Appointing a Scaffolding Contractor
Procuring, appointing and managing scaffolding contracts can be difficult at the best of times. That’s why the National Access & Scaffolding Confederation has published a free guidance note aimed at making these tasks as clear as possible.
This simple guidance note – appropriately named SG39-21 Guidance on Appointing a Scaffolding Contractor – can be downloaded here.
It is intended to be used in conjunction with the NASC’s comprehensive scaffolding management guide, which can be downloaded here.
Why do you need these two documents?
Peace of mind is a good place to start. Under The Construction Design and Management Regulations (CDM), principal contractors and contractors have an important role in managing health and safety risks during the construction phase.
Among their duties, they are required to check that anyone they appoint has the skills, knowledge, experience and, where relevant, the organisational capability to carry out their work safely and without risk to health.
These NASC documents have been prepared to improve the quality of the scaffolding structures erected on construction and industrial sites, as well as other works of engineering maintenance, in accordance with current legislation, guidance and protocol and to minimise the risk of accident or injury to members of the public and others, as well as to scaffolding operatives working on or near the scaffold.