timber frame is a natural, renewable, low carbon material and timber frame houses can be built on average eight weeks faster when compared with traditional construction methods. The end result is a more cost-effective building to live in.
A close eye will need to be kept on how quickly the economy, and the construction industry in particular recovers, however; there is now a glimmer of hope with the announcement from Pfizer of their successful initial vaccine trial. Over the next few years, the growth of this market will be greatly affected by how long the Covid-19 pandemic lasts.
About AMA Research
AMA Research is a leading provider of market research and consultancy services with over 30 years’ experience within the construction and home improvement markets. For more information, go to www.amaresearch.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @AMAResearch for all the latest building and construction market news.
Since 2017, AMA Research has been part of Barbour ABI, a leading provider of construction intelligence services. Barbour ABI is part of Informa PLC, a leading B2B information services group and the largest B2B Events organiser in the world. To learn more and for the latest news and information, visit www.informa.com.
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Access platforms are important in ensuring the safety of construction and operational tasks at height. Lifts, access towers, and platforms are essential in ensuring optimum safety while working in elevated and high areas. You should have access to different kinds of access equipment to secure smooth and productive industrial work.
This article will enlist the common and most popular kinds of platforms. This article will help you to easily determine the kind of access equipment that best suits the demands of your industry.
Construction sites commonly use scissor lifts for easy aerial work. A scissor lift can be used in both indoor and outdoor constructions. It’s better than boom lifts because scissor lift machines are not limited to vertical movements. If your industry needs demanding aerial work that is not limited to vertical movements, you should opt for a scissor lift that can also easily move horizontally.
Criss-cross braces are essential in securing and supporting scissor lift machines. They’re so important that its name was even derived from such parts. Criss-cross braces look like scissors when they’re stretched and doing essential work in lifting and moving manpower. Such braces play a large role in supporting the machine when moving upward or downward.
Scissor lift machines can carry many workers as it comes with a large platform. Its platform can also carry and lift heavy material and tools.
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A mobile elevated work platform is the most affordable variant of access platforms. It is lightweight and compact and can easily support laborers while doing tasks in elevated areas. A MEWP can usually carry one person. MEWP machines can reach high heights so they’re perfect for work environments that need an access platform that can reach high elevated areas.
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A cherry picker is a kind of platform that puts a person at the edge of a crane to allow for better access when working in elevated areas. Because of its unique design, people are not limited to moving upward and downward, they can work in multiple directions.
Cherry picker platforms are perfect for industrial tasks that require extensive repair work, inspections, and maintenance. It can easily work and adjust to the design and architecture of buildings as it can reach tight and tricky spaces.
Construction work that needs laborers to access tricky and challenging spaces will work well and operate fast with cherry pickers.
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Mobile access towers or mobile scaffold towers are access platforms that can also be used indoors and outdoors. It is engineered to allow people to work on highly elevated areas so prior training is important to secure everyone’s safety.
Working with scaffold towers is highly risky so any person that would be using it must undergo training for optimum protection. A mobile access tower is usually 1 meter to 5-meter-tall. Any fall from such height can lead to serious injury if no prior training was undergone.
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Regardless of the kind of access platform that you would use, your ultimate goal should be securing the safety and welfare of your laborers in the workplace. All access platforms are specially designed to cater to different needs. In choosing one, take note of the following factors:
How many of your laborers will need to use access platforms? If many of your laborers will need access to elevated workspaces, choose an access platform that can carry numerous workers like a scissor lift machine.
Do you need your workers to reach extremely high areas? If you need workers to reach extremely elevated areas like tall buildings, it’s best to opt for mobile access towers that can reach great heights. However, using one would require prior training as elevated heights are extremely risky workspaces.
Do you know the operational movement that your laborers need for work? If you need one that can easily go upward and downward, a scissor lift machine would do. If you need one that also allows for horizontal movement and in multiple directions, a cherry picker would be a good choice.
Picking the right access platform for your workspace can still be tricky even if you already know the different kinds. If you’re still confused and in need of further guidance, you may contact access platform experts like the friendly consultants from Bend-tech Australia. Experts can easily study the nature of your work and suggest the best access platform for all your operational needs.
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