NASC Safety Report 2012

NATIONAL ACCESS AND SCAFFOLDING CONFEDERATION
Safety Report 12
Maintaining High Standards in Scaffolding
The HSE continues to support

and work with the NASC in the
development of best industry
practice for scaffolding
Joy Jones, HSE Principal Inspector National
Construction Sector Safety Team
NASC:
scaffolding
regulators
Rob Lynch, NASC President
quality of working practice you receive

because you are using a competent
scaffolding company as determined by
our strict processes of membership.
For those clients or contractors
who have yet to adopt a policy
of only using NASC members I urge
you to follow your peers.
We all have a responsibility to
encourage scaffolding rms to raise
their business practices to meet
the accepted industry standard of
the NASC. By enforcing a policy of
only NASC members on your sites
scaffolding rms have no option
other than to operate at this level
or risk losing work.
The sooner the rest of the
scaffolding industry raises it standard
of workmanship to the NASCs criteria
the sooner the industry will be rid of
the unregulated element for ever.
02 03
Cover photograph:
Scaffolding in progress,
St. Michaels Mount,
Marazion, Penzance.
Scaffolding as an industry is
changing, it is now becoming widely
accepted that the industry should be
regulated to ensure that only the most
up to date standards of best practice
and safety are used. As more and
more clients and contractors stipulate
only NASC (National Access &
Scaffolding Confederation) members
as the obvious solution to employing
a competent scaffolding contractor
the harder it is for rogue and inferior
scaffolding rms to nd corners of the
industry to continue operating in.
The 2012 Safety Report is,
once again proof that the NASCs
strict criteria for membership and
its insistence that every member
company operates to current industry
best practice provides a safer
method of working for scaffolding
that reduces accidents and
ultimately saves lives.
By selecting a rigorously audited
NASC member you are making the
right decision because you are making
an informed decision. There is no
speculation as to the standard and
What is
the NASC
objective?
The NASC - National Access & Scaffolding Confederation has
been the established national trade association for the scaffolding
industry in the UK for more than 60 years.
Our objective is to ensure the scaffolding and access industry
maintains the highest practicable standards of workmanship via
cohesive development and detailed regulation.
NASC members account for over 75% of the UKs total spend
on scaffolding and competitively work in every county in the UK.
How does the

NASC help the
industry?
By providing regulated scaffolding
companies who have to work to a
strong audited procedure.
By appointing an NASC member
company you can be assured of
a scaffolding company which is
competent and abides by the latest
working practices for scaffolding.
By employing an NASC member you
can obtain a high level of reassurance
that whether they are carrying out
work or supplying equipment, you
are making an informed decision.
You know what to expect, your
expectations are met and, of
course, ultimately, you are making
the right choice.
Included in its aims to improve health

and safety on construction sites, APS
supports the work of the NASC which aims
to provide the construction industry with a
scaffolding workforce which is competent.
Association for Project Safety (APS)
04 05
The NASC application and audit process

requires all prospective companies to comply
fully with the membership criteria.
Trading for 2 years: A member

company must be able to provide
evidence of trading accounts for at
least two years prepared by the
company accountants/auditors. The
company must also be VAT registered.
What can you

expect from
a member?
Minimum of 90% Directly

Employed Operatives:
A minimum of 90% of hourly paid

operatives must be directly employed
as a condition of membership.
All Managers and Supervisors
must be directly employed.
A High Standard of Trained
Personnel: All members must have
at least 90% of operatives qualied
to the appropriate level of CISRS
(Construction Industry Scaffolders
Record Scheme), and 50% of the
scaffolding workforce must hold
either a scaffolder or advanced
scaffolder card.
The NASC have played an active

part in the Safety Agenda over the
last few years and I would recommend
that all Scaffolding Companies join
them on this important issue.
Lend Lease
Adequate Health and Safety
Security: All members are required
provision: All members must
to identify their equipment using a

marking system. Members must then
register their colours with the NASC
to restrict any theft.
Insurance: An NASC member must
hold a minimum of 5 million Public

Liability Insurance, plus at least 10
million Employers Liability Cover.
CITB Registered: All members
must provide a copy of their

certicate of registration to CITB
ConstructionSkills and provide
proof of levy payment.
Code of Conduct: The NASC
Materials: NASC Hire, Sale and
Manufacturing members must abide

by their own code of practice that
ensures materials conform to the
highest standards and are regularly
inspected and maintained.
publishes a code of conduct which

all members must abide by.
company doesnt conform?
In the rst instance a

member company is asked
to take appropriate action to
re-conform. A re-audit of the
company at their expense
will be arranged to verify that
appropriate actions have been
carried out. If there is further
non-compliance then the
company will be notied of
expulsion from the NASC.
Working Practice: All members

must adhere to the latest guidance
published by the NASC.
All members are expected to be

actively involved in crime prevention
and report all thefts to both the
NASC and the Police.
What happens if a member
06 07
provide a satisfactory signed Health

and Safety policy statement and
evidence that they meet current
health and safety legislation. All
members must agree to complete
the NASC annual accident return.
How does the

NASC remain
up to date?
It is important that the NASC engages
with its members regularly to inform
them of all the latest developments.
All NASC members are, as a
compulsory requirement of
membership, expected to attend
meetings held by the NASC.
The development and maintenance

of best practice guidance not only
involves dialogue with our members
but also includes regular consultation
with some of the most important and
inuential organisations in the
construction sector.
The NASC works regularly with all
the organisations identied on the
We have identied scaffolding operations as one

of the key risks on site... membership of the NASC
provides the evidence that the company will be
able to meet these fundamental criteria and will
be working in accordance with best practice
University of West England
Health and Safety Executive
UK Contractors Group
Construction Industry
Scaffolders Record Scheme
Construction Skills
Certication Scheme
British Standards Institute
08 09
All NASC guidance and publications

are reviewed in line with the latest
developments in construction and are
regularly amended and reissued to
maintain up to date standards.
The regulated scaffolding industry
of today is a professional specialist
industry with very high standards
of workmanship.
Strategic Forum
Union Europaischer
Gerustbaubetriebe
right to strive for best practice and

