PREFACE
Scaffolding up to quite recent years has been considered by builders and others concerned, with the exception of the actual workmen, to be a matter of small importance and consequently unworthy of study. Recent legislation, however (the Workmen’s Compensation Act, 1897, and the Factory and Workshop Act, 1901, and preceding dates), has brought it into greater prominence, with the result that more attention has lately been given to it. Special study of the subject has, however, remained very difficult owing to the lack of accessible information.
The author, in the course of considerable experience in the building trade, has had opportunities of examining a large number of scaffolds throughout the country, affording him exceptional facilities for thoroughly studying the subject, and he has been led to prepare this treatise in the hope that it may prove useful to those engaged both in the design and erection of scaffolds for building purposes. While special attention has been given to practical details, the theory has not been neglected, but has been dealt with by the use of terms well understood in the building trade. The various formulæ given have been simplified as far as possible, and it is hoped that in these days of technical education they will not be beyond the scope of the reader.
The illustrations have generally been drawn to scale, but for the sake of clearness, details are given to a larger scale where necessary.
The practice of allowing workmen to erect scaffolds without the aid of expert supervision, as is generally the case, is to be strongly deprecated. The architect, builder, or clerk of works, should in all cases be responsible for their erection—the risk of defective or unsafe work being thereby minimised, and an economy often effected in both labour and material.
The author desires to acknowledge his indebtedness to Mr. G. Thatcher, of H.M. Office of Works and Hampton Court Palace, for valuable information contributed by him, and to Mr. J. Clark, of the Factory Department of the Home Office, for his very careful reading of the proofs; while his best thanks are due to the following manufacturers:—Mr. C. Batchelor, Messrs. Bullivant & Co., Ltd., Messrs. Butters Bros., Mr. J. Fishburn, Messrs. Frost & Co., and Mr. E. Palmer, who have furnished him with particulars of their various specialities.
A. G. H. T.
London: February 1904.
NOTE TO THE SECOND EDITION
Recent alterations in and additions to the legal enactments affecting scaffolding and the persons employed in its erection have rendered necessary a second edition of this work. The author has accordingly revised the information relating to the law of the subject, and has embodied the important series of suggestions for the guidance of those engaged in building operations, published in the Annual Report of the Chief Inspector of Factories, which, if followed out, will undoubtedly be the means of reducing the number of fatal and other accidents occurring at such works.
A. G. H. T.
October 1907.