NatioNal access aNd scaffoldiNg coNfederatioN

More and more main contractors are

starting to specify that only NASC

(National Access and Scaffolding

Confederation) scaffolding companies

can work on their sites.

By selecting a NASC member

you are making the right decision

because you are making an informed

decision. There is no speculation as

to the standard and quality of working

practice you will receive because

you are using a rigorously regulated

scaffolding company.

I urge every main contractor to

follow your peers and insist on only

using NASC regulated scaffolding

companies on your sites.

Bob Whincap, NASC President

02

03

Na

tio

Na

l ac

cess a

Nd

sca

ffold

iNg

co

Nfed

era

tio

N

“The HSE continues to support and work with the NASC in the development of best industry practice for scaffolding”Joy Jones, HSE Principal Inspector National Construction Sector Safety Team

The NASC - National Access &

Scaffolding Confederation has

been the established national trade

association for the scaffolding

industry in the UK for more

than 60 years.

Our objective is to ensure the

scaffolding and access industry

maintain the highest practicable

standards of workmanship via

cohesive development and

detailed regulation.

The NASC’s membership

accounts for over 75% of the

UK’s total spend on scaffolding.

04

05

Na

tio

Na

l ac

cess a

Nd

sca

ffold

iNg

co

Nfed

era

tio

N

“The NASC have played an active part in the Safety Agenda over the last few years and I would recommend that all Scaffolding Companies join them on this important issue”John Spanswick, Chairman, Bovis Lend Lease

06

07

Na

tio

Na

l ac

cess a

Nd

sca

ffold

iNg

co

Nfed

era

tio

N

How do the help the industry?

By providing regulated scaffolding

companies who have to work to a

strong audited procedure.

By appointing an NASC member

company you can be assured of

a scaffolding company which is

competent and abides by the latest

working practices for scaffolding.

“Carillion recognises that the NASC is the leading body for setting standards for scaffolding in the UK. Our policy is we only use NASC member companies to provide scaffolding on our sites”Julia Fancourt, Scaffolding Relationship Category Manager, Carillion Plc.

By employing an NASC member you

can obtain a high level of reassurance

that whether they are carrying out

work or supplying equipment, 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.

08

09

Na

tio

Na

l ac

cess a

Nd

sca

ffold

iNg

co

Nfed

era

tio

N

“It gives us an assurance that our scaffolding suppliers are part of an organisation with high standardswhich they must comply with”Jim Higham, Willmott Dixon Group Head of Health and Safety

Trading for 2 years: A member

company must be able to provide

evidence of trading accounts for at

least two years prepared by the

company accountants/auditors. The

company must also be VAT registered.

Minimum of 75% Directly

Employed Operatives:

A minimum of 75% of hourly paid

operatives must be directly employed

as a condition of membership.

All Managers and Supervisors

must be directly employed.

A High Standard of Trained

Personnel: All members must have

at least 75% of operatives qualified

to the appropriate level of CISRS

(Construction Industry Scaffolders

Record Scheme), and 50% of the

scaffolding workforce must hold

either a scaffold or advanced

scaffolder card.

Adequate Health and Safety

provision: All members must

provide a satisfactory signed Health

and Safety policy statement and

evidence that they meet current

health and safety legislation. All

members must agree to complete

the NASC annual accident return.

Working Practice: All members

must adhere to the latest guidance

published by the NASC.

Insurance: An NASC member must

hold a minimum of £2 million Public

Liability Insurance, plus at least £10

million Employers Liability Cover.

Materials: NASC Hire, Sale and

Manufacturing members must abide

by their own code of practice that

ensures materials conform to the

highest standards and are regularly

inspected and maintained.

What happens if a member

company doesn’t conform?

The NASC application and audit process requires all prospective companies to fully comply with the membership criteria. In the first instance a

member company is asked

to take appropriate action

to re-conform. If this is

not actioned in an agreed

timescale then the company

will be suspended and may

ultimately be expelled.

Six members in 2008 were

expelled for non-conformity.

Security: All members are required

to identify their equipment using a

marking system. Members must then

register their colours with the NASC

to restrict any theft.

All members are expected to be

actively involved in crime prevention

and report all thefts to both the

NASC and the Police.

CITB Registered: All members

must provide a copy of their

certificate of registration to CITB

ConstructionSkills and provide

proof of levy payment.

Code of Conduct: The NASC

publishes a code of conduct which

all members must abide by.

10

11

Na

tio

Na

l ac

cess a

Nd

sca

ffold

iNg

co

Nfed

era

tio

N

right to strive for best practice and

keep ahead of developments in

scaffolding that will remain in line with

other construction industry stakeholder

initiatives. Indeed many representatives

from these organisations are members

of the NASC standing committees

focusing on particular areas of best

practice, for example Health and Safety

or Technical issues.

All NASC guidance and publications

are reviewed in line with the latest

developments in construction and are

regularly amended and reissued to

maintain up to date standards.

The regulated scaffolding industry

of today is a professional specialist

industry with very high standards

of workmanship.

