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Arcoservices > Scaffolding news > FALLING SCAFFOLD CLIP STRUCK PASSER-BY

FALLING SCAFFOLD CLIP STRUCK PASSER-BY

Firm failed to follow risk assessment and method statement

A scaffolding contractor has been fined £160,000 after a scaffold ‘clip’ fell approximately 20m striking and injuring a member of the public walking below on 20th March 2017.

Westminster Magistrates Court heard that the injured person was walking along Upper Street in Islington, London when he was struck on the head by the falling clip. 

He sustained numerous cuts to his head and face, a broken nose and a severely bruised skull.

  • Alandale Plant & Scaffolding Ltd – of Beckenham, Kent pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The company was fined £160,000 and ordered to pay costs of £7,059.08 and a victim surcharge of £170.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Sarah Robinson commented:

“This incident could so easily have been avoided by simply carrying out correct control measures and safe working practices.

On this occasion the company did not follow their own risk assessments or method statements.”

 

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