Scaffolding is not suitable for your specific project.
Scaffolding is not safe for your workers
The project incurs undisclosed costs.
3 problems to avoid when choosing a scaffolding supplier
While it is obvious that most construction projects would be impossible to complete without scaffolding, the importance not only of selecting the right scaffolding, but also of selecting the right scaffolding supplier cannot be underestimated.
With the right equipment, platforms, and machinery, you can make your construction project in Saudi Arabia efficient. However, add the right resources to that, and you can take your project from good to excellent.
When renting or purchasing scaffolding from a supplier, you'll need products that ensure worker safety and stability. It must also be sturdy and made of appropriate materials to allow the construction team to safely access higher parts of the building while moving easily when carrying equipment and tools.
It's also important to recognize that you may need ongoing technical support, without which projects can encounter irreversible obstacles and complications. Sometimes the type of technical support required is due to expertise, and other times it's related to costs. Companies often find themselves in situations where they believe they've paid for everything, only to discover a number of hidden costs.
Therefore, try not to rush into committing to scaffolding equipment, or you may encounter more problems than you hoped for—primarily significant costs to your reputation and business. Let's explore the three most common problems you may (or have) encountered when choosing a scaffolding supplier.
Scaffolding is not suitable for your project.
There's a reason there are so many types of scaffolding – one size doesn't fit all. Factors include the type of structure you're building, as well as the different stages of construction.
With numerous construction projects underway across the Kingdom, there have been instances where the unique needs of each project were not considered by the construction company or supplier. These considerations include the final structure of the building, the time and space required to complete the project, and the essential materials needed to navigate the project's complexities.
Failure to complete this due diligence, while continuing to order your scaffolding, could potentially lead you, your team, and your company down a blind alley, with the success of your project at risk.
Some common problems that companies face when the scaffolding they ordered doesn't suit the unique needs of their project include:
The company recognizes that it lacks sufficient resources:
Time: While all scaffolding requires assembly, different types of scaffolding will vary in the time they take to erect. For example, self-supporting scaffolding is stable and freestanding, but it requires a significant amount of time to set up and take down. It also requires a large area.
Space: Speaking of which, if you have ordered adjustable scaffolding, you may find that it doesn't work well on sites with limited space. This is because it tends to require a crane for installation, and with limited space, this can be very difficult. Alternatively, scaffolding that is easy to assemble, with an adjustable tower, will work much better for tight interior spaces. Similarly, pump jack scaffolding can work in a confined area and is easy to raise and lower, but it will be difficult to use on high-rise buildings.
Scaffolding using materials unsuitable for your work environment can have several problems, including:
Load capacity: Industry professionals know that the material determines the load-bearing capacity. Incorrect scaffolding can mean you end up with scaffolding that meets all your requirements but cannot handle the loads needed to complete the job. This is likely to cause project delays and increase the risk of accidents.
Dimensions: Construction projects that aren't perfectly square or rectangular tend to benefit from a specific type of scaffolding, such as a supported platform scaffold. These are not only easier to install and use on a structure, but they also offer the flexibility needed for unique projects.
Also remember that areas with unique shapes and obstacles, such as machinery and ladders, will be best served with adjustable tube and clamp scaffolding, where horizontal and vertical tubes can be adjusted to any distance. However, erecting this type of scaffolding can be quite intensive.
Environment: Ideally, the weather won't be a factor during your construction project. In reality, however, it can be very different.
If harsh weather conditions arise, you may need to erect scaffolding, which is why you might consider a supported platform scaffold as a suitable option for your construction project. This type of scaffolding will perform well on smooth, stable terrain. However, it does not work well on uneven or soft ground, as this particular type of scaffolding can cause the supporting structure to tilt, potentially endangering worker safety.
When working on very tall buildings, suspended and adjustable scaffolding is an excellent option, although ideally the structure needs to be square or rectangular. A swing stage, for example, is suspended from an overhead structure by cables or ropes attached to a frame on each side of the platform.
Scaffolding is not safe for your workers
Efficiently functioning scaffolding must also operate safely when paired with a specific construction project. This means having the right system for the right job. Your scaffolding must be suitable for the unique dimensions of your project, potential obstacles, and, of course, worker accessibility.
The right scaffolding supplier will guide you toward specific systems that are more suitable and appropriate than others – always keeping your specific project in mind. There are companies in the Kingdom and the region that don't take this into account, which can put their entire workforce at risk. And there's a reason why this leads to such danger.
People are likely to be inclined to improvise.
Workers tend to persevere. People want to get the job done. Therefore, when scaffolding is unfit for purpose, people on the job site are likely to continue working out of necessity. This will force them to make decisions that will jeopardize their own safety, as well as the safety of others. This includes taking risks with:
Access to height: Ask yourself and the service provider if there is adequate access to higher levels. Otherwise, with the wrong type of scaffolding workers, they are likely to use unsafe means to reach hard-to-reach construction areas.
