The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is warning of the need to ensure scaffolding is properly erected, secure and safe for use after two companies were prosecuted for an incident where scaffolding collapsed onto railway line at Aberystwyth station.

The call comes at a time when HSE is carrying out a series of spot-checks on building sites across Wales aimed at reminding those working in the construction industry of the need for good health and safety.

C. Sneade Ltd of Trwstllewellyn, Garthmyl, Powys, and their contractors MW Scaffolding Ltd of Glanyrafon Industrial Estate, Llanbadarn Fawr, Aberystwyth, pleaded guilty to two charges each under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

On the morning of 22nd February 2005, a section of system scaffolding 52 metres in length, and three levels high located in a building site adjacent to Aberystwyth railway terminus collapsed and obstructed the track. No-one was injured in the incident, but workers had been using the scaffold only minutes before and members of the public were also placed at risk by the collapse.

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A subsequent investigation by HSE involving a scaffolding specialist identified that neither company involved in the erection of the scaffolding had undertaken specific design calculations to ensure its strength and stability, nor had they inspected it once it had been erected. The addition of debris netting shortly before the collapse contributed to the instability of the scaffolding.

HSE Inspector Wayne Williams said: "It was a matter of sheer good fortune that there were no injuries as a result of this incident. It was entirely foreseeable that a freestanding untied scaffold was at risk of toppling over. The companies involved should have been aware of the obvious risk of collapse and taken appropriate action to prevent it.

"Scaffolding is an essential tool for construction companies to facilitate safe working at height, but it is vital that all precautions to prevent collapse are taken.

"In the case of system scaffold like that used in this case, they should be erected in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions to a site specific design - in most cases this would require more tying-in or securing scaffolding against a building, than for independent scaffolds. They should also be inspected for safety regularly, and this clearly wasn't done in this case."

C. Sneade Ltd pleaded guilty to charges under Section 2(1) and Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, and were fined £5,000 on each charge and ordered to pay £20,000 costs. At an earlier hearing, MW Scaffolding Ltd pleaded guilty to charges under section 2(1) and Section 3(1) of the same Act, and was fined £4,000 on each charge and ordered to pay £6,700 in costs.

(CD/JM)