The development and maintainence

of best practice guidance not only

involves dialogue with our members

but also includes regular consultation

with some of the most important and

influential organisations in the

construction sector.

The NASC works regularly with all

the organisations identified on the

12

13

Na

tio

Na

l ac

cess a

Nd

sca

ffold

iNg

co

Nfed

era

tio

N

HSE (Health and Safety Executive)

UK Contractors Group

BSI (British Standards Institute)

CITB ConstructionSkills

Strategic Forum

Access Industry Forum

It is important that the NASC engages

with its members regularly to inform

them of all the latest developments.

All NASC members are, as a

compulsory requirement of

membership expected to attend

meetings held by the NASC.

CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme)

CISRS (Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme)

The correct guidance is important to our members and to anyone working on or around scaffolding. The NASC produces a large number of documents that are designed as guidance for best practice.

14

15

Na

tio

Na

l ac

cess a

Nd

sca

ffold

iNg

co

Nfed

era

tio

N

“Health and safety and best practice are paramount to Osborne...by choosing companies that are stringently regulated to ensure best practice, we massively reduce the risk associated with our construction projects” Peter Robertshaw, Director of Health and Safety, Osborne

Each guidance note is periodically

updated in conjunction with the

HSE and developments in

product technology.

All members of the NASC must

work in accordance with the Work

At Height Regulations and as part

of their continuing compliance for

membership must also comply with

all NASC published guidance*.

Contractual Guidance

CG1: Pavement Licences

CG2: Set-off

CG3: Programmes

CG5: Contractual Issues Relating to

Hiring of Hoists

CG6: Scaffold Design

CG7: Late Payment of Commercial Debts

CG8: Preparation of Quotations

CG9: Payment Under the Construction Act

CG10: Adjudication – Its use by the Sub-contractor

CG11: Preparation of Schedules of Rates

CG12: Contract Clauses

CG13: Pre-tender information from client

CG14: Pre-Contract Meetings

CG15: Engineering and Construction

Subcontract

CG16: Employment Contracts

CG17: Commercial Pitfalls for the Scaffolding

Contractor

CG18: Day Work

CG19: Liquidated and Ascertained Damages

Health and Safety Guidance

SG1: Control of Substance Hazardous to

Health in Scaffolding (COSHH)

SG2: Asbestos Licences and Ancillary Work

Involving the Scaffolding Contractor

SG3: Earthing of Scaffolding Structures

SG4: Preventing Falls in Scaffolding

and Falsework (Management Guide)

SG4: Preventing Falls in Scaffolding

and Falsework (User Guide to SG4:05)

SG4: Preventing Falls in Scaffolding

and Falsework (Training DVD)

SG4: Interim Guidance on Collective Appendix A

Fall Prevention Systems in Scaffolding

SG5: Overhead Power Lines

SG6: Manual Handling in the

Scaffolding Industry

SG7: Guide to Risk Assessment

SG8: Reporting of Accidents Procedure

SG9: Use, Inspection and Maintenance of

Lifting Equipment and Accessories in

the Scaffolding Industry

SG10: Requirements for the Use of Brickguards

SG11: Noise

SG13: Health Surveillance in Scaffolding

SG14: Safety Nets

SG15: Drugs and Alcohol at Work

SG16: Management of Fall Protection Equipment

SG17: Fall Arrest Equipment and You

SG18: Welfare Facilities for the

Scaffolding Contractor

SG19: A Guide to Formulating a Rescue Plan

SG20: Consultation with the Workforce

SG21: Entry into Confined Spaces

SG22: Induction Training

SG23: Safe System of Work for Birdcage Scaffolds

SG24: A Guide for Scaffold Plans

(Method Statements)

SG25: Ladder Access Points on Scaffolds

SG26: Scaffolding & Hoists

SG27: Temporary Edge Protection on

Open Steelwork

SG28: Safe Systems of Work for Scaffolding

Associated with Timber Frame

Building Construction

SG29: Internal Edge Protection on

Scaffold Platforms

SG30: Working From Vehicles

SG31: Management of Slips and Trips

Hire/Sale/Manufacturing Guidance

N/A Code of Practice for the Hire, Sale

and Use of System Scaffolds

Security Guidance

SecG2: Reporting of Theft to the Police

SecG4: Stock Control

SecG5: Vehicle Theft

Technical Guidance

TG1: Temporary Edge Protection for

Sloping and Flat Roofs

TG3: Erection, Use and Dismantling of

Temporary Rubbish Chutes on Scaffolding

TG4: Anchorage Systems

TG5: Scaffold Board Specification

TG6: Timber Batten Specification

50mm & 63mm Thickness

TG7: Scaffold Board Nailplates

TG8: Fire Damage

TG10: Fire Retardant Treatments for

Timber Scaffold Boards and Battens

TG11: Stress Corrosion Cracking in HT

Steels and Alloys

TG12: Tying Down of Scaffold Boards

TG13: Non-Standard Boarded Platforms

TG14: Supplementary Couplers and

Check Couplers

TG15: Site Hoardings and Signboards

TG16: Anchoring to the Ground

TG17: Identification of EN74 Scaffold Fittings

TG20: Guide to Good Practice for

Scaffolding with Tubes and Fittings

TG20: Toolbox Talk Pocket Booklet

Training Guidance

CAP609: CISRS General Information Booklet

*Correct at time of going to press. For the latest guidance please visit: www.nasc.org.co.uk

Over the last two decades the

number of NASC scaffolders in the

UK has risen from approximately

8000 in 1980 to almost 14000 by

the end of 2008.

