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Safety Alert issued by the HSE following scaffold collapse

8 May 2006

Following the fatal scaffold collapse in Milton Keynes a couple of weeks ago, the HSE have issued a safety alert to the industry.  It is calling on companies to review their scaffolding procedures following the disaster that left one man dead and two others seriously injured.

The HSE is asking firms working on similar schemes to reassess a number of factors.  These include:

  • Intended and actual loadings on scaffolds, taking into account the impact of wind
  • Scaffolding design and the implementation
  • The training and competence of scaffold erectors
  • The frequency and thoroughness of all scaffold inspections arrangements
  • The risk of direct impact by a site vehicle or construction plant
  • Ensuring systems are in place for handover of adapted or new scaffolds

The incident in Milton Keynes is currently under investigation by the HSE.  The site is operated by the main contractor McAleer & Rushe, and the scaffolding contractor was North Notts.  It has since emerged that North Notts was not a member of the National Scaffolding and Access Confederation.  Membership, although not compulsory, is the main route to standards and training certification in the scaffolding sector.

The site has remained closed since the incident.  The HSE have commenced interviews and will shortly commence a detailed investigation.

The Health and Safety People Ltd run a ‘Scaffold Inspection’ course designed for anyone with the responsibility to manage scaffolding on a site.  This course will provide delegates with the necessary skills to inspect independent tied scaffolding up to 50 metres unsheeted and 25 metres sheeted. The course includes identification of legal requirements, identification of all scaffold components and practical inspection. If you would like to find out more about this course, click here to view our course outline or call our training department on 08456 122144.


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