Health & Safety Policy

White’s Scaffolding Ltd

White’s Scaffolding Ltd is fully committed to ensuring the health, safety and welfare of all employees, subcontractors, clients, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by our operations. Our aim is to maintain the highest possible standards of safety throughout all scaffolding activities and to prevent accidents, injuries and ill health.

We recognise our responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the Work at Height Regulations 2005, and all other relevant legislation applicable to scaffolding, construction and access solutions.

1. Our Commitment

White’s Scaffolding Ltd commits to:

• Providing and maintaining safe systems of work
• Ensuring scaffolding structures are designed, erected, inspected and dismantled safely
• Complying with statutory obligations and industry best practice, including NASC TG20:21
• Providing employees with adequate information, instruction, training and supervision
• Preventing accidents, injuries and work-related ill health
• Ensuring safe use, handling, storage and transport of equipment and materials
• Identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing control measures
• Maintaining a safe working environment with safe access and egress
• Consulting with employees on health and safety matters
• Reviewing this policy annually or after significant changes

2. Responsibilities

2.1 Director Responsibilities

The Director of White’s Scaffolding Ltd holds ultimate responsibility for:

• Ensuring compliance with health and safety legislation
• Providing resources needed to implement this policy
• Promoting a positive health and safety culture
• Ensuring risk assessments, method statements and safe systems of work are in place
• Ensuring competent personnel carry out scaffolding operations
• Reviewing procedures, performance and policies annually

2.2 Supervisor Responsibilities

Supervisors and Chargehands must:

• Ensure scaffolding is erected, altered and dismantled by trained and competent operatives
• Enforce site-specific safety procedures
• Stop work immediately if conditions become unsafe
• Carry out toolbox talks, pre-start briefings and regular safety checks
• Ensure operatives use PPE and fall protection correctly
• Report hazards, incidents and near misses
• Ensure statutory inspections are fully completed and recorded

2.3 Employee Responsibilities

All employees must:

• Follow safe working procedures and training
• Use PPE and equipment correctly
• Report hazards, unsafe practices or defects immediately
• Take reasonable care for their own safety and others
• Never interfere with or misuse safety equipment
• Co-operate fully with supervisors and management

Failure to follow safe practices may result in disciplinary action.

3. Training & Competence

White’s Scaffolding Ltd ensures that:

• All operatives are trained to competent standards (CISRS, CSCS or equivalent)
• Employees receive ongoing refresher training and toolbox talks
• Supervisors hold appropriate CISRS Supervisor qualifications
• New employees receive a full health & safety induction
• Specialist activities are carried out only by those with appropriate training

4. Risk Assessments & Method Statements (RAMS)

Before work begins, White’s Scaffolding Ltd will:

• Conduct detailed risk assessments
• Prepare project-specific method statements
• Identify hazards and implement necessary controls
• Ensure staff understand and follow RAMS at all times
• Review documentation whenever conditions change

High-risk tasks such as work at height, lifting operations, manual handling and vehicle movements receive individual assessment.

5. Work at Height

White’s Scaffolding Ltd will ensure:

• All scaffolding is erected by trained and competent staff
• Fall-arrest equipment is available, inspected and used correctly
• Guardrails, toe boards and edge protection are installed where required
• Platforms are properly boarded, safe and free from debris
• Weather conditions are continuously monitored
• Unsafe scaffolds are tagged “DO NOT USE” immediately

6. PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)

White’s Scaffolding Ltd provides and enforces the use of:

• Safety helmets
• Hi-visibility clothing
• Steel-toe safety boots
• Suitable gloves
• Fall arrest harnesses and lanyards
• Respiratory protection where required

Employees must maintain PPE in good condition and report defects immediately.

7. Plant, Tools & Equipment

We will ensure:

• Equipment is regularly inspected and maintained
• Defective equipment is removed from service immediately
• Only trained personnel operate mechanical lifting equipment
• Tools are used correctly and safely at all times

8. Site Housekeeping

Good housekeeping reduces risks. We will maintain:

• Clear walkways and safe work areas
• Correct storage for materials and equipment
• Safe pedestrian and vehicle routes
• Clean, tidy and hazard-free workspaces

9. Emergency Procedures

White’s Scaffolding Ltd will:

• Maintain suitable emergency plans for each site
• Ensure operatives know assembly points and contact procedures
• Provide fire extinguishers where required
• Report all accidents, incidents and near misses
• Support full accident investigation to prevent recurrence

10. Monitoring & Review

We will:

• Carry out regular site inspections
• Review accident and near-miss data
• Update training, equipment and procedures when necessary
• Conduct annual reviews of this policy
• Continuously improve our safety standards

11. Policy Approval

This Health & Safety Policy is fully supported by the Director of White’s Scaffolding Ltd. All employees and subcontractors must comply with this policy.

Lewis White
Director, White’s Scaffolding Ltd
Date: 10th April 2025