Steel Tube Scaffolding Design Examples

[ScaffoldDesignIntern]

Hello Everyone,

I'm about to start a new job at this manufacturing company that provides scaffolding solutions. They walked me around the warehouse where they actually cut the steel tubing and do custom jobs. I would like to have some sort of knowledge about these systems before I start. I know it's not super hard. I come from the commercial building industry and there's tons of resources (books, TEKs, manuals) that can give you some guidance. I was wondering if there's any resources out there other than OSHA subpart L.

 

[jjl317]

Having started my career in the scaffold business (in the US), here are some thoughts -

Most scaffold work is product specific, in that most manufacturers test their specific products to determine capacities, so I would focus first on any product literature from your new employer. Most have several types (frame scaffold, systems scaffold, etc.), and in some cases, multiple versions of similar products (consolidation of companies). There is a lot of various product information available online. Lots of innovation has come from Europe (stricter safety regulations, higher labor rates, etc.) so keep that in mind.

Since it is more product based, not many true textbooks, articles, etc., beyond some clarifying Subpart L.

Good luck in the new role

 

[ScaffoldDesignIntern]

Thank you very much for the quick input. I'm excited but nervous due to lack of literature out there to guide me. I will take your advise and start with product information from my new employer. The engineering part should be just truss design, just not so sure about the connections and how it is attached to the ground/structures.

 

[jjl317]

In my experience, the engineering was way more applications based, meaning how to utilize our existing, pre-rated products to accomplish the end goal, and less product/design, so there was way less typical engineering analysis (i.e. individual member and/or connection analysis). My old employer was a manufacturer and supplier of scaffold products, and my focus was primarily helping individual contractors on specific projects.

 

[ScaffoldDesignIntern]

My new employer is also a manufacturer and supplier of scaffolds, sounds like it would be the same type of duties. Thanks for the info!