Scaffold Use Requirements – Summary

SafeWork NSW

1. Licensed Personnel & High-Risk Work

• All scaffolding work (erection, alteration, dismantling) where a person or object could fall more than 4 m must be performed by a worker with the appropriate high-risk work licence (e.g., SB, SI, SA).

2. Competent Person Inspections

A competent person must inspect scaffolds:

• Before first use (handover inspection)
• After any alteration or repair
• After incidents or adverse weather events
• At least once every 30 days while the scaffold remains erected
• Inspections must be documented and records kept onsite until dismantling.

3. Inspection Scope & Standards

Inspections must ensure:

• Scaffold is complete, stable, correctly tied and braced
• Guard-rails, mid-rails, toe-boards, platforms and access are correctly installed
• Loadings do not exceed rated capacity
• No unauthorized modifications
• Access is restricted to incomplete or unsafe scaffolds

4. Scaffold Tagging & Access Control

• Scaffold must display inspection tag or certificate (e.g., green = safe, red = do not use)
• Prevent unauthorized access with barriers or signage

5. Record-Keeping & Certification

• Maintain handover certificates and inspection reports onsite
• Keep records until scaffold is dismantled
• Document all maintenance and incident responses

6. Inspection Frequency Summary

Inspection Event	When Required
Handover Inspection	Before first use after erection
Post-Alteration/Repair Inspection	Immediately after each change
Post-Incident or Severe Weather	Immediately before reuse
Periodic Competent Person Inspection	At least every 30 days while in place