2013.05-06 scaffold & access may-june

8/9/2019 2013.05-06 Scaffold & Access May-June

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Knowing is Seeing, p. 17 • Around the Table, p. 23 • SAIA Convention Preview, p. 31

caffold & access magazine MAY-JUNE 2013

A project team works long hours to accommodate a historic retrofit


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2 • May-June 2013

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From work platforms, stair towers and modular steps to custom designed access ladders andfall protection platforms. Our engineering team will work with to meet and exceed yourindustry-specific challenges down to the last detail. Rely on our experience, innovationand quality to provide a custom access solution for .


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scaffold & access • 3


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17Knowing is Seeing

Being able to see the five W’s of traceability on the scaffoldplank you intend on purchasing is vital.

20Above & Beyond

A new scaffold system takes safety to the next level.

23Around the Table

Scaffold industry veterans discuss where the industry’sbeen, where it’s going, and its competitive advantage.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FEATURES

COLUMNS

DEPARTMENTS

6 The President’s Desk

8 Editor’s 2 Cents

10 Litigation News

12 Technically Speaking

26 Business and Development

29 New Equipment

31 SAIA

38 Advertiser’s Index

ON THE COVER

Day & Night A project team works long hoursto accommodate a historic retrofit

14

scaffold & access magazine MAY-JUNE 2013

4 • May-June 2013


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CHALLENGING APPLICATIONSCHALLENGING APPLICATIONS Winsafe is an innovative manufacturer of access &

fall protection products & solutions for people

who work at height & in hard to reach locations.

We specialize in temporary, permanently installed

& custom designed equipment. Come check us outat booth 201 at the SAIA show.

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Suspended Scaffolding

Outrigger Beams & Suspension Systems

Large Area Work Platforms

Building Maintenance & Restoration

Window Washing

Industrial Access

Confined Space

Fall Protection

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONSINNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS


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6 • May-June 2013

THE PRESIDENT’S DESK

Is Momentum

Gaining?By Marty Coughlin

Welcome to spring. I hope you allwere able to take advantage of thewinter to catch up on things not possi-ble during the busy construction season,including training programs, updat-ing your competent cards, and takingadvantage of SAIA’s new programs. Ifnot, there is still time. We have a num-ber of courses scheduled throughoutthe country led by the SAIA staff or your

local ATI. Check with SAIA Director ofEducation and Training Granville Loarat [email protected] for addi-tional information.

Tradeshow SeasonIt was, per usual, a busy tradeshow

season, and I hope you were able toattend at least one of them. The SAIAattended the World of Concrete andheld another popular Safety BootCamp; and also debuted its Aerial

Work Platform Training course at the American Rental Association’s (ARA),The Rental Show. The feedback on thenew training program has been excel-lent. Bob Backer and his team haveworked tirelessly in getting this programtogether, and the results are evident inthe program.

Committee Week, held in NewOrleans, was another success. Duringthe board meeting, the topic of venueswas discussed with everyone agreeing

that instead of changing venues year-to-year, a city will be selected to holdCommittee Week for two to three years

consecutively. In doing this, betterprices can to be negotiated for meetingspace and rooms; and the yearly site vis-its for staff to ensure the venue meetsthe groups needs will be reduced. We

have elected to return to New Orleansfor the 2014 Committee Week, andwhile we are still negotiating room rates,we took advantage of our time there todecide on a location, eliminating theneed and expense of another site visit.

We will follow up with a new locationfor 2015-2018 and have already beguncontacting venues that are centrallylocated so we can begin working onlocking in favorable rates.

Looking Ahead

Attending the tradeshows and meet-ings this year, I found the mood

and outlook for 2013 vastly differentthan last year. It seemed a numberof attendees are tired of waiting forthe economy to turn around and arebecoming more aggressive.

I am a believer of the adage: “You cancreate interest, but not demand.” Wehave been displaying new products andtechnologies—trying to create the inter-est—now where is the demand?

There are strong pockets of activitygoing on, and there has been a definiteincrease in bidding activity; however,the impact that reduced governmentspending will have in your marketremains to be seen and could put adamper on the enthusiasm that we sawat World of Concrete and ARA.

Manufacturers and suppliers areoffering different outlooks. Some arereporting good inventories and mate-rials in stock; others are reporting

four to six weeks on deliveries of neworders; and then there are those thatcan’t keep up with current demand.With spring upon us, it’s a good ideato check with your suppliers andplan accordingly.

Finally, if you weren’t able to join usin Nashville 10 years ago, don’t missout this year. The councils have beenworking on the programs, and a num-ber of guest speakers have been linedup for the meetings that you don’t want

to miss. We have some special plans forthe President’s Reception as well—itwill be truly memorable. •

Attending the tradeshows

and meetings this year,

I found the mood and

outlook for 2013 vastly

different than last year.

It seems a number of

attendees are tired ofwaiting for the economy

to turn around and are

becoming more aggressive.

2012-2014 SAIA Executive CommitteeMarty Coughlin • PresidentDependable Scaffolding LLCMike Russell • President ElectPower ClimberJeff Stachowiak • Vice PresidentSunbelt Rentals

Paula Manning • SecretaryCentury ElevatorsColby Hubler • TreasurerPower ClimberJames Holcomb • Presidential AppointeeCrom Equipment Rentals Inc.

Jay Gordon • Board AppointeeKlimer Platforms Inc.Frank Frietsch • Board AppointeeLayher Inc.Steve Smith • Immediate Past PresidentEdge International


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8 • May-June 2013

Change is

in the AirBy Lindsay Minard

EDITOR’S 2 CENTS

scaffold & access magazine May-June 2013

Volulme 41 • Issue 3

PRESIDENT

GUY [email protected]

VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS BARBARA BENTON800-231-8953, ext. [email protected]

EDITORIAL DIRECTORKATIE [email protected]

EDITOR

LINDSAY [email protected]

GRAPHIC DESIGNERNATE [email protected]

ADVERTISING SALES800-231-8953515-574-2312 (direct) • FAX 515-574-2361Advertising Rates, Deadlines and MechanicalRequirements furnished upon request.

PROJECT MANAGERELOUISE SCHULTZ602-368-8552

[email protected]

ACCOUNT MANAGERSCINDY KIRBY515-574-2312, ext. [email protected]

FLOYD GEOPFERT515-574-2312, ext. [email protected]

ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVESJEFF SHUMAR602-368-8552 [email protected]

JODY COLEE515-574-2312, ext. 2112

[email protected]

DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL MEDIA FRANCI M. [email protected]

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

Send new address with mailing label to:Scaffold and Access Industry Association

400 Admiral Blvd.Kansas City, MO 64106

SA Magazine is published six times per year in January-February,

March-April, May-June, July-August, September-October, and

November-December, plus an Annual Directory, by Maximum

Capacity Media, LLC, 1003 Central Ave., Fort Dodge, IA 50501,

Phone 515-574-2312, Fax 515-574-2361. Entire contents copyright

2013 by Maximum Capacity Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Opinions

expressed by writers of SA are not necessarily held by the publisher.Subscription: SA magazine is $85 per year

Somewhere around five years ago,the looming change in the air—thesomething big about to happen—tookthe country from economic boom tobust, fast. In the years since, the coun-try, its economy, businesses, industries,and households have adjusted to whatthey call the new normal.Those thatdo the forecasting predict it highlyunlikely we return to our previous stateof boom where money and jobs grew

on trees—almost literally.Today, again, there seems to be

something looming—somethingbig about to happen. The differencethough is instead of hurdling towardsan economic black hole, we’ve turnedaround and are gaining ground onthat light at the other end of what hasturned out to be a very long tunnel.

And while we’ve conditioned ourselvesafter years of riding the good and badnews waves, to be cautiously optimis-

tic (emphasis on cautious)—there arenumbers—real numbers that indicatea boom in the residential constructionindustry is coming.

With change again filling the air,and in the spirit of lessons learned,instead of waiting for impact and thenreacting, let’s begin planning now (ifyou haven’t already heard and started)to tackle the challenges that certainlywill come when the residential marketsprings to life, followed domino-style

by all the others—among the most

positively impacted, scaffold andaccess businesses.

With a boom in the residentialindustry will come lots of work for theindustry, and an opportunity to applyand test how strong its safety culturehas become during slower times whenthere was opportunity to nurture thatculture and get serious about training.

The industry has been making hugestrides for decades to put safety at the

center of what it does—now as we bar-rel towards a boom and demand peaksalong with prices, it’s time to see howstrong the industry’s safety culture is.

With good times ahead and chal-lenges to figure out, remember thatJune is the National Safety Council’sNational Safety Month (NSM). Thetheme in 2013 is: “Safety Starts withMe.” The concept behind it is thatbusinesses doing safety right engageeveryone in the company—top-down,

bottom-up—in safety processes andprocedures, connecting their impor-tance to each and every person, beyondthe workplace. This approach sets thestage for a safety culture based onaccountability. For more informationvisit http://nsc.org/nsm.

