NASC Reports Zero Fatalities and Improved Safety Standards

The National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has published its 2024 Safety Report, showing significant advancements in safety within the scaffolding industry. The report, a key resource since 1975, documents the industry’s progress and ongoing commitment to safety.

The report presents the high health and safety standards achieved by NASC members, demonstrating their dedication to protecting their workforce and the public.

All NASC contracting members must submit their annual accident returns as part of the membership requirements, ensuring the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the data.

Key Points from the 2024 Safety Report:

• Zero Fatalities: No fatalities were reported among operatives in 2023, a notable achievement.
• Extensive Data: The report includes information from 16,667 scaffolding and access workers across more than 280 contracting members.
• Public Safety: No accidents involving members of the public were recorded.

Nearly 80% of all reported accidents were due to manual handling, slips and trips, and falls from height.

• Manual Handling: Identified as a major hazard, manual handling incidents led NASC to release the SG6 digitalised manual handling video in 2024, aiming to improve training and address site-specific risks.
• Slips and Trips: With 28 incidents in 2023, NASC issued two user guides to reduce these risks. These guides help employers assess ground conditions and integrate NASC recommendations into Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS).
• Falls from Height: Despite 16 incidents reported, fall prevention remains a priority. NASC continues to provide guidance, including the SG4 User Guide and the SG6 Manual Handling video, to promote safe practices for working at height.

The report shows that NASC member accident rates are lower than comparable construction industry statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). This indicates that scaffolding services provided by NASC members are safer and more compliant than those from non-regulated companies.

The NASC Safety Report is available for free download at www.nasc.org.uk/information/safety-reports