Ad
Thursday, September 25, 2025
17.7 C
London

The Voice of Scaffolding Since 2008  U.K. Edition

Company fined for labourers fall from scaffolding

- Advertisement -

The HSE have reported that a Kent renovation company has been fined for safety failings after an unsupervised labourer fell more than four metres from a poorly constructed scaffold tower whilst stripping out a basement gym in central London.

The Romanian national, who does not want to be named, fractured two vertebrae and broke five ribs in the fall at a building on Farringdon Road in Farringdon on 19 April 2011.fall FROM HEIGHT

Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard today (23 January) he was part of a crew of labourers working for Swanley-based MJM Fitout Ltd to remove ventilation ducting from a two-storey gym in the basement.

A scaffolding tower was erected to support the work and was being used by the worker to access ducting from a ceiling above a squash court. However, it was knocked over as he worked at height and both he and the tower crashed to the floor below, a distance of some 4.5 metres.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) identified that none of the temporary labourers was competent to erect a scaffolding tower, and that it was constructed without adequate supervision.

A district judge was told the incident could have been prevented had the work been properly planned, managed and monitored by MJM Fitout.

The company, of Horizon House, Azalea Drive, Swanley, Kent, was fined £8,000 and ordered to pay £3,500 in costs after pleading guilty to a single breach of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007.

After the hearing HSE Inspector Keith Levart said:

“The worker suffered painful injuries that could have been avoided had the labour crew been properly managed, and had their work on site been adequately monitored by MJM Fitout Ltd.

“The temporary staff had effectively been left to their own devices and were working in an unplanned and unsafe manner. It illustrates the clear need for companies to have practical arrangements in place to ensure that all personnel involved in and undertaking construction work understand what is expected of them, and are able to co-operate and communicate with one another.

“Work at height from scaffolding poses clear risks, and should only ever be undertaken by competent personnel with the right equipment, knowledge and experience.”

- Advertisement -

Popular Categories

Latest Magazine

Most Read This Week

Scaffolding work pipeline shrinks as construction starts drop 22%

Construction project starts have collapsed 22% with contract awards...

AT-PAC accelerates European expansion with strategic German launch

Scaffolding specialist establishes key operations in Germany as part...

Scaffolding industry celebrates at Manchester awards night

The UK scaffolding and access industry gathered in Manchester...

ScaffEx25 sets new attendance record in Manchester

ScaffEx25 has smashed previous records, drawing nearly 2,400 visitors...

Scottish scaffolding apprentices to compete at ScaffChamp 2026

A team of young scaffolders from Scotland and Northern...

Related Articles

Scaffolding makes historic debut at WorldSkills Ireland 2025

Young scaffolders showcase their expertise as the trade is included in the prestigious competition for the first time Scaffolding has been included in WorldSkills Ireland for the first time, marking a significant milestone for...
- Advertisements -

Latest Topics

Scaffolders voted UK’s toughest trade

Scaffolders have been crowned the UK’s toughest trade by...

Company fined after worker dies in six-foot scaffold fall

A Lancashire sign-fitting company and its director have been...

ScaffEx25 sets new attendance record in Manchester

ScaffEx25 has smashed previous records, drawing nearly 2,400 visitors...

Scaffolding makes historic debut at WorldSkills Ireland 2025

Young scaffolders showcase their expertise as the trade is...
- Advertisement -