Scaffolding

construction · safety · engineering · temporary structures

Temporary helper structure. Scaffolding is built around buildings and bridges to give workers a safe platform to stand on while they work high up. Once the building is finished, the scaffolding is taken down and moved to the next project.

Made of tubes and planks. Most modern scaffolding is made from metal tubes that lock together with special connectors, creating a strong framework. Wooden planks are laid across these tubes so workers have a flat surface to stand and work on.

Reaches impossible heights. Without scaffolding, workers couldn't safely reach the tops of tall buildings or the sides of bridges to repair them. Scaffolding can be built as high as needed by stacking sections on top of each other.

Used for more than buildings. Scaffolding isn't just for construction. Concert stages, ski ramps, viewing platforms at events, and even art installations use scaffolding or similar temporary frameworks to create safe spaces for people.

Safety is critical. Badly built or poorly maintained scaffolding can collapse and seriously hurt workers. That's why there are strict rules about how scaffolding must be built, inspected, and used on job sites.