How to Extend Scaffold Planks
Scaffolding is the one element of any construction project, home or commercial, where builders encounter the greatest risk of injury and/or the greatest potential for safety violations and fines. Trying to resolve how to extend scaffold plans without increasing the risk of an accident or violating the strict codes governing their placement can be an enormous headache unless you know a few basic rules.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Competent person
- OSHA approved wood or metal scaffolding planks
- OSHA approved fixed or mobile platform system
- Cleats (if needed)
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1
Have a 'competent person' assess and document the needs of the area for extended scaffolding. A 'competent person' in some states is required to have special licensing, and in others experience with scaffolding set up is enough. What is important is that you keep some form of documentation that the person designated as 'competent' approves each step of the scaffolding assembly.
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2
Assemble the frame of your scaffolding system. Whether it is mobile or stationary, make sure that the supports for your scaffolding plans follow the assembly plans.
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3
Lay your first plank across the supports of your platform. Have your competent person check that each plan extends a minimum of 6 inches and a maximum of 12 inches past any support bracket.
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4
Extend your scaffolding plank by laying the next plank over it. If the span of your support is 7 feet, your plans must overlap a minimum of 6 inches up to a maximum of 12 inches. If the span of your plank support is 10 feet, the boards must overlap 12 inches.
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5
You may provide cleats to additionally connect your extended scaffold planks again. Ask your competent person to designate that the cleats are provided and used only to prevent the scaffold planks from sliding and not as a means of providing any re-enforcement to the boards at all.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Always err on the side of caution when extending scaffold planks, and check your local building codes or site safety manuals for any additional requirements for assembling scaffolding.
Never span more than 10 feet with a scaffold plank or allow more than 12 inches to extend past a support without providing an additional (and approved) means of supporting it. Scaffold accidents typically occur from breaking in the middle due to an overloaded span or workers falling off the ends because of instability.