keep ahead of developments in
scaffolding that will remain in line with
other construction industry stakeholder
initiatives. Indeed many representatives
from these organisations are members
of the NASC standing committees
focusing on particular areas of best
practice, for example Health and Safety
or Technical issues.
Health and safety best practice is of the utmost

importance to Sisk... We would encourage all
scaffolding contractors who have not achieved
NASC membership to raise their game and
meet the high standards required.
John Sisk & Son Ltd
Each guidance note is periodically

updated in conjunction with the
HSE and developments in
product technology.
All members of the NASC must
work in accordance with the Work
At Height Regulations and as part
of their continuing compliance for
membership must also comply with
all NASC published guidance*.
Contractual Guidance
Lifting Equipment and Accessories in
CG12:
Contract Clauses
CG13:
Pre-tender information from client
CG14:
Pre-Contract Meetings
SG10:
CG15:
Engineering and Construction
SG11:
Noise
Subcontract
SG13:
Health Surveillance in Scaffolding
CG16:
Employment Contracts
SG14:
Safety Nets
CG17:
Commercial Pitfalls for the Scaffolding
SG15:
Drugs and Alcohol at Work
Contractor
SG16:
Management of Fall
CG18:
Day Work
CG19:
Liquidated and Ascertained Damages
the Scaffolding Industry

Requirements for the Use of Brickguards
Protection Equipment
SG17:
SG18:
Fall Arrest Equipment and You

Welfare Facilities for the
Scaffolding Contractor
Health and Safety Guidance

Control of Substance Hazardous to
SG19:
Health in Scaffolding (COSHH)
SG20:
Consultation with the Workforce
SG2:
Asbestos Licences and Ancillary Work
SG21:
Entry into Conned Spaces
SG1:
A Guide to Formulating a Rescue Plan
CG1:
Pavement Licences
Involving the Scaffolding Contractor
SG22:
Induction Training
CG2:
Set-off
SG3:
Earthing of Scaffolding Structures
SG24:
A Guide for Scaffold Plans
CG3:
Programmes
SG4:
Preventing Falls in Scaffolding
CG5:
Contractual Issues Relating to

Hiring of Hoists
CG6:
Scaffold Design
CG7:
Late Payment of Commercial Debts
CG8:
CG9:
SG4:
(Method Statements)
(Management Guide)
SG25:
Access and Egress from Scaffolds
Preventing Falls in Scaffolding
SG26:
Scaffolding & Hoists
(User Guide to SG4)
SG27:
SG5:
Overhead Power Sources
Preparation of Quotations
SG6:
Manual Handling in the Scaffolding Industry
Payment Under the Construction Act
SG7:
Guide to Risk Assessment
CG10:
Adjudication Its use by the Sub-contractor
SG8:
Reporting of Accidents Procedure
CG11:
Preparation of Schedules of Rates
SG9:
Use, Inspection and Maintenance of
Temporary Edge Protection on

Open Steelwork
SG28:
Safe Systems of Work for Scaffolding

Associated with Timber Frame
Building Construction
SG29:
Internal Edge Protection on
The correct guidance is important to our

members and to anyone working on or
around scaffolding. The NASC produces
a large number of documents that are
designed as guidance for best practice.
Timber Scaffold Boards -
Other Useful Guidance
SG30:
Working From Vehicles
An Introduction to the Revised
PAVE1:
National Pavement Licence Criteria
SG31:
Management of Slips and Trips
Standard BS 2482: 2009
AID1:
Guidance to aid the Appointment and
SG32:
Guidance on the Provision of Inside
Scaffold Platforms
TG5:
TG6:
Care and Maintenance of
Management of Scaffolding Contractors
Scaffold Boards
Board Brackets
YEAR1: NASC Yearbook
Guidance on the Protection of the Public
TG7:
SG35:
Guidance on the Handover of
TG8:
Fire Damage
Video Advice and Guidance
Scaffold Structures
TG9:
Guide to the Design and Construction
Explaining Scaffold Handover
of Temporary Roofs and Buildings
Certicates and Scaffold Inspections
SG36:
Unauthorised Modications to Scaffolds

TG10:
Code of Practice for the Hire, Sale
Fire Retardant Treatments for
Explaining Scaffolder Cards -
Timber Scaffold Boards and Battens
Hire/Sale/Manufacturing Guidance
N/A
Scaffold Board Nailplates
TG11:
who can do what?
Stress Corrosion Cracking in HT

SG4:10: Preventing Falls in Scaffolding
Tying Down of Scaffold Boards
TG20:08: Technical Guidance on the use
Security Guidance
TG13:
Non-Standard Boarded Platforms
SecG2: Reporting of Theft to the Police
TG14:
Supplementary Couplers and
SecG5: Vehicle Theft
Recommended Scaffolding Criteria
Check Couplers
SecG4: Stock Control

TG15:
Site Hoardings and Signboards
for Pavement Licences
TG16:
Anchoring to the Ground
Technical Guidance
TG17:
Identication of EN74 Scaffold Fittings
TG1:
TG20:
Guide to Good Practice for
Temporary Edge Protection for

Sloping and Flat Roofs
TG3:
Erection, Use and Dismantling of
TG20:
of BS EN12811-1
Other videos you may nd useful...

Recent Guidance Changes for Scaffolding
Scaffolding with Tubes and Fittings
Jason Anker talks about his life after a fall from height
Toolbox Talk Pocket Booklet
Asbestos - the Hidden Killer
Temporary Rubbish Chutes

TG4:
NASC talks sustainability with UKCG
on Scaffolding
Training Guidance
Anchorage Systems
CAP609: CISRS General Information Booklet
Introduction to Scaffolding Terms
*Correct at time of going to press. For the latest guidance please visit: www.nasc.org.uk
Steels and Alloys

