System scaffolds: quality issues
August 1st 2008 System scaffolding, used
extensively in the UK by
those working at height, is
now manufactured around the
world. Worryingly, standards
of workmanship and material
differ considerably.
The National Access and
Scaffolding Confederation
(NASC) is the regulatory body
in the UK for all scaffolding
issues and has been working
with the HSE to set in motion
a code of practice which aims
to improve the quality of
systems scaffolds in the UK,
to ensure compliance with
European standards and
enable customers to make an
informed choice.
Since the NASC code of
conduct for all hire and sale
scaffolding companies was
published in October 2007,
developments to the code
have continued and a more
detailed Code of Practice
will be issued later this year.
The NASC's new audit for
hire, sale and manufacturing
scaffolding companies aims
to provide a documented
procedure which may go
right back to the
manufacturer's factory.
Once the CoP is agreed,
all named system scaffolds
supplied by NASC member
companies will be subject to
an annual audit. Members
will then be encouraged to
only seek supply from
approved NASC suppliers. More articles from The National Access And Scaffolding Confederation (NASC): | 
