The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reports that falls from height make up around 30% of workplace fatalities in 2024/2025. Scaffolding is a big part of that. This guide looks at the common situations, and how the right protection changes the outcome.
Falls from unprotected scaffold edges
Poorly protected edges are one of the culprits. Even one missing guardrail on one side or a section that hasn’t been reinstated after access work, leave a platform exposed. That gap is enough for a fall to occur, but this can be controlled with:
- Guardrails (top rail, mid rail, and toe boards) fitted on all open sides before the platform is used
- Secured scaffold boards, fully decked with no loose or missing sections
- Scaffold clips and fittings (ledger and transom fixings) checked and tightened after any alteration
- Full body fall arrest harness with webbing lanyard, used when edge protection cannot be maintained during a task
- Safe access systems (ladder access secured or stair towers) to avoid climbing through or around incomplete areas
- Routine scaffold inspections after erection and after any change, carried out by a competent person before work resumes
For routine checks, scaffold inspection records and ladder-tag inspection records can be used to confirm the scaffold has been inspected and is fit for use before work resumes.
Scaffold Erection and dismantling risks
These stages carry higher exposure because the scaffold is either not fully built yet or already being reduced in sections.
One example is when the scaffold is being built up. Sections are still being added, where working lifts may not have full edge protection in place yet. When it’s being taken apart, that protection is removed in reverse order. This leaves working areas open again while people are still on the structure.
Safety here depends on the following:
- Double-lanyard harness systems (twin-tail), so the user is always attached when moving between anchor points.
- Step-by-step installation and removal of protection matched to each lift rather than left to the end
- Work carried out by trained scaffolders with experience specific to scaffold build and remove, ensuring correct procedures are followed
Workers falling through gaps
These incidents happen on the working surface, where the platform may look complete, but part of it is missing or not fixed down. There may be boards lifted for loading and not put back, or partial decking left between lifts.
Anyone stepping onto these areas is not fully supported, unless there’s:
- Full decking across every working lift before access using scaffold boards laid to form a continuous platform with no gaps or missing sections
- Access openings covered or protected when not in use with hatch covers fitted or temporary guardrail infill sections installed
- Complete personal fall protection equipment connected to anchor points
Fatal injuries from falling tools and materials
Falling objects remain a persistent issue, often caused by hand tools left at height, materials being handled during installation work, or items stored on platforms without containment.
Even small tools can cause serious head injuries when dropped from scaffold height. That is why head protection is important in these situations. Such risks can also be lessened with:
- Debris netting or scaffold sheeting installed along the full height of the structure to contain falling materials
- Brick guards / mesh panels fitted to prevent materials passing through open guardrail sections
- Designated storage zones on each lift rather than leaving tools loose on working surfaces
- Exclusion zones below active work areas with clear safety signs and restricted access where overhead work is ongoing
Public or passersby struck by scaffold objects
Scaffolds are often built alongside public paths, which means falling objects are imminent and can affect people outside the site. Poor containment systems are the weak point here.
When tools and materials are left on working lifts with nothing to stop them from falling, they can drop onto the walkways below. Debris netting is fitted for containment, but gaps can still occur, especially around joins or access points.
To contain falling objects:
- Fix safety netting along the full height of the scaffold to contain loose materials. Here are some suitable products: Classic debris netting, Plus debris netting, FR debris netting
- Fit toe boards and brick guards on all lifts to stop items slipping through gaps
- Install protective fans or covered walkways where scaffolding runs above public paths
- Set exclusion zones or barriers where overhead work is active and full containment cannot be achieved
- Keep materials within designated areas on each platform, away from edges and loose stacking
- Carry out scaffold inspections after erection, after any alteration, and at set intervals to check for gaps in netting, loose fixings, or damaged sections before work continues
See the full guide on how to ensure public safety when working on scaffolding next.
Slips and trips while working at heights
Safety footwear loses grip on wet or dusty boards, or a step catches on debris, loose materials, or small level changes in the scaffold. At height, there’s little margin for error.
What should be checked and set up:
- Slip-resistant safety boots (S3 rated) with tread for wet or dusty surfaces
- Clear walkways on each lift, with materials stored away from travel routes
- Housekeeping during the job, not just at the end of the shift
- Extra attention in changing conditions, especially rain, frost, or early starts when surfaces are still damp or uneven
Housekeeping means keeping the work area clean and clear while work is happening. It includes removing debris, putting tools and materials away, keeping walkways free, and more.
Anti-slip measures don’t stop at the scaffold. They apply across the site, including access routes, ladders, loading areas, and any surface people walk on.
See recommended anti-slip protection options below: anti-slip tape, anti-slip walkway cover, anti-slip edge, and anti-slip tread.
Scaffold safety improves when safety measures are implemented, and that needs to stay consistent throughout the job.
Get your scaffold protection today! For enquiries and fast quotes, email our team at customercare@s-pgroup.com or call 028 9411 0032. SP Group is a temporary protection and scaffold supplier based in the UK and Ireland.