Applicable denominator = Passed + Failed + Not Inspected Compliance (%) = Passed ÷ Applicable denominator × 100 Calculated load = Workers × Average worker weight + Materials + Tools Load utilization (%) = Intended load ÷ Rated capacity × 100 Risk score = Σ failed or unresolved item severity weights Low = 5, Medium = 10, High = 20, Critical = 40
A critical failure, calculated overload, or compliance below 70 percent produces an unsafe result. Mandatory unanswered items and elevated risk can require corrective action. The final decision remains with the competent person and governing site procedure.
- Enter the project, scaffold, inspector, schedule, and configuration details.
- Enter the rated capacity and either the known load or its component loads.
- Select Pass, Fail, Not Applicable, or Not Inspected for every applicable checkpoint.
- For each failure, record severity, immediate controls, corrective action, owner, due date, and evidence.
- Sign the declaration and calculate the inspection status.
- Review overrides, print or export the report, and schedule reinspection when required.
| Checkpoint | Status | Severity | Example action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground support | Pass | Critical | No action required |
| Midrail at level three | Fail | High | Close bay, install midrail, then reinspect |
| Debris netting | Not Applicable | High | Document why falling-object exposure is absent |
| Suspension ropes on supported scaffold | Not Applicable | Critical | Automatically excluded by scaffold type |
A scaffold inspection begins with the supporting surface and load path. Inspectors should follow the structure upward, checking bases, uprights, connections, braces, ties, platforms, and edge protection. This sequence reduces the chance of overlooking hidden dependencies between components.
The checklist should match the scaffold type and approved configuration. A mobile tower needs castor, brake, stabilizer, and movement checks, while a suspended scaffold needs rope, anchorage, hoist, counterweight, and lifeline checks. Specialized questions are displayed only when they apply.
Percentage scores alone cannot determine whether access is safe. A single missing tie, damaged suspension rope, unstable foundation, electrical exposure, or missing guardrail can create an immediate danger. Therefore, critical failures override otherwise favorable compliance results.
Loading should include workers, personal protective equipment, tools, stored materials, and equipment. Enter a verified rated capacity rather than estimating one from scaffold dimensions. Enclosures, hoists, weather, and concentrated materials can create additional design loads.
Failed items need controls as well as repair instructions. Immediate controls may include stopping work, tagging the scaffold, closing a bay, creating an exclusion zone, or removing excess materials. Corrective actions should identify an owner, deadline, evidence, and reinspection result.
Inspection timing depends on the applicable jurisdiction and site conditions. OSHA construction rules require visible-defect inspection by a competent person before each work shift and after integrity-affecting events. UK HSE guidance describes inspection before first use, at intervals not exceeding seven days for applicable construction scaffolds, and after relevant events.
Use this page as a structured recording and decision-support tool. It cannot verify engineering calculations, component compatibility, ground bearing capacity, electrical clearance, or inspector competence. Always follow approved designs, manufacturer instructions, local law, and site procedures.
Keep completed reports with the scaffold identification and corrective-action records. Compare current results with prior inspections to identify recurring defects or deteriorating conditions. Do not return an unsafe scaffold to service without competent reinspection.
Does a high compliance score guarantee the scaffold is safe?
No. Critical failures and overloads override the percentage because one serious defect can make the scaffold unsafe.
Who should complete the inspection?
An appropriately competent and authorized person should inspect the scaffold under the applicable rules and site procedure.
How are Not Applicable items scored?
They are excluded from the compliance denominator and risk score.
How are Not Inspected items scored?
They reduce compliance and add the selected severity weight because the condition remains unresolved.
Can I use the same checklist for every scaffold type?
General categories apply broadly, while mobile and suspended sections appear only for those selected configurations.
What happens when intended load exceeds capacity?
The calculator creates a critical failure and marks the scaffold unsafe until loading and design are verified.
What does an approval override do?
It records management reasoning but does not erase defects, legal duties, or the need for competent authorization.
Can I save an unfinished inspection?
Yes. Save and resume stores form data locally in the current browser.
Are photographs stored by this file?
No. Enter a photo number, secure URL, document reference, or asset-management identifier.
Is this calculator a replacement for engineering review?
No. Engineered scaffolds, unusual loads, damaged components, and uncertain foundations require qualified review.