Each individual scaffolding component carries its part of the overall construction. A cracked column, a deformed beam or a half-eaten scaffold board can cost lives. Here are the criteria for discarding components — and the culture for doing it consistently.
Introduction
Scaffolding components live hard: they are assembled and disassembled hundreds of times, dropped, scraped against concrete floors and driven in lorries for years. DS/EN 12811-2 sets the material specifications for components for work scaffolding — but it is the scaffolding company and the responsible erector who in practice must make the decision: scrap or continue use?
When is an item subject to deletion requirements?
According to BFA Bygge & Anlæg and the former AT guidance 45.1 on the scaffold erector's responsibility (AMID.dk; repealed 15-12-2025), the scrapping criteria are as a minimum:
- 01Visible crack or fracture — even a micro-crack in a load-bearing pipe corner can spread catastrophically.
- 02Deformation (kinks, bending, torsion) — a bent tube loses its nominal load-bearing capacity and must be scrapped, whatever the cause.
- 03Severe corrosion (rust over clean surface layers) — Ø 48.3 mm steel pipe with actual rust pitting is rejected; surface rust without depth can be accepted with a critical eye.
- 04Defective locking fittings, worn or burst couplers, a locking pin that does not hold — faulty locking is a direct fall-protection hazard.
- 05One-third rule for planks: scaffolding planks with more than one cracked board per three lengths are discarded; remaining planks must not have gaps over 5 mm
- 06Missing CE marking / supplier documentation — an incomplete component cannot be verified.
Receiving inspection at delivery
Before the components are lifted onto the scaffold they must be inspected on site — this is the receiving inspection. Write date and initials on the delivery note. Check especially:
- 01The pipes — no visible kinks, all ends open (no crimped ends).
- 02Decking/planks — no loose boards, no cracks, securing against unintended lifting correct.
- 03Connections and fittings — all load and rotary tips work; no visible fractures.
- 04Foot spindles and bases — threaded without rust/deformation; base plate flat.
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