A work platform is used in the construction industry to access areas, reach heights, and place working equipment. It gives workers the space to move around while working. Work platforms are mainly used in construction, renovation, paintworks, or even roof cleaning.
There are different types of work platforms, and scaffolding is one. Other common work platforms include the mobile elevating work platform, suspend scaffold, trestle, and gantry.
The main difference between scaffolding and a work platform is that a scaffold is a work platform. Different scaffolds are erected in construction to offer a work platform for builders.
What are the advantages of a work platform?
There are several benefits of using a work platform in construction; you will need a platform to complete your project at one point or another.
Work platforms increase productivity as they cut down the time used for moving from one place to another and put working materials close to workers. You cannot compare the productivity when using a ladder to using a work platform.
They also provide a safe and steady platform to work on areas that would be impossible to reach without their aid. A good example is when building story buildings or doing wall renovations.
The work platform also ensures that more than one person can work on a project simultaneously, meaning cutting time in doing the work and offering ready help when necessary.
Comparison table
| Work platform | Scaffolding |
| It is an elevated platform that is used as a place of work and for placing equipment | Scaffolding provides sturdy support for the working platform when working at height |
| It provides easy access when working in unreachable areas | Scaffolding is a type of working platform |
Although there are different types of scaffolding, it is essential to note that scaffolding is a type of work platform. The type of project you have will determine the most suitable type of scaffolding structure.