Ad
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
6.5 C
London

U.K. Edition

VIDEO: Northamptonshire firm fined after scaffold collapse

- Advertisement -

Northamptonshire shoppers were forced to run for safety as a scaffold collapsed and fell some 20 metres towards them, a court has heard.

Nobody was hurt, but several people required treatment for shock as a result of the incident at the Willow Place Shopping Centre in Queen’s Square, Corby on 17 August 2012.

Local firm Desborough Scaffolding Limited, of Desborough, was prosecuted today (16 December) by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after an investigation established that the scaffold was structurally unsound.

Northampton Magistrates’ Court was told that debris netting had been fitted to the scaffolding tubes, but in high winds on the day it acted as a sail and caused the structure to pull away and apart – sending metal poles and other materials raining to the ground below.   The falling scaffold smashed through shop canopies below and also pulled down signs. Several businesses were forced to close while the clean-up took place and the area was made safe. The incident was captured on CCTV.

The HSE investigation found the scaffold had not been erected in a way to ensure it would remain stable, and had not been designed by a competent person to ensure it had adequate strength and rigidity for the purpose and environment it was to be used in.

Desborough Scaffolding Limited, of Stoke Albany Road, Desborough, were fined £16,000 and ordered to pay £4,678 in costs after pleading guilty to single breaches of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Sam Russell said:

“It was sheer luck that no-one was seriously injured or killed as a result of this totally preventable incident.

“Scaffolding erected to an approved design by competent persons should be able to withstand high wind loads without failing.

“This case highlights the requirement of following prescribed industry designs and manufacturers’ instructions.  The company’s failure to do so put innocent workers and members of the public at significant risk.”

News Source: HSE 

- Advertisement -

Popular this week >

NASC and SAA Unite to Boost Global Scaffolding Standards

In a landmark move for the global scaffolding industry,...

TRAD UK Hits £30,000 in Annual Fundraising Challenge

The company raised target three times as employees and...

Service and Support: The Values Driving Commercial Success for Layher Customers

Businesses overlook good customer relationships at their peril. It...

Doka Unveils Cutting-Edge Innovations Ahead of Bauma 2025

Austrian formwork and scaffolding giant Doka is preparing to...

Pilosio to Unveil Pioneering Scaffolding and Formwork Solutions at Bauma 2025

Italian construction solutions specialist Pilosio will unveil an extensive...
- Advertisements -

Related Articles >

Scaffolding Company Hit with £30,000 Fine Over Safety Lapses

A Merseyside scaffolding company has been fined £30,800 after an investigation found workers had been using an unsafe scaffold at a construction site in Merseyside. A.I.M Access Solutions Ltd, based in Kirkby, was prosecuted...

Latest Topics

AT-PAC Strengthens U.S. Team with Key Appointment

Scaffolding systems provider AT-PAC has appointed seasoned industry figure...

Avontus Employee to Run London Half Marathon in Honour of Loved Ones

An employee at scaffolding software company Avontus is preparing...

Pilosio to Unveil Pioneering Scaffolding and Formwork Solutions at Bauma 2025

Italian construction solutions specialist Pilosio will unveil an extensive...

New Scheme Aims to Transform Apprenticeship Experience in Construction

A new initiative designed to reward and support apprentices...
- Advertisement -

Popular Categories