Saturday, August 30, 2025
20.8 C
London

The Voice of Scaffolding Since 2008ย  |ย  U.K. Edition

Worker injured after working platform failed

- Advertisement -

Two construction companies have been sentenced following an incident were a plastic working platform failed and a bricklayer using the platform was injured.

Durham Crown Court heard how, on 1 July 2019, Dere Street Homes Limited was acting as principal contractor and provided components for a proprietary polypropylene working platform at a new build at Marley Fields, Wheatley Hill, County Durham.

SGS Construction & Design Limited were acting as a contractor and supplied workers to erect the working platform. The working platform failed and a worker was injured.

An investigation by the HSE found that a number of components were missing from the working platform. Although previously workers supplied by SGS were formally trained in the erection of the components to form a safe working platform, the worker who erected the failed platform had not received adequate training.

The signing off as a safe working platform had earlier been undertaken by a site manager working for Dere Street Homes. When this manager left, a number of months prior to the incident, the inspection and signing off of the working platform was no longer undertaken.

Dere Street Homes Limited of The Farm House, Hedley Hill Farm, Cornsay Colliery, County Durham pleaded guilty to breaching the CDM Regulations and was fined ยฃ38,000 and ordered to pay costs of ยฃ5,367.30.

SGS Construction & Design Limited of County Durham also pleaded guilty to breaching CDM Regulations and was fined ยฃ8,000 and ordered to pay costs of ยฃ2,683.60.

After the hearing, HSE principal inspector Rob Hirst commented: โ€œAlthough the worker did not suffer life-changing injuries, there was a potential for more serious injury.

โ€œThose in control of work have a responsibility to ensure that workers are adequately trained, properly supervised, and work activities are appropriately monitored.โ€

Tony Seddon, Managing Director of FASET, the established trade association and training body for the temporary safety systems industry. Commenting on the recent accident, Tony said: โ€œHaving looked in detail at what happened at the site in County Durham it is clear that the accident didnโ€™t occur because of a fault in the material of the platform.ย 

โ€œThis is the result of a lack of adequate training, supervision and crucial missing components. We cannot stress enough the vital importance of only ever using an installer of working platforms who is fully trained. Furthermore, the working platform must be proven and tested and it is vital never to mix components from two or more systems as this could have serious safety implications.ย 

โ€œIdeally, we advise that contractors useย a FASET-trained installer, working for a FASET Corporate Member and using a proven and tested FASET Memberโ€™s system.โ€ย 

- Advertisement -

Popular Categories

Most Read >

Game changing UK-First in Scaffolding Innovation under the Forth Road Bridgeย 

Layher pioneers its advanced cantilever technique with Hardrock Scaffolding...

SMART Scaffolder to unveil new mobile app at ScaffEx25

SMART Scaffolder will launch its latest mobile app, SMART...

Scaffolding design platform ScaffPlan to feature at Trimble event

ScaffPlan, the scaffolding design and management platform, is set...

Scaffolders Could Down Tools in Heatwave Under New HSE Proposals

Scaffolders could be given the right to stop work...

Scaffolders take on 50-mile run to help colleagueโ€™s baby daughter

Two scaffolders from Northamptonshire are preparing to run an...
- Advertisements -

Related Articles >

Shaun Ryder tipped as VIP guest at ScaffEx25 awards

Musician Shaun Ryder is rumoured to be among the celebrity guests at this yearโ€™s ScaffEx25 Awards Evening. The Happy Mondays frontman is believed to have been invited to the event, which will take place...

Latest Topics

Shaun Ryder tipped as VIP guest at ScaffEx25 awards

Musician Shaun Ryder is rumoured to be among the...

Leachโ€™s secures exclusive deal to supply Staht Digital Pull Testers to Scaffolders

Leachโ€™s has signed an exclusive agreement to supply Stahtโ€™s...

Game changing UK-First in Scaffolding Innovation under the Forth Road Bridgeย 

Layher pioneers its advanced cantilever technique with Hardrock Scaffolding...

Scaffolders take on 50-mile run to help colleagueโ€™s baby daughter

Two scaffolders from Northamptonshire are preparing to run an...
- Advertisement -