Which Jobs Require Scaffolding?

For most people, the first thing that comes to mind when we think of scaffolding is construction/building. However, there are many more jobs that require scaffolding. In this blog, we’ll outline these industries and explain how they utilise scaffolding in their daily activities. 

So, which jobs require scaffolding? Whilst construction and building jobs are of course the most common industries that use scaffolding, there are many more that people often forget about. These include: 

1. Bricklaying
2. Painting & Decorating
3. Building Inspections & Civil Engineering
4. Window Cleaning 
5. Media, Television & Photography 

Keep reading to find out which industries use scaffolding and why they use it. 

Jobs That Rely on Scaffolding 

When you think of scaffolding, your mind likely jumps straight to the construction industry, and for good reason. When we see scaffolding in action, a lot of the time it is being used to allow builders to reach those high up spots on site.

However, scaffolding is also extremely beneficial for a variety of industries that may find themselves working at height. With this in mind, we at Hi-Point Access Ltd have decided to delve a little deeper and look into some of the other industries that may need a quality scaffold. 

Here is a list of the different industries:

Bricklaying

Building a brick wall at certain heights on a construction site can be very risky. By offering your workers a robust and steady platform to carry out their work, they can complete their job more efficiently and safely. Scaffolding for bricklayers is crucial when it comes to getting more work done. 

Painting and Decorating

Painters are often expected to work at substantial heights for their job. Scaffolding is hugely important when it comes to keeping them safe and providing a secure platform to work from. Workers need to be able to place their tools and equipment by them as they work and move around the site with ease and safe access to all areas of the building. Take a look at our blog on scaffolding for painting to find out more. 

Building Inspections and Civil Engineering

Before and after a building has been constructed, it is important to keep up to date with regular spot checks on its structural integrity. This is where building inspectors and civil engineers come in. To adequately inspect the exterior infrastructure of a building, it is important to get up close and personal to assess the situation. 

This is where scaffolding makes the job much easier because it creates a steady platform to carry out important analysis. This ensures that constructs remain safely standing. 

Window Cleaning 

Window cleaning businesses need to be able to access a multitude of high access areas around a property. Although there are a multitude of ways to do this, such as climbing gear and long-reaching cleaning equipment, sometimes they may need something a little bit more sturdy. 

Mobile elevated work platforms, or MEWPs, are great for this kind of work due to their superior manoeuvrability and ability to hold equipment on the platform whilst you work.

Media, Television and Photography 

Advertising/Media – Advertising is a major industry that shows us an interesting use for scaffolds. Scaffold structures are used to showcase big banners or posters to give the brand excellent exposure. 

Film & Television – Here’s an industry that people often forget requires scaffolding. From getting those high angle shots, setting up lighting or being used as a temporary stage, scaffolding is an essential component in the rig work that goes on behind the scenes of our favourite shows. 

Photography – Professional photographers and cinematographers often use scaffold units to place their cameras and lights strategically to get the right angle for a perfect shot. This structure helps them hold their equipment safely and correctly without any hassle. They do not even need to be holding these instruments if they can place and tie them safely at the scaffold unit. 

Event Industry 

Event planners and event management companies use scaffold structures to decorate their venue or to arrange event seating. This is a relatively easy, safe and effective way to obtain temporary seating options for music or sports events, where thousands of spectators can sit safely and comfortably. 

Home Projects That Require Scaffolding 

On top of industries and jobs, scaffolding is also used for home projects and renovation. 

Here is a list of projects that require domestic scaffolding to be erected on a house:

Renovation & Home Improvement

According to the Digital Journal, Europe is seeing a sharp increase in home improvements, and this is no different for the UK. As we continue to renovate and improve our properties, the need for domestic scaffolding has grown.

Luckily there are a variety of styles of scaffold that work exceptionally well for smaller scale jobs like home renovation. Lightweight access platforms can be put up quickly and easily around the property, whilst indoor scaffolds can be built over uneven flooring like staircases. 

However, not all home improvement projects require scaffolding. If you are considering a home improvement project, make sure to find out whether you will need scaffolding or not. 

Painting 

For smaller paint jobs, ladders are often sufficient but if your home has exceptionally high second floors or not enough floor space to use a ladder, this is where scaffolding becomes an absolute life saver. Scaffolding provides a secure place for your workers tools and paints and allows them to carry out their work more efficiently and safely.  

Building Repairs 

Scaffolding offers a safe solution for roof repairs and gutter cleaning. Although this can seem like a lot of work for small repair projects, scaffolding is a quick and efficient solution to keep yourself or any work people safe whilst doing the job. 

Window Cleaning 

For most houses, window cleaning can be done without the need for scaffolding. Most window cleaners use reach tools so they don’t even need ladders. However, if you live in an apartment building or townhouse, you or your window cleaning company may need to use scaffolding to safely reach higher windows.

Work With The Scaffolding Experts At Hi-Point Access 

Scaffolding remains a pretty essential tool for a variety of industries, which is why you need to work with an expert company with the knowledge and equipment to utilise a multitude of scaffold designs effectively.

At Hi-Point Access, we offer a range of scaffolding solutions to fit your specific needs, from traditional scaffold fabrications to MEWPs for those trickier jobs. To find out more about how we can help with your next job working at height, give us a call on 0114 212 4079.