![]() According to OSHA height safety standards, some plank damage may require inspection by a qualified or competent person. Still, it could save you significantly when it comes to purchasing additional wood scaffold plank stocks and reducing the risk of a potential liability issue at the jobsite. This may not be the most efficient use of time. Visual Inspections and Choosing Good BoardsĪfter each job, a visual inspection of wood scaffold boards is highly recommended. “Caused damage” often translates to board splits and fiber tears to the board faces. Finally, board damage may also be caused by human use (“caused damage”), including during transportation such as unloading and loading with a forklift or poor handling. Indian Mill installs a twisted steel screw perpendicular to the board face near the solid wood scaffold plank ends to reduce the risk of cupping and splitting. Sun exposure and significant temperature swings may cause wood scaffold plank to crack, split and warp. Chemical exposure can also result in board rot, including oxidizing acids and caustic mixtures like mortar and concrete. A lightweight board with a standard-looking exterior may indicate that rot occurs inside a scaffold board’s wood fibers. Telltale signs of rot include discoloration and lighter weight than standard boards. Boards that do not dry properly are at risk of rot. Like all wood and plant fiber products, scaffold plank is subject to decay and damage. Is your scaffold plank ready for the next season of work? Do you know what to look for to determine if your scaffold plank is in reasonable working condition? Before you head to the next job, these guidelines will help you determine if your plank is safe or if you need to retire it from service. Both solid wood and laminate veneer lumber (LVL) scaffold plank are susceptible to wet conditions, with both types experiencing rot and LVL at risk of delamination. In general, wet and humid environments decrease the shelf life of wood scaffold plank. Each part of the United States is unique, and a region’s environment can drastically change the expected life of wood scaffold plank. Indian Mill buys southern yellow pine from the Southeastern United States to manufacture wood scaffold plank, but wood scaffold planking can also be made from laminated veneer lumber. Wood scaffold plank takes many forms in the United States and across the world. What to look for when evaluating your scaffold plank inventory for the next job Words: Patrick Gajewski & Michael Alley of Indian Mill Plank
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