Three companies have been sentenced after scaffolding collapsed during the construction of residential apartments…
Workers narrowly avoided injury after scaffold collapsed on a project in the River Basin, Braintree. The incident occurred on 1 July 2014 and saw workers forced to leap through window openings to avoid falling with it.
The scaffold, which was 40 metres in length and five lifts high, collapsed into the River Brain. An investigation carried out by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) saw three firms brought to court for breaching various aspects of the law.
The principal contractor Parkland Development Ltd was brought before Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court alongside contractor SC Cousins Scaffolding Ltd and CDM co-ordinator Haze and Safety Ltd.
Issues highlighted included the failing of the CDM co-ordinator to provide sufficient advice to Parkland Development Ltd, as well as ensuring arrangements were being implemented on site.
Parkland Developments Ltd failed to implement the construction phase or ensure they planned, managed or monitored the scaffolding works.
Additionally, SC Cousins Scaffolding Ltd failed to plan the work or design the scaffolding. Employees working on site were also untrained and were not competent. A scaffolding labourer was acting as a supervisor and overseeing trainee scaffolders.
A Prohibition Notice was served by the HSE following the collapse. This saw all work stop until designs had been drawn up. However, SC Cousins continued to send untrained workers to the site and Parkland Developments allowed labourers to adapt the scaffolding.
The principal designer had already received an inspection from the HSE several months before the collapse. At this time five enforcement notices were issued for other management failings.
The CDM co-ordinators was also issued a Notification of Contravention for failing to provide suitable advice to the client.
Parkland Developments Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 22(1)(a) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007. They were fined £20,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,893.
S C Cousins Scaffolding Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 4(1)(a), 5 and 8(b) of the Work at Height Regulations. They were fined a total of £15,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1,981.
Haze and Safety Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations Regulation 20(1)(a) & (b) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007. They were fined a total of £5,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1,981.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Adam Hills said: “This collapse was entirely preventable and it is only by chance that multiple fatalities did not occur. It beggars belief that following the collapse, no lessons were learnt and untrained people were still allowed to adapt the scaffold.
“This case highlights the importance of ensuring those who undertake construction work have the relevant skills, knowledge, training and experience to do so.”