NUTS + BOLTS BILL DUNDAS THE CATBIRD SEAT Optimal equipment for worker positioning enhances safety and productivity. IGN installation work ranks among the most conspicuous of all construction operations because it's typically performed at retail storefronts and other locations adjacent to public streets and highways. Beyond the myriad hazards sign installers face when working at various elevations above the ground, this high visibility accentuates the importance of safe work practices. S The equipment sign companies use to position workers safely and securely thus represents a crucial consideration in the sign installation field. Depending on the size of the company and its available resources, this equipment ranges from portable ladders and scaffolds to crane-mounted or suspended work platforms. Because personal safety is paramount, it's essential to understand the pros and cons of various types of installation equipment. (Above) Figure 1: Ladders and scaffolds principally are suitable for installing small, lightweight signs. (Right) Figure 2: Using a crane-mounted work platform, these workers are installing a large signface. 32 SIGNS OF THE TIMES AUGUST 2017 is a sign-industry consultant and the former manager of technical and regulatory affairs for the ISA. Email him at wsdundas296@gmail.com LADDERS AND SCAFFOLDS If your company's operations are strictly limited to installing relatively small, lightweight signs (Fig. 1), ladders and scaffolds might suffice. But it's crucial to appreciate the limitations and potential hazards of using these devices. Because ladders and scaffolds are designed strictly for worker positioning and not to support signs or related components, the range of operations that can be