![]() When the issues exist and present a potential tripping hazard, workers should remove the plank from service. Frequently, allowing the plank to dry more thoroughly can help correct these misalignments, especially in cupping. The assistance of a qualified and competent person is suggested in identifying these issues. Twisting is any deviation flatwise or a combination of flatwise and edgewise in the form of a curl or spiral. Cupping is any deviation in the face of a plank from a straight-line drawn edge to edge. Crooking is a deviation edgewise from a straight-line drawn end to end. Bowing is any deviation flatwise from a straight-line drawn end to end. Different types of warping include bowing, crooking, cupping, and twisting. Warping is any deviation from a true or plane surface. If a board is deemed non-repairable, it should be removed from service. Cutbacks must be done carefully and should retain the lumber grading stamp and follow other board wear guidelines. Alternatively, a board may be cut back to eliminate the split. An end split can be repaired using banding to keep the split from growing. ![]() An end split is repairable if it is less than twelve inches for nine-foot-long or fewer scaffold planks and eighteen inches for planks between ten feet long and sixteen feet long. One maximum allowable end split is permitted on each end of a scaffold plank, but a qualified or competent person must approve. An end split does not necessarily weaken a scaffold plank. ![]() End splits are the result of repeated wet/dry cycles and handling abuse. A visual inspection for a board involves looking for a few key things: end splits, warping, narrow face splits, face breaks, saw cuts, notching/drilled holes/dents/depressions, and rot.Įnd splits are separated from the wood through the piece to the opposite surface due to the wood cells’ tearing apart. A competent person can identify existing and predictable hazards and has the authority to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them. A qualified person is someone in possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing or who, by extensive knowledge, training, and experience, has successfully demonstrated the ability to solve or resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work, or the project. According to OSHA height safety standards, some plank damage may require inspection by a qualified or competent person. Still, it could save you significantly when it comes to purchasing additional wood scaffold plank stocks and reducing the risk of a potential liability issue at the jobsite. This may not be the most efficient use of time. Visual Inspections and Choosing Good BoardsĪfter each job, a visual inspection of wood scaffold boards is highly recommended. “Caused damage” often translates to board splits and fiber tears to the board faces. Finally, board damage may also be caused by human use (“caused damage”), including during transportation such as unloading and loading with a forklift or poor handling. Indian Mill installs a twisted steel screw perpendicular to the board face near the solid wood scaffold plank ends to reduce the risk of cupping and splitting. Sun exposure and significant temperature swings may cause wood scaffold plank to crack, split and warp. Chemical exposure can also result in board rot, including oxidizing acids and caustic mixtures like mortar and concrete. A lightweight board with a standard-looking exterior may indicate that rot occurs inside a scaffold board’s wood fibers. Telltale signs of rot include discoloration and lighter weight than standard boards. Boards that do not dry properly are at risk of rot. Like all wood and plant fiber products, scaffold plank is subject to decay and damage. Is your scaffold plank ready for the next season of work? Do you know what to look for to determine if your scaffold plank is in reasonable working condition? Before you head to the next job, these guidelines will help you determine if your plank is safe or if you need to retire it from service. Both solid wood and laminate veneer lumber (LVL) scaffold plank are susceptible to wet conditions, with both types experiencing rot and LVL at risk of delamination. In general, wet and humid environments decrease the shelf life of wood scaffold plank. Each part of the United States is unique, and a region’s environment can drastically change the expected life of wood scaffold plank. ![]() Indian Mill buys southern yellow pine from the Southeastern United States to manufacture wood scaffold plank, but wood scaffold planking can also be made from laminated veneer lumber. Wood scaffold plank takes many forms in the United States and across the world. What to look for when evaluating your scaffold plank inventory for the next job Words: Patrick Gajewski & Michael Alley of Indian Mill Plank
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |