Scaffold licence terms and conditions

Any failure to comply with the terms and conditions listed below will render your license invalid. 

Make sure you read and fully understand our conditions before signing the agreement.

1. The highway under the scaffold will be kept in a neat and tidy condition and clear of materials.
2. No vertical scaffolding poles shall be erected closer than 450mm from the kerb edge unless agreed in advance.
3. Any projection over the highway which extends closer than 450mm to the kerb must have at least 5.10 metres clearance above the surface of the carriageway and only installed once agreed.
4. No putlog bracing or other construction shall be fixed at a lower level than 2.5m from the surface of the footway. After the scaffolding has been erected, any diagonal cross-bracing used at ground level must be removed at once to allow unobstructed pedestrian access unless required for structural safety.
5. Maximum footway width must be maintained when designing and erecting any scaffold. A minimum of 1.5 metres and a headroom clearance of at least 2.44 metres are required for pedestrians to pass at all times, unless arrangements are agreed by a council officer. If it is possible to provide more footway space once a scaffold is erected, we may request the scaffold to be removed.
6. No hoarding covered scaffolding placed on the kerb side of the footway should exceed 1 metre in height so as to allow pedestrian traffic on the footway to be seen from the road.
7. Where agreement has been obtained to erect the scaffold nearer than 450mm to the kerb edge, baulk timbers 300mm x 300mm must be placed on the carriageway for the full length of the scaffolding. These timbers must be painted red and white and fitted with red bulkhead lights at 3 metre intervals unless otherwise specified by a council officer.  Water filled barriers may be used in certain situations and locations, their use must be stipulated during the application process.
8. Scaffolding must be lit from half an hour before sunset to half an hour after sunrise.
9. Standards must be either painted white or fitted with red, white yellow plastic sleeving up to a height of at least 2.44 metres.
10. Any couplings below 2.44 metres must be fixed so that any projection, or threaded or clamp fixing, is on the opposite side to pedestrians.
11. Horizontal scaffold poles, such as handrails, must be fitted with plastic end caps or otherwise made safe.
12. Fans or screens must be wide enough to provide complete protection to the public and to prevent material of any kind from falling onto the public highway.
13. Fans that project to within 450mm of the kerb edge must have at least 2.44 metres clearance above the surface of the public highway. Fans projecting beyond this line must have at least 5.10m clearance.
14. Where a scaffold is longer than 3 metres, 'escape routes' for pedestrians must be provided at regular intervals and be kept clear at all times.
15. Scaffolding, scaffold boards, temporary roofs and sheeted scaffolds must be properly secured to resist high winds. Sheeted scaffolds are particularly vulnerable to wind damage from the 'sail effect'.
16. Scaffolding must not obstruct access by emergency services vehicles.
17. All traffic and pedestrian management must comply with the Safety at Street Works and Road Works Code of Practice.
18. All applicants must have public liability insurance of £5 million to work on the public highway. Failure to have insurance would result in your licence becoming invalid.
19. All licences issued must be displayed on site at all times.
20. The scaffold must be erected and used in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines and compliance with the relevant safety legislation and standards. There must be full compliance with Health and Safety Executive (HSE) conditions.
21. The licensee shall make no claim against Southwark Council in the event of the scaffolding being lost, stolen or damaged in any way from whatever cause.
22. This licence is issued for the purposes of section 169 of the Highways Act 1980, but does not relieve the applicant from compliance with any other part of that Act, or any other Act, bylaws, statutory provision or Regulation that may apply.
23. The applicant shall remove all scaffolding and equipment from the highway immediately if requested to do so by Southwark Council, its agents and contractors and the police or by a statutory undertaker. Additionally, the applicant must abide by instructions from officers on behalf of Southwark Council. In these circumstances, a request must be made to the council before the scaffold is returned to site. (No refund or extension will be granted as a result of this action for the time required for the scaffold to be removed).
24. Southwark Council retain the right to cancel this licence at any time if it is felt that the licensee is not abiding by the terms and conditions, or indeed if other issues are experienced by any third party as a result of this licence.  In these circumstances, no refund or any other monies will be returned to the licensee or any other third party.
25. Any obstruction caused to any third party premises or items (including emergency exit/access routes) must have prior written approval from the third party.
26. If any structure is to be placed on a cellar, a weight distribution test must be completed.  Structure must not be placed on utility covers.
27. This licence does not give permission for any excavation of the public highway.  Any damage caused to the highway by the scaffold will be rectified and the charges for these works will be charged back to the licence holder.
28. At any time, we may request a construction management plan from the developer or licensee.