High winds tear down scaffolding

Recent high winds of approximately 80 miles per hour caused a scaffolding to collapse in Blandford in Dorset.

The scaffolding collapsed on a residential street, trapping numerous parked cars under it and blocking the road.  The incident happened in the early hours of the morning which was fortunate as, at a busier time of day, the risk to the general public would have been significantly higher.  The severe weather caused chaos and disruption in the area with trees falling and transport networks affected.

The incident is a stark reminder that scaffolding should be carefully planned, designed and erected to the appropriate standards and doing so means it will withstand severe weather conditions.. Adhering to the recommendations in the NASC publications TG20:13 ‘A Comprehensive Guide to Good Practice for Tube and Fitting Scaffolding’ and TG4:19 ‘Anchorage Systems for Scaffolding’ should ensure scaffolding is stable enough to withstand the very worst of what the British weather has to offer.

Regular, independent inspections can help to identify any issues or potential weaknesses which could leave scaffolding vulnerable in bad weather.  SIMIAN can help with independent scaffolding inspection. We have a team of directly-employed, highly skilled and trained inspectors across the UK who can offer advice on what is required to ensure scaffolds that you control remain both safe and compliant. If you would like to find out more please give us a call on 0845 602 2418.