No gas work under scaffold?

Afternoon all,

I was due to have my external gas meter changed to a smart meter but have had scaffolding put up and the scaffolder tells me that no one will do any gas work under scaffolding.
No issues with that as I can see that it's the rules, but I'm just wondering what the reason is for those rules?

Most likely thing I've been able to conjure up in my mind is that it would create a confined space beneath in the event of a leak? But that must be even worse with meters in tiny cupboards under stairs, and yet that is allowed, so I'm not sure.

Just curious really.

Thanks!

Not aware of that rule

Absolute rubbish work on gas under scaffold all the time

New one to me, never heard of that before

Elf and safety, ennit?

But fear not, from 01/02/2020 external gas works may only be carried out under the protective shield of scaffolding..