TG12:
and Use of System Scaffolds
10 11
SG34:
Does our
work make a
difference?
Over the last three decades the
number of NASC scaffolders in the
UK has risen from approximately
8000 in 1980 to 13716 by the
end of 2011.
Despite the rise in numbers of
scaffolders the incidence rate for
accidents has steadily declined.
The number of reported accidents
in 1980 was 532, by 2011 that gure
had reduced to 145.
The NASC will continue to strive

towards their ultimate goal of zero
accidents/incidents, however this
gure is still against the trend in
general construction where falls
from height continue to rise.
This annual safety report, is
published to the industry.
All full contracting members must
contribute to this report.
Its a badge of quality that we expect

from companies whose activity involves
working at height to erect and dismantle
scaffolding that poses a higher safety
risk than usual on a construction site.
Willmott Dixon Group Head of Health and Safety
12 13
Comparison
of NASC/HSE
accident statistics
Comparison of NASC Accident and Construction Industry Statistics supplied by the HSE
2002/03
Fatal
Injury
Major
Injury
2003/04
Over
3 Day
Fatal
Injury
Major
Injury
2004/05
Over
3 Day
Fatal
Injury
Major
Injury
2005/06
Over
3 Day
Fatal
Injury
Major
Injury
Over
3 Day
Fatal
Injury
Statistics derived from the NASC annual returns of reportable accidents
10721
Number of NASC Operatives

NASC
55
11810
133
10499
11238
41
155
39
158
33
180
Construction industry statistics provided by HSE from RIDDOR reports

Construction Industry
General Statistics
70
4721
9578
71
4728
8995
69
4496
8288
60
4472
8384
79
Scaffolding Industry Fatalities

Total (NASC Members +
Non NASC Members)
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a indicates The HSE are unable to provide these gures from the RIDDOR reports. * indicates 2011/2012 gures are not yet available.
Over the last few years the

NASC have been comparing their
member companys accident
statistics with those produced by
the HSE for Construction Industry
accidents in general.
The table below gives an overview
of the reportable accident statistics
recorded by all NASC members,
2006/07
Major
Injury
2007/08
Over
3 Day
Fatal
Injury
Major
Injury
2008/09
Over
3 Day
Fatal
Injury
Major
Injury
2009/10
Over
3 Day
Fatal
Injury
Major
Injury
which is a requirement of NASC

membership, and the overall
construction industry statistics
compiled by the HSE from all the
RIDDOR reports they have received.
The table also identies the total
number of scaffolder fatalities that
has occured over the last 10 years.
2010/11
Over
3 Day
Fatal
Injury
Major
Injury
2011/12
Over
3 Day
Fatal
Injury
Major
Injury
Over
3 Day
14 15
11944
14029
13670
13124
14686
13716
133
49
125
66
105
41
98
28
93
34
111
4457
7915
72
4415
8188
53
3913
7351
42
2585
5651
50
2298
4784
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
202
280
150
244
116
197
Note: The general construction statistics and the scaffolding fatalities include all those reported by NASC members.
The NASC reporting period runs from January - December. The HSE reporting period runs from April - March.
36
Table 1: NASC Accident Figures Yearly Summary

Year
Number of
Companies
Number of
Operatives
1975
33
5879
1976
36
6286
1977
36
6772
1978
40
7244
1979
44
8510
1980
46
1981
50
1982
Incidents
Incidence
Rate
Frequency
Rate
Fatalities
Fatal
Incidence Rate
494
84.03
4.20
0.17
568
90.36
4.52
0.00
700
103.37
5.17
0.29
596
82.27
4.11
0.27
655
76.97
3.85
0.35
8160
532
65.20
3.26
0.36
7513
496
66.02
3.30
0.53
41
6833
546
79.91
4.00
0.00
0.44
1983
46
6809
480
70.49
3.52
1984
44
5930
421
70.99
3.55
0.16
1985
45
5420
423
78.04
3.90
0.55
1986
45
6840
523
76.46
3.82
0.43
1987
47
6842
497
72.64
3.63
0.29
1988
47
8094
576
71.16
3.56
0.12
1989
40
7640
550
71.99
3.60
0.00
1990
29
8435
447
52.99
2.65
0.23
1991
53
7090
530
74.75
3.74
0.14
1992
54
6603
283
42.86
2.14
0.15
1993
62
6321
283
44.77
2.24
0.15
1994
70
7520
264
35.11
1.76
0.13
1995
71
7524
267
35.49
1.77
0.13
1996
68
6816
248
36.38
1.82
0.14
1997
87
8943
330
36.90
1.85
0.22
1998
81
7871
232
29.48
1.47
0.00
1999
105
10679
258
24.16
1.21
0.00
2000
110
10779
253
23.47
1.17
0.09
2001
119
11950
243
20.3
1.017
0.17
2002
122
10721
189
17.63
0.88
0.09
2003
125
11810
197
16.68
0.83
0.084
2004
138
10499
198
18.86
0.94
0.095
2005
145
11238
213
18.95
0.95
0.00
2006
148
11994
169
14.09
0.70
0.00
2007
152
14029
174
12.40
0.62
0.00
2008
174
13760
170
12.35
0.62
0.00
2009
201
13124
139
10.59
0.53
0.00
2010
201
14686
121
8.24
0.41
0.00
2011
201
13716
145
10.57
0.53
0.00
Method of Calculation...
Incidence rate =
No. of reported accidents x 1000

Average No. of Operatives
Frequency rate =
No. of reported accidents x 100,000

Average No. of hours Worked
Fatalities & Injuries

to Operatives
Fatalities to Operatives
Injuries to Operatives
Unfortunately the number of accidents

reported by NASC members for 2010
has shown an increase on last years
gures, from 121 (2010) to 145 (2011).
The number of operatives working
within the membership has decreased
The NASC is pleased to report that

for the seventh consecutive year,
there have been no fatalities reported
by its members.
this year by almost 7% although

the number of NASC full members,
which does not include Hire & Sales
members, has remained the same.
A total of 201 (100%) member
companies have responded with the
total number of scaffolding operatives
amounting to 13716. The incidence
and frequency rates have increased to
10.57 and 0.53 respectively this year.
NASC members are committed to
improving their operatives working
environment and to secure a safer
and healthier scaffolding industry.
Please refer to table 1.
16 17
As part of the NASC membership criteria, every member has to complete the
NASC accident return forms by a given date. This annual report is based on
factual information reported by all full contracting members of the National
Access and Scaffolding Confederation in 2011. It is estimated that this
represents approximately 75% of the total scaffolding operatives in the industry.
Table 2.1: NASC Accident Figures Causes of Accidents to Site Operatives

