An educational library of workplace documents — purpose, who completes them, when they are used, typical fields, common mistakes and how they connect. Linked to workplace safety, workplace training, occupations, industries and employment documents. Informational only — template examples, not legal advice or official documents; employers remain responsible and using a document does not guarantee compliance.
What a scaffolding risk assessment is
A scaffolding risk assessment examines the risks from temporary access structures — falls from height, collapse, falling materials and overloading — across the stages of erecting, using, altering and dismantling, and records the controls including design, inspection and safe loading.
This page is an educational overview with a simplified example. It is not an official template, not jurisdiction-specific and not legal advice — the employer decides what their scaffolding assessment must cover.
Purpose
- Identify fall, collapse and falling-material risks.
- Ensure the scaffold is suitable, designed and loaded correctly.
- Record inspection before use and at intervals.
- Control erecting, altering and dismantling safely.
Who completes it
- A competent person appointed by the employer, experienced in scaffolding.
- With input from those who erect and use the scaffold.
- Reviewed within the organisation’s own process.
- It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the assessor is competent.
When it is used
- Before scaffolding is erected, used, altered or dismantled.
- When the structure, loading or ground conditions change.
- Following inspection findings.
- After adverse weather or any reported defect.
Typical fields
- Location, scaffold type and intended use.
- Risks — falls, collapse, falling materials, overloading.
- Design, foundations, ties and edge protection.
- Inspection regime and tagging.
- Controls for erecting, altering and dismantling, and review date.
- Example fields only — adapt to the structure and the applicable law.
Common mistakes
- Using a scaffold that has been altered by unauthorised people.
- Overloading platforms beyond the intended duty.
- Skipping inspection before use and after events.
- No edge protection or incomplete boarding.
Document workflow
A scaffolding risk assessment links to the working at height risk assessment, the method statement and inspection records, and feeds the safe system of work. Tags record inspection status; a change, alteration or weather event triggers a review.
See the related documents below for what is commonly used with a scaffolding risk assessment.
Retention (high level)
Scaffolding assessments and inspection records are generally kept for as long as they are relevant and for a period afterwards, in line with the employer’s obligations. Specific retention periods vary by jurisdiction.
This page does not state a required period — confirm retention with the applicable law and the official authority.
Completing and sharing as a PDF
Scaffolding assessments are commonly completed and stored as PDFs alongside design, method and inspection records. Exporting to PDF supports documentation; it does not make the assessment official or guarantee compliance.
Employer checklist
- Use competent people to erect, alter and dismantle scaffolds.
- Make sure scaffolds are designed and loaded within their duty.
- Inspect before use, at intervals and after events.
- Control alterations and review after changes.
Worker notes
- Only use scaffolds that are complete and tagged as inspected.
- Do not alter a scaffold unless trained and authorised.
- Report missing boards, guard rails or any damage.
Country considerations
Duties around scaffolding, design, inspection and competence vary by country, and the official authority differs. This page is high-level and general — it is not a statement of any country’s law and not a guarantee that a document is valid anywhere.
Always confirm the current requirements with the official authority for your country and a qualified professional.
Who is responsible
The employer is responsible for assessing and controlling scaffolding work and compliance. This page is an educational overview with a template example; it does not determine what your assessment must contain, does not make a workplace compliant and does not transfer responsibility.
Export, edit and share documents
The documents, policies and templates this involves can be exported, edited, signed, stored and shared as PDFs with the HELPERG PDF Editor.
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