A Hastings firm has been fined after handing over unsecured scaffolding to a client, putting builders at risk.
A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector visited a site at Claremont, Hastings, on 20 April 2010 where building repairs and external work were being carried out.
The inspector noted that scaffolding erected by Totalscaff (GB) Ltd, trading as Total Service Group (TSG), around the building had not been adequately tied, meaning it was unstable.
By law, all scaffolding must be inspected by a competent person before it can be used.
Hastings Magistrates' Court was told the worker who undertook safety checks, Christian Ball, had been previously been advised of the need to adequately tie scaffolding but had overlooked this advice. He was also fined.
Totalscaff (GB) Ltd, of Ninfield Road, Bexhill-on-Sea, was found guilty and Christian Ball, 35, of West Hill Road, St Leonards-on-Sea, pleaded guilty to a breach of Regulation 28(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007. Totalscaff (GB) Ltd was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay £10,000 in costs, and Mr Ball was fined £2,500 and ordered to pay £2,274 costs.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Melvyn Stancliffe said: "Scaffold collapses can have serious consequences and tying the scaffold - or something similar - is essential for stability and ensuring it does not collapse while being erected or being used. Its importance cannot and should not be overlooked.
"HSE and the scaffolding industry have worked together to produce guidance to help scaffolding contractors ensure their scaffolding is safe. It is easy to follow. By not following it, people's lives were put at risk unnecessarily.
"HSE will take firm action against individuals and contractors who ignore their health and safety obligations. It is essential that contractors and contract managers equip themselves with the necessary information and guidance material and apply it each and every time a scaffold is built."
(CD/GK)
Construction News
20/09/2011
Scaffold Firm Fined After Putting Workers At Risk
.gif)

11/06/2025
Morgan Sindall Construction has reached a major milestone in the refurbishment of Broomfield Hospital, completing phases A and B of an extensive redevelopment project aimed at enhancing and futureproofing the site's healthcare provision.
The project has involved the full removal of Reinforced Autoc

11/06/2025
Ashfield District Council has named Lindum Group as the construction partner for the Automated Distribution and Manufacturing Centre (ADMC), a pioneering facility that will anchor the £100 million Ashfield Innovation and Technology Park in Sutton-in-Ashfield.
Construction of the ADMC is set to begi

11/06/2025
Network Rail (Wales and Borders) is carrying out vital track renewal and maintenance work between Bridgend and St Fagans as part of a programme aimed at ensuring the continued safety and reliability of the rail network.
The works, which involve replacing rails, sleepers, and track ballast, will tak

11/06/2025
Ringland Community Centre has become the latest Newport City Council facility to be powered by renewable energy, thanks to the installation of 112 solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on its roof.
With a total generating capacity of 56kWp, the new solar array is expected to reduce the centre’s carbon foo

11/06/2025
Clegg Construction has announced the appointment of Amy Fullaway as its new Business Development Manager, further strengthening its team as the company continues to grow its project portfolio across the Midlands, East Anglia and the North.
With more than five years of business development experienc

11/06/2025
Preparations are underway for the demolition of former office buildings on New North Road in Hainault, clearing the way for a major new residential development by Persimmon Homes Essex.
The Essex-based five-star housebuilder has acquired the site, which already has planning consent for 86 new homes

11/06/2025
A new £17.1 million primary school in Cwmbran has officially opened to pupils this week.
The state-of-the-art, 420-place building replaces the former Maendy Primary School in Northville and becomes the first fully net zero school in the borough. Staff worked over the half term to move furniture and

11/06/2025
Esh Construction has been appointed as the sole delivery partner for Northumbrian Water's Wastewater Networks Framework, a major contract covering planned and reactive repairs and maintenance across the utility's regional wastewater network.
The eight-year framework, valued at up to £20 million per

11/06/2025
G&H has secured a contract with Centrica Business Solutions to deliver turnkey MEP solutions at Solihull Hospital to support net zero plans.
Solihull Hospital Trust appointed international energy and services provider Centrica Business Solutions to install a new energy management system after recei

11/06/2025
Cardiff Council and Wates Residential have celebrated a key milestone in the transformation of the Channel View estate in Grangetown, with the topping out of Block B, a six-storey building that will provide 24 highly energy-efficient council homes for older people.
The new homes form part of Phase