Buying a mobile access tower? Here’s what “safe” actually means — and how to compare like for like.
A scaffold tower is only as safe as the components it ships with. The headline price on a cut-price kit can look tempting, but if it leaves out the parts the standard requires, you’re not comparing the same product — and you may be taking on a fall and collapse risk, plus liability you didn’t bargain for. This page explains the UK standard for towers, what compliance requires, and the law behind it.
What is BS EN 1004-1:2020?
BS EN 1004-1:2020 is the British and European product standard for mobile access and working towers made of prefabricated elements. It sets the requirements a tower must meet to be safe to use, including guardrails, braces, stabilisers and platform decks. A tower built and supplied to this standard is a known quantity; one that is missing components cannot meet it.
Why is a cheaper tower sometimes not the same tower?
Some cut-price kits leave safety-critical components out — such as braces, double guardrails, stabilisers or trapdoor decks — to make the headline price look lower. Without those parts the tower cannot be built to BS EN 1004-1:2020, and once you buy them separately the true cost is usually higher. You’re also left to source and fit the safety-critical parts yourself.
What are the risks of using a non-conforming tower?
A tower missing guardrails, braces or stabilisers is a fall and collapse risk. Falls from height remain the biggest cause of serious injury on UK sites (HSE). These components are not optional extras — they are what makes the tower safe to climb and what the standard requires. Using non-conforming equipment can also affect your liability and insurance position.
What does the law require?
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 require that equipment for work at height is suitable, properly maintained and inspected. Using a tower that meets BS EN 1004-1:2020 and is assembled correctly helps you meet those duties.
Every LEWIS tower ships complete
Every LEWIS tower is supplied with the correct components, in the correct quantity, to meet BS EN 1004-1:2020, with a Declaration of Conformity available. UK-manufactured since 2004, with UK phone support and spares direct from our factory.