Posted By Salus Hi Mick, BS 5973 is still accepted by the HSE, although it has been as you say "withdrawn". The new EU guidlines, TG20 can be obtained, but they have a lot more calculations you would have to consider.

Posted By Mick Yeomans Thanks Salus, I am not familiar with TG20, could you please enlighten me.

Posted By Mick Yeomans I have just looked up purchasing TG20 only to discover it costs £105 and is being re-written. As I am not prepared to buy a document that is soon to be superseded, can anyone tell me if there is any reference in the existing document as to maximum height without design and calculations.

Posted By Robert K Lewis Mick The withdrawn BS did indeed have maximum height statements for specific styles of scaffold, such as masons or light access, but the situation is that these are formally withdrawn and thus superceded. The BS EN 12811 really only applies to system scaffolds and TG20 was an attempt to fill the gap. System scaffolds are susceptible to broad design calculations and so there are general designs quoted. Tube and fitting is more reliant on good erection technique and there has been a realisation that greater design input is required than was previously thought. I personally am not convinced by the BS EN approach as I feel that scaffold design is often rather peremptory and it is assumed the erector knows what he is doing. If you remember the old BS talked of Loading Bays always requiring design - how often do you see no design calculations or drawings and receive the assertion "this is what we always do"!!! My angle of attack is often to become concerned about design information at anything of greater than fifteen metres height; or of irregular shape footprint, especially curved; or where load bearing is critical. Bob