From 1st January 2011 the Health and Safety Executive will no longer acknowledge BS 5973:1993 as a recognised standard for the design of tube and fitting scaffolding structures. 

This will be replaced by From January 2011 with the standard for scaffolds built in the UK BS EN12811-1:2003.

 BS EN12811-1:2003 is, however,  a performance document and does not give detailed advice on safe systems of work for erecting, altering or dismantling tubes and fittings scaffolds.  The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has produced a good practice guide - TG20:08: Technical Guidance on the use of BS EN12811-1.  The NASC envisages that all its members will be working to the new guidance by the end of 2010.

 If you are employing a subcontractor for scaffolding then make sure that they follow the new standard and also that you understand what the Technical guide TG20:08 entails.