Timelines: If your project is urgent, corners will likely be cut to save time and meet deadlines. Again, your team might take it upon themselves to do whatever is necessary to complete the job. It's best to be realistic with your goals and maintain some flexibility whenever possible. This can be discussed with your scaffolding supplier.
Load limits: Each scaffolding option will have a different weight capacity, and your appropriate scaffolding supplier will inform you of this. To avoid serious injuries, workers must know and adhere to the limit. Ensure workers understand the importance of load limits, as heavy-duty scaffolding is always available for jobs requiring heavy loads.
Compromising the structural integrity of your scaffolding should never be an option. Remember, this capacity represents the people as well as the equipment they wear and the gear they carry or move.
Falls are a real danger and must be taken seriously.
Falls account for a large proportion of workplace injuries and fatalities, which means that maintaining strict safety procedures is critical to reducing accidents.
This extends to ensuring that scaffolding can support worker safety equipment, such as safety gear, by incorporating robust attachment points within the scaffolding structure. Key considerations that are often overlooked when using the wrong scaffolding supplier include the following.
Safety equipment: Depending on the project requirements, workers may need to wear specific equipment to minimize potential hazards, including when:
accessing high areas, which requires proper safety;
accessing sloping surfaces, or steep inclines, which may require the construction of additional barriers such as handrails.
Additional set: There are several pieces of equipment that can help make the site safer and a suitable scaffolding supplier will ensure these are discussed before committing to a particular type.
For example, consider toe boards to prevent workers from losing their feet and stepping on them, thus reducing slip accidents. Also, rest platforms can break up scaffolding, allowing for safe and sturdy structures that not only help get the job done but also keep workers safe throughout their employment and the project's lifecycle.
Detailed frames are a great way to easily reach long lengths of wall without interrupting the workflow below. They are not only freestanding, but equipment can also be attached underneath or to the side, including side brackets.
The project incurs undisclosed costs.
Even when the right team of professionals guides you to appropriate scaffolding options, including custom designs for more complex projects, taking into account safety measures and any other unique project requirements, there is one more important factor to consider – hidden costs.
Clear quote before starting the project
One of the main considerations when looking for scaffolding suppliers will be the quote the company provides.
That is why it is so important to give them all the details of the construction project you can do so that they can recommend the most appropriate solution.
The missing information resulted in companies in the Kingdom incurring additional costs from some suppliers midway through the project. We understand that once a budget is set, you will be required to adhere to it.
However, while it's important to understand things correctly on your end, also remember that the best companies will ask you all the relevant questions beforehand. Try to cover the following.
Costs:
Delivery,
Disassembly
, Storage,
Purchase Discounts, Size,
Available Stock,
Previous Experience,
Delivery Date
to Supplier from Manufacturer,
Delivery (Shipping) Cost per Load,
Equipment Combinable with Other Suppliers,
Buyback Deals After Project Completion
The construction industry is rife with horror stories of projects that drastically exceed budgets. Those who tend to avoid these kinds of scenarios will not only get a price, but will also request a detailed breakdown of that price to avoid any surprises down the road.
Get it in writing through a signed agreement that the budget will remain the same unless there is an unforeseen circumstance that changes the scope of the project, for which the reward will be mutually agreed.
Technical Support Team
Whether you rent or buy scaffolding, make sure your scaffolding supplier provides you with technical support, both before and after your construction project is complete. This is because problems may arise during setup as well as midway through the project.
In the unlikely event of an issue, a professional support team will be available to advise you on best practices and your preferred options based on the specific scaffolding you have rented or purchased. As is often the case with organizations in the Kingdom and the region that are unable to provide technical support, problems that arise can lead to project delays.
Therefore, find out if this is provided and if there is an additional cost associated with the following:
Replacements: It's essential that your supplier has a good relationship with the manufacturer so they can help you obtain replacements if needed. Similarly, there's no point in supplying a set that's difficult to replace. If this is the case, your scaffolding supplier should have some contingency plans in place.
Analysis capabilities: What happens if there's a problem with a specific part? For example, if there's a fault in a single scaffolding coupler, the supplier should have an expert available who can inspect it and provide feedback quickly. The entire scaffolding assembly, for instance, should only be replaced if the parts are defective. However, a professional will be able to tell you whether it's a one-off issue or not.
When choosing a scaffolding supplier, there are a few key points to keep in mind. Not all scaffolding is suitable for every job. Some projects require very specific scaffolding, which can be crucial to ensuring worker safety. Also, make sure you have a clear understanding of your project's specific requirements, including everything the scaffolding needs to support, such as workers, materials, and so on, and whether it needs to be mobile, which will save you from costly delays and unsafe conditions. For more information on how a local scaffolding supplier can help with your construction needs, contact us.