In this issue, check out the articleson supported scaffolds, plank andplatform, and shoring. You’ll noticethe themes of safety, innovation, andhope wafting in an out—something’s

definitely in the air. •

Coming in theJuly-Aug. Issue of SA!

Look for articles on:• Permanent Installations• Suspended Scaffolds• Fall Protection

For more information or articlesubmissions please contact:

[email protected]

Be on the lookout forSA Connection: the digital

supplement to SA magazine thatfeatures new articles, industry

briefs, and SAIA resources.

For more information contact

Lindsay Minard: [email protected]


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All products meet or exceedOSHA and ANSI specifications.

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World Headquarters: 5602 Armour Drive | Houston, TX 77020 | USAOffices In: Hong Kong | China | India | Latin America | Canada | United Kingdom

713-673-7701 Phone | 800-720-6629 Toll Free | www.directscaffoldsupply.com

TOP QUALITY SCAFFOLD PLANKS IN STOCK

Planks are

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Visit us at the SAIA Annual Convention (booth #100) –Nashville, TN – July 21-23, 2013


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10 • May-June 2013

LITIGATION NEWS

Where is the

Disconnect?By Robert Zinselmeier

In my March-April column, the evolving landscape of claimsconcerning the scaffold industry was discussed with respectto the changes we’ve seen since the 1970s/1980s when framescaffolding (in all its multiple configurations) and suspendedscaffolding dominated the industry, to today’s current worldof booms and lifts.

Then and NowThink back to those days and consider what product

information was available for distribution in terms of sell-ing, renting, or using frame scaffolding. SAIA members hadaccess to codes of safe practices—beneficial documentsthat provided extensive information on what to do. andwhat not to do. To the best of my recollection, there wasone manufacturer who had a pamphlet that provided writ-ten instructions for the proper and safe use of their product.Warning labels had not yet been introduced and did notcome into play until years later. The remaining option for

a scaffold user was to make contact with their local OSHAoffice for guidelines.

As for suspended scaffolding, all of the manufacturers ofhoist motors had manuals outlining the correct use of theirmotors and the correct manner in which to set up the entiretyof the suspended scaffold. These instructions were crucial tothe end-user, considering the system’s other component partsnot within the hoist motor manufacturers’ control.

The point is, the modest amount of information avail-able to the end-user for both products was, in comparison totoday’s standards, minimal. This undoubtedly led to frequentaccidents and the industry’s acknowledgment of the need fortraining. As such, training programs were developed and theresults have been monumental.

Today, users have an extraordinary amount of informa-tion on these machines at their fingertips. When an operatorwalks up to a lift, regardless of who the manufacturer is, theamount of labeling on the unit is significant; the controlpanel on the machine is outlined with vital, visual informa-tion; and the operator’s manual is extensive. There is also atleast one manufacturer who reprints the American NationalStandards Institute’s (ANSI) Manual of Responsibilities intheir equipment manual. The Manual of Responsibilities aspart of the ANSI standards outlines specifically what eachentity in the chain must do to comply with the proper han-dling and safe use of the equipment.

So between the labeling, the size and scope of the operatormanuals, and the Manual of Responsibilities—the informationavailable to today’s users is far superior to what end-users had inthe past; but the fact remains that there are still significant num-bers of accidents on these machines. Perhaps the number oflifts being used on a daily basis, in some measure, accounts forthe number of accidents in which they are involved; however,given the amount of information available the opposite shouldbe true: less information early on, more accidents; more/betterquality information today, less accidents—right?

I believe the answer circles back to training programs—in-person, classroom, practical training. All the manuals and labelsin the world don’t add up to the knowledge and understandinggained through training programs. The industry needs to continueto promote and develop programs that coincide with the fingertipinformation in order to put a real dent in the accident reports. •

About the AuthorRobert Zinselmeier is a Senior Litigation Specialist with

Specialty Claims Management in St. Louis, Mo. Contacthim at [email protected].

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Quality Training.

Scaffold & Access Industry Association • 400 Admiral Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64106816.595.4860 • www.saiaonline.org • [email protected]

Scaffold & Access Industry Association is the unied

voice of the scaffold and access industry. In its 40+

year history, SAIA has provided safety education

to thousands of contractors through its renowned

seminars and training courses. SAIA promotes

safety by developing educational and informationalmaterial; conducting educational seminars and

training courses; provide audio-visual programs and

codes of safe practices and other training and safety

aids. These training courses teach contractors how

to meet and exceed those standards with best safety

practices, reducing employee injuries and lost time

on the job. Beyond training, SAIA also assists our

members to become more efcient and protable in

their businesses. With over 900 member locations

spanning the globe, and 90+ Accredited Training

Institutes, SAIA’s mission is to ensure that those who

make, install, depend on, or govern the use of access

tools and equipment pursue the highest standardsof safety, craftsmanship and ethics.

Training courses are available throughout the year for

SAIA members and non-members. The SAIA embraces

learning through participation and facilitates the

processes via its committees and councils, regional

meetings, Committee Week, and the Annual Convention.

SAIA Course Offerings Include:

Scaffold User Safety and

Hazard Awareness

Scaffold Primary Access Training

Supported Scaffold Training

Scaffold Competent Person

Safety Training (CPT)

Professional Scaffold Erector

Safety Training Challenge Exam

Suspended Scaffold Hazard

Awareness and Operator

Safety Training

Suspended Scaffold Training

Mast Climber Operator Training

Aerial Work Platform

Operator Training

Proven Results.


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14 • May-June 2013

The Sacramento Valley Depot in Sacramento, Calif., isundergoing an $11 million seismic retrofit to bring thehistoric structure into compliance with today’s Seismic LifeSafety and Americans with Disabilities standards. The archi-tecturally and historically significant depot is named on theNational Registry of Historic Places as the Southern PacificRailroad Sacramento Depot.

The depot is the country’s seventh largest Amtrak stationwith 1.2 million riders every year and is the ground transpor-tation hub for Sacramento; therefore, closing for renovationswas not an option for the project team. The depot also serves

the Sacramento Regional Transit Light Rail and bus servicealong with Amtrak’s thruway motor coaches.

The depot project is part of the revitalization of the oldSouthern Pacific rail yard, which includes relocation oftracks and platforms, and construction of a light rail stationon the site of the old platforms. The rail yard site will eventu-ally be an extension of downtown Sacramento with housing,retail, and other multi-use purposes.

History LessonLocated at the foot of the Sierra Mountains, Sacramento,

once the hub of the California gold rush and the largest

inland port, became the state’s capital in 1854. Close by was

the Overland Trail—a route for stagecoaches, mail routes, thefamous Pony Express, and later the Transcontinental Railroadthrough the Sierras; today, the trail is Highways 50 and 80.

The first railroad in California was the Sacramento ValleyRailroad (SVRR), which eventually ran 22 miles fromSacramento to Folsom by 1852. The chief engineer of theSVRR was Theodore Judah, who later would be the chiefengineer on the Central Pacific Railroad and championedhaving the Transcontinental Railway pass through the Sierras.

Sacramento was the logical choice to be the western termi-nal of the Transcontinental Railroad. Tracks for the Central

Pacific Railroad began being laid in 1883, heading east overthe Sierras to meet up with the Union Pacific. Seven yearslater on May 10, 1869, in Promontory Point, Utah, the trans-continental route to Council Bluffs, Iowa, was completed. In1885 the Southern Pacific, located in Sacramento, absorbedthe Central Pacific.

After World War I, Sacramento pressured Southern Pacificto build a new, grander station to welcome people to thecity. Construction was completed on the Southern PacificRailroad Sacramento Depot, now the Sacramento ValleyDepot, in 1926.

The building was designed and constructed in renaissance

revival style with a red tile roof and terra cotta trim throughout.

A project team works long hours to accommodate

a historic retrofit • by David Johnson

Day &N ight


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The main waiting room has soaring 40-ft.arched ceilings and a mural depicting thegroundbreaking of the TranscontinentalRailroad in 1883 by western mural artistJohn MacQuarrie.

The RetrofitWhen the time came to retrofit the

historic structure, Skyline Scaffold pro-vided shoring, scaffold towers, overheadprotection, and a full deck inside thehung ceiling of the building.

The first pieces of scaffold erectedwere shoring towers to help suspendthe lath and plaster ceilings whilethe retrofit was going on above them.These towers stabilized the ceilingswhile carpenters added joists andblocking. Opening the floors abovethese ceilings highlighted the beautyof the full-dimension redwood that wasused in the building’s construction.

