ProLast reviewed 28 May 2026 · 5 min read

Scaffold compliance: WAHR, TG20:21, SG4, CISRS

The standards TradeBooked's scaffold tools sit on: Work at Height Regulations 2005 (the 7-day rule), NASC SG28 (inspection and reporting), TG20:21 (tube and fitting design), SG4 (safe erection and dismantle), and CISRS (the card scheme proving your team is trained).

Why this matters

A scaffold being legal, safe and insurable rests on a small set of UK standards. TradeBooked's scaffold tools are designed around them, but they are your obligations as the scaffolder, not ours.

Warning: This article is general guidance. The operative requirements are in the regulations and the NASC / CISRS publications themselves; primary-source links are at the bottom. Speak to NASC, HSE or a qualified scaffold consultant for advice on your own circumstances.

Work at Height Regulations 2005 (the 7-day rule)

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 are the underlying UK law. Regulation 12 and schedule 7 set the inspection regime for working platforms (which includes scaffolds):

Inspected before being used for the first time
Inspected at intervals not exceeding 7 days while in use
Inspected again after any event (alteration, weather) that could affect stability

Records must be kept. TradeBooked's handover inspection covers the first item, the routine (7-day) cycle covers the second, and the After alteration and After adverse weather triggers cover the third. See "Erect, handover and 7-day inspections".

NASC TG20:21 (design)

TG20:21 is the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation's technical guidance for tube and fitting scaffolds. It is the industry reference for design, loading and ties.

TG20:21 sets the design and erection standards. The complementary guidance for inspection and reporting is NASC SG28 (see below).

NASC SG28 (inspection and reporting)

SG28 is NASC's operative guidance for inspecting and reporting on scaffold structures. It complements TG20:21 (design) and the WAHR 2005 inspection regime by setting out what an inspection should cover and how reports should be structured.

TradeBooked's WAHR-15 default checklist is designed to support the inspection content described in SG28, grouped under foundations, structure, stability, platform, access, loading, documentation, public protection and general condition. It is a sensible default and a starting point, not a substitute for the inspector's judgement on a specific scaffold.

NASC SG4 (safe erection and dismantle)

SG4 is NASC's safety guidance covering safe erection and dismantle work at height, including collective fall prevention. TradeBooked does not capture SG4 method statements directly in v1; you should be running your own RAMS in line with SG4 for the work itself.

TradeBooked's scaffold workflow assumes the erection and dismantle work is done to SG4. The platform documents what was inspected, not how the erection itself was done.

CISRS (your team's training)

The Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS) is the recognised card scheme for UK scaffolders. Trainees, scaffolders and advanced scaffolders all hold different cards.

Members of your team logging inspections in TradeBooked should hold the right CISRS card for the work. Apprentices cannot log inspections in TradeBooked; the regulations require a competent person. Per-team CISRS card expiry tracking is on the roadmap.

What goes on the handover certificate

A handover certificate that holds up under scrutiny needs:

The scaffold site and type
Erection and intended hire dates
The result of the first inspection
The inspector's name (and ideally a registration / card reference)
The using party's signed acceptance

TradeBooked's generated PDF covers each of these fields. The cert is emailed automatically to the using party and the customer on issue and stays on the booking record indefinitely.

Setup steps are in your dashboard

This is a Pro feature. Sign in on a Pro plan to see the step-by-step setup for your number.

Common questions

Is WAHR-15 a TG20:21 or SG28 inspection?

It is a sensible default designed to support the inspection content described in NASC SG28 (the NASC guidance for inspection and reporting), with reference to TG20:21 for design context. For specific scaffold types or non-standard configurations, your inspector's judgement and a tailored checklist override the default.

Can an apprentice log an inspection?

No. The Work at Height Regulations require a competent person. TradeBooked enforces this: Apprentice role members cannot log inspections.

Do I need NASC membership to use this?

No. NASC membership is voluntary. TG20:21, SG28 and SG4 are the industry references regardless. NASC membership is a useful trust signal for customers; see "Add compliance badges to your booking page".

Where do I find the regulations?

Primary sources are listed at the bottom of this article: legislation.gov.uk for the Work at Height Regulations 2005, NASC for TG20:21, SG28 and SG4, CISRS for the card scheme, and HSE for general construction work at height guidance.

What plan do I need?

The scaffold tracker, including the WAHR-15 checklist and the handover PDF, is on the Pro and Autopilot plans.

References

This is general guidance, not legal, tax or financial advice. For your own circumstances, speak to a qualified professional.

Still stuck? Email support@tradebooked.co.uk.