A scaffolding firm has been fined for safety failings after scaffolding collapsed on to a street in Maidenhead while it was being dismantled.
High Wycombe Magistrates Court heard how the collapse could have resulted in serious injury or loss of life.
An investigation was carried out by the Health and Safety Executive following the incident that occurred on 30 April 2018.
It was found that the underlying cause of the scaffold collapse was a lack of training and adequate instruction.
The scaffolder carrying out the dismantling of the scaffold and removal of the scaffold ties was not adequately trained, the HSE said.
Subsequent high winds acting upon the monoflex sheeting on the day of the collapse caused the scaffold to act as a “giant sail” and subsequently toppled over into the street.
Formula Scaffolding (London) Limited of Church Lane, Chessington was found guilty in their absence to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and have been fined £160 000.00 and ordered to pay costs of £11 533.36N.B.
[Please Note: Formula Scaffolding Ltd in Southampton is a totally different company and unconnected.]
After the hearing, HSE Inspector John Caboche commented: “This was a very serious incident and it is fortunate nobody was injured as a result of it.
“Those in control of work have a responsibility to devise safe methods of working, ensure that their workforce is adequately trained and provide the necessary information, instruction and training to their workers in the safe system of working.”