Next was the full overhead protec-tion of the waiting room and ticketingareas. The majority of the work wascompleted at night as the station’shours of operation are 4:00 a.m. to12:00 a.m., seven days a week; andits waiting room hosts 3,000-pluspassengers a day along with Amtrakemployees, vendors, light rail and buspassengers, and the general public.

The overhead protection needed

to be as unobtrusive as possible andallow for the maximum public use ofthe space, so Skyline designed an over-head canopy using system scaffold toallow for the greatest use of space whileproviding the maximum protection.The overhead protection was built ata height of 14 ft. to allow the ticketingsign boards to be viewable to the public.

Preserving Historic IntegrityOne of the greatest challenges to the

interior overhead protection was thewaiting area benches. The mahoganybenches are part of the historic fixturesof the building and connect to thebuilding’s heating system. Since theycould not be moved the scaffold wasdesigned to go around them, keepingthem in use.

To combat a trip hazard created by aforest of columns with standard mudsillsinside a public space, minimal plywoodpads cut to the size of the base plate were

used to protect the marble flooring.

Full overhead protection in the waiting room and ticketing areas had to be as

unobtrusive to the public as possible.

Aluminum hook plank was used while working on the ceiling to prevent against a fire

hazard and to keep the weight down.

A crane at midnight picked and placed the necessary gear for the ceiling restoration

onto the roof.


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16 • May-June 2013

Another hazard to combat with the columns was therosettes sticking out from the standards. To protect the public,4-in. plastic corrugated drainpipe tubing was cut down oneside and wrapped around the columns providing padding sothat the standard would be softened.

Once the overhead protection was complete, work on

the deck in the ceiling began.The team began with a solidsite survey, and then set necessary fall protection measures,warning lines, and calculations of the imposed roof load;a crane at midnight picked and placed all of the necessarygear onto the roof.

To reduce the roof load all plank and trusses were movedinside the adjacent roof space leaving just the horizontals andverticals on the roof. Skyline started building the deck moving

the scaffold parts and pieces through the 3’x3’ roof vents intothe ceiling void. The grand ceiling in the waiting area wasconstructed from wire grid lathe and plaster, suspended fromthe main roof trusses. The curve meant that the supports hadto come down 3 ft. in the center from the bottom cord of thetrusses, and then curve down to 16 ft. from the bottom of the

truss at the edges of the building.The deck was built to engineered drawings using sus-

pending lattice girders over the buildings trusses and thenbuilding a deck down from them—stair-stepping to matchthe contour of the ceiling.

The deck had to be built with metal plank because woodwas not allowed in the ceiling void because of fire hazardconcerns. In order to keep the weight down, aluminum hookplank was used with steel plank filling in the remaining spaces.

The historic nature of the ceiling meant using tool lan-yards to control all tools in the ceiling and working aroundall of the centenary wires, cables, and suspension points with

minimum disturbance of the system. The contractor alsohad to reroute roof drain lines and some mechanical fixturesaround the deck space. Once in place, the deck allowed thecontractor to have full access to the trusses above and theceiling below to complete the seismic retrofit and install firesprinklers in the ceiling.

Another challenge on the project concerned the long can-tilevered decks on each side of the platform that could notbe supported from the lattice girders. The solution involvedusing roof beams and beam clamps to suspend the free endsof the decks that were then cantilevered back to the maindeck with double diagonal braces. This allowed for the end

decks to be installed without drilling into the end wall thatwere part of the seismic retrofit.Overall historic restoration projects are always approached

differently than other construction projects. The Skylineteam worked day and night to accomodate the City ofSacramento and the general contractor, ensuring not onlythe end-product, but the path to it was safe, met the needsof the team, upheld the depot’s historic integrity, and didn’timpact its demanding schedule. •

About the AuthorDavid Johnson is the Vice President of Operations and Safety

at Skyline Scaffold, Inc. and the Co-Chair of SAIA’s SupportedCouncil. He can be reached at [email protected].

The Depot’s mahogany benches connect to the building’s heating system, therefore could not be removed. So the Skyline project

team designed the scaffold around them.


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18 • May-June 2013

Corporate Oce

4706 Hoen Ave.Santa Rosa, CA 95405(707) 537-8282

So. California Oce

2187 Newcastle Ave.Suite 200Cardi, CA 92007(760) 436-9756

charlesengineering.com

PE LicEnsEd in ALL 50 stAtEsVArious cAnAdiAn ProVincEs & iL sE

Access Scaold

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Temporary Structures

Bridge Jacking

Special Event Scaold

Falsework/FormworkBridge Structural Analysis

Wall Bracing

D.H. CHARLES ENGINEERING, INC.

Scaffold EnginEEring

The WhoWhile it is not a requirement that the plank manufacturer’s

name be fully spelled out, it is important that either the prod-uct name or logo, or the manufacturer’s name or logo can beeasily determined. For wood-based plank products, the gradeagency or third-party inspection agency used by the manufac-turer must be included. This is critical information to havein case the quality or safety of a product from a production

lot is called into question.

The WhereThe markings on a plank should include the manufac-

turer’s mill number assigned by the respective agency. Thisprovides critical information as to where the plank was man-ufactured. Some manufacturers will further identify theirproduct with the country of origin with a claim like “Madein USA” or similar.

The WhenThe date or production period when scaffold plank was

produced is also of critical importance. The product shouldinclude a date stamp of a month and year, a specific date, ora time the product was produced. Again, knowing when theplank was produced is essential information to have shouldthe product’s quality or safety from a given production lot becalled into question. These markings tie back to importantinformation from the manufacturer including: raw mate-rial sources, production data, process control, and quality

assurance data from the time period in question. While man-ufacturers may have varying degrees of internal traceability,it can generally be stated that the tighter the timeframe ona production period listed on the product the better. Forexample, traceability to an hour of production would be bet-ter than to a day or shift of production; and traceability to aday or shift of production would be better than to a monthof production.

The HowIt is largely up to the product manufacturer to determine

how to imprint this information on their product. Thereare several different ways to provide traceability and tech-nology continues to produce more innovative ways to doso. Because of jobsite conditions and the environmentalelements scaffold planks are exposed to, markings for trace-ability should be able to withstand the elements and still bereadable well into the product’s service life. For this reasonpermanent emboss is highly recommended over ink stampson wood-based plank products.

It is possible to get a good deal in the scaffold plank indus-try on products with poor traceability. Typically, inadequatetraceability is the direct result of a questionable materialsource. But questionable traceability puts everyone involvedat risk.

Any questions about meanings of markings or concernof adequate traceability are best addressed directly with theplank manufacturer. •


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I l

About the AuthorJeff Jack, P.E. is the Chair of

SAIA’s Plank and Platform Counciland is a Division Engineer forRedBuilt LLC (Boise, ID). Contacthim at [email protected].

What is Missing from These Pictures?

What to Look For

The manufacturer name, product

name, mill location or number, and

third-party inspection agency are

missing.

Information about the scaffold plank

grade, manufacturer name, pvroduct

name, mill location/number, third-party

inspection agency is missing.

Traceability

Guidelines

OSHA, the American NationalStandards Institute, and the SAIAprovide regulations, minimumdesign properties, and recommen-

dations about proper traceability ofscaffold plank products.A description of the required

information is covered in PurchasingGuidelines developed by SAIA’sPlank & Platform Council for variousscaffold plank and platform prod-ucts. The guidelines are available at:

www.saiaonline.org/plankandplatform


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20 • May-June 2013

New, innovative scaffold productsaren’t exactly a common occur-rence. Scaffolds have been around forcenturies and certainly have seen modi-fications that have broadened their ap-plication-scope, made them safer, moreefficient, and so on; but as far as scaffoldinnovations that have really rocked the

boat? Not since the system scaffold hit

the market and really did revolutionizethe industry, has there been a productthat deserved serious fanfare.

What has impacted the industrygreatly are OSHA’s scaffold regulationsthat wholly changed the way the indus-try approached safety on a scaffold andlaid the foundation for a safety first cul-

ture within it.

The Pyrascaf Mobile Working Tower at a Glance

• Conforms to BS 1004-2004, and has been independently tested.• 36, 16 and 10 sq. ft. with similar deck space to a standard double width

scaffold without a weaker narrow side. (Triple-deck, double-deck andsingle-deck options)

• The only scaffold in existence with a tested designated harness point, al-lowing the user to harness to a point that gives access through 360 de-grees on the deck with a low center of gravity. In the event of a fall, thescaffold will not tip over.

• Lifting bars allow users to construct and deconstruct the scaffold withoutleaving the ground, using the training they receive during Manual Han-dling courses.

• Once the scaffold is erected and at the required height, the lifting bars are

removed; outriggers not required on the triple deck up to 18 ft. Overallthe scaffold is for all trades working up to a height of 18 to 21 ft.

