Inter-Island Scaffolding: The Regulations and Insurance You Need When Moving Equipment Between Islands
When scaffolding isn't erected on the same island where it was manufactured or normally stored, questions about certification and liability are entirely fair. Here's a clear explanation.
Standards the equipment must meet, wherever it's erected
EN 1004 — mobile access and working towers
EN 1298 — instructions for assembly and use
Certification belongs to the equipment, not to the location where it's installed. Certified scaffolding remains certified once it arrives on another island, provided the journey hasn't damaged any structural components — which is exactly why an inspection before every assembly matters.
Inspection before every assembly
Any equipment that travels by sea must be inspected before being erected at its destination: impact damage in transit, loose parts, corrosion from exposure to the marine environment during the crossing. This is part of the standard process, not an optional extra.
Insurance
Public liability insurance held by the company erecting the scaffolding, valid regardless of the island
Goods-in-transit insurance for the sea crossing (often covered by the ferry operator itself, but worth confirming case by case)
Our advice: always ask for written confirmation of what each policy covers before signing the works contract
What to ask any supplier — not just us — before hiring
Does the equipment hold valid EN 1004 / EN 1298 certification?
Who is liable if damage occurs during transport?
Will the assembly at destination be carried out by certified personnel?
