Construction scaffolding supervisor

Construction scaffolding supervisors plan and supervise the transport, assembly, disassembly and maintenance of the structures. They also ensure the safety of the scaffolds, support structures, access ladders and fenders.

The following job titles also refer to construction scaffolding supervisor:

scaffold erection foreman
scaffolding foreman
construction scaffolding foreman
access platform erection supervisor
foreman scaffolder
scaffolding supervisor

Construction scaffolding supervisors work primarily on construction sites, which can involve working outdoors in various weather conditions. They are exposed to potential hazards, such as working at heights, working around heavy machinery, and navigating uneven or unstable surfaces. Scaffolding supervisors must strictly adhere to safety protocols, wear appropriate personal protective equipment, and enforce safety measures among the scaffolding crews. They often work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, coordinating with multiple teams and managing schedules to meet project timelines.

The educational requirements for construction scaffolding supervisors may vary depending on the employer and jurisdiction. Typically, a high school diploma or equivalent is required. Some employers may prefer candidates with additional vocational training or certifications related to scaffolding, construction safety, or supervisory skills. Scaffolding supervisors usually have extensive experience working with scaffolding systems, including practical knowledge of scaffolding erection, modification, and dismantling processes. Strong understanding of relevant safety regulations, such as OSHA guidelines, is essential. Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills are necessary to effectively supervise and coordinate scaffolding activities on construction sites.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Construction scaffolding supervisor is a Skill level 3 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to construction scaffolding supervisor.

crane crew supervisor
bridge construction supervisor
water conservation technician supervisor
rail construction supervisor
construction painting supervisor

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of construction scaffolding supervisor. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of construction scaffolding supervisor with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

construction general contractor
installation engineer
quantity surveyor
purchasing manager
construction manager

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of construction scaffolding supervisor.

• Scaffolding components: The different components of which scaffolding is constructed, their usage cases and limitations. Weight bearing properties of each component and how they are assembled.

These skills are necessary for the role of construction scaffolding supervisor.

