Ad
Thursday, October 9, 2025

Safety warning issued after scaffolder falls from dropper

ADVERTISEMENT

A warning has been issued by Network Rail after a scaffolder plunged into a river in Glasgow while dismantling a scaffold over water.

A safety advice bulletin published by Network Rail revealed that on Friday 24th September the scaffolder fell from a dropper tube that became loose from its coupler.

The unnamed scaffolding contractor was tasked with dismantling a traditional tube and fitting scaffold between the south pier and the riverbank on a structure over a river in Glasgow, Scotland.

According to the bulletin the scaffolder was standing on a dropper tube when it ‘slipped loose from its couplers’, causing the man and the tube to fall from the scaffold into the river.

His harness and lanyard were clipped onto the same dropper tube.

A nearby rescue boat on standby immediately mobilised and rescued the man by pulling him out of the water. The scaffolder was rushed to the hospital by emergency services but was discharged the same day.

The safety warning issued to Network Rail line managers, safety professionals and its accredited contractors called for immediate safety action after the incident. These included:

  • Always ensure you are wearing a harness when working at height and know where suitable anchor points are.
  • Make sure documented erection and dismantling procedures are in place on-site and communicated.
  • Wearing life jackets during all scaffold erection, dismantling and alteration works above watercourses.
  • Make sure that personal fall protection equipment (such as your harness, lanyard, inertia reel, etc.) is relevant to the task being carried out, as well as being frequently inspected and maintained, and that suitable anchorage points are used.
  • Guarantee all control measures are correctly implemented and followed.
ADVERTISEMENT

Popular Categories

Latest news

The magazine

Issue 27 | Past issues >>

Popular

ScaffChamp 2025: Teams Gather in Vilnius for Opening Day

The international scaffolding competition ScaffChamp 2025 has officially begun,...

Construction starts slump as housing confidence falters

The UK construction industry is facing renewed decline, according...

Ethiopia church scaffolding collapse kills at least 30

At least 30 people have died and more than...

Storm Amy set to hit UK with severe winds and rain

The UK is bracing for Storm Amy, the first...

National Scaffolding Week 2025 launches to celebrate industry’s people and skills

National Scaffolding Week 2025 has officially launched, shining a...

Related articles

Scaffolder’s Epic Munro Challenge Captured in BBC Documentary

Scotland — A Scottish scaffolder has captured national attention after the BBC aired a documentary following his extraordinary eight-year mission to descend all 282 of Scotland’s Munros — with his mountain bike. Sean Green,...
- Advertisements -

Latest topics

PERI UP system supports cladding remediation at Hilton Hotel

The Hilton Hotel in Kingston upon Thames is undergoing...

Midland Scaffolding staff go the distance in charity challenge for Poppy

Midland Scaffolding Services (MSS) has raised an impressive £20,000...

AT-PAC names new UK MD as ScaffEx25 showcases national ambitions

After unveiling a wave of new systems at Bauma...

ScaffEx25: An Industry Comes of Age in Manchester

Two days in September that showcased not just where...
- Advertisement -