Ad
Saturday, March 7, 2026

Update on HSE investigation after Reading demolition incident

ADVERTISEMENT

A section of scaffolding collapsed on a demolition site in Reading injuring three people in August 2019.

The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) is still investigating the incident that happened on August 1 last year but has revealed that part of the old shopping centre being demolished failed. This, in turn, caused the section of scaffolding on the outside of the building to collapse.

Many within the online scaffolding community came to the same conclusions shortly after the incident back in 2019 that injured three people. At the time of the incident Unite the UK’s construction union called for an urgent investigation into the collapse.

According to the HSE, it was unlikely there would be any further answers revealing more on what happened at the site, for some time.

They said: “HSE continues to investigate this incident with a view to determining the causes. As there were a large number of parties involved in the planning and the carrying out of the project, it is likely to be some months before conclusions can be drawn.

“We cannot comment further at this time.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Popular Categories

Latest news

Construction industry says Spring Statement lacked measures to boost building

Construction leaders have offered a mixed response to Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Spring Statement, with industry bodies warning that the government missed an opportunity to...

ScaffPlan partners with Leach’s to expand access to scaffold design software

ScaffPlan has formed a strategic partnership with Leach’s, the UK’s largest supplier of scaffolding consumables and equipment, in a move designed to widen access...

Training provider reports disruption as Gulf tensions escalate

The escalating conflict in the Middle East is beginning to affect construction and safety training activity, with early disruption reported to training schedules in...

Subcontractors stay upbeat despite seven-year low in project volumes

Subcontractors across the UK and Ireland remain optimistic about the year ahead despite a tightening construction pipeline, according to a new annual report from...

Doka supports Denmark’s Storstrøm Bridge as 3.8km crossing nears completion

Denmark’s new Storstrøm Bridge is entering its final construction phase, with the 3.8km crossing set to become the country’s third-longest bridge when it opens...

If we achieve AGI, will we still need scaffolding?

Many scaffold firms worldwide are already using AI to analyse inspection records, flag anomalies, and reduce the administrative burden for site managers. It is...

IASA strengthens Asian presence as Taiwan and South Korea join global body

The International Access & Scaffolding Association has announced that the Taiwan Scaffold Development Association and the Korea Temporary Equipment & Engineering Association have joined...

Labour’s 1.5 million homes target faces scaffolder shortage warning

Labour’s pledge to build 1.5 million new homes over the course of this Parliament is facing fresh pressure amid warnings of a shortage of...

Subcontractor pay dips as weather hits sites but wider pressures loom

Self-employed tradespeople earned an average of £1,000 per week in January, according to analysis by Hudson Contract, which manages the industry’s largest payroll for...

Band of Builders releases six-month project list to boost volunteer support

Construction charity Band of Builders has released a six-month schedule of upcoming projects, aimed at encouraging tradespeople to commit time in advance. The registered charity...

Latest news

Magazine

Winter Issue #28 | Past issues >>

Popular

Subcontractors stay upbeat despite seven-year low in project volumes

Subcontractors across the UK and Ireland remain optimistic about...

Training provider reports disruption as Gulf tensions escalate

The escalating conflict in the Middle East is beginning...

ScaffPlan partners with Leach’s to expand access to scaffold design software

ScaffPlan has formed a strategic partnership with Leach’s, the...

Doka supports Denmark’s Storstrøm Bridge as 3.8km crossing nears completion

Denmark’s new Storstrøm Bridge is entering its final construction...

Construction industry says Spring Statement lacked measures to boost building

Construction leaders have offered a mixed response to Chancellor...

Related articles

Latest topics

NASC warns scaffolding skills gap could leave 40,000 roles to fill

NASC has warned the UK scaffolding and access sector...

Construction industry says Spring Statement lacked measures to boost building

Construction leaders have offered a mixed response to Chancellor...

ScaffPlan partners with Leach’s to expand access to scaffold design software

ScaffPlan has formed a strategic partnership with Leach’s, the...

Training provider reports disruption as Gulf tensions escalate

The escalating conflict in the Middle East is beginning...
ADVERTISEMENTS