Warning to scaffolding companies after firm prosecuted for collapse

COI/W/473/09 8 September 2009

Scaffolding companies need to double check their structures are safe and secure, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned following the collapse of scaffolding at an industrial unit in Caerphilly.

The incident on the Western Industrial Estate resulted in a fine for the Cardiff-based scaffolding company responsible for the unsecured structure which collapsed in June 2006. Fortunately, no-one was injured in the incident, which occurred just 20 minutes before a change of shift at the factory.

Linmar Scaffolding Ltd, of Compass Road, Cardiff, pleaded guilty to breaching regulation 8 (b) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 when it appeared at Abergavenny Magistrates' Court on Tuesday (8th Sept). The company was fined £1,800 and ordered to pay costs of £5,400.

HSE construction Inspector Dean Baker said: "Our investigation showed that this scaffolding was not properly secured to the building, which is a basic requirement for structures of this type. Scaffolding erection is the stock-in trade of this company but they failed to secure the scaffolding using appropriate ties.

"The scaffolding remained standing for 11 days after it was originally put up, so there was a significant risk of it collapsing while it was in use. Had it collapsed 20 minutes later than it actually did, it would have coincided with a change of shift and there could well have been casualties. CCTV footage shows people walking near the scaffolding just two minutes before the collapse, so it was lucky that no-one was actually hurt."

Guidance on the requirements for erecting scaffolding can be found on HSE's website at http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/safetytopics/scaffoldinginfo.htm

Notes to editors

1. The company were prosecuted under Regulation 8(b), Schedule 3, Part 1, 3(d) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 which states: "Any supporting structure shall ... be stable while being erected, used and dismantled."
2. CCTV footage of the scaffold collapse is available from COI Wales on request.

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Issued on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive by COI News and PR Wales.