Scaffold Safety Guide & Checklist

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What are scaffold safety rules?

Under UK law, both employers and contractors have a responsibility to assess the risks when working at height, which includes the use of scaffold towers, to prevent falls and accidents. The scaffolding must have an appropriate design, staff must be trained, supervised and competent before erecting or dismantling scaffolding, and scaffolding must be inspected regularly.

What are the regulations for scaffolding?

Scaffolding regulations state that the people who put up and dismantle scaffolding are trained and competent. They must also be supervised by a competent person, and by law the scaffolding must be inspected at specific times. There are other scaffolding regulations in place too, including:

• A risk assessment must be carried out before any scaffolding is erected

• The scaffold tower must be the appropriate design for the intended use

• Scaffold towers must have safety measures in place to prevent falls

• Scaffold structures must be fully boarded before use

• Scaffolding must be appropriately anchored to prevent collapse

• The Work at Height Regulations 2005 state that only competent people may put up or take down scaffolding, under supervision of a competent person

• Scaffolding must be inspected: before you first use it, every 7 days while it’s up and after alterations, damage or extreme weather conditions. A scaffold inspection checklist should be used for this

• All users of the scaffold tower must be trained and made aware of hazards

• Any scaffolding on a public highway or pavement must have a licence

• There are specific safety regulations for scaffolding on public access routes, outlined by the NASC (National Access & Scaffolding Confederation)

• All work must be carried out in accordance with NASC Guidance SG6 Manual handling in the scaffolding industry and SG9 Use, Inspection & Maintenance of Lifting Equipment and Accessories for Lifting in Scaffolding

TG20 offers in-depth safety guidance for scaffolding constructed with tube and fittings, covering an Operational Guide, the Design Guide, the User Guide and the NASC’s eGuide.
 

Who is allowed to erect scaffolding?

In the UK, scaffolding must only be designed, put up, altered and taken down safely by specifically trained, competent people. Scaffolding regulations also require that a competent person must supervise all scaffolding work - including any alterations. The designated competent person (or persons) must also inspect the scaffolding, as outlined above. You may be able to get a list of approved competent scaffolding companies from your local authority.

To protect the public and other contractors, only fully trained staff can be allowed near the scaffolding area when it’s being put up. 

What safety measures must scaffolding have?

Although all staff who use scaffold towers must be trained, scaffolding regulations state that there must be safety measures in place to prevent falls or collapse. These include:

• The site must be safe and appropriate for scaffolding to be put up

• Safety harnesses must be worn and anchored for one-handed work

• When lifting or lowering materials, scaffolders must be clipped on, or working within, a platform that is fully boarded, with double guard-rails and toe boards

• There must be a minimum 3 scaffold board working platform, and single guard-rail, when the scaffold is assembled or dismantled 

• The scaffold tower itself must be anchored correctly

• Safe ladder access must be put in

• Scaffold towers must not be overloaded with equipment or building materials

• For hired scaffold towers, these must be fully inspected before use

• High vis protection tubes must be used when pedestrians may be walking nearby

• Scaffolding safety tags, used during inspection by a competent person to show whether scaffolding is safe or unsafe, are part of the recommended scaffold safety procedure

How long can scaffolding be left up?

There is no restriction for how long scaffolding can be left up for, as building projects vary hugely in their complexity and length. However, as long as scaffolding is standing, full health and safety requirements must be followed - including safety and protection for pedestrians. Remember that scaffolding must be inspected at least every 7 days, following initial inspections, to comply with UK law.

What is the maximum height for a scaffold?

Different scaffolding types have slightly different requirements, as well as whether they are being used indoors or outdoors, but as a guide a mobile scaffold tower's maximum height is usually 12 metres. The traditional 3 to 1 rule on scaffolding is that the maximum height should be no more than 3 times the height of its shortest base dimension. However, modern scaffolding manufacturers may calculate a different safe ratio.

Scaffold safety checklist

A scaffolding checklist should be part of the inspection by a competent person, and is used to find or rule out any defects or problems with the scaffolding. The scaffold safety checklist covers everything from the pre-installation base to the materials being used and its strength and stability, in order to meet the required health and safety standards. The scaffolding checklist will include:

• Making sure all the components are all present, intact and not damaged

• If the area around it is secured and cordoned off

• Checking the competency and training of contractors using the structure

• Checking the integrity of the structure and looking for any defects

• Checking the stability of the tower

• Whether the base plates are in firm contact

• Whether the guard rail is in place

• Whether the scaffolding is fully boarded

• If clamps, brackets, toe boards and accessories are in place and secure

• Whether the access ladder is secure

• Considering fall protection and safety conditions on the structure

• If the scaffold control tag has been signed and approved for use

Download a sample scaffolding safety inspection checklist here.

For more information, inspiration and top construction tips, visit our dedicated Trade News and Advice hub. 

Scaffold Safety: FAQs

What is the law on scaffolding UK?

Under UK law, both employers and contractors have a responsibility to assess the risks when working at height, which includes the use of scaffold towers, to prevent falls and accidents. The scaffolding must have an appropriate design, all staff must be trained, supervised and competent before erecting or dismantling scaffolding, and scaffolding must be inspected regularly.

What is the 3 to 1 rule in scaffolding?

The traditional 3 to 1 rule on scaffolding is that the maximum height should be no more than 3 times the height of its shortest base dimension. However, modern scaffolding manufacturers may calculate a different safe ratio.

Which 3 factors cause most accidents on scaffolds?

Falls from height are one of the leading causes of accidents on scaffold towers, as well as defective or malfunctioning equipment and unsafe design or construction. By following health and safety rules - including training all staff, regular inspection and using a scaffolding checklist - accidents can be minimised. 

What should you NOT do in scaffolding?

You should never use scaffolding which hasn’t been properly installed, inspected and tagged as safe. Scaffolding must not be overloaded, nor have items left on the tower as they can cause a trip hazard. It goes without saying that workers should never attempt to climb the steel work, use an unapproved entry point or enter when not wearing the correct PPE.

Disclaimer: The information contained on this page is intended as an overall introduction and is not intended as specific advice from a qualified professional. Always follow machine hire manufacturer's instructions.