When in use a scaffold is considered to have one platform with 100% of the service load and one adjacent platform (above or below) with 50% of the service load A reduction in the number of working platforms in use for light duty, general purpose and heavy duty scaffolds.The definition of an in-service condition and an out-of-service condition.BS5973 gives no differentiation between the loading on main platform and the inside boards.A requirement for a minimum unimpeded area along the full length of the working platform.There are seven width classes and two headroom classes.There are six service Load Classes, some with partial area loads.The European standard requires all scaffolds to be designed.

The principal differences between BS EN12811-1 and BS 5973 are: To overcome this, the NASC (National Access and Scaffolding Confederation) has produced TG20:08 - Technical Guidance on the use of BS EN12811-1, as a guide to good practice for scaffolding with tubes and fittings.īSI (British Standards Institution) withdrew BS5973:1993 because of the conflict of information within the two standards. However, BS EN12811-1 is a performance document and does not give detailed advice on safe systems of work for erecting, altering or dismantling scaffolds when erected using tubes and fittings. The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) has advised the UK scaffolding industry that time is now running out for the continued use of BS5973: Philip White, Chief Inspector of Construction said, 'As from 1 st January 2011 the Health and Safety Executive will no longer acknowledge BS5973:1993 as a recognised standard for the design of tube and fitting scaffolding structures.' By the end of the year the UK scaffolding industry should be fully conforming to the European Standard BS EN12811-1:2003 rather than the withdrawn British Standard BS 5973:1993.

Bs 5973 scaffolding