Risk Assessments · Mandatory · Pre-Construction

RAMS — Scaffolding Erection

This RAMS covers the erection, alteration, and dismantling of scaffolding structures. It addresses foundation adequacy, tie patterns, loading capacities, scaffold inspections, and handover procedures. Scaffolding must be erected by CISRS-trained operatives and inspected by a competent person before use and at regular intervals thereafter.

Last reviewed: 29 March 2026 — This guide reflects UK law as of this date. WAH Regs 2005 remains current with no amendments enacted as of 29 March 2026. Next scheduled review: 29 March 2027.

RAMS category	B11 Scaffolding Erection
Primary legislation	Work at Height Regulations 2005
Industry guidance	TG20:21 (NASC technical guidance for tube and fitting scaffolding); SG4:22 (NASC guidance for preventing falls in scaffolding); BS EN 12811-1
Competence scheme	CISRS (Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme) — mandatory for all scaffolders on UK construction sites
Inspection requirement	Before first use, at least every 7 days, after any event likely to affect stability, and after any alteration
Fatal statistics	Falls during scaffold erection and dismantling are among the highest-risk activities in UK construction
Enforcing authority	Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

1. What It Covers

A RAMS for Scaffolding Erection covers the design, erection, alteration, dismantling, and inspection of all types of scaffold on construction sites. This includes independent tied scaffolds, birdcage scaffolds, cantilever scaffolds, system scaffolds (e.g. HAKI, Layher, Cuplok), mobile tower scaffolds where erected by scaffolders, loading bays, gin wheels, and temporary roofs. The RAMS must address every phase of the scaffold's life cycle — from design and erection through use and alteration to final dismantling.

Scaffolding is one of the most hazardous activities on a construction site. The erection and dismantling phases are particularly dangerous because the scaffold is incomplete — guardrails, toe boards, and platform boards are not yet in place (during erection) or have been removed (during dismantling). Scaffolders work at height on an unfinished structure, handling heavy components, often in exposed conditions. The Work at Height Regulations 2005 apply to all scaffold work, supported by NASC technical guidance in TG20:21 and fall prevention guidance in SG4:22.

Every RAMS for scaffolding must address the design basis for the scaffold, the competence of the scaffolding team, the method of erection (including the sequence of lifts and tie installation), the fall prevention measures during erection and dismantling, the handover and inspection regime, and the procedures for any subsequent alterations.

“Every employer shall ensure that work at height is properly planned including the selection of work equipment...that all work at height takes into account a risk assessment...and is carried out by persons who are competent to do so.”— Work at Height Regulations 2005, Regulation 4

2. Scaffold Design

Every scaffold must be based on a design that is adequate for the intended loads, height, configuration, and environmental conditions. The design route depends on the type of scaffold and whether it falls within recognised standard configurations or requires bespoke engineering. The RAMS must state which design route applies and reference the relevant design documentation.

Design route	When it applies	Documentation required
TG20:21 compliance	Standard tube and fitting scaffolds that fall within the scope of TG20:21 — i.e. they meet all the parameters (height, bay length, board configuration, tie pattern, wind loading) covered by the TG20 compliance sheets	TG20:21 compliance sheet generated from the NASC TG20 eGuide software, confirming the scaffold configuration falls within the TG20 parameters. No separate structural calculation is required. The compliance sheet must be site-specific and printed before erection begins.
System scaffold manufacturer design	Proprietary system scaffolds (e.g. HAKI, Layher, Cuplok, Ringscaff) erected within the manufacturer's standard configurations and load tables	Manufacturer's design guide and load tables confirming the proposed configuration is within the system's rated capacity. Erection must follow the manufacturer's instructions. Where the configuration departs from the manufacturer's standard arrangements, a bespoke design is required.
Bespoke scaffold design	Any scaffold that falls outside the scope of TG20:21 or the system scaffold manufacturer's standard configurations — e.g. heavy-duty loading bays, cantilever scaffolds, scaffolds above TG20 height limits, complex geometry, or unusual loading requirements	Full structural design by a competent scaffold designer (typically a chartered structural engineer with scaffold design experience). The design must include calculations, general arrangement drawings, and a design risk assessment. The design must be checked by an independent competent person before erection begins.