A bov e & Beyon But despite the scaffold standards beingin place for some time, the industry still

tops the shortlist when it comes to OSHAviolations, workplace injuries, and death.

Additionally, the motorized access indus-try has gained significant momentum insome sectors as the equipment of choicewhen possible, as big general contractors,with lots of dollars dropped into market-ing zero-incident safety records, becomemore comfortable spending dollars up-front in order to have what they considera safer work platform and less possibilityfor a fall.

There is also buzz in the U.S. in-dustrial market—the bread and but-ter for so many in the scaffold indus-try—about 100% tie-off making itselfknown and prevalent, perhaps evenstandard in the U.S. As that buzz getslouder, U.S. owners with extraordinaryand growing potential liabilities, armedwith the knowledge that 100 % tie-off ispossible, are apt to start seriously weigh-ing the risks and rewards of above and

beyond safety measures—regardless ofwhen the standards catch up.

The Possibility of Fall PreventionSo what if there was a scaffold prod-

uct that actually prevented a workerfrom falling—not fall protection, butfall prevention built into the scaffold?

The StoryBased in Dublin, Ireland, Pyrascaf

Safe Solutions Ltd., led by directors Alan

Barry and Acquelino Deaton has devel-oped a scaffold system across the pondthat may just be the start of somethingrevolutionary for the near and far scaf-fold industry and its safety reputation.

Combined, Barry and Deaton have50-plus years of experience in the con-struction industry—both starting asHVAC engineers. One January morn-ing in 2008 over a cup of coffee, bothwitnessed a scaffold being assembledbadly on a construction site—something

they’d both seen too many times before.

A new scaffold system takes safety to the next level

• by Lindsay Minard


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“That day I looked at Acquelino andtold him I had an idea that would solvethat problem, and he told me he hadsome funds to make it happen, and thatmorning we decided to do something,”says Barry. “After getting the drawingsready for the prototypes we headed tothe patent office and applied—every-

thing snowballed from that point.”Barry and Deaton ended up work-ing on four prototypes for their scaf-fold system that were tested and re-tested with a production model readyin early 2010.

Barry says: “It took us nearly twoyears to get the production model

American-ready and that timing hap-pened to unfortunately coincide withthe economic slump that’s been lin-gering for five or so years. So we estab-lished a baseline of customers in Ire-land first, and have now moved to theUK to do the same.”

By somewhat of a coincidence, Barryand Deaton met Dan Zarletti, presi-dent and CEO of Ill.-based risk man-agement/safety consulting firm, Sus-tainable Safety Solutions, Inc. Zarlettisaw major potential for the product inthe U.S. market.

“Pyrascaf has joined the strengthand durability of T-6 aluminum witha design that incorporates an access

ladder as it is being built from theground and a fully compliant accesspoint, while eliminating the fall ex-posures associated with scaffold erec-tion—providing confidence and secu-rity to the erector,” says Zarletti. “Thealuminum design also significantlyminimizes the exposures to strainsand sprains common while lifting anderecting scaffolding. The Pyrascaf mo-bile towers will take the constructionindustry by storm as it becomes more

appreciated with every use.”Today, Barry and Deaton’s scaffold

system is about to break through theslowly but surely recovering U.S. mar-ket. “Our hope and intention is that bythe 2013 SAIA Convention in July thedeal will be completed and we will beintroducing our new American part-ners at the show.”

The ProductWhat Barry and Deaton had devel-

oped was a new way to erect a support-

ed scaffold—a mobile working towerspecifically, with three elements thatwork to prevent a fall.

The Pyrascaf mobile working tow-er is built from the ground using lift-ing bars that eliminate the need toclimb the structure while it’s beingbuilt, thus eliminating the opportu-

nity to fall during erection. A fall arrest system is then attached toa central harness point built into the scaf-fold and lowered along the ladder as eachnew section is put in place. Once thescaffold is completely erected, the userharnesses to that centrally located systemand is able to climb the scaffold withoutfear of falling—again, tied off 100%.

Barry says: “The harness point pro-vides a tie-off point for use above andbelow the deck; below for climbingand above for working. If you use thesystem the way we designed it, fallingoff is impossible.”

The third component of the Pyrascafsystem is the working platform that uti-lizes a stainless steel rotating harnesspoint attached to a mast at the scaffold’scenter of gravity. The user can move360 degrees around the platform with-out moving the harness point. If a falloccurs, because the user is connectedto the scaffold’s center, the system willnot topple over—the difference be-

tween a minor and serious/fatal injury.“On a standard mobile platform a

harness point doesn’t exist. I’ve seenworkers attaching to the aluminumcomponents of the scaffold—lad-der rungs and cross bars—neither ofwhich would be of any benefit shouldthe worst happen,” says Barry.

Additionally, on a standard scaffoldworkers move around attaching andreattaching their harness on a rect-angular platform; the Pyrascaf system

has a square deck profile that provideequal strength on all sides.

Safe with Efficiency Still in MindBarry says that erecting and disman-

tling a 15 ft. Pyrascaf system takes 15 min-utes total. “We have built a 30’x6’x6’ highdeck in less than 30 minutes that givesthe user access to 12 ft. services.”

Configurations and Applications According to Barry the possible con-

figurations for the Pyrascaf system are

nearly infinite and exponentially grow-ing as they continue to manufacturescaffolds to suit their customer’s needs.

“If the system we have doesn’t work forthe client, we simply modify it until itdoes. If we put a 6’x6’ deck alongsideanother joined together by joiner boardsnow you have an 18’x18’ deck. Anyone

that sees this can’t believe it hasn’t beenthought of before – it’s so simple.”The sweet spot market for the system

at the moment is the blue chip indus-try; however, applications for it rangefrom providing access to a guy paint-ing the side of his house to major con-struction with Barry indicating that’sjust the tip of the iceberg in terms ofapplications and markets in which thesystem can be utilized.

“The scaffold is built to suit; i t’s a us-able tool because it’s adaptable to anyconstruction environment includingthe industrial markets—gas and oil, nu-clear—it’s applicable to them all,” saysBarry. “If the U.S. industrial marketsmakes 100% tie-off standard, this is theproduct they’re going to need.”

The fall arrest system attaches to a central

harness point built into the scaffold.


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22 • May-June 2013

Scaffold Training InstituteHouston, Texas

281-332-1613

www.scaffoldtraining.com

Scaffold Training Institute

• Providing professional scaffold training

services worldwide for over 20 years.

• Courses from 8 hours to 40 hours

• “Train-The-Trainer” courses

A Solution

Conor Gray, an electrician by trade with 25 years of experience in Ireland’s construction industry says that trying toengineer out the risks of working at height has been an ongoing battle.

“We have tried the complete elimination of A frame ladders, increased use of MEWP’s, 100% tie off policies etc. Some ofthese programs work with a limited effect,” says Gray. “We need scaffolds and aluminium towers in the construction industrybecause it gives us a predictable form of height access with the added bonus of remaining within budget; the Pyrascaf sys-tem has been the solution to our battle. The lifting bars have eliminated the risk of having to be on a scaffold while it’s beingassembled; the tie-off point gives our crews the ability to achieve 100% tie-off without difficulty; and the working platformprovides free range of movement with less restriction considering the square deck.”

Gray is currently working on a fit-out project utilizing the Pyrascaf system in Ireland. The units are being used in clean areas as wellas support areas where general overhead congestion is a challenge. “Being able to couple the units together to create large workingareas, with 100%tie off is just genius. We have not had one CAR (corrective action report) for our work while using the Pyrascaf units.The units also have an added bonus of not having multiple diagonal bars and single hand rails. This means we could hold onto all ofthe gates and parts of the scaffolds that we use. The Pyrascaf system has changed the way we plan to access and work at heights.”

Barry and Deaton intend on rolling out their mini scaf-fold—suited for low level, interior access jobs—at the 2013SAIA Convention. Barry says, “These scaffolds go straightthrough a door; and once inside can be adjoined together tocreate a long ‘train’ platform at one access level that can beused to do low level maintenance.”

Crossing the PondWith established customer bases already in Ireland and the

United Kingdom, the Pyrascaf system is on its way to the U.S.with the actual manufacturing set to take place stateside ver-sus in order to keep costs down and delivery efficient.

There are so many options for us in the U.S. market. We’regoing to bring it over and let our American partners run withit,” says Barry.

Several U.S. data firms are already onboard with the pos-sibilities the new system offers as an alternative/solution totasks MEWPs aren’t suited for – now with the same safety

ability of an MEWP.Winston Dennis Brown, project manager with Daifuku

America, says that after working with the Pyrscaf scaffoldson a new prefabrication install in Ireland, his team was soimpressed with the system, they wanted to see them in U.S.

