How often should scaffolding be inspected?

A scaffold that was safe on the day it went up is not automatically safe six weeks later. Boards get moved, ties get taken out so a window can be fitted, wind and rain do their work. That is why scaffolding is inspected regularly for as long as it stands, not just once.

What the rules say

In Great Britain, the Work at Height Regulations 2005 say a scaffold used for work at height must be inspected by a competent person:

• after it is put up, and before anyone uses it;
• at regular intervals, no more than seven days apart, while it is in use;
• after anything that could have affected its safety, such as high winds, heavy rain or storms, or alterations to the scaffold.

Each inspection is written up in a report, so there is a record of who checked it, when, and what they found.

What an inspection looks at

The inspector walks the whole scaffold. They check that the base is sound and the standards have not sunk or shifted, that the ties holding it to the building are all still there and tight, that boards, guard rails and toe boards are in place, that fittings are secure, and that nothing has been altered without the right person knowing. Netting and sheeting get checked too, because they catch the wind.

Why we keep coming back

At Rise we inspect our scaffolding regularly throughout the build. With each inspection we look at how the scaffold is working for the job, and make recommendations or adjustments as the work moves on: an extra lift as the roofers get higher, a loading bay moved, boards brought in where a new trade needs them.

What you can look out for

You do not need to be a scaffolder to notice when something is wrong. Ring the scaffolding company if you see:

• a missing guard rail or toe board, or boards that are loose or have been moved;
• a tie that has been taken out so someone could get to a wall or a window;
• the scaffold leaning, or a base plate sinking into soft ground;
• torn or flapping netting or sheeting after a windy night;
• anyone other than the scaffolders changing the scaffold.

And never let anyone alter a scaffold themselves. If the job needs it changed, the scaffolders change it, and then it gets checked again.

Regular inspections are one of our core services. You can read more on our services page.