TG20:21 is not a blanket pass — it has limits

TG20:21 covers a wide range of standard tube and fitting scaffold configurations, but it has defined limits on height, bay length, board width, tie pattern, and wind loading. A scaffold that exceeds any of these parameters falls outside TG20 and requires a bespoke design. The most common error is assuming that TG20 covers all scaffolds — it does not. Scaffolds with heavy-duty loading (e.g. masonry storage), unusual geometry, or heights above the TG20 limits must be designed by a competent engineer. The RAMS must confirm which design route applies.

3. CISRS Competence

The Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS) is the industry-standard competence scheme for scaffolders in the UK. All scaffolders working on UK construction sites must hold a valid CISRS card at the appropriate level for the work they are carrying out. The RAMS must specify the CISRS card requirements for every member of the scaffolding team.

CISRS role	Card type	What they can do
Scaffolder Labourer	CISRS Labourer card	Assist scaffolders by handling materials at ground level and passing components. Must not erect, alter, or dismantle scaffold. Must work under the direct supervision of a CISRS-carded scaffolder.
Trainee Scaffolder	CISRS Trainee card	Work on scaffold erection, alteration, and dismantling under the direct supervision of a qualified scaffolder. Must be enrolled on a CISRS-approved training programme. Cannot work unsupervised.
Scaffolder	CISRS Scaffolder card (blue)	Erect, alter, and dismantle scaffolds to the design or TG20 compliance sheet. Work as part of a scaffolding gang under the direction of an Advanced Scaffolder or Scaffold Supervisor. Must hold NVQ Level 2 in Accessing Operations and Rigging (Scaffolding).
Advanced Scaffolder	CISRS Advanced Scaffolder card (gold)	Erect, alter, and dismantle all types of scaffold including complex structures. Lead a scaffolding gang. Interpret scaffold designs and TG20 compliance sheets. Must hold NVQ Level 3 in Accessing Operations and Rigging (Scaffolding).
Scaffold Supervisor	CISRS Scaffold Supervisor card	Supervise scaffold erection, alteration, and dismantling operations. Manage the scaffolding team. Coordinate with the principal contractor and other trades. Ensure compliance with the RAMS, design, and inspection regime. Must hold SSSTS or SMSTS in addition to scaffolding qualifications.
Scaffold Inspector	CISRS Scaffold Inspector card (or competent person with scaffold inspection training)	Carry out statutory scaffold inspections (before first use, 7-day, post-event, post-alteration). Record inspections in the scaffold register. Identify defects and issue prohibition notices where scaffold is unsafe. Must be independent of the erection team where possible.

CISRS cards expire — check the date, not just the card

CISRS cards have a defined expiry date. An expired card is not valid. The card holder must complete CPD and renewal requirements before the expiry date to maintain their registration. The principal contractor must verify that every scaffolder on site holds a current, in-date CISRS card at the correct level. An expired card should be treated the same as no card — the operative must not carry out scaffolding work until the card is renewed.

4. Inspection

Scaffold inspections are a statutory requirement under the Work at Height Regulations 2005 (Schedule 7). Inspections must be carried out by a competent person, recorded in writing, and the records retained on site. A scaffold that has not been inspected within the required intervals must not be used.

Inspection type	When required	What to check
Handover inspection	After erection is complete and before the scaffold is handed over to users. The scaffold must not be used until this inspection is recorded and the scaffold tagged or signed off.	Full compliance with the design or TG20 compliance sheet. All guardrails, toe boards, and platform boards in place. Ties installed at the correct centres. Foundations adequate. Access (ladder or stair tower) in place. Scaffold tag or handover certificate issued.
7-day inspection	At intervals not exceeding 7 days from the previous inspection, regardless of whether the scaffold has been used or altered in that period.	All components remain in place and undamaged. No unauthorised alterations. Ties intact and secure. Boards not displaced. Guardrails and toe boards complete. No overloading. Foundations undamaged. Any defects from previous inspections rectified.
Post-event inspection	After any event likely to have affected the strength or stability of the scaffold. This includes high winds (typically above 17 m/s), heavy rain or snow loading, impact from plant or vehicles, ground movement, and any observed damage.	Structural integrity of all components. Ties checked for pull-out or displacement. Standards checked for plumb. Ledgers and transoms checked for level. Foundations checked for settlement or washout. Any damaged components identified and replaced before the scaffold is returned to use.
Post-alteration inspection	After any alteration to the scaffold, however minor. This includes adding or removing lifts, moving ties, adding loading bays, or modifying the scaffold in any way.	The alteration complies with the design or an updated TG20 compliance sheet. The altered section is complete and safe. All guardrails, boards, and ties are in place. The altered scaffold is handed over to users with an updated scaffold tag or record.

