To determine the competency of persons who install Temporary Edge Protection Systems, the installation company must ensure that the Operatives hold the necessary skills, knowledge, experience and training certification to undertake the task.

Temporary Edge Protection Systems are typically installed to prevent from falls from height. Temporary Edge Protection systems must be designed and installed in accordance with BS EN 13374: 2013 Temporary edge protection systems – Product specification – Test methods. The HSE have clarified that “a scaffold has a set meaning and that just because edge protection uses tube and fitting scaffold components does not make that a scaffold”. The HSE go on to say “they may look identical to side protection on a scaffold but for edge protection to be classed as a scaffold it would need to be part of that scaffold and therefore be linked to a platform rather than just be edge protection”.