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

SM Newsdesk
SM Newsdeskhttps://www.scaffmag.com
The staff at ScaffMag.com the leading scaffolding site for a digital generation.

Most popular ↑

Worker dies and another missing after New York bridge scaffold collapse

Developing: One worker died and another remained missing after scaffolding collapsed at the Loop Parkway Bridge on Long Island.

NASC warns on scaffold loads and driver fatigue

NASC highlights load security, fatigue and vehicle checks as a new free Truck Driver Toolkit puts scaffolding transport risks in focus.

Taylor Wimpey scaffolders’ pay dispute moves to strike ballot

Unite says voting in the Sunderland pay dispute opened on 9 November and closes on 23 November. The dispute involves 19 scaffolders and 31 joiners.

Taylor Wimpey opens redundancy talks over local team changes

Taylor Wimpey is consulting staff over local team changes that could lead to redundancies. The number of roles affected has not been disclosed.

Mobile scaffold falls three decks on offshore support vessel

Marine Safety Forum reports a three-tier scaffold collapse during repositioning, with seized wheels and no exclusion zone on the deck below.

Latest news

Investigation after Chatham scaffolder dies in Plumstead fall

Steven Farr, 47, died after a fall while erecting scaffolding in Plumstead. HSE and the Metropolitan Police are investigating, KentOnline reports.
- Advertisement -
More from

GKR scaffolders help save woman’s life at London project

A GKR Scaffolding site team has been praised after helping to save the life of a woman who collapsed...

Wayne Connolly honoured as NASC opens 2026 awards entries

NASC has opened entries for the 2026 Scaffolding Excellence Awards, with this year’s apprentice category renamed in memory of...

Robot named Douglas begins work on Tilbury Douglas site

Tilbury Douglas has begun using a humanoid robot to carry out administrative and data-collection tasks on a live construction...

CISRS proposes single global scaffolding training standard by 2028

CISRS has set out plans to reform its Overseas Scaffolder Training Scheme, with proposals that would lead to a...
Latest articles