Rolling scaffolds: ten tips to avoid risks

In construction, as well as in installation engineering, working at height is often necessary. Stairs or ladders sometimes provide the solution, but in terms of safety, scaffolding is a better choice. It gives more freedom of movement and also leaves your hands free.

A rolling scaffold has additional advantages: it is quick to erect, sometimes even by one person. And once erected, it can be moved in its entirety. They are therefore often used, but it is important to comply with safety regulations.
Here are ten tips to avoid risks with mobile scaffolding.

1. Ensure that those who assemble and move mobile scaffolds are trained to do so. There are several organizations that provide training, including Construction Radius.

2. Prior to assembly, check that all parts are there and that they are in good condition. Check for damage in the form of cracks or a weld that deviates slightly. If you find any deviation, replace that part. Then start the assembly of the mobile scaffold.

3. Assemble the scaffolding according to the manufacturer's instructions. Also, manufacturers nowadays supply assembly rails with the scaffolding: use those!

4. A scaffold can only be stable if the legs/wheels are on level ground. This is not always obvious outside. Many mobile scaffolds are equipped with adjustable wheels. Are they not adjustable and is the surface not firm and/or level? Then slide planks/tiles/chocks under the wheels for strength and to bring them to exactly the same height. Use a level when doing so.

5. Be careful if the metal mobile scaffold will be placed in an area where uninsulated electrical lines are being worked on! Insulate the lines, or choose a rolling scaffold made of fiberglass.

6. Adhere to NEN-EN 1004-1:2020. The main points from it:
- Every rolling scaffold with prefabricated components up to 12 meters falls under this standard, so also room scaffolding and folding scaffolds under 2.50 meters.
- The maximum distance from the ground to the first platform is 3.40 meters.
- The maximum distance between platforms in the rolling scaffold is 2.25 meters.
- Each platform must have wind-up protection with wind hooks on two sides.
- Each rolling scaffold must be equipped with four stabilizers.
- Provide a handrail at knee and hip height on each side as early as during assembly.

Finally, some open doors

7. Never move a mobile scaffold while someone is standing on it. Also make sure no materials (tools, electrical machines with the plug in, open paint cans, small material such as screws, etc.) are lying loose on it.

8. Always put the wheels of the rolling scaffold on the brake after assembly and after a move, and check that the scaffold is level.

9. Never climb the scaffolding from the outside. Use the hatches in the work floors to move up a level.

10. Always work within the perimeter of the mobile scaffold. Do not hang on the outside/side to reach something: move the scaffold. Also, do not climb on the top railing to reach a little higher: build an extra section.