Scaffold Projects

According to Workplace Safety Australia, falls are one of the leading causes of deaths in the workplace, below vehicle collision. In addition to permanent injuries and lost lives caused by falls, businesses lose billions of dollars each year from significant increases in insurance premiums, workers’ compensation claims, product liability costs, and other related expenses.

Scaffolding accidents are among the most common in the construction industry, with New South Wales being the leading state for falls from a height causing injury or death 37%, followed by Victoria 29%.

Have you started a job only to find that you do not get any feedback from your employer for 6 or more months? When you were hired did your employer sit down with you and explain your job role and the job expectations thoroughly to you? Have you completed a critical project only to have no feedback on the process or outcome? Feedback is a crucial part of your job and many organisations today are not providing it at a level that can help you be as efficient and effective as you could be.

The world is becoming more digital every day and most organisations can forget that their employees are social beings and not machines. Team members need to be heard, appreciated and provided with frequent feedback.

At Australian Scaffolds, we do not believe in traditional performance management techniques. As a supervisor, how much do you remember of the work performed by a team member at the end of the quarter / project / year? How effective will it be when you provide some feedback just to make sure you fill out an employee evaluation form? Probably not very effective at all. Our team at Australian Scaffolds has implemented a new way of overcoming this weakness in traditional Performance Management. Under the new program, all team members will be evaluated on a weekly basis via a Tick & Flick document which we have created. On a weekly basis, each supervisor will take just 5 to 10 minutes to focus on an employee’s core activities for that week. This evaluation provides instant and constant feedback to the team member to help them understand where they are excelling and where they possibly need some improvement.

We have implemented this program after 5 years of research, many one on one employee feedback sessions and expert Human Resources experience. We understand that this is a trial program and with our employees input, we will be developing and improving it on a continuous basis.

Our CEO, Scott Butlin and Human Resources Manager, Sandy Pemasinghe are working on also including the company’s shared values into the performance evaluation. This will be a challenge with many subjective criteria and deciding on how to implement the best measuring techniques.

Australian Scaffolds provides a range of quality products for sale and hire including; Edge Protection, Trestles, Mobile Scaffold, Ladders, Scaffold installation, Acrow Props and many more. Call 1300 919 905 to speak with a qualified scaffolder.

We are very excited about our latest product the Butlin Maxi Trestle. With loads of safety features we believe the all new innovative design will be a big hit with DIY and trade markets.

Benefits:

Adjustable legs – accomoadte undulating ground levels.
Adjustable in height – painting inside the house to outside cleaning gutters / pruning hedges.
Leight weight – 10kgs.
Fast install – complete platform in under 60 seconds.
Design:

Designed in accordance with Australian Standards:

AS/NZS 1576.5:1995 Scaffolding Prefabricated splitheads and trestles.
AS/NZS 1163:2016 Cold formed structural steel hollow sections
AS/NZS 4680:2006 Hot dipped galvanised (zinc) coatings on fabricated ferrous articles
Australian Scaffolds Retail Sales Manager Darrin Bassam at Total Tools Auburn on Thursday 31/5/18.

Darrin was showcasing our exciting new Butlin Maxi Trestle and Acrow Props, and received loads of positive comments on these innovative new products.

Please call Darrin to pre order on 1300 919 905 or look out for the Butlin Maxi Trestle and Acrow Props in Total Tools, Mitre 10, Bunnings, VEK Tools, Thrifty Link and Hardware & General Stores mid to late July!

When time is money, and safety really matters. Whether you’re BHP or Tip Top Bakery. If your facility, is not dispatching goods, you’re losing money. During unplanned breakdowns, fixing the issue can often be URGENT. Australian Scaffolds specialise in rapid response to emergency plant breakdowns.

This particular solution involved accessing duct work above a delicate roof inside of a bakery, and propping the level below. This entire solution was built in less than 1 hour, and allowed our customer to repair the problem with minimal disruption.

Please contact Terry McDougall, our Sales and Technical Manager via email Terry.McDougall@AustralianScaffolds.com.au or 1300 919 915 for any of your Scaffolding requirements.

