Safety Signs News

Warning signs importance highlighted after scaffolding collapse

18th March 2011 | Warning Signs

Posted by Ben Alexander.

Two firms have been fined after a member of the public was injured when scaffolding collapsed on her during high winds.

The 68-year-old woman, who was out shopping, suffered double fractures to her hip and right femur, puncture wounds to her right ankle and bruising.

She still cannot carry shopping bags and struggles to cope with housework a year after the incident.

A subsequent investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found the firms had not checked that the scaffolding was properly secured to the building. They had also failed to factor in working in adverse weather.

The two firms were ordered to pay a total of £19,273.

Speaking after the case, HSE inspector Rob Hirst said the incident could have been prevented.

"I would urge all those involved in the supply and use of temporary work platforms such as scaffolding, to ensure that they are erected by competent persons and are subject to inspection before work starts and then at least every seven days or following alteration or effects of adverse weather," he said.

Recently, two roofers were injured in East Sussex when the scaffold tower they were working on collapsed. ADNFCR-2754-ID-800467548-ADNFCR