Why Daily Vehicle Checks Matter: Staying Compliant with the Road Traffic Act 1991

Transport is at the heart of every scaffolding business, and also one of its biggest sources of risk. From heavily loaded HGVs to vans moving teams between sites, a single overlooked defect can lead to a breakdown, collision, or even prosecution.

Under the Road Traffic Act 1991, employers must make sure every work vehicle is roadworthy, maintained, and checked before use. For scaffolders routinely carrying awkward, heavy loads, these daily checks are essential, not optional.

What the 2025 NASC Safety Report Shows:

The latest NASC data reinforces the point: transport-related injuries, slips, trips and manual handling incidents still make up a large share of industry accidents. Falls from lorries, trailers, and loading areas continue to appear in RIDDOR reports, proving that strong vehicle and load-safety practices remain critical.

NASC’s new SG30:25 guidance sets much clearer expectations for scaffolding contractors, including:

• Mandatory daily walkaround checks
• Clear defect reporting and escalation processes
• Proper load security for tube, fittings and boards
• Defined responsibilities for drivers and managers
• A requirement for consistent, traceable evidence of inspections

In short: SG30:25 moves the industry firmly toward structured, documented, and auditable fleet safety.

How SMART Forms Make Compliance Easier

This is exactly where SMART Forms inside SMART Manager become a powerful solution.

Instead of paper forms that get lost, smudged, or left in gloveboxes, digital vehicle checks allow scaffolders to:

✔ Complete walkaround inspections on any device
✔ Upload photos and flag defects instantly
✔ Store every record securely in the cloud
✔ Create a clear, timestamped audit trail
✔ Demonstrate compliance with the Road Traffic Act and SG30:25

No gaps. No missing paperwork. No uncertainty.

Digital reporting also gives managers real-time visibility, helping them act on issues before they lead to injuries, breakdowns, or enforcement action.

Building Safer Roads and Safer Sites:

With easier reporting, teams complete checks more consistently, defects get fixed sooner, and risks are caught earlier. The result? Fewer incidents, stronger compliance, and a safer fleet.

SMART Forms turns daily checks from a box-ticking exercise into a proactive safety system, protecting your people, your vehicles, and your reputation.

Learn how SMART Manager keeps your fleet compliant and your operations moving safely by getting in touch today!