• Purpose & Scope
• Materials, Construction & Maintenance
  • Health & Safety
  • Risk Assessment
  • Contruction (Design & Management) Regs 1994
  • Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations
• Selection of Access Structures
• Design Sheets

'Stiles can severely restrict public access and should only be installed as a last resort when it is not possible to provide access by means of a gap or gate.'

Health & Safety

As indicated above, the aim of this Guide is to provide details of countryside access structures that will accommodate and assist public access in the countryside. In presenting these designs, which have been collected from many different sources, Scottish Natural Heritage has sought to draw attention to issues relating to their safe installation and use and to known limitations or constraints that may apply to specific structures. In turn, there is also a duty on users of the Guide to ensure that, when installing countryside access structures, the health, safety and convenience of all members of the public is adequately safeguarded. In particular, site managers and other countryside practitioners are reminded:

• to ensure that all obligations and responsibilities for the safety and welfare of the public, and of people installing the structures, are given the highest priority in terms of the design, construction and installation of structures and in their subsequent maintenance and repair;
• to ensure that the design of structure installed in a particular situation is suited to its intended purpose and is constructed correctly, from good quality materials, and to high standards of workmanship;
• to ensure that structures are regularly checked for wear, tear and deterioration and are maintained and repaired as necessary so that they continue to function correctly, efficiently and safely;
• to keep detailed and accurate records of all inspections of structures, any repairs that are found to be required, and any subsequent maintenance works or modifications that are carried out;
• to ensure that all contractors, employees and volunteers involved in construction and installation are adequately trained and are closely supervised by experienced personnel.

Users of this Guide should also ensure that all working practices and procedures comply with health and safety legislation and approved codes of practice: details can be obtained from the Health and Safety Executive (tel. 0541 545500 or visit www.open.gov.uk/hse/hsehome.htm).