Some of the UK’s biggest construction contractors have put their weight behind guidance for all those responsible for appointing, monitoring or managing scaffolding companies.
The UK Contractors Group (UKCG), which represents around 30 of the UK’s largest contractors, has agreed to co-brand the guidance, which was launched last summer by the National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC).
The free specification document, entitled ‘Guide to appointing and managing scaffolding contractors’, has been reviewed by the UKCG, which recognises that the guidance is appropriate for UKCG members to follow.
Explaining its reasons for backing the guidance, Stephen Ratcliffe, director of UKCG, said: “UKCG’s aim is to aspire to world-class standards of best practice for UK construction and we are pleased to co-brand this guidance from the NASC, as it complements our objectives perfectly. We recognise that NASC sets the standards for scaffolding in the UK and this guidance makes sound logical sense for all construction contractors to adhere to.”
The document can provide advice for clients, project/site managers, surveyors, CDM coordinators, estimators, planners and designers on the current best practice for scaffolding. It could also be used to assist with tender or pre-qualification processes.
The criteria contained in the guide are intended to improve the quality of all scaffold structures erected on any site and in accordance with current legislation, guidance and protocol. Areas covered include:
Commenting on the agreement, NASC president Rob Lynch said: “The demand for this guidance is a signal that industry is increasingly prepared to take the risks associated with scaffolding seriously. The UKCG’s support of this guidance will accelerate the adoption of this best practice across the construction sector.
“The NASC membership have all signed up to this best practice. Employing one of the 204 NASC contracting members will therefore provide a significant degree of comfort for any contractor, or client.”
The ‘Guide to appointing and managing scaffolding contractors’ is available on request from the NASC, via [email protected] It is also available to UKCG members, via the UKCG website.
Of course scaffolding must be erected and used by competent and capable contractors and people but is this really going to help?
If the guidance is that good and transparent, why is it not openly available to all interested parties as a direct download or is this just going to be another box-ticking and restrictive self-appointed policing initiative?
Perhaps UKCG might start with their own members – they know how to misuse a scaffold!