Equipment Tagging for scaffolding: Scafftag’s top 5 tips

Scafftag is encouraging contractors and employees who are responsible for on-site safety to consider increasing their equipment checks to ensure that their working environment is not affected by frost, storms or floods.

By adopting an Equipment Tagging System, employees can display and check that equipment is unsafe or inoperable.

The company has outlined five tips for using Equipment Tagging Systems for scaffolding and access equipment.

5 Equipment Tagging tips

Simplicity

Ease of use is an important factor to consider when specifying an Equipment Tagging System.

The traditional holder and insert system remains one of the most effective: the holder is attached to the structure, where it is clearly visible to the user at access point. All inspection information should be recorded on the insert.

If the insert is removed, the holder will display a clear “Do Not Use” message for the benefit of other employees.

Visibility

Tags must be clearly visible; workers should not have to make an effort to see them.

They should be fixed to all legal access points on scaffolding, such as the ladders and stairways which are used to access the platforms. They must also be attached at eye level.

Tag design

One-size fits-all tags have been designed to help employers meet legislation on equipment inspection. However, tags should be produced for the specific piece of equipment that they are to manage.

For work at height, Scafftag’s solutions include tags for podiums, fall arrest equipment, scaffolding, mobile towers and ladders. Each tag type has its own unique holder and insert combinations.

Never “safe to use”

A visual tag should never be labelled “safe to use”: it is only safe to use at the time of inspection.

Scafftag recommends that the label should read “safe to use at time of inspection” to avoid confusion. If the equipment becomes faulty between inspections, a vague message could jeopardise the safety of a worker.

Electronic inspections

Electronic inspection systems, such as Safetrak, can also be used to assess scaffolding and access equipment.

The inspection criteria can be entered into a handheld computer onsite and downloaded to an office computer at a later date.

Keep on top of your scaffolding inspections with Scafftag

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UK
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