Commercial scaffolding projects must be carried out safely, both because of the risk to life and limb accidents, but also the reputational damage the enterprise hiring the scaffolders may undeservedly suffer. This is why you should rely on firms with strong safety records.
Any company needing work undertaken on its premises that requires a scaffold to be put in place should check carefully that it is hiring a firm with a good safety record and strong credentials and expertise.
Of course, it could be argued that if something goes wrong, it will be the fault of the scaffolders rather than the hiring company, but if an accident happens on your premises, you may find, however unfairly, that you are seen as being at fault.
The only extent to which that is true is if there is a lack of due diligence. In our case, we can happily present our credentials, as well as highlighting the fact that we have £10 million public liability insurance and £10 million of employers’ liability insurance.
How Common Are Scaffolding Accidents?
Overall, the risk of serious death or injury from scaffolding accidents in the UK is low. According to the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation:
- 2024 saw the lowest accident rate in the organisation’s 80-year history
- Only 73 incidents were reported under RIDDOR regulations
- Of the accidents that did occur, 80 per cent involved slips, trips and falls
This does show that you will have every reason to expect that the scaffolding work is safe, not just for the workers assembling and using the scaffold, but also for users of the building and members of the public close by, such as those passing along an adjacent street.
Even so, some accidents do happen, often because of safety failings serious enough to lead to prosecution under Health and Safety law. Cases recently prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive include:
- The case of a worker who fell to his death from a scaffold in south London, leading to the construction firm that was culpable for safety failings being fined £50,000 with costs
- Two companies were fined a combined £79,000 over an incident where a scaffolding worker fell through a skylight, suffering multiple injuries
- A fatal fall of just six feet from an unguarded scaffold platform led to a prosecution last year
Scaffolding incidents can also involve the structure itself being inadequately constructed, leading to dangerous collapses. Examples of this include a recent case where a scaffolding collapsed in West London, leading to two men being taken to hospital with serious injuries.
By their nature, incidents of this kind pose a risk not just to workers on a scaffold, but also to others nearby, including members of the public.
How Can You Be Sure A Scaffolding Firm Is Safe?
These cases show why vigilance, competence and a commitment to upholding the law matter so much. Our commitment means adhering to the key points of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and, in particular, the Work at Height Regulations 2005.
With extensive training and a strict approach to upholding the law, you can enjoy the assurance you need that there will not be a serious incident during work on your premises.
