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HSE announce European scaffold performance test to replace British Standard
A recent statement from Philip White HSE Construction Chief confirms that from 1st January 2011 the HSE will no longer acknowledge BS5973:1993 as a recognised standard for the design of tube and fitting scaffolding structures.
From that date, the UK scaffolding industry should conform fully to European Standard BS EN12811-1:2003.
Performance Test v Safe Systems
The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has pointed out that:
“BS EN12811-1 is a performance document and does not give detailed advice on safe systems of work for erecting, altering or dismantling scaffolds when erected using tubes and fittings.
To overcome this, the NASC produced TG20:08 – Technical Guidance on the use of BS EN12811-1, which has been published as a guide to good practice for scaffolding with tubes and fittings.”
The decision was taken by the British Standards Institution (BSI) to withdraw BS5973:1993 because of the conflict of information within the two standards.
The NASC believes the change has a number of benefits to the scaffolding and wider construction sector.
Standard solutions still available
Scaffolds built within the UK from January 1st 2011 must meet BS EN12811-1.
The NASC document is TG20:08 – Technical Guidance becomes the accepted guidance document on meeting the standard in respect of tube and fitting scaffolds.
NASC point out that TG20:08 covers standard solutions for basic independent and putlog scaffolds.
The HSE scaffold check list remains extant.