At the 11th hour, before cutting off access into an apartment block, the developer discovered that his proposed scaffold solution was not building code compliant, and could not be used as a Public Access Stair.

Within 24 hours of contacting Australian Scaffolds, we’d visited site, determined the scope of work, and developed a design for these 2 Public Access Stairs.

This Public Access Stair was more challenging than most due to the tight site boundary constraints, and steeply sloping ground.

Performance Requirements

DP1

Access must be provided, to the degree necessary, to enable-

(a) safe; and

(b) equitable and dignified, movement of people to and within a building.

The Public Access Stairs complied with The Building Code of Australia part 3.9.1.3 Stair Construction and 3.9.1.4 Riser and Going Dimension.

Despite the challenging conditions, Australian Scaffolds were still able to install the public access stairs within 1 shift.

Another example of how Australian Scaffolds can aid your project, and help you to work SAFER, SMARTER, FASTER.

To learn how Australian Scaffold can aid your project, contact Terry on Terry.McDougall@AustralianScaffolds.com.au

Australian Scaffolds recently installed a facade scaffold with Type A hoarding attached in Newcastle NSW for our valued client Infrastruction (NSW) Pty Ltd. The scaffold hoarding was attached to a facade scaffold and used to create a protected work zone.

The facade scaffold was 20m long x 10m high and included 2m high stairs, beige shade cloth to exterior and 2m high scaffold hoarding. The project was completed in 1 day. Using the scaffold wall casettes which attach to the scaffold decreases installation time by up to 80%. The scaffold hoarding system utilises lockable steel doors that simplifies site security.

Types of Hoarding – Definitions

Type A: Type A hoardings generally consist of a 2m high ply-sheet fence attached to a supporting timber or steel frame.

Type B: Type B hoardings are a more substantial structure that spans a footpath or roadway and affords overhead protection to the public.

Type C: Type “B” hoardings with overhead sheds or storage.

If scaffold is placed on public land, a council permit will be required.

Please contact Daniel Butlin on 1300 919 905 or email daniel.butlin@australianscaffolds.com.au or Terry McDougall on 0447 007 881 for any further information or qualified friendly advice on Scaffold Hoardings.

You are most welcome to visit our branch and check out our range of scaffold equipment, suspended scaffold and edge protection displays.

Australian Scaffolds recently installed Public Access Stairs to the loading dock of the North Rocks Shopping Centre to ensure safe access to loading dock for our client Mainbrace Constructions.

Within 10 hours from phone call our ever-reliable service team led by Josh Savage had the job completed, with a very happy customer.

Performance Requirements

DP1

Access must be provided, to the degree necessary, to enable-

(a) safe; and

(b) equitable and dignified, movement of people to and within a building.

The Public Access Stairs complied with The Building Code of Australia part 3.9.1.3 Stair Construction and 3.9.1.4 Riser and Going Dimension. Josh Savage commented “Using Layher Allround makes it easy to comply with Australian Standards because as far as I know only Layher Scaffold has the correct height and length boards that comply with the riser and going dimension”.

Please contact Daniel Butlin on 1300 919 905 or email daniel.butlin@australianscaffolds.com.au for any further information or qualified friendly advice on Scaffold Stairs.

You are most welcome to visit our branch and check out our scaffold, suspended scaffold and edge protection cost saving displays we have set up for your perusal.

I’ve been involved in the Building Industry for 30 years and one of the biggest changes has been the improvement to working at height.

When I first started in the industry it was up to each contractor to provide their own “scaffolding”. It really wasn’t scaffold as we know it today. One particular contractor I worked for in the early 80’s use to tow a trailer full of empty 44 gallon drums and wooden planks and would use the drums on their side for single storey and on edge doubled up for two storey work!
Even though there has been great progress in providing workers with a safer place to work when at height, and the industry should be congratulated for this, we seem to have missed the opportunity in providing safer and productive solutions when working at lower heights.

I’m not quite sure why, but it seems that when working at lower heights the risk is mostly overlooked either because the risk is not considered or the solution is prohibitively expensive. Australian Scaffolds is working hard to address this problem with an all Australian designed and manufactured low height, low cost, fast and safe scaffold system.

We plan to have this new innovative scaffold available to major hardware retailers by end of March 2018. If anyone has any interest in our exciting new product, you are very welcome to give me a ring on 1300 919 905 or email Scott.butlin@australianscaffold.com.au to discuss further.

Australian Scaffolds recently completed a wheel chair access ramp to the entrance of the Ryde Eastwood Leagues Club for our client Paynter & Dixon. The ramp was in use while work was carried out to the existing ramp.

Australian Scaffold supervisor Joshua Savage led the team and was pleased with the 1.5 hour install, and that the ramp lined up with the existing landing to within a millimetre. Waka Naera, the Paynter Dixons site foreman commented it was a “great job and happy with the result”.

Regulations

The Building Code of Australia, Australian Standards 1428 and the Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards (Premises Standards), regulate ramps in buildings.

As travel along a ramp demands significant effort, a ramp is not appropriate for a rise of more than one storey. Ramps are most appropriate if they are designed with:

the lowest reasonable gradient,
no steeper than 1:14
a horizontal landing providing an opportunity to rest at every 9m and at each change in direction
a handrail and kerbs on both sides a double rail, where appropriate, with the lower rail suited to people of short stature or children.
Ramp Definitions

Refer to the Building Code of Australia and Australian Standards for complete definitions and regulatory requirements for ramps.

Step Ramp – A short ramp no steeper than 1:10 and rising no more than 190mm. A step ramp is intended to enable access at a door threshold or other situations where there is an unavoidable, small change in level.

Ramp – A walkway has a gradient no steeper than 1:20 and must be equipped with handrails and kerbs. The controlling dimensions for ramps, handrails and kerbs are detailed in the relevant Australian Standard.

Walkway – A walkway has a gradient no steeper than 1:20 and does not require handrails or kerbs.

Landing – A ramp must have a landing at the top and bottom, at the changes of direction and at intervals along its length. A ramp at a gradient of 1:14 should have a landing at 9m intervals. A landing should be a minimum of 1500mm.

Advanced Scaffolding consists of all intermediate scaffolding work including all other scaffolding work connected with the use and operation of Hung scaffolds and Suspended scaffolds for licensing purposes.

Required skills

ability to erect scaffold and scaffold equipment within the scope of the advanced scaffolder
ability to erect, level, plumb and stabilise scaffolds and scaffold equipment within the scope of the advanced scaffolder
ability to work safely at heights
ability to interpret manufacturer’s specifications for plant and equipment
accurate interpretation of structural charts and structural plans
correct application of all scaffolding equipment
verify problems and equipment faults and demonstrate appropriate response.

Required knowledge

use of appropriate mathematical procedures for estimation and measurement of loads
Commonwealth, state or territory OHS legislation and local government regulations, including standards and codes of practice relevant to the full range of techniques for undertaking advanced scaffolding activities
knowledge of principles relating to plant and equipment stability
knowledge of types of scaffolding and their application
knowledge of scaffold and scaffold equipment erection and dismantling techniques
knowledge of types scaffold and scaffold equipment, associated with advanced scaffolding and their use/s
risk assessment and control, including understanding of the hierarchy of control
load capabilities of different types of scaffolding constructions
understanding and application of organisational and workplace standards, requirements, policies and procedures for scaffolding
application of safety equipment applicable to scaffolding
understanding and application of the inspection and maintenance requirements for advanced scaffold, associated equipment and scaffold equipment
uses and limitations of tools and equipment, appropriate to scaffolding tasks and activities.
Forces and Loads may include, but are not limited to:

dead loads
live loads
static load
dynamic loads
wind loads.
Appropriate standards may include:

codes of practice
legislation
Australian Standards
manufacturer’s specifications
industry standards (where applicable).

Do you have problems gaining access into an excavation?

Think that it could be achieved faster or safer?
Have a problem onsite?
Need a safe and economical solution?
In Early November Australian Scaffolds received a call from a distressed Site Manager, desperately trying to gain access to his site offices. The offices are positioned on a gantry, over the road way in a Sydney CBD back alley, on a site tightly positioned between two adjoining buildings. Sydney Council had dismissed his application to gain access from the street, and he had no alternative option. With basement works progressing at a fast pace, the possibly of his project grinding to a halt, became a very real concern.

