Scaffold inspection in Germany: who inspects scaffolds, when and how under TRBS 2121
A scaffold is inspected by a qualified person after every assembly and checked by every user before use. Who carries out which inspection, what belongs on the scaffold tag and when a new inspection is due after storms or alterations.
Last updated on 6 min readAMS Go editorial team
Key points at a glance
- After every erection or alteration, a person qualified to carry out inspections must inspect the scaffold before it is used; the result is recorded and kept at the place of use at least until the next inspection (Section 14 (1) and (7) BetrSichV, TRBS 2121 Part 1 no. 5).
- Every employer whose employees use a scaffold has it visually inspected beforehand by a qualified person – according to DGUV Information 201-011 at least every working day (Section 4 (5) BetrSichV, TRBS 2121 Part 1 no. 5.3).
- Every scaffold is tagged at its access point with the erector's name, address and phone number, scaffold type, load and width class, restrictions of use, warnings and the date of the last inspection (TRBS 2121 Part 1 no. 4.2.9).
- After exceptional events such as storms, heavy rain, snow load, accidents, changes to the scaffold or longer periods of non-use, an inspection by a person qualified to carry out inspections is due before further use (Section 14 (3) BetrSichV).
What does scaffold inspection involve?
Scaffold inspection (Gerüstprüfung) consists of two steps: after every erection or alteration, a person qualified to carry out inspections (zur Prüfung befähigte Person) checks whether the scaffold has been assembled correctly and is safe. Before use, every employer whose employees use the scaffold has a qualified person check that it is suitable for the planned work and has no obvious defects. After a storm, an accident or a longer break, it is inspected again.
Scaffolds are work equipment whose safety depends on the assembly conditions. The duties are set out in the German Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health (BetrSichV, Sections 4 and 14, Annex 1 no. 3) and specified by the Technical Rule for Operational Safety TRBS 2121 Part 1 “Risks to employees from falls when using scaffolds”, January 2019 edition. It applies to working and protective scaffolds such as façade, birdcage, suspended and mobile scaffolds, but not to mobile work platforms, falsework, bracket scaffolds or trestle scaffolds. Practical guidance is given in DGUV Information 201-011 from January 2023.
Which inspections and checks there are
Inspection after erection or alteration
Whenbefore first use, after every assembly and every alteration
Whoperson qualified to carry out inspections, usually from the scaffold erector
Legal basisSection 14 (1) BetrSichV, TRBS 2121 Part 1 no. 5.2
Visual inspection and function check
Whenbefore use, according to DGUV Information 201-011 at least every working day
Whoqualified person of each scaffold user
Legal basisSection 4 (5) BetrSichV, TRBS 2121 Part 1 no. 5.3
Extraordinary inspection
Whenafter storms, accidents, changes to or next to the scaffold, longer periods of non-use
Whoperson qualified to carry out inspections
Legal basisSection 14 (3) BetrSichV, TRBS 2121 Part 1 no. 5.4
Recurring inspection
Whenat the intervals the employer sets in the risk assessment
Whoperson qualified to carry out inspections
Legal basisSection 14 (2) BetrSichV, TRBS 2121 Part 1 no. 4.3.4
Inspection by the scaffold erector after assembly
Scaffolds may only be erected, altered or dismantled by technically suitable, instructed employees under the supervision of a person with expert knowledge (fachkundige Person) – based on a plan for erection, alteration and dismantling (Annex 1 nos. 3.2.2 and 3.2.6 BetrSichV). Once the scaffold is complete, a person qualified to carry out inspections checks, among other things:
- scaffold components visibly undamaged, design according to the manufacturer's assembly and use instructions or with a separate stability calculation
- stability: load-bearing base, base jacks, diagonals and anchors according to the instructions
- decking fully laid and secured, corners carried round at full width
- side protection consisting of guardrail, intermediate rail and toe board; gap to the wall no more than 0.30 m, otherwise inner side protection
- access points at least every 50 m, preferably stairs or hoists rather than ladders
- unfinished areas cordoned off and marked with the “No access” prohibition sign
On handover, the user receives the plan for use: name and address of the erector, load and width classes, scaffold type, type, number and position of access points and restrictions of use (TRBS 2121 Part 1 no. 4.1.3).
Inspection register in AMS GoKeep scaffolds with location and inspection dates in the inspection register, file inspection reports directly with the scaffold, pass defects on as actions and check the inspection status in the app on site.Tagging at the access point
Every scaffold is tagged, ideally at the access point. In practice the sign is often called a scaffold tag or scaffold release card. The tag is part of the inspection and a prerequisite for the user's visual inspection. It contains at least (TRBS 2121 Part 1 no. 4.2.9):
- name, address and phone number of the scaffold erector
- scaffold type
- load and width class
- information on restrictions of use
- warnings
- date of the last inspection
DGUV Information 201-011 recommends combining the inspection report, tag and plan for use in one document and fixing it, protected from the weather, at the access stairs – and only putting up the tag when no defects are outstanding.
