Scaffolding & Temporary Works Inspection

Per EN 12811-1, scaffolds must be designed to carry all imposed loads including self-weight, service loads (personnel, materials, equipment), and environmental loads (wind, snow, ice). Load classes 1 through 6 are defined in EN 12811-1 Table 3, and the scaffold must be specified for the correct load class for its intended use. A design calculation or compliance sheet per EN 12810-2 must be available on site. Wind loads must be assessed in accordance with EN 12811-1 Annex A and EN 1991-1-4.

1. Verify that a scaffold design drawing or compliance sheet per EN 12810-2 is available and covers the specific configuration on site

2. Confirm the load class per EN 12811-1 Table 3 matches the intended use — Class 3 (200 kg/m²) minimum for general construction work

3. Check that wind load calculations have been carried out per EN 12811-1 Annex A, accounting for site exposure and cladding

4. Verify that the design accounts for all simultaneous loading combinations including materials storage on platforms

5. Confirm that any non-standard configurations have been individually designed by a competent engineer

- Scaffold erected without a design calculation or compliance sheet for the specific configuration

- Load class too low for the intended use, particularly where heavy materials are stored on platforms

- Wind loading not assessed for sheeted or netted scaffolds, leading to under-designed tie arrangements

- Non-standard configurations such as loading bays or cantilevers not individually designed

Per EN 12811-1, scaffold foundations must be capable of supporting the maximum loads transmitted by the standards without settlement that could impair the structural integrity of the scaffold. Base plates must comply with EN 12811-1 and be of adequate size for the ground conditions. Sole boards must be used to distribute loads to the ground. Adjustable base jacks must not be extended beyond the manufacturer's recommended limit, typically no more than 300 mm per EN 12810-1.

1. Verify that sole boards of adequate dimensions are placed under all base plates and are sitting on firm, level ground

2. Check that base plates comply with EN 12811-1 and are correctly positioned centrally on sole boards

3. Confirm adjustable base jacks are not extended beyond the manufacturer's limit and are secured with locking pins where provided

4. Inspect the ground beneath the scaffold for signs of water accumulation, soft spots, or undermining that could cause settlement

5. Verify that standards are plumb and base levels have not shifted since initial erection

- Sole boards missing or undersized for the ground bearing capacity, leading to differential settlement

- Base jacks over-extended beyond manufacturer limits, reducing stability

- Scaffold erected on uncompacted fill or near excavation edges without assessment

- Ground conditions deteriorating due to water runoff not being managed around the scaffold base

Per EN 12810-1, all scaffold components must be from the same system or verified as compatible. Tubes must comply with EN 39 (steel) or EN 74-1 (aluminium). Couplers must comply with EN 74-1 (steel) or EN 74-3 (aluminium) and be tightened to the correct torque. Components must be free from visible damage, excessive corrosion, or deformation. Ledgers, transoms, and standards must be correctly spaced per the design or compliance sheet.

1. Verify all scaffold components are from the same system or have been confirmed compatible per EN 12810-1

2. Inspect tubes for visible damage, bending, excessive corrosion, or reduction in wall thickness per EN 39

3. Check couplers for correct type (right-angle, swivel, sleeve) and confirm they are tightened to the required torque per EN 74-1

4. Confirm standard spacing, ledger spacing, and transom spacing match the design drawing or compliance sheet

5. Verify that no damaged or modified components are in use and reject any components showing cracks, deformation, or heavy corrosion

- Mixed system components used without compatibility verification, compromising connection integrity

- Couplers not tightened to the required torque, resulting in loose connections

- Corroded tubes remaining in service with reduced wall thickness below acceptable limits

- Standard or ledger spacing exceeding the designed dimensions, reducing load capacity

Per EN 12811-1, scaffolds must be braced to resist horizontal forces and prevent sway. Facade bracing must be provided in both the longitudinal and transverse directions. Plan bracing must be installed at the levels specified in the design. Ledger bracing or diagonal bracing patterns must follow the configuration in the compliance sheet per EN 12810-2. Bracing members must be connected at both ends and must not be removed without engineering assessment.

