HSE warns firms to expect legal action if scaffolding is unsafe

Categories: Construction Health and Safety |


HSE warns firms to expect legal action if scaffolding is unsafe The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned it will not hesitate to prosecute companies that put their workers at risk by using faulty scaffolding.

It comes after a scaffolding company was prosecuted for allowing a large section of scaffold equipment to collapse by failing to install it correctly.

This could have put staff and members of the public at serious risk had a piece of the scaffolding fallen on them.

HSE inspector Denis Bodger commented: "This was a serious incident that could have resulted in severe injury or worse, it was sheer luck that meant no one was in the way of the scaffolding when it collapsed.

"Scaffolds should be designed by a competent person or built to a recognised standard. At no stage during erection, use or removal should they be left in an unstable state where they could collapse. They should be adequately tied or other effective means taken," he added.

Companies could invest in safety signs for their scaffolding so that workers are aware of the risks.

Arco's wide range of safety signs includes posters, statutory notices, pipe-markers, road signs and, if you want the flexibility to produce your own signage, label and sign-making machines. ADNFCR-1200-ID-800566052-ADNFCR

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