What customers need to know about scaffolds and ladders

Much of the world's construction and maintenance work is out of reach. Painting, roofing, heating and air conditioning ductwork, drywall, exterior finishing and construction - all overhead jobs, many of which couldn't be done without ladders and scaffolding.

Ladders
Ladders are classified in one of four duty ratings: Type III, household light duty, rated for 200 pounds; Type II, commercial medium duty, 225 pounds; Type I, industrial heavy duty, 250 pounds; and Type IA, heavy duty industrial, 300 pounds. Many rental centers prefer to own Type I and IA ladders because they cover the widest range of needs and are very durable.
Many ladders are designed to fit specific needs, such as simple parallel-side, wood-shingle ladders, window-cleaning ladders, step-shelf ladders and versatile folding ladders with multi-position locking hinges that permit several configurations including straight ladder, double stepladder and compact, self-supporting scaffold.
Fiberglass ladders are becoming increasingly popular for rentals. They do not conduct electricity and are durable and lightweight.

Scaffolding
Scaffolding may be a rolling tower, frame scaffold, tube and clamp system, stairway tower, adjustable jack system or a huge cocoon around a commercial construction project. Scaffolding can be assembled in configurations providing many heights and deck sizes. Frames are available in aluminum and steel. Deck sections are made of aluminum, extruded aluminum, plywood and laminated wood.
Twenty-nine-inch-wide steel scaffold packages are popular rentals because they are compact and relatively easy to assemble.
Many scaffolding accessories can be rented along with scaffold components.

Who rents these things?
Homeowners often own light-duty step and extension ladders, but turn to rental stores for larger, more sturdy equipment when major household projects call for it. Homeowners are good prospects to spend additional money for ladder accessories such as stabilizers, stand-off and surface protectors, rolling roof hooks, lashing straps and tree and pole chains. Such extras make jobs easier and safer and increase rental income. Homeowners also rent smaller scaffolding packages and rolling towers.
While contractors and other professionals own ladders, renting is a practical alternative to buying additional ladders to accommodate heavy workloads and peak periods of activity. Many small contractors and those just going into business need ladders on an occasional basis and prefer to rent rather than purchase expensive industrial-rated ladders they must use on jobs.
Scaffolding is rented by builders, commercial contractors, painters, roofers, bricklayers, stone masons, remodelers and plumbing, heating and cooling contractors. Maintenance departments of retail complexes, office buildings, manufacturing plants, warehouses, schools, universities and other institutions all require scaffolding at various times.
Many organizations prefer not to own scaffolding because it is more cost-efficient to rent as necessary for specific projects.
Extras such as outriggers, rigging accessories, hoists and safety products such as body belts and harnesses, rope grabs and shock-absorbing lanyards are needed on many projects, and they add extra income to scaffold rentals.
General rental centers usually prefer to limit scaffold inventory to smaller units. Larger scaffolding systems are carried by businesses specializing in construction rentals. Many companies that rent scaffolds offer delivery and pickup service and also erect scaffolding at the customer's job site and dismantle it when the rental is complete.

Using ladders and scaffolding
Ladders and scaffolding must be used correctly for maximum efficiency and safety. For both ladders and scaffolds, proper use begins with selection of the right structure for the job, positioning it properly and not overloading it. It is the responsibility of counter personnel to help each customer select the correct type and size for the intended use.
A ladder's length and its maximum working length are not the same. A 16-foot ladder has a maximum working length of 13 feet; if a customer plans to work on a structure with an even height between 91¦2 and 131¦2 feet (the point where the top of the ladder will rest), a 20-foot ladder is needed.
Customers also need to know where to position the ladder's base for maximum stability. This varies with ladder length. The angle formed by imaginary lines between (1) the upper support point, (2) the base of the ladder and (3) the vertical wall of the supporting structure should be approximately 75 degrees.
Counter personnel must make sure customers receive all scaffolding components with every rental, and they must provide necessary instruction for proper assembly. Renters should understand the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act and state regulations that apply to the use of ladders and the assembly and use of scaffolds.

