Scaffold Inspection Records: Handover Certificates, Weekly Inspections and After-Incident Checks Under TG20 and NASC

Quick Answer: Scaffolding requires a written inspection record before first use, after any substantial alteration, after any event affecting stability, and every 7 days during use (Work at Height Regulations 2005, Regulation 12). Records must meet Schedule 7 requirements. NASC TG20:21 provides Appendix A inspection forms designed to meet legal requirements. Handover certificates must be signed by the scaffold erector and countersigned by the receiving party.

Summary

Scaffold inspection records are not optional bureaucracy — they are a legal requirement under the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and a critical safety control. A scaffold that has not been formally inspected and documented before use should not be used, regardless of who erected it.

Two distinct types of documentation are commonly confused: the handover certificate (issued when a scaffold is first completed and handed over for use) and the periodic inspection record (the 7-day or event-triggered inspection report during use). Both are required; they serve different purposes and the responsibility for producing them may fall on different parties.

For NASC member firms, scaffold documentation is audited annually. Missing or incomplete inspection records are among the most common audit failures. Beyond NASC compliance, complete inspection records are essential evidence in any incident investigation or insurance claim.

Key Facts

Quick Reference Table: Scaffold Documentation Types

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Document When Issued Who Issues Legal Basis
Handover Certificate On completion, before first use Scaffolding contractor WAH Regs Reg 12, TG20:21
7-Day Inspection Record Every 7 days during use Competent inspector WAH Regs Reg 12 + Schedule 7
After-Event Inspection After adverse weather/incident Competent inspector WAH Regs Reg 12
Alteration Inspection After substantial addition/change Competent inspector WAH Regs Reg 12
Pre-Use Check Each working day/shift User (any trade) Good practice / employer duty
TG20 Compliance Sheet Before erection begins Scaffold contractor/designer TG20:21 guidance

Detailed Guidance

Scaffold Handover Certificate

The handover certificate is the formal document transferring responsibility for the scaffold from the erecting contractor to the client or principal contractor for use. It should include:

The handover certificate is NOT a substitute for a formal Schedule 7 inspection record. It confirms handover; the inspection record confirms the scaffold has been assessed as safe.

TG20:21 Appendix B provides a recommended handover certificate format. NASC member firms are expected to use this or an equivalent that captures all required information.

Schedule 7 Inspection Report Content

Every formal inspection record (7-day, after-event, after-alteration) must include all eight items from Schedule 7 of the Work at Height Regulations 2005:

  1. Name and address of the person for whose undertaking the inspection was carried out (i.e. the client/principal contractor, not the scaffolding firm)
  2. Location of the work equipment inspected — site address and specific scaffold location/reference
  3. Description of the work equipment — type and configuration of scaffold
  4. Date and time of inspection — both required
  5. Details of matters identified — defects, non-conformances, or confirmation that none were found
  6. Details of action taken — what was done to address any matters identified during this inspection
  7. Details of further action considered necessary — outstanding defects or follow-up required
  8. Name and position of the person making the report — not just a signature; name and role must be written

TG20:21 Appendix A sets out a recommended inspection form that captures all eight Schedule 7 items plus additional TG20-specific checks. Using this form (or equivalent) is strongly recommended.

TG20:21 Appendix A: The Inspection Checklist

TG20 Appendix A provides a structured checklist for scaffold inspections. Key check items include:

Foundations and base plates:

Standards and ledgers:

Ties:

Working platform:

Guardrails and toeboards:

Access:

Bracing:

General:

After-Adverse-Weather Inspections

The WAH Regulations require inspection "after any event likely to have affected its stability or load bearing capacity". This includes:

After any such event, the scaffold must be inspected by a competent person and an inspection record completed before work resumes. It is not sufficient for the site manager to walk around and decide it "looks fine" — a formal record is required.

Pre-Use Checks

Separate from formal inspections, users of the scaffold (any operative from any trade) should carry out a brief visual check at the start of each working day or shift. This is not a formal Schedule 7 inspection but is an employer duty under the WAH Regulations. The check should cover:

If any problem is identified, the user should stop work and notify the responsible scaffolding contractor immediately. The user should NOT attempt to rectify scaffolding defects themselves.

Record Retention

Minimum requirements:

Recommended practice:

NASC audit assessors review inspection records as part of the annual safety audit. Gaps, missing signatures, or records not meeting Schedule 7 requirements are common audit findings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is responsible for the 7-day inspections — the scaffolding contractor or the principal contractor?

The WAH Regulations place the duty on "the person for whose undertaking the inspection is required" — in construction this is typically the principal contractor who is using the scaffold. In practice, most principal contractors contract this inspection responsibility back to the scaffolding firm. The important thing is that it is clearly allocated in the contract, that whoever does it is a competent person, and that records are kept.

Does an inspection need to happen exactly every 7 days, or can it be slightly earlier?

The Regulations say "intervals not exceeding 7 days". An inspection on day 6 is fine. An inspection on day 8 is not compliant. In practice, most scaffolding contractors build 7-day inspection visits into their service schedule.

What happens if a defect is found during inspection?

The inspector records it under Schedule 7 item 5 ("details of matters identified") and item 6 ("details of action taken"). If the defect is significant — a missing tie, a damaged board on a working platform — the scaffold or the affected section should be taken out of use until it is rectified. A "tag" system (red/amber/green tags) is commonly used to visually indicate scaffold status.

Is the TG20 Appendix A form available to non-NASC members?

TG20:21 is a paid publication from NASC. Non-NASC members can use any form that captures all Schedule 7 items — there is no legal requirement to use the NASC format. However, for NASC member firms, using the Appendix A form or equivalent is required. Many scaffolding software platforms include built-in Schedule 7-compliant inspection forms.

Regulations & Standards