Sure footing on scaffold boards
November 1st 2009 The recent publication of BS 2482:2009: specification for timber scaffold boards,updates the previous 1982 standard.Chris Brash discusses how it will affect the industry
The recent publication of the
British Standard for scaffold
boards now includes a new 1.2m
support span for 38mm scaffold boards.
This is in addition to the 1.5m support
span for 38mm and 63mm boards that
were covered in the earlier version.
The HSE and Scaffold Board
manufacturers conducted an extensive
research program to develop grading rules
for the 1.2m support span board (the old
Grade A board). The new rules mean that
there is now no economic reason for
scaffold subcontractors to buy non-British
Standard boards.
The industry has always insisted on 'BS'
tube and 'BS' fittings but often settled on
a non BS Board – a component that has
an equally important safety implication.
BS 2482:2009 was therefore updated in an
attempt to encourage the industry to buy
British Standard boards. A board that
doesn't meet the grade requirement of BS
2482:2009 is therefore most likely unfit
for purpose.
As a result of the update, companies
such as John Brash, for example, will now
only manufacture British Standard
scaffold boards, complete with the
Kitemark symbol of quality, and will no
longer offer a Grade 'A' scaffold board. It
is important for the industry to
understand the new standards because in
the event of an accident, the contractor
would need to show that the Grade A
boards was fit for purpose as there is no
set standard for these types of board.
However, using British Standard boards,
which are of a known specification,
provides a recognised standard across the
industry.
As a company, we welcome the latest
update to the British Standard as it creates a
common standard across the industry. It is
also extremely significant that the Health &
Safety Executive was involved in developing
the new standard. Commenting on the
publication of the new standards, Jim
Grieve, the principal specialist inspector at
the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) said:
"HSE supports the recent publication of BS
2482:2009: Specification for timber scaffold
boards which will help to improve the safety
of people whose jobs involve working at
height."
In addition to developing grading rules
for the 1.2m support span board, the
updated BS 2482:2009 includes:
A maximum tolerance when setting
transoms of 100mm.
End Bands must be fixed using only
nails or staples along the side, or edge
of the board, but either teeth, staples or
nails may be used to secure the ends.
The old fully pressed band could be a
safety risk, as if it became detached, the
side of the band could cause cuts.
The 1.2m support span boards can be
either visually or machine graded,
whilst the 1.5m support span boards
can only be machine graded.
In addition, 63mmx225mm boards will
have a maximum support span of 2.5m
(reduced from 3.25m). This should not
present any issues as the maximum
lengths in use are either, 2.45m Cuplok
Omega battens, or 2.418m Kwikstage
battens. These boards can either be
visually or machine graded.
The Grade 'A' has often given an
acceptable performance, but with grading
processes differing from company to
company, standards inevitably varied. The
HSE recognised this and was part of the
reason for it introducing BS 2482:2009.
While Grade A scaffold boards have
accounted for a significant share of the
UK scaffold board market, the
introduction of the updated British
Standards means this is going to change.
That is good news for the safety of
workers on site as the industry has always
asked for 'BS' tube and 'BS' fittings but
often settled on a non BS or Grade 'A'
scaffold board."
Christian Brash is managing director of
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