Profession construction scaffolder

Construction scaffolders put up scaffolds and platforms in order to make safe construction work at heights possible.

Personality Type

• Realistic / Conventional

Knowledge

• Scaffolding components

  The different components of which scaffolding is constructed, their usage cases and limitations. Weight bearing properties of each component and how they are assembled.

Skills

• Inspect construction supplies

  Check construction supplies for damage, moisture, loss or other problems before using the material.

• Use measurement instruments

  Use different measurement instruments depending on the property to be measured. Utilise various instruments to measure length, area, volume, speed, energy, force, and others.

• Interpret 2D plans

  Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in two dimensions.

• Recognise signs of wood rot

  Check whether a wood element shows signs of rot. Aurally inspect the wood by testing what sound it makes on impact. Check for visual signs of rot.

• Position base plates

  Position the base plates, the metal footing components that support the scaffolding structure. Set them accurately and level as small errors may cause instability. Compensate for fluctuations in the terrain using the screwjack of each base plate. Screw or nail the base plates into the sole plates if called for.

• Work in a construction team

  Work as part of a team in a construction project. Communicate efficiently, sharing information with team members and reporting to supervisors. Follow instructions and adapt to changes in a flexible manner.

• Use safety equipment in construction

  Use elements of protective clothing such as steel-tipped shoes, and gear such as protective goggles, in order to minimise risk of accidents in construction and to mitigate any injury if an accident does occur.

• Position guardrails and toeboards

  Attach guardrails and toeboards to the scaffolding standards at set heights and intervals to ensure the safety of the workers and prevent objects from falling. Secure the guardrails using couplers or wedges.

• Dismantle scaffolding

  Safely dismantle a scaffolding structure according to a plan and in the set order.

• Follow health and safety procedures in construction

  Apply the relevant health and safety procedures in construction in order to prevent accidents, pollution and other risks.

• Position sole plates

  Set the sole plates, wooden boards on which a scaffolding structure rests. Level, smooth, or dig into the ground in the determined locations and set a sole plate for each base plate, or for each pair of base plates along the short side of the scaffolding. Compact the earth under the sole plate to ensure stability.

• Recognise signs of corrosion

  Recognise the symptoms of metal showing oxidation reactions with the environment resulting in rusting, copper pitting, stress cracking, and others, and estimate the rate of corrosion.

• Build scaffolding

  Assemble temporary scaffolding structures for construction, maintenance or event-related purposes. Set vertical standards on the base plate of the scaffolding structure. Ensure the scaffolding structure is secured from lateral forces and supported sufficiently. Place wood or metal scaffolding decks into the transoms to stand on and make sure they are aligned. Safely set scaffolding stairs and ladders, which allow enough room for safe and easy manoeuvring.

• Interpret 3D plans

  Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in three dimensions.

• Follow safety procedures when working at heights

  Take necessary precautions and follow a set of measures that assess, prevent and tackle risks when working at a high distance from the ground. Prevent endangering people working under these structures and avoid falls from ladders, mobile scaffolding, fixed working bridges, single person lifts etc. since they may cause fatalities or major injuries.

• Construct working platform

  When the structural elements of the scaffolding structure have been completed, attach working platforms which approach or touch the structure to be worked on. Place decks on the platform and remove the guard rail that separates it from the main scaffolding deck.

• Work ergonomically

  Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB