Masonry Magazine November 2006 Page. 27
# R
# ARE
SCAFFOLD PLANKING IS A COMMON SIGHT ON MOST CONSTRUCTION JOB SITES, AND CAN OFTEN BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED.
However, planking is a key element in not only doing a job quickly and efficiently, but also safely. Due to the very nature of the materials being handled on the job site, masonry work is especially prone to excessive loading of plank. This makes the use of recognized and certified scaffold planking even that much more necessary.
Two experts in the field of scaffold planking for use in the masonry industry- Mike Gilleran of McCausey Lumber Co., Roseville, Mich., and Jared Kennison of Kennison Forest Products, Sulphur, La. - joined us for an in-depth look at what mason contractors need to be aware of when it comes to scaffold planking, and how not asking the right questions could hurt you in the long run.
What's the biggest concern in the industry when it comes to scaffold planking?
Kennison: The main concern within the scaffold plank industry is everyone being on the same playing field - all industry standards for LVL [laminated veneer lumber] and DI65 plank should be met. The fact of the matter is there are new products and companies entering the market that may not sell and represent a reputable product. When I say 'reputable, I mean that they do not meet the testing requirements or the manufacturing requirements of scaffold plank. Do you agree with that, Mike?
Gilleran: Yes, I do.
I also think that one other thing that we might want to emphasize is: There are a lot of contractors that don't realize the importance of using the OSHA-recognized, scaffold-grade product. To this day, we still have some lumber dealers or product wholesalers that knowingly realize that they are selling material that has not been properly inspected, tested or graded as a genuine scaffold plank. They know that the contractor is using it for scaffold plank, but they continue to sell product that is not necessarily up to grade.
The Voice of the Mason Contractor
Scaffold planking is a common sight on most construction job sites, and can often be taken for granted.
November 2006
Masonry 25