Ad
Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Scaff Step Survey [Results]

ADVERTISEMENT

Back in May we reported that the SCCR (Scaffolders Confederation for Consultation Rights) conducted a survey for the Scaff Step. Below are the results to this survey that was posted on the SCCR website.

The Survey was a breakdown of replies from members of the SCCR, Scaffolder forum and readers of ScaffMag. Compiled from around 110 replies of which 15% were management.

The Survey

1. Does your employer or their customers insist on the scaff step being the only method used on their sites?

43.3% Use the step

33.3% Don’t work to SG4:10

23.3% Work in offshore or industrial using other more suitable methods for their environment.

 

The answers below are only from scaffolders that use the step on a daily basis.

The ones that use the step

54% said yes

46% said no

 

2. What other methods of advanced guard rails do you or your company use and what is your opinion on them?

53.3% said no other A.G.R. used

13.3% use a dummy lift but time and cost is an issue.

13.3% use a sliding tube.

6.7% use Fast Guard

6.7% use Haki Wand

6.7% use double lanyard and Wrappa Anchor

 

3. If you use a scaff step what type is it, does it sit on the guard rail or on the standard, does it have a ladder to the platform or not?

All have steps going to the platform

93% sit on the guardrail

7% attach to the standard

 

4. If you use a scaff step do you feel safe using it, do you hemp while standing on the step?

71.4% feel unsafe using the step

28.6% do not feel unsafe using the step

 Also

64.3% hemp from the step

35.7% refuse to hemp from the step

 

5. Do you think that the scaff step causes extra strain and fatigue to the body?

71.5% say yes

28.5% say no

One is more concerned about gin wheels

 

6. Are you happy with hemping over the guard rail, do you consider this dangerous.

71.4% are unhappy with hemping over guardrails

28.6% are not

Also

85.8% consider it dangerous

14.2% do not

 

7. Do you use the scaff step on base lifts, if so how do you manage with uneven ground conditions?

50% use the step on base lifts and erect a foot lift if necessary

50% do not use it on base lifts

 

8. How are the scaff steps transported from site to site?

71.4% are transported by company vehicles

21.4% are transported in scaffolders own cars

7.2% are left on site

 

9. Do you consider them dangerous in wet or muddy conditions?

92.9% said yes

7.1% said no

 

10. Have you or have you witnessed an accident or near miss due to the use of the scaff step or hemping over the guard rail?

78.6% said they had ranging from trips because of the step cluttering lifts to broken bones losing footing on the step and dropped hemps which could have caused a fatality.

21.4% said no but 50% of them expect to see one soon.

 

11. Do you feel that your job is at risk if you complain about using something you consider unsafe or puts extra strain on your body?

71% said yes

29% said no

 

12. Do you think the SG4:05 traversing rule was adequate?

78.4% said yes although many admit it was flawed and easily abused

21.6% said no

 

What do you think of the Scaff Step ? Let us know in the comments.

ADVERTISEMENT

Popular Categories

Latest news

Avontus to host free webinars on digital scaffold management this November

Avontus Software has announced a series of free, live webinars in November designed to help contractors overcome the everyday challenges of tracking and managing...

Scaff25 announces global line-up of industry leaders for Sydney conference

The Scaffolding Association Australia (SAA) has revealed an impressive line-up of international speakers for its upcoming Scaff25 Annual Conference & Awards Night, set to...

Demolition firm issues statement following Manchester building and scaffolding collapse

Manchester-based demolition contractor P.P. O’Connor has released an official statement following Friday’s partial collapse of a building surrounded by scaffolding in the city centre. The...

Building and scaffolding partially collapses in Manchester city centre

A building in Manchester city centre has partially collapsed during demolition work, with scaffolding and debris seen falling into the nearby River Irwell. Emergency services...

Benchmark Scaffolding wins Silver at national awards

Benchmark Scaffolding has been recognised with the Silver Award in the Specialist Contractor of the Year category at the 2025 National Building and Construction...

Construction leaders unite against government plan to shorten apprenticeships

More than 20 construction organisations, including the NASC, have signed an open letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer warning that plans to cut apprenticeships to eight months risk undermining skills, safety, and confidence in training.

HSE launches major construction site safety inspections in Manchester

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is carrying out a series of unannounced inspections at construction sites across Manchester city centre this week. Twelve inspectors...

JR Scaffold honoured with Ministry of Defence Silver Award

Paisley-based JR Scaffold has been recognised among a select group of leading Scottish businesses to receive the prestigious Silver Award from the Ministry of...

Brogan Group acquires Sunbelt Rentals UK hoist division

Brogan Group has announced the acquisition of Sunbelt Rentals UK’s hoist division in a deal that significantly expands its operations and fleet across the...

Scaffolding firm hits back at €9.2 million lawsuit claims

The CEO of Global Scaffolders UAB has defended the company’s labour practices after Sweden’s construction union Byggnads filed a €9.2 million lawsuit alleging wage...

Latest news

ADVERTISEMENT

The magazine

Issue 27 | Past issues >>

Popular

Building and scaffolding partially collapses in Manchester city centre

A building in Manchester city centre has partially collapsed...

Construction leaders unite against government plan to shorten apprenticeships

More than 20 construction organisations, including the NASC, have signed an open letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer warning that plans to cut apprenticeships to eight months risk undermining skills, safety, and confidence in training.

ScaffChamp 2025: Teams Gather in Vilnius for Opening Day

The international scaffolding competition ScaffChamp 2025 has officially begun,...

Brogan Group acquires Sunbelt Rentals UK hoist division

Brogan Group has announced the acquisition of Sunbelt Rentals...

HSE launches major construction site safety inspections in Manchester

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is carrying out...

Related articles

Demolition firm issues statement following Manchester building and scaffolding collapse

Manchester-based demolition contractor P.P. O’Connor has released an official statement following Friday’s partial collapse of a building surrounded by scaffolding in the city centre. The incident occurred at Alberton House, on St Mary’s Parsonage...
ADVERTISEMENTS

Latest topics

Staht secures largest ever distribution deal with Leach’s

One of the UK’s leading testing technology firms, Staht,...

Avontus to host free webinars on digital scaffold management this November

Avontus Software has announced a series of free, live...

Scaff25 announces global line-up of industry leaders for Sydney conference

The Scaffolding Association Australia (SAA) has revealed an impressive...

Demolition firm issues statement following Manchester building and scaffolding collapse

Manchester-based demolition contractor P.P. O’Connor has released an official...
ADVERTISEMENTS