Hi All,

After a bit of guidance and clarification, my local Rugby Club has put up a pitch side scaffold gantry to assist with video analysis. My concerns from being a member there is obviously the Working at Height risk. The scaffold has been erected by a competent contractor and is roughly 4-5m in height. Other than ensuring that it has full edge protection, full kick/toe protection, inspection documentation (Scafftag) and controlled access etc are there any other control measures should be considered to ensure that all elements are covered?

I've been through the HSE site and NASC but can not find anything in particular for this other than for Tower Scaffolds.

Any support or any guidance on this would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Good morning jcart

You don't identify whether this is a temporary, semi-permanent, or permanent structure. This shouldn't make too much difference although it will impact upon the ongoing inspections and maintenance of the ground support.

First, provided the scaffold and all means of access/egress to it at all levels meet the requirements of the W@H Regs generally and Schedules 1-3 especially; there is no "working at height".

The ground support should be suitable and appropriate for the expected duration of the scaffold existance and take into account the possible ground conditions that may affect scaffold stability.

As identified by David - there is a foreseeable consequence of positioning and control generally to prevent players, staff & public from being harmed by the scaffold and any cables that may create trip and/or electrical hazards. The electrical issue should especially be given some serious thought as working on a steel structure will introduce some interesting effects if there's an insulation failure. All electric supplies should be of the lowest possible wattage and be protected by RCD at the point at which they leave the building from which supplied.

You should consider the weather. An unsupported scaffold should be designed, erected and braced so that the forseeable wind directions and strength cannot adversely affect it or those using it. Given that it has probably become a high metal structure in the vicinity of the pitch, you should also ensure that it has a really good lightning discharge system that ensures that no persons or electrical equipment are likely to be directly or indirectly exposed to the consequences of a lightning strike.

That'll do - got to leave something for others.

Frank Hallett