How to become a Scaffolder

Scaffolders erect and dismantle scaffolding to provide work platforms on building or industrial sites, or for temporary structures such as stages, seating and catwalks.

Personal requirements for a Scaffolder

  • Enjoy practical and manual activities
  • Able to cope with the physical demands of the job
  • Able to work at heights
  • A sense of balance
  • Good hand-eye coordination
  • Able to work as part of a team
  • At least 18 years of age.

Duties & Tasks of a Scaffolder

Scaffolders may perform the following tasks:

  • Check requirements from drawings and written instructions, select materials and set ground levels
  • Fit together steel pipes, support braces and clamps to form bases for scaffolds
  • Lift and position sections of scaffolding and bolt pipes together to build up scaffolding
  • Place planks over horizontal bars to create platforms
  • Check levels in scaffolding structures
  • Use prefabricated scaffolding when available
  • Dismantle scaffolding at the completion of a job.

Working conditions for a Scaffolder

Scaffolders work mostly outdoors, at a variety of locations and in most weather conditions.


Specializations

With experience, and sometimes further training, it is possible to become a rigger. See the separate entry for Rigger.


Scaffolder
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