Scaffolding is a temporary structure that supports workers and materials at height. It is used in construction, maintenance, and repair. It is erected on site and dismantled when the work is done. Scaffolding is made of steel, aluminum, or wood. It consists of frames, braces, planks, and guardrails. It is designed to be strong, stable, and safe. It must support the weight of the workers, the tools, and the materials. It must also resist wind and impact. Scaffolding is regulated by safety standards. A scaffold that is not built correctly can collapse and kill.

Scaffolding comes in several types. A frame scaffold uses prefabricated frames that stack on each other. A tube and coupler scaffold uses steel tubes and clamps, flexible but slow to erect. A system scaffold uses modular components, fast and efficient. A suspended scaffold hangs from ropes or cables, used for high-rise facade work. A mobile scaffold has wheels, used for indoor work. A cantilever scaffold projects from a building, used over an obstruction. Each type has its own application.

Scaffolding must be erected by trained workers. The base must be on firm ground. The frames must be plumb and level. The braces must be installed. The planks must be full width and secured. The guardrails and toe boards must be in place. The scaffold must be inspected before each shift. A scaffold tag indicates whether it is safe to use. The work at height is dangerous. The scaffold is the platform. It must be built right. It must be used right. It must be respected.