Does a portable scaffold tower erection on a pavement need a license and insurance?

[Hove Lagoonery]

The house is terraced but with no front garden, and cast iron gutter needs replacing. I'm told that a portable scaffold tower (on the pavement) requires not only a license from the LA but public indemnity insurance too. Is this only for traders, or does it apply to D.I.Y.ers too? How can this be when working off a ladder requires neither, yet is far less safe ?

 

[Telscombe Seagull]

MIght be way off but logic to me would probably say that as its going on the pavement/road then the council will insist on insurance? (making that assumption from the no garden bit) unless you can get it up & down pronto without getting caught

 

[Tricky Dicky]

Just a guess, but if it's anywhere near the road or pavement I'm sure they'd insist on insurance at least. However careful you are what happens if someone passing by got hurt because of it - they'll want to sue someone, no doubt. Having said that, if it's only a couple of hours, I doubt anyone could do anything

 

[happypig]

Councils can, and do, prosecute regularly for breaching regulations so it would be risky not to comply.

 

[penny's harmonica]

My understanding is if your working on your own home a license is not required, but I could be wrong as the regulations change so often.
However some form of public liability should be in place in case your drop something onto a passing pedestrian or vehicle.
Also a good idea to tape off the area around the tower so no one gets too close

 

[malcolmposkettspockets]

You should have Public Liability or Property Owners Liability insurance with your Household insurance so contact them first to see if they will endorse your policy for a short period of time to cover this. If you have any problems with them contact me as I am an Insurance Broker and I should get you sorted.

 

[Hove Lagoonery]

But why would a ladder not require a license when it would take up the whole width of the pavement? (a portable tower would take up barely half that)

 

[Brightonia]

Does a portable scaffold tower erection on a pavement need a license and insura

He he Erection.....

Runs away!!