Scaffold Information: Note 03

National House Building Scaffolding

Confederation

Responsibilities For Scaffolding Contractor’s And Client’s

1. INTRODUCTION:

Regulations state that scaffolds should be erected correctly and are adequate for their
suitability.
The N.H.B.S.C. recommends that risk assessments should be undertaken on what
type of scaffolding systems might be used to avoid any complications after the scaffold
has been handed over which may incur extra costs either too the scaffolding contractor
or to the main client.

Depending on the requirements of the scaffold this will determine the cost of the
scaffolding operations, and as such this guidance is aimed at helping main contractors
and scaffolding contractors too look at the proposed scope of scaffolding works. It is
very important to clearly stipulate what you expect from the scaffolding contractor. One
of the biggest things in the industry at the moment is who is responsible for the
covering of gaps in scaffolds.
(Regulation’s do say that all gaps should be filled where there is any health and safety
hazards and risks).The client might assume that the scaffold company would include
this work automatically, which may not be the case depending on the information given
at tendering stage.

2. INFORMATION TO BE GIVEN AT TENDERING STAGE :

Regulation’s state that adequate planning is needed on all aspects of construction

works which includes scaffolding operations and that the type of scaffolding to be used
should be safe and sufficient.
The Client needs to give as much information as possible during the tendering stage
to ensure the scaffold that will be erected by the scaffolding contractor is compatible
with the clients’ requirements, this might mean that the clients need to undertake some
research on the scaffolding systems being proposed by the scaffolding contractors for
the suitability of the works that will be completed on the scaffold.

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Below are some points and questions designed to help identify any safety
requirements and structural needs on the construction of the scaffold:
1. Can the scaffold be erected with ledger bracing?

2. What are the lift height requirements?

3. What type of access is required – staircase or ladder access?

4. The scaffold equipment that will be used such as:

Ring Type, Wedge Type, Cup Type, Prefabricated Transoms or traditional tube
and fitting.

There may be specific benefits or disadvantages to using a certain type of

scaffolding system, i.e. if metal boards are used commonly known as cheese
graters these have holes in the boards and may not be suitable for the scope
of works.

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5. What loads to be placed on the scaffold and what it will be used for?

6. The number of working platforms needed on the scaffold simultaneously?

7. Any gaps to be filled where there is a risk of someone trapping their foot for
example the 50MM gap between the main platform and the inside scaffold
board, (a common hazard for bricklayers)

8. The proposed time scale of the project and when the project could possibly
start?

9. Stipulations on the rental charges of the scaffold once erected.

10. The type of access that will be used -staircases or ladder access.

11. If you are using a scaffold staircase, is it compatible with the fire regulations
and access requirements for emergency exits. - how strong is the staircase
and how many people will it need to carry at any one time.

12. What are the emergency rescue planning procedures to rescue people at
height?

13. The use of halos around the ladder access? These are not law but are
commonly used on building sites to help give some extra protection to people
gaining access on and off the scaffold.

Example of halos fixed

around the ladder

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14. Is there any requirements for loading bays?

15. How is the scaffold going to be safely erected and dismantled?

16. If there is a problem with fixing any scaffolding ties into the building is there a
need for buttress scaffolds (design required).

17. Will the scaffold need to be sheeted? monoflex or green debris netting.

18. What type of pedestrian protection might be required such as protection fans,
is padding needed and lighting to help pedestrian’s see?

19. Are Tapping boards needed for the blind in pedestrian access scaffolds?

20. Take into account the need for disabled access and access into the shops
where possible.

21. Is there any needs for traffic barrier systems and traffic routes incorporate into
pavement licenses etc.?

22. Is there a need for cantilever scaffolds?

23. Will there be a need to use prefabricated beams in the scaffold for bridging
purposes or truss out purposes?

24. Ensure that the scaffolding company confirms that the scaffolding materials
used complies to the relevant scaffolding material standards.

25. Will there be a need for any alterations on the scaffold through the lifetime of
the project, although not everything can be identified it should be noted that
obvious things need to be accounted for.

26. Will hop up brackets be used on the scaffold?

27. Scaffold Designs will 3rd party checks need to be paid for and who will be
paying for this? depending on the category of the designs they may need to
be checked by a 3rd party scaffold designer. (BS5975 temporary works)
28. Will there be a need too provide extra support to the foundations this will need
to be looked at in more details on the leg loadings of the scaffold.

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3. SCAFFOLD HANDOVERS :

At the time of the scaffolding being handed over, the client needs to check the scaffold
to ensure that it complies with their requirements. Once happy then the scaffolding
contractor will hand the scaffold over by completing a handover certificate.

After this it is the client’s responsibility to maintain the scaffold, if any problems are
identified at any point, then these need to be rectified only by approved scaffolding
personal from the scaffold company and the client who are appropriately competent.

It is also important to acknowledge that the legal responsibility of ensuring that the
scaffold remains in safe and good order, remains the clients responsibility by law.

4. MAINTAINING THE SCAFFOLD :

There are 3 options for clients on how to handle scaffolding inspections:

1. The client handles the scaffolding inspections themselves if they have the
relevant experience and training.

2. The client can get the scaffolding contractor to undertake the inspections.

3. The client can get an independent scaffolding inspector too undertake the
inspections.

Note for scaffold inspectors and clients

It is very important that the person who is inspecting the scaffolding has the
correct level of experience and training to be able to undertake the scaffold
inspection for each type of scaffold.

It is important to note that when 3rd parties designate the inspection responsibilities
to a 3rd party, they still too ensure that these are being undertaken correctly and too
current regulations as any shortfalls will be for the client to justify.

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5. SCAFFOLD SAFETY POLICIES

Main clients should consider the use of scaffolding safety policies to help
standardise all scaffolding requirements on their sites. This can be particular
helpful for the scaffolding contractor when looking at the work requirements.

The scaffold safety policy should be kept simple and clearly mention
things/items which the company requires as a minimum standard in scaffolds.

The N.H.B.S.C is currently introducing a coaching scheme for people that wish to
become scaffolding inspectors if this would be of interest or any other be spoke training
requirements please contact: [email protected]

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