Hi all A scaffold has been erected by a principal contractor for a local authority for the local authority to use. The principal contractor is using a sub-contractor (scaffold company). The principal contractor will not be using the scaffold for their own purposes and have had the scaffold erected for the use of the local authorities direct labor staff. What is the forum users take on the hand over process? i.e. who should receive the hand over certificate and who should be responsible for the subsequent scaffold inspections? Background: At present it has been stated that a joint initial inspection between the local authority and principal contractor will take place before the hand over certificate is issued to the local authority from the scaffold company (As the local authority will need to be happy with the scaffold for their use). It has then been said that it will be the local authorities staffs responsibility for the subsequent scaffold inspection. The local authority have their own in house team of 'engineers' the will be using the scaffold for a number of tasks over the coming months. Any views will be most helpful and direction to specific guidance on this very much appreciated.

I'd be more concerned about the scaffold assembly being to the appropriate standard and design for the intended purpose - things that could get lost in the communication process. Is the PC involved in overlapping work around the same Project here? If the PC appointed by the LA, then the LA's (Client's) direct labour force become the sub-contractor for that Project!

Hi safety amateur NASC clarified that it was the end user that should have the acceptance or rather the handover certificate. In my particular situation we was merely supplying the scaffold by using a sub contractor, which meant the client would have been the end user (as they are using their in house workforce). Hope that helps

Responsibility follows the money. Client to PC to subcontractor. The handover cert should follow the same line; subcontractor to PC. Scaffold company keeps a copy of the cert on file and also record of weekly inspections.

Jarsmith -you introduced the PC etc concepts - but in any case it rather sounds as though construction work is to be done from the scaffold and the NASC have rather short circuited normal arrangements even IF it was not construction. Bob

*contractual agreement