“The guys requested them for a stateside prefab job andthey weren’t here,” says Brown. “So I met with Barry andDeaton and we started working on getting them here. The100% tie-off is huge; but their mobility, low weight, andquick setup are major advantages and are a cheaper accesssolution to a MEWP that can’t be used in all applications.”

While U.S. users may be concerned about the costs as-

sociated with the product, Barry says that it’s more economi-cal considering the time saved in erection and performingthe work without having to reattach repeatedly to a harnesspoint. The system also doesn’t have diagonals and horizon-tals, often lost on a jobsite that cost the contractor at the endof a project. “The components cannot be removed from thesystem, so we don’t lose poles; and that means no cost on theback-end,” explains Barry.

Thinking Ahead“The industry has to get beyond the old perception of a scaf-

fold’s potential,” contemplates Barry. “We have developed a

100% tie-off solution, that is faster to erect, and doesn’t haveto be disassembled to move around the project. It may costmore upfront, but the companies we deal with have madesafety a priority and are willing to pay the 10% to 15% moreto ensure their employees safety.”

Barry says that he anticipates the reaction by the industryto the Pyrascaf system to be mixed. “We’re about to bringsomething into the market that is really going to shake thingsup,” contemplates Barry. “This scaffold is going to save livesand I believe dictate the direction the scaffold industry headsin terms of safety innovations.”

Patents are pending on the three new innovations, and as faras their American partners go, once the final business agree-ments are done the system will be unveiled to the U.S. market. •


23/40


S A magazine recently conducted aroundtable discussion with four scaf-

fold industry veterans to find out wherethe industry has been, where it’s going,and how the evolving world of accessequipment and safety regulations are im-pacting its ability to compete. Mike Bredl,sales and marketing manager with Uni-

versal Manufacturing Corp, David John-son, vice president of operations and safetywith Skyline Scaffold, Richard Martinez,general manager with Imperial Scaffold,and Mike Thompson, general managerwith PCI Scaffold Concepts, weighed in.

SA: What is the biggest changethat’s occurred in the industry dur-ing your careers?

Bredl: “The biggest change that we’ve

seen as a domestic manufacturer of steelscaffolding products is the influence ofimported product in the marketplace.Twenty-five years ago there were a dozenor more domestic scaffold manufactur-ers; today, it’s just a handful. We’ve hadto find ways to combat the large influx ofimported products that have commod-itized the scaffold market and forced us topromote quality and value added services

– finding ways to differentiate ourselves.”

Thompson: “From my perspective, thechanges that have had the greatest im-pact were the rolling out of safety regu-lations by OSHA and the SAIA becom-ing a resource and advocate for trainingand safety. Also, the introduction of thesystem scaffold really revolutionizedthe industry. With a system scaffoldthe leg loading may be anywhere from4,000 to 6,000 lbs. before you have todouble-leg the bottom of the scaffold;with frame and brace the loading is typ-ically between 2,500 to 3,500 lbs.

Johnson: “I agree on both points, Mike.When I went to work, a pair of boots,shorts, t-shirt, and a hardhat was theprotection required. Today, safety re-ally is at the forefront of what we do. Itmakes for an interesting mix on a job-site as you have the veterans who areskilled at working at heights with no

fall protection working alongside the young guys who’ve never worked atheights without a harness and lanyard.

And with the system scaffold we’re ableto do things we never were able to withframe and brace. In terms of product itreally did change the industry.”

Martinez: “Personally, as a Hispanic- American, the biggest change I’ve seenin the Southern California scaffoldmarket has been the increase in the

Hispanic workforce. When I startedin the 1970s there weren’t Hispanic- American’s in the scaffold industry. Iwas one of the first few, and we wereexpected to speak English perfectly.Today in Southern California, the scaf-fold workforce is predominantly non-English speaking.”

SA: Where is the industry today interms of safety challenges and cul-ture? What’s the next step?

Thompson: “The industry itself has tak-en safety to the next level, establishingrules and regulations that are more strin-gent than OSHA’s. In the power market,if you’re above 6 ft., you’re tied off. Andit’s not just fall protection, it’s personalprotective equipment as well—hard hats,goggles, gloves, no short-sleeve shirts. Asfar as next steps, the U.S. industrial mar-ket is very close to requiring 100% tie-off—we’re going to see that soon. I thinkour biggest challenge today is training

Michael Bredl is the

Sales and Marketing

Manager for Universal

Manufacturing Corp,

Zelienople Pennsylvania.

Contact him at:

[email protected]

David Johnson is the Vice

President of Operations

and Safety with Skyline

Scaffold. Contact him at:

[email protected].

Richad Martinez is

the General Manager

with Imperial Scaffold.

Contact him at:

[email protected]

Mike Thompson is

the General Manager

with PCI Scaffold

Concepts. Contact him

at: mikethompson@

pciscaffoldconcepts.com.

thetableround

Scaffold industry veterans discuss where the industry’s been,

where it’s going, and its competitive advantage


24/40

24 • May-June 2013

workers, particularly on the residential side, which seemsmore behind the curve than other sectors where safety pro-cesses and procedures are set and followed if you want the job.”

Johnson: “Yes, the industry has taken safety into its own hands,so-to-speak. Turner Construction is notorious for fall protec-tion over 6 ft.—so we’re seeing it on the commercial side too.In terms of a market or group of contractors that do safety bet-ter, I think it’s simply reputable versus non-reputable when itcomes to safety, and the reputable ones are working every daytowards finding better safety solutions for the equipment. To-day, we have the option of using an advanced guardrail systemon certain projects that have strict safety requirements, whichtakes us out of the world of lines, harnesses, and yo-yos.”

Bredl: “We’re also seeing more end-users understanding thevalue of having a scaffold built by professionals. That is adirect effect of OSHA devoting more time to monitoring thescaffolding industry and putting more of the responsibilityon the scaffold builders. Today almost every scaffold com-pany I know offers erection and dismantling (E&D) services.The general contractors and the majority of scaffold users

are staying away from the E&D for liability reasons and thathas been beneficial for scaffold businesses and safety.”

Martinez: “The safety challenges I believe the industry hastoday concern the lack of qualified carpenters who know theregulations and are trained to erect a safe scaffold. Addition-ally, OSHA doesn’t monitor and regulate the erection of scaf-folding on all projects. They need to step up and cite thosesmall and large projects that can be hazardous to workers.”

SA: What innovations are you seeing in the industry thatkeep scaffolding competitive with powered platforms that

are often considered a more safe way to access?

Thompson: “Tractel is always coming up with new innova-tions in safety equipment to better facilitate tying-off. Wehave a Tractel system on a long scaffold that has two towersat each end and a cable that runs lengthwise over the top,then back down to the ground. This means there is alwaysa cable to be hooked off to, versus a cable that runs at yourfeet where if one person falls everyone goes down. Also thesystem scaffold is strong enough to tie-off to the verticals andcertain-size horizontals. Most of what you’re seeing todayis tweaking of existing systems to meet requirements while

maintaining a reasonable rate of productivity.”

Johnson: We recently took a Layher product and re-engi-neered it for frame and brace. It has an advanced guardrailsystem that allows us to put up a 200 lb. guardrail. We allfought the horizontal lifelines for awhile, but we’ve had tofind ways to make the new safety systems work and not com-pete with the production levels. The industry, contractors,and powered access really made us take safety regulationsmore seriously. For us that has meant more preplanning. Be-fore we would bid off a sterile plan then go to the site dayone and figure out we actually needed to do. Today, we go toa new jobsite before construction is scheduled to begin andcreate the plan.”

Thompson: “Also today all commercial and industrial jobsrequire a site specific fall protection plan prior to beginningthe work—that has definitely not always been the case. Ev-eryone is trying to play by the rules now.”

Bredl: “Most of the innovations that I am seeing have to dowith fall protection and safe access to work platforms—pan-elized guardrail systems, access gates and hatch platforms toname a few. Stair units have also become a very popular and

safe way to access a scaffold deck or work platform.”

Martinez: “I don’t believe that powered platforms are amore safe way to access. If a scaffold is built to regulation,it is just as safe as the powered platform. Scaffolds can beused more widely than powered platforms as powered plat-forms cannot be used in all areas of construction. Safetydepends on the builder or the operator. A properly trainedscaffold builder can build scaffold that will withstand forc-es, whether natural or human. ”

SA: What is the impact of powered access equipment on

the scaffold industry in terms of competition today? Whatis the forecasted impact?

