Aluminium Scaffold Towers are a great piece of kit that allow you to gain access to high up places much safer than using a step ladder.  Eighty percent of scaffold towers are used outside and this is a totally different kettle of fish to working at height indoors. I’ve already mentioned in Using an Aluminium Scaffold Tower Safely Outdoors factors that need to be considered when working outside and one of the biggest risks to your safety is that of wind. I’m assuming that your tower is set up so that it is level otherwise that would also pose a significant risk.

There is something called the Beaufort scale and in essence this is a gauge as to how strong the wind is. Many aluminium scaffold tower manufacturer quote Beaufort Scale in there instruction manuals trying to give you guidance when is safe to use your tower. In the real world though this scale has little significance and what you really need is a real world guide to when you should pack up shop and get down from the tower, and here it is:

Your real world guide to working on an aluminium scaffold tower in the wind and converting Beaufort scale to something meaningful.
 
Beaufort Scale 1 – 3
Wind Speed 1 – 12 mph

You don’t need to worry about this, slight breeze no problem you can happily keep on working up your aluminium scaffold tower.

Beaufort Scale 4
Wind speed 13 – 18 mph

You’ll know when the wind gets to Scale 4, loose paper and dust will be blown about, small branched will also move. At this level you are fine to continue working on the tower.

Beaufort Scale 5
Wind speed 19 – 24 mph

This would best be described as a fresh breeze – small trees with leaves will begin to sway. If you’re near some water (not the sea) you will notice small white crested waves. If you see any of these signs now would be a good idea to descend from the scaffold tower, you can still leave it set up though.

Beaufort Scale 6
Wind Speed 25 – 31 mph

At scale 6 on the Beaufort scale large branches will begin to sway, umbrellas will also be very difficult to use in these windy conditions. If you start to notice that telephone and electricity wires star to whistle not only should you stop work and get down from the tower, you should also dismantle it ASAP.

Hopefully these handy hints will allow you to identify when you shouldn’t be working on your aluminium scaffold tower.