Construction company fined after scaffolding collapse injured public
Summary
A London construction company and its director have been fined after an incorrectly assembled tower scaffold overturned and injured two members of the public in Putney. The Health and Safety Executive found failures in the design, installation and maintenance of the temporary structure, including inadequate separation from the public and the added wind load created by sheeting.
Why it matters
The case highlights the safety risks associated with temporary works and scaffolding on residential conversion projects, particularly where members of the public are nearby. Surveyors involved in site inspections, defect reporting or project oversight should note the enforcement action and the importance of robust temporary works controls.
Key points
- Tower scaffold collapsed onto two members of the public in south west London.
- Add Prop Ltd was acting as principal contractor on a commercial-to-residential conversion.
- HSE found the scaffold was assembled incorrectly and not adequately separated from the public.
- Sheeting acted as a sail in windy conditions, causing the scaffold to overturn.
- The company had previously received a prohibition notice for unsafe tower scaffold work at another site.
This is an RPSA summary of a publicly available article. The full content remains with the original publisher.
