Staying Safe with Scaffolding
Scaffolding has to be managed carefully to reduce the risks from the hazards that come with working in this environment. The dangers of scaffolding have been highlighted in a case that went to court on November 14 2012. A firm had put their workers at risk while they were working in Mellor on a barn conversion. The Health and Safety Executive carried out some on the spot investigations and found a catalogue of errors including:
- Lack of deck boards
- No toe boards
- Several missing guard rails
- Potentially unstable scaffolding
- Unsafe ladders leaning against the scaffolding
As a result of the findings the Inspectors served the firm with a Prohibition Notice and ordered the men to come off the scaffold. The firm, Bailey Developments were taken to court where they admitted breaching the work at height regulations. They were fined £5,000 and ordered to pay the prosecution costs of £2,000.
Working at height on scaffold and scaffold towers is one of the most dangerous activities in the construction industry. It is the largest contributor to deaths and injuries in the workplace. The HSE will prosecute any firm they find not to be complying with the law and putting the lives of their workers at risk.
Between 2010/2011 38 people died as a result of a fall at work and a further 4,000 experienced serious injuries. Ensure your managers and supervisors have the necessary training to ensure that your workers are kept safe while working on scaffolding