Safety
This section provides general safety guidelines and is not intended to cover all safety requirements that apply to working on ladders and scaffolding. Renters must understand not only how to use ladders and scaffolding properly, but also the precautions that apply to the type of work they are doing. Rental center personnel can help customers by providing the right type and size of ladder or scaffold for the work to be done and by emphasizing correct handling, positioning and use.
General safety rules for ladders:
Check overhead clearance when moving or raising any ladder so it does not come in contact with live wires. Use fiberglass ladders when working near electrical lines and equipment. Position ladders on firm, level surfaces. Don't put ladder shoes on slick surfaces. Engage both locks on extension ladders. Support both ladder side rails. Whenever possible, stake or tie down an extension ladder to prevent slipping. Never exceed a ladder's weight capacity. Never climb to the top rung or step of a ladder. Make sure renters understand how to assemble the scaffold correctly; make sure they understand federal and state safety regulations that apply. State regulations supersede OSHA when they are more stringent than OSHA requirements. OSHA requires that guardrails be used on all scaffolding of 10 feet and higher. Guardrails are required on work areas that are 4 feet and higher for decks that are 45 inches and less in width. Toe boards are required on all sides of the work platform. All work levels of platform decking must be completely decked. Lock pins are required at all frame connections, including casters. Squaring braces to keep the frame rigid are required at each 20 feet of height. Tower height may not exceed four times the smallest base dimension (outriggers can be used to widen the base). Stay alert! Don't let yourself or the scaffolding or ladder come in contact with live power lines. Never extend working heights by placing planks on top of guard rails.
For increased stability, scaffolds can be secured to adjacent structures. Harnesses and other safety devices can reduce the risk of falling.
You may have a customer who wants to cut costs by omitting certain scaffold components. But if you let scaffolding go out without toe boards or fail to provide a sufficient number of deck panels, you will be contributing to the use of equipment in violation of OSHA safety regulations. Should counter personnel risk losing a rental by insisting the customer take the complete scaffold package? An effective response is to explain OSHA and state safety regulations, including the risks involved in using equipment that violates safety standards. Encourage the customer to take all required components. Renting incomplete scaffolding can make the rental business a target of litigation if there is an accident. If the customer still insists on renting scaffolding without all required components, remember that the potential cost of legal action resulting from an accident involving scaffolding with missing components can be far greater than the lost rental income.
After each return, carefully inspect ladders and scaffolding and immediately repair or replace damaged and missing parts. Defective ladders and scaffolding are dangerous and never should be rented.
Manufacturers, industry associations and government agencies provide a wealth of free information on safe use of ladders and scaffolds. Such material can be provided to renters to reinforce safety instruction. Note that manufacturers may make changes in their safety instructions, notices and decals, so review your files and literature periodically and be sure to ask manufacturers for the latest updates so you can help your customers stay out of trouble and protect yourself against litigation that could result from an accident.
Inspect ladders for damaged or missing parts - accidents and misuse can occur during rentals. Don't send out a bent or damaged ladder.
Machinery can run into scaffolds and cause damage that may be hidden, so inspect carefully. Check connections. Clean platform surfaces. Replace missing or broken parts before work is allowed to resume.

Comments from the industry
A-1 Plank and Scaffold Manufacturing Co., Hays, Kan., James Barker: "All counter personnel should be given training on how to properly erect scaffolding so that all necessary components will be rented. Daily inspection should be made for damage or alternation of equipment. Never work on a damaged scaffold."
Bil-Jax, Archbold, Ohio, Steve Storrer: "During use, routine inspection of the scaffold setup should be performed to promote safety. When scaffolding is moved to different locations, components can become bent during setup or teardown. Walk boards should be cleaned of mortar, paint and other substances. When returned, inspect all scaffolds for bent or missing parts. Necessary repairs and replacements must be made before another rental."
Insulation Wholesale Supply, Battle Creek, Mich., Ramar Wakenight: "Properly maintained equipment can remain in rental service indefinitely."
Lynn Ladder & Scaffolding Co., West Lynn, Mass., Alan D. Kline: "Renters always should be given basic instructions on setting up scaffolding, warned about electrical hazards and cautioned about guard rail and other safety requirements."
Michigan Ladder Co., Ypsilanti, Mich., Bob Hoernschemeyer: "Every ladder should enable the user to reach a given work height safely without the need to overreach or climb to the top of the ladder. Primary considerations in ladder selection are combined weight of the heaviest user and tools, and how the ladder will be used."
Werner Ladder Co., Greenville, Pa., John G. Thiel Jr.: "Type IA 300-pound rated ladders are most suited to the rental industry due to their rugged construction."