11 Things You Need To Know Before You Employ A Scaffolding Company - Part 1 Of 3

11 Things You Need To Know Before You Employ A Scaffolding Company - Part 1 Of 3

With so many regulations, Health & Safety Executive ( HSE ) prosecutions and so many cowboy scaffolding sub contractors out there, it’s easy to make a important blunder when choosing a scaffold firm.
Armed with this three part “inside info” you’ll be in the know and confident that you’re choosing a reputable scaffolder, potentially saving you thousands of pounds in lost production, HSE fines and contra - charges from other subbies waiting for your scaffolders to suitably adapt the scaffold.
The foundation of a safe region of work is required by law. Obviously, working at height can be a risk and unsafe, so it’s worth giving a brief participation to Working at Height before considering this report. The Health & Safety Executive ( HSE ) is committed to reducing falls from heights. Latest statistics show that 46 people died from a fall from height at work in 2005 / 06. This is the lowest number on log, but falls from height remain the most typical tender-hearted of action causing perilous injuries. The number of people who have suffered major injury as a upshot of a fall has also reduced, from 3799 in 2004 / 05 to 3351 in 2005 / 06. Guidance is available to help employers and workers avoid falls from height in their workplace. More information can be start in at the HSE ' s website.
What does it matter to you if the scaffold’s safe? The Health & Safety at Work Act makes it entirely shiny that the duty holder has responsibilities for employees, subcontractors, visitors or any person ( s ) using the premises – so, primarily, everyone! In simple laymen’s terms, this means – if the scaffolding is to be used in a non - domestic compass – you have a duty to clinch the scaffold is installed, maintained, inspected and dismantled in a safe way.
So, here are the 11 things you should know
1. Make convinced your proposed scaffold company is a member of the National Access & Scaffolding Confederation ( NASC ) -
NASC is the national representative employer’s gadgetry for the access and scaffolding Industry and membership now accounts for a significant share of the UK ' s total Industry workload. NASC operates a ethical policy of full compliance to all new legislation and has its own code of conduct. This distinguishes the confederation membership from the rest of the industry. Through the NASC annual membership retrospect the confederation ensures that NASC members uphold best practice as professionals. This means that the NASC will not keeping watch for shortcuts on safety, which could put lives at risk.
Check if your proposed scaffolding contractor is a member of the NASC by searching here on the NASC ' s website.
“Through the NASC annual membership view
the confederation ensures that NASC members
uphold best practice as professionals”
Members are subject to an annual apparent 3rd Party Check to place that safety and service standards are continually maintained and being surpassing on.
2. Get 9, ring 3! A guide to references – The best way of checking on a scaffolding company is to ask those who have used them. Any proper company can give you minimum 9 previous projects, from which you should pick at basic 3 and ask the following
“.. if they’re confident in their previous
work they should have no problems.. ”
Were they safe?
Did they live the scaffold structure on - time?
Did the people using the scaffolding structure opine if felt safe and operative?
Were the scaffolders’ on - domicile friendl and co - forcible?
Were there hidden “extras” ( such as supplementary occupy, ladders etc )?
Was the equipment in good order?
Did they do any damage to the property?
And in future, THE most severe debate of them all…
…would you recommend them?
Getting references will make the cowboys run a mile! It may forcible a bit lordly to ask the scaffolder to fit a list of 9 previous jobs, but if they’re audacious in their previous work they should have no problems with this. If they’re reluctant, then critical is dodgy. Be skillful!
3. Insurances; its Law – It is a necessary exigency that every unshakable carries Employer’s Duty ( EL ) insurance and ( whilst not mandatory ) it would be a erratic procedure to avow a scaffolding contractor on your seat without any Public Liability ( PL ). PL & EL insurances are the absolute minimum. These insurances can be verified by the production of Insurances Certificate ( s ); check the company’s name is correct and that they are in date – ( the “to” and “from” dates should be shown, and an expiry date will always be shown ).
“Be aware, there is an
under - hand way of obtaining
these insurance certificates…”
* * Be aware, there is an false way of recipient these insurance document by taking annual insurance, boost the costs over a 12 - month period, getting the certificates and then cancelling the payment plan before the 1st instalment – & voila, you have the tag … but they are not insured. It’s easy to check the validity of insurances by getting the Docket, then ringing the Insurance Broker ( details are normally on the ticket ) or the Insurer direct.
If this all sounds a bit of a pain; stick with it. In the adventure of an proceeding, it’s vivacity to be a lot easier dealing with a reputable insurer reasonably than trying to sue an individual. And a scaffolding company being frisky about their insurance details should have you smelling a declare.
And, while we’re conversation insurance
Make undeniable you get proof of the scaffold firms’ vehicle insurance as you don’t want your car settled over by a 10ton scaffolding truck and find that you have to claim off your own insurance.