NASC Guidance Updates 2025: What’s New in TG20:21 and TG30:24 for Scaffolders?

If you work anywhere near construction in the UK, you’ll know how critical it is to stay up-to-date with scaffolding regulations. Each year, the landscape shifts as new standards and guidance are released, none more important this year than the updates to NASC’s TG20 and the newly launched TG30 guidance.

In this article, we walk through what’s changed for 2025, why it matters for your business, and what practical steps you can take to stay compliant and keep your team safe.

Why NASC Guidance Matters

The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) is recognised as the UK authority for scaffolding best practices. Its technical guides, TG20 for tube-and-fitting scaffolds and TG30 for system scaffolds, are the gold standard for safe design, erection, and use. These documents are more than just recommendations; they’re the framework insurers, HSE inspectors, and responsible site managers reference when judging compliance and quality.​

What’s New in the 2025 Updates?

1. TG20:21 – Keeping Tube & Fitting Scaffolds Safe

• Refined Technical Standards: TG20:21 now includes more detailed requirements for bracing, load calculations, and scaffold stability. Expect updated compliance sheets and new best practice designs for complex sites.​

• Expanded E-Guide: The NASC e-Guide is now easier to use, with step-by-step tools for design confirmation and record-keeping, helping both large firms and small contractors ensure a paper trail of compliance.​

  
  

2. TG30:24 – System Scaffolding Takes Center Stage

• New Guidance Specifically for System Scaffolds: TG30 is a big leap forward, covering modular scaffolding (like independent scaffolds, stair towers, and mobile towers) that is increasingly common on UK sites.​

• Generic Engineering Calculations: TG30 introduces standardised engineering checks, making sure every scaffold, no matter the brand, meets safety requirements for load and stability.​

• Compatibility and Fixing Methods: The new guidance clarifies how to mix modular components, set platform requirements, and meet stricter standards for guard rails and bracing.​

  
  

3. Digital Compliance and Documentation

• Inspection Logs and Certificates: Contractors are now expected to keep stricter digital records, including scaffold tags, design specifications, and inspection logs. This helps both with accountability and with passing HSE inspections or insurance audits.​

• E-Portal Access: NASC’s new ePortal is free for all members through August 2025, making it easier than ever to access official guides, compliance sheets, and best practice documents.​

  
  

Key Compliance Obligations for Scaffolders

So, what does this mean for your business in practice? Here are the must-do’s:

• Site-Specific Risk Assessments: Conduct tailored assessments for every project. The new guidance puts extra emphasis on environment, weather, and operational factors.​

• Competence Verification: Scaffolders and supervisors must be CISRS certified, with ongoing professional development (CPD) logged and checked.​

• Licensing for Public Spaces: If your scaffold touches public highways, ensure you have the right permits, local authorities will be tightening up checks and paperwork in 2025.​

• Design Criteria & Surveys: Thorough site surveys and design calculations are essential, following the latest TG20:21 standards, to ensure both safety and compliance.​

  
  

Practical Tips to Stay Ahead

• Read the Latest Guides: Download the new NASC TG20 and TG30 documentation from the official portals and keep up with monthly updates.

• Train Your Team: Host toolbox talks on the changes and refresh training to cover new risk assessment steps and daily inspection procedures.

• Go Digital: Move your inspection records and compliance sheets to secure digital systems. Not only does this save time, but it’ll help prove due diligence if there’s ever an incident or audit.​

• Regular Audits: Review your workflows and paperwork each month to catch gaps before an official inspection does.

  
  

Looking Forward: Why These Changes Matter

The driving force behind these updates is simple: improving safety, consistency, and quality on every UK site. Whether you’re a major commercial contractor or a local family-run scaffolding business, these changes raise the bar and help everyone in our industry demonstrate professionalism.

Checking the latest standards, keeping clear documentation, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement is not just important for compliance, it’s how you win client trust, keep projects moving, and protect your team.