Companies 'must check scaffolding'

Categories: Construction Health and Safety |


Companies 'must check scaffolding' The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned firms carrying out construction work in public that they need to ensure all scaffolding is safe.

It comes after an incident in Byker, Newcastle, which saw one shopper injured when scaffolding that was not secured properly to the building it was serving collapsed.

The woman was left with fractures to her hips and right leg and suffered puncture wounds on her right ankle, meaning she had to spend 12 days in hospital.

Skyline Scaffolding Ltd has been fined by the HSE after it was discovered that it had reduced the scaffolding without reconnecting it to the building.

HSE principal inspector Rob Hirst said: "This incident could, and should, have been prevented. The lady was seriously injured and was lucky not to be killed as a result of this incident."

Construction companies were also recently told by the HSE that they must be aware of public safety when they are installing devices in busy areas, after another building firm was fined for not properly securing Christmas decorations in St Neots town centre.

Building firms could invest in high vis clothing when working in busy public areas.
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