Site operations for the year 2011: 83% of all NASC reportable accidents occurred on site.
160
140
Other Site Operations
Handling of Materials
Falls
Falls materials
Number of Accidents
120
107
102
100
80
60
40
20
121
99
94
91
77
72
84
80
76
53
51
74
56
49
47
75
53
54
22
20
25
60
52
52
39
41
37
24
12
11
2002
2003
48
16
20
19
16
0
1992
1993
1994
1995
45
40
28
38
37
29
19
1996
1997
1998
70
60
36
31
91
80
72
59
49
84
85
83
60
84
94
1999
2000
2001
15
46
56
2005
26
28
18
16
13
17
2007
2008
2006
36
32
26
25
21
15
2004
52
2009
23
10
2010
2011
Year
Table 2.2: NASC Accident Figures - Causes of Accidents to Yard Operatives

36
Yard operations for the year 2011: 17% of all NASC reportable
accidents occurred in the yard.
Number of Accidents
35
30
28
Handling of Materials
25
22
20
18
17
1993
1994
0
1992
1995
1996
1997
14
9
2
1998
17
15
17
14
8
2
Falls
20
18
15
15
10
Other Yard Accidents
26
12
4
3
4
0
2000
11
11
8
11
1999
15
14
2001
2002
6
2
2003
2004
2005
6
3
2006
11
9
2007
2008
3
2009
Year
Table 3: NASC Accident Figures Causes of Accidents to Members

of the Public, 3rd Parties and Operatives
Members of the Public
Fatal
Major 3 Day Total
3rd Party Injuries

Fatal
Major 3 Day
Operatives Injuries
Total
Fatal
Major 3 Day Total
FALLS
Scaffolding structures
Working platform, gangway, trestles
Cradles, boatswains chairs etc.
Ladders
Hoists during erection or dismantling
Collapse of scaffold
Failure/collapse of cradle, boatswains chair
Breakage i.e. displacement, boards
Falls in yard
Other (from walls, roofs, rope, lorry)
SUB TOTAL
11
13
19
27
FALLS OF MATERIALS
From scaffold
From platforms
From cradles, boatswains chairs etc
From hoists during dismantling
Due to collapse of scaffold
Other falls of materials
SUB TOTAL
12
31
36
4
1
HANDLING OF MATERIALS
On site
In yard
SUB TOTAL
32
37
11
32
43
10
14
18
49
67
36
109
145
OTHER SITE ACCIDENTS
Falls on the level

Stepping or striking against
Other causes (eye injury, electric shock, RTA)
Work equipment
SUB TOTAL
OTHER YARD ACCIDENTS

SUB TOTAL
TOTAL
3
2
1
2010
1
2011
The analysis shown in Tables 2, 3 and 4 indicate that falls from height
accidents have increased by 68% from 16 in 2010 to 27 in 2011.
The analysis for 2011 has identied
that the highest fall from a scaffold
structure reported during the year
was 7.5m.
The incident occurred in January
2011, where a Part 2 CISRS scaffolder
was erecting the 5th lift around an
apartment block in Wembley.
The scaffolding was a progressively
raised single boarded basic scaffold
in accordance with TG20:08 and was
erected in 1.5m bricklayers lifts. The
IP was working in a 2 man gang with
his son who was a trainee card holder
and Construction Skills apprentice.
The lift had been erected from below
installing a single guardrail followed by
transoms and boards. The boarding out
was completed by the trainee whilst
the IP was following behind installing
the intermediate guardrail, toeboards,
brickguards and inside board clips.
The IP then stepped on the section
where the boards butt, which
subsequently tipped up as the transom
installer had not installed the butt joint
transom at the correct spacing. The
IP fell through the structure to ground
level, impacting with the structure on
the way down. No boards fell to ground
Causes of
accidents to
operatives
level. He then got up and drove himself

home, later visiting hospital where he
was scanned and luckily only received
bruising following impact with transoms
and ledgers throughout the fall.
by a lanyard/harness. Both scaffold

operatives were able to self rescue.
The IP left site without reporting the

incident to the site management or
advising the 2 No company directors
who were on site at the time.
reasoning behind not informing anyone

of his son who had failed to install the
transoms correctly. The IP was away
from work for 2 No weeks and the
incident reported to the HSE as an
over 3 day injury.
The number of falls from scaffolding

at or above 4m, the point at which
a scaffolder should be clipped
on, was 2 and the number of falls
from scaffolding under 4m, was 6.
There were 2 reported falls from a
scaffold where the fall was arrested
of the accident was for the protection
18 19
During a telephone interview later

that evening the IP stated that the
The major cause of injury to

scaffolders during 2011 continues to
be Slips, Trips and Falls (STF) on the
same level. Although this gure has
decreased by nearly 16% this year,
It is the tenth consecutive year that
STF accidents have been the major
cause of injury. It amounted to nearly
30% of all injuries reported.
As in nearly all other sectors
of the construction industry, the
biggest single cause of accidents to
scaffolders is not falls from height,
which always attract the most
attention for obvious reasons, but
slips, trips and falls on the same level.
Employers have a clear legal
responsibility to provide their
employees with a safe place of work,
even if it is on someone elses site.
Many employers do not give slips and

trips the priority they deserve and
they are often considered as being
outside of their control, inevitable or
the fault of the employee.
Falls from height have shown
an increase this year from 2010.
Falls from scaffolds have reduced by
30% in 2011, but falls from ladders
and vehicles have shown an increase
of 3 and 5 respectively.
Manual handling injuries have also
increased this year from 24 in 2010 to
37 in 2011, an increase of 54%.
It is very important for the workforce
to understand the signicance of
lifting equipment in a safe manner.
In order to emphasise the
importance of lifting equipment
correctly, the NASC has developed
a manual handling DVD to
complement its existing manual
handling guidance SG6:10.
Table 4: Operatives by Age, Grade of Scaffolder and Type of Accident
16-20
Age
Grade
Fall Materials
Yard
Other
Scaf.
MHO
WE
Elec
Fire
HS
STF
Other
Other
MI 3d MI 3d MI 3d MI 3d MI 3d MI 3d MI 3d MI 3d MI 3d MI 3d MI 3d MI 3d MI 3d MI 3d
Manager
Supervisor
Advanced
Scaffolder
Trainee
Labourer
Driver
Manager
21-30
Supervisor
Advanced
Scaffolder
Trainee
Driver
Labourer
27
16
2
2
Manager
31-40
Supervisor
Advanced
Scaffolder
1
1
Trainee
Labourer
17
Driver
Manager
41-50
Supervisor
Advanced
Scaffolder
3
1
13
Trainee
Labourer
Driver
Manager
51-60
Supervisor
Advanced
Scaffolder
Trainee
Labourer
Driver
1
1
Manager
Supervisor
Advanced
61+
Totals
Falls
SC/WP Cradle Ladder
Scaffolder
Trainee
Labourer
Driver
TOTALS
0
3
3
27
11
2
12
Total number of Falls from Height (Operatives)

