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Inspectors prepare for ‘blitz’ on city centre dangerous scaffolding
Health and safety inspectors will be out in force in Manchester on Thursday 25 November in a bid to tackle dangerous scaffolding.
The HSE Inspectors will spend the day making unannounced visits to construction sites across the city as part of an ongoing initiative tackling the issue. Construction workers and the public can be put at risk of death or serious injury if scaffolding collapses.
Injuries can also occur when building materials fall through gaps where there are no safety boards or netting.
Polly Tomlinson, HSE Principal Inspector said:
“We are concerned that companies may be trying to cut down on costs or to undercut competitors by not using suitable scaffolding or other safety equipment. Quite simply, they are putting their own and other people’s lives at risk as a result.
“HSE will not tolerate poor health and safety standards on construction sites. When it is necessary to safeguard workers or the public, inspectors will not hesitate to take strong enforcement action.”
Comment
The collapse of a major scaffold in a city or town centre is a ’low probability high consequence’ event feared by the industry and regulator alike. High profile initiatives of this type are worth repeating in most major conurbations.
The involvement of the CDM 2007 client in competence assessment will come under close scrutiny when a major collapse occurs. Clients can protect themselves, the public and secure good standards by insisting on scaffolding contractors who commit to the highest standards e.g. NASC members