When Must a Scaffold Be Inspected by a Competent Person
5 minutes read
31 Mar 2026
Scaffolding isn’t “fit it and forget it”. Once it’s up, wind, weather, site traffic and alterations can all affect stability. That’s why UK law is clear about when a scaffold must be inspected by a competent person.
If you’re responsible for site safety, you need to know the rules. Not roughly. Not “we usually check it”. Properly.
Here’s exactly when inspections are required in the UK and what that actually means in practice.
Note: Scaffold inspection requirements sit alongside recognised industry guidance such as TG20 and SG4, which help ensure structures are erected, maintained and used safely.
Article in Brief
A scaffold must be inspected before it’s used for the first time.
It must be re-inspected at least every 7 days.
It must be inspected after any alteration.
It must be inspected after events that could affect stability (e.g. high winds).
Inspections must be carried out by a competent person.
Inspection records must be completed and kept.
1
What is a “competent person”?
This phrase gets thrown around a lot. But in UK safety law, it means something specific. A competent person is someone with:
- The right training
- The right knowledge
- The right experience
- The ability to identify hazards
- The authority to act on findings
In scaffolding terms, this often means someone with recognised training such as CISRS qualifications or equivalent experience in inspecting scaffold structures. So, not just the most experienced person on site.
They need to understand:
- Scaffold design principles
- Load classes
- Tie patterns
- Stability requirements
- Common failure points
If they don’t know what they’re looking at, they’re not competent. Simple as that.
2
The legal requirement in the UK
The regulations state that scaffolding must be inspected:
- After installation and before first use
- At intervals not exceeding 7 days
- After any event likely to affect its stability
By law, there must also be a written report completed after each inspection, and records must be kept. These inspections are typically recorded in a scaffold inspection register (often referred to as a GA3) or equivalent system.
Many sites also use a Scaffold Check Inspection Tag Kit, comprising a colour-coded tag mounted directly on the scaffold. It gives workers an instant visual indicator of its current inspection status and next due date.
Read more: Scaffolding Rules & Regulations in the UK
So, when someone asks when a scaffold must be inspected by a competent person, the answer is clearly defined. Below, we’ll look at the different instances where inspections are required...
3
Before first use
Once the scaffold has been erected, it must be inspected before anyone uses it.
No stepping onto it. No loading materials. No “it looks fine”.
The competent person must confirm:
- It has been built to design
- All components are correctly installed
- Guardrails and toe boards are in place
- Ties are secure
- Foundations are stable
This inspection effectively acts as the scaffold handover, confirming it is safe for use. Only once it passes this inspection should it be handed over.
4
Every 7 days
A scaffold must be inspected at least every 7 days too.
That’s the maximum gap. Not “around a week”. Not “when we remember”.
Even if the scaffold hasn’t been heavily used, it still requires inspection within that time frame.
Why? Because conditions change. Ground can settle. Fittings can loosen. Weather can weaken ties.
Regular inspections catch problems early, before they turn into incidents.
5
After any alteration
Any modification triggers a new inspection. That includes:
- Adding an extra lift
- Removing or repositioning ties
- Extending the scaffold
- Changing platform layouts
- Adjusting guardrails
- Altering loading bays
If you change the structure, even slightly, it must be inspected by a competent person before being used again.
You’ve changed the design, so you need to confirm it’s still safe.
6
After adverse weather or impact
Scaffolds are exposed structures. Weather hits them first.
They must be inspected after events likely to affect stability, such as:
- High winds
- Heavy rain causing ground movement
- Snow loading
- Vehicle impact
- Falling debris
- Structural impact from machinery
Strong winds are one of the biggest risks. Ties can loosen and sheeting can act like a sail.
If conditions could have affected the scaffold, inspect it. No guessing.
7
After a long period of non-use
While it’s not always explicitly stated in simple terms, good practice dictates that scaffolding left unused for an extended period should be re-checked before work resumes.
Ground conditions change. Components can degrade. And other trades may have interfered with it.
If in doubt, inspect. That’s the golden rule.
8
What does a scaffold inspection involve?
A proper scaffold inspection isn’t a quick glance from ground level. A competent person will check:
- Base plates and base jacks for settlement
- Standards for plumb and condition
- Ledgers and transoms for secure connections
- Bracing and ties for integrity
- Scaffold boards for damage or over-span
- Guardrails and toe boards for compliance
- Access ladders and stair units
- Signs of corrosion or deformation
They’re looking for movement, weak points, missing components. Anything that compromises safety.
It’s systematic. Not casual.
9
What happens if you don’t inspect?
Skip inspections and you’re rolling the dice. The risks include:
- Scaffold collapse
- Falls from height
- Serious injury or fatality
- HSE enforcement action
- Heavy fines
- Prosecution
- Project shutdown
- Insurance complications
And if something does go wrong, inspection records are one of the first things investigators ask for. Not having them is a problem you don’t want.
10
Records must be kept
Every inspection must be recorded. The report should include:
- Date and time
- Location of scaffold
- Details of inspection
- Any defects found
- Actions taken
- Name and signature of the competent person
Records must be kept on site until the next inspection and retained for at least three months after the scaffold is dismantled.
Both paper and digital are acceptable. Just make sure it’s done properly.
Need scaffold components you can rely on?
Inspections are easier when the scaffold itself is built from solid, compliant materials.
Galvanised steel tube resists corrosion and movement. Secure scaffold fittings reduce the risk of slippage. Stable base jacks keep the structure level from the ground up. Properly graded scaffold boards reduce deflection and weak spots.
If you’re looking for scaffolding supplies, The Metal Store has what you need. Cut to size and delivered when you choose, anywhere in the UK.
No hidden fees. No minimum order headaches. No waiting around.
Because safe scaffolding starts with the right materials, before regular inspections by a competent person.
