Public Liability & Products Liability in Scaffolding Insurance

When you're overseeing a scaffolding project on a construction site, everything might seem under control one moment. Then the next, a loose component can shift, sending a tool tumbling onto the footpath below. A pedestrian trips, ends up in hospital and suddenly you're facing a claim for medical bills, lost wages and repairs. 

Situations like this can happen more often than you'd think in the scaffolding industry where heights and heavy materials are part of the daily routine. 

If you’re in the scaffolding industry, having the right insurance can keep your operations running smoothly without the fear of one incident derailing everything.

As an insurance brokerage, we specialise in helping trades like yours navigate these complexities. 

In this blog, join us in breaking down Public Liability and Products Liability Insurance in Scaffolding Insurance.

Why Public Liability is Essential for Scaffolding Businesses

Public Liability Insurance forms the backbone of any Scaffolding Insurance setup. 

It steps in to cover legal responsibilities if your business operations cause personal injury or property damage to third parties, say clients, subcontractors or even members of the public. 

For scaffolders, this could mean compensating for a scaffold collapse that dents a client's building or a falling plank that injures a passerby on site.

What makes it so vital? The costs can add up quickly. Even if a claim gets thrown out in court, defending yourself might run into tens or hundreds of thousands in legal fees.

Here's a quick look at what Public Liability typically covers in scaffolding scenarios:

• Injury Claims: Medical expenses and compensation for third parties hurt by your work (e.g., a subcontractor slipping on unsecured decking).
  
  
• Property Damage: Repairs to a client's structure if your scaffold causes structural issues during erection or dismantling.
  
  
• Legal Defence Costs: Court fees and lawyer bills, regardless of the outcome.

However, it’s important to remember that Public Liability doesn't cover everything. 

It won't handle injuries to your own employees (that's Workers' Compensation territory) or damage to your scaffolding gear itself. 

Understanding these boundaries helps avoid surprises down the track.

The Role of Products Liability

While Public Liability focuses on your on-site activities, Products Liability Insurance zeroes in on the equipment you supply or hire out. 

In scaffolding, this often means the platforms, tubes and fittings you provide to job sites. 

If a defect in one of those components leads to an injury or damage, think a faulty brace gives way and harms a worker on another team's project, this policy kicks in to cover the fallout.

Many Australian scaffolding businesses bundle Products Liability into their broader Public Liability policy, creating a good layer of protection. 

This coverage can be especially crucial if you're in the business of renting out scaffolds, ensuring you're not left exposed for issues arising from the "product" side of your operations.

Legal and Contractual Requirements Across Australia

No two states handle scaffolding regulations quite the same, but one thing's clear: skimping on Public Liability and Products Liability Insurance can ground your business before it even starts. 

Clients and principals won't usually let you on site without proof, usually in the form of a Certificate of Currency.

Nationally, Safe Work Australia's guidelines classify scaffolding over two metres as high-risk construction work, mandating a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) that ties directly into your insurance obligations.

Remember: Even with best practices in place, accidents happen. That's where tailored Scaffolding Insurance matters, providing peace of mind so you can focus on the job.

How We Can Help

At Tank Insurance, we can help you find the best fit for your scaffolding business. Whether you need to confirm your current Public Liability and Products Liability limits or explore add-ons like Tools Coverage, our team cuts through the jargon to deliver options that match your risks and budget.

We've helped countless scaffolders all while keeping premiums competitive. 

Ready to review your setup? Drop us a line at 02 9000 1155 or at team@tankinsurance.com.au. We can assist you in making sure your Scaffolding Insurance is as solid as the structures you build.