Highest Reported Fall
Number of Falls from Scaffolds/Working Platforms
Number of Falls under 4m
Number of Falls at 4m or above
Number of Falls from Ladders
Number of Reported Falls from Scaffolds Arrested by Safety Harness
Key
MI
3d
SC/WP
MHO
WE
Elec
HS
STF
= Major Injury
= Over 3 Day Injury
= Scaffolding/working platform
= Manual Handling Operation
= Work Equipment
= Electrical Injury
= Harmful Substance
= Slips, Trips & Falls on the same level
32
37
8
14
1
1
0
0
0 10 33
0
= 27
= 7.5m
=8
= 6 (SC/WP)
= 2 (SC/WP)
=5
= 2 (Both operatives were able to self rescue)
43
10
11
145
Analysis of Accidents
The NASC also looks at the relationship between the individual reported
accidents and the grade and age of the scaffolder or operative and
compares the overall statistics with those reported in 2011.
we identied that Basic Scaffolders
suffered the largest number of
accidents across all age ranges,
totalling 69 (48%).
This was followed by Trainees
27 (19%), Labourers 22 (15%),
Advanced Scaffolders 14 (10%),
Drivers 8 (5%), Supervisors 3 (2%)
and Managers 2 (1%).
These statistics show that when
compared with the 2011 statistics,
Labourers have now gone ahead of
Advanced Scaffolders.
major cause of accidents followed by

manual handling, falls from height and
work equipment.
In the 41+ age groups, slips, trips
and falls on the same level were also
the major cause of accidents, followed
by manual handling, falls from height
and falls of materials.
These accidents follow a very similar
pattern to those reported last year.
Slips, trips and falls on the same
level totalled 43 incidents during 2011,
which accounted for over 30% of the
total number of accidents recorded.
These gures show a decrease of
16% on the number of slip, trip and
falls recorded in 2011.
When the gures were analysed
by grade of operative, once again
20 21
Table 4 gives an analysis of

accidents to operatives broken
down by age, grade of scaffolder
and type of accident.
From this analysis we have identied
that, in a similar manner to last year,
when accidents are broken down by
age, the highest number of accidents
occurred in the 21 30 age group =
55 (38%), followed by the 31-40 age
group 35 (24%).
These two groups accounted
for over 62% of all accidents. The
number of accidents reported for the
rest of the age groups were 41-50 =
25(17%), 5160 = 16(11%), 16-20
and 61+ = 7(5%).
In age ranges 16 40, slips, trips
and falls on the same level were the
Table 5: Accident Figures Third Parties and Members of the Public

60
52
50
Third Party Injuries
33
30
20
20
19
20
16
15
15
14
14
11
11
9
10
4
3
2
0
0
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
Table 6: Frequency of Accidents in Different Sized Companies
Frequency
Rate of FAs
Dangerous
Occurances
Number of
accidents:
To 3rd Parties
Total number of
days absent
RIDDOR
Diseases
896
25
921
6.51
0.33
0.00
2441
128
2558
39
15.25
0.76
0.00
2196
139
2325
34
14.62
0.73
0.00
1417
38
1445
20
13.84
0.69
0.00
2450
81
2522
26
10.31
0.52
0.00
3794
151
3945
20
5.07
0.25
0.00
13194
562
13716
145
10.57
0.53
0.00
Arrested by
Safety
Harnesses
Accidents to
Members of
Public
Fatal
Accidents
Frequency
Rate
Incidence
Rate
12
Number of
Accidents to
Workers
32
All Company
Total
1001 +
201 to 1000
101 to 200
82
All Company
Sub Contractors
Total
66
All Company
Employees
1 - 20
(Very Small)
21 - 50
(Small)
51 - 100
(Small - Medium)
101 - 200
(Medium)
201 - 1000
(Medium - Large)
1001 +
(Large)
51 to 100
Fatalities Company Size
21 to 50
Number of
Companies Employing
1 to 20
Number of Injuries
40
2010
2011
Each year the NASC endeavours to identify all accidents/injuries that

relate to third parties (ie non-scaffolding trades working on the same
sites) or to members of the general public.
Injuries to Third Parties

& Members of the Public
Frequency of Accidents
The NASC also identies the total
number of accidents reported relative
to the size of the individual company.
Table 6 gives companies the
opportunity to compare their
own results with companies of a
similar size.
Injuries to Third Parties &
22 23
Since 2002 NASC members have

been asked to differentiate between
accidents involving third parties or
members of the public.
The number of accidents reported
involving members of the public
was 2, and the number of accidents
reported involving third parties was 4.
These gures identify an increase in
accidents to members of the public,
and a decrease in the number of
accidents reported for third parties
compared with the statistics for 2010.
Frequency of Accidents in
Different Sized Companies
Table 6 indicates the experience

of different sized rms (for their
own operatives), using standard
incidence measurement.
It is suggested that companies
should measure their own incidence
rate and then compare it with the
gures for similar sized companies
and the average for all rms.
Table 5 shows the variation in

numbers of accidents reported
since 1993.
The major cause of injury to
third parties during 2011 was slips,
trips and falls on the same level 2
(50%), manual handling 1 (25%) and
work equipment 1 (25%).
The causes of injury to members
of the public were slips, trips and falls
on the same level 1 (50%) and falls
of materials 1 (50%).
Table 7.1: All Injuries