An unrecorded inspection is an inspection that did not happen

The Work at Height Regulations require that scaffold inspections are recorded in writing. The record must include the date and time of inspection, the location and description of the scaffold, the name and signature of the competent person who carried out the inspection, the matters inspected, and the outcome (safe to use, defects identified, prohibited from use). Verbal confirmations and informal walkarounds do not satisfy the statutory requirement. If the HSE asks for the inspection record and it does not exist, the scaffold is non-compliant.

5. Key Hazards

The following table identifies the principal hazards associated with scaffolding erection, use, and dismantling on construction sites, who is at risk, the contributing risk factors, and the controls that must be addressed in the RAMS.

Hazard	Who at risk	Risk factors	Controls
Falls during erection and dismantling	Scaffolders working on incomplete structures without full edge protection	Working at the leading edge where guardrails are not yet installed; handling heavy tubes and fittings at height; inadequate advance guardrail systems; fatigue on long shifts	SG4 advance guardrail system (AGR) installed as each lift is erected; personal fall protection (harness with short lanyard) where AGR is not practicable; scaffolders trained in SG4 procedures; work sequence planned to minimise time at unprotected edges; maximum shift lengths enforced
Falling materials (tubes, fittings, boards)	Ground-level operatives, pedestrians, other trades working below scaffold	Tubes dropped during handling at height; fittings not secured; boards displaced by wind; materials passed hand-to-hand rather than hoisted; no exclusion zone at ground level	Exclusion zone at ground level during erection and dismantling (minimum 3 m from scaffold face or as risk assessment dictates); gin wheel or hoist for raising and lowering materials; tool lanyards; brick guards and debris netting on completed scaffold; no hand-to-hand passing of tubes above the first lift
Scaffold collapse from overloading	All users of the scaffold; personnel and public at ground level	Materials stored on scaffold in excess of the design load; too many operatives on one lift; masonry materials stacked without load calculation; scaffold not designed for the actual use	Load capacity displayed on scaffold tag; design load communicated to all users at handover; no storage of materials beyond immediate need; heavy-duty scaffolds designed where masonry or heavy storage is required; regular inspection for overloading; principal contractor to enforce load limits
Foundation failure	All users of the scaffold; personnel at ground level	Base plates on soft ground without sole boards; sole boards undersized for ground bearing capacity; ground saturated by rain; excavation near scaffold base; inadequate assessment of ground conditions	Ground bearing capacity assessed before erection; sole boards sized to spread load to safe bearing pressure; base plates on all standards; ground conditions monitored during use; scaffold re-inspected after heavy rain; no excavation within the zone of influence of the scaffold foundations without engineering assessment
Ties removed without authorisation	All users of the scaffold; personnel at ground level	Other trades removing ties to allow cladding, window installation, or brickwork, without notifying the scaffolding contractor; ties removed and not replaced; tie pattern insufficient after alteration	Tie removal only with written authorisation from the scaffolding contractor; temporary ties installed before permanent ties are removed; scaffold re-inspected and re-tagged after any tie alteration; other trades briefed on the prohibition against unauthorised tie removal; principal contractor to enforce
Adverse weather	Scaffolders during erection and dismantling; all users of completed scaffold	High wind speeds making handling of tubes and boards dangerous; ice on platforms and ladders; reduced visibility; lightning risk on exposed steel structures	Wind speed monitoring with stop-work threshold (typically 17 m/s for scaffold erection, lower in exposed locations); ice clearance before use after frost; scaffold sheeting or netting assessed for increased wind loading; lightning risk assessment for tall scaffolds; RAMS to specify weather-related stop-work criteria

6. Common Mistakes

Erecting scaffold without a design or TG20 compliance sheet

Every scaffold must be based on a documented design. For standard tube and fitting scaffolds within TG20 parameters, a TG20:21 compliance sheet is the minimum requirement. For anything outside TG20 or for system scaffolds, the manufacturer's design guide or a bespoke structural design is required. Erecting a scaffold without any design documentation is a breach of the Work at Height Regulations and means there is no basis for confirming the scaffold is adequate for the loads and conditions it will face.

