Frequently 

Having a scaffold inspection is crucial for several reasons, primarily revolving around safety, compliance, and efficient project management. Here are some of the main reasons why scaffold inspections are necessary:

• Safety:

  • Worker Safety: Scaffolds provide a temporary structure for workers to perform tasks at height. Ensuring their stability and safety is crucial to prevent accidents.

  • Public Safety: In urban or populated areas, scaffolding is often set up near pedestrian paths or roads. An unstable or unsafe scaffold poses a risk not only to workers but also to the public.

• Regulatory and Legal Compliance:

  • Many countries and jurisdictions have laws and regulations requiring regular scaffold inspections. These laws are in place to ensure safety standards are maintained.

  • Failing to adhere to these regulations can result in hefty fines, legal actions, or even project shutdowns.

• Liability and Insurance:

  • Regular inspections can help protect against potential liabilities in case of accidents. They can demonstrate due diligence on the part of the construction firm or project manager.

  • Some insurance policies may require regular scaffold inspections as part of the coverage terms.

The HSE guidance states that scaffolding inspections should be carried out “by a competent person whose combination of knowledge, training and experience is appropriate for the type and complexity of the scaffold”. This is usually understood to be someone holding the relevant Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS) qualification.

A CISRS scaffold inspection qualification would be sufficient to inspect a “basic” scaffold structure, whereas a more complex structure requires a CISRS Advanced Scaffold Inspection card and extensive experience. Scaffolders holding the appropriate level of CISRS qualification are also qualified to inspect scaffolding. A CISRS SITS (Scaffold Inspection Training Scheme) qualification will remain valid for a 5-year period. To inspect system scaffolds the person must have completed the basic scaffold inspection course and have experience and knowledge of the system to be inspected.

Using a mobile app has been shown to improve the quality of scaffold inspections thanks to the consistent and logical step by step process that ensures all aspects of the inspection are completed and logged.

Tagging a scaffold as safe to use is best practice although it is not a legal requirement. The opposite is not true if a scaffold is incomplete or unsafe as here you must tag the structure as unsafe in accordance with the Health and Safety Regulations 1996. As well as signage it is also necessary to physically prevent access.

Simple answer 'YES' as The HSE guidance states that scaffolding inspections should be carried out “by a competent person whose combination of knowledge, training and experience is appropriate for the type and complexity of the scaffold”. This is usually understood to be someone holding the relevant Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS) qualification. However this is a point of contention "who is inspecting the works and for which purpose" This is the reason for us using a stand alone independent inspector.

We are a totally independent inspection company with an unbiased facts related view of every scaffold we inspect, if the scaffold is unsafe then we will fail it and detail the reasons in the report.