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Hiring a scaffold tower in the UK is a common way to perform various tasks at height, such as painting, roofing, or guttering.
We offer a variety of safe and well-maintained scaffold towers for hire as well as professional consulting on their usage.
However, renting scaffolding also involves some risks and responsibilities that must be followed to ensure safety and compliance. We have an extensive guide on scaffold tower safety, please check it out.
This post will recap top scaffolding renting best practices and mistakes we see the most often.
Here are some of the top best practices for hiring a scaffold tower in the UK:
1) Choose a reputable and reliable scaffolding supplier
You should hire a scaffold tower from a supplier that has a good reputation and track record in the industry, such as Lakeside-Hire. We’ve been renting out safe and well-maintained equipment for decades and we make sure you get all you need to get your project done.
Make you get high-quality and well-maintained scaffold towers that meet the British Standard BS EN 1004:2005 standards (1, 2).
Pay attention to the scaffold tower prices being competitive, proper delivery terms, and a no-quibble guarantee.
2) Follow the manufacturer’s instructions
The scaffold supplier should provide you with an instruction manual that explains the erection sequence, including any bracing requirements and the height to which the tower can be erected safely.
You should follow these instructions carefully and keep a copy of them available for anyone involved in the assembly, use, dismantling, or alteration of the scaffold tower.
You should also check that all the components and accessories are present and in good condition before starting the work.
3) Erect and dismantle the scaffold tower safely
You should have the tower erected and dismantled with the help of competent and trained people, or under close supervision of such.
You should use a safe working method, either using an advance guard rail system or a through-the-trap (3T) methodwhich minimises the risk of falls during the process.
Also ensure that the tower is resting on firm, level ground with the locked castors or base plates properly supported.
Never use bricks or building blocks to support any part of the tower.
Consider installing stabilisers or outriggers when required by the instruction manual.
4) Use and move the tower correctly
Don’t use the scaffold tower beyond the purpose and duration for which it was hired. Do not overload it with people or materials beyond its safe working load.
Make sure you do not attach any additional structures or equipment to it without consulting the supplier or manufacturer.
Always have guard rails, toe boards, and other barriers in place to prevent falls from the platform. Use a ladder or an internal access system to access the platform safely.
If you need to move the tower, you should lower it to its minimum height, check that there are no overhead obstacles or uneven surfaces, and push it gently from the base. You should never move the tower while someone is on it or while it is loaded with materials.
5) Inspect and maintain the tower regularly
You should inspect the scaffold tower before each use and at least once every seven days during use. You should check for any defects, damage, or missing parts that may affect its strength or stability.
Also, check that it is still erected correctly and securely according to the instruction manual. If you find any problems, you should report them to the supplier immediately and stop using the tower until they are fixed. You should also keep a record of your inspections and any repairs or alterations made to the tower.
When you work with professional scaffold tower leasing companies like Lakeside Hire – all of that is taken care of, since we have strict internal procedures overwatching the quality. Give us a call today to discuss renting a scaffold!
These are some of the top best practices for hiring a scaffold tower in the UK. By following them, you can ensure that your work at height is done safely and efficiently.
Scaffold tower renting mistakes
To recap, here’s a quick list of some of the most common scaffold tower renting mistakes we’ve seen in 2023:
1) Using other objects to gain height
Never use bricks, blocks, boxes, or any other objects to increase the height of the scaffold tower or the platform.
2) Working at height in strong winds
You should not use a scaffold tower in strong winds or adverse weather conditions that may affect its stability or your safety. Wind can exert a lot of force on the tower and make it sway or fall.
Check the weather forecast before using a scaffold tower and stop working if the wind speed exceeds 28 km/h – or the manufacturer’s recommendation
3) Moving atop the tower in a careless manner.
You should not move around or lean over the edge of the platform in a careless or reckless manner. This can cause you to lose your balance or fall from the tower.
Always wear a harness and attach it to a suitable anchor point on the tower. You should also use guard rails, toe boards, and other barriers to prevent falls from the platform
4) Forgetting or ignoring the safe work load
You should not overload the scaffold tower with people or materials beyond its safe work load. This is the maximum weight that the tower can support safely without affecting its strength or stability. Check the safe work load of the tower before using it and distribute the weight evenly on the platform.
5) Using a cheap scaffold tower
You should not use a cheap or low-quality scaffold tower no matter how appealing the price may be. Cheap scaffold towers may have defects, damage, or missing parts that may affect their strength or stability. They may also lack proper safety features, such as guard rails, stabilisers, or locking mechanisms.
You should only hire a scaffold tower from a reputable and reliable supplier that provides high-quality and well-maintained scaffold towers – give us a call if you want consultation on the tower model best suitable for your needs.
For more information on Renting scaffolding 5 Best practices and hiring mistakes to avoid talk to Lakeside Hire