Bamboo scaffolding lashings are made with a seemingly weak plastic fibrous material. One strand is easily torn off with a thumbnail, but a few turns of it are apparently plenty strong.
An unbelievable amount of construction goes on in China (right). The scaffolding is lashed bamboo. Way up in the air on two bamboo ladders tied end-to-end, a man welds with one hand, hanging on with the other (far right).
Construction workers wear bamboo wicker hard hats like this. They cost about 80 cents and are surprisingly sturdy. Probably fine to stop a falling wrench. Motorcyclists also wear them, but they lack padding at the back of the head.
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