Constructing Access Scaffold Towers: The Basics

Any scaffold tower constructed needs to comply with safety regulations for working at height.  They need to be constructed and dismantled by someone who has the correct training and is fully competent. It is extremely important to ensure that your scaffold tower is constructed by someone trained, or by a fully qualified external scaffolding company. 

There are some basic guidelines below for you to follow to make sure you are prepared if you need scaffold constructing on your project.

Tip 1: Are You/They Trained?

There are training courses and qualifications available to prove someone is adequately trained to construct or dismantle a scaffold (or access) tower. Our PASMA training courses are designed to ensure you are fully qualified in access scaffold tower construction and working while using a scaffold tower. Training is the vital first step in taking the necessary precautions for construction and operating an access scaffold tower. 

Tip 2: Know The Dangers

By correctly constructing the scaffold tower, the dangers of working at height are greatly reduced. If construction is incorrect, you are at danger of harm during the process of assembling or dismantling, harm if there is an unnoticed defect in the fully constructed tower, or at danger of falling or overturning equipment when working at height on an access tower. 

There are some basic safety tips to follow when overseeing a project involving a scaffold tower to check that it has been successfully assembled before its use. These, however, should be reinforced with adequate training and regulations.

Tip 3: Basic Safety Testing of Scaffold Towers

Check: 

• Ground Level 

No matter how well constructed the scaffold tower, if the ground beneath cannot support it, or is soft/waterlogged, you put anyone using the tower in danger. Make sure the ground is solid and any debris is removed before construction or use. 

• Installation

Check all the relevant components of the access tower are complete, sturdy and are free from rust and damage. If they are not, this is a quick indicator that the access scaffold tower is not fit for use. 

• Regular Assessments 

Make sure a competent person is assessing the safety of the access tower at regular intervals after installation. If the fall risk is two metres or higher, then the tower needs to be checked at least once every 7 days after installation. 

• When Using and Moving 

After construction, the tower is going to be in use. Do not use your scaffold tower in strong winds or poor/dangerous weather conditions. Do not use your scaffold tower for anything other than its proper use, it cannot be used as a prop or support for other equipment such as ladders. Do not risk at any point using the access tower with missing or broken parts. 

When moving the access tower, check for any obstructions above it, such as power lines. Reduce the height of the tower to under 4 metres. Do not move when anyone is on the tower or it is holding materials, and make sure you are trained in moving the equipment at base level safely. 

Get More Information On Constructing Access Scaffold Towers

For further information, take a look at the HSE’s guidelines for health and safety regulations in construction. If you would like to start using access scaffold towers in your workplace, and want to make sure your team are trained, you can access our PASMA training information here. 

To hire access towers and platforms that you can be certain are safe to construct and use, Access Towers Services Limited can provide the right equipment with fully trained installers for your project. Call us on 0208 665 1181 for more information, or access all our contact details here.