Jersey Safety Council. End Users Scaffolding Seminar

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1 Jersey Safety Council End Users Scaffolding Seminar

2 The Jersey Safety Council Who we are The Jersey Safety Council is an independent body part funded by the States of Jersey made up of local business people who give up their time voluntarily to engage and assist the various industry sectors in health and safety awareness and best practices. The Council is tasked with raising awareness to health and safety issues and actively reducing accidents and ill health within the workplace. The Council remains active in the provision of specialist training courses across the business sectors allowing businesses access to courses that may otherwise not be readily available locally. The Council s website, is available to offers employers and employees access to articles and links to relevant subjects and resource tools to assist them improve health and safety.

3 Seminar Objectives In early 2014 the JSC became involved with the implementation and hosting of the STAR scaffold training to the scaffold industry allowing their employees to be trained locally to set standards acceptable to the HSI. This initiative has been driven by an increase in scaffolding companies and the inconsistent approach to scaffold installations noted across the Island. The objectives of this seminar is to offer specifiers and end users assistance in understanding their duties and responsibilities and along with those of the supply chain. We have also included section on when scaffolding should be considered over other means of access, such as ladders. We are pleased to welcome Colin Myers from the HSI to offer a overview of the legislation and how this can affect you should it go wrong. We also welcome Jonathan Vibert from the Parish of St Helier and Carl Dodd from TTS who will advise you on the requirements set by the Parish and TTS. Kevin McGlone of the soon to be formed Jersey Association of Scaffolding Contractors will also advise you on the membership criteria and likely timeframes.

4 Seminar Format Introduction Legal & Enforcement Best Practice & Guidance Parish of St Helier & TTS Requirements JASC Questions

5 Scaffolding industry targeted. Why? Colin Myers - Health and Safety Inspector Health and Safety Inspectorate (HSI)

6 Introduction During the scaffolding industry were targeted by the HSI as part of an Initiative Why? High risk industry Repeated incidences of poor performance

7 Examples

8 Examples

9 Examples

10 What did the Inspectorate do? We visited erected scaffolds to look at the standards of the scaffold We visited every scaffolding company to review their management of health and safety in respect of the scaffolders and members of the public. This included reviewing: H&S policies Risk assessments and method statements arrangements for designed scaffolds, if required the training of scaffolders

11 What happened as a result of the Initiative? We identified a significant variation in the validity and quality of training This highlighted the need to clarify the required standards of training that the HSI would accept under: Health and Safety at Work (Jersey) Law,1989, Article 3 Construction (Safety Provisions) (Jersey) Regulations, 1970, Regulation 55

12 What happened as a result of the Initiative? All scaffolders should undertake a formal accredited assessment/ training such as: UK Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS) or an equivalent scheme, such as the Scaffold Training & Registration Scheme (STARS) - available locally in both Jersey and Guernsey Any training undertaken 5 or more years previously is considered out of date

13 How does this affect me as a scaffolding end user? Commercial end users have general duties under the Health and Safety at Work (Jersey) Law 1989 and the Construction Regulations If you contract a scaffolding company you should ensure: They are competent and have adequate resources for the task You provide a clear brief A design is used, if required Request a hand-over/ thorough examination certificate prior to use and keep it on site

14 In practice? They are competent and have adequate resources for the task: You do not need to be an expert in scaffolding but you do need to demonstrate that you have requested and received sufficient evidence as to the scaffolding contractor s competence check their training qualifications although training along does not guarantee competence but it provides an indication request copies of their method statements and risk assessments Does the method statement make sense? Will there be an impact on other trades on site? Scaffold contractors with <5 employees may not have a written RA, but they should be able to demonstrate/ explain how they control the risks You provide a clear brief Be aware that during the course of the work, your scaffolding requirements may change, so discuss the potential options up front with the scaffolding contractor so that they can ensure the scaffold is appropriate, as far as reasonably practicable A design is used, if required Ask whether a design is required and check all the quotes to see if a design is required. There is guidance on the HSE website about which types of scaffold require a specialist design - you want the job to run smoothly and not have HSI stop work because there isn t a design when it s required! Request a hand-over/ thorough examination certificate prior to use and keep it on site

15 What are we checking for?

16 Best Practice and Guidance Paul Richardson Chairman of the Jersey Safety Council

17 Clients - Working at Heights Best Practice and Guidance Some questions which you need to ask about the tasks to be undertaken are: Is there is a risk of a fall from height? If the answer to this question is yes then a fixed scaffold or other means of safe access or edge protection such as lightweight tower scaffold or access platform will be required. When is a scaffold required and who decides? Every job is different so a risk assessment should be undertaken by a suitably experienced person and this will allow the correct approach to the works to be established. This may depend on your knowledge and experience, (i.e. Construction professionals should be more aware than others). If you are instructing the work via a builder or decorator then ask then if they have considered the use of scaffolding to reduce the risks of working at height. If you believe that you are not deemed to be competent or have concerns about the advice from your contractor then you should seek advice from the HSI or a Health and Safety practitioner.

18 Contractors Assessment of the Risks Some key questions which need to be asked of your contractor prior to works commencing as it is all too common to see contractors working from ladders or poorly installed lightweight scaffold in a dangerous manner. Ladders should be deemed as a primarily means of access only; The top of the ladder should be correctly secured to prevent sliding; A second operative should be present to foot the ladder; Lightweight scaffolding should be installed by suitably trained operatives only. When are ladders not deemed to be an acceptable working platform? When identified by the risk assessment; When the task being undertaken will require you to have less than 3 points of contact at all times; If a method of securing the ladder cannot be achieved. What activities / tasks are being undertaken? Undertake a risk assessment to establish what the risk actually are, don't leave it until the works starts or an accident or dangerous occurrence happens, it may be too late. You can consider alternatives to fixed scaffolding such as access platforms, lightweight mobile scaffolding to establish which provides the safest solution.