Bredl: “Normally there is not a lot of competition be-tween powered access and the non-motorized steel scaf-fold. There are applications for both products and the costassociated with renting a steel scaffold versus an aerial liftare on opposite ends of the spectrum. However, the reces-sion slowed everything down, and the aerial lift industrystarted reducing rates substantially; that has meant theoption for people rates substantially; that has meant theoption for people to look seriously at using aerial lifts for

a particular job when they would typically rent scaffold-

“The industry itself has taken safety to the next level, establishing rules and regulations

that are more stringent than OSHA’s. And it’s not just fall protection, it’s personal

protective equipment as well—hard hats, goggles, gloves, no short-sleeve shirts. As

far as next steps, the U.S. industrial market is very close to requiring 100% tie-off

—we’re going to see that soon.”—Mike Thompson


25/40


ing. The economy is getting strongerthough so we’re not seeing as muchof that as we have in the last three tofour years. As far as the mast climbersgo, they do compete directly with thescaffold rental suppliers—mainly inthe commercial sector.”

Thompson: “Whether or not powered ornon-powered equipment is utilized typi-cally depends on the job type and appli-cation. The mast climbers do competedirectly with the scaffolds; but they canbe used in conjunction with scaffolds oncertain jobs. We’ve lost work to poweredplatforms because of timing; however,with powered access you work at one lev-el at a time, whereas with scaffolding youcan work on multiple simultaneously. Sothey are both a competitor and asset.”

Johnson: “Powered platforms haven’thit the west coast market as much assome regions. We lose a job ever so of-ten to powered equipment—they’re agood platform with a great safety record.Swing stages and scaffold usually work

well together. Typically a swing stage isbest-suited for windows and scaffolds

are better for plaster. We’re just not re-ally feeling competition here at all.”

Martinez: “When I first started in theindustry there were no boom or scissorlifts—today they’re a staple. Anytimea window needs to be changed that’s30/40 ft. high that’s the go-to equip-ment; it’s simply quicker than erectinga scaffold. But the powered equipmentwill never take the place of a scaffold.

You can engineer anything with a scaf-

fold – the power equipment can’t com-pete with the scaffold’s versatility.”

SA: Word on the street is that theresidential market is on the upswing.

What type of impact on the scaffoldindustry can be anticipated?

Bredl: “When the residential marketpicks up the scaffold industry will follow.

It will also be an indicator that wearetruly coming out of this recession.”

Johnson: “The residential market is alwaysa big piece of the puzzle. We are seeing lotsof multi-family units in Sacramento andthe surrounding area. I believe that this willcontinue. Additionally, people are startingremodeling and maintenance again, whereas the downturn in the economy hadhomeowners deferring maintenance.”

Martinez: “I agree, it is going to haveenormous impact on the scaffold indus-try. Scaffold companies should be ableto rise above the recession and onceagain begin to build up their compa-nies and look to a brighter future for thecompany and their employees.” •

“Scaffold companies should be able to rise above therecession and once again begin to build up theircompanies and look to a brighter future for the company

and their employees.”—Richard Martinez


26/40

26 • May-June 2013

BUSINESS AND DEVELOPMENT

Taking the Good with the Bad

By Lindsay Minard

Depending on the source, theeconomy has been in a bad wayanywhere from four to six years; andwhile the timing may be up for debate,the “bad way” part is universally agreedupon and the corresponding waves ofdespondence are universally old. Butlately, a tried-and-true source of aneconomy on the mend has been buzz-ing with tangible signs of hope.

According to government reports,from January 2012 to January 2013,housing starts were up 24% and resi-dential building permits were up 35%.

And the tried-and-true indicator of aneconomy headed for solid ground? Alltogether now: “a residential market onthe upswing.”

Recent reports from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB),state that March 2013 posted thesecond-best single-family home salesrecord since early 2010 with an increase

of 1.5% according to numbers releasedby HUD and the U.S Census Bureau.

Bill Breault, president of Oregon-based Breault Industrial Group, Inc.,a scaffold plank distribution-manufac-turing company, follows the trends inlumber closely and says for those thatneed to see to believe, the proof is in thenumbers. “U.S. housing starts less thantwo years ago were between 500,000and 600,000. In January 2013, the gov-ernment reported 890,000 U.S. housing

starts; in February that number rose to968,000; and in March to 1,036,000—a 46.7% increase from March 2012.”

That’s the good news. Handling allthe inspired home buyers is wherethings get tricky. Many industrieshave been in survival mode for awhilenow and today are unprepared froman inventory, materials, manufactur-ing, lending, and labor standpoint forthe residential boom that is the lightat the end of the tunnel the country is

barreling towards.

“Because of the way the economy hasbeen, the inventory of home units is ata 50 year record low with forecasterspredicting a shortage of 1.2 million bythe end of 2013—3 million by the endof 2014. All of the 26- to 28-year oldsthat have been jobless and living withtheir parents are going to move out andthe banks are going to be forced to easeup restrictions and that home inven-tory shortage is going to exponentiallyincrease,” affirms Breault.

Supply and Demand 101—Buyer Plan

Organizations that support homebuilders and buyers are busy lobbyingto reduce the construction credit andlending restrictions that are keepingbuilders from actually being able tobuild; however, material inventory andprice escalation is going to be the biggerissue that’s impact will reach beyond

the residential construction industry.The tried-and-true result of a boom is

demand and one of the spotlight mate-rials in the residential constructionboom is and will continue to be lum-ber—lumber used among other fancierdisplays--for wood scaffold plank, bothsolid sawn and engineered.

That means getting lumber the nexttwo- plus years—quality lumber—is inno way, going to be easy or cheap.

Not Easy A few obstacles beyond demand for

the finite amount of lumber that scaf-fold plank manufacturers are up againstinclude: a shortage in lumber mills toactually produce the lumber; lack of qual-ified labor to work in the mills; increasinglumber exportation to Asian markets will-ing to pay top price; and a decreasing lackof lumber being imported because of con-cerns over quality.

“With the good comes the bad, and

the scaffold plank industry is really

going to feel the shortage of quality fiberlumber used to make scaffold plank,”affirms Breault. “Mills shut downbecause of the economy and China isbuying logs from warehouses before theyeven get to the saw mill. Engineeredwood or Laminated Veneer Lumber(LVL) scaffold plank has seen up to fiveprice increases in the last 12 months.”

Breault says that in the last 12 yearsmany U.S. lumber mills have stoppedmaking scaffold plank twice in anattempt to keep up with the housingboom of the moment, and suggeststhis is what the scaffold plank industryneeds to prepare for today. “Scaffoldplank is a blip on the lumber industry’sradar; it simply makes more sense for amill to produce commodity items withzero liability than scaffold plank.”

Plank Defined by the

ANSI A10.8

Plank: A wood board or fabricatedcomponent that serves as a platformunit.

Plank (metal): A metal platformunit sized to support one or moreworkers or uniformly distributedloads. Metal planks would be ofsimilar dimensions as wood planks.

Plank (wood, laminated): A platformunit of glue-laminated wood

whose method of manufacture andassigned design values contemplateflat use in a scaffolding application.The two types of laminated woodused in scaffold applications areLaminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) andLaminated Edge Glued Lumber (LEG).

Planks (wood, sawn): A boardof sawn lumber whose gradingrules and assigned design valuescontemplate flat use in a scaffoldingapplication. The planks shall be sizedto support one or more workers and

materials.


27/40


28/40

28 • May-June 2013

BUSINESS AND DEVELOPMENT

Is the Wood Good? By Mike Gilleran

Solid sawn lumber has been used for scaffold plank fordecades and in years past the industry had several options

from which to choose. Douglas Fir was primarily the prod-uct of choice in the west, while Spruce and Southern YellowPine were predominant in the east. There was an abundanceof timber being harvested and making a choice was merelya matter of determining which wood species could be pur-chased and transported most cost effectively.

Back then there was confidence in the strength of lumberbeing purchased for scaffold plank because the harvestedtrees were larger and developed. Respectively, the gradingagencies were confident about the physical design prop-erties of the raw material, therefore, able to comfortablypublish grading rules with some assuredness.

30 Years Later

A lot has transpired over the past 30 years and the rawmaterial supply has changed dramatically. More stringentgovernment regulation concerning harvesting trees has putpressure on logging companies and saw mills to adapt; andas plywood and panel products gained popularity, the com-petition for raw material intensified.

Today, the availability of large old growth timber, espe-cially Douglas Fir and Spruce, is less plentiful. This is notto say the industry has pilfered the timber stands, but thepractices of harvesting have become more selective andthere are more controls in place to ensure sustainability.Essentially, the logging industry has to be more account-able and thus their focus has shifted toward utilizing smaller

plantation grown trees.

The Impact

Given the shift away from larger timber and growing depen-dency on smaller diameter trees, saw mills are having difficultycutting wider boards in the proper grade quality needed to make

scaffold plank. Additionally, there is mounting concern aboutthe strength properties of the more juvenile logs used now tomanufacture lumber products. The result is that today’s whole-saler is hard pressed to offer either Douglas Fir or Spruce roughsawn scaffold plank. Culling boards with the proper slope ofgrain and density can be challenging.

