Scaffold Inspections: Who Can Do Them and How Often

A scaffold that was safe on Monday is not automatically safe on Friday. Wind, a delivery lorry clipping a standard, or a boarded section being removed so the bricklayers can get at the wall can all change what you are standing on. The law expects scaffolds to be checked regularly and checked by the right person, and on a lot of small sites that is where things slip.

What the law actually says

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 require any scaffold from which a person could fall two metres or more to be inspected by a competent person. This is a legal duty on the person in control of the work, not a courtesy. The inspection is separate from the risk assessment, which I covered in my post on the working at height risk assessment most sites get wrong.

When an inspection is needed

  • Before first use, once the scaffold has been erected or altered.
  • At least every seven days while it stays in use.
  • After anything that could have affected its stability, such as strong winds, heavy rain, an impact or part of it being dismantled.

A handover certificate from the scaffolders is a good start, but it does not replace the seven day inspections that follow it.

Who counts as competent

There is no single licence, but the person needs enough training, knowledge and experience to spot defects and judge whether the scaffold is safe. That usually means someone who has completed a recognised scaffold inspection course, and who is not simply the nearest supervisor with a clipboard. If you are not sure whether your inspector meets that bar, ask to see their training records.

What the inspection should cover

Check that the scaffold is level and sound underneath, that the standards, ledgers and braces are all in place, that the ties are secure, that the boards are fully supported, and that guard rails and toe boards are fitted and undamaged. Look for anything that has been removed, moved or overloaded since the last check.

The paperwork

Every inspection has to be recorded. The report should be written up within 24 hours, signed by the person who did it, and kept on site until the work is finished, then retained for another three months. A scaffold tag at the access point is useful for showing it was checked, but the written report is what an inspector will ask for.

On a larger project, make sure these checks are written into your plan. My guide to CDM 2015 duties for small contractors explains who holds responsibility when several firms share a site. If you want a second pair of eyes on your wider site safety, you can look at Tony Carlyon's fire risk assessment service.

Want a head start? grab the free UK landlord and small business compliance checklist and see where you stand.
This post is general guidance, not legal advice. Check the requirements that apply to your own site.

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