Access Design & Safety Blog

Introduction

TG20 is a guide to good practice for tube & fittings scaffolds produced by the NASC. The latest version of this guidance TG20:21 builds on the previous version TG20:13. There are a number of differences between TG20:13 & TG20:21. Perhaps the biggest change is in the way the new guide is delivered. Previously TG20:13 was outlined in two physical books, the TG20:13 Operational Guide & the TG20:13 Design Guide. These were accompanied by the TG20:13 e-guide software for producing the TG20 compliance sheets, but the software was only licensed for use on one machine. For TG20:21 the Operational Guide, Design Guide & e-Guide software have all been incorporated into a subscription based online portal called the NASC e-Portal. This allows for several devices including computers, tablets & smart phones to access the guide with one subscription.

There are a number of changes within the guide itself & the e-Guide software has also been updated to allow TG20 compliance sheets for a wider range scaffolds. Below is a list of some of the changes that have been made. Although this list is not exhaustive, we have tried to include the most important changes. A full list of the changes are listed within TG20:21 itself.

Introduction

Whether work is taking place on a domestic or commercial property, one of the main considerations that clients have is whether scaffolding arrangements require a design. While the HSE has compiled a useful list of scaffold arrangements that
need a design prior to work taking place, it’s understandable that confusion
sometimes arises.

Historical practices throughout the scaffolding industry and documents which highlight when scaffolding needs a design – such as the TG20:21 guidance literature - often clash.

That’s not to say TG20:21 isn’t specific or prescriptive in regard to the requirements of scaffolding which can be erected without further design requirements – factors such as the estimated wind load, whether the scaffolding is netted/sheeted, where the scaffolding is located etc. are usually taken into consideration. Ultimately, your scaffold configuration could meet some or all of these criteria, but perhaps the ultimate guidance as to whether you need a design is to consider what your customer wants.

It’s possible to argue that certain scaffold configurations won’t require a design if it complies with the British Standard/TG20. In these circumstances a TG20:21 compliance sheet can be used instead of a full design. However, if your customer insists on a design, in most cases you’ll have no choice but to provide one. Most large-scale contractors won’t allow scaffolds to be erected on-site without a design. These designs often form a vital component of the contractors’ Health & Safety management – and furthermore, designs are useful to co-ordinate all tradespersons who may need to use the scaffold.

No matter the size or nature of your scaffolding project, the safety and durability of the scaffold is essential. Sometimes supplementary couplers are used to ensure the safety and strength of a scaffolding structure. So, what exactly are supplementary check couplers and what do Eurocodes say about them?

The UK is looking ahead and pondering what will change following the expected departure from the European Union (EU). In many cases, there seem to be more question marks than answers. The construction sector is no different - business owners, managers and workers wish to know if their day-to-day duties will be altered in any way after the country finally departs from the EU.

Although both interior and exterior scaffolding can provide a similar function, there may be significant differences in the considerations taken during design. Here we take a look at some of the key potential differences between interior scaffolding design and an exterior design.

Being a company that specialises in scaffolding design, there are many areas of Health & Safety that we deal with, including building regulations and scaffold regulations. Brexit has cast a cloud of uncertainty over many compliance issues in the UK, including Health & Safety regulations, so in this article we take a look at the post-Brexit landscape and pre-empt which rules could change.

http://cisrs.org.uk

Image source: http://cisrs.org.uk

Scaffolding can be a most rewarding career, but it can also be a dangerous one for anyone who hasn't received the correct training and supervision. The CISRS (Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme) was established in the 1960s and is the recognised qualification in the UK for anyone working in the scaffolding industry.

All industries have regulations that they need to adhere to. This is especially the case in construction, as any mistakes could cause serious injuries and even loss of life. When it comes to scaffolding, the guidance to good practice is known as TG20. We will reveal everything you need to know about this guide and how they impact your projects in this blog post.