Scaffolding & High-Risk Trades: Why Liability Cover is More Complex Than It Looks

Scaffolding contractors sit at the sharp end of construction risk. With exposures ranging from falls at height to unpredictable weather, liability cover for these trades is rarely straightforward. For retail brokers, the challenge isn’t only about finding terms, it’s about finding terms that stand up to scrutiny, deadlines, and client expectations.

A Risk Profile Under the Microscope

Falls from height remain the single biggest cause of fatal injuries in construction, accounting for more than a quarter of worker deaths each year (Health and Safety Executive, 2023). Add equipment failures, collapsing structures, and liability to members of the public, and scaffolding businesses present underwriters with a dense web of risk factors.

Weather compounds this. High winds or rain can destabilise scaffolding, increasing the likelihood of accidents and claims. Meanwhile, any contractor with a previous loss on record faces an uphill battle: even a single claim can dramatically narrow their market options.

Regulatory Pressures Driving Underwriter Caution

Regulation is also tightening. The Building Safety Act 2022 reshaped accountability across construction and placed heightened emphasis on safe design and on-site practices (UK Government, 2022). At the same time, HSE enforcement activity has increased, with inspections and prosecutions targeting construction safety standards (HSE, 2023). For brokers, this translates into more questions, more exclusions, and if not handled correctly, more declined risks.

Market Dynamics: Soft but Selective

The liability market for contractors remains soft but selective. While competitive rates can still be found, underwriters are quick to draw red lines around height restrictions, safety procedures, and claims history. This creates a paradox: capacity is technically available, but only if the broker can unlock it with the right framing of the risk.

Blocked markets add another layer of difficulty. Once a submission lands on a handful of desks, many other insurers will decline on duplication grounds. For brokers working against a tender deadline or urgent client request, this dynamic can easily stall negotiations and frustrate clients.

Wholesale Partnerships as a Strategic Advantage

This is where wholesale access changes the game. A specialist wholesale broker can:

Open up additional placement opportunities when markets appear blocked.
Position scaffolding and other high-risk trades in the best possible light, highlighting safety practices and corrective actions.
Draw on trusted insurer relationships to secure faster turnaround, enhanced limits, or tailored terms.

Practical Steps for Retail Brokers

To maximise outcomes in this space, brokers can take several steps before approaching the market:

Document safety measures fully: method statements, training records, and inspection protocols demonstrate proactive risk management.
Be transparent about claims history: outline not just past incidents, but what corrective steps were taken to prevent recurrence.
Engage wholesale early: working with a wholesale partner from the start avoids blocked markets and preserves negotiation leverage.

Servca’s Perspective

At Servca Wholesale, we’ve built long-standing insurer relationships by consistently demonstrating technical understanding and risk insight. That trust allows us to navigate challenging classes like scaffolding liability where speed, access, and confidence make the difference.

References

Health and Safety Executive. (2023). Workplace fatal injuries in Great Britain, 2023. https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/fatals.htm
UK Government. (2022). Building Safety Act 2022. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2022/30/contents/enacted