Changes to construction site scaffolding regulations:Are you safe?

There have been several changes in legislation since
2005 affecting the scaffolding industry, Chris Nix
discusses their implications

Recent statistics published by the
Health and Safety Executive
(HSE) confirm that the
construction industry still holds the
highest number of fatalities within the
main industrial sectors; with 42 people
losing their lives from this sector in the
period 2009/10. Although this figure is
gradually reducing year on year,
construction still remains one of the
most dangerous professions in the UK
and businesses are continually
encouraged to improve best practice to
try and mitigate these fatalities.

To support the progression of safety
within the construction sector and despite
recent cuts in funding, the HSE has
pledged to conduct unannounced
inspections on construction sites over the
forthcoming months in a bid to try to
reduce the numbers of accidents as well as
reinstate the importance of companies
being compliant.

Changes to scaffolding
regulations
In addition to this there have been several
changes in legislation since 2005 affecting
the scaffolding industry in order to make
construction sites a safer place to work.

In late 2010 the British Standards
Institution (BSI) formally withdrew BS
5793 and replaced it with the European
standard BS EN12811/1, which applies to
all scaffolding, from the most basic to the
most complex of structures, although
primarily based on system structures. The
BSEN12811/1 specifies six load
classifications for prefabricated structures
as well as guidance on materials and
weathers. The TG20:08 has also been
issued as a technical industry guidance
document, based on BS EN12811/1 but
addressing specific issues when using tube
and fitting scaffolds and is available in two
volumes. Volume 1 specifies the four
basic scaffolds for which no specific
design is required, plus guidance on
erection and dismantling, use and
inspection. Volume 2 gives technical
information and advice required for the
design of scaffolds outside the range of
Volume 1.

Although the basic principles of BS5793
remain, the scope is wider and both
volumes are essential in understanding
the key changes following its withdrawal.

The BSEN12811/1 for temporary
prefabricated scaffold structures differs
from BS5793 in that:
There are now six service load classes,
some with partial area loads
Seven width classes
Two headroom classes
There is a requirement for a minimum
unimpeded area along the full length of
the working platform
BS 5793 did not differentiate between
loading on the main platform and the
inside boards
The definition of a scaffold classified as
‘in service’ and ‘out of service’ has been
changed
Wind loads on scaffolds must conform
to BS 6399/EN1991
These changes crucially affect everyone
who is involved in the design, erection
and inspection of scaffolding structures,
namely scaffolding companies, scaffolding
design companies, major construction
companies and scaffold inspection houses.

There are many implications with the
changes, such as BS EN12811 now
covering scaffolds erected in Scotland
whereas the BS5973 did not. To ensure
maximum safety, unless a scaffold is a
basic configuration described in a
recognised guidance publication such as
NASC Technical Guidance TG20 or the
manufacturer’s guidance for system
scaffolds, the scaffold should be designed
by calculation, by a competent person, to
ensure it will have adequate strength and
stability. All scaffolding should also be
erected, dismantled and altered in
accordance with either NASC guidance
document SG4 for tube and fitting
scaffolds or the manufacturer’s erection
guide for system scaffolds. For scaffolds
that fall outside the scope of ‘Basic
Scaffolds’ as described in TG:20:08
Volume 1, the design information should
describe the sequence and methods to be
adopted when erecting, dismantling and
altering the scaffold.

Implementing the changes
Scafftag, the expert in the management
and status of equipment used at work and
the inventor of the ‘Scafftag’ scaffolding
tagging system, has been working with
and advising construction companies for
many years ensuring that workers are
both safe on site and legally compliant
with regulations. In order to help those
using scaffolding decipher whether a
structure is safe or not, Scafftag has
designed a range of inserts specific to
either BS EN12811/1 or TG20. The
system clearly identifies the key
information such as loadings, records of
ongoing inspection, ownership details and
any potential hazards within the structure.

Whilst a visual tagging system isn’t a
legal requirement, many engineers have
recognised the benefits of using such a
system and adopted it as a solution to aid
the safety inspection process which is a
requirement under law. As a result of a
combination of changes to the scaffolding
regulations together with Scafftags being
used more extensively, workplace safety is
improving.

Chris Nix is UK sales manager at Scafftag.