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Workforce and public put at risk by scaffold falling on railway
C. Sneade Ltd of Powys and contractors MW Scaffolding Ltd of Aberystwyth have been ordered to pay over £35k in fines and prosecution costs following the collapse of a 3 lift by 52m system scaffold in February 2005. The scaffold was located on a building site adjacent to Aberystwyth railway terminus, The collapsed scaffold fell onto and obstructed the rail track. No-one was injured but workers and members of the public were placed at risk.
The investigation by HSE identified that neither company had undertaken specific design calculations and the scaffold had not been inspected once erected. The addition of debris netting shortly before the collapse contributed to the instability.
HSE inspector Wayne Williams said: ” it was entirely foreseeable that a freestanding untied scaffold was at risk of toppling over. The companies involved should have been aware of the obvious risk of collapse and taken appropriate action to prevent it. In the case of system scaffold like that used in this case, they should be erected in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions to a site specific design”