Professional RAMS Documents for Scaffolders

What is TG20:13?

TG20:13 "Guide to Good Practice for Scaffolding with Tubes and Fittings" provides standard designs for common scaffold configurations. If you follow TG20:13, you're demonstrating industry best practice and compliance with CDM 2015.

When is TG20:13 Not Enough?

Complex structures, high scaffolds, heavy loadings, or unusual configurations require a full scaffold design by a qualified scaffold designer. Don't try to adapt TG20:13 beyond its intended use.

Scaffold Inspections

TG20:13 covers inspection requirements, but the law is clear: scaffolds must be inspected:

• Before first use
• After any event likely to affect stability (weather, impacts, alterations)
• At regular intervals (every 7 days minimum)

Scaffold Tags & Handover

Every scaffold needs a tag showing its inspection status. Our RAMS documents include handover certificate requirements and tag systems (red/amber/green or equivalent).

CDM Regulations 2015

Scaffolders are "contractors" under CDM. You must plan your work, manage risks, and coordinate with other contractors. Scaffold is often on the critical path - your safety affects everyone on site. Read our complete CDM 2015 guide.

Work at Height Regulations 2005

The primary legislation for scaffolding work. Requires hierarchy of control, competent workers, proper equipment, inspection regimes, and emergency procedures.

Health & Safety at Work Act 1974

Your overarching legal duty to work safely. A proper RAMS document is your evidence of compliance. Learn more about HSE compliance.

NASC Guidance & SG4:15

The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation publishes extensive guidance. SG4:15 "Preventing Falls in Scaffolding Operations" is essential reading for all scaffolders.

Do I need a CISRS card to erect scaffold?

For commercial work, absolutely yes. The CISRS (Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme) card proves you're competent. Labourers need CISRS Part 1, scaffolders need CISRS card, and advanced scaffolders need Advanced card. It's illegal to work on scaffold without proper training and competence.

When do I need a full scaffold design?

If the scaffold doesn't fit within TG20:13 standard configurations, you need a scaffold design by a qualified designer. This includes complex structures, high scaffolds (over 12m on some systems), heavy loadings, cantilevers, and anything non-standard.

Can I use the same RAMS for all scaffold jobs?

No. Each RAMS should be specific to the actual scaffold and site. However, FastRAMS makes it so quick to generate job-specific RAMS that there's no excuse for generic templates.

Who can inspect scaffold?

Scaffold inspections must be done by a competent person. This usually means a CISRS Advanced Scaffolder or someone with CISRS Scaffold Inspection Training Scheme (SITS) qualification. The inspector must be independent from the erection gang.

What wind speed do I stop work?

General guidance is to stop scaffold erection/dismantling when wind speeds exceed 17 mph (Force 5 on the Beaufort scale). However, specific site conditions and scaffold type may require lower limits. Always check your company's policy and risk assessment.

What about temporary edge protection during erection?

This is critical. The SG4:15 guidance covers temporary guardrails, advance guardrails, and other methods to maintain edge protection during erection and dismantling. You must have a system - most scaffold fatalities happen during erection/dismantling, not during use.