What you need to know about Scaffolding Insurance in the UK

Scaffolding is an essential part of many construction projects and refurbishments. It allows workers to carry out tasks at height safely. However, working at height brings risks. Scaffolding collapses can lead to serious injuries and fatalities. Having the right insurance cover in place is vital for scaffolding contractors to protect their business. This article looks at the types of scaffolding insurance UK businesses need and what they cover.

What is Scaffolding Insurance?

Scaffolding insurance provides liability and property cover for scaffolding contractors. There are two main types of insurance scaffolding companies need:

• Public liability insurance – covers injury to third parties or damage to their property. This is a legal requirement for scaffolding contractors.
• Contractors all risks insurance – covers damage to or loss of equipment and tools. This protects against scaffolding collapse and other incidents.

Scaffolding insurance can be purchased as standalone policies or as part of a wider construction insurance package. Brokers that specialise in the construction sector will be able to find the most suitable scaffolding insurance policy.

Why Do Scaffolding Contractors Need Insurance?

There are several reasons why scaffolding contractors need specific insurance policies:

It’s a Legal Requirement

By law, scaffolding contractors must have public liability insurance. This covers them if an employee or public member is accidentally injured by their work or equipment. The minimum cover required is £5 million. Scaffolding contractors without adequate public liability insurance can face prosecution.

To Cover Liability Risks

Erecting and dismantling scaffolding brings risks. If an improperly constructed scaffold collapses, people working on it or nearby could be seriously injured. The scaffolding company would be liable. Their insurance would cover the costs of compensation to victims.

Scaffolding could also fall and damage nearby properties, like cars, homes or shops. Again, the contractor would be liable without insurance.

For Financial Protection

As well as protecting people, scaffolding insurance also protects the contractor’s business financially.

The cost of compensation claims and legal fees can be huge. Without insurance, a single incident could bankrupt a scaffolding company. Insurance transfers the financial risk.

Equipment like tubes, boards, nets and fittings is another major business cost. Contractors all risks insurance covers loss or damage.

Reassures Customers

When choosing a scaffolding contractor, customers will check they have adequate insurance. This gives them confidence the company is professional, compliant and financially stable.

Scaffolding contractors without insurance may lose out on business. Some construction firms make insurance a mandatory requirement before awarding contracts.

Allows Them to Work on Projects

Many large construction projects require all contractors to have scaffolding insurance policies in place. This may be a specific requirement from the developer or main building firm.

Subcontractors without the necessary insurance will not be allowed on site. Having insurance enables scaffolding contractors to compete for bigger jobs.

What Does Scaffolding Insurance Cover?

Scaffolding insurance policies provide protection against a range of risks and liabilities. Here are some examples of what scaffolding public liability and contractors all risks insurance cover:

Public Liability Insurance

• Bodily injury – covers injury to any person caused by the contractor’s negligence. This includes members of the public who may be passing by a site.
• Property damage – covers damage to property belonging to third parties, e.g. broken windows.
• Defence costs – pays legal costs to defend claims.
• Investigations – covers legal costs for investigations by authorities like the Health and Safety Executive.

Contractors All Risks Insurance

• Damage to scaffolding equipment – covers theft, fire, storm damage or accidental damage.
• Damage to hired in equipment – covers liability if third party equipment is damaged.
• Continuing hire charges – pays ongoing hire costs if equipment is damaged and unusable.
• Debris removal – pays cost of removing debris after damage or collapse.
• Negligence cover – protects against damage caused by contractor’s negligence.
• Personal tools – covers loss of contractor’s own tools.

What is Not Covered by Scaffolding Insurance?

While scaffolding insurance is comprehensive, some things are excluded. Commonly excluded risks include:

• Wear and tear or gradual deterioration of equipment over time.
• Losses due to war, terrorism or nuclear risks.
• Pure financial loss that does not arise from injury or property damage.
• Loss of income and profits due to business interruption.
• Liability arising from professional advice given separately from scaffolding work.
• Pre-existing health conditions or asbestos exposure.

It’s important that scaffolding contractors read their policy documents and know all exclusions. Check with your broker if you are unsure about cover for specific scenarios.