Eyes
Fracture
Amputation
Dislocation
Temporary Loss of Sight
Chemical Burn
Electrical Burn
Burn
Penetration
Unconscious
Strain
Sprain
Abrasion
Laceration
Cut
Bruising
Multiple
Other
Total
%
Face
Head
Neck/
Shoulder
Ribs/
Chest/
Stomach
Back
Arm
Hand /
Finger
& Wrist
Leg /
Hip /
Groin
17
Feet / Multiple
Toes
& Ankles
Total
45
0
4
1
0
0
0
4
1
14
32
1
3
8
13
4
15
145
31
0
3
0.5
0
0
0
3
0.5
10
22
0.5
2
5.5
9
3
10
Feet /
Toes
& Ankles
Multiple
Total
13
1
2
2
3
1
1
9
8
1
2
1.5
1
1
0.5
2
2
1
6
4
2
13
9
1
7
5
20
14
Head
Neck/
Shoulder
Ribs/
Chest/
Stomach
1
10
7
3
4
1
1
1
2
6
32
22
1
15
10
14
1
1
1
1
34
23.5
1
3
5
3.5
Table 7.2: Falling from Height

Eyes
Fracture
Amputation
Dislocation
Chemical Burn
Electrical Burn
Burn
Penetration
Unconscious
Strain
Sprain
Abrasion
Laceration
Cut
Bruising
Multiple
Other
Total
Face
Back
Arm
Hand /
Finger
& Wrist
Leg /
Hip /
Groin
10
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
5
0
1
0
4
2
0
27
Head
Neck/
Shoulder
Ribs/
Chest/
Stomach
Back
Arm
Hand /
Finger
& Wrist
Leg /
Hip /
Groin
Feet /
Toes
& Ankles
Multiple
Total
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
1
4
0
1
12
2
1
1
2
1
2
Table 7.3: Falling Materials

Eyes
Fracture
Amputation
Dislocation
Chemical Burn
Electrical Burn
Burn
Penetration
Unconscious
Strain
Sprain
Abrasion
Laceration
Cut
Bruising
Multiple
Other
Total
Face
1
1
1
3
The following gives an analysis of all injuries reported, identifying the

type of injury and part of the body affected. It also gives an account of
the type of accident compared with the most common injury or most
common part of body injured.
Analysis of Injuries
to Operatives
24 25
Type of
Accident
Most Common Part

of the Body Injured
Most Common
Type of Injury
Most Common
Overall Injury
Falls from Height
Feet, Toes & Ankles
Fracture
Fracture F, T & A
Falling Materials
Neck/Shoulder
Fracture/Bruising
Fracture Neck/Shoulder/Bruising
Manual Handling
Hands, Fingers & Wrist
Fracture
Fracture Hands, Fingers & Wrist
Slips, Trips, Falls
Feet, Toes & Ankles
Sprain
Sprain Feet, Toes & Ankles
Other Accidents
Feet, Toes & Ankles
Fracture
Fracture Feet, Toes & Ankles
Table 7 shows the types of injuries

sustained by operatives in 2011.
The most common injuries
suffered by operatives were injuries
to the Feet, Toes & Ankles (F, T &
A), followed by injuries to the Hand,
Fingers & Wrist (H, F & W), injuries to
the Back, injuries to the the Leg, Hip
& Groin (L,H & G) and injuries to the
Neck & Shoulder.
The injuries to the F, T & A
amounted to 34 (23.5%), to the H, F
& W 32 (22%), to the Back 20 (14%),
to the L, H & G 15 (10%), and to the
Neck/Shoulder 13 (9%).
This followed a similar pattern as the
injuries recorded in 2010. Fractures,
Strains, Sprains and Bruising were the
most common forms of injury with 45
(31%), 32 (22%), 14 (10%) and 13 (9%)
respectively, followed by Cuts 8 (5.5%).
Dislocations, Penetrations and
Multiple Injuries all 4 (3%), Lacerations
3 (2%), Temporary Loss of Sight,
Unconscious and Abrasion all at 1
(0.5%) and Multiple Injuries 15 (10%).
These types of injury followed a
similar pattern to those recorded in
2010 where Fractures were also the
most common injury.
Overall the most common injury
was a Fracture of the Hand, Fingers
and Wrists 17 (12%). Followed by a
Fracture of the Feet, Toes & Ankles
13 (9%), Sprain to the Feet, Toes &
Ankles 14 (10%) Strain to the Back 9
(6%) and Sprain to the Back 8 (5.5%).
Table 7 is subdivided into six
separate tables (7.1 to 7.6) identifying
different types of accident (Falling
from height, Falling Materials,
Manual Handling, Slips, Trips
and Falls, and others).
Table 7.4: Manual Handling Injuries

Eyes
Fracture
Amputation
Dislocation
Chemical Burn
Electrical Burn
Burn
Penetration
Unconscious
Strain
Sprain
Abrasion
Laceration
Cut
Bruising
Multiple
Other
Total
Face
Head
Neck/
Shoulder
Ribs/
Chest/
Stomach
Back
Arm
Hand /
Finger
& Wrist
Leg /
Hip /
Groin
Feet /
Toes
& Ankles
Multiple
1
1
1
5
3
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
3
5
16
Arm
Hand /
Finger
& Wrist
Leg /
Hip /
Groin
Feet /
Toes
& Ankles
Ribs/
Chest/
Stomach
Back
Total
12
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
7
5
0
0
3
1
0
7
37
Table 7.5: Slips Trips and Falls

Eyes
Fracture
Amputation
Dislocation
Chemical Burn
Electrical Burn
Burn
Penetration
Unconscious
Strain
Sprain
Abrasion
Laceration
Cut
Bruising
Multiple
Other
Total
Face
Head
Neck/
Shoulder
Multiple
Total
11
0
3
0
0
0
0
1
0
2
17
1
2
0
4
0
2
43
Multiple
Total
1
1
4
1
1
11
1
2
1
1
5
1
17
Neck/
Shoulder
Ribs/
Chest/
Stomach
Back
Arm
Hand /
Finger
& Wrist
Leg /
Hip /
Groin
Feet /
Toes
& Ankles
Table 7.6: Other causes of Injuries

