Scaffolding work combines almost every category of construction hazard — work at height, manual handling, public interface, electrical contact, and the structural risk of an unstable temporary works. The Work at Height Regulations 2005, the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 and the NASC's TG20:21 guidance together set the framework that a competent scaffold RAMS has to operate inside. The single most-tested element on review is whether the document names the specific design reference being worked to.
Almost every standard tube-and-fitting scaffold in the UK is designed to either TG20:21 (the NASC's compliant-design guidance, used with the TG20:21 eGuide) or to a bespoke calculation by a competent designer. The RAMS must state which one applies, and for TG20:21 it should name the configuration code from the eGuide. Generic 'scaffold to standard' wording is one of the most common rejection reasons.
For system scaffolds (Layher, Cuplok, Kwikstage etc.) the manufacturer's design manual takes the place of TG20 — name the manufacturer, the system version and the configuration. For any non-standard scaffold (heavy duty above SLG7, cantilevers, bridges, temporary roofs), a bespoke design signed by a CEng or IEng-qualified designer is required.
NASC SG4:22 (Preventing falls in scaffolding operations) is the industry's primary technical guidance on safe erection, alteration and dismantling. It mandates the use of a personal fall protection system during these phases — typically a harness with twin-tail lanyard attached to suitable anchor points moving with the operative — and sets out the sequence for installation of advance guardrails.
The RAMS should reference SG4:22 by name, describe the fall protection system being used, and name the operative's CISRS card grade (Trainee, Scaffolder, Advanced Scaffolder, Scaffold Supervisor). On any scaffold larger than a basic configuration, an Advanced Scaffolder is normally required for the design's most complex elements.
For any scaffold in a public area, the principal contractor will look first at the public protection arrangements. The RAMS should describe the pedestrian route (under, around or diverted), the protection fan or sheeted hoarding, the highway licence reference for any structure that oversails or stands on the public highway, and the lighting / signage arrangements. Local authorities issue highway licences under the Highways Act 1980 s.169 / s.171 and require minimum standards for pedestrian protection.
For scaffolds near schools, the RAMS should also address the heightened controls that local authorities typically require — climb-resistant lower lifts, increased sheeting heights, and timing of public-facing work to avoid school start/end times.
WAHR 2005 reg 12 requires a written record of inspection by a competent person before first use, after any alteration, after any incident that could have affected stability, and at intervals not exceeding seven days. The standard inspection record is the SCAFFTAG or equivalent paper register attached at the access point. The RAMS should name the inspector (typically CISRS Scaffold Supervisor or Inspector grade), the inspection frequency, and the storage location of the inspection records.
Each hazard paired with the UK regulation or HSE guidance document that applies.
Falls from incomplete scaffold during erection or dismantle
NASC SG4:22 + WAHR 2005
Dropped components struck against operatives below
WAHR 2005 + Construction (Head Protection)
Public interface (pedestrians, vehicles, neighbours)
Highways Act 1980 + HSWA s.3
Electrical contact with overhead lines
GS6 + EAWR 1989
Scaffold collapse from incorrect tie pattern
TG20:21 / bespoke design
Manual handling of tubes and fittings
MHOR 1992
Wind loading on sheeted or netted scaffold
TG20:21 wind chapter
Patterns we see when principal contractors send scaffolding RAMS back for re-work.
The legal framework a scaffolding RAMS operates inside — all links point to the official source.
SI 2005/735
Primary law on working at height — Reg 12 imposes the scaffold inspection regime.
TG20:21
The compliant-design reference for the majority of UK tube-and-fitting scaffolds.
SG4:22
Industry standard for safe erection, alteration and dismantling. Cite by name in the RAMS.
GS6 (5th ed)
Sets minimum clearance distances for scaffolds near overhead lines.
CISRS
The competence card scheme that the RAMS should reference by grade for each named operative.
TG20:21 is a library of pre-engineered tube-and-fitting scaffold configurations published by the NASC. If a scaffold fits one of these configurations exactly, the contractor can build to TG20:21 and reference the configuration code in the RAMS. Any scaffold that does not fit — heavy duty above SLG7, cantilevers, bridges, temporary roofs, anything unusual — requires a bespoke design signed by a CEng or IEng-qualified scaffold designer.
Under WAHR 2005 reg 12: before first use, after any alteration, after any incident that could have affected stability, and at intervals not exceeding seven days. The inspection is a written record kept by a competent person — typically a CISRS Scaffold Supervisor or Inspector. The standard form is a SCAFFTAG attached at the access point.
Yes. Section 169 of the Highways Act 1980 requires a licence from the local highway authority for any scaffold or hoarding on or over the public highway. The application typically takes 5–10 working days. The RAMS should reference the licence number once issued. Erecting without a licence is a criminal offence and exposes the contractor to civil liability for any pedestrian injury.
It depends on what they are doing. Basic tube-and-fitting work requires CISRS Scaffolder. Tube-and-fitting beyond basic configurations (heavy duty, cantilevers, bridges) requires Advanced Scaffolder. System scaffold (Layher etc.) has its own grade. Supervision and inspection require Scaffold Supervisor or Scaffold Inspector. The RAMS should name the card grade of each operative and supervisor.
Sheeting acts as a sail, dramatically increasing the lateral wind load on the structure. A scaffold designed to TG20:21 unsheeted may not be compliant once sheeted — the tie pattern, base plates and adjacent anchor points often have to be uprated. TG20:21 has a dedicated wind chapter that walks through the calculation. The RAMS should state whether sheeting / netting is in scope and confirm the design accommodates it.
City-specific local context — council, HSE office and local building stock notes — for scaffolding contractors.
Riskora prompts for the council permits, building stock and access constraints that apply wherever the job is — these are the scaffolding details principal contractors check first in each city.
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Final RAMS must be reviewed and approved by a competent person before use.