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Handover of unsecured scaffolding put building workers lives at risk
Total Service Group and employee Christian Ball have been prosecuted after scaffolding erected by the defendants was found not to be not adequately secured. The scaffold was in an unstable condition on the site in Hastings on 20 April 2010 where building repairs and external work were being carried out.
Hastings Magistrate heard that the workman who undertook safety checks, Christian Ball, had previously been advised of the need to adequately secure scaffolding to existing structures but had “overlooked this advice”.
All scaffolding must be inspected by a competent person before it can be used.
Securing scaffolding is ”essential for stability”
Totalscaff (GB) Ltd (trading as Total Service Group), of Ninfield Road, Bexhill-on-Sea, was found guilty and Christian Ball, 35, of West Hill Road, St Leonards-on-Sea, pleaded guilty to a breach of Regulation 28(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007.
Totalscaff (GB) Ltd was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay £10,000 in costs, and Mr Ball was fined £2,500 and ordered to pay £2,274 costs.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Melvyn Stancliffe said:
“Scaffold collapses can have serious consequences and tying the scaffold – or something similar – is essential for stability and ensuring it does not collapse while being erected or being used. Its importance cannot and should not be overlooked.
HSE and the scaffolding industry have worked together to produce guidance to help scaffolding contractors ensure their scaffolding is safe. It is easy to follow. By not following it, people’s lives were put at risk unnecessarily.
HSE will take firm action against individuals and contractors who ignore their health and safety obligations. It is essential that contractors and contract managers equip themselves with the necessary information and guidance material and apply it each and every time a scaffold is built.”