The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority has, together with the Norwegian Ocean Industry Authority (Havtil), reviewed several workplace accidents, where the accidents can be traced back to scaffolding assembled from parts from different manufacturers.

– Over time, we have recorded an unfortunate development, namely that scaffolding components from different scaffolding manufacturers are being used and that old and new scaffolding parts are being mixed. That is what Rolf Engstrøm, senior engineer at the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority, says. 

In one of the accidents reviewed by the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority and Havtil, where a man suffered internal injuries after a fall of over 20 meters, it appears that the mixing of scaffolding parts from different manufacturers may have been a contributing cause of the accident. 

Announces more inspections

– Going forward, we will require that actors who assemble such scaffolding can document that the construction is sound and safe and in line with applicable regulatory requirements. The most important thing is to reduce the risk of accidents when working at height, says Sigmund Andreassen, chief engineer at Havtil.

– We want to encourage clients and coordinators to keep this in mind, both when ordering scaffolding and during safety rounds on the construction site, Engstrøm adds.

Competence requirements for the person ordering scaffolding

Clients are often too unclear when ordering scaffolding, the review from the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority and Havtil shows.

– Already in the ordering phase, the requirements must be clearly specified, especially when the scaffolding is to function as edge protection when working on roofs or slab edges, says Engstrøm at the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority.