Elevate Your Skills with the 2025 Intermediate Scaffolding Challenge – Rise to the Top!

Lapping planks in scaffolding is essential for ensuring safety and stability. The appropriate place to lap planks is on returns. This is because lapping planks on returns helps to create a continuous surface that is less prone to displacement or slipping, providing a stable platform for workers. When planks are lapped correctly at the returns, they can effectively distribute loads and reduce the risk of gaps that might cause accidents.

Different placements for lapping, such as at the base of the scaffold or at horizontal joints, can impair the structural integrity of the scaffold. Lapping at vertical uprights may not offer the same level of stability, as the weight and forces acting on the planks could lead to shifting. Therefore, maximizing safety requires lapping at the returns, where additional support is provided.