Health and Safety Health and Safety Executive Executive Jury’s Inn Scaffold Collapse, 10 April 2006 Stephen Hartley HM Principal Inspector
Breaking news……. “20 injured, 4 trapped” Police “poles fell like a pack of cards” Eye witness “This is as serious as it gets. The initial rescue was reasonably straightforward..” Fire Service
Overview • Background • Why did the scaffold collapse? • What would have prevented the collapse? • The Cost
• Struck by vehicle • Bad weather Early claims • Tampering
Why was the scaffold overloaded? • Poor planning • Poor communication • Poor review of risk • Ineffective monitoring • Stockpiled tiles • Loading bay struck • Stockpiled tube and boards
Judge Coleman “a disaster waiting to happen” “health & safety is of paramount consideration” “the most culpable defendant isn’t present”
Judge Coleman • Worth £500K in fines • £210K HSE costs • £250K emergency response Proportional liability Human cost
Judge Coleman • McAleer £90K + £42K =£132,000 • LSC £36K + £28K = £64,000 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMnx3FGAkdU
None of these people are ‘crooks’ • Poor understanding • Badly organised • Too much rush • Making decisions without understanding the consequences • It’ll never happen to me
• Video clip – Mark Robinson http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2009/markro binson.htm • Video clip – Ivan Peukov http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2009/ivanpe nkov.htm
What would have prevented the collapse? • Appoint competent scaffolders • Ensure that scaffolds are designed and built to industry standards • Inspect scaffolds properly • Plan and supervise their use • Resource the job properly • Talk, talk, talk
Lessons for industry • Understand when scaffold needs a design + calculations • Check that scaffold has been erected in accordance with the design • Understand what SWL means • Understand tie patterns & how to install anchors
Resources • General summary http://www.ppconstructionsafety.com/newsdesk/2009/11/2 3/milton-keynes-scaffold-collapse-fines/ • HSE Press release (inc witness interviews) http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2009/coie10009.htm • ITV TV coverage (inc Crown Court interviews & comment) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMnx3FGAkdU • BBC web coverage (inc police CCTV) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/beds/bucks/herts/83751 58.stm • NASC (inc Chapter 2 of DVD animation) http://www.nasc.org.uk/Introduction_to_Scaffolding • National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) http://www.nasc.org.uk
Health and Safety Health and Safety Executive Executive Stephen Hartley HM Principal Inspector (Human Factors / Ergonomics & Psychology) Luton, 01582-444308
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