Blogs

Every project is different — and the scaffolding system you choose can either support productivity or slow the entire job down. From masonry and restoration to commercial builds and residential work, the right system improves safety, efficiency, and long-term cost control. At Southwest Scaffolding, we help contractors and owner-builders match the system to the job, not the other way around. Here’s how to think through your selection before the first frame goes up. One Size Doesn&rsq …

If you’ve spent any time in masonry, you know mortar isn’t just a sticky substance—it’s “mud.” And where there’s mud, there’s a need for a reliable mortar tub (or as the pros call it, a mud tub). These unsung heroes of the jobsite make mixing, transporting, and applying mortar smoother, faster, and cleaner. So, what exactly is a mud tub, and why is it so essential? What is a Mortar Tub?A mortar tub is a container specifically designed to hold and m …

Scaffolding has consistently landed on OSHA’s Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Violations list for at least 25 years—going all the way back to the turn of the century. Prior to 2011, scaffolding violations were consistently ranked #1. Since 2016, scaffolding has remained in the Top 5, and as of 2025, it still ranks #7. That kind of longevity on the list begs the question: why hasn’t this problem gone away? The short answer is simple: Scaffolding is often treated as temporary, when …