June 21, 2011 11:00 AM CDT

Scaffold Plank Supplier Quiz

Questions to ask your supplier or manufacturer

By Masonry

Here are a few questions that could be asked of your supplier or manufacturer:

• Does your manufacturer guarantee 100 percent scaffold plank grade material or better? Is it in writing?


• Does your plank manufacturer provide a warranty? If so, what is it? Is it in writing?


• Does your plank manufacturer have a quality control process in place to eliminate grade offages?


• What Third Party Agency overseas your supplier’s grading process? Does this agency oversee the quality control process as well?


• What is your manufacturer’s plank safety record?


• Does your manufacturer load test for added security?


• Should you receive off-grade material, what is your recourse?


• Does your manufacturer carry liability insurance? Are you a named insured?

These questions should be asked of every plank supplier, be it solid sawn wood, engineered wood or metal scaffold planks. Should you need further resources, the Scaffold Industry Association Plank & Platform Council has produced Purchasing Guidelines for Solid Sawn Scaffold Planks. These guidelines provide a wealth of information to assist when questioning suppliers.

Visit www.scaffold.org.

Originally published in Masonry magazine.

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About the Author

Masonry, the official publication of the Mason Contractors Association of America, covers every aspect of the mason contractor profession - equipment and techniques, building codes and standards, business planning, promoting your business, legal issues and more. Read or subscribe to Masonry magazine at www.masonrymagazine.com.