Latest News

The benefits of a Simian scaffold inspection

30th August 2018

Scaffolding business owners have a legal obligation to ensure that any scaffolding work carried out is by a qualified workforce and that the structures they provide are safe and meet the requirements of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. To ensure that scaffolding is erected correctly and the working environment continues to remain safe for the duration of any project, many businesses choose to bring in a specialist independent scaffold inspector, who can provide ongoing guidance and advice on scaffolding best practice.

All scaffolding should be inspected prior to its first use, at a minimum every seven days and following any circumstances for which the scaffolding integrity could have been compromised (e.g. extreme weather conditions or damage by mechanical plant, etc). Below we will explore the top five benefits of an independent scaffolding inspection.

benefits of scaffold inspection

Access to expert guidance

The team here at Simian Risk have been specifically chosen for their background and expertise in the scaffolding sector. Many of our inspectors have been in the industry for 20+ years and therefore are experts in the safe construction and maintenance of any scaffolding structure.

The Expert independent inspection services offered by Simian bring the very obvious benefit of impartiality; and is an excellent way of demonstrating due diligence in the scaffolding management process.

Compliance with health and safety regulations

All businesses are obliged to ensure they comply with health and safety law and an independent inspection offers peace of mind that the required standards are being achieved, to both scaffolding businesses and the organisations procuring their services.

Reduced risk of accidents

With many accidents occurring due to falls from height, falling objects or poorly constructed and managed structures, independent scaffold inspection can often be the catalyst for timely intervention, by identifying issues before they can cause an accident that has the potential to seriously harm workers or members of the public.

Reduced risk of fatalities

Falls from height is the top cause of construction fatalities in the UK, causing 35 deaths in 2017/18. Whilst this figure has decreased dramatically over the past 30 years, many construction professionals consider the management of scaffolding activity and use to be one of their biggest challenges due to the inherent hazards associated with ongoing work at height. Weekly, monthly or even ad-hoc reassurance inspections can greatly assist in managing such risks and thereby reduces the potential for serious accidents.

Experts across the UK

Our scaffolding inspectors are based across the length and breadth of the UK and therefore, no matter where a business is based, it will have access to an expert scaffolding inspector, who will be on hand to continue inspections on a statutory seven day rolling basis, for the duration of a project.

Would your business benefit from an independent scaffolding inspection?

For those companies wanting to give their own workforce the responsibility of inspecting scaffolding (something which Simian Risk would highly recommend to each and every scaffolding business), we offer industry accredited CISRS scaffold inspection courses for both beginners and those that are more experienced.

Give our team a call today to discuss your requirements.