Scaffolding Inspection Checklist: What to Check Before Every Shift

Scaffold collapses kill people. Inadequate inspections are almost always a contributing factor. This checklist covers exactly what to check before every shift -- from foundations and ties to platforms and bracing -- based on TG20, NASC guidance, and what the HSE expects to see when they walk onto your site.

Why Scaffold Inspections Matter

Scaffold collapses and falls from scaffold platforms remain among the leading causes of death and serious injury on UK construction sites. HSE statistics consistently show that falls from height account for around 40% of fatal injuries in construction, and a significant proportion of those involve scaffolding. The legal framework is clear: scaffolds must be inspected before first use, after any alteration, after any event that could affect stability, and at least every seven days. These are not optional checks -- they are legal requirements under the Work at Height Regulations 2005.

Despite this, scaffold inspections are frequently inadequate. A cursory walk around the base, a quick glance at the platforms, and a tick in the box does not constitute a competent inspection. This guide sets out exactly what needs checking, what the TG20 and NASC standards require, and how to carry out inspections that actually protect lives.

Legal Requirements for Scaffold Inspections

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 (Regulation 12) require that scaffolding is inspected:

• Before first use -- after erection is complete, before any workers access the scaffold
• After any substantial alteration or addition -- including adding extra lifts, loading bays, or adapting the scaffold
• After any event likely to affect strength or stability -- severe weather (high winds, heavy rain, frost), accidental impact by plant, or ground settlement
• At regular intervals not exceeding 7 days -- this is a maximum. High-risk sites may require more frequent inspections

The inspection must be carried out by a competent person. Competence means sufficient training, experience, and knowledge to identify defects and assess whether the scaffold is safe for use. In practice, this usually means a person holding the CISRS Scaffolding Inspector card or equivalent. The result of each inspection must be recorded in writing and kept on site until the scaffold is dismantled.

Before You Start the Inspection

Before walking the scaffold, gather the following information:

• Scaffold design drawings or TG20 compliance sheet -- you need to know what the scaffold should look like. Without the design, you cannot verify compliance
• Previous inspection reports -- check for any outstanding defects or issues raised previously
• Scaffold handover certificate -- issued by the scaffolding contractor confirming the scaffold was erected to specification
• Scaffold tag or status board -- check the current status. Green means safe for use, red means do not use
• Weather conditions -- if winds exceed the design limits, the scaffold may need additional ties or should not be used

Foundation and Base Checks

Start at the bottom. The foundations determine whether everything above is safe.

• Sole boards -- check they are in place, adequate size for the ground conditions, not split or damaged. Sole boards distribute the load from the base plates to the ground. On soft ground, larger sole boards or concrete pads may be needed
• Base plates -- every standard must sit on a base plate, which sits on a sole board. Check they are all present and properly positioned
• Ground conditions -- look for signs of settlement, waterlogging, excavation near the base, or erosion. If the ground has been disturbed since the last inspection, the scaffold stability is compromised
• Level and plumb -- standards should be vertical. If they are leaning, something is wrong with the foundations or the scaffold has been loaded unevenly
• Clearance from excavations -- scaffolding near excavations creates surcharge loading. Check the scaffold base is far enough from any trench or excavation edge

Structural Checks at Every Lift

Work your way up the scaffold, checking each lift systematically.

Standards (Vertical Tubes)

• All standards are present and continuous from base to top
• Joints are staggered (not all at the same level) and secured with sleeve couplers
• Standards are plumb and properly spaced according to the design
• No visible damage, bends, or corrosion that could affect structural integrity

Ledgers (Horizontal Tubes)

• Ledgers are fixed at every lift height as specified in the design
• Connections to standards are made with right-angle couplers, fully tightened
• Ledgers are level and not sagging or displaced

Transoms (Cross Tubes Supporting Boards)

• Transoms are fitted at required centres (usually 1.2m maximum spacing)
• Intermediate transoms are present where board span exceeds the maximum
• All transom connections are secure

Bracing

• Diagonal bracing is fitted as per the design (facade bracing, plan bracing, or both)
• All bracing couplers are tight
• No bracing members have been removed (a common issue when trades want wider access)

Ties: The Most Critical Check

Scaffold ties anchor the scaffold to the building. They prevent the scaffold from pulling away from the facade or overturning. Inadequate or missing ties are the single most common cause of scaffold collapse. This check is non-negotiable.

