News
7 Apr 2010
SURE FOOTING ON SCAFFOLD BOARDS
John Brash has welcomed the publication of BS 2482:2009: Specification for timber
scaffold boards, which updates the previous 1982 standard.
The British Standard now includes a new 1.2m support span for 38mm scaffold boards.
This is in addition to the 1.5m support span for 38mm and 63mm boards that were
covered in the earlier version.
Christian Brash, Managing Director of John Brash explains:
"The HSE and Scaffold Board manufacturers conducted an extensive research program
to develop grading rules for the 1.2m support span board (the old Grade A board).
The new rules now mean that there is now no economic reason for scaffold subcontractors
to buy non-British Standard boards."
"The industry has always insisted on ‘BS’ tube and ‘BS’ fittings but often settled
on a non BS Board, a component that has an equally important safety implication.
BS 2482:2009 was therefore updated in an attempt to encourage the industry to
buy British Standard boards. A board that doesn’t meet the grade requirement of
BS 2482:2009 is therefore most likely unfit for purpose."
As a result of the update, John Brash will now only manufacture British Standard
scaffold boards, complete with the Kitemark symbol of quality, and will no longer
offer a Grade ‘A’ scaffold board.
Jim Grieve, the Principal Specialist Inspector at the Health & Safety Executive
(HSE) added:
"HSE supports the recent publication of BS 2482:2009: Specification for timber
scaffold boards which will help to improve the safety of people whose jobs involve
working at height."
THE UPDATED BS 2482:2009 INCLUDES:
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A maximum tolerance when setting transoms of 100m
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End bands must be fixed using only nails or staples along the side, or edge of the board. Either teeth, staples or nails may be used to secure the ends. The old fully pressed band could be a safety risk. If it became detached, the side of the band could cause cuts
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The 1.2m support span boards can be either visually or machine graded, whilst the 1.5m support span boards can only be machine graded
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In addition, 63mm x 225m boards will have a maximum support span of 2.5m (reduced from 3.25m). This should not produce any issues as the maximum lengths are in use are either, 2.45m Cuplok Omega battens or 2.418m Kwikstage battens. These boards can either be visually or machine graded
CHECK LIST - WHAT GRADE ARE YOUR BOARDS?
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Are your boards graded to a clearly defined set of rules, meeting BS 2482:2009? If not, can you validate their grading or performance criteria? All John Brash boards are manufactured to BS 2482:2009
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Are your boards manufactured by a Quality Assured company, with independent third party assessment? John Brash is an ISO9001:2000 registered company and also carries the BSI Kitemark (license number KM 07800)
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Are your boards graded by fully trained and independently assessed graders? All John Brash graders are qualified scaffold board graders and the company is reassessed twice annually by the BSI
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Do your boards have a full audit trail from production to supply? Every John Brash machine graded board has a unique inkjet printed lot number, ensuring full traceability
For more information on John Brash’s range of scaffold boards, visit the website
at: www.johnbrash.co.uk or telephone: 01427 613858
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