Visual inspection by the scaffold user
The check is carried out by a qualified person (qualifizierte Person) appointed by the user – for example someone with completed training in a construction or assembly trade, or with recent related work experience and instruction (TRBS 2121 Part 1 no. 2.9). The key question is whether the load and width class suit the planned work:
Load class 1
Distributed load0.75 kN/m²
Typical use according to DGUV Information 201-011inspections only, such as reading meters or assessing condition
Load class 2
Distributed load1.5 kN/m²
Typical use according to DGUV Information 201-011work without storing building materials or components
Load class 3
Distributed load2.0 kN/m²
Typical use according to DGUV Information 201-011for example plastering, painting, roofing and façade cladding work, at least width class W06
Load class 4 to 6
Distributed load3.0 to 6.0 kN/m²
Typical use according to DGUV Information 201-011building materials are set down or stored, e.g. masonry, reinforcement, tiling and assembly work, at least width class W09
Each person counts as 1 kN. A scaffold bay of 2.50 m × 0.90 m has 2.25 m² of decking and therefore carries 4.5 kN in load class 3. Two people plus 1.5 kN of material make 3.5 kN – that works.
- 1
Read the tag
Compare the inspection date, load and width class and restrictions of use with the planned work.
- 2
Walk the scaffold
Look at side protection, decking, wall gap, anchors and access points for obvious defects and changes.
- 3
Close off defects
Do not use the area, cordon it off and notify the scaffold erector – only they may alter the scaffold.
- 4
Record it
Briefly note the date, area, result and name; this makes it easier to provide evidence to site management and the accident insurance institution.
Inspection after storms, accidents and changes
After exceptional events that may affect safety, the scaffold may only be used again after an inspection by a person qualified to carry out inspections (Section 14 (3) BetrSichV). TRBS 2121 Part 1 gives these examples:
- storms, heavy rainfall and icing
- snowfall where the weight of the snow exceeds the permitted imposed load
- accidents, such as a vehicle hitting the scaffold
- longer periods of non-use, for example after a winter break
- changes to the scaffold or in its immediate vicinity
Who may inspect and how results are recorded
Person with expert knowledge at the scaffold erector
Taskdraw up the plans for erection, alteration and dismantling and for use, supervise assembly
Examples according to TRBS 2121 Part 1scaffolding supervisors, certified scaffolding gang leaders, master scaffolders
Person qualified to carry out inspections
Taskinspection after assembly, after exceptional events and at recurring intervals
Examples according to TRBS 2121 Part 1the same qualifications, also certified site foremen or construction tradespeople with scaffolding knowledge; selection according to TRBS 1203
Qualified person of the scaffold user
Taskvisual inspection and function check before use
Examples according to TRBS 2121 Part 1skilled workers trained in a construction or assembly trade
The person qualified to carry out inspections can belong to the erector or to the user. The result of each inspection is recorded with its type, scope and result plus the name and signature of the inspector and kept at the place of use at least until the next inspection (Section 14 (7) BetrSichV, TRBS 2121 Part 1 no. 5.6). The ordinance does not require records of the daily visual inspection; a brief note is still the simplest evidence.
Checklist: scaffold inspection on site
- Scaffold erected, altered and dismantled only by a scaffold erector under expert supervision
- Inspection report from the qualified inspector received after every assembly and alteration
- Tag with all mandatory details fixed at the access point
- Plan for use available, load and width class suit the work
- Qualified person appointed for the visual inspection
- Employees instructed in using the scaffold
- Visual inspection carried out at least every working day
- New inspection arranged after storms, accidents or longer breaks
- Defects reported, area closed off, scaffold erector informed
- Inspection records kept at the place of use until the next inspection
Free templates for this guide
As PDF and Excel, free – to use in your own company.
Frequently asked questions
How often must a scaffold be inspected?
After every erection or alteration by a person qualified to carry out inspections, before it is used (Section 14 (1) BetrSichV). Before use, every user has the scaffold checked by a qualified person – according to DGUV Information 201-011 at least every working day. After exceptional events such as storms or longer periods of non-use, a new inspection is due; in addition there are recurring inspections at the intervals set in the risk assessment.
Who may inspect a scaffold?
A person qualified to carry out inspections, selected by the employer according to TRBS 1203. TRBS 2121 Part 1 gives as examples scaffolding supervisors, certified scaffolding gang leaders, master scaffolders, certified site foremen and construction tradespeople with the necessary scaffolding knowledge. The user's daily visual inspection is carried out by a qualified person, such as a skilled worker trained in a construction or assembly trade.
May a scaffold be used without a tag?
No. The tag is part of the inspection and a prerequisite for the user's visual inspection (TRBS 2121 Part 1 no. 4.2.9). Without it, it is not clear whether the scaffold has been inspected and what load it can carry. Contact the scaffold erector and only use the scaffold once this has been clarified.
Does a scaffold have to be re-inspected after a storm?
Yes. Storms count as an exceptional event after which a person qualified to carry out inspections must inspect the scaffold before further use (Section 14 (3) BetrSichV, TRBS 2121 Part 1 no. 5.4). The same applies after heavy rain, icing, snow load above the permitted imposed load, accidents and longer periods of non-use. Site management or the coordinator is best placed to inform the scaffold erector.
This guide gives a general overview of German occupational safety law and does not replace legal advice. The regulations in force and the rules of the statutory accident insurance institutions are authoritative.
Organise occupational safety digitally
With the occupational safety software AMS Go you handle risk assessments, safety instructions, inspections and more in one system – mobile and with AI support.
Newsletter
Occupational safety, straight to your inbox
New templates, guides and changes to regulations – free from AMS Go. The newsletter is in German. You can unsubscribe at any time via the link in every email.
More guides
- Testing duties
Qualified person for inspections under TRBS 1203 in Germany: requirements, duties and appointment
6 minRead - Testing duties
Fall protection equipment in Germany: selection, instruction and annual inspection
7 minRead - Testing duties
Ladder inspection in Germany: inspecting and using ladders and steps safely
7 minRead
