Posted By David MacFarlane We are a building services Contractor currently working on a newly constructed industrial unit. I have been asked by the Principal Contractor to have a SCAFFTAG in place on a small tower scaffold that we are using on site at the present moment. The tower scaffold is around 2m high, it is being altered and moved every 10 minutes! The person erecting and dismantling the scaffold has his PASMA card for erecting and dismantling as well as an inspection certificate. We are using the Scaffold to gain access to ceiling space. The job is routine and the persons involved are adequately trained. Every other Contractor on site is using stepladders - however, thee PC has picked up on the fact we have no SCAFFTAG! I use a SCAFFTAG when deemed necessary to do so. Does anyone agree with me and feel that this request is not practical in that the scaffold is moving and changing so frequently! I appreciate anyones view on this. DM

Posted By RA Dave, I can see what you are saying but ask if you have provided the cards/proof of training, abiding by your works RA & MS (both of which he will have vetted and approved prior to you commencing on-site) and as the scaffolding is to be altered frequently then perhaps a large poster displaying sacffolding incomplete- do not use and vice versa would be more suitable and I cannot see why the PC wouldn't permit this. Although getting back to your MS/RA- do they specify that you will use the scafftag or if not have a look at the PCs- perhaps his does. RA

Posted By David MacFarlane I appreciate your responses guys. RA, MS, and competency certs have all been given to the PC. My Risk Assessment highlights the need for initial inspection (Recorded) but not for Scafftag to be utilised. I was reading an article recently released by the HSC titled "Get a life" - it basically urges people to focus on real risks and not the trivial!! The tower was perfectly safe, erected by a competent, trained person. The tower has an initial (Recorded) inspection. I am professional at my job and do not take short cuts with regard to H&S, however sometimes you just wish that certain Companys would use an ounce of common sense when dealing with such issues!!! Dave M.