Scaffold inspections - necessary?

[RedRhino]

We are required to supply scaffolding for our self build, both for the timber frame erector and for the subsequent trades. 

We know to use a reputable scaffold company and ensure that the Scafftag is in place to show that the scaffold is correctly assembled. 

But what about subsequent scaffold inspections? We have contractors keen to offer this service but the cost of weekly inspections could be as much as the scaffolding itself. 

We have received various comments but it seems weekly inspections are overkill (if that isn't a bad turn of phrase). 

Yes, if the scaffold received damage from a vehicle, or someone unqualified tried to modify it then the scaffold needs to checked. 

But even as a 'Domestic Client' we could do a weekly record of the condition of the scaffold recorded to video and I think that would be sufficient. 

 

What say others?

 

[joe90]

I have never had a scaffold inspection but my son in law has just started working for octopus energy installing solar panels and they have weekly scaff inspections.

[JohnMo]

Scaffolding rules are quite strict, doesn't really make much difference if you are domestic or a multi national company.

 

Read up on the rules, make your own call. You (or the main contractor) carry the risk if someone gets injured.

[saveasteading]

  On 10/11/2024 at 12:16, joe90 said:

I have never had a scaffold inspection

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I once had the great pleasure of a spot check from hse, and an hour walking round the site with him.

The scaffolding was extensive but he didn't ask for papers or tags, just took  a commonsense overview. Then up at a complex bit of roof we discussed what risks there were, and maybe moving a couple of poles.

Thats the norm unless there is an accident or complaint. So, as you suggest, perhaps have a close look weekly, with some photos.

 

The main risk is likely an unofficial adjustment by a non-scaffolder.

 

[joe90]

The only problem I had once was with a BCO officer, he turned up on site as I arrived, I got my ladder off my van to climb the scaff when he told me the ladder should be tied off at the top!!!, yes I said, as soon as I get up there I will tie it off. Not good enough he said. WTF. I  explained I removed the ladder at night to stop “others” climbing up when I was not on site. He was adamant so I climbed up the scaff and tied it off when I got to the top then I laughed at him. Never saw him again.

[saveasteading]

I had to check you weren't quoting me here.

  On 10/11/2024 at 14:23, joe90 said:

ladder should be tied off at the top!!!, yes I said, as soon as I get

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It was the big employer's safety officer. 

1. has to be fibreglass, 2.

need a mewp to tie it at the top.

The latter later appeared to have happened miraculously. Must have been a passing mewp. 

  On 10/11/2024 at 14:23, joe90 said:

Never saw him again.

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These people gave h and s a bad name. Are they all in the bottoms of foundations?

 

I think our one ( it was a big company you have heard of)  expected a tenner to turn away, but I've never ever done that...scum.

[RedRhino]

I digress, but on a previous project we needed a BT landline connecting from a pole to the new house. 

The BT bloke said he couldn't do the job because the scaffold was in the way of his ladder. 

I said the scaffold was much safer than a ladder, but no, he wouldn't use it. 

[vfrdave]

I had hse in NI shut my site down a few years ago for no scaffolding and fall deck.  Rightly lectured me to all of the issue and stated professional scaffolding was required.

 

Problem for me was a sprawling bungalow was still too small a job for most companies to be interested in.  Long story short, system scaffolding erected by me and inspected by hse for signoff was all that was required.  No scaff tags etc asked for.

[joe90]

Bring back the old days (tin hat on)

[SteamyTea]

  On 10/11/2024 at 16:57, joe90 said:

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Pictures like that, which was probably staged anyway (the plane flying though the hanger was) never used to bother me, until I took up rock climbing.

Now they give me the willies.

 

Edited November 12, 2024 by SteamyTea

[Conor]

Daily and weekly inspections can be done by any competent person. I.e. yourself. I only got the scaff company round when something needed to be changed.