SPIB Gets Ahead of Raw Material Scrutiny

Southern Yellow Pine (SYP) remains an industry staple, theproduct of choice for many; however, it too is beginning toface scrutiny and mills are beginning to fight the same rawmaterial dilemma. The design value changes occurring June1, impacting the lower design values of SYP are the Southern

Pine Inspection Bureau’s way of combatting the issue.Scaffold plank and other industrial grades have been

excluded because specific criteria for density and slopeof grain are a mandatory metric. Without this adherence,weaker grades could be included.

A few questions to consider:

• Are you conscious of your plank sourcing?• Are you paying close attention to the quality of the plank

you’re purchasing?• Do you know what grading technics your supplier

performs?• Do you know if your supplier is visually grading and

mechanically evaluating?

What Quality Looks Like

When talking quality lumber, it’s starts with density.Remember sixth grade science class and checking out therings on tree. Beyond those rings telling you how old the treeis they indicate the density and strength of the tree; the closerthe rings are together the more dense and strong the tree –the result of slow growth. Today with the need for speed in all

things trees aren’t being given long to grow before being cutdown, resulting in significant separation between the ringsthus less dense, strong lumber.

Get Educated, Go Above and Beyond“In the last 10 to 15 years the industry and SAIA’s Plank

and Platform Council have released a substantial amountof educational material that explains and shows what isgood and bad scaffold plank,” says Breault. “When businessslowed down, companies started almost exclusively goingwith the cheapest bid because every dollar has such animpact. But as we all know, best price doesn’t necessarily

equal best quality and we need to get back to/become anindustry that’s more quality-based; conformance first andvalue, not price, second.”

Among the available educational tools are handbooks thatnot only tell, but show the characteristics of good and badscaffold plank, combatting any language barrier present on ajobsite and any reason to use below grade plank.

“The attribute scaffold plank has going for it is that it’s not aone-time application; plank can be used anywhere from twoto five-plus years so we need to change the way purchasing isviewed. If you avoid the cheapest product out there it’s goingto last you longer and save you money in the long-run; theprice is cheap for a reason,” continues Breault. “Why takechances? There are people’s loved ones on those scaffolds.”

Not taking any risks, Brealt and Gilleran’s companies takethe proof loading process of wood scaffold plank one stepfurther than the visual test by running their planks througha proof loading machine. The machine puts weight on thecenter of the plank. What the manufacturer is looking for isdeflection. If the plank deflects too much, beyond the allot-ted 2 in. specified by OSHA, then the plank is thrown out.

Breault says that the second line of defense that themachine provides in the testing process has meant 22years with no failure. He also cautions that such equip-ment does not and cannot replace the visual test requiredfor solid wood plank. Engineered or LVL scaffold plank is

only mechanically, not visually tested, as it does not havecontinuous fiber.

Today proof loading machines are only used by a handfulscaffold plank manufacturers.

For information and purchasing guidelines concerningvarious scaffold plank products visit:

http://www.saiaonline.org/plankandplatform •


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NEW EQUIPMENT

Less is MoreA new shoring system arrives on the East Coast that simplifies the shoring process,

reduces the amount of materials, and ultimately saves contractors dollars

By Lindsay Minard

Dale Andrassy has been in the scaf-fold and shoring industry for a longtime, spending the majority of his ca-reer at Waco Scaffolding and Equip-ment Co. While on a trip abroad An-drassy met Luis Cabazon who workedfor the Chile-based company Unispanthat specializes in formwork and scaf-folding solutions. The two struck upa friendship that resulted in Unispanopening its doors in the U.S.

“I knew of Unispan and had always

wanted them to be in the U.S. After ourchance meeting abroad in 2002, Louisand I developed a strong business rela-tionship that led to a partnership as webegan working on bringing the Unispanproducts to the states,” says Andrassy.

With the economy in recession thepast five or so years, Andrassy and Caba-zon seized the opportunity to work onentering the market at its low point; andin January 2013 Unispan USA doorsopened stateside in Stow, Ohio.

“The recession created a lot of holesin the industry and we were able to step

in and fill those gaps in that radius,”says Andrassy. “The markets we do busi-ness in are mainly in the Northeast andMidwest—Ohio, Michigan, Indiana,Kentucky, West Virginia, Pennsylvania,and anything west of New York City.We stick mainly to those locations inorder to be a flatbed away in a day.”

Unispan USAWith the majority of their customer

base being general and specialty con-

tractors that pour concrete—98% ofUnispan USA’s business is shoring andformwork. The company’s missionstatement revolves around customiz-ing design solutions to meet the needsof a particular job; and their productline is the result of 185 years of expe-rience between the five involved withthe U.S. division.

Andrassy says they were fortunate tobe able to decide what products theywanted to put in the marketplace ver-sus inheriting an asset base they may ormay not have wanted. “The products

we’ve brought in are the best out there. And with all our years of experience weknow what those best products are andhow to match them with our customer’sneeds. We’re looking at a job right nowwhere a customer wants the formwork42-ft. high; I haven’t seen that in mycareer, but we’ve done an analysis anddetermined it can be done, so we’ll getit done.”

Applying 185 Years

The shoring system the UnispanUSA team decided to buy and sell totheir customers was the creation of At-las Construction Supply, Inc.—a WestCoast-based, full-service manufacturerof formwork and shoring products.

The Atlas aluminum, Al-Speed shor-ing system has been utilized in the WestCoast market for 10 years, designed bya group of engineers, including Atlas’

owner, to be a more versatile, efficientsolution for concrete shoring applica-tions. Unispan is now the exclusive EastCoast dealer.

The design team worked with thematerial dimensions in order to cre-ate the safer, more production-friendlysystem they were going for; the simplerdimensions have the side effect of beingeasier to consolidate and ship.

“The number one impact this systemis going to have in this market is labor

savings for contractors because of its ef-ficiency. It may cost more upfront, butin the end customers are most certainlylooking at cost savings because they’regoing to be able to do more with lessmaterials and labor,” says Andrassy.

Andy Meier, owner of Calif.-basedPacific Southwest Structures says: “The

Al-Speed system is efficient and simpleto erect which makes it fast and non-la-bor intensive. We use it on our projectsbecause of its ability to adapt easily tosteps and slopes and the quality of con-crete produced.”

Six-ft. wide frames reduce the total number of frames needed.


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30 • May-June 2013

It’s All About the FrameThe system’s key feature are the dimensions of its Uni-

Speed frame that is 6’x6’ versus the standard 4’x6’. The largerframes mean more can be done with less as they’re spacedout further, provide more coverage per leg, with greater ca-pacity—all totaling out to mean big cost savings, accordingto Andrassy.

“The frame is the critical part of the whole system and whywe decided this was the system we wanted for our customersin the first place,” explains Andrassy. “The supporting joist,screw jacks, beams, and columns were all pretty comparableto other systems; but the frame was the driver here.”

The Uni-Speed frame has a capacity of 16,000 lbs. perleg at a 2:1 safety factor. The frame helps create the shor-ing grid by supporting high capacity aluminum stringers

running perpenducular to the frame direction, with 4”x4”Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) as joists laying acrossthe stringers.

“The LVL beams are edge-eased and sealed providing asafer shoring beam than other systems,” says Andrassy. “Ontypical systems, aluminum beam joists or I-beams are laidperpendicular to the stringers that are 6.5-in. high and havea tendency to roll the first time they’re put down whichcauses a safety hazard.”

Beyond the point of doing more with less, the frame’s di-mensions also simplify the process of constructing the sys-tem. Say a user has a 12-in. slab or less; they can take the 6-ft.

frame, put an 8-ft. brace on it, space the frames 8 ft. in one

direction and 6 ft. the other way, run the stringers in thesame direction—joists on top—and the system is built.“With a typical system customers spend days figuring out

dimensions and detailing out drawings,” says Andrassy.Bill Hansen, project superintendent for Calif-based Matt

Construction Co. says: “The frame’s dimensions, weight, andload capacity make it light, versatile, and user-friendly. Oursubcontractors appreciate how fast it is to erect and dismantle,and its adaptability to nearly any shoring application.”

Additionally, the frame legs can be used for re-shoring ascontractors work their way up the building as the systemminimizes the need to bring in additional equipment for re-

shoring purposes.The Uni-Speed system is best suited for single podiumdeck applications and for industrial and commercial multi-story and high-rise applications. •

Uni-Speed Shoring Frame

At a Glance

• Frame Sizes:6’x6’, 6 x5’, 6’x2’8”3’x6’, 3’x5’, 3’x2’8”

• High Shoring Coverage- up to 16 kip per leg• 32,000 lbs. support capacity per 50 lb.- frame

• Capable of accomodating simple or intricate deckdesigns

• 6-ft. wide frame reduces total number of framesneeded to support suspended concrete andformwork; 100 sq. ft. per frame, up to 12-ft. thickslab

• Fewer parts and components• 2 revolutions per inch for Uni-Speed jacks for quick

set up and dismantling• Striated horizontal rails• Quicklock System for easy connection and removal

of crossbraces

NEW EQUIPMENT

The 6’x6’ aluminum frame weighs 50 lbs.

