Designed for the job
Every scaffold is built to the industry's technical guidance for its use. Anything outside it, heavy loading, sheeting in exposed spots, unusual shapes, is designed by an engineer first.
Safety
Safe on day one, and day twenty-eight.
A scaffold is only as safe as its last inspection. Here is what we do before it goes up, when we hand it over, and every week it stands.
Six rules
What we do every time.
Carded scaffolders
Every scaffolder holds a scaffolding scheme card for their level of work; trainees work under them. Card numbers are on the handover certificate (placeholders on this site).
A handover certificate
When it goes up, you and your trade get a certificate saying what the scaffold is for, its load class and who built it, and the tag at the ladder is signed.
Inspected every seven days
The law requires a competent person to inspect a scaffold every seven days and after anything that could affect it, such as a storm. We do, and we sign the tag each time.
Ladder guards
A locked guard over the ladder so children and intruders cannot climb it when no one is working.
Do not alter it
Only we change a scaffold. If your trade needs a board moved or a lift added, ring us, and we do it the same or next day.
Your part
Three things we ask of you.
- Keep children off it. The ladder guard stops climbing; please do not take it off.
- Do not let anyone alter it. If your trade needs a board moved, ring us; an altered scaffold is uninspected.
- Tell us after a storm. We inspect after high winds anyway, but if something looks wrong, ring straight away.
And if the scaffold is on the pavement, the lights at night are ours to keep working; ring if one is out.
Questions about safety
Who inspects the scaffold?
A competent person from our team: an experienced, carded scaffolder trained in inspection. Their name and the date go on the tag and the record.
Can my builder inspect it instead?
They must check it is safe before they use it each day, but the formal seven-day inspection is ours, because we built it.
What does the handover certificate say?
What the scaffold is for, its load class, which lifts are boarded, who built it and when, and any restrictions. Your trade should read it before they go up.
Get a quote after a visit.
Craig looks at the house or building, talks to your builder or roofer if you like, and sends a written quote with four weeks' hire, inspections and the licence in it. Most domestic scaffolds go up within two weeks.