1. Verify that longitudinal facade bracing is installed at the spacing required by the design or compliance sheet per EN 12810-2

2. Confirm transverse bracing or return scaffolds are provided to prevent lateral sway

3. Check that plan bracing is installed at the levels specified in the design, typically at every fifth lift as a minimum

4. Inspect all bracing connections to confirm they are secure at both ends and not displaced or disconnected

5. Verify that no bracing members have been removed without a revised design assessment

- Longitudinal bracing omitted or spaced too far apart, leading to excessive scaffold sway

- Plan bracing missing at required levels, particularly after partial dismantling or alterations

- Bracing removed by other trades to facilitate access and not reinstated

- Diagonal bracing connected at one end only, providing no structural benefit

Per EN 12811-1, working platforms must be fully boarded with no gaps exceeding 25 mm between boards or between the platform and the structure. Platform widths must comply with the minimum requirements per EN 12811-1 Table 2 — W06 (0.6 m) minimum for inspection, W09 (0.9 m) for general work. Guardrails must be provided at a height of 1.0 m with an intermediate rail and toe board of at least 150 mm per EN 13374 or EN 12811-1 Clause 6.2.6. Access must be provided by internal ladders or stair towers.

1. Verify that all working platforms are fully boarded with gaps not exceeding 25 mm per EN 12811-1

2. Confirm platform width meets the minimum for the intended use per EN 12811-1 Table 2

3. Check that guardrails are installed at 1.0 m height with intermediate rail and toe board of at least 150 mm

4. Inspect all access ladders or stair towers for correct installation, secure fixings, and adequate landing platforms

5. Verify trap doors in platforms are self-closing and do not create trip hazards when open

- Platform boards missing or displaced, creating fall hazards between the boards or at the ends

- Guardrails missing at open edges, particularly at end returns or where scaffolds adjoin the structure

- Toe boards absent or too low, allowing materials to fall from the platform

- Access ladders not extending sufficiently above the landing platform or not adequately secured

Per EN 12811-1 Clause 6.2.8, scaffolds must be tied to the structure at specified intervals to prevent overturning and to resist wind loads. Tie patterns must match the design or compliance sheet, typically at every other lift and at maximum horizontal centres determined by the wind load calculation. Ties must be capable of resisting both tension and compression forces. Anchor fixings into the structure must be suitable for the substrate and verified for pull-out capacity per ETAG 001 or EAD 330232-01-0601.

1. Verify tie positions match the pattern specified in the design or compliance sheet per EN 12811-1

2. Confirm that ties are installed at the required vertical and horizontal centres and have not been displaced or removed

3. Check that anchor fixings are suitable for the substrate (concrete, masonry, steel) and are correctly installed per the manufacturer's instructions

4. Test a representative sample of anchors for pull-out resistance where specified in the design

5. Verify that ties provide both tension and compression capacity and are not relying on friction or wedging alone

- Ties removed by other trades to access the building facade and not reinstated, particularly around window openings

- Anchor fixings installed into mortar joints or weak substrates without adequate pull-out capacity

- Tie spacing exceeding the design requirements, leaving unsupported sections of scaffold

- Through-ties omitted where the design requires them, with only reveal ties used as substitutes

Per EN 12811-1 and Directive 2001/45/EC (Work at Height), scaffolds must be inspected by a competent person before first use, after any event likely to have affected stability (e.g., high winds, impact), and at regular intervals not exceeding 7 days. The results of each inspection must be recorded in a scaffold register. A scaffold tag system must clearly indicate the current inspection status. Any defects must be rectified before the scaffold is used.

1. Verify that a competent person has been appointed and has inspected the scaffold before it was handed over for use

2. Check the scaffold register for recorded inspections at intervals not exceeding 7 days

3. Confirm that inspection records cover all key items including foundations, ties, bracing, platforms, guardrails, and loading

4. Inspect the scaffold tag to confirm the current status — green (safe to use), amber (restricted use), or red (do not use)

5. Verify that any defects identified in previous inspections have been rectified and signed off

- Scaffold register not maintained or inspections overdue beyond the 7-day interval

- Scaffold tag system not in use or tags not updated after inspection

- Defects identified during inspection not rectified before the scaffold is returned to service

- Inspections carried out by persons without adequate competence or training in scaffold inspection