The Various Roles of Scaffolding Companies

Without the support of the products and services available from scaffolding companies, many builders would probably need to seek alternative employment. Of course, it is possible to gain access to the highest reaches of a building with the aid of a suitable extending ladder.

However, unless the work to be undertaken occupies a relatively limited area, workers are likely to spend more time ascending, descending, and relocating the ladder than tackling the job itself. Staging, an alternative name for this equipment, provides a safe and stable platform from which bricklayers, painters, plasterers, and other construction workers can access a building’s entire surface when necessary.

Some scaffolding companies act strictly as sales outlets that offer a range of products aimed mainly at the larger construction companies that can justify the up-front costs because they generally have full order books. Given their continuing workload, these larger contractors often employ a team of full-time specialist scaffolders. Therefore, they do not need to hire third-party help to assemble and dismantle their staging.

However, for the smaller contractor whose need for staging tends to be much less frequent or who may lack sufficient income to justify the capital outlay, some scaffolding companies may also offer the option of hiring. In addition to providing the hardware on a rental basis, these suppliers will sometimes include an option to hire the services of a professional scaffolder to assist their clients with the erection, reconfiguration, and disassembly processes, where such help may be necessary.

When choosing ownership rather than hiring, it may be tempting to consider saving some cash by purchasing some second-hand staging. However, lives could depend on its integrity and its age. Previous usage and maintenance could be in doubt unless professionally refurbished by one of the established scaffolding companies.

Those who offer this equipment for sale or hire are rarely responsible for its manufacture. National and international regulatory bodies prescribe certain specifications with which the manufacturers must comply to ensure that the products they handle are reliable and fit for their purpose. It is, therefore, vital that those who deal in these products undertake to obtain their stock only from compliant sources.

Disc-O-Scaff is a leading manufacturer of staging and formwork, supplying world-class products to many of South Africa’s leading construction firms and scaffolding companies for more than a decade. The Gauteng-based company manufactures the popular Kwikstage and Selflock products. All components are fabricated from SABS-approved materials and are fully compliant with all recommended international standards of safety and durability.