Scaffolding company fined £16,000 after trainee death
Summary
A scaffolding contractor has been fined after a trainee scaffolder died following a five-metre fall from a partially erected scaffold at a residential housing development near Ripon. The HSE found the work at height was not carried out safely and that the company had breached the Work at Height Regulations 2005.
Why it matters
The case is a reminder of the serious risks associated with scaffolding and other work at height on residential sites. Surveyors involved in site inspections, defect reporting or project oversight should be alert to unsafe access arrangements, missing edge protection and poor compliance with industry guidance.
Key points
- A trainee scaffolder died after falling from an unsecured scaffold board.
- The HSE found safe zones were not established and harnesses/lanyards were not being used.
- Guardrails were missing where they should have been, according to the post-accident inspection.
- Ask Scaffolding Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1)(c) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005.
- The company was fined £16,000 and ordered to pay costs and a victim surcharge.
Organisations:
Ask Scaffolding Ltd, Health and Safety Executive, Leeds Magistrates’ Court
Regulations:
Work at Height Regulations 2005, Regulation 4(1)(c)
Locations:
Ripon, North Yorkshire, Pickering, Leeds
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