Within 2 hours of calling Australian Scaffolds, Daniel our Scaffold Hire Manager had visited the site, provided a solution that pending some engineering checks could overcome all of the challenges. This all happened on a Friday afternoon, and by Monday morning his site access stair was safely installed and approved for use.

Australian Scaffolds uses the Layher Allround Scaffold System, a German precision engineered, technical modular scaffold system. Features of this scaffold system, combined with our technical capability allowed us to provide a solution that was anchored to the face of the gantry’s columns. Loads were transferred into the gantry using Layher’s load bearing diagonal braces, and the bolted connection between scaffold uprights is able to transfer high tensile loads without the use of time consuming tube and coupler.

The solution was safely installed in only 4 hours with 3 men, and overcame the huge financial implications of a site closure. Our client said “Thanks once again for a fantastic service. From 45yrs in the construction industry, it is really a pleasure to still find the very few who obviously believe in service and assisting clients whenever possible.”

Another great example of how Australian Scaffolds can help you to work safer, smarter, and faster. Call Terry McDougall on 1300 919 905 or email: terry.mcdougall@australianscaffolds.com.au

Yes that’s right. We’ve just developed and installed a scaffold bridge, 26m long, that was moved into position… with 2 men.

Australian Scaffolds are proud of our reputation for delivering innovative access solutions, and height safety products. When our client asked for “ a single bay to access a swimming pool roof” we immediately thought ‘no problem’. When we discovered it was a single bay wide, and 26m clear span over the top of a swimming pool, and had to be moved out of position during pool opening hours, we immediately thought ‘no problem’.

The Australian Scaffolds team drew on our experience, and combined solutions from our Public Access Bridges, and our High Load Mobile Lifting Scaffolds. As the only re-seller in Australia of the Layher Allround Scaffold System, we worked closely with their technical team to develop a solution using our current fleet of materials.

Assembly was completed with 4 men in an 8 hour nightshift. This greatly reduced disruption to the facility and project duration. During opening hours, the entire scaffold was repositioned by 2 men, in 4 minutes. This allowed for extended working time on the scaffold and further reduced project duration.

Our client said “Thanks for your efforts in design and setup of the scaffold at the centre. There are a lot of happy people around because the painting was completed before the opening deadline”

Another happy customer of Australian Scaffolds. Working Safer – Working Faster – Working Smarter. Have an access problem? Contact Terry on 0447 007 881 or Terry.McDougall@australianscaffolds.com.au

One of Sydney’s largest retail shopping centres, The Macquarie Centre, required a simple access solution to complete work on the ceilings above the escalator voids in the shopping centre. The solution needed to span across an elliptical shaped void of several metres, and be quick to install so as to minimise customer disruption.

Australian Scaffolds used Layher Allround Scaffold to install a 7m x 7m mobile, single-span scaffold which allowed safe and easy access to the ceilings. The structure was installed in a single 4-hour shift, which minimised disruption for the centre.

Australian Scaffolds specialises in innovative solutions to meet any challenges. Our design team have extensive experience in designing solutions both indoors and outdoors that meet and exceed requirements and expectations.

Give Australian Scaffolds a call on 1300 919 905 to speak to a member of our design team.

Australian Scaffold were appointed to design and install a scaffold stairway tower to provide access to one of the largest infrastructure projects in the Sydney area. The ever-changing access requirements on site were the inspiration for a design that would allow for the quick and efficient relocation of the tower at short notice.

Australian Scaffold, together with Layher’s technical team, designed a remarkable craneable Layher Allround stair tower solution. Layher’s intelligent connection technology, combined with the high load-bearing capacity of Layher Allround’s diagonal braces brought this lateral-thinking solution to a practical conclusion: the 12m high stairway tower was assembled horizontally, then simply lifted by crane and placed in the required position on site. Subsequent relocations of the structure also involve crane-handling and were remarkably straightforward. This impressive solution offered the client speed of assembly, saving in labour costs and avoided risks associated with working at height.

