Scaffolds Failure at Construction Site

            
    

    Recently, an accident involving failure of frame scaffolds occurred at a construction site. The scaffolds, which had been erected to enable the cement plastering work on the external faces of the building to be undertaken collapsed and caused injuries to thirteen (13) construction workers who were working on top of the scaffolds.

The frame scaffolds had been erected by the contractor who wanted to carry out cements plastering work on the external faces of the building. The scaffolds were erected more than thirty meters in height from the ground. The construction workers were doing the cement plastering work when the scaffolds that were used to support their working platforms suddenly collapsed. DOSH's investigation revealed that the scaffolds were erected not in accordance to the