The dimensions of the frames simplify the process of

erecting the system.


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In Perfect Harmony2013 SAIA Annual Convention and Exposition Preview

July 21-24 • Nashville, Tennessee

SAIA 2013 Annual Convention &Exposition at a Glance

Scaffold & Access Industry Association

2013 Annual Convention & Exposition

July 21 – 24, 2013

Nashville, Tennessee

Renaissance Nashville

convention.saiaonline.org

HOTEL INFORMATION

Renaissance Nashville611 Commerce StreetNashville, TN 37203P: 615.255.8400

**Mention SAIA before June 21, 2013, to receive your special hotel rateof $179.00 USD per night.

EXHIBITION AND SPONSORSHIP

Contact SAIA at (816) 595.4860 or visit convention.saiaonline.org for

information concerning displaying products or supporting the Asso-ciation’s efforts to educate users on scaffold and access equipment.

Discover the perfect harmony ofeducation, networking, purchas-ing, and training all intertwined withexpert advice at the 2013 SAIA AnnualConvention and Exposition, July 21-24in Nashville.

The SAIA Exposition has beendeveloped in order to give owners,buyers, managers, safety professionals,and dealers the opportunity to meetmanufacturers and suppliers, conduct

business, network with the industryexperts, and investigate new products.

The Renaissance Nashville is indowntown Music City—a melting potof different genres of music that can befound at more than 100 music venuesin town 24/7/365.

“This year’s convention has 18 indus-try-trend educational presentations, sixtraining classes, plus we are expandingthe tradeshow with the Safe Access, FallProtection & Training seminar,” says

Laurie Weber, SAIA executive director.“The annual convention and expositionis targeted for anyone that uses scaffoldand access equipment. Informationwill be given; you will meet industryleaders, have fun, and rejuvenate yourenthusiasm for your work. We look for-ward to seeing you in Nashville.”

TrainingThe SAIAU has a portfolio of world class,

industry-recognized training programs that

will be offered in Nashville on Sun., July 21.

If you need training or your current training

card is older than three years, this is where

you can take the classes. Are you inter-

ested in becoming an Accredited Training

Institute (ATI) of the SAIA curriculum?

Come early and take our Train-the-Trainer

class. No matter what your training needs

are, you can fill them in Nashville! Contact

SAIA headquarters at 816.595.4860, or

visit convention.saiaonline.org/training for

details and how to register.

Classes offered in Nashville:

• Train-the-Trainer• Competent Person Training—Frame• Competent Person Training—Suspended• Operator Training—AWP• Competent Person Training —System Scaffold• Operator Training—Mast Climbers

SAF-TIn cooperation with SAIA, Maximum

Capacity Media announces the live Safe

Access, Fall Protection & Training (SAF-T)

Conference. The one-day SAF-T Conference

is scheduled for July 24, 2013, immediately

following the SAIA 2013 Annual Convention

& Exposition at the Renaissance Nashville

Hotel in the heart of downtown Music City.

More details can be found at:

convention.saiaonline.org/saf-t •

SAIA



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32 • May-June 2013

Fri., July 19

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. - Train-the-TrainerFacilitator Skills Workshop

Sat., July 20

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. – Train-the-TrainerFacilitator Skills Workshop

10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. – SAIA Golf Outing

Sun., July 21

*Exhibitor move-in complete by 4:00 p.m.

7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. – CPT Training: Frame7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. – CPT Training:

Suspended7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Aerial Work

Platforms Operator Training7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. – CPT Training-

System Scaffold7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Mast Climbers

Operator Training

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – SAIA ExecutiveCommittee Lunch

5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. – WelcomeReception with Exhibitors

Mon., July 22, 2013

8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. – SAIA GeneralMembership Meeting

8:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – Shoring, Access,and Fall Protection

10:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – GlobalConstruction Outlook

11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Lunch withExhibitors

2:30 p.m. – 3:15 a.m. – Tweet This!Engaging a 5000-Yr-Old Industry in 140Characters or Less

3:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. – Win, Keep, andSimplify Business

4:00 p.m. – 4:40 p.m. – All Access Pass-Work Converges on Industrial TowerProject in Texas

4:40 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. – Hyatt RegencyCeiling & Sky Light Replacement

5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Reception withExhibitors

Tues., July 23, 2013

*Exhibitors move out after 1:30 p.m.

7:45 a.m. – 8:20 p.m. – Benefits of Knowing

8:20 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. – 100% Tie-Off; Is it aMyth, a Reality, or Even Achievable?

10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – SuspendedScaffolding- Applications andOpportunities

11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Lunch withExhibitors

1:30 p.m. – 2:25 p.m. – Project Profiles2:25 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. – One World Trade

Center, Creative Hoisting Solutions

3:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. – Prestigious &

Technically Demanding Jobs

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – 2013 President’s

Gala Reception

7:00 p.m.- 11:00 p.m. – President’s GalaDinner & Industry Awards

Wed., July 24, 2013

*Exhibitors move out after 1:30 p.m.

8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. – Leading Through

Innovative Safety Technology

9:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – What is the Impact

of the Fall Prevention Campaign?

10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Online Training &

Familiarization

12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. – Box Lunch (Not

with Exhibitors)

12:45 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Working at Height,

What a General Contractor Expects of

Subcontractors

2:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Near-Miss

Reporting: the Missing Link of a Safety

Culture Revolution

3:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Safe Movement of

Equipment on Jobsites

2013 Annual Convention & ExpositionJuly 21-24, 2013

Renaissance Nashville, Nashville, Tenn.

SAIA


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David Glabe P.E., DH Glabe and Associates:

Shoring, Access, and Fall Protection

Shoring, access, and fall protection is

an exciting seminar that will highlight the

standards and regulations that must be

adhered to when dealing with shoring.

Glabe will compare requirements for shor-

ing and scaffold; describe the differences

between them; and how to tell which

standards apply for given situations. He will

guide the seminar attendees with easy to

follow examples.

Chris Sleight, International Construction:

Global Construction Outlook

S le igh t , ed i to r o f In ternat ional

Construction magazine, will give a region-

by-region look at construction markets

around the world, focusing on key drivers

for growth over the next one to two years.

Stephen Pike, ScaffoldNation:

Tweet This! Engaging a 5000 Year old

Industry in 140 Characters or Less!

“Like” it or not - social media is here to stay.

The organizations that will survive and thrive

will be those that embrace these tech-

nologies and develop their own corporate

brands in the industry; thereby, supporting

all critical business functions including sales,

human resources, marketing, training, loss

control, and product development.

Ali Hajighafouri, Avontus Software:

Win, Keep and Simplify Business: How

Scaffold Management Software can Help

You Impress Your Clients and Improve

Efficiency

This session will discuss challenges

industrial scaffold companies face in daily

operations and how modern software

addresses these obstacles. Attendees will

also learn how using software will not onlysave them money but also strengthen new

bids and existing client relationships.

Eric Schmidt, P.E., BETCO Scaffold:

All Access Pass - Work Converges on

Industrial Tower Project in Texas

This presentation will highlight project

challenges and difficulties encountered

when designing and installing a 300 ft. scaf-

fold tower on a chemical processing unit in

a hurricane-force storm wind region of the

Gulf Coast of Texas.

Mike Thompson, PCI Scaffold Concepts:

Hyatt Regency Ceiling & Sky Light

Replacement

Thompson will discuss an unusual, sus-

pended scaffold in the atrium area of the

Hyatt Regency that had to be engineered

and supported from an existing truss system.

Despite its intricacies, common scaffold

components were used to complete the

suspended deck. Work was performed with-

out disturbing operations of the hotel.

David Demorest, Safway Services:

Benefits of Knowing

This presentation will cover laser scan-

ning and the benefits it adds to the scaffold

and access industry. What is laser scan-

ning? The questions on increased safety,

cost efficiency, and added precision will be

answered. It will be explained how, when,

and why this technology should be used.

Andrew Smith, Phoenix Industrial Services:

100% Tie Off; Is it a Myth, a Reality or Even

Achievable?

While acting as the branch manager of

Safway’s Hamilton, ON branch, Andrew

experienced several significant owner

mandated changes to site specific fall

protection requirements at a major petro-

chemical facility. Working within the

framework of his existing maintenance

cont

2013.05-06 scaffold & access may-june

Documents