Ad
Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Major scaffolding collapse could’ve happened in Manchester

ADVERTISEMENT
Manchester Scaffolding
Hundreds of Manchester United fans pack onto the scaffolding unaware of the dangers.

A major scaffolding collapse could of happened in the city streets of Manchester on Monday, jubilant Manchester United fans celebrated their 20th league title with a parade through the streets.

[dropcap]S[/dropcap]caffolding was erected on Deansgate in the city by NASC members ACE Scaffolding for construction work, The scaffolding structure also provided a great vantage point for the loyal united fan.  Hundreds of fans managed to gain access to the scaffolding unaware of the dangers of overloading the scaffolding levels and the injures it would cause.

Fortunately disaster was averted as the scaffold erection was luckily designed to bear heavy construction loads.

On reflection It doesn’t bare thinking about of what could’ve happened, if that design wasn’t in place and wasn’t expertly erected by the scaffolders at ACE Scaffolding.

The National Access And Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) posted a comment on the ScaffMag Facebook Page earlier today:

The consensus is that a NASC scaffolding contractor ACE almost certainly had no control over access to the structure. If anything this was a principal contractor issue (TOLENT), although difficult to see how access could have been prevented once the site had been breached by the 100’s of fans. Fortunately it appears the structure was designed to bear this kind of load although the potential for catastrophe is clearly evident.

By Daniel Norton

ADVERTISEMENT

Popular Categories

Latest news

North Sea worker dies after incident on Valaris 121 rig

A 32-year-old worker has died following an incident on an offshore drilling rig in the North Sea. Police Scotland and the Health and Safety...

CMA approval clears the way for major HSS ProService and Speedy Hire partnership

A major shift in the UK equipment hire market has moved forward after the Competition and Markets Authority approved a new commercial agreement between...

Australia’s top scaffolding projects recognised at 2025 industry awards

Australia’s top scaffolding projects have been named at this year’s Australia’s Best Scaffolding Projects Awards. The event, held during Scaff25, drew a record thirty...

In Pictures: GKR completes major temporary roof structure at HS2 Euston

GKR Scaffolding has completed a large temporary roof structure at HS2’s Euston site. The installation sits beside the live station and supports enclosed works...

UK Construction output edges up just 0.1% in the third quarter

Construction output in Great Britain rose by only 0.1% in the third quarter of 2025, according to new figures from the Office for National...

Hong Kong launches construction safety drive after serious incidents

Hong Kong has begun a city-wide crackdown on unsafe practices in the construction sector after a series of fatal and serious accidents. The Labour Department...

4D Structures and PERI UK join forces to build one of Glasgow’s tallest towers

A 21-storey student accommodation building is rising on the banks of the River Clyde, as specialist contractor 4D Structures partners with PERI UK on...

ScaffPlan launches 3D scaffold design tool within SketchUp

ScaffPlan has unveiled a new tool that lets scaffolders design and plan scaffolding projects directly in the popular 3D modelling platform SketchUp. The software, called...

Scaffolding contractors boost profits with building wrap partnership programme

Scaffolding contractors are adding a new revenue stream to their businesses through a partnership programme that allows them to profit from building wraps without...

Equinor awards £1.25bn scaffolding and maintenance contracts for onshore plants

Equinor has signed new long-term framework agreements for insulation, scaffolding, and surface treatment (ISS) services across its six onshore plants in Norway. The contracts, worth...

Latest news

ADVERTISEMENT

The magazine

Issue 27 | Past issues >>

Popular

In Pictures: GKR completes major temporary roof structure at HS2 Euston

GKR Scaffolding has completed a large temporary roof structure...

North Sea worker dies after incident on Valaris 121 rig

A 32-year-old worker has died following an incident on...

Australia’s top scaffolding projects recognised at 2025 industry awards

Australia’s top scaffolding projects have been named at this...

UK Construction output edges up just 0.1% in the third quarter

Construction output in Great Britain rose by only 0.1%...

ScaffPlan launches 3D scaffold design tool within SketchUp

ScaffPlan has unveiled a new tool that lets scaffolders...

Related articles

Australia’s top scaffolding projects recognised at 2025 industry awards

Australia’s top scaffolding projects have been named at this year’s Australia’s Best Scaffolding Projects Awards. The event, held during Scaff25, drew a record thirty nominations from across the country. Organisers say the strong...
ADVERTISEMENTS

Latest topics

Scaffolding Association Australia expands leadership team

The Scaffolding Association Australia has appointed two non-executive board...

North Sea worker dies after incident on Valaris 121 rig

A 32-year-old worker has died following an incident on...

Australia’s top scaffolding projects recognised at 2025 industry awards

Australia’s top scaffolding projects have been named at this...
ADVERTISEMENTS