19 Clients / Contractors Selecting my Scaffolding Contractor What should I ask from my chosen contractor? Confirmation of competency which should take the means of the following: Current certificate of completion of the Managing Safety in Scaffolding. Current certificates of STAR or equivalent training for the operatives. Insurance documents including the exclusion sheet. It is good practice to ask for a risk assessment to be provided before the works starts to allow you to understand how the scaffold installation and removal will be undertaken. If a scaffold forms part of a larger package with a building or decorating contractor you should still ask for this information so you can understand the implications, i.e. Access restrictions and road closures. Is it true that only companies with suitably qualified operatives can construct complicated scaffold structures such as temporary roof structures? Yes, depending on the training level of the scaffolding operatives the level of scaffold they can install will be restricted. For advanced or complicated scaffold structures your contractor will need to have Advanced level trained operatives engaged on the installation. Under no circumstances should complex scaffolding be installed by operatives without formal qualifications ordesigns being in place.

20 Once the scaffolding has been installed What should I expect from my contractor? Once the scaffold has been installed you should be supplied with a Certification of thorough Examination of a Scaffold from the scaffolding contractor stating that the scaffold is fit for purpose prior to it being used. This document also stipulates the expected use and restriction on loads etc. If you have not received this document do not allow access to the scaffold under any circumstances. If the scaffold is incomplete then scaffolding tags should be installed advising you that the scaffold is incomplete. Whilst the scaffold is in use your appointed contractor is required to have weekly inspection undertaken by a suitably qualified person. This allows the scaffold to remain safe for use. Scaffolding left for long periods of time do not require weekly inspection but should be checked after high winds or snow. All scaffolding should be checked prior to being brought back into commission. The scaffold checks are recorded on a scaffold register which is unique to each project and should be held on site if at all possible so inspection can be undertaken easily. Never rely on contractual documentation alone to manage the installation and usage of scaffold Review and challenge your contractor.

21 Other Considerations What other requirements might there be? You will require a permit prior to installing a scaffold on the public highway or pavement. These permits can be sourced from your Parish or Public Halls and will stipulate the requirements imposed upon you. Should the installation of scaffolding affect the safe use of the road or pavements then approval will also need to be sought from the Parish or TTS as other requirements may be imposed. In many cases your selected scaffolding contractor will source the permit for you. The Parish of St Helier & TTS have more onerous requirements due to the complexities of working within town and Jonathan Vibert of the Parish of St Helier and Carl Dodds from TTS will expand on these for you shortly.

22 Parish of St Helier & TTS section Jonathan Vibert Streets Inspector for the Parish of St Helier & Carl Dodd Street Works Manager for TTS

23 Scaffolding on Highway Current Legal Situation - Highway (Jersey) Law 1956 Law to control the placing of things below, on or above the road Licence required from highway authority 13 highway authorities (TTS and Parishes) TTS delegates regulatory function to Parish in St Helier General Highway Authority Priorities Scaffolding should not create new un-managed risks for road users. Scaffold should not cause undue nuisance or disruption to road users. Current Highway Authority Concerns Lack of co-ordination with highway authority Lack of common standards for highway based scaffolding Lack of safe highway working knowledge Poor traffic management and pedestrian awareness TTS and POSH Response to Concerns to Date Approved Highway Scaffold list (administered by POSH) Jan 14 Standard Licence application form and Terms & Conditions Jan 14

24 Scaffolding on Highway New Jersey Guide to Scaffolding on the Highway A Code of Practice (Jan 15?) Draft consultation (2014) Road Works and Events (Jersey) Law 201_ (States in 2015) New duty to co-ordinate with highway authority New safe working duty on highway Option of introducing highway qualification Other Possible Future Developments Common online application process.. (2016?)

25 JASC An introduction to the proposed Jersey Association of Scaffolding Contractors Kevin McGlone JASC Spokesman

26 JASC Due to the enforced improved standards within the industry the local scaffolding contractors have combined to create an industry body to regulate standards and training of member companies; The JASC will be the local equivalent of the NASC operating successfully in the UK; Supported by the HSI, JeCC & the JSC; The JASC is hoped to become recognised as the local trade body for scaffolding in the Island. Members of the JASC will be regulated to ensure a continuous high standard of scaffolding practice with audits being undertaken by external examiners on a regular basis. By engaging with a JASC member you can expect to obtain a high level of reassurance that you are making an informed decision, you know what to expect, your expectations are met and of course ultimately you are making the right choice. Further details on the formation of the JASC will be circulated in the near future.

27 Other Important Questions & Answers What PPE should my scaffolder be using? When should my scaffolders wear harnesses? All the usual PPE such as safety boots and hard hats as well as specialist equipment such as harnesses. During the construction of all scaffolding. When should the harnesses be checked? Who should check the harness? Do you need special training to use a harness? When should sole / treada plates be installed? What are the requirements for the protection of standards on walkways and pavements? When should debris netting be installed? What are the requirements for double handrails? Before and after use. A suitably trained person, ideally the user. Yes. They should be used on all surfaces other than solid concrete or granite where a treada pad should be used, (the use of timber sole plates in town centre works can be difficult due to trip hazard issues, but treada pads should be used in that instance). The sole / treada plate should always be installed flat with the scaffold base plate touching evenly. All standards on the public highway or where they can be impacted by members of the public should be protected. Double length base standards are available for this very purpose. On scaffold on a pavement or precinct where the risk of debris falling is present. The SG4 and TG20 regulations both quote double guardrails. Cuplok (system) scaffolding, by manufacturers designs should always be installed with a double guardrails.

28 Questions To find a copy of the seminar and for more information please visit us at

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