New SG4:15 Preventing falls in scaffold operations
Falls from height account for almost half of the fatal accidents in the construction sector. Falling from height is a significant risk faced by scaffolders when erecting, altering or dismantling scaffolding during most scaffolding operations.
The NASC (National Access & Scaffolding Confederation) and HSE (Health & Safety Awareness) acknowledges that scaffolders have to work in hazardous situations, and this guidance note accepts that employers have a responsibility to ensure that adequate measures are provided for employees during scaffolding operations to eliminate or minimise those risks.
In recognition of the significant hazards and risks that scaffolders are exposed to day to day, the NASC have produced this edition of Safety Guidance Number 4 (SG4) as ‘scaffolding industry good practice’ for work at height. This updated guidance reflects the challenges facing our industry through new fall protection technology, Technical Guidance (TG20) and changing methods of construction and maintenance.