Rank: New forum user 
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Can anyone enlighten me as to whether the handover certificate can be accepted as declaring the scaffold is safe for use until the first 7 day inspection, I have always understood that it must be inspected by a competent person and a report completed before being taken into use for the first time or as the wording now says after installation or assembly, the competrent person not being the scaffold erector but a person appointed by the person who controls the work. There are people who think that the scaffold company erecting the scaffold and producing the handover certificate is the competent person referred to in the guidance, and that the handover certificate acts as the report, does anyone but me think differently?
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Rank: Forum user
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Hi,
As I understand it the standard handover certificate provided by the scaffold erectors, when the scaffold is complete, indicates to the user that it is safe and secure. The user also needs to ensure beforehand that it meets his/her requirements; be interested to know what others think.
Regards
Steve
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Rank: Forum user
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The 'handover' certificate' only states that the scaffold has been erected to conform with current standards and regulations. it then states that the users must inspect it to ensure if safe to use.
The handover certificate is not a record of first use inspection.
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Rank: Forum user
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Hi,
Doesn't the scaffold erector also indicate in signing the handover certificate that the scaffold is structurally sound and should be used as designed?
Steve
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Rank: Forum user 
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The Handover Certificate from the scaffolding company can be taken as the first inspection, and the certificate as its record. After 7 days, the controller of the scaffold should arrange another inspection by any competent person.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Always problematic this as the certificate does assure the client that it meets regulatory standards and associated codes for scaffolding. It seems to me that the answer is to specify the need for first registration at time of handover in the contract - this removes all doubt. This is especially so as an inspection has to be done (surely) to sign the handover certificate.
Bob
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Rank: New forum user
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Many thanks for the responses, it appears some still think that the handover certificate does cover the safety of the scaffold until the first 7 day inspection as it is handed over by a 'competent' scaffolder who states that it has been erected in acc/w all the necessary regs and standards. Could those who thinks this advise me who is then going to be prosecuted when this scaffold collapses or someone falls and is killed or seriously injured prior to the first 7 day inspection when the 'competent' scaffolder forgot a few ties, used some spit boards, missed some end boards, forgot to double board etc etc. In the days of the F91 there was always a requirement for the scaffold to be inspected and a report (F91) to be completed before being taken into use for the first time, it was only after this inspection that the client would take the scaffold over and make the payments. In my experience if this is not done before it is handed over it would be rather difficult to pass any defects back to the scaffolding contractor at a later date.
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Rank: Forum user
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It is a legal requirement that scaffolds are inspected every seven days and/or after exposure to conditions likely to affect its integrity (adverse weather, impact etc). Where a scaffold has been handed over to the client, the responsibility for the mandatory inspections will rest with the client.
In circumstances where the Company is requested to carry out inspections of the scaffold on behalf of the client/user it is mandatory that a formal agreement/contract is drawn up between the parties to clarify the limits of responsibility. It is a company requirement that the person (s) who have erected the structure do not inspect, record or tag their own work, this must be carried out by another Scaffold competent Inspector.
The person (s) carrying out the inspections must be suitably qualified to be deemed as competent. The company requires that anyone undertaking these inspections on behalf of a client/user has a valid CISRS card to the level of the structure they are inspecting or a basic or advanced scaffold inspection qualification again this is dependant on the structure being inspected. All company scaffold Inspections must be recorded onto the company work Instruction reports as deemed by the client.
Hand over of completed scaffolds
It is mandatory that all completed sections, significant modifications or safety critical alteration of scaffolds must be formally handed over to the client/user using a company handing over certificate prior to the scaffolding being used.
Scaffolds can only be handed over by a person of the correct grade and experience for the type of scaffold being handed over
The person handing over the scaffold must check and ensure that the scaffold is fit for the intended purpose and that it complies with all statutory provisions relating to scaffolding prior to issuing the handing over certificate to the client/user in order to comply with regulation 12 (5) (a) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. If not it can still be handed over but a note explaining why it does not meet the standard and the responsibility for creating a safe system of work rests with the user i.e. where
internal edge protection has not been installed by the clients request.
Copies of all hand over certificates must be kept by the issuing scaffold Inspector
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