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If the work is likely to present a danger to the public, you should consider applying for a footpath or road closure to eliminate the risk of a member of the public being injured. Scaffolds should never be erected or dismantled over people or busy pavements.
#Definition of scaffold license#
Scaffolds which encroach over the highway (including pavements) require a license under Section 169 of the Highways Act 1980, which are issued by the local Highway Authority. The dimensions, form and layout of scaffolding decks should be appropriate to the nature of the work to be performed and suitable for the loads to be carried and permit work and passage in safety. Strength and stability calculations for scaffolding must be carried out unless a note of the calculations, covering the structural arrangements contemplated, is available, or it is assembled in conformity with a generally recognised standard configuration.ĭepending on the complexity of the scaffolding selected, an assembly, use and dismantling plan must be drawn up by a competent person. This may be in the form of a standard plan, supplemented by items relating to specific details of the scaffolding in question.Ī copy of the plan, including any instructions it may contain, must be kept available for the use of anyone involved in the assembly, use, dismantling or alteration of scaffolding until it has been dismantled.
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The key priority and objective for scaffolders is to establish collective fall protection minimising the time exposed to a fall risk and reliance upon personal fall protection equipment such as safety harnesses and lanyards. Scaffolds must be designed, erected, altered and dismantled only by competent people and the work should be carried out under the direction of a competent supervisor.Īll scaffolding must be erected, dismantled and altered in a safe manner. This can be achieved by following National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) Safety Guidance SG4 'Preventing falls in scaffolding operations' or by following similar guidance provided by the manufacturers of system scaffolding. Requirements for general access scaffolds Competence and supervision of scaffolding operative.Scaffold structures that normally require bespoke design.Guard rails, toe boards and other barriers.Suitable precautions must be taken to prevent falls. General access scaffolds provide a means of working at height while preventing falls and should be provided whenever practicable. The law requires that employers and self-employed contractors assess the risk from work at height and go on to organise and plan the work so it is carried out safely. Controlling physical ill health risks - Key points.
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