Daniel Butlin, Director of Australian Scaffold, commented “We were able to completely relocate this 12m high Layher Allround access stair in under 2 hours, with only 2 men. Crane-handling not only significantly reduced the risks, but also saved all parties the time that would be involved in the conventional strip and re-erection of scaffolding. There was minimal site disruption”. A great job displayed by the Australian Scaffold team!

Call Australian Scaffolds on 1300 919 905 for any large scale infrastructure needs.

When Australia’s largest telecommunications provider Telstra required expert advice on a difficult job they called Australian Scaffolds.

Telstra needed a stair tower built 25 metres high around a 0.8m2 antenna pole with a footprint of only 2.5 x 2.5m and with a cantilevered platform at 24m high extending out from the scaffold to 4 x 4m.

The pre requisites were that there were to be no lap board and no ladders used. Telstra deemed lapboards were a potential trip hazard and climbing up and down 30m of ladders with hand tools was dangerous.

After an initial site inspection and confirmation that the foundation would be able to take the weight of the scaffold it was determined it would be possible if we used Layher Allround Scaffold. Preliminary drawings and construction time’s estimates were prepared by Australian Scaffolds estimator showing no trip hazards and 2m stair sections.

The project ran smoothly with no problems and was completed as per plan, on time and built to meet & exceed all specifications. Construction time was an only 1 day x 6 men which is a fantastic result showing that years of experience can solve even the most complex job.

Call Australian Scaffolds on 1300 919 905 for a free measure and quote.

Coca Cola the world’s leading soft drink producer wanted a custom built giant inflatable structure with internal scaffold stairs which would span across three different heights and tour Australian beaches in 2010.

Australian Scaffolds were called after Coca Cola were told by other Industry suppliers that it would be impossible to build the internal structure in the limited space available, meet Australian Standards and be ready to go in 6 weeks.

The expert design team at Australian Scaffolds got to work straight away and came up with a solution that met the needs of Coca Cola & all safety requirements.

Testing was completed at Australian Scaffolds yard before the structure was transported around Australia with two scaffolders installing & dismantling at each capital city.

Next time you are told it cannot be done, call Australian Scaffolds on 1300 919 905 and let our design team show you that it can.

One Call Building Services a remedial builder from NSW required a scaffold and type A hoarding installed on a Sydney City Council footpath.

The scaffold needed to be 10 metres high and over the front of 3 shops. Customers had to have access at all times whilst work was being undertaken above. Any scaffold on public land requires a development application submitted to council before approval.

Australian Scaffolds was able to take care of all the paper work, drawings and pedestrian traffic management plans required by Sydney City Council for One Call Building Services. And the great news was that the shops were able to stay open not only during the construction of the scaffold and type A hoarding but also during the ongoing remedial repairs to the building.

Australian Scaffolds has full public liability insurance, work certified to WorkCover NSW, OH&S standards and the experience in liaising with councils in a fast and efficient manner for all scaffolds and type A hoardings.

Call Australian Scaffolds on 1300 919 905 for further information regarding type A hoardings.

The RIX Group who specialises in shotcreting, specialist contracting and civil construction projects to the mining industry required stair access down into an 8m hole.

The challenge that the RIX Group faced was that the only way in to the hole was by crane.

As not all scaffolds were created equal, Australian Scaffolds expert design team used Layher Allround for this project. Designing a stair tower that was built in Australian Scaffolds yard and transported to site and then placed in the hole by crane was the perfect solution.

The stair tower design allowed for offsite construction and only a 20 minute install onsite. A record time that was appreciated by The RIX Group.

Call Australian Scaffolds on 1300 919 905 for further information regarding craneable stairs.

The RIX Group who specialises in shotcreting, specialist contracting and civil construction projects to the mining industry required stair access down into an 8m hole.

The challenge that the RIX Group faced was that the only way in to the hole was by crane.

As not all scaffolds were created equal, Australian Scaffolds expert design team used Layher Allround for this project. Designing a stair tower that was built in Australian Scaffolds yard and transported to site and then placed in the hole by crane was the perfect solution.

The stair tower design allowed for offsite construction and only a 20 minute install onsite. A record time that was appreciated by The RIX Group.

Call Australian Scaffolds on 1300 919 905 for further information regarding craneable stairs.