NASC urges employers to plan ahead for England’s late-night World Cup clash

NASC, the UK's leading trade body for scaffolding and access, is reminding all employers and scaffolders to think ahead before England’s World Cup match against Mexico, which kicks off at 1:00am on Monday morning.

With many supporters expected to stay up to watch the game, and many pubs allowed to extend their opening hours to show the game, NASC is encouraging businesses to consider the potential impact of fatigue on Monday morning’s work activities, particularly where safety-critical tasks are involved.

This is not at all about discouraging people from enjoying the football. Instead, it is about recognising that a very late night, disrupted sleep and fatigue can all affect alertness, concentration, reaction times and judgement, regardless of whether alcohol has been consumed or not.

Mark Collinson, NASC Head of Technical, said:

“We all want England supporters to enjoy the match, but the scaffolding industry depends on people being fully alert and able to make good decisions. Fatigue can impair judgement just as much as other factors, so it’s important that both employers and operatives think ahead and plan accordingly.

“A few simple conversations before the weekend can help ensure everyone returns to work safely. Good planning isn’t about taking the enjoyment out of the football. It’s about making sure people are fit for work and that everyone gets home safely at the end of the day.”

Advice for employers: Plan and communicate 

NASC is encouraging employers to review their plans ahead of Monday morning and consider whether additional measures may be appropriate, including:

• Reviewing work schedules with fatigue in mind.
• Considering whether temporary adjustments to start times or work patterns are reasonably practicable.
• Planning the most demanding activities for later in the day where appropriate.
• Ensuring supervisors remain vigilant for signs that someone may not be fit for work.
• Creating an environment where employees feel comfortable raising concerns about their fitness for work.

Advice for scaffolders: enjoy the football, be fit for work

For those planning to watch the match, NASC is encouraging scaffolders to plan ahead and take responsibility for arriving at work fit for duty by:

• Planning ahead if it’s likely to be a late night.
• Getting as much rest as possible.
• Leaving plenty of time before driving or starting work if alcohol has been consumed.
• Being honest about whether they are fit for work and speaking to their supervisor as early as possible if they have concerns.

The scaffolding industry relies on good judgement, clear thinking and safe decision-making every day. By planning ahead and managing fatigue, everyone can enjoy the football while helping to keep themselves, their colleagues and the public safe.

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash