Education
Fact-checked

At PracticalAdultInsights, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What are the Different Scaffolding Jobs?

Patrick Roland
Patrick Roland

Scaffolding, the series of metal tubes, joints and wooden planks that provide workers stability in high up places, are an essential part of business. Scaffolding is such a wide-ranging industry that there are a number of scaffolding jobs available, including engineers, managers, erectors and the brave workers who climb these structures. Each of these jobs serves a specific purpose in the chain of using scaffolds to create, clean and repair buildings.

A scaffold engineer is a important part of the process because he or she plans and designs structures for many different kinds of work. These scaffolding jobs require a strong understanding of math, physics and computers. An engineer spends most of the time designing suspended scaffolding, ground-based scaffolding and innovative ideas to serve specific purposes. This person is responsible for helping make other jobs easier and for improving workers' safety.

Scaffolding planks help keep workers stable and safe in high places.
Scaffolding planks help keep workers stable and safe in high places.

A scaffolding erector takes the blueprints for specific scaffold plans and constructs them. These scaffolding jobs require a strong attention to detail, an ability to read detailed plans and physical strength. These scaffolding jobs often require workers to do the job in high places, so a fear of heights is not compatible. After the scaffold is constructed and the work is complete, these scaffold builders also break down the scaffolding quickly and safety.

Scaffolding workers must not be fearful of heights.
Scaffolding workers must not be fearful of heights.

The construction of complex scaffold structures isn't done by reading blueprints alone, because a scaffold manager usually is supervising the erectors. He or she usually has many years of experience as an erector, understanding the various structures that are built, and has project management skills that ensure that projects are completed on time and that safety requirements are met. In addition, these scaffolding jobs demand excellent communication skills, because the manager works closely with the client to ensure that the demands of the job are met.

A scaffolding erector constructs scaffolding based on blueprints.
A scaffolding erector constructs scaffolding based on blueprints.

Finally, there is no purpose for having a scaffolding structure without workers to scale them. One of the most common scaffolding jobs associated with these structures is that of painters who use the lift that these devices provide so they can paint large buildings. Construction work is another type of scaffold job, because these workers use the stability of a scaffold to take heavy equipment to tall places and build walls, buildings and more. Window washers frequently utilize suspended scaffolding in order to lower themselves from the top of buildings and clean the windows that could never be reached using a grounded structure.

Discuss this Article

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Scaffolding planks help keep workers stable and safe in high places.
      By: andrewprosser
      Scaffolding planks help keep workers stable and safe in high places.
    • Scaffolding workers must not be fearful of heights.
      By: ozz13x
      Scaffolding workers must not be fearful of heights.
    • A scaffolding erector constructs scaffolding based on blueprints.
      By: DeStagge
      A scaffolding erector constructs scaffolding based on blueprints.
    • Numerous accidents can occur if the scaffolding structure is not completely stabilized.
      By: Halfpoint
      Numerous accidents can occur if the scaffolding structure is not completely stabilized.