SCAFFOLDING STANDARDS

NASC issue guidance on collective protection 

Measures that provide collective protection for scaffolders have developed considerably in terms of technology, choice, availability, cost and usability in recent years. With a view to promoting ‘best practice’ the NASC has released interim guidance (ahead of the planned revision of SG4 in 2010) highlighting the availability and the benefits that can be derived when utilising collective protection measures.

The Interim Guidance on Collective Fall Prevention Systems in Scaffolding is intended to provide an overview of new and developing technology and work methods available within the scaffolding industry. NASC wants to ensure that a balanced view of collective fall prevention methods is considered ahead of sole reliance upon personal fall arrest methods.

This guidance has been prepared following the statement from HSE that the aspects of “traversing” or “tunnelling” contained within NASC guidance are no longer acceptable and that their withdrawal from industry guidance will be requested at the next update. The NASC are planning to issue a fully revised version of the guidance within 2010. The interim guidance has been produced with the assistance and input of NASC members and the HSE.

Comment: This is a major step forward by the scaffolding industry designed to raise the standard of safety for both scaffolders and others who may be affected by such work. The interim guidance looks clear and practical. It is now up to clients, CDM-Cs, designers, principal contractors and scaffolding contractors to pick up the challenge and raise standards on individual construction projects. HSE will no doubt be using the guidance as a measure of what is now ’reasonably practicable’.

This article was posted on 21st October 2008 in ALL LATEST NEWS.
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2 Responses to “SCAFFOLDING STANDARDS”

  1. SACAFFOLDER COLLECTIVE PROTECTION | PP Construction Safety News Desk Says:
    June 24th, 2009 at 7:20 am

    [...] Comment:  This is a form of ‘collective protection’ for scaffolders designed to reduce the risk of falling during the process of erecting scaffolds and the extent to which fall arrest systems are required. Similar systems are available in the UK and the NASC has issued guidance. [...]

  2. SCAFFOLDING SAFETY EVENT | PP Construction Safety News Desk Says:
    November 13th, 2009 at 9:58 am

    [...] HSE have organised a free half-day event to promote new scaffold fall prevention equipment which ensures guard rails are put in place before workers move up to the next level thereby providing collective protection. [...]

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