Why can the cast ledger head break during construction site use?

• If one end of the 0,70m horizontal element is mounted to the vertical element, a pulley is attached to the other end and the material is pulled from below, the 0,70m horizontal element is loaded from one side and deformation starts. This deformation may occur in the form of cast ledger end hairline cracking, fracture or bending and warping of the pipe. In this way, capillary cracks caused by improper use may not be noticed and in subsequent use, fractures may occur from these cracks and may cause injuries. For this reason, do not use 0,70 m horizontal elements for pulling material, prefer special systems for load pulling or reinforced brackets.

• If 0,70m horizontal element is used instead of the console, that is, one end is mounted to the vertical element, while the other end is free, 1 or 2 planks are placed on it and work is done on these planks. It may cause serious accidents. Since there is a 0,70 m horizontal element everywhere and immediately in the construction sites, it can be used as a quick solution where a cantilever should be used. This is a situation that can directly pose a life-threatening situation.

• If 0,70m horizontal elements are used instead of wall clamps, i.e. one end is mounted to the vertical element and the other end is left free and leaned against the wall, deformations occur. Each part must be used for its intended purpose.

• If the scaffolding is not installed on solid ground, if one side is stable while the other lower adjustment shaft is buried towards the ground, this may cause cast ledger end deformation at the ends of the horizontal element. Due to this strain, cast ledger end capillary cracking or breakage may occur. In addition, such stresses may cause bending in all pipes in the scaffolding system.

• If an opening is to be left for passage on the floor and a row of scaffolding vertical elements cannot be used, truss systems must be used for the bridge. If the scaffolding system is installed up to the upper floors without using a truss system and the scaffolding vertical elements at the bottom are removed, this may damage the system as it will put extra load on all pipes and especially on the connection points.

• If the scaffolding is hit by construction machinery or cranes, deformations occur in the scaffolding system and cast ledger end (cast brace head) deformations. Since this push or pull that will occur at the connection points will be uncontrolled and unaccounted, it cannot be predicted how much damage it will cause to the system. 

• During the dismantling of scaffolding, deformations occur in cast ledger ends or pipes as a result of throwing the materials to the ground from a height. It is one of the most common situations. If the scaffolding system is supplied for hire, the scaffolding that is finished at the construction site may be treated as if it is a little ownerless. If those who do the dismantling are not the owner of the scaffolding, the scaffolds can be dismantled in a very sloppy way and disassembled by throwing them one on top of the other from a height to the ground. If the scaffolding systems belong to the construction site, unconscious workers can be employed in the dismantling work, causing damage to the scaffolding system. Oguzhaniskele.com

• If overloading is done on the planks, deformations occur in the planks, pipes or cast ledger end. These systems are tested according to TS EN 12810-1 norms, but each system has a resistance point. Unconscious overloading may damage the system.

• If there are hairline cracks in the cast ledger end due to heat treatment, the dovetail may also be deformed for this reason. According to the information given by the foundrymen after the chemical analysis, microstructure and mechanical properties are checked, the probability of such a situation is 2 out of 10,000 products. Although it is a very small probability, it should be carefully checked visually after the cast ledger end is nailed to the flange during the first installation.

• If the cast ledger end pipe is welded incorrectly at the welding points, the cast ledger end may separate from the welding point. If the welds are made in a standard way with automatic welding machines, it is very difficult to experience welding problems.

• If cutting, drilling, welding operations are to be carried out on the scaffolding, deformations may occur if the scaffolding system is not protected very carefully during these operations. For example, cutting is done with a grinding / spiral machine and the machine occasionally rubs against the scaffolding pipes or connection points and sparks, that is, it may cause unknowable damage to the scaffolding system. This situation is mostly experienced in shipyards. Due to the flexible working forms in shipbuilding, flanged scaffolding system is preferred and heavy operations are continuously performed on the scaffolding system. Great care should be taken to avoid this situation.

• Scaffolds should undergo periodic maintenance every 6 months and products should be examined one by one and risky products should not be used. In order to minimise the risks of accidents caused by scaffolding systems, periodic inspection at regular intervals (every 6 months) is a financial, moral and legal advantage for employers.

• Never use missing materials and do not make incorrect installation. If you do not use all the parts that make up the system as it should be, it may cause deformations because of the extra load on other parts of the system. Installations made with missing material are definitely not suitable for occupational safety.  

* Do not forget that even if you have just bought the scaffolding system and used it once, if you have made big mistakes in that one use and damaged the system elements. In the second use, you are always likely to experience work accidents caused by your scaffolding system.

Therefore, you must first trust the scaffolding systems. For this reason, Oguzhan Steel Scaffolding and Formwork Co. has been providing trust and service to its customers for almost 40 years. After having a scaffolding system you can trust, you should install, use, dismantle and maintain the scaffolding system with a team you can trust.