After significant investment in both time and money the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has now launched the long awaiting guidance note TG20:08 - A Guide to good Practice for Scaffolding with Tubes and Fittings.

The combination of detailed testing, calculations and advice on best practice will ensure that TG20:08 becomes adopted by the whole of the UK, (including Scotland).

Designed as an important, practical and user friendly guide for scaffolding contractors and designers the guidance note will also be of use to any construction professional working with scaffolding contractors.

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TG20:08 details how tube and fitting scaffolding can be erected to comply with the European standard BS EN 12811-1, which supersedes BS 5973. It is now important that all scaffolding contractors digest and start adopting this document. The original release of TG:20 resulted in some main contractors wanting the document to be implemented immediately, undoubtedly this will happen even though the HSE have agreed not to fully enforce the guidance immediately.

However, the scope of TG20:08 is wider than the previous version giving a larger number of standard scaffold arrangements e.g. two inside boards. It also includes debris netted scaffolds and although not part of BS EN 12811, it provides guidance for Putlog scaffolds

TG20:08 will become the required standard by which tube and fitting scaffolding should be erected and (when required) designed.

The guidance has been produced in two volumes, one for every day use by scaffolding contractors and the second for specific use by scaffold designers.