• Tie pattern -- verify ties are installed at the spacing specified in the TG20 compliance sheet or bespoke design. The standard pattern for a basic scaffold is every other lift vertically and every other bay horizontally, but this varies with height and exposure
• Tie type -- through-ties (passing through window or door openings), box ties (around columns or structural members), or proprietary expanding bolt ties. Each type has different load capacities
• Tie condition -- check that tie tubes are straight, couplers are tight, and the connection to the building is secure. Pull-test ties where required
• Tie integrity -- have any ties been removed by other trades? This is extremely common and extremely dangerous. If a window installer removes a tie to access the opening, the scaffold loses structural stability. Missing ties must be reported immediately and the scaffold taken out of service until ties are replaced

If you find missing ties, stop work on that section of scaffold immediately. Do not wait until the end of the inspection. Missing ties can lead to catastrophic collapse within hours, especially in wind.

Platform and Access Checks

• Boards -- check all boards are present, properly supported, not split, warped, or excessively worn. Boards should not overhang transoms by more than 150mm (to prevent tipping) and must overhang by at least 50mm
• Edge protection -- double guardrails (top rail at 950mm minimum, mid rail) and toe boards (150mm minimum height) on all working platforms where there is a risk of falling. Check for gaps, missing boards, and displacement
• Loading -- are platforms overloaded? Check for excessive material storage. The scaffold is designed for a specific load class (usually duty scaffold at 2.0 kN/m2 for general construction work). Excessive stacking of materials can overload both the platform and the overall scaffold
• Access -- ladder access should be inside the scaffold (not leaning against the outside), properly secured, extending at least 1m above the platform, and with a self-closing gate at the platform level
• Housekeeping -- platforms should be clear of debris, spills, and trip hazards. In winter, check for ice on boards

Additional Checks for Complex Scaffolds

Some scaffolds require extra scrutiny:

• Loading bays -- check the additional standards, transoms, and bracing supporting the loading bay. Check the load rating sign is displayed. Ensure the gate is present and functional
• Cantilevered sections -- verify the needle beams, counterweights, or tie-back arrangements match the design. These are bespoke engineered elements and must not be modified
• Sheeted or wrapped scaffolds -- sheeting dramatically increases wind load on the scaffold. The tie pattern and bracing must be designed for sheeted conditions. If sheeting has been added after the original design, the scaffold needs re-design
• Mobile scaffolds (towers) -- check wheel locks, outriggers, stabilisers, and height-to-base ratio. Tower scaffolds are covered by PASMA guidelines and have different rules to fixed scaffolds

Recording and Reporting

Every inspection must be recorded. The record should include:

• Date and time of inspection
• Name of the inspector and their competency credentials
• Location and description of the scaffold
• Reason for inspection (7-day, post-alteration, post-weather, etc.)
• Findings -- both satisfactory items and defects
• Actions required, with deadlines and responsible persons
• Whether the scaffold is fit for use or requires prohibition

Paper-based inspection records are still common but create problems: they get wet, lost, or filed in a cabin that no one checks. Digital inspection tools like FORGE Command let you complete scaffold inspections on a phone or tablet, attach photos, flag defects instantly to the scaffolding contractor, and maintain a full audit trail that HSE can access during any site inspection.

Managing the Seven-Day Inspection Cycle

On a busy site with dozens of scaffolds, managing the 7-day inspection cycle is a logistical challenge. Miss one, and you are in breach of the Work at Height Regulations. Here are practical tips:

• Maintain a scaffold register listing every scaffold on site, its location, and the next inspection due date
• Set a fixed day of the week for scaffold inspections -- consistency prevents gaps
• Use a scaffold status tag system -- green (safe), amber (restrictions), red (do not use)
• Brief all supervisors to report any scaffold damage or missing components immediately, not just at inspection time
• After severe weather, inspect all scaffolds before allowing access, regardless of the 7-day cycle

Keeping on top of scaffold inspections is one of the most important things a site manager does. It is also one of the first things HSE will check during a site visit. Get it right, and you protect your workers and your business.