Site Management · Mandatory · Construction

Scaffold Inspection Record

The Scaffold Inspection Record documents formal inspections of scaffolding carried out before first use, at intervals not exceeding seven days, and after any event that could affect stability such as high winds or accidental impact. Under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, inspections must be carried out by a competent person and the report retained on site for three months.

Last reviewed: 29 March 2026 — This guide reflects UK law as of this date. WAH Regs 2005 / TG20 remains current with no amendments enacted as of 29 March 2026. Next scheduled review: 29 March 2027.

Scaffold Inspection — Schedule 7 and TG20:21

Scaffolding is one of the most safety-critical temporary structures on any construction site. Falls from scaffold and scaffold collapse consistently rank among the most serious causes of injury. The Work at Height Regulations 2005 Schedule 7 imposes mandatory inspection — every 7 days and after any event affecting stability.

Inspection must be carried out by a competent person who can assess against the design or TG20 standard. A site manager without scaffolding training conducting an inspection during the weekly walk does not meet the Schedule 7 competence requirement.

“An out-of-date scaffold inspection certificate means the scaffold must not be used” — WAH Schedule 7 requires 7-day intervals. A scaffold not inspected for 8, 10, or 14 days does not have a current certificate — it must not be used until inspected. Manage the schedule to complete before the interval expires, not on the day it is due.

Scaffold Inspection Record — What to Check

Element	What to Check
Foundations	Base plates on sole boards. No undermining. Ground stable. Checked for movement.
Standards and ledgers	Standards plumb (within 1:100). Ledgers level. Couplers tight and correctly positioned.
Transoms	Correct spacing. All in place. Ledger connections secure.
Ties	Frequencies meeting TG20:21 or design. No ties removed without replacement. Ties to sound structure.
Bracing	Pattern meeting TG20:21 or design.
Working platforms	Fully boarded (no gaps). No projections/trip hazard. Boards not warped or damaged.
Guardrails	Main guardrail 950mm min. Intermediate at 450mm. 150mm toeboard. No gaps at ladder access.
Access	Ladders properly secured. Sufficient handholds. Scaffold stairways where required.
Loading	No overloading visible. Correct loading class. No materials stored above design load.
Result	Safe for use / defects noted / prohibited pending rectification.

Common Mistakes

Weekly inspection by site manager without scaffold competence — WAH requires a 'competent person' with specific knowledge of components, configurations (TG20:21/TG30:24), and failure modes. Typically an Advanced Scaffolder (NVQ Level 3) or a dedicated scaffold inspection company.

Inspection records not available at the scaffold before use — WAH requires the report to be available to anyone using the scaffold. The record or current scaffold tag must be at the scaffold. Filed in the site office does not fulfil the requirement.

Ties removed during works and not replaced — each removal changes the structural configuration and may require an engineering assessment. Ties must never be removed without the agreement of the scaffold designer/contractor.

Scaffold used above design loading class — scaffolds are designed for a specific loading class (SG6 classes 1-6). A light-duty scaffold cannot support heavy material storage. The loading class should be marked. Overloading is a foreseeable cause of collapse.

No inspection after adverse weather or modifications — WAH requires inspection after any event likely to have affected stability: severe wind, heavy rain, impact from plant, or any modification. The inspection must be conducted before the scaffold is used again.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often must a scaffold be inspected?

WAH Schedule 7: at intervals not exceeding 7 days for construction work. Also: before first use; after modifications; and after any event affecting stability. Inspections must be carried out by a competent person, recorded, and kept until the scaffold is dismantled.

What is the scaffold handover certificate?

Issued by the scaffolding contractor when the scaffold is first erected, confirming: built to design or TG20 standard; inspection conducted on completion; safe for use at the specified loading class. It is the baseline document for ongoing inspections. It does not substitute for ongoing 7-day inspections.

What is TG20:21?

NASC TG20:21 provides standard configurations for tube and fitting scaffold. When built to the TG20 standard, no bespoke structural calculation is needed. It covers tie frequencies, bracing, maximum bay widths/heights. Non-standard configurations require bespoke design. TG30:24 covers system scaffolding.

Who is the competent person for scaffold inspection?

Someone with sufficient theoretical knowledge and practical experience. Typically: an Advanced Scaffolder (NVQ Level 3); a person with the CISRS Scaffold Inspection Award; or a structural engineer with scaffold experience. A general site manager with basic awareness is unlikely to meet the standard.

Generate your Scaffold Inspection Record on Construction Suite

Construction Suite walks you through every required section with a guided Q&A — built to WAH Regs 2005 / TG20 — and generates a professionally formatted document in minutes.

Get started free