How often should you inspect the scaffold during use and after changes?

“Inspect before each shift” is a better policy than once each day. Make sure to use an inspection tag as a clear visual indicator that the scaffold has been inspected and is cleared for use by the incoming shift. Red tag any scaffolding that is not safe! Do not let people use it while it is waiting for repairs.

Also, make sure that it is a competent person who is inspecting the scaffold before each shift. Someone who has been trained to identify defects/damage in the scaffold and has the authority within the company to correct or mitigate the hazards.

Personally I’d inspect it with the people who are actually going to use it, and if they weren’t 100% happy I wouldn’t pass it.

Scaffolds should be inspected before each use, as well as after any changes or modifications are made to the scaffold. Additionally, scaffolds should be inspected regularly during use, typically at least once a week or as recommended by the manufacturer. Regular inspections help ensure the safety and stability of the scaffold and can help identify any potential issues before they become a safety hazard. Nevertheless, inspection tags must be tagged on the scaffold for verification purposes.

Also, it is the responsibility of those working on the scaffold, not to use that scaffolding if they suspect there is a design or fit for purpose problem. If unsure, do not use it until you have checked with the competent person responsible for that scaffold. Common sense really.

To some ways and in my experienced, Inspect scaffold before use, check the configuration, the designed specification, standards and load capacity. Then again inspect scaffold after use to confirm if there's any alteration or defects.

Inspecting a scaffold after any changes is crucial to ensuring the safety of workers who will be using it. The scaffold is a temporary structure that is commonly used in construction to provide a safe working platform for workers at elevated heights. Any modifications, additions, or repairs made to the scaffold can potentially affect its configuration and load capacity, which could lead to a collapse or other accidents if not properly checked. One of the most common changes that may occur to a scaffold is the addition or removal of planks. Planks are the horizontal platforms that workers stand or walk on while using the scaffold. If planks are not securely attached or are damaged in any way, they could pose a serious risk to workers.

It is also important to inspect the scaffold during and after periods of adverse weather for example high winds and or freezing conditions.

Scaffolding should never be used during periods of high wind or lightning. Always reinspect after wind and rain storms, and pay extra attention to scaffold access and planking after rain. As people access the scaffold they may track mud that creates slippery and dangerous conditions after the initial inspection.

There has been some serious accidents with scaffolding. I think it should be checked morning, lunch, evening. Most sites have lots of security I would think three times a day. As in at night because I've seen equipment, materials walk off. This school was patrolled and still ended up vandalized. There's never to much safety.

It is important to inspect the scaffold during use, or at least every week, to monitor its condition and performance. This regular inspection can help identify any potential issues that could compromise the scaffold's safety or functionality, and address them before they become a serious problem. Workers should be vigilant in looking for any changes or issues, such as loose or missing parts, sagging or shifting planks, overloaded or unbalanced platforms, or debris or obstructions. A scaffold with loose or missing parts can be unstable and unsafe, putting workers at risk of falls and injuries. Sagging or shifting planks can indicate that the scaffold is not properly supported or that it is being overloaded, which can lead to a collapse.

All working scaffolding should be constantly monitored as a matter of practice, nearby groundwork’s and the likely hood of a chance collision must also be taken into account as well as All the other conditions, adequate methods of tying down boards before high winds warning, being aware of trip hazards.

After the initial inspection, the competent person should continue to inspect the scaffold at regular intervals, depending on the type and duration of the project. For shorter projects or projects with limited scaffold use, inspections may be conducted weekly or monthly. For longer projects or projects with more intensive scaffold use, inspections may need to be conducted daily or even multiple times per day. In addition to regular inspections, the competent person should also inspect the scaffold after any changes are made. This includes any modifications to the scaffold structure, as well as any changes in the work environment or conditions that could impact the safety of the scaffold.

I'm not convinced that a checklist is the right approach for ticking off boxes on a scaffold inspection! Every scaffold is different and every scaffold should be constructed to either a TG20 compliance sheet, or a specific scaffold design. It is therefore far more important to review the compliance sheet or design drawings to ensure that the scaffold has been constructed in full accordance with the design. This will also enable checks to be made to see if others have interfered with or carried out unauthorised adaptations to the scaffold. A inspection report should of course be prepared, but that is very different to a checklist!

A checklist is a valuable tool that allows you to systematically go through each component of the scaffold to ensure it is in good working condition. By following a checklist, you can ensure that all safety measures are in place, such as guardrails, toe boards, and access ladders. This can help prevent falls and other accidents that may occur if these safety features are not properly installed or maintained. Furthermore, a checklist can help you document the inspection results and keep a record of the scaffold's history and condition. This documentation is essential for compliance with regulatory requirements and can serve as proof that the scaffold was inspected and deemed safe for use.

It’s also important for all personnel using the scaffolding to be trained in scaffold hazard awareness. While the pre shift inspection by a Competent Person is critical, it won’t always catch everything, especially changes that may occur during the shift. All scaffold users should receive enough training to be able to recognize when they need to stop using the scaffolding and call that Competent Person back out to re-inspect or make corrections to keep things safe as work progresses.

Another large hazard to consider when working with scaffolds is dropping or falling objects. Ensure methods of dropped object prevention are erected wherever individuals are working or walking below the overhead work. Establish exclusion zones below the scaffold with that appropriate signage posted. Use tool tethers while working on the scaffold and/or catch platforms below. Ensure all workers on the scaffold are wearing the appropriate PPE, to include head protection.

Other factors that must be considered include: - impact damage - effects of adverse weather If vehicle of piece of plant/machinery impacts against the scaffold, no matter how minor the impact, everyone should stop using the scaffold immediately and vacate the area. A competent person must then thoroughly inspect the scaffold and where necessary any alterations must be made to the scaffold before allowing other back onto the structure. Similarly, it is a legal requirement in the UK for ALL scaffolds to be inspected by a Competent Person following any adverse weather such as strong winds which could have affected the stability of the structure. So after a storm scaffolds need to be inspected before any trades are allowed on the scaffold.

Consider having the scaffold setup engineered over 2 lifts. If one person takes responsibility for the safe erection, it will be safer.

Agree with Jim Rogers. Everyone utilizing scaffolding should be trained in scaffold hazard awareness. It is also definitely a topic that should be covered during every pre-task job hazard review that involves the use of scaffolding.