Is a scaffold tower really your best option?

Scaffolding is a common sight on buildings across the UK, and often the go-to choice when ladders or work platforms are unsuitable.

However, in some situations, a full scaffolding solution may not be cost or time effective, which is where scaffold towers come in. Scaffolding towers allow more than one person to carry out work at a time, making them superior to ladders, and are relatively quick to erect when compared with full scaffold systems.

You will often find scaffold towers being used for tasks such as rendering, bricklaying and roofing, and scaffold towers are a favourite of many tradesmen and professionals.


The problem

However, as with their larger cousins, tower scaffolds come with some drawbacks.

Like full scaffolding, towers can take a while to erect, especially when working in a small team or alone, which makes them a far greater time investment. The numerous parts mean they can still be a complicated undertaking.

One of the main negatives of tower scaffolding stems from one of its selling points: the wheels and casters. Though they allow the tower to be moved, they can become a serious hazard in and of themselves if they are not properly kept. Despite being designed to lock into place, they can malfunction as a result of poor care and become unstable, possibly causing injury or worse.

As well as this, the general modular nature and adjustability of towers means they are also more prone to failure. Screws and bolts which hold vital elements together experience regular wear and tear, and can fail in extreme circumstances. This means that extra care must be taken to ensure the tower is structurally sound.

There is also the issue of cost. As with fixed scaffolding, hiring is a popular way to use tower scaffolds, but these costs can quickly rack up with regular jobs.


The alternative

Tower scaffold may seem like a good alternative to full size scaffolding, but these negatives can be a deal breaker. Instead, you might consider a rapid access platform, such as the Easi-Dec system, which can pr