Scaffold firm fined after putting workers at risk

Date:

19 September 2011

Release No:

COISE/1909

A Hastings firm has been fined after handing over unsecured scaffolding to a client, putting builders at risk.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector visited a site at Claremont, Hastings, on 20 April 2010 where building repairs and external work were being carried out.

The inspector noted that scaffolding erected by Totalscaff (GB) Ltd, trading as Total Service Group (TSG), around the building had not been adequately tied, meaning it was unstable.

By law, all scaffolding must be inspected by a competent person before it can be used.

Hastings Magistrates' Court was told the worker who undertook safety checks, Christian Ball, had been previously been advised of the need to adequately tie scaffolding but had overlooked this advice. He was also fined.

Totalscaff (GB) Ltd, of Ninfield Road, Bexhill-on-Sea, was found guilty and Christian Ball, 35, of West Hill Road, St Leonards-on-Sea, pleaded guilty to a breach of Regulation 28(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007. Totalscaff (GB) Ltd was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay £10,000 in costs, and Mr Ball was fined £2,500 and ordered to pay £2,274 costs.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Melvyn Stancliffe said:

"Scaffold collapses can have serious consequences and tying the scaffold - or something similar - is essential for stability and ensuring it does not collapse while being erected or being used. Its importance cannot and should not be overlooked.

"HSE and the scaffolding industry have worked together to produce guidance to help scaffolding contractors ensure their scaffolding is safe. It is easy to follow. By not following it, people's lives were put at risk unnecessarily.

"HSE will take firm action against individuals and contractors who ignore their health and safety obligations. It is essential that contractors and contract managers equip themselves with the necessary information and guidance material and apply it each and every time a scaffold is built."

Notes to editors

1. The Health and Safety Executive is Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice; promoting training; new or revised regulations and codes of practice; and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement. www.hse.gov.uk
2. Regulation 28(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 states: "All practicable steps shall be taken, where necessary, to prevent danger to any person, to ensure that any new or existing structure which may become unstable or in a temporary state of weakness or instability due to the carrying out of construction work does not collapse."
3. More information about scaffold safety can be found in Industry Guidance TG20:08 "Guide to Good Practice for Scaffolding with Tubes and Fittings" which can be obtained from the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation website at www.nasc.org.uk
4. The company named Total Services Group has no relationship with Totalscaff (GB) Ltd, trading as Total Service Group (TSG)
5. Further information about working safely at height can be found on the HSE website at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/safetytopics/workingatheight.htm

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Issued on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive by COI News & PR South East