.gif)
In the foreword to the new National Access & Scaffolding Confederation) guidance “‘SG4:10 - Preventing Falls in Scaffolding”, Health & Safety Executive head of construction Philip White, says: "This [SG4:10] revision represents a step change in the way scaffold contractors erect their scaffold structures. The guidance is straightforward and comprehensive and represents best practice within the industry."
SG4:10 details best scaffolding practice for the assembly, modification and dismantling of all scaffolding in the UK and supercedes all previous guidance.
Since its introduction in the mid-nineties Safety Guidance Number 4 (SG4) has become the established minimum standard for fall prevention in the scaffolding industry. SG4 rose to prominence following the major revision in 2000 (SG4:00) as it represented a significant change and challenge to the established methods of working that had been practiced for decades.
Since the introduction of the revised SG4 in 2005, the NASC members’ accident statistics show that no fatalities have been reported by their members and there has been a significant reduction in the number of falls recorded from a scaffold structure or working platform.
Revised and updated every five years in consultation with the HSE, the new edition gives more emphasis on the creation of a ‘Safe Zone’ by scaffolders covering a variety of safe collective protection methods. This revision will also see the removal of the practice of the ‘unprotected traversing element’ from the tunnelling principle.
Mr White said: “The HSE will no longer accept the unprotected traversing element of the tunnelling principle that featured in the previous version of SG4.”
The so-called ‘tunnelling principle was introduced in the 2000 edition. The concept is that the scaffold is built up by the scaffolder progressively creating a safe working platform with guardrail protection and correctly supported working platforms, like a tunneller shoring up a tunnel as he digs.
The NASC considers collective protection as passive protection, for example a guardrail will remain in place and provide protection should someone fall against it, whereas personal fall protection equipment (harnesses) is ‘personal’ or ‘active’ protection that must be attached to a suitable anchor point to afford any benefit to the user.
The NASC said that several of its members are already routinely working with collective protection measures and report increased demand from principal contractors and clients for this approach.
The initial impact to the industry to implement these new measures will be significant for those who have not yet embraced the systems of work promoted previously in SG4:05 and SG4:05 - Appendix A. However, the revised guidance will help to ensure scaffolders and their employers work more safely and comply with the law.
The NASC and HSE both acknowledge that there are scaffolders and contractors who still do not comply with the current guidance. This is evident in any town or city by the tell-tale signs scaffolders leave behind for example no scaffolder’s guardrail, they say.
Designed to be suitable and practicable for both scaffolding contractors and their clients SG4:10 is available as a 72 page Management Guide priced at £25 (to non NASC members) and is available via the NASC’s website, www.nasc.org.uk.
A user guide to accompany SG4:10 will also be available in due course
Got a story? Email news@theconstructionindex.co.uk
