Flagpole safety in Denmark: wind, liability and working at height
Published Written by Flagpole Guides
This page is an English translation of the Danish original. Where the two versions differ, the Danish text is the original.
A flagpole of 8 or 10 metres is a tall structure that stands in wind and weather all year round. Properly installed and maintained, it is safe, but wind, a worn foundation or working at height can lead to accidents. This guide brings together what the sources say about wind, stability, liability and working on the pole.
Wind and flag
| Situation | Custom according to Dannebrogs-Samfundet |
|---|---|
| Over 20 metres per second | The flag is normally not flown, and it is lowered |
| Flag day with strong wind | Storm flag at half size |
| Damp weather | The line is wound loosely around the pole so it does not bend the pole |
The wind pulls on the flag, and the force is transferred to the pole and the foundation. A flag larger than the pole is designed for increases the load. Manufacturers state which flag size and wind conditions a pole is dimensioned for, and the foundation follows the installation instructions. The sizes are in the guide to flag sizes.
Stability and foundation
According to Bolius, most flagpoles stand on a base of concrete or wood set well into the ground, and the pole is fixed to the base with two or more bolts. These joints are what hold the pole up in the wind. Signs that something has changed can be:
- the pole leaning or moving at the foot
- loose or rusty bolts in the base
- cracks in a wooden or glass-fibre pole
- a rotten oak base or a concrete base that has shifted
More in the guide to flagpole maintenance.
Lowering the pole
When the pole is lowered, it is unstable. Bolius describes loosening the bolts until one is left to pivot on, and lowering the pole slowly. According to Bolius, it takes a couple of people, both when the pole is lowered and when it is raised again. Distance to cables, buildings and cars is important at that stage. The mechanics are described in the guide to flagpole mechanics.
Liability
The owner of a flagpole is responsible for its being soundly installed and maintained. Under the general Danish rules on liability for damages, the owner can be liable for damage caused by a poorly maintained pole, for example if it falls onto the neighbour’s property. Dannebrogs-Samfundet notes that an association that puts up a flag avenue on a road or pavement is liable if fallen poles cause accidents or damage the road.
Working at height
For businesses, municipalities and others with employees working on flagpoles, the working environment rules apply. According to the Danish Working Environment Authority:
- falls from height are among the most common workplace accidents in Denmark
- ladders are used only for short, light work, and the worker can hold on to the ladder or a part of the building
- a guard rail, scaffolding or other fall protection is put in place where there is a risk of falling
- personal fall protection such as lines and harnesses can be used if collective protection is insufficient or not possible
Flagpoles on roofs and façades often require a lift or scaffolding for inspection. More about business flagpoles in the guide to flagpoles for businesses, and about installation in the guide to flagpole installation.
Frequently asked questions
When is it too windy to fly the flag?
According to Dannebrogs-Samfundet, the flag is normally not flown when the wind exceeds 20 metres per second, and the flag is lowered if the wind reaches that strength. On flag days, a storm flag at half size can be used to reduce the load on flag and pole.
Why does a large flag put a load on the flagpole?
The wind pulls on the flag, and the larger the flag, the greater the force on the pole and the foundation. According to Dannebrogs-Samfundet, the smaller size of the storm flag reduces wear on the flag cloth and the load on the flagpole.
Who is liable if a flagpole falls over?
Under the general Danish rules on liability for damages, the owner can be liable for damage caused by a poorly maintained or incorrectly installed flagpole. Dannebrogs-Samfundet notes that an association with a flag avenue is liable if fallen flagpoles cause accidents.
Which rules apply to employees working on a flagpole?
According to the Danish Working Environment Authority, falls from height are among the most common workplace accidents in Denmark. Ladders are used only for short, light work, and where there is a risk of falling, a guard rail, scaffolding or other protection is put in place, possibly supplemented by personal fall protection.
Sources
This guide is based on the following sources, most of them in Danish:
- Forebyg fald fra højden – Arbejdstilsynet (Danish Working Environment Authority)
- Sådan bruges Dannebrog, 2nd edition (2019), pp. 14, 20–25 and 41–42 – Dannebrogs-Samfundet (formerly Danmarks-Samfundet)
- Flagstænger og flagregler – Bolius
Related guides
- Flagpole installationFlagpole installation in Denmark: the Building Act, local plans and easements, coastal protection, distance to the boundary, foundation and position.
- Flagpole maintenanceFlagpole maintenance in Denmark: painting wooden poles, cleaning glass fibre, checking pulley and line, caring for the flag and disposing of worn flags.
- Flagpole mechanicsFlagpole mechanics in Denmark: how the flag line, pulley, internal winch, flag weight and tilting bracket work – and how a flagpole is lowered.
- Flagpoles for businessesFlagpoles for businesses in Denmark: company flags, Dannebrog in logos, foreign flags at hotels, municipal orders under the Building Act and liability.