Blogs

With 2026 well underway, now is the perfect time for a simple but critical safety reminder: check your hard hat expiration date. Hard hats are one of the most basic pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) on a jobsite—but they are also one of the most commonly overlooked when it comes to inspection and replacement. An expired or compromised hard hat may look fine on the outside, but it may not protect you when it matters most. How to Check Your Hard Hat Expiration Date Inside the bri …

Although Texas—home to Southwest Scaffolding’s headquarters—hasn’t experienced much of a winter this year, cold-weather scaffolding safety remains a top priority for our team. Why? Because our readers, partners, and clients span many regions, and winter conditions can drastically change how scaffolding performs. Whether you’re working through a Midwest freeze, a Northeast snowstorm, or an unexpected cold snap in the South, winter changes the rules. Frozen ground, ic …

As we head into 2026, the construction industry is at a pivotal moment — shaped by technology, labor challenges, sustainability priorities, and evolving safety expectations. For scaffolding providers and contractors, these trends aren’t abstract news — they’re practical signals of how jobsites, planning, and risk management will change in the year ahead. ? 1. The Labor Shortage Still Defines the Outlook One of the biggest stories of 2026 is people — or the lack of …

Lessons Learned (Without Naming Names) Scaffolding is one of those things most people don’t think about—until something goes wrong. When it’s installed correctly, it fades into the background and simply does its job. When it’s installed incorrectly, the consequences can be immediate, expensive, and in some cases, life‑threatening. At Southwest Scaffolding, we’ve seen firsthand what happens when shortcuts are taken. This article isn’t about calling anyone out. …

As 2025 comes to a close, it’s a great time to reflect on what we’ve learned in the world of scaffolding. This year has been full of challenges and opportunities, and Southwest Scaffolding wants to share a few key takeaways to help you stay safe and efficient on your projects in 2026. 1. Safety Remains the Top PriorityScaffolding continues to be one of OSHA’s top violations, and for good reason. Proper setup, inspections, and training save lives. Our team has seen firsthand how …