19/12/2025
NASC confirms non-member firm involved in Hove scaffolding collapse and calls for rigorous specialist contractor selection
NASC, the UK’s leading trade body for scaffolding and access, has noted recent reporting that scaffolding collapsed onto several parked cars in Hove yesterday [Thursday, 18 December]. The company involved in this incident was not a member of NASC.
NASC is appalled that such an incident occurred. Scaffolding should never collapse if it has been competently erected to a valid design or recognised compliance sheet such as TG20 or TG30, and if appropriate controls and competent personnel are in place to erect, inspect, maintain and dismantle the scaffold.
NASC has repeatedly emphasised that a scaffolding contractor’s membership of NASC is a strong indicator of specialist competency in access and scaffolding work. NASC members are regularly audited and operate under a recognised Code of Practice, ensuring safe and compliant scaffolding solutions.
NASC also strongly advocates that all responsible bodies – including local authorities, clients, developers and principal contractors – should only commission scaffolding and access work from contractors who can demonstrate:
Together, these criteria help ensure that scaffolding is designed, erected, inspected and dismantled by properly trained and competent teams – and all three significantly reduce the risk of preventable structural failures and danger to the public or property.
“We are appalled that any scaffolding can fail in this way,” said a NASC spokesperson. “If scaffolding is erected competently, in accordance with a design or recognised compliance sheet, and subsequently properly maintained with a robust inspection regime in place this sort of collapse simply should not happen. Contractors and clients must adopt best practice and proven standards when selecting who they entrust with access and working-at-height solutions.”
NASC encourages anyone involved in commissioning scaffolding to make safety and competence their foremost priorities.
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