What do you do when a project requires teams to work at height? What’s the best way to provide them with an elevated work platform so they can do their jobs safely and efficiently? Should you choose a scissor lift or scaffolding?
For hundreds of years, traditional scaffolding was the only solution for elevating crews to project sites high above ground. Luckily, motorized aerial lifts, such as scissor lifts, give today’s project and construction managers many more options.
Whether you’re washing windows, roofing, doing HVAC work or working construction, how do you know if a scissor lift or scaffolding will be the better choice? To help you decide what type of elevated work platform is right for your project, let’s compare the pros and cons of scaffolding versus aerial lifts and when to use each.
Scaffolding vs. Aerial Lifts: What Is the Difference?
Since there are several types of scaffolding and aerial lifts — and regulations sometimes lump them together under a broad “scaffolding” category, it can be hard to understand the difference. For example, OSHA’s Scaffolding eTool says that aerial lifts can be considered a type of supported scaffold.
Traditional Scaffolding
In this article, when we talk about scaffolding, we’re referring to traditional scaffolding. Traditional scaffolding is an immobile but temporary elevated work platform. Scaffolding has a metal outer structure and wood or metal planks serving as the platform on which people work.
There are two main types of scaffolding: supported scaffolds and suspended scaffolds.
- Supported scaffolds are built from the ground up. Workers usually need to climb a ladder to reach the work platform.
- Suspended scaffolds are work platforms that workers get into. Then, they and the platform are lowered to the work area from an overhead support. For example, window washers and painters often use suspended scaffolds when working on high-rise buildings.
Aerial Lifts
Sometimes known as aerial lift scaffolding or a personnel lift, aerial lifts are motorized mobile platforms. They raise and lower one or more workers to the work area. Unlike traditional scaffolding, they can be easily moved throughout a project site and raised or lowered to different heights throughout the workday.
Types of aerial lifts include:
- Atrium lifts — also known as spider lifts or arborist lifts
- Boom lifts — including articulating, telescopic, hybrid or towable boom lifts
- Single person lifts
- Scissor lifts
Both traditional scaffolding and aerial lifts have their advantages and disadvantages. By understanding how each option could affect key areas of consideration for a project, you will be better equipped to make the best choice.
Which Has the Advantage? Aerial Lifts vs. Scaffolding
Enhanced Safety
Safety is the top priority for all projects, especially when work is done at height. According to OSHA, injuries and deaths caused by scaffold-related incidents are often the result of planking or support giving way, a worker slipping or a lack of fall protection. This means scaffolding needs to be carefully constructed and workers properly trained to keep everyone safe.
Aerial lifts eliminate some of the lift safety risks associated with poorly constructed scaffolding, such as planking giving way. But OSHA requirements state that aerial lift operators must have more certification and training than those using scaffolding. Sone aerial lifts come equipped with outrigging to enhance their stability and reduce the chance of a tip over.
Winner: Aerial Lifts
Increased Productivity and Accessibility
Scaffolding can be built to provide a long-lasting elevated platform for a wide area, and at great heights. If the scaffolding is designed and built correctly, large crews can have unimpeded access to their work area for the entirety of the project. This access allows them to be more productive than if they used ladders. However, if the scaffolding is insufficient or the work area changes, workers lose productivity. Instead of being productive on the project or a new one, they’ll need to tear down and rebuild scaffolding.
Aerial lifts can increase productivity and accessibility by allowing teams to quickly adjust where they’re working without having to tear down and rebuild scaffolding. Aerial lifts like scissor lifts provide stable access to projects in locations with obstacles or terrain unsuitable for traditional scaffolding. However, aerial lifts are limited in how wide the work platform can be, meaning large work areas or large crews may need multiple lifts.
Winner: It’s a Tie
- Scaffolding wins when many workers need to work on extremely high or extremely wide project sites over a long period.
- Aerial lifts win for dynamic project sites or projects needing accessibility in a variety of environments or uneven terrain.
Time and Cost Savings
Scaffolding typically has lower upfront and rental costs than aerial lifts. If you have enough scaffolding for an entire project, you only need to pay for setup and tear down labor time and costs once. However, scaffolds stay up for days or weeks, even when not in use. Scaffolds also can be expensive to maintain as they are more likely to be damaged by weather. If you do need to move supported scaffolding, it will take hours of labor away from work on the project.
Aerial lifts are much quicker to set up and move than scaffolding and can be rented only when they’re needed. So, while the upfront cost to rent an aerial lift might be higher than scaffolding, you will likely save more in the long run on labor and maintenance costs.
Winner: Aerial Lifts
When to Choose an Aerial Lift Over Scaffolding
Both scaffolding and aerial lifts can provide stable and safe elevated work platforms for a variety of projects. But when it comes to scaffolding versus aerial lifts, when do you use each?
Supported scaffolding is best for when large teams need to access a wide area for an extended period of time. Suspended scaffolding is best when crews are working at heights beyond the reach of an aerial lift, such as the top of a high-rise building.
However, for most situations, an aerial lift is going to be the best option. Aerial lifts, such as scissor lifts, are especially important when the project is dynamic and teams need to work in several different areas or heights. Aerial lifts are also the best option for projects that include lifting heavy materials or tools to elevated project sites.
Example: Scissor Lift vs. Scaffolding
In a factory or warehouse, workers regularly need to access inventory or equipment that could be anywhere from six feet to several stories high and spread across thousands of square feet of space. They need a stable work platform that gives them access to multiple heights and a wide range of areas.
Scaffolding would take up valuable floor space and could still make some inventory or equipment out of reach for shorter employees. In this case, a scissor lift would allow each worker to customize the height of the platform so they can work more safely and efficiently.
- Read more: Should I Buy or Rent a Scissor Lift?
Get More Done: Rent Aerial Lifts from Herc Rentals
When pitting scaffolding vs. aerial lifts and wondering when to use each, keep these aerial lift benefits in mind. When a project calls for productive and safe work high above ground, get more done with an aerial lift equipment rental from Herc Rentals.
With nearly 60 years of expertise and plenty of value-added services, such as maintenance and delivery services, we make sure your project is well-equipped for any elevated project needs.
From compact electric scissor lifts to articulating boom lifts, explore our wide range of premium aerial lifts or contact one of our equipment experts by calling 888-777-2700 today.
