What Is Scaffold Compliance?
Scaffold compliance is the process of verifying that a scaffold structure has been erected in accordance with recognised industry guidance and manufacturer’s requirements.
A compliant scaffold should:
- Meet relevant TG20 or TG30 guidance.
- Be erected by competent scaffolders.
- Include appropriate bracing, ties and loading arrangements.
- Be inspected at the required intervals.
- Be supported by the correct compliance documentation.
Where a scaffold falls outside the scope of TG20 or TG30 guidance, a bespoke scaffold design may be required.
How Do You Check Scaffold Compliance?
Checking scaffold compliance typically involves:
1. Identify the Scaffold Type
Determine whether the scaffold is:
- Tube and fitting
- System scaffold
- Mixed scaffold arrangement
2. Verify Configuration
Confirm that the scaffold falls within the permitted parameters of:
- TG20:21
- TG30:24
- Manufacturer guidance
3. Review Loading Requirements
Check:
- Duty ratings
- Loading bays
- Material storage
- Imposed loads
4. Verify Ties and Bracing
Ensure tie patterns and bracing arrangements meet compliance requirements.
5. Produce Compliance Documentation
Generate:
- TG20 Compliance Sheets
- TG30 Compliance Sheets
- Inspection records
- Design references where applicable
TG30 vs TG20: What's the Difference?
TG30:24
Produced by NASC
TG30:24 Compliance Sheet
Manufacturer-integrated compliance
System scaffolding Users
Recognized Design Guidance by HSE
TG20:21
Produced by NASC
TG20:21 Compliance Sheet
Pre-designed Configurations
Tube and fitting Users
Recognized Design Guidance by HSE
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TG20 a legal requirement?
TG20 itself is guidance rather than legislation. However, following recognised industry guidance helps demonstrate compliance with UK health and safety requirements.
Is TG30 replacing TG20?
No. TG20 remains the compliance standard for tube and fitting scaffolds, while TG30 applies to system scaffolds.
Can a scaffold be compliant without a design?
Yes. If the scaffold falls within TG20 or TG30 guidance, compliance can often be demonstrated without a bespoke design.
What happens if a scaffold falls outside TG20 or TG30?
A bespoke scaffold design may be required to demonstrate structural adequacy.
Who produces TG20 and TG30?
Both guidance documents are published by the National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC).
When Does a Scaffold Need a Design?
One of the most common questions in scaffolding is:
Does My Scaffold Need a Design?
A scaffold may require a bespoke design when it falls outside the scope of TG20 or TG30 guidance.
Common triggers include:
- Excessive lift heights
- Large bridged sections
- Cantilever scaffolds
- Complex loading arrangements
- Temporary roofs outside standard configurations
- Unsupported tie patterns
- Significant sheeting or netting loads
- Mixed scaffold systems outside recognised guidance
Where a scaffold cannot be demonstrated as compliant using TG20 or TG30, a qualified scaffold designer should be consulted.
What Are TG20 and TG30 Compliance Sheets?
Compliance sheets provide evidence that a scaffold configuration has been checked against recognised guidance.
They typically contain:
- Scaffold dimensions
- Bay lengths
- Lift heights
- Tie patterns
- Loading classifications
- Compliance status
Compliance sheets are frequently requested by:
- Principal contractors
- Site managers
- Temporary works coordinators
- Health and safety managers
- Scaffold inspectors
Benefits of Digital Scaffold Compliance Checking
Many scaffold companies still rely on manual calculations and paper records.
Modern compliance software can:
Generate compliance sheets instantly
Reduce administrative workload
Improve consistency
Create audit trails
Support inspection processes
Reduce compliance risks
Improve project documentation
For businesses managing multiple projects, digital compliance management significantly reduces the time required to verify scaffold compliance.
SMART Compliance: TG20 & Design Compliance Software
SMART Compliance has been developed by CADS, the engineering software company that has worked with the NASC on both TG20:21 and TG30:24 guidance development.
SMART Compliance helps scaffold contractors:
- Verify scaffold compliance
- Generate TG20 Compliance Sheets
- Generate TG30 Compliance Sheets
- Manage compliance documentation
- Support inspection workflows
- Maintain auditable compliance records
Whether you’re working with tube and fitting scaffolds, system scaffolds or both, SMART Compliance streamlines the entire compliance checking process.
See how SMART Compliance can help your business manage TG20 and TG30 compliance more efficiently.
