The Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996

Inspection

29.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), a place of work referred to in column 1 of Schedule 7 shall be used to carry out construction work only if that place has been inspected by a competent person at the times set out in the corresponding entry in column 2 of that Schedule and the person who has carried out the inspection is satisfied that the work can be safely carried out at that place.

(2) Without prejudice to paragraph (1), where the place of work is a part of a scaffold, excavation, cofferdam or caisson, any employer or any other person who controls the way in which construction work is carried out by persons using that part shall ensure that the scaffold, excavation, cofferdam or caisson is stable and of sound construction and that the safeguards required by these Regulations are in place before his employees or persons under his control first use that place of work.

(3) Where the person who has carried out an inspection pursuant to paragraph (1) is not satisfied that construction work can safely be carried out at that place—

(a) where the inspection was carried out on behalf of another person, he shall inform that person of any matters about which he is not satisfied; and

(b) the place of work shall not be used until the matters identified have been satisfactorily remedied.

(4) An inspection of a place of work carried out pursuant to paragraph (1) shall include an inspection of any plant and equipment and any materials which affect the safety of that place of work.