Inadequately-secured scaffold blown on to road

Several cars were damaged after an 85-metre scaffold collapsed during high winds in a residential street in Middlesbrough.

Teesside Magistrates’ Court heard that William Bedford, trading as B & J Scaffolding, had been contracted to erect scaffolding at a number of Victorian terraced houses in Jedburgh Street. The scaffolding was used by workers to clean stones on the front of the houses, as part of a refurbishment project.

On the evening of 18 January 2008, the sheet scaffold overturned in the wind and collapsed on a number of parked cars in the street. HSE inspectors visited the scene the following day and found that the scaffolding had not been adequately secured. It had been tied to the buildings with five drill anchors, which fell far short of the HSE’s minimum recommendation of 20 anchors. There was also no bracing installed on the scaffold, which would have helped to stabalise the structure.

A Prohibition Notice was issued, which ordered work to stop on scaffolding on adjacent housing until a competent person had inspected it. HSE inspector Natalie Wright said: “The scaffold had been used as a working platform for at least five days before the incident, by workers on site carrying out work to the house fronts. It could have collapsed at any time, creating a significant risk to workers and members of the public.

“This incident demonstrates how important it is for contractors to follow the requirements for the construction of scaffolds. Contractors need to ensure that they meet the relevant standards in their work to erect safe and stable scaffolds, so that they do not expose workers and members of the public to risk.” 

Bedford appeared in court on 20 July and pleaded guilty to breaching s3(1) of the HSWA 1974. He was fined £4000 and ordered to pay £2500 towards costs.

In mitigation, he told the court he had no previous convictions and was given credit for entering a guilty plea. He admitted that he didn’t properly inspect the scaffolding and said this was due to him suffering from an illness at the time.