Being experts in scaffolding we often get asked “what should I go with?”. While edge rail can be up to 60% cheaper than regular scaffolding sometimes it’s just not practical, likewise if you need to protect a small section of roof then protected scaffold might be overkill. In this short blog, I will go over some pros and cons of both edge protection and scaffolding. Hopefully giving you the reader a better understanding of the product you need. But don’t be afraid we are always on hand should you require more information or still have a few outstanding questions.

Edge Rail & Scaffolding Are High Risk

Before we start, I think we need to realize that both industries whether it is edge protection or scaffolding, is that both are high risk. We take the danger away from the customer. That’s why no matter what option you go for it’s critical that you choose a trained professional and use a legitimate company. At Stronghold Hire, we use fully trained scaffolders and regularly maintain equipment, and keep up to date with staff training and updating qualifications. This protects you the duty holder but also everyone in the process keeping people safe.

Scaffolding – 17,000 Years of EWP

Scaffolding has been around for over 17,000 years, first believed to have been used around the paleolithic cave paintings at Lascaux. Scaffolding is great if you need a platform to work from and if you need to load materials out to different parts of the job. Although modern scaffolding isn’t as bulky as it used to be, it’s still heavy and there are many moving parts, therefore labour cost compared to edge protection is always going to be relatively high. Scaffolding requires a large footprint but for this reason, it is very sturdy and can be used to load materials out if designed to do so. If needed scaffolding can also be used with our shrink wrap to encapsulate a building or structure. Therefore, if doing demolition, it’s a very good choice, this system can always be a good choice to protect against adverse weather. Just like this scaffolding has many uses, it can be used to provide overhead cover, emergency access, and egress, and be used to fill voids. Not only that but scaffolding is great in the way it can be customized to get to those places that an EWP and other normal means of access can’t get to. All our installations are checked and certified to AS/NZS 4576 and AS/NZS 1576, but above all else though, scaffolding allows people to work at height safely and return home at the end of the day. This is the reason we do what we do!

E-Bracket Edge Protection Systems

Edge protection is relatively new compared to scaffolding, but it’s been around in many different forms. The edge protection we offer comes in 4 forms with many different uses. We use the E-Bracket system. This system can be installed with relative quickness, it also complies with AS/NZS4492.2 The systems we use need little or no ground footprint. The pole-up system can be set up from the ground meaning we can limit the need for our team to work at height. Edge protection can also be used indoors, to protect voids or drops. With our edge protection, it can be used in conjunction with a basic scaffold stair or an emergency scaffold stair. This allows access and egress whilst also providing a means to get any injured workers down from the working area should the need arise. Edge protection also gives the workers a clear run of the roof, not interfering with the work to be carried out. Just like scaffolding edge protection is a collective form of fall protection, this means the users don’t require any training or equipment to use it. Some of our systems use surface pressure and therefore do not require any patch-up of holes.

Edge Rail or Scaffolding?

Overall edge protection can provide a less expensive, less invasive form of fall protection with the lack of a platform to work from. Scaffolding is very good to work as a working platform, to load stuff out on and the use of scaffolding with shrink-wrap to provide encapsulation is just great. They are both amazing products/services we offer but as previously mentioned the reason we do this is to provide a safe means of work for work at height.

Stay Safe Whilst Working at Heights

We believe everyone should be safe whilst at work or at height. We also believe people should go home at the end of the day. We here at Stronghold Hire strive daily to provide top-safety solutions to those people of Sydney who requires us. If you require safe fall protection needs people don’t hesitate to give us a call now on 02 89852020 or contact us online for more info.