A scaffold doesn't stay the same once it's up. Wind and rain work at it, other trades load it and lean on it, and daily use puts it through its paces. Boards get moved, ties get knocked, materials get stacked where they shouldn't be. That's why inspection isn't a one-off box to tick on day one — it's an ongoing part of keeping the scaffold safe for as long as it's standing.
The seven-day rule
Under the Work at Height Regulations, a scaffold must be inspected before it's first used, and then at least every seven days after that for as long as it stays up. It's a legal requirement, not a nicety.
It doesn't stop at the calendar, either. The scaffold must also be re-inspected after anything that could affect its stability — high winds, an alteration to the structure, or an impact from a vehicle or plant. If something has happened that might have moved it, it gets checked again before anyone goes back on.
What the scaffold tag tells you
The tag you see fixed to the scaffold — usually near the access point — is the handover record. It tells you the scaffold has been inspected and is safe to use, who carried out the inspection, and when. It's the quickest way to know whether the platform in front of you has been signed off.
A green tag means good to go. A missing tag, or a red one, means don't use it — the scaffold either hasn't been inspected or has been taken out of use for a reason. If in doubt, stay off it and ask.
No tag, no access. If a scaffold hasn't been inspected, it shouldn't be used.
Why it matters to you
As the person in control of the site, you're relying on the scaffold being safe every day your team is on it — not just the morning it went up. Regular inspections are what keep that promise honest.
- Conditions change — weather, loading and other trades all act on the scaffold
- Inspections catch problems early, before they become an incident
- They keep you compliant with the Work at Height Regulations
- They protect everyone who uses the platform, day in, day out
- The records back you up if a client, contractor or inspector ever asks
What we do as standard
- A handover inspection and tag before the scaffold is first used
- Weekly recorded inspections for the whole of the hire
- Re-inspection after high winds or any alteration to the structure
- Clear tagging on the scaffold so anyone can see its status
- Inspection records kept for the duration of the job
The bottom line
You shouldn't have to chase your scaffolder for this. With TNT it's tagged, inspected and recorded as standard — so the platform your team stands on has been checked, and you've got the paperwork to prove it. Get a quote or give us a call, and we'll take care of it from the first lift to the last.
