Aerial Work Platforms vs. Scaffolding in the Facility Management Industry

In the facility management industry, aerial work platforms and scaffolding are commonly used for tasks requiring height work, such as maintenance, repairs, and inspections. Each has its own advantages. Rigid Lifelines® engineers, designs, and tests various permanent fall protection systems for workers at various heights.

Scaffolding

The facility management industry uses scaffolding in various applications. For example, they use it for painting, new construction, renovations, routine maintenance, and removal projects. Although there are many types of scaffolding, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines scaffolding as a temporary elevated platform — supported or suspended. It has a supporting structure with anchorage points for supporting employees and materials.

OSHA and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) regulations for scaffolding differ depending on whether you support or suspend it. The fall protection trigger height for workers on supported scaffolding is 10 feet, whereas workers on suspended scaffolding are always required to tie-off to approved anchor points. 

Passive fall protection requires guardrails for supported scaffolding. It’s important to ensure the guardrails meet OSHA’s requirements because cited violations often include improper installation and/or use of guardrails. For example, using cross bracing as guardrails is unacceptable. However, depending on the distance between the cross bracing, it can be the top rail or mid rail of a guardrail system.

Important notes to remember when working with scaffolding:

• Assess any fall hazards before assembling the scaffolding.
• Place the footing of the scaffold on a solid surface.
• Per OSHA, workers must assemble the scaffold under the direct supervision of a competent person.
• You must protect all sides of the scaffold with passive fall protection, such as guardrails.
• Cross bracing is not a complete guardrail system. However, depending on the distance between the cross bracing, it may be the top rail or mid rail of a guardrail system.
• If anyone needs to pass under the scaffolding, workers must install screens to protect against falling objects.
• Provide a safe method of accessing both the scaffold and the scaffold platforms, which are more than 2 feet apart vertically or 14 inches horizontally.

Aerial Work Platforms

What is an aerial work platform? You can define an aerial work platform as a powered or manually propelled device supported by a structure from ground level.

The facility management industry also uses aerial work platforms in various applications. For example, people use an aerial work platform for building maintenance or repair and short-term construction projects. Aerial work platforms include boom lifts — both powered and vehicle-mounted — as well as cherry or stock pickers, aerial lifts, and bucket trucks. 

OSHA and ANSI regulations for aerial work platforms differ depending on whether the work platform extends farther than the base. For example, the work platform on an aerial lift extends out over the base, but the work platform on a scissor lift only extends vertically directly above the base. Aerial lifts are similar to scissor lifts, and they have replaced ladders on many job sites. 

If the work platform extends farther than the base, it requires active fall protection, such as a full-body harness and a shock-absorbing lanyard. If it extends vertically directly over the base, it requires passive fall protection, such as guardrails.

Important notes to remember when working with aerial work platforms:

• Assess any fall hazards before using an aerial work platform.
• Keep your upper body inside of the work platform.
• The guardrails, ladders, or other devices extending your work position off of the work platform are not permitted.
• Only use approved anchor points when tying off. Some manufacturers of aerial work platforms provide anchor points in the aerial lift. Check to see if your aerial work platform manufacturer provides approved anchor points that can withstand the forces of a fall event.
• Assess if swing fall is possible before connecting to an anchor point.
• Use the shortest lanyard possible that still allows you to complete the project.
• Do not exceed the manufacturer’s rated capacity for horizontal forces.

Key Differences

Aerial work platforms are mechanized devices designed to elevate workers and equipment to various heights using boom lifts, scissor lifts, and personnel lifts. Scaffolding consists of a temporary structure made of metal assembled into frameworks to provide a stable platform for workers and materials.

Scaffolding requires assembly and disassembly, which can be time-consuming and labor-intensive. Aerial work platforms require minimal setup time and usually involve positioning the lift and extending the platform or boom. Both options are alternatives to ladders. 

Which System Should You Choose?

So which system is best, aerial work platforms or scaffolding? This question is hard to answer. Although aerial work platforms and scaffolding are alternatives to ladders, aerial work platforms and aerial scaffolding serve different purposes. For this reason, it is hard to give specific circumstances for when to use aerial platforms over scaffolding or vice versa. However, some general circumstances do apply. 

It’s best to use scaffolding instead of aerial work platforms when the following circumstances apply:

• When you need a large work area to complete the project
• If the project will take a long time to complete
• When you can’t place an aerial work platform close enough to complete the project safely — examples include an uneven surface or obstructions.

You should choose to use an aerial work platform instead of scaffolding if these circumstances apply:

• When a small work area is sufficient to complete the project
• When you can complete the project in a short amount of time

Find the Right Fall Protection Solution

Rigid Lifelines® products make people safer by reducing workplace risks while offering protection from hazards. View our full range to see what we have in stock.

Contact us today to find out more about our protection products. We look forward to working with you!