Tunnelling and scaffolding safety are in focus as a professional guide to reflect best practice has been updated for the construction industry.

This is including new guidance on the tunnelling principle that sees the unprotected traversing element no banned.

The National Access & Scaffolding Confederation's (NASC) guidance SG4:10 - Preventing Falls in Scaffolding revision - published last month - represents a step change in the way scaffold contractors erect their scaffold structures.

It details best scaffolding practice for the assembly, modification and dismantling of all scaffolding in the UK and supersedes all previous guidance.

Already, since the introduction of the revised SG4 in 2005, the NASC members' accident statistics show no fatalities have been reported by their members.


There has also been a significant reduction in the number of falls recorded from a scaffold structure or working platform.

Revised and updated every five years in consultation with the HSE, the new edition gives more emphasis on the creation of a 'Safe Zone' by scaffolders covering a variety of safe collective protection methods.

This revision will also see the removal of the practice of the 'unprotected traversing element' from the tunnelling principle.

The Health & Safety Executive will no longer accept the unprotected traversing element of the tunnelling principle that featured in the previous version of SG4 which is a concept built up by the scaffolder progressively creating a safe working platform with guardrail protection and correctly supported working platforms, like a tunneller shoring up a tunnel as he digs.

The NASC considers collective protection as passive protection, for example a guardrail will remain in place and provide protection should someone fall against it, whereas personal fall protection equipment (harnesses) is 'personal' or 'active' protection that must be attached to a suitable anchor point to afford any benefit to the user.

Designed to be suitable and practicable for both scaffolding contractors and their clients SG4:10 is available as a 72 page Management Guide priced at £25 (to non NASC members) and is available via the NASC's website: www.nasc.org.uk

(BMcC/GK)