CROSS Safety Report
Cost of design standard for scaffolding
This report is over 2 years old
Overview
The reporter is concerned that designers will not use the design standard for access scaffolding due to its high price.
Key Learning Outcomes
For civil and structural design engineers:
-
You should maintain access to safety related information required to carry out your role
For providers of safety related information for designers:
- Consider making such critical information freely available or affordable
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The design standard for access scaffolding, TG20 is produced by the National Access and Scaffolding Association (NASC). A reporter queried NASC: ‘The full suite for TG20:13 appears to cost £1206. Is there an affordable version of the design standard?’
Their answer ‘I am afraid the initial requirement is to buy the full suite of TG20:13 publications.’ The reporter is concerned that designers will not use the latest information at this price.
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Feedback
Comment on cost of scaffold design standard; it is not necessary to buy the TG20 suite of documents. All the relevant information for analysis, design and safety may be found in the following national standards which are freely available: BSEN1990 BSEN12811-1 BS5975 or on the HSE website.
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NASC confirmed that TG20:13 can only be purchased as a full suite in the first instance. Thereafter, constituent parts (there are four) including the e-Guide and pocket guide may be purchased separately.
A similar issue applies to the purchase of Eurocodes. Competent designers need to purchase documents required for their business and there should be no temptation to ‘cut corners’. Nevertheless, when safety related information is cheaply or freely available, the more likely it is to be applied.