Scaffolding Rules

Whereas the internet is a good source for all information, it can be confusing when dealing with regulations. That is because many regulations are country-specific and the internet is not good at differentiating that. The information below is specific to the UK.

It is an employer's duty to protect the health, safety and welfare of their employees and other people who might be affected by their business. Employers must do whatever is reasonably practicable to achieve this.

Site Safety for scaffolding

According to the UK government website, these are the key regulations

• You must use a builder or scaffolding contractor who is trained and competent if you want to put up scaffolding.
• It’s the responsibility of the builder or scaffolding company to get a licence for any scaffolding they put up on the highway (this includes the pavement).
• But it’s your responsibility to check they have this legal document and that it doesn’t run out before the building work is finished.

Your local council may have a list of approved scaffolding contractors.

Safety

If there’s a risk to the public, schedule scaffolding work for quiet times or get a highway closure from your local council.

By law (The Work at Height Regulation Act of 2005), you must check scaffolding that is more than 2 metres in height to make sure it’s safe:

• before you first use it
• every 7 days while it’s up
• after alterations, damage or extreme weather conditions

Tagging systems can be used to help inspections but they are not a legal requirement. However, you must have a competent inspector and that is defined as

• A person who has been on a CISRS Basic Scaffold Inspection Training Scheme Course SITS
• provided their employer can demonstrate they have the necessary knowledge and experience and they have passed the knowledge test at the end of the course.

A written report should be completed for each inspection and retained on-site until work is completed. Once construction work is complete, reports should then be kept at an office location for a further three months.

The responsibility for ensuring that the scaffolding itself is safe rests with the scaffolding company, who should also undertake regular safety checks, but it is the construction company's responsibility, and the individual user's responsibility to ensure that it is used safely.

Risk Assessments

The HSE suggests that risk assessments should follow five simple steps:

• Step 1: Identify the hazards.
• Step 2: Decide who might be harmed and how.
• Step 3: Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions.
• Step 4: Record your findings and implement them.
• Step 5: Review your assessment and update if necessary.

4 Major Hazards: Scaffold Safety

• Falls. Falls are attributed to the lack of guardrails, improper installation of guardrails and failure to use personal fall arrest systems when required. ...
• Scaffold collapse. ...
• Struck by falling materials. ...
• Electrocution.

More Safety Tips

Wear a hard hat when working on or under a scaffold. Wear sturdy, non-slip shoes when working on a scaffold. Remove anything placed on scaffolds at the end of the work shift. Maintain at least a 10-foot distance between scaffolds and electric power lines.

History of Health & Safety

Evidence of a bygone age

Ideal Scaffold East Anglia has invested in staff training and is now engaged in some of the largest projects in the UK. These include Highways, Railways and Aviation projects. Call 01603 754543 if you would be interested in discussing your project.