Posted By garyh I am looking for Scaff "experts" to advise. What is best practice re working at heights for Scaffs? Is there "industry" or HSE guidance?

Posted By garyh Where in my post did I say that I am a scaffolder? I am quite familiar with the HSE website. I am looking for industry best practice.

Posted By Jeff Manion Available documents from the NASC National Association of Scaffolding Contractors Tel 020 7397 8120. There is a document SG4:05 - preventing falls in scaffolding and falsework. Scaffold systems should be to EN 12811 - materials used have a different standard. There are other documents / guidnace issued by the NASC such as TG20:05 guide to good practice for scaffolding with tube and fittings. JM

Posted By ian mcnally Hi Gary, BSEN12811 came in last June but is more suited to system scaffold and not the tube and fitting type which is by far the most common in the UK. The old scaffolding code BS5973 was replaced at the same time although many scaffolders are still unaware. The NASC “TG20” Technical Guidance was printed in mid Jan 05 and combines the old BS with the new BSEN and in my opinion it’s a really useful guide. SG4:05 is supposedly aimed more at management and also includes information on advance guard rail use (not seen these on many sites) Interestingly, I also haven’t seen a single scaffold fully compliant with the new code, but then I suppose a large number didn’t comply with the old code either. …….and remember the WAHR 05 requires calculations R8(S3) (7) unless the scaffold conforms to a recognised standard configuration. This may come as a surprise to the smaller scaffold contractor! May be worth asking the scaffolder what measures they have to effect a rescue should one of their employees end up suspended in a harness 8 floors up! It would be interesting to hear what sort of response other safety advisors are getting in respect to TG20? Good posting Ian