Q: Who is competent to inspect a scaffold?
Legislation specifies that anyone carrying out an inspection must be competent to do so. To be competent that person must have the necessary training, knowledge and experience.
As a minimum the NASC would recommend:
a) A CISRS Scaffolder cardholder would be deemed competent to inspect the scaffold structures that are covered in the CISRS Part 1 & Part 2 courses provided their employer can demonstrate they have the necessary knowledge and experience.
b) A CISRS Advanced Scaffolder cardholder would be deemed competent to inspect the scaffold structures that are covered in the CISRS Part 1, Part 2 & Advanced courses provided their employer can demonstrate they have the necessary knowledge and experience. The contents and overall objectives of the CISRS courses can be found in the CAP 609 General Information Booklet Appendix A-C pages 37-44.
c) A CISRS Scaffolding Supervisor cardholder would be deemed competent to inspect the basic scaffold structures that are covered in the CISRS Part 1 and Part 2 courses provided their employer can demonstrate they have the necessary knowledge and experience. If they also hold an Advanced Scaffolders card, then they would be deemed competent to inspect advanced structures. The content and overall objectives of the CISRS Scaffolding Supervisor course can be found in the CAP 609 General Information Booklet pages 22-23.
d) A person who has been on a Basic Scaffold Inspection Course * (min. two days) would be deemed competent to inspect a basic scaffold structure provided their employer can demonstrate they have the necessary knowledge and experience and they have passed the knowledge test at the end of the course. This course is suitable for: Management/Supervision who are responsible for inspecting scaffolds and completing reports in accordance with the Work at Height Regulations 2005. Note: If candidates who have attended the Basic Course want to inspect more complex scaffolds, then they will need to complete the Advanced Course after they have gained sufficient experience inspecting Basic Scaffolds on a regular basis.
e) A person who has been on an Advanced Scaffold Inspection Course * (min. two days) would be deemed competent to inspect more complex scaffold structures provided their employer can demonstrate they have the necessary knowledge and experience and they have passed the knowledge test at the end of the course. This course is suitable for: Experienced Scaffold Inspectors, Management/Supervision who are responsible for inspecting, commissioning and handing over scaffolds, and completing reports in accordance with the Work at Height Regulations 2005.
f) Persons who are required to carry out inspections of System Scaffolds must, in addition to the basic scaffold inspection course, have product knowledge of the system to be inspected. This may be sought via CISRS approved training providers, the manufacturer/supplier or as an absolute minimum by obtaining an using the information provided in the official product user guide. This would also apply to CISRS Scaffolder and Advanced card holders, however they could be deemed competent to inspect system scaffold if they already have system product endorsements on the rear of their cards.
CISRS are considering developing short duration system product inspection courses which could then be added as endorsements on the rear of the inspection card.
* Several CISRS approved training centres already offer Basic and Advanced Inspection training (both 2 days duration) Note: Any competent person who is not carrying out scaffold inspections on a regular basis would need to consider additional refresher training To download a copy of this statement please click here
CISRS have developed the Scaffold Inspection Training Scheme (SITS) 2 day Basic and Advanced courses are available and are aimed at those who are responsible for carrying out statutory scaffold inspection on site. Upon successful completion of the above courses the delegate is eligible to apply for the CISRS Inspection card