Eyes
Fracture
Amputation
Dislocation
Chemical Burn
Electrical Burn
Burn
Penetration
Unconscious
Strain
Sprain
Abrasion
Laceration
Cut
Bruising
Multiple
Other
Total
Face
Head
2
1
1
1
1
4
1
4
1
0
1
1
1
2
1
2
1
6
8
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
1
3
0
0
4
0
2
5
26
The NASCs standards of best practice

and safety for the scaffolding industry
have resulted in WWU stipulating the
use of approved NASC members
only in its activities
Wales & West Utilities Ltd.
26 27
Does the
industry
support
the NASC?
Scaffolding rms are nding it harder
and harder to gain work on sites
without these credentials.
Pro-active main contractors

and clients are insisting that their
scaffolding contractor is an
NASC member.
Despite this demand the

NASC remains steadfast to its
requirements for strict standards
without compromise.
The Construction and Building

Industry is driving the increasing
use of NASC members.
How does
a company
become a
member of
the NASC
We believe that the standards of

technical and professional guidance
and customer service that the NASC
embody, is exactly in line with our
vision for the future.
Midas Group
Membership of the NASC is open to

any size of company working in the
scaffolding sector (over 35% of NASC
member companies carry out work
on projects as small as a domestic
property), however acceptance is via
a strict application process.
Only once all these criteria have

been met, (and their annual
membership fee paid) can a company
become a member of the NASC.
into 3 areas:
Full Contracting Membership:

Companies that supply, assemble
and dismantle scaffolding via their
own labour.
Full Non-Contracting Membership:
Companies who supply scaffolding
equipment via hire, sale or
manufacture.
Information Membership:
Companies that provide a service
to the scaffolding industry.
Once the application form has

been received and the desktop
audit completed, independent auditors
then inspect both the applicants
business operations and a number of
their sites to ensure that best practice
is an everyday occurrence.
Membership is categorised
28 29
Applicants are rst required

to complete (in full) a detailed
application form, (failure to meet all
the requirements will result in the
membership application being denied).
Members are then re-audited after the

rst 12 months then every two years
to ensure continued compliance.
The NASC would like to thank the following 201 members for their
assistance in producing this Safety Report:
Our special
thanks to...
3 D Scaffolding Ltd
360 Scaffolding Ltd
A & J Maintenance Support Ltd
A&A Scaffolding Plus Eight (2003) Ltd
AAA Scaffold Ltd
Abbey Scaffolding (Swindon) Ltd
Access Solutions Scaffolding Ltd
Ace Scaffolding (M/CR) Ltd
Acorn Scaffolding (Yorkshire) Ltd
Advanced Scaffolding (Bristol) Ltd
Aerial Scaffolding Ltd
Alan Wilks Scaffolding Ltd
Allen & Foxworthy Ltd
Allied Scaffolding Ltd
Alltask Ltd
ALP Scaffolding Services Ltd
Amber Scaffolding Ltd
Anglesey Scaffolding (Ynys Mon) Company Ltd
Anglewest Ltd
AOM Scaffolding Ltd
Apex Scaffolding (Exeter) Ltd
Apex Scaffolding (Leicester) Ltd
Archway Services plc
Arctic Scaffolding Co Ltd
ASC Edinburgh Ltd
Artel Scaffolding
Ash Scaffolding Ltd
Ashdurn Scaffolding Ltd
Ashford Scaffolding Ltd
Ashton Scaffolding Services Ltd
Atlantic Services North West Ltd
Austins Cradles Ltd
B & A Scaffolding Ltd
B J Champion Scaffolding Ltd
Bee Jay Scaffolding Ltd
Blencowe Scaffolding Ltd
Brogan Group
Brunel Scaffolding Ltd
Bryson Scaffolding Ltd
BSL Systems Ltd
C & D Industrial Services (Scotland) Ltd
Cape Industrial Services Ltd
Carlisle Scaffolding Ltd
Castle Scaffolding Ltd
Cheshire Scaffolds Ltd
Chris Sedgeman Scaffolding Ltd
City Scaffold Services (Midlands) Ltd
Combined Scaffolding Ltd
Commercial Scaffolding Ltd
Complete Access Specialist Contracts Ltd
Connect Scaffolding Ltd
Connolly Scaffolding Ltd
Construction Site Scaffolding Ltd
Contract Scaffolding Services Ltd
Controlled Scaffolding Ltd
Coventry Scaffolding Co (London) Ltd
Crossway Scaffolding (Elland) Ltd
CWR Scaffolds Ltd
D + R Group Plc
Deborah Services Limited
Denholm Industrial Services Ltd
Design Scaffolding (Bristol) Ltd
Deverson Direct Ltd
Dixon Scaffolding (Transmission) Ltd
E A Scaffolding & Systems Ltd
Eastern Counties Access Solutions

Embassy Scaffolding Services Ltd
Empire Scaffolding (GB) Ltd
ENJ Scaffolding Company Ltd
Ezee Scaffolding Ltd
Fast Fix Scaffolding Ltd
Finest Scaffolding and Access Ltd
Focus Scaffolding Ltd
Formark Scaffolding (Holdings) Ltd
Formula Scaffolding Ltd
Fourways Plant Ltd
G Mead Scaffolding Ltd
Gibby & Sons
GKR Scaffolding Ltd
Globe Scaffolding Ltd
Gloucester Scaffolding Ltd
Grampian Scaffolding Ltd
H & E Scaffolding Ltd
H & H Contract Scaffolding
H M Scaffolding Ltd
Harris & Taylor Scaffolding Ltd
Harsco Infrastructure Services Ltd.
Hewaswater Scaffolding Ltd
Heywood Scaffolding Services
High Peak Scaffolding Ltd
Hi-Pro Scaffolding Ltd
HT Scaffolding Systems Ltd
IBN Scaffold Access Ltd
Ideal Scaffolding (Southern) Ltd
Independent Scaffolding Services Ltd
Interserve Industrial Services Ltd
IOT Scaffolding Ltd
ISL Interlink Scaffolding Ltd
JC Beale Scaffolding Ltd
JDC Scaffolding
JFE Attridge Scaffolding Services Co Ltd
KD Scaffolding 1947 Ltd
K Services Scaffold and Access
Kent Scaffolding Co Ltd
Kier Scaffolding
Kirk Scaffolding Ltd
Landmark Scaffolding Ltd
Lindway Scaffolding Ltd
Lineport Ltd
LTC Specialist Scaffolding
Lyndon Scaffolding plc
Lysander Scaffolding Ltd
M. Bliss Brickwork & Scaffolding Ltd
MAC Scaffolding Group Ltd
MACT Ltd
Maidstone Scaffolding Ltd
Malvern Scaffolding Ltd
Mar Scaffolding (Scotland) Ltd
Maritime Scaffolding Ltd
McCrory Scaffolding N.I. Ltd
Metric Scaffold (SE) Ltd
MG Scaffold (Oxford) Ltd
Midland & General Scaffolding
Midland Scaffolding Services Ltd
Millcroft Services plc
MJD & Sons (Scaffolding) Ltd
Modular Scaffolding Ltd
MPT Scaffolding Ltd
MR Scaffolding Ltd
MR. Scaffolding (Anglia) Ltd
Neal Stoneman Scaffolding Ltd

