Every year there are approximately 200 accidents with scaffolds that lead to sick leave and every two years there is a fatal accident. Manufacturers, installers and users of scaffolds must therefore work together to prevent the risks.

The Swedish Work Environment Authority divides scaffolds into three categories:

• Façade scaffolds that can be built to any height with components
• Mobile access towers: scaffolds on wheels that can be used up to 12 metres
• Low work platforms: simpler scaffolds that can be used up to 2 metres.

Risks with scaffolds

The most common types of accidents are

• that someone falls from the scaffold
• that some part of the scaffold becomes loose
• that the whole scaffold moves or overturns.

It also happens that the scaffold, or those on their way to or from the scaffold, are hit by traffic.

How to prevent the risks

There is much you can do as an employer to prevent the risks with scaffolds.

Get a better work environment by working systematically

As an employer, you must manage the work environment systematically, in order to improve it. Our provisions for systematic work environment management apply to all employers – regardless of the activities or the risks that you and your employees could be exposed to.

Check that all installers have the right training

To build scaffolds, installers must have the right training. What they need to know depends on how complicated the scaffold is. The requirements are described in Appendix 7 of AFS 2023:11. In the event of an inspection, the employer must produce a certificate of the right training.

Check that all installers are protected against falling

Usually installers need personal fall protection equipment if platforms and guardrails are not yet in place. This means that they also need instruction and training in how to use the fall protection equipment.

Check that all special components are approved

Façade scaffolds usually consist of specially manufactured components. Such systems must have type-approvals according to Swedish regulations or equivalent regulations in other EU/EEA states or Turkey. During inspections, as an employer, you must be able to show such supporting documentation and that the whole system can support the worst-case scenario.

The general instructions normally need to be supplemented with

• a diagram or description of the specific scaffold that will be built
• what loads it will be able to support
• where the attachments to the facade should be placed and how strong each attachment needs to be.

The attachments must then be tested at the workplace, as each façade is unique. The load on the ground also needs to be considered. Under each foot in a scaffold, you usually need planks or similar that distribute the load over a larger surface.

It is possible to build scaffolds from standard pipes (48.3 mm) or standard timber (C24) that do not need to be type-approved. But in such cases, the pipes must be connected with type-approved connections. You can avoid complicated strength calculations, if the pipe scaffold follows typical cases (SP 2006:58).

Keep the documentation

Regardless of which scaffold you choose to build, you must keep the documents so that they can be presented at internal and external inspections.

Those using the scaffold also need the documents to make sure they don't overload it. For example, it can be tempting to load too much material onto it or to cover it to protect against bad weather. Weather protection covering increases wind resistance and requires tighter fixings. Lifts and protective roofs also require additional measures to guarantee strength. Permitted loads should therefore be clearly indicated on a sign at the entrance to the scaffold.

Regularly check that all safety measures are still in place

The safety of the scaffold must be checked regularly.

• Installers may forget their protective equipment and need to be reminded.
• The scaffold could be hit by traffic.
• The attachments could become loose.
• The feet could sink into the ground.
• The weather could weaken the scaffold.

Set up procedures to check the scaffold often and regularly. There are apps to download for reporting serious accidents and incidents to the Swedish Work Environment Authority and the Swedish Social Insurance Agency.

The employer is responsible for the risks

As an employer, you are responsible for reducing the risks with scaffolds, just as you are responsible for all aspects of the work environment. You must be familiar with the Work Environment Act and other work environment regulations.

Employees and safety representatives are important for a good work environment

Employees and safety representatives have an important role in work environment management. As an employer, you must give all employees the opportunity to participate in work environment management. For example, you can let employees suggest measures or provide feedback on measures you have implemented.

Employees' participation in work environment management

As an employee, you must participate in work environment management and participate in implementing the measures needed to achieve a good work environment. You must follow the employer's instructions. You must also report to your employer or your safety representative if the work involves immediate and serious danger to life or health.