• Manage health and safety standards: Oversee all personnel and processes to comply with health, safety and hygiene standards. Communicate and support alignment of these requirements with the company’s health and safety programmes.
• Monitor stock level: Evaluate how much stock is used and determine what should be ordered.
• Work safely with machines: Check and safely operate machines and equipment required for your work according to manuals and instructions.
• Work in a construction team: Work as part of a team in a construction project. Communicate efficiently, sharing information with team members and reporting to supervisors. Follow instructions and adapt to changes in a flexible manner.
• Inspect construction supplies: Check construction supplies for damage, moisture, loss or other problems before using the material.
• Ensure compliance with construction project deadline: Plan, schedule and monitor the building processes in order to ensure completion of the project by the set deadline.
• Ensure equipment availability: Ensure that the necessary equipment is provided, ready and available for use before start of procedures.
• Plan resource allocation: Plan future needs of various resources such as time, money and specific process resources.
• Plan shifts of employees: Plans shifts of employees to ensure completion of all customer orders and satisfactory completion of the production plan.
• Follow health and safety procedures in construction: Apply the relevant health and safety procedures in construction in order to prevent accidents, pollution and other risks.
• Evaluate employees work: Evaluate the need for labour for the work ahead. Evaluate the performance of the team of workers and inform superiors. Encourage and support the employees in learning, teach them techniques and check the application to ensure product quality and labour productivity.
• Supervise staff: Oversee the selection, training, performance and motivation of staff.
• Process incoming construction supplies: Receive incoming construction supplies, handle the transaction and enter the supplies into any internal administration system.
• Interpret 3D plans: Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in three dimensions.
• Recognise signs of corrosion: Recognise the symptoms of metal showing oxidation reactions with the environment resulting in rusting, copper pitting, stress cracking, and others, and estimate the rate of corrosion.
• React to events in time-critical environments: Monitor the situation around you and anticipate. Be ready to take quick and appropriate action in case of unexpected events.
• Use safety equipment in construction: Use elements of protective clothing such as steel-tipped shoes, and gear such as protective goggles, in order to minimise risk of accidents in construction and to mitigate any injury if an accident does occur.
• Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
• Plan scaffolding: Plan the construction of the scaffolding, based on the nature of the project, the environment, and the available resources. Apply knowledge of scaffolding standards and load bearing properties of the components and joints to make a decision on the structure of the build. Develop adequate and comprehensive instructions to put up the scaffolding construction.
• Interpret 2D plans: Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in two dimensions.
• Inspect scaffolding: After the scaffolding structure has been completed, inspect it for compliance with safety standards, weight bearing properties, tensile strength, resistance to wind, any other outside influences and ergonomics.
• Recognise signs of wood rot: Check whether a wood element shows signs of rot. Aurally inspect the wood by testing what sound it makes on impact. Check for visual signs of rot.
• Liaise with managers: Liaise with managers of other departments ensuring effective service and communication, i.e. sales, planning, purchasing, trading, distribution and technical.
• Coordinate construction activities: Coordinate the activities of several construction workers or crews to make sure they do not interfere with each other and to ensure that the works are done in a timely manner. Keep up to date on the progress of the teams and update the schedule if called for.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of construction scaffolding supervisor. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Mechanical tools: Understand machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• Construction product regulation: Regulations on construction products quality standards applied throughout the European Union.
• Cost management: The process of planning, monitoring and adjusting the expenses and revenues of a business in order to achieve cost efficiency and capability.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of construction scaffolding supervisor. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Work ergonomically: Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
• Provide first aid: Administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation or first aid in order to provide help to a sick or injured person until they receive more complete medical treatment.
• Answer requests for quotation: Make up prices and documents for the products that customers may purchase.
• Rig loads: Safely attach loads to different types of hooks and attachments, taking into account the weight of the load, the power available to move it, static and dynamic tolerances of all instruments and materials, and the mass distribution of the system. Communicate with the operator verbally or with gestures to ensure the safety and efficiency of the operation. Detach loads.
• Recruit employees: Hire new employees by scoping the job role, advertising, performing interviews and selecting staff in line with company policy and legislation.
• Transport construction supplies: Bring construction materials, tools and equipment to the construction site and store them properly taking various aspects into account such as the workers’ safety and protection from deterioration.
• Position sole plates: Set the sole plates, wooden boards on which a scaffolding structure rests. Level, smooth, or dig into the ground in the determined locations and set a sole plate for each base plate, or for each pair of base plates along the short side of the scaffolding. Compact the earth under the sole plate to ensure stability.
• Calculate needs for construction supplies: Take measurements on site and estimate the amount of materials required for the construction or restoration project.
• Build scaffolding: Assemble temporary scaffolding structures for construction, maintenance or event-related purposes. Set vertical standards on the base plate of the scaffolding structure. Ensure the scaffolding structure is secured from lateral forces and supported sufficiently. Place wood or metal scaffolding decks into the transoms to stand on and make sure they are aligned. Safely set scaffolding stairs and ladders, which allow enough room for safe and easy manoeuvring.
• Order construction supplies: Order required materials for the construction project, taking care to purchase the most suitable material for a good price.
• Report defective manufacturing materials: Maintain required company records and forms in order to report any defective materials or questionable conditions of manufacturing machinery and equipment.
• Construct working platform: When the structural elements of the scaffolding structure have been completed, attach working platforms which approach or touch the structure to be worked on. Place decks on the platform and remove the guard rail that separates it from the main scaffolding deck.
• Use measurement instruments: Use different measurement instruments depending on the property to be measured. Utilise various instruments to measure length, area, volume, speed, energy, force, and others.
• Position base plates: Position the base plates, the metal footing components that support the scaffolding structure. Set them accurately and level as small errors may cause instability. Compensate for fluctuations in the terrain using the screwjack of each base plate. Screw or nail the base plates into the sole plates if called for.
• Provide technical expertise: Provide expert knowledge in a particular field, especially concerning mechanical or scientific subjects, to decision makers, engineers, technical staff or journalists.
• Dismantle scaffolding: Safely dismantle a scaffolding structure according to a plan and in the set order.
• Install scaffolding pump jacks: Install pump jacks, which can be pumped manually of automatically to move equipment or workers up and down scaffolding.
• Train employees: Lead and guide employees through a process in which they are taught the necessary skills for the perspective job. Organise activities aimed at introducing the work and systems or improving the performance of individuals and groups in organisational settings.
• Follow safety procedures when working at heights: Take necessary precautions and follow a set of measures that assess, prevent and tackle risks when working at a high distance from the ground. Prevent endangering people working under these structures and avoid falls from ladders, mobile scaffolding, fixed working bridges, single person lifts etc. since they may cause fatalities or major injuries.
• Position guardrails and toeboards: Attach guardrails and toeboards to the scaffolding standards at set heights and intervals to ensure the safety of the workers and prevent objects from falling. Secure the guardrails using couplers or wedges.

3123 – Construction supervisors

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References

1. Construction scaffolding supervisor – ESCO
2. Featured image: Photo by Niklas Hamann on Unsplash