1. SCAFFOLDING CUBE CHALLENGE
Explain that participants are going to work in small teams to create a ‘scaffold’ cube.
Teams will have a chance to work through a set of instructions to create the cube which will then be dismantled and rebuilt in a timed competition.
There now follows a series of power point slides which will explain the importance and complexity of scaffold structures and outline some of the Health & Safety regulations regarding Working at Heights. Please see this weblink for more information.

2. CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
SCAFFOLDING
IS A HUGE PART OF THE
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
Most participants will be familiar with seeing scaffolding around construction sites. This is possibly the most common use of scaffolding.
Ask if they have seen scaffolding used for any other purposes. Examples include:
Alongside motorways/roadways when installing/repairing overhead cables
To create stage sets at festivals
In the building of bridges
If there is time participants could research uses of scaffold and gather images

3. Explain that regulations regarding Working at Heights and Health & Safety have meant that there has been a huge increase in the use of scaffolding and other access methods over recent years.
Explain that the reason for scaffolding and other access methods is to provide a safe platform to work from as can be seen on this image.
Scaffolding might be erected:
To assist with external painting/cleaning of a building
To allow replacement of windows or repairs
Ask participants if they have ever had a scaffold at home and/or if they can name any other access methods. They might know:
Cherry pickers or scissor lifts – often used to replace street light fitments
Mobile scaffold towers – also used by painters & decorators and repair companies
If there is time participants could research and find images of other access methods
It may be appropriate for some participants to research Working at Heights

4. Each ‘lift’ is a safe working platform formed with scaffold boards
This image shows the complexity of a scaffold supporting a suspended platform
You might like to explain that every level/storey on a scaffold is called a ‘lift’
Each ‘lift’ is a safe working platform formed with scaffold boards
Boards are also placed upright on every lift to form a ‘toe board’ this is a barrier to stop tools and materials being accidentally kicked onto people working below
Scaffold design uses a lot of trigonometry (angles) and a scaffold designer has to also understand how to support loads
Each scaffold pole has a specific role in supporting the whole structure and is given a label
- upright poles are called standards
- standards are then held in place by ledgers and transoms which are fixed at right angles to standards
- Sway braces are the cross pieces which stabilise the structure
- plan braces are additional supports used on bigger structures
Denis Kapexhiu / Shutterstock.com

5. Explain that the load on a scaffold is a mixture of the number of people working on it as well as all the bricks, blocks or other materials that are stored on the platforms ready for people to use.
A scaffold structure also has to withstand the weather – especially winds
You might like to discuss with participants the skills they consider a scaffolder might need. Include:
An ability to work at heights
Attention to Health & Safety and regulations
Ability to follow instructions/diagrams accurately and in the correct order
Physical strength and agility
Scaffold is most commonly made of steel and is very heavy (aluminium scaffold is lighter but cannot be used for huge structures as it cannot carry the same load)
While assembling the scaffold scaffolders need to be able to climb up and down ‘lifts’ quickly

6. THE SCAFFOLDING CUBE CHALLENGE
Explain that participants are now going to experience building a scaffolding cube.
They are not going to use actual scaffolding pole and couplings as are shown here, but are going to use plastic waste pipe and cable ties.
Explain that this simulation will give them some idea of how complex a scaffold structure can be. They will need to follow a set of instructional diagrams and work co-operatively in their small teams

7. Cable ties cannot be undone – they need to be cut.
Explain that participants will be expected to follow Health & Safety regulations – exactly as if they were on a construction site.
They must not misuse the plastic pipe and most especially must not use the cable ties for anything other than fastening the pieces of pipe together
Cable ties cannot be undone – they need to be cut.
The Activity Lead should ensure that they monitor closely the use and return of cable ties
Mihai-Bogdan Lazar / Shutterstock.com

8. THE SCAFFOLDING CUBE CHALLENGE EXPLAINED
Each team has a set of scaffold tube (plastic waste pipe) cut to lengths.
Each length is colour coded to represent a specific piece of scaffold assembly.
Each team must work through the instructions in participant brief to create a scaffolding cube.
Activity Lead might choose to go through the participant brief assembly instructions with the participants.
Assistance given at this stage will depend on the age and ability of the participants

9. Once each team has correctly assembled their scaffold cube they will be taken apart and re-assembled in a timed competition.
Emphasis will be on teamwork, co-operation, following instructions and accuracy.
Any Questions?
Activity Lead should give a timescale to build the cube initially (suggestion is 20 minutes)
Cable ties will need to be cut to disassemble the cube
Suggested time for the competitive rebuild is between minutes (feedback from users)

10. GO CONSTRUCT!
Finish by asking if they have any further questions before they start the task