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When Scaffolding is Required

Scaffolding can be required any time that a job is need from height. According to the Building Regulations and HSE, some short duration tasks such as cleaning windows are deemed safe enough to be carried out from a ladder up to the reasonable height. While there is no hard and fast rule about when to use a scaffolding, there are some simple steps that you can take to help you answer the question when you are unsure.

When you are in the design stages of your project, it is important to consider the risks that can occur throughout the construction phase. Indeed, the CDM Regulations (2015) place responsibilities on designers to minimise risks through their design practices. Now with that said what do we do when risks simply cannot be designed out ? For example, there are not many ways to design out the need to work on a roof. This is where bespoke scaffolding solutions come into use. A scaffold provides a safer means to work from height for those instances where it simply cannot be avoided.

The process of undertaking a risk assessment will help you to decide when and where scaffolding is required and the HSE are keen to highlight the effectiveness of an up to date risk assessment. The reason that risk assessments are so useful is because they help us to begin thinking about all the risks that we may encounter in our work. Often, we carry out risk assessments in our head subconsciously, but with more complex tasks, it is better to have a simple written risk assessment and method statement detailing how you will manage risks on site. Some key points to consider when deciding if you need a scaffold or not are as follows:

How complex is the task from height – tasks that require more concentration to be carried out properly will almost certainly need a scaffold.
How high is the task at hand – would a fall from the working height of the task be likely to cause serious injury or even death. The higher the chances of a serious injury the more you should consider a scaffold
How long will the task take – if the work is of a longer duration i.e. it will take hours rather than minutes, then a scaffold tower or other form of portable scaffolding will probably be required
Are intermediate platforms required – minimising the height of a fall can also minimise the consequences, should one occur
Is the job close to public area, such as a pavement or communal entrance – well designed scaffolds protect workers, but they can also protect members of the public from falling materials and debris.
How many materials are required to do the job – the more materials, the more space will be required. It is impractical and dangerous to carry heavy or awkward materials up a ladder
What is the terrain like around the area to be worked on – is it possible for a ladder to be safely footed or is a more stable base required such as would be used with a scaffold.
Are the surfaces to be worked on fragile? – If in doubt it is probably better to use a mobile platform where you can work on the surface without having to stand on it
Would you be prepared to work from that height from a ladder – ask yourself if you would feel comfortable letting a loved one carry out that task from a ladder, or even allowing yourself to do so? If the answer is no, then you certainly will almost certainly require a scaffold.

As you can see many factors need to be considered when deciding on an appropriate solution to minimise the risk of working at height. If you are unsure or in need of advice, give one of our professional scaffolders a call today so we can guide you in the process. We offer affordable scaffolding hire in Portsmouth for those instances where you need it. For more information about our great service and professionalism, visit our homepage where you can find plenty of essential scaffold information.

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