Using scaffolders without valid CISRS cards

All scaffolders on UK construction sites must hold a current CISRS card at the appropriate level. A labourer cannot erect scaffold. A trainee cannot work unsupervised. An Advanced Scaffolder card is required for complex structures. Expired cards are not valid. The principal contractor must verify CISRS cards before any scaffolder begins work, and the RAMS must specify the card requirements for the team.

Not following SG4 advance guardrail procedures during erection

SG4:22 is the NASC guidance for preventing falls during scaffold erection and dismantling. It requires the use of advance guardrail (AGR) systems to provide edge protection at the leading edge as each lift is erected. Scaffolders who erect scaffold without AGR or an equivalent fall prevention measure are working at an unprotected edge — the single highest-risk activity in scaffolding. The RAMS must specify the SG4-compliant method for each phase of erection.

Scaffold inspections not recorded in the written register

Scaffold inspections are a statutory requirement and must be recorded in writing by a competent person. An inspection that is carried out but not recorded provides no evidence of compliance. The record must include the date, location, inspector name, matters checked, and outcome. Verbal confirmations, informal walkarounds, and unsigned records do not satisfy the regulations.

Allowing other trades to alter the scaffold without authorisation

The most common cause of scaffold failure on live construction sites is unauthorised alteration by other trades. Removing ties to install cladding, displacing boards to pass materials, and removing guardrails to swing loads in are all widespread and all dangerous. The RAMS must include a clear prohibition on unauthorised alterations. The principal contractor must enforce this through site inductions, toolbox talks, and active supervision. Any authorised alteration must be followed by a post-alteration inspection.

7. Frequently Asked Questions

Does every scaffold need a bespoke structural design?▾

No. Standard tube and fitting scaffolds that fall within the parameters of TG20:21 can be erected using a TG20 compliance sheet generated from the NASC TG20 eGuide software. System scaffolds within the manufacturer's standard configurations can be erected using the manufacturer's design guide and load tables. A bespoke structural design is only required where the scaffold falls outside these standard provisions — for example, heavy-duty loading bays, cantilever structures, scaffolds above TG20 height limits, or scaffolds with unusual geometry or loading.

Who can carry out a statutory scaffold inspection?▾

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 require that scaffold inspections are carried out by a competent person. There is no single prescribed qualification, but the competent person must have sufficient training, experience, and knowledge to identify defects and assess whether the scaffold is safe for use. In practice, a CISRS Scaffold Inspector card holder or an Advanced Scaffolder with inspection training is the expected standard. The inspector should ideally be independent of the erection team, although this is not always practicable on smaller sites.

What is SG4 and is it legally required?▾

SG4:22 is the NASC (National Access and Scaffolding Confederation) technical guidance note on preventing falls in scaffolding operations. It is not a statutory regulation in itself, but it represents recognised industry best practice for fall prevention during scaffold erection and dismantling. The HSE regards compliance with SG4 as the standard expected when enforcing the Work at Height Regulations 2005. A scaffolding contractor that does not follow SG4 would need to demonstrate an equivalent or better standard of fall prevention to satisfy the regulations.

Can a non-scaffolder alter a scaffold?▾

No. Only CISRS-qualified scaffolders may erect, alter, or dismantle scaffolds. Other trades must not remove boards, guardrails, ties, or any other scaffold component. If an alteration is needed to facilitate another trade's work (for example, removing a guardrail section to allow a crane lift), the scaffolding contractor must carry out the alteration, install temporary protection where required, and the scaffold must be re-inspected and re-tagged before being returned to general use. Unauthorised alteration by non-scaffolders is one of the leading causes of scaffold-related incidents.

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