Do You Need Planning Permission For Scaffolding – Scaffolding Rules and Regulations
In this article, we’ve put together a helpful guide explaining the legalities and restrictions of scaffolding – to ensure you follow all of the HSE scaffolding regulations. If you are planning a project that will require scaffolding, you should always reach out to a contractor. Never put up scaffolding on a building yourself – unless you have the proper training, as this can be dangerous.
In this article, we’ve put together a helpful guide explaining the legalities and restrictions of scaffolding – to ensure you follow all of the HSE scaffolding regulations. If you are planning a project that will require scaffolding, you should always reach out to a contractor. Never put up scaffolding on a building yourself – unless you have the proper training, as this can be dangerous.
Planning Permission and when it’s needed?
Every project is different, meaning you will need to abide by specific rules when going through with your building plans. To avoid complications, you should check with your local authority before going through with any project, as there may be times when you cannot get permission for your developments.
This problem can occur if you have already made alterations to your home, live in an appointed area, or a listed building.
More extreme building projects, such as large extensions, are situations where you will need permissions from your local authority.
Before planning for scaffolding, you should evaluate if scaffolding is needed for your project. However, the construction company you use for your project will often decide on your behalf. Once you discuss your plans with your construction agency, they will assess if scaffolding is needed.
Basic Scaffolding regulations
- Ensure that you obtain the correct licences that are necessary for your renovation plans
Do I need a scaffolding license?
A comment question asked by clients, if your scaffolding is within the boundary of your property, then a licence isn’t needed. However, if your scaffolding erects onto your neighbour’s land, you must give notice, and the repairs and renovations must be considered essential to qualify to do so.
- Confirm you have your neighbour’s permission before putting scaffolding on their property.
If you’re doing essential repairs on your building, then anything to preserve your property is deemed reason to have scaffolding on their land; however, if they do not give permission, you may need to prove your work plans are essential.
However, if you’re carrying out inessential work and your neighbours refuse permission to erect scaffolding onto their property. In that case, you will need to find a way without going on their land.
- Only allow professionally trained people to erect scaffolding – always ensure that the company or contractor you hire has the correct licences.
If your scaffolding structure is going to be put up on the highway or roadside( including the pavement), your scaffolding contractor must obtain a licence to go ahead with plans; make sure to check all paperwork to ensure it is all in date.
- If the scaffolding is erected in a public place, ensure that scaffolding is erected during quieter times, this will reduce potential risk to members of the public.
Larger projects where the scaffolding could propose a risk to the public, you must schedule for quiet times, and in some cases, you may even have to apply to close the road.
- Have your scaffolding inspecting before use and at least every seven days while in use.
After you get the legalities and permission sorted for your scaffolding, you must have your scaffold inspected before its use and then every seven days until the scaffolding is removed. It is inspected this often to ensure the safety of the workers as it is exposed to weather conditions that can cause erosion and deterioration, which can make the scaffolding a safety hazard.
Scaffolding Laws
There are some necessary laws to know before going ahead with your construction.
The Working at Heights Regulations (WAHR) and The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulation 1999 (MHSWR) are the two primary laws related to scaffolding. They have both been put in place to reduce risk in construction. The Working at Heights Regulation 2005 was made to protect workers from falling from heights. You’re classified at working from a height if you:
- Could potentially fall off an edge
- Work above floor or ground level
- Risk of falling through a fragile surface
- Could fall from ground level
Under the WAHR, you must ensure that only workers that are competent work at height and precautions are put in place to avoid accidents; this includes two types of safety measures:
- Collective Protection
This type of protection involves using equipment to remove the potential for a worker to fall from a height and doesn’t rely on personal protection equipment. An example of Collective protection is netting to stop objects from falling onto the public
- Personal Protection
This includes the measures taken to protect individuals, such as harnesses or safety hats. This should all be provided by the Scaffolding company to the trained workers.
If you think your project might be classed as working at height, you must make sure that your Scaffolding company carries out a policy stating that they work within the regulations.
Employers must identify possible hazards to employees and anyone who may be put at risk by the designated work activity.
Conclusion
You may need planning permission from your local authority if your scaffolding is done to erect onto a public place, pavement, or highway, or if your renovations are extremes such as large extensions or the knocking down of a building. It’s essential to follow the Rules and Regulations to avoid accidents or legal mistakes; using a reputable scaffolding company that abides by the rules and priorities safety is a crucial step when planning a new project as you will know you’re in good hands.
