Collapsing scaffolding: where users are going wrong
Winter storms have caused disruption in the UK, including the collapse of scaffolds and access equipment. But, says the National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC), storms such as this are always anticipated and should not ordinarily result in the failures witnessed.
Scaffolds constructed in line with statutory requirements, which are suitably managed and maintained, should remain stable, even in high winds. The industry and law demand scaffolds to be erected to a recognised standard such as a TG20 compliance sheet, a system scaffolding user manual – or to a bespoke scaffold design produced by a competent scaffolding designer.
These incidents will be investigated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), but the NASC urges all clients and contractors to review their procurement and working at height practices, therefore ensuring the safe use of scaffolding.
Requirements for general access scaffolds
The HSE advises that general access scaffolds provide a means of working at height while preventing falls and should be provided whenever practicable.
Scaffolds must be designed, erected, altered and dismantled only by competent people and the work should be carried out under the direction of a competent supervisor.
All scaffolding must be erected, dismantled and altered in a safe manner. This can be achieved by following NASC safety guidance SG4 'Preventing falls in scaffolding operations' or by following similar guidance provided by the manufacturers of system scaffolding. The key priority and objective for scaffolders is to establish collective fall protection minimising the time exposed to a fall risk and reliance upon personal fall protection equipment such as safety harnesses and lanyards.
Depending on the complexity of the scaffolding selected, an assembly, use and dismantling plan must be drawn up by a competent person.
A copy of the plan, including any instructions it may contain, must be kept available for the use of anyone involved in the assembly, use, dismantling or alteration of scaffolding until it has been dismantled.
The dimensions, form and layout of scaffolding decks should be appropriate to the nature of the work to be performed and suitable for the loads to be carried and permit work and passage in safety.
Ensure the scaffold is based on a firm, level foundation. The ground or foundation must be capable of supporting the weight of the scaffold and any loads likely to be placed on it. Watch out for voids such as basements or drains, or patches of soft ground, which could collapse when loaded.
Ensure it is braced and tied into a permanent structure or otherwise stabilised.
Scaffolds must be capable of supporting loads likely to be placed on them. They are not usually designed to support heavy loads on their working platforms. If you intend to load out platforms, inform whoever is providing the scaffold – a bespoke design will likely be required.
Before using any scaffold, the HSE says, make sure that it is safe and suitable for the intended job:
- Ensure platforms are fully boarded and wide enough for the work and for access (usually at least 600 mm wide).
- Check that scaffold boards are properly supported and not overhanging excessively e.g. no more than four times the thickness of the board.
- Ensure there is safe access onto the work platforms, preferably from a staircase or ladder tower.
- Check that loading bays are fitted with fall protection, preferably gates, which can be safely moved in and out of position to place materials on the platform.
- Make sure the scaffold is suitable for the task before it is used and checked whenever it is substantially altered or adversely affected, e.g. by high winds.
Scaffold design
It is a requirement of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 that unless a scaffold is assembled to a generally recognised standard configuration, such as NASC Technical Guidance TG20 for tube and fitting scaffolds, the scaffold must be designed by bespoke calculation, and by a competent person. This will ensure the scaffold will have adequate strength, rigidity and stability while it is erected, used and dismantled.
At the start of the planning process, the user must supply relevant information to the scaffold contractor to ensure an accurate and proper design process is followed. Typically, this information should include:
- Site location.
- Period of time the scaffold is required to be in place.
- Intended use.
- Height and length and any critical dimensions which may affect the scaffold.
- Number of boarded lifts.
- Maximum working loads to be imposed and maximum number of people using the scaffold at any one time.
- Type of access onto the scaffold e.g. staircase, ladder bay, external ladders.
- Whether there is a requirement for sheeting, netting or brickguards.
- Any specific requirements or provisions e.g. pedestrian walkway, restriction on tie locations, inclusion/provision for mechanical handling plant e.g. hoist).
- Nature of the ground conditions or supporting structure.
- Information on the structure/building the scaffold will be erected against together with any relevant dimensions and drawings.
- Any restrictions that may affect the erection, alteration or dismantling process.
Prior to installation, the scaffold contractor or scaffold designer can then provide relevant information about the scaffold.
Competence and supervision of scaffolding operatives
All employees must be competent for the type of scaffolding work they are undertaking and should have received appropriate training relevant to the type and complexity of scaffolding they are working on.
According to HSE guidance, employers must provide appropriate levels of supervision taking into account the complexity of the work and the levels of training and competence of the scaffolders involved.
As a minimum requirement, every scaffold gang should contain a competent scaffolder who has received training for the type and complexity of the scaffold to be erected, altered or dismantled.
Trainee scaffolders must always work under the supervision of a trained and competent scaffolder. Operatives are classed as 'trainees' until they have completed the approved training and assessment required to be deemed competent.
Erection, alteration and dismantling of all scaffolding structures (basic or complex) should be done under the direct supervision of a competent person. For complex structures this would usually be an 'Advanced Scaffolder' or an individual who has received training in a specific type of system scaffold for the complexity of the configuration involved.
Scaffolding operatives should be up to date with the latest changes to safety guidance and good working practices within the scaffolding industry.
Guidance on the relevant expertise of scaffolding labourers, trainee scaffolders, scaffolders and advanced scaffolders including details of which structures they are deemed competent to erect can be obtained from the Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS) website.
Scaffold inspection
It is the scaffold user’s/hirer’s responsibility to ensure that all scaffolding has been inspected as follows:
- Following installation/before first use.
- At an interval of no more than every seven days thereafter.
- Following any circumstances liable to jeopardise the safety of the installation e.g. high winds.
All scaffolding inspection must be carried out by a competent person whose combination of knowledge, training and experience is appropriate for the type and complexity of the scaffold. Competence may have been assessed under the CISRS or an individual may have received training in inspecting a specific type of system scaffold from a manufacturer/supplier.
A non-scaffolder who has attended a scaffold inspection course, e.g. a site manager, could be deemed competent to inspect a basic scaffold structure.
The scaffold inspection report must note any defects or matters that could give rise to a risk to health and safety and any corrective actions taken, even when those actions are taken promptly, as this assists with the identification of any recurring problem.
International Workplace's Working at height awareness training course helps learners understand the dangers associated with working at heights and ways to minimise and control the risks. The course is designed for employees and operatives who are required to work at height and includes detailed guidance on the use of scaffolding. Find out more here.
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