Scaffolding certificate in construction now mandatory?

Mandatory certification? Yes!
Since January 1, 2018, specific certificates for construction scaffolding, which must be transported to the construction site by scaffolding trailers, and the personnel working with scaffolding have been required by law. Although the mandatory certificates provide greater safety with and around the use of construction scaffolding, critical voices have also been heard. Are the criticisms raised justified? How important is a certificate for construction scaffolding really? And if the criticism is not based on facts, what is the truth about scaffolding?

What exactly does this certification entail?
Certificates for the erection of scaffolding, which should be transported towards the construction site with a scaffolding trailers, can be obtained by implementers, entrepreneurs and construction workers and other participants for about 150 to 200 euros. If the provider of the certificate is (far) above this amount, you may frown because there is then a risk of fraud.

Is obtaining a certificate mandatory?
The employer cannot require you to obtain a certificate if it is not specified in your job description. Still, it is advisable, if you have time of course, to obtain this certificate productively. That way, you will be well prepared for what is to come and you will not be in your shoes at times when things get tough.

Reduction in construction accidents
Certification in construction for scaffold erection is mandatory, but also important. Since the introduction of the stricter regulations with the start of the year 2018, the number of accidents - as per the targets - appears to have decreased. Another consequence of certification, it is expected, is that the construction industry will see less use of illegal construction workers from Eastern European countries such as Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, Romania or Bulgaria. After all, they do not have the required certification to erect scaffolding in the construction industry.

Cost of a certificate
Indian stories circulate in the construction world about the cost of obtaining a certificate. There are rumors that a certificate costs 300 to 400 euros per person and is valid for only a few years. However, the cost of obtaining certification is not that high. A certificate costs 150 to a maximum of 200 euros and is valid for a period of five years. If scaffolding is nonetheless erected by an unqualified person and the building inspectorate discovers this, the construction project can be halted and/or the construction company concerned will be fined.