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7 Day inspection required on Scaffolding when not in use?
Rank: Forum user
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Can anyone advise whether scaffolding still requires 7 day checks even when work has been completed and now not in use? (waiting for it to be dismantled) We have had several examples of where work has been completed, scaffolding has still been left up and because it will no longer be used the scaffold contractor advises that we do not need to continue with the 7 day inspection. The issue I have with this is that although the work may have now stopped their could be bad weather or an incident which could make the scaffold unsafe and this may cause a hazard to tenants, public etc. Often we have to wait weeks or months with the scaffold still up. Would the contractor still be responsible for inspections?
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Rank: Super forum user
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Not needed.
Read the regs: "every employer shall ensure that a working platform (a) used for construction work; and (b) from which a person could fall 2 metres or more, is not used in any position unless it has been inspected in that position or, in the case of a mobile working platform, inspected on the site, within the previous 7 days. "
So they don't say all scaffold must be inspected every 7 days, they say a scaffold can't be used unless it has been inspected within the last 7 days. If it's not being used for construction work, it doesn't need inspection.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Further to the above post, the scaffold should be clearly not in use with access prevented and a notice to that effect.
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Rank: Super forum user
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But Lishka0,
your risk assessment may decide the need for more frequent inspection of scaffolding e.g. like this week we've had several days of 50mph gusts so inspection is advised.
You have a duty to protect the public.
John
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Rank: Forum user
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Thanks all.
"You have a duty to protect the public" I think this is an important statement that JohnW makes. This is my concern with leaving scaffold up too long without inspections especially in tenanted properties.
I can't help think that there is also a much wider need to co-ordinate works more effectively between the Supervisor and scaffolding contractor to lessen the chance of scaffolding being up unused. Sometimes difficult to manage especially with response repair works.
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Rank: Super forum user
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achrn wrote:Not needed.
Read the regs: If it's not being used for construction work, it doesn't need inspection.
The HSE clearly state "A scaffold used for construction should be inspected before it is used for the first time and then every 7 days, until it is removed. It should also be inspected each time it is exposed to conditions likely to cause deterioration eg following adverse weather conditions or following substantial alteration." http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/faq-height.htmNote the words 'UNTIL IT IS REMOVED'
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7 Day inspection required on Scaffolding when not in use?
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