Risks, dangers and important considerations

Scaffolders are required to wear PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) as a part of their working tools - along with hand tools. Harnesses are now mandatory, along with safety Boots, Hardhats and Hi-viz vests.
Some sites are making safety Glasses and Gloves a mandatory part of ALL Construction work.
More info is provided on Scaffolding Safe Practices on the NASC Youtube Channel.
SG4:10 is the upto date approved codes of practice that all Scaffolders are required to follow.

Though its constantly being updated and revised.


Never break your back... at the end of the day, like your eyes - you only have 1 back and once its gone, it CANNOT be replaced/returned to its original state.
Work as hard as you need to to do the job, but showing off and trying to be a hero will do nothing for your 'street-cred'... It'll only make you look stupid, infront of your fellow Scaffolders.

Scaffolding companies, like any firm are a business and they will continue to try to make a profit, even if that means 'knocking' some of your hard earned cash.
Dont take it, be strong and stand up for yourself.

Starting off in the Yard is a great way to learn the basics of Scaffolding equipment.
There you can learn the difference between various fittings and why tubes are stacked and carried how they are...
Or the alternative - Starting as a Scaffold Labourer on site, in which you will have to learn and FAST, how to Labour correctly.

Setting out a job is an important part of Labouring.
Standards require at the very least a 'Base-Plate' and sometimes, depending on the type of ground your basing out on, a 'Sole Board' - which is a small piece of Scaffolding Board, but to atleast 18" (inches) in length.
Duties as a Scaffold Labourer are to keep 'your' Scaffolders with enough equipment for them to continuously work, keep the Scaffold tidy and to make sure that theres a plentiful supply of Tea and Coffee, lol.

After a few years of Labouring, you should be ready to start your Scaffolding training, as a Trainee Scaffolder, which after a few years of that, you should be confident and experienced enough to get your Basic Scaffolding card and become fully qualified.


Once you become a qualified Scaffolder, theres a few things to consider further... Like: Never endanger yourself or others, at the end of the day, if ANYTHING goes wrong - YOU WILL BE FULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR ACTIONS and your employer will make sure that if anyone has to be prosecuted... it will be you!

Its pretty much the most dangerous job in Construction and one of the most dangerous jobs in the world, so dont put yourself at more risk then you need to.
Your employer can afford to wait another day, for a Scaffold to be erected/struck, can your family afford for you to be out of work for several months with a broken back or worse?

Ultimately your responsible for your own Health and Safety.