Scaffolding Insurance Requirements

To get scaffolding insurance at a reasonable price, companies must meet certain safety and risk management standards. Insurers will check the following:

Training & Competency

All scaffolders should hold recognised qualifications like CISRS or TG20 certificates. Supervisors may need additional qualifications like SMSTS or SSSTS.

Insurers may ask for details of staff training and experience before providing quotes. Untrained personnel increase the risk of accidents.

Compliance with Regulations

Scaffolding contractors must comply fully with Health and Safety at Work and Work at Height regulations. This includes aspects like inspections, record keeping and safe methods of work.

Insurers will want evidence of compliance. Scaffolding companies with good standards get better insurance rates.

Site Safety

Insurers will look at how scaffolding companies manage site safety. This includes things like exclusion zones, head protection and fall prevention.

Risk assessments should be carried out before starting work. Method statements outline safe systems of work. These help demonstrate good site safety management to insurers.

Equipment Maintenance & Inspection

Detailed records should be kept showing all scaffolding materials are regularly inspected and maintained. Faulty equipment increases risks.

With good maintenance records, insurers have confidence in the scaffolding company’s commitment to safety and quality standards.

By meeting all the key compliance and safety requirements, scaffolding contractors show they are a lower insurance risk. This makes it easier to get affordable premiums.

How Much Does Scaffolding Insurance Cost?

Insurance costs for scaffolding companies can vary quite widely. Some of the factors affecting the price are:

• Location – Inner city scaffolding work is seen as higher risk than rural work. London prices are highest.
• Claims history – Past claims and incidents mean higher premiums. A clean record gets the best rates.
• Years in business – New startups are seen as higher risk so pay more for cover. Long established contractors get better premiums.
• Staff numbers – The more scaffolders you employ, the higher the premiums.
• Contract size – Big high value contracts cost more to insure than small jobs.
• Specialist work – Complex industrial or high rise work is higher risk than standard jobs.
• Public access – Scaffolding on public highways or alongside live railways increases the price.
• Business activities – Companies doing roofing or cladding as well as scaffolding pay more.

Typical scaffolding insurance costs for contractors with good risk profiles are:

• Public liability – £600 to £1500 annually for £5 million cover
• Contractors all risks – £850 to £2000 annually for £250k of equipment cover

High risk contractors in London could pay over £5000 annually for combined scaffolding insurance.

Getting quotes from multiple brokers ensures you get the most competitive price. Ask about any discounts for professional membership or advocacy groups.

Finding the Right Scaffolding Insurance

To make sure you get the right insurance cover at the best available price:

• Shop around – get several quotes to compare premiums and policy terms. Using a broker that specialises in scaffolding insurance will help.
• Review policy limits – check the cover levels for property damage, equipment, continuing hire etc are adequate. Increase limits if necessary even if it increases the premium.
• Look for inclusive features – some policies automatically cover temporary employees or include tools cover. Check what’s included so you don’t pay twice.
• Match the policy to the work – if you do complex jobs like demolition or offshore rig scaffolding, make sure the policy covers the higher risks.
• Choose flexible payment options – some insurers offer monthly payments rather than a big upfront premium. This helps cashflow for smaller contractors.
• Look for added benefits – free legal advice helplines can be useful.Some policies also cover training costs which may offer savings.

The British Scaffolding Association or National Access and Scaffolding Confederation can advise on reputable scaffolding insurers. Choosing an established insurer with experience in scaffolding gives peace of mind the policy will deliver if you need to claim.

Making a Scaffolding Insurance Claim

If the worst happens and you need to make a claim, following some basic steps can help ensure it goes smoothly:

• Report it promptly – insurers look negatively on late claims. Call your broker immediately to start the process.
• Cooperate fully – provide all necessary documentation and evidence to support your claim. Respond quickly to any additional requests.
• Be honest – don’t exaggerate any aspect of the claim or try to claim for unrelated damage. Insurers can deny dishonest claims.
• Keep records – take photos of damage, keep invoices and confirm names of witnesses. This evidence will strengthen your claim.
• Allow inspection – let insurers visit the site and assess damage before dismantling scaffolding or starting repairs.
• Mitigate losses – do all you reasonably can to minimise further damage or equipment losses after the initial incident.

