it certainly seems logical to erect a scaffold and then complete all the required works. ultimately this decision must be made off the back of a risk assessment, however in my opinion I would agree with you. there are of course alternatives to scaffolding but a ladder is never the safest option. Are you the client of this contractor? simply over rule and enforce.

I believe I am correct on saying cavity wall insulation is normally done via a ladder due to holes being drilled at different heights and is supported by industry standards. The ladder must be secured with a strap and eye bolts, which is not so onerous because the 20mm holes can be used for cavity filling at the lower level. The operative should also wear a harness and karibiner if undertaking this type of work to ensure both hands are free, in effect giving three points of contact. Why the contractor would want to erect a scaffold for rendering the drilled holes I am at a loss.

thanks for the input people, we are the client for the project but it is gov funded energy works, we are extracting and replacing cavity infill and the blocks are being completely re-rendered with replacement guttering , d/pipes, svp etc , and other enabeling works iam being pushed from above to meet targets and budget deadlines but iam unhappy at the manner of this and carrying out part of the works to follow on and scaffold for rendering just doesnt make sense to me, wah "is there a safer way of doing this", as i said to the contractor if there was a fall from a ladder and this was investigated i think the hse would prosecute under wah 2005,{ risk v cost cant come into it as there is no additional cost as the blocks are being scaffolded anyway} contractor also said it was industry practise and guidline to carry out from a ladder , industry guidance is only guidance and the only guidance i go by is hse guidance and acop but wah 2005 legislation taked over and that is our supreme guidance, iam going to stick to my guns with this one come what may and insist the scaffolds are used for all work. thank you all for your input

The local authority have recently completed the same work around here and the different contractors worked off scaffolding. To remove the previous cavity wall insulation they had to remove the odd brick before putting them back to pump in the new insulation. They also used the scaffolding because they needed to lift pipes etc to pump in the insulation from ground level. Must admit I did complain to the Site Foreman for the main contractor over other matters and identified unsafe practices that were taking place, became best mates when the local authority housing manager came out when I threatened to report them for unsafe work at heights.