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PHW · Construction and civils · sentencing date not stated

Add Prop Limited fined £20,000 after a scaffold tower blew over and struck passers-by

Putney High Street · Westminster Magistrates' Court

What happened

A mobile tower scaffold on a busy high street was assembled incorrectly and then covered with sheeting, which acted as a sail in windy conditions and caused the structure to overturn. Two members of the public were struck and trapped by the falling scaffold.

Injuries: Two members of the public suffered serious injuries

The breach

Regulation 19(2)(a) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (company); Section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (director)

The sentence

  • Fine: £20,000
  • Costs: £7,000
  • Other sentence: The company's sole director was found guilty of an offence under Section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was separately fined £1,730 with £1,730 costs.
HSE inspector

“The public have a right to expect scaffolding they pass by is safe and has been properly installed.”

What would have prevented it

Mobile tower scaffolds must be assembled correctly and the wind-loading effect of any sheeting must be assessed before it is fitted.

How PHW helps

The machines, packs and quizzes that fit this kind of site.

Sector

Mini plant and Stihl saws: show who is trained, on the day

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Safety pack

Working at height

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Quiz

Who is allowed to run your plant, and where is it written down?

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Source: HSE press release, Company and director fined after public seriously injured by falling scaffold tower on busy high street