Inspection & documentation
Ongoing inspection and inspection log
Event-based inspection — not a fixed interval of days
The inspection is your chance to spot a coupler that has slipped, a guardrail hit by a vehicle or a deck that has started to rot. The guide covers when inspections must be carried out in Denmark, which points are checked, and how findings are documented and stored.
Inspect at the three triggering events
A written inspection is required on erection (before use), after any alteration or extension, and after strong winds or severe weather. Inspection in Denmark is event-based — it is triggered by events, not by a fixed number of days.
Triggerserection · alteration · severe weatherDo not rely on the British 7-day rule
The widespread '7-day rule' is British and is NOT in itself a Danish legal requirement. A company may choose a fixed interval (e.g. 7 days) as its own QA routine on top of the event-based inspections — but that is voluntary quality management, not a legal requirement.
7 days is a QA routine you can choose yourself — not a Danish legal requirement.
Check foundation and support
Check that the base jacks and supports have not settled, that there is full contact, and that the jacks are not extended more than 0.20 m. Settlement after rain or loading shows up precisely here.
Spindle max.0.20 m outdoorsCheck load-bearing parts and guardrails
Inspect vertical frames/standards for deformation and loose connections, horizontal bays and diagonals for correct locking, and the guardrail to ensure the handrail (1.00 m), knee rail (0.50 m) and toe board (min. 0.15 m) are complete. Decks are checked for cracks, twisting and damaged locking studs.
Hand list1.00 mKnee rail0.50 mSkirting boardmin. 0.15 mCheck distance, anchorage and access
Check that the distance to the facade has not been exceeded (max. 0.30 m / 0.10 m for bricklaying/rendering), that anchors above 10.5 m outdoors are intact and correctly tightened without movement, and that access routes (ladder/stairs) are securely fixed. Also check that the green sign is visible and up to date.
Distance to facademax. 0.30 / 0.10 mAnchorage> 10.5 m outdoorsClose off with a red sign if faults are found
If a defect affecting safety is found, the scaffold is closed off with a red sign until the defect has been remedied. A red sign means 'do not use' — it is better to close it off an hour too long than to let anyone work on a defective scaffold.
Red sign = stop. Better to close it off too early than once too late.
Complete the log sheet
The log sheet is filled in with the date, the inspector's name, defects found, remedial action taken and the next inspection date. The documentation is the proof that the inspection has been carried out — an inspection without a log is hard to vouch for afterwards.
Keep the documentation for at least 5 years
The inspection documentation is kept for at least 5 years. This makes it possible to follow the scaffold's history and to document to Arbejdstilsynet that the checks have been carried out throughout the period of use.
Storagemin. 5 years
Source
Based on BEK nr. 428/2022 on technical equipment, the AT-vejledning on building and construction work and BFA Bygge & Anlæg and maskinerne.dk (inspection/documentation).