Page 13 - NASC Scaffolding Matters - Spring 2022

Spring 2022 Scaffolding Matters | 13

Hire, Sales and

Manufacturing

Committee Update

ork in the Hire, Sales and Manu- these two topics. The scaffolding sheeting/
facturing Committee continues netting working party’s first steps were to
Wto focus primarily upon the NASC identify the standard to which these items
Code of Practice product audit process. should conform, followed by then establish-
The Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted the ing a suitable and meaningful test method.
manufacturing site visits, which has meant The working group progresses and it is largely
that the audits have been exclusively UK anticipated that sometime in the summer/
based. However, the process has continued autumn of 2022 the result will be PG10:22.
to be rigorous and has resulted in individual The second working group, spearheaded
companies continuing product testing them- by Dennis Braithwaite, is undertaking work to
selves at independent test facilities more investigate the creation of a tube and fitting
frequently. This has then been further rein- TG20-style compliance sheet for prefab- Caption: Two internal
forced by the NASC auditor randomly select- ricated scaffolding systems. Work is in its working groups have
ing samples of his own for additional testing very early stages and along with Dennis, the recently been established.
in line with the audit process. system scaffolding manu-
As Covid-19 diminishes and the manu- facturer members of the
facturing site audits are re-started they will committee and CADS are first
be further enhanced by the introduction of establishing the feasibility of
environmental and sustainability, health and the task. It is hoped this will
safety and ethical criteria. result in a TG20-style system
In the meantime, work on the committee scaffolding summary sheet.
has considered additional product guidance, It must be stressed that work
be that as a part of the suite of existing prod- in this regard is at the very
uct Code of Practice PG guides or instead early stages.
released as general guidance (without audit) The Committee remains
on say, products that are in use, but no recog- focused on taking on the
nised standard exists. In this regard, the issues important to the wider
Committee, with additional assistance from contracting membership and
Dennis Braithwaite, NASC Technical Advisor, a continues to work closely
new product guide, PG8:21 Purchasing Guide- with all relevant parties to
lines for Ancillary Scaffolding Products – has ensure its aims and objec-
been produced and released. tives are fulfilled, including
Work in progress for the Committee is growing its own committee
focused on scaffolding sheeting and system membership and therefore
scaffolding compliance sheets. There are being representative of indus-
two internal working party groups to consider try as a whole.