Scaffold erection tips

Lighthouse Safety have long recognised the benefits of contracting competent staff to erect and dismantle scaffolds. As part of a selection process, not only should clients consider the CDM Regulations 2007 and its competency charts, but should also ask for references from previous clients.

Scaffolds, once erected, should be commissioned for use – a process that should ensure that the structure is erected correctly and that it will withstand the forces placed upon it by the work or nature. To ensure any ring ties that may have been used are anchored correctly, a competent scaffolding company should be able to demonstrate that anchor ties have been pull tested, and have met the required strength as stipulated in the design.

In addition to these checks, scaffolds should be rechecked for strength, stability and suitability every seven calendar days. This is of course a minimum, as checks may also be needed after alteration, (authorised or unauthorised), inclement weather, collision or any other destabilising event.