Data included in the National Access & Scaffolding Confederation’s (NASC) latest annual safety report suggest there has been a significant increase in safety standards among its members.
The report – an audit of all NASC ‘contracting’ members’ reported incidents and accidents over the last 12 months – provides a review of all activity carried out by the membership. Submission of data is compulsory for all contracting members of the confederation.
Despite tough trading conditions for the sector, scaffolders working for NASC members increased by 12 per cent compared with the previous year. The increase in scaffolder numbers has also coincided with a decrease in incidents and accidents of 20 per cent, which, according to the NASC, marks a significant increase in overall safety standards for its members.
Bob Whincap, immediate-past president of the NASC, said: “The vigour with which NASC members continually improve on scaffolding safety is a testament to our commitment to obtain only the highest standards of scaffolding expertise. Non-regulated scaffolding firms are at odds with the demands that industry now expects – if a company cannot meet the criteria of the NASC then you have to question their safety practices and, ultimately, the very serious risk they expose to themselves and others around them.”
The report includes an annual summary against previous years, going back as far as 1975. It also contains detailed reports on the causes of injuries to operatives, third parties and members of the public, as well as in-depth analysis on scaffolder incidents by age, skill grade, size of business and type of injury.
The 16-page NASC Safety Report is available free of charge on request from the Confederation. E-mail [email protected] or view the publication online at www.nasc.org.uk/safety_reports
There are still some “old school” scaffolders who insist in throwing clips, tubes etc. up to, and down from scaffolding. They insist they have been doing it for forty years? and see that as an excuse to continue that mal practice.
Some still do not use harnesses, or hop-ups to erect / dismantle scaffold. – Except on the site I am on where it is an absolute necessity. Otherwise they are off site.