



Scaffolding is a temporary structure used to help operators and support materials and help in construction, maintenance, and repair of buildings, bridges and any different types of constructions. Scaffolds are generally used on-site to get access to heights and areas that would be otherwise hard to get to.





Scaffolding is also used in adaptive structures for formwork and shoring, grandstand places, concert stages, exhibition stands, ski ramps, half pipes, and design projects. Unsafe scaffolding has the possibility to end in death or dangerous injury.





Type of scaffolding













Scissor Lift vs Scaffolding





Working at height requires a clear focus on safety. This begins with having the best equipment for keeping workers safe on the job. For years, scaffolding was the safest Structure to work overground. But since the invention of scissors and different aerial lifts, scaffolding has taken a back position when it comes to worker safety.



Scaffolding is still generally used in painting, window washing, building servicing, and other applications. And people will still discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using it.

But the truth that scissor lifts make it safer to work at heights up to 60 feet.



Here are six smart reasons to prefer scissor lifts over scaffolding.



Greater access

In the earliest days of aerial lifts, scissor lifts had limited activity compared to scaffolding. Those days, they can be used in everywhere scaffolding can. New characteristics like all-terrain wheels, self-leveling, and scissor lifts on tracks enable them to work in places they previously could not go. In fact, scissor lifts can regularly go where scaffolding can’t.









Safer for workers

Scaffolding and ladders are dangerous to work on. Their bases aren’t as stable as scissor lifts, which can use outriggers for more stability. They don’t provide as much grip in wet or bad weather. They don’t come with the large siding that scissor lifts offer. And they usually need more supervisors staff to observe safety.









Safer for the public

Outdoor over-ground worksites are often in the middle of pedestrian traffic. Using a scissor lift can make it easier for people to move safely in the work place. Many scissor lifts take up less area than scaffolding. There’s less danger of dropping items. Also, the lifts can be taken down and moved much quicker, which decreases the amount of time they interfere with foot traffic. These are just remarkable reasons why modern equipment is better.





Speed and efficiency

Working on all sides of a building requires disassembling and re-erecting the scaffolding. You could use several scaffolds, but you would still have the same amount of setup time. It would also require more workers, which would raise labor costs. Scissor lifts can be lowered and moved to different locations in just minutes. The end result is decreased labor time and more productivity.









Cheaper to use :

When work stops due to a holiday, bad weather or the weekend, it’s safer to disassemble and re-erect scaffolding when work resumes. Each time you do this, it adds cost to the job. Scissor lifts can be lowered and moved to storage with extremely little time and labor.





No emissions

If you're worried about the environment, scissor lifts with electric motors have no harmful emissions.







Advantages Of Scissor Lifts

to make the worksite safer scissor lifts supply the following advantages :



Safety

Scissor lifts are work platforms used to safely transport operators vertically and to different locations in a kind of industries including building, retail, entertainment, and manufacturing.



Before we discuss safety, first we should know which tools were used before the invention of scissor lifts; step ladders and scaffolding. However, those old fixtures could not provide enough support and reliability after a specific height and those who work with scaffolds and ladders should make an extra effort to build these towers accordingly safety standards and If they ignore to implement these measures, sadly, they will risk their lives as well as others, on the other hand, scissor lifts provide a strong and stable foundation for workers to do their professional jobs when used according to manufacturer’s instructions.





Productivity

Scissor lifts are moved quickly and safely from one place to another without trouble. This will help reduce the physical effort and fatigue of the workers who operate them and instantly will save time. As a result of that, they will have extra energy and time to complete their daily operational tasks.





Flexibility

There are different models of scissor lifts for specific jobs, such as electric-powered scissor lifts are best known for indoor usage while diesel-powered scissor platforms are excellent for outdoor usage and rough terrains also there are infinite probabilities when it comes to size ( wide, narrow, lightweight….etc) and height to end-users.





Compact Design

If you have a limited area in your warehouse or storage and your work needs you to work at height, scissor lifts are a perfect solution for you since they have designed to completely retracted and take up really little space.





The simplicity of Transfer

You do not need to worry about mantling and dismantling of the machine so that you can simply transfer scissor lifts with tow trucks. This will save your energy and time for another job.





Varied Power Option

Different scissor lifts use various types of power in order to operate. Some depend on mechanical power. Others use smooth hydraulics or pneumatic power instead. Scissor lifts also come in different types of sizes and types, making them an excellent fit for a wide range of different environments.

The Dangers of Scaffolding

If you continue to prefer scaffolding over scissor lift, take into account the following:



Increased risk of falls

OSHA mandates the use of fall protection when working at 10 feet or higher. However, when using scaffolding, contractors often insist on fall protection beginning at six feet. This is due to the bigger risk of falls. Weather conditions and a lack of focus on safety plans often cause falls. Incorrect access to scaffolding can also cause them.



Scaffold collapse

When scaffolds aren’t erected perfectly, it can cause the platform to collapse or result in falling objects. Proper setup must take several factors into account, such as the weight the scaffold will keep and foundation stability. Other factors include the position of scaffold planks and distance from the scaffold to the workspace. A proper scaffold setup requires a highly-trained person who knows how to erect, disassemble and move a scaffold.