Despite the rise in numbers of

scaffolders the incidence rate for

accidents has steadily declined.

The number of reported accidents

in 1980 was 532, by 2008 that figure

had reduced to 170.

The NASC will continue to strive

towards their ultimate goal of zero

accidents/incidents, however this

figure is still against the trend in

general construction where falls

from height continue to rise.

The NASC produce an annual safety

report, which is published to the

‘industry’. All full contracting members

must contribute to this report. This

report is available free upon request.

16

17

Na

tio

Na

l ac

cess a

Nd

sca

ffold

iNg

co

Nfed

era

tio

N

“BAM’s decision to use NASC members is a significant backing for the industry’s commitment to spread best practice and change regarding safe erection of scaffolding”Frank Garnett, Director of Health and Safety at BAM Construct UK

The Construction and Building

Industry are driving the increase

of NASC members

Pro-active main contractors

and clients are insisting that their

scaffolding contractor is a

NASC member.

Scaffolding firms are finding it harder

and harder to gain work on sites

without these credentials.

Despite this demand the NASC

remain steadfast to their strict

standards without compromise.

17 new companies joined the NASC

in 2007, in 2008 the number was 38,

taking the number of full membership

companies to almost 200.

During the first quarter of 2009,

12 further companies had become

members of the NASC.

18

19

Na

tio

Na

l ac

cess a

Nd

sca

ffold

iNg

co

Nfed

era

tio

N

“The NASC’s standards of best practice and safety for the scaffolding industry have resulted in WWU stipulating the use of approved NASC members only in its activities”Martin Hooper, Chartered Safety & Health Practitioner, Wales & West Utilities Ltd.

Membership of the NASC is open to

any company working in the scaffolding

sector, however acceptance is via a

strict application process.

Applicants are first required

to complete (in full) a detailed

application form, (failure to meet all

the requirements will result in the

membership application being denied).

Once the application form has

been received and the desktop

audit completed, independent

auditors then inspect both the

applicants’ office and a number of

their sites to ensure that best practice

is an everyday occurrence.

Only once all this criteria has been

met, (and their annual membership

fee paid) can a company become a

member of the NASC.

Members are then re-audited after the

first 12 months then every two years

to ensure continued compliance.

Membership is categorised

into 3 areas:

l Full Contracting Membership:

Companies that supply, assemble

and dismantle scaffolding via their

own labour.

l Full Non-Contracting Membership:

Companies who supply scaffolding

equipment via hire, sale or

manufacturing.

l Information Membership:

Companies that provide a service

to the scaffolding industry.

20

21

Na

tio

Na

l ac

cess a

Nd

sca

ffold

iNg

co

Nfed

era

tio

N

“The NASC drives change, we are not lowering our standards - the scaffolding industry is rising to meet them and that can only be good news for everyone”Robin James, NASC Managing Director

SG4:05 Interim Guidance Appendix A (September 2008)

Ahead of the planned review of SG4 in 2010, an interim guidance note has

been produced to acknowledge the types of collective protection equipment

which are now available widely in the market.

TG20:08

TG20:08 is the latest guidance for the design of all tube and fitting scaffold in

the UK. TG20 interprets the differences between the outgoing BS5973 and the

now current BS-EN12811-1. It is envisaged that TG20 will be standard working

practice across the scaffolding industry during 2010.

A Toolbox Talk Pocket Booklet and Presentation are also available to support

this new guidance.

Hire, Sale and Manufacturing Code of Practice Improvements

Developments are also well underway to further enhance procedures for a

detailed audit procedure for all NASC full non-contracting members that will

ensure that product performance can be measured clearly and accurately.

www.nasc.org.uk

How do I find a NASC

member company?

All current NASC members can

be found via the NASC website,

www.nasc.org.uk, where you can

search via company name, town,

county or postcode.

Want to know more?

The NASC website also carries

detailed information on the NASC, the

specifics of the membership criteria,

guidance information, scaffolding

terminology, and much more.

We want you to feel confident and safe using the NASC (National Access and Scaffolding

Confederation). Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information

supplied herein, the NASC cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions.

The NASC reserves the right to alter or change the content of this document without

prior notice of consent. Published 09/09. E&OA

(National Access and Scaffolding Confederation)4th Floor, 12 Bridewell Place, London, EC4V 6APTel: 020 7822 7400Fax: 020 7822 7401Email: enquiries@nasc.org.ukTwitter: NASCscaffoldingYouTube: NASClondonwww.nasc.org.uk