The short answer
Under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, a scaffold used as a working platform must be inspected by a competent person: before it is first used, then at intervals not exceeding 7 days while it remains in place, and again after any event likely to have affected its stability — such as an alteration, substantial dismantling, or adverse weather like high winds. The result of each inspection must be recorded, and where a working platform is used for construction work and a person could fall more than 2 metres, that record is kept and made available. The aim is to confirm the structure is still safe before people rely on it again. These inspection duties apply to every scaffold, regardless of whether a council highway licence is also needed.
Scaffolding is not a 'put it up and forget it' structure. The regulations set a clear rhythm of inspection so that a scaffold which was safe on day one is confirmed safe throughout the job.
Scaffold inspection schedule at a glance
- Before first useYes — competent person
- Routine intervalAt least every 7 days
- After alterationRe-inspect before reuse
- After adverse weatherRe-inspect (e.g. high winds)
- RecordsInspection result recorded and kept
The three inspection triggers
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 set out when a scaffold used as a working platform must be inspected. There are three key triggers, and they work together rather than as alternatives:
- Before first use: once the scaffold is erected (or substantially altered), it must be inspected before anyone works from it.
- At regular intervals: while it remains in place, it must be inspected at intervals not exceeding 7 days. This is the well-known '7-day rule' — a fresh inspection at least once a week.
- After anything that could affect stability: a further inspection is required after any alteration, substantial dismantling, or an event such as high winds, heavy rain or impact that could have weakened or shifted the structure.
The point of the three triggers is continuity: the before-use check confirms the scaffold is sound to begin with, the 7-day check catches gradual deterioration, and the after-event check catches sudden changes. A scaffold that has stood through a storm, or that has had a lift added or a section removed, is treated as needing a fresh look before it is relied on again.
| Trigger | When | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Before first use | After erection or substantial alteration | Confirm it is safe to begin |
| 7-day inspection | At intervals not exceeding 7 days | Catch gradual deterioration |
| After alteration | Before the altered scaffold is reused | Changes can affect stability |
| After adverse weather/impact | After the event | Wind or impact can shift the structure |
General guidance on the inspection regime — confirm current detail with the HSE. Source: Work at Height Regulations 2005; HSE guidance.
Who inspects, and what gets recorded
Inspections must be carried out by a competent person — someone with the training, knowledge and experience to judge whether the scaffold is safe, which for scaffolding usually means an appropriately qualified inspector. The inspector checks the key safety features: that the structure is stable and properly tied, that guard rails and toe boards are in place, that boards are sound and fully boarded out, that bracing and fittings are correct, and that there are no obvious defects or missing components.
The result must be recorded. Where a working platform is used for construction work and a person could fall more than 2 metres, the inspection report is completed and kept, and made available to the relevant people. The record gives a documented history showing the scaffold has been checked on schedule — useful evidence that the duties have been met and a practical way to track that nothing has been missed. For a homeowner, the existence of inspection records is a good sign that the contractor is treating the structure properly rather than informally.
What an inspection actually checks
An inspection is not a quick glance — a competent person works through the structure systematically to confirm it is still safe to use. While the detail depends on the scaffold, the recurring checks include:
- Foundations and base: that the scaffold stands on firm, level support with base plates and sole boards as needed, and has not sunk or shifted.
- Ties and stability: that the structure is properly tied to the building and adequately braced, so it cannot move or lean.
- Platforms and boards: that working platforms are fully boarded, the boards are sound, and there are no traps or gaps.
- Edge protection: that guard rails and toe boards are in place to prevent falls and stop objects rolling off.
- Access and components: that ladders or stair access are safe and that couplers, fittings and tubes are correct and undamaged.
If a defect is found, it should be put right before the scaffold is used, and a serious fault may mean taking the affected part out of use until it is fixed. The inspection record notes what was checked and any action needed, which is why a documented inspection history is more than a formality — it shows the structure has been kept safe across the life of the job. For a homeowner, asking whether inspections are being carried out and recorded is a simple, reasonable question, and a competent contractor will have no difficulty answering it. The inspection is ultimately the routine that turns a scaffold that was safe on day one into one that stays safe until it comes down.
Why the schedule matters on every job
It is easy to view inspections as paperwork, but they are the mechanism that keeps a scaffold safe over time. Scaffolds are exposed to weather, vibration, accidental impact and interference — a board can be moved, a tie can be knocked loose, a brace removed to get materials in. The 7-day inspection catches these slow or unnoticed changes, while the after-event inspection catches the sudden ones. Skipping inspections does not make a scaffold unsafe overnight, but it removes the check that would have caught a developing problem before someone relied on the platform.
These duties apply to every scaffold used as a working platform, whether it sits on a driveway with no licence needed or on a footway under a council licence. The inspection regime is about the structure's safety, which is independent of the highway question. For a homeowner, the simplest assurance is to use a competent scaffolding contractor who inspects on schedule and keeps the records, and to ask to see those records if you want confirmation. Because the regulations are technical and can be updated, the HSE is the authoritative source, and anyone with a specific concern about whether a scaffold has been inspected can raise it there.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 7-day rule for scaffolding?
Under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, a scaffold used as a working platform must be inspected by a competent person at intervals not exceeding 7 days while it remains in place — in addition to a check before first use and after any alteration or adverse weather.
Does scaffolding need re-inspecting after high winds?
Yes. A scaffold must be inspected again after any event likely to have affected its stability, which includes high winds, heavy weather or impact. It should be re-checked before it is used again, regardless of where it falls in the 7-day cycle.
Who can inspect scaffolding?
Inspections must be carried out by a competent person — someone with the training, knowledge and experience to judge the scaffold's safety, typically an appropriately qualified scaffold inspector. The result of each inspection must be recorded and kept.
Sources & further reading
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific job. They are guidance, not a quotation.