Withdrawal of BS 5973:1993 (1 Viewer)

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Following the withdrawal of BS 5973 for the design of tube and fitting scaffolding structures at the end of 2010,the industry should be working to the European Standard BS EN 12811-1:2003
A "working well Together" seminar is taking place in Telford on Wednesday 23rd Feb and the following subjects are being dealt with by industry experts.
TG 20:08 A Guide to Good Practice for Scaffolding with Tubes and Fittings.
SG4:10 Preventing Falls in Scaffolding
Correct Selection and Testing of Scaffold Anchor Ties.
This event will be benefitial for senior managers,safety officers or directors and personnel who carry out Scaffold Anchor Tie Testing.
Details from barbara.cliff@hse.gsi.gov.uk
A very sucessful event was held in Stafford last week and one is planned for the Nottingham area next.

Telford Construction Centre,Stafford Park6 Telford TF3 3AT
From 8am Tea/Coffee Etc
Seminar commences 8-30am ----12-30
 
howdy roy how are ya - is business busy
 
Hi Chris
Yes we are busy as more and more Companies are complying with recommendations to test scaffold ties.
 
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Seems a lot of information to impart in 4 hours tester, is it just an over view?
 
Covers a fair amount of basics on TG20.We are able to give around 25mins on suitable tie anchors particularly stressing that the Hilti HKD has at last been outlawed for use in brick and then covering the later types of anchor like the self cutting concrete screw and ringbolts.Out of 120 scaffolders at the last seminar only around 12 admitted to testing anchors on all jobs which is appalling from a safety point of view and certainly not in the spirit of TG4.Maybe our industry will wake up one day soon!
 
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A bit depressing to say the least. What do you make of the tie tag and do you think it will help? I have been looking at doing something a bit more methodical and thought it would be worth a go.
 
It would be interesting to know how many tie testing machines the larger or national companies have per depot / number of gangs?
we only run with 5 men so one machine per 2 gangs i would have thought was a decent ratio but is this wrong?
Should each gang have a machine?
Your thoughts on this should be interesting.
Al
 
1 machine to 20 men is also a ratio !!!
We usually get one guy to do all the tie testing
 
Safety Harness Eyebolts when tested to EN795 have to be tagged with the date on which they were tested and the re-test date in 12 months shown.This is done with a round plastic disc normally with the testing Co name on it.No reason why a similar system could be devised for scaffold ties and anchors.Maybe some companies already do this??
I recently saw some scaffolding in Florida USA which had all the fixings tagged with a sign which said
"TESTED ANCHORS DO NOT REMOVE OR TAMPER WITH"
 
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Safety Harness Eyebolts when tested to EN795 have to be tagged with the date on which they were tested and the re-test date in 12 months.This is done with a round plastic disc normally with the testing Co name on it.No reason why a similar system could be devised for scaffold ties and anchors.Maybe some companies already do this??

they do;)
 
That's the ones I was talking about, just bought some to try out.
 
BS 5973 - Still being used by HSE

This is a copy of an email received from HSE infoline this week.

I wonder if Philip White HSE knows?


Ref: DJSH-8EHG2U

28 Feb 2011

Dear Mr Cain

Thank you for your enquiry regarding BS5973

The following information has been provided by Andrew East who is based
within the HSE's Construction Sector:

Up until now scaffolding was erected in accordance with BS5973.

However, BSEN12811 has now been brought in. The two standards are very
different. BSEN 12811 is a European System primarily aimed at 'System
scaffolding'. The standard doesn't fit very well with the old BS5973 which
is what Britain primarily uses.

Although BS 5973 has been withdrawn, the HSE has no safety concerns with
scaffolders continuing to use it. From an Enforcement point of view, both
standards are considered 'safe'. Therefore the HSE have no date set by
which an organisation must use the new standard.
For further advice or interpretation on this subject you will need to speak
to your enforcing authority for health and safety. Under the Health and
Safety (Enforcing Authority) Regulations 1998, this depends upon the nature
of the activities carried out at your workplace. We are only able to
provide information that is published in HSE regulations or associated
guidance.

The HSE enforce health and safety legislation in premises such as
factories, building sites, mines, farms, fairgrounds, quarries, chemical
plant, offshore and nuclear installations, schools and hospitals.

To locate your local HSE office, please contact Infoline on 0845 345 0055.

I hope this helps, but if you require further assistance, please do not
hesitate to contact this address again or telephone HSE Infoline on 08453
450055.

Yours sincerely

Daniel

HSE Infoline
 
And they wonder why we get confused.:confused:
 
I think it means we can certainly go back to single bay bracing.:unsure:
 
HSE Infoline or confusionline?

HSE infoline is there to give us support, how are we expected to get it right if we are given the wrong information.

The following has been copied from the HSE website:
New HSE guidance – June 2010HSE's Chief Inspector of Construction, Philip White said: ... As from 1st January 2011 HSE will no longer acknowledge BS5973:1993 as a recognised standard for the design of tube and fitting scaffolding structures"
BS5973 to be formally withdrawn by end of 2010.
The UK scaffolding industry should be fully conforming to the European Standard BS EN12811-1:2003 by the end of 2010
 
Ken, it is confusing, seems Mr Philip White and Mr Andrew East of HSE are singing from different hymn sheets.
 
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