Posted By Jennifer Kelly Need clarification on a scaffold question. We have a scaffold that is tied to the rear elevation of a 5 storey building. The only working platform is at the fifth storey of the building as rememdial works only need to be undertaken there. Access to this working platform is via the usual series of ladders in a zig zag formation with landing platform at each floor. My question is do landing platforms need to be treated in the same way in terms of toe boards, intermediate rail and guard rail at side elevation of the landing platform? Hope this makes sense. Jennifer

Posted By steven bentham Yes, good scaffolders will have already effectively guarded the intermidate platforms. Poor scaffolders will save on a couple of tubes and leave them off with the excuse that they are only required to guard working platforms.

Posted By Jonathan Sandler Under WAH ask them to provide RA either designer/scaffold company or builder. Regards Jonathan Sandler

Posted By Antony McManus the 'nice man' from the HSE probaly did not have the knowledge to assess the situation correctly. Contrary to many beliefs, scaffolding is an exact science. As a previous respondant stated, poor scaffolders will try and cut corners by saving a few tubes. This invariably happens with 'smaller' scaffolding companies. If you need any more advice Re: scaffolding, please contact me directly. FYI I've been an advanced scaffolder for 17+ years.. Regards Tony Mc

Posted By Lynchy Jennifer The nice man at the HSE .............. (1)I bet you wouldn't be able to find him again if this case came to anything and, (2) the [reference removed] is not always right you know!!!!! (I'll propbably get arrested now!) Lynchy

Posted By Steve Jennifer I am a 'nice man' from the HSE, but not the one you spoke with! From the way you've described it, I would say that you definately need appropriate edge protection, including toe-boards and guardrails. The WAH regs are essentially building on previous existing best practice, and the comments of others are correct - although it's a bit difficult to say without actually seeing what you have! Not sure who you spoke too? Most HSE offices have a specific Construction team that should be able to advise you appropriately - so maybe try them if you haven't already. I won't come and arrest you! Steve.

Posted By Smurfer mustn't get into the habit of thinking toeboards are just for stopping equipment falling off the platform. You could be walking along a platform, slip on wet boards, feet slide to edge and as this happens you fall on your back and keep sliding under the lower handrail and off into oblivion... a toeboard would stop you!

Posted By Alan james Sorry to correct you John but the top rail rail should be at 910 mm so maybe your knowlegde would also fit onto a postage stamp!!

Posted By john houlihan message for alan who itermated my knowledge of scaffolding would fit on a postage stamp, well im sorry to disappoint you Alan but after 26 years in the scaffolding industry and now a health & safety consultant for the scaffold world my knowledge is pretty extensive coupled with first hand experience. when you have wiped the egg off your face take time to read the work at height regs, tg20/05, BS 5973 and BS EN 128-11 and sg4/05. When you have digested all that then come back to me and talk about scaffolding, then we may be able to get onto some more complex issues with scaffolding like topograhy, design etc,etc. Any problems you need clarifying you could contact me or the NASC.