Network Scaffolding Contractors Ltd
Niall Scaffolders Ltd
Northern 90 Scaffolding Ltd
OK Scaffolding Ltd
Opus Industrial Services Ltd
Oxford Spires Scaffolding Ltd
P&T Scaffolding Ltd
Par Scaffolding Ltd
Premier Scaffolding Services Ltd
Pro Access Scaffolding Ltd
Pro-Fix Access Ltd
Project Scaffolding Ltd
PSS Scaffolding Ltd
Pyeroy Scaffolding
QED Scaffolding Ltd
R Bain Scaffolding Ltd
R J S Scaffolding Ltd
R.E.D Scaffolding Ltd
Ray Seager Scaffolding Services Ltd
RBS Scaffolding Ltd
RDA Scaffolding Ltd
Rilmac Scaffolding Ltd
Rise Scaffold Services Ltd
Rodells Ltd
Rotor Scaffolding Services Ltd
Rowland Scaffold Co Ltd
RPF Scaffolding Ltd
Rushar Ltd
S&K Scaffolding Ltd
S N Scaffolds (Bath)
S.Y.S (Scaffolding Contractors) Ltd
Safeway Scaffolding Limited
SAY Scaffolding Ltd
Scaffold Erection Services Ltd
Scaffold Services Ltd
SCA Group Ltd
Seabro Ltd
Severnside Scaffolding Ltd
SGS Ltd
Shore Scaffolding Limited
SHS Scaffolding Ltd
Silverstar Services Ltd
Sky Scaffolding (Midlands) Ltd
Sonic Scaffolding 2000 Ltd
South Lincolnshire Scaffolding Ltd
Spectra Scaffolding Ltd
Speedier Scaffolding Ltd
SRK Scaffolding Ltd
Standard Scaffolding Specialists Ltd
Star Scaffolding Ltd
Strathclyde Scaffolding Services Ltd
Supa Scaffolding Services Ltd
SW Scaffolding Ltd
Swale Scaffolding Ltd
T.R Services (Bristol) Ltd
Tamworth Scaffolding Ltd
Thompson Scaffolding Services (Penrith) Ltd
ThyssenKrupp Palmers Ltd
Tilson Scaffolding Ltd
Tone Scaffolding Services Ltd
Tower & Access Hire Ltd
Tower Scaffolding (South West) Limited
TRAD Scaffolding Ltd
TTAG Scaffolding Ltd
Tubes Scaffolding Ltd
Turner Access Ltd
UK Access Solutions Ltd
Unique Scaffolding Ltd
Viking Scaffold Services Ltd
XL Scaffolding Ltd
For more information including full
contact details of all our members
please: visit: www.nasc.org.uk
How do I nd an NASC
member company?
Want to know more?
The NASC website also carries

detailed information on the NASC, the
specics of the membership criteria,
guidance information, scaffolding
terminology, and much more.
www.nasc.org.uk
02 03
All current NASC members can

be found via the NASC website,
www.nasc.org.uk, where you can
search via company name, town,
county or postcode.
We want you to feel condent and safe using the NASC (National Access and Scaffolding
Confederation). Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information
supplied herein, the NASC cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions.
The NASC reserves the right to alter or change the content of this document without
prior notice of consent. Published 05/12. E&OA
(National Access and Scaffolding Confederation)

4th Floor, 12 Bridewell Place,
London, EC4V 6AP
Tel: 020 7822 7400
Fax: 020 7822 7401
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: NASCscaffolding
YouTube: NASClondon
www.nasc.org.uk

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NATIONAL ACCESS AND SCAFFOLDING CONFEDERATION

The HSE continues to support

Rob Lynch, NASC President

NATIONAL ACCESS AND SCAFFOLDING CONFEDERATION

quality of working practice you receive

How does the

Included in its aims to improve health

The NASC application and audit process

Trading for 2 years: A member

What can you

Minimum of 90% Directly

A minimum of 90% of hourly paid

The NASC have played an active

Adequate Health and Safety

Security: All members are required

provision: All members must

to identify their equipment using a

Insurance: An NASC member must

hold a minimum of 5 million Public

CITB Registered: All members

must provide a copy of their

Materials: NASC Hire, Sale and

Manufacturing members must abide

publishes a code of conduct which

company doesnt conform?

In the rst instance a

NATIONAL ACCESS AND SCAFFOLDING CONFEDERATION

Working Practice: All members

All members are expected to be

What happens if a member

provide a satisfactory signed Health

How does the

The development and maintenance

We have identied scaffolding operations as one

Health and Safety Executive

British Standards Institute

All NASC guidance and publications

NATIONAL ACCESS AND SCAFFOLDING CONFEDERATION

right to strive for best practice and

Health and safety best practice is of the utmost

Each guidance note is periodically

Lifting Equipment and Accessories in

Pre-tender information from client

Engineering and Construction

Health Surveillance in Scaffolding

Commercial Pitfalls for the Scaffolding

Drugs and Alcohol at Work

Liquidated and Ascertained Damages

the Scaffolding Industry

Fall Arrest Equipment and You

Health and Safety Guidance

Health in Scaffolding (COSHH)

Consultation with the Workforce

Asbestos Licences and Ancillary Work

Entry into Conned Spaces

A Guide to Formulating a Rescue Plan

Involving the Scaffolding Contractor

Earthing of Scaffolding Structures

A Guide for Scaffold Plans