The Role of Scaffolding Outriggers in Ensuring Stability and Safety

Safety is a prime concern among the many challenges faced during building construction or maintenance. While scaffolding is important for accessing various levels of a structure, reducing the risk of falls is essential while working. Perhaps unsurprisingly, with better safety, the quality of work goes up.

That brings us to the subject of scaffolding outriggers. These are essential and cost-effective components that make a scaffold more stable. Knowing how outriggers work will help you manage the potential dangers on a construction site more effectively.

What are Outriggers on Scaffolding?

The main purpose of an access scaffolding is to provide a safe working platform. Outriggers are used to support scaffolding on its nonworking face. While there are other ways of supporting scaffolds—using brackets, legs, poles, and uprights—using outriggers is one of the most effective options.

In some situations, cantilevered platforms are attached to the scaffold. This creates an eccentric load on it, making it necessary to add an outrigger. The main purpose is to increase the base with the scaffold and make it more stable, especially if the surface is uneven. In other words, it increases the system’s footprint and its load-carrying capacity.

The design criteria for outriggers are mentioned in the OSHA 1910.66 and ASME A-120 standards. There are different types of outrigger scaffolding systems, depending on the application of the scaffolding.

Some outriggers come with stabilizers to ensure that any vibrations or dynamic loads on the scaffold do not affect the stability of the system. At times, counterweights are connected to the outrigger beams to prevent them from shifting under load.

There are adjustable outriggers that have advanced features like emergency systems and overload sensors. Beyond that, there are baker scaffolding outriggers that come with caster wheels.

Outrigger scaffolding is made from durable steel or a structure of equivalent strength. They are supplied with a fixing bracket that makes it easy to attach them to the scaffolding.

The Importance of Scaffolding Outriggers

The main purpose of an outrigger is to prevent the scaffold from tipping over. Scaffold-related fatalities are one of the highest among the total accidents in the construction industry- almost 60 deaths in a year. Without a doubt, one of the worst nightmares for a project manager is a scaffold tipping over.

Here are some of the main reasons for the use of outriggers on scaffolding.

Ensuring Safety

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has specified the use of outriggers or other components to secure the scaffold. This applies to any scaffold with a height-to-base ratio of more than 4:1. The various methods specified include guying, tying, or bracing.

While the positioning of the outrigger is important, a proper scaffold setup and safe use of tools are equally important for ensuring safety. To avoid any accidents and ensure a stable scaffold setup, setting up construction outriggers under the guidance of a competent person is a must.

Moreover, a strong safety record boosts the reputation of an organization. A better public image can help build a strong brand, which in turn provides the business with a competitive edge.

Increased Efficiency

When workers are assured of the safety of the working platform, they can move around with more confidence. The additional stability also makes it less difficult to access hard-to-reach areas. This results in faster completion time for the tasks and an increase in the overall efficiency of the project.

Compliance With Safety Regulations

Let’s not forget that a single accident can result in costly fines and project delays. Scaffolding outriggers play an important role in complying with safety guidelines set by OSHA. Compliance with safety standards results in fewer legal risks and minimizes workers’ compensation claims and medical treatment costs.

An Economical Option

The versatility of modern outrigger systems makes them ideal for supporting a wide range of activities on a construction site. They are mostly used for working on residential as well as commercial projects.

Easy To Install

Beyond that, the ease of installation and removal of outrigger scaffolding is another plus that makes them such a convenient solution for enhancing safety. Setting them up is not labor intensive, and they reduce downtime significantly. Aluminum outriggers that are lightweight but tough, are a great example of that.

At What Height Are Outriggers Required on Scaffolding?

According to a statement by OSHA, a free-standing scaffold is considered safe only when the total height and base dimension have a particular ratio. So, the total height should be equal to or less than the scaffold’s least base dimension.

Exceeding this ratio increases the probability of tipping. To prevent that, outriggers or other forms of restraints like tying, or bracing can be too.

Note, that this ratio is not valid for mobile scaffolds as the stability is affected when the workers move. When a scaffold is being moved, the safe limit of the height-to-base width ratio is two to one or less.

Outriggers vs Side Arms

In reality, terms can be confusing in the construction industry. The terms “outrigger” and ‘“side-arm” are often used interchangeably. Technically, a side arm, often called a “side-wall bracket” is a bracket that gets attached to a scaffold. These brackets extend the reach of the workers and also add to the overall stability of the unit.

What are the Three Mounting Options for Outriggers?

Outrigger systems on a scaffold can be classified into three categories.

• Fixed outrigger systems are permanently set and are used for building maintenance.
• Transportable outrigger systems come without a counterweight and have casters that allow easy movement.
• There are push-thru systems that can be connected easily to a fixed stand on the outside of a building.

What are the Requirements for Outriggers on a Scaffold Tower?

Tower scaffolds come with a light-duty construction and are used for painting and maintenance jobs. These structures are mounted on wheels and can be moved around the site easily. Most of these tower scaffolds come with built-in outriggers and the entire structure can be easily assembled.

The safety standards for these tower scaffolds remain the same as per the standard guidelines. That means, the larger the base, the higher it can go. Generally, they can go up to the height of 30 to 40 feet, but there are other factors at play.

Wind and other environmental conditions can affect the stability of tower scaffold structures. In addition to outriggers, ballast, and tie–ins can be used to add stability. Also, check the manufacturer’s guidelines for the exact information on the maximum usable height.

Final Thoughts

Despite the available safety guidelines, scaffold-related incidents remain a major cause of fatalities among workers. This makes it essential to choose a well-designed outrigger scaffold system that you can depend on.

To ensure safety for your next construction project, shop our scaffolding outriggers today!