Scaffolding Company and Director Prosecuted

A London scaffolding firm and its Managing Director have been fined after a Scaffolder fell and broke his femur when erecting a temporary roof.

Brighton Magistrates Court heard that one of the Scaffolders on the job fell, while working for LS Scaffolding Limited, during a loft conversion project in Slough in July of 2016.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation into the incident, found that LS Scaffolding Ltd regularly used untrained workers and failed to ensure scaffold structures were designed by competent persons. The investigation also found that the company and its Director failed to ensure that the work, on a complex scaffolding structure was properly planned, supervised or carried out.

The Director pleaded guilty to breaching two counts of section 37 of the Health & Safety at Work Act and he was sentenced to eighteen months in prison, suspended for twelve months and was fined £1700.

The firm, based in Hounslow, pleaded guilty to breaching two counts of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. Namely, Regulation 4 (1) – Organisation and Planning, which requires that works be adequately planned, appropriately supervised and are carried out in a safe manner; and Regulation 8 (b) (ii) (Schedule 3) which requires, amongst other things, that scaffolds are constructed to a generally recognised standard configuration and that those involved have received appropriate and specific training. As a result of the breaches, the firm was fined £47,000 with £7, 371 costs.

Speaking of the case, Dave Randles, Simian’s UK Operations Director said:

“This case serves to highlight the fact that scaffolds that are complex in nature, require a higher level of management consideration, both in terms of their design and the training and competence levels that will be needed for the workforce.

Temporary buildings and roof structures constructed from scaffolding are considered to be complex in nature and therefore, they must be constructed to a bespoke design and the works should be directly supervised by a Scaffolder holding an advanced grade of scaffolding qualification and all of those involved should receive training that is specific to the roof system being used”

Those seeking guidance on the construction of temporary roofs and scaffolds should refer to the NASC document, TG9:17 – ‘Guide to the Design and Construction of Temporary Roofs and Buildings’, which is available for free download from NASC’s website.

Simian clients requiring additional advice are free to contact us on 0345 602 2418.