Why risk assessments are required
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require employers to assess the risks associated with their work activities.
For scaffolding, this is not optional. Every scaffolding operation presents hazards — falling materials, working at height, manual handling, proximity to traffic — and these must be formally assessed before work begins.
What a risk assessment must cover
A scaffolding risk assessment should identify:
- The hazards present — what could cause harm
- Who could be harmed — operatives, the public, other trades
- The likelihood and severity of harm
- The control measures in place to reduce risk
- Any residual risk after controls are applied
It should be specific to the job, not a generic document copied from a previous project.
The five steps of risk assessment
The HSE sets out a straightforward five-step process:
- Identify the hazards
- Decide who might be harmed and how
- Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions
- Record the findings and implement them
- Review the assessment and update if necessary
Each step must be completed properly. A risk assessment that is not implemented on site has no value.
Common hazards in scaffolding operations
Hazards that must typically be assessed include:
- Falls from height during erection, alteration and dismantling
- Falling materials and dropped objects
- Manual handling of tube, boards and fittings
- Proximity to overhead power lines
- Proximity to traffic or the public
- Ground conditions and scaffold stability
- Weather conditions, particularly wind
- Access and egress to the work area
This list is not exhaustive. Each site will present its own specific hazards.
Method statements
A method statement sets out how the work will be carried out safely. It should:
- Describe the sequence of work
- Identify the equipment and materials to be used
- Reference the relevant risk assessment
- Specify the PPE required
- Confirm who is responsible for each stage
Risk assessments and method statements are often produced together as a RAMS document.
Who carries out the risk assessment
The risk assessment must be carried out by a competent person. On a scaffolding contract this is typically:
- The scaffolding contractor’s safety manager or supervisor
- A qualified scaffolding manager with relevant site experience
The person carrying out the assessment must have sufficient knowledge of the work to identify the hazards accurately.
Communicating the risk assessment
A risk assessment is only effective if it reaches the people doing the work. This means:
- Briefing operatives before work starts
- Ensuring the RAMS is available on site
- Recording that operatives have read and understood the assessment
- Updating the assessment if site conditions change
A toolbox talk is a common method for communicating risk assessment findings.
Review and revision
A risk assessment must be reviewed if:
- There is a significant change to the scope of work
- An incident or near miss occurs
- Site conditions change materially
- The assessment is found to be inadequate
It should also be reviewed at regular intervals on longer projects.
Key takeaway
A risk assessment is a legal requirement and a practical tool. It must be specific, implemented on site and communicated to all operatives. A generic or unread risk assessment does not fulfil the legal requirement and does not protect anyone.
