Two ways to keep industrial scaffolding in good condition

It is absolutely essential for those who use scaffolding in their industrial facilities to ensure that this equipment stays in good condition. If it develops a defect which causes it to collapse while employees are using it, it could endanger the lives of both those these individuals and anyone standing on the ground near the scaffolding.

Here are two ways to keep this type of access equipment in excellent condition.

Be careful about where you choose to store the disassembled components

Most industrial manufacturers who have scaffolding equipment in their facilities do not keep it fully assembled at all times; instead, they will usually have their employees disassemble it and stow its components away in a storage container when it is not needed, in order to prevent it from taking up too much space.

It is absolutely essential to ensure that these disassembled components are not stored in an area which could result in them being damaged.

For example, because most scaffolding platforms are made from wood, they should not be left in any areas where there might be termites or rodents (such as an unsealed outdoor storage container, for example) as these pests could potentially eat away at the wood and affect its structural integrity.

This, in turn, could result in the platform breaking under the weight of any employees who stand on it when the scaffolding is next used.

Similarly, all of the scaffolding's metal components must be kept in a dry, well-ventilated area of the facility, where they will not come into contact with moisture (in the form of dampness or humidity), as any prolonged exposure to water could lead to them corroding.

This corrosion could affect the stability of the equipment when it is assembled and in use, and could potentially cause it to collapse.

Inspect it regularly

Industrial manufacturers who want to avoid the risks and expenses associated with damaged scaffolding should have their employees thoroughly inspect this equipment on a regular basis.

This inspection process will enable employees to identify and resolve minor defects before they evolve into much more serious problems that could potentially destroy the equipment.

For example, if while inspecting the scaffolding, an employee notices that one of the wooden platforms has developed wet rot (a type of wood-decay fungus), they can alert their supervisor and arrange for the damaged platform to be replaced before the fungus begins to spread to and damage other platforms. 

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