There are a shocking number of unfit for purpose scaffolding systems in use on a large scale within the UK. Ranging from buckled and corroded scaffolding to system scaffolding that is broken, badly maintained and cobbled together.
The results of using equipment like this are quite simply, deadly. As you can see from the daily news articles on the issue. As mentioned previously in our October article ‘Almost Half of Sites Visited Failed HSE Inspection’ these are shocking results, and just the tip of the iceberg.
The Construction Design and Management Regulations 2007 state in the General Principles of Prevention that [highlight]every person[/highlight] of whom a duty is placed in relation to the Scaffold Design, planning & preparation must take account for the General Principles of Prevention during all stages, and ensure these are applied throughout the construction work.
Full Details of Government Legislation on Scaffolding Safety can be found here – http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2007/320/contents/made
The Regulations set out by the HSE in the Work at Height Regulations 2005 clearly state the responsibility of Employers, Contractors and Scaffolding Companies, detailing equipment must be regularly inspected and maintained to a fit for purpose standard.
Work at Height Regulations 2005 can be found here – http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/735/contents/made
However, abiding by these Health & Safety regulations is widely not the case among many construction sites and projects across the UK. Below are images of equipment that was in operational use just days ago.
[box type=”warning” align=”alignleft” width=”500″ ]How safe would you feel hiring this equipment?[/box]
St Helens Plant Limited has over 30 years of experience specialising in Scaffold Repair and Reconditioning, Shot Blasting & Painting and Scaffold Testing. Integrated with a dedicated in-house Scaffold Testing Division, backed by our on-site Health and Safety department.
All Scaffolding Systems, Scaffold Safety Products, Fittings, Accessories and Components that are manufactured, reconditioned or repaired are done so within our UK based facility and to the highest standard possible. All Scaffolding & scaffold related products meet and exceed British & EU safety standards.
[button color=”blue” size=”medium” link=”http://www.sthelensplant.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10&Itemid=101″ target=”blank” ]Click Here[/button] for more details or contact us on 01744 850 300Scaffold Collection and Delivery available within the UK.