Posted By Jim Walker Can a scaffold “expert” please advise me? On a site visit, I observed some of our chaps working from a scaffold. The Scaffold was provided by the client – they contracted out this to another company. The Scaffold brings the work platform very close to suspended ceiling lights, in fact one has been slightly pushed away to facilitate the scaffold erection and the metal shade rests on one of the poles. The area we are working in is 50 years old and the light look like they have not been touched since then. They are hard wired much within metal conduit. I assume the original designer took into account the distance, 6 meters above floor height and did not worry too much about inadvertent contact. I argued that they should have been isolated as their condition cannot be ascertained and insulation failure will result on the scaffold being live or someone on the platform would touch them. I commented on the competence of the scaffolder as I assume they should see this as a common risk in their line of work – am I being unreasonable to expect a scaffolder to spot this?

Posted By holmezy Oh... and what about the landlords requirement to regularly check his electrics to ensure safety. Must be due for a re wire by now, or anytime soon....

Posted By Vernon Kay Isolate the lights! (ooooh it's dark!)