Making fraudulent claims is illegal and can result in prosecution as well as invalidating the policy.

Scaffolding Insurance for Homeowners

Scaffolding is often needed for major home improvements and renovations. Homeowners need to consider their own property insurance if using scaffolding.

Does Scaffolding Invalidate House Insurance?

Standard home insurance policies usually exclude liability cover for injury or damage relating to trade or business activities carried out at the property. Erecting scaffolding could potentially invalidate cover if it’s for commercial works like an extension.

However, scaffolding just for essential repairs and maintenance like repointing, rendering or roof repairs should be fine under normal cover. Check with your home insurer before allowing scaffolding to be sure you’re protected. Having public liability cover in place offers additional peace of mind.

Scaffolding Damage Cover

Home insurance covers damage from events like storms, theft and vandalism. If scaffolding collapses due to bad weather for example, the damage should be covered under a standard buildings policy.

Some policies may exclude damage caused by contractors, so check your documents. If you have any concerns, speak to your insurer about amending the policy to include scaffolding damage cover definitively. This may increase your premium slightly.

Securing the Site

Insurers will expect you to take reasonable precautions while scaffolding is erected. Lock any ladders overnight to prevent unauthorised access. Close off the area below the scaffolding with secure fencing or hoarding. This helps keep the public safe and deters trespassers who could damage the scaffolding.

Taking sensible security measures like these will show you’ve taken care to avoid scaffolding risks. This will be looked upon positively should you need to make a buildings insurance claim later.

Scaffolding Insurance for Small Businesses

Shops, offices, pubs and other small businesses often need scaffolding for repairs and renovations. While the scaffolding contractor carries its own insurance, the business still needs to consider its property.

Business Insurance Policy

Check that your business insurance covers liability for any injury or damage to contractors working on your premises with scaffolding. Make sure your public liability cover is adequate.

If they are not already explicitly covered, you may need to pay a little extra premium to have scaffolding risks definitively included under the policy.

Securing Premises

Take reasonable steps to secure the premises and scaffolding structure overnight and at weekends. Try to minimise public access underneath by using hoarding or barriers where possible.

Having anti-climb paint, closed circuit television and security lighting helps deter trespassers. This reduces the likelihood of damage that could lead to an insurance claim.

Inspections & Sign Off

Before scaffolding goes up, do a joint inspection with the contractor to record the existing state of the property. Carry out regular inspections while it’s erected.

When the work is finished, inspect for any damage like cracked windows that could have occurred during the contract. Get written sign off from the contractor that they have left the premises in good order.

Thorough inspections and record keeping help establish whether any subsequent damage is the contractor’s responsibility or down to a new event covered under your business insurance policy.

Scaffolding Safety for Homeowners & Businesses

While scaffolding contractors must comply with extensive safety regulations, anyone having scaffolding erected also has a duty of care.

These simple tips will help you meet your obligations and facilitate a safe contract:

• Appoint reputable companies who are members of scaffolding trade bodies.
• Check the contractor has adequate public liability insurance before starting work.
• Agree a safe method statement and exclusion zone before work begins.
• Ensure the contractor erects warning signs and barriers around scaffolding.
• Never interfere with or alter the scaffolding structure.
• Report any defects or concerns immediately and stop using the scaffolding.
• Don’t overload platforms with excess materials.
• Control ladder access to prevent unauthorised climbing.
• Avoid working underneath and stay clear during high winds.
• Get regular inspections and written handover upon completion.

Following these basic precautions will help keep people safe and also fulfil your health and safety duties.

Frequently Asked Questions about Scaffolding Insurance

Summary

Appropriate scaffolding insurance is a business essential. As a hazardous activity, insurers need to see rigorous training standards and compliance with regulations.

Getting the right liability and property cover protects scaffolding contractors and reassures customers.

Homeowners and businesses using scaffolding also need to review their own property insurance and take safety precautions.

With scaffolding accidents, incidents and equipment damage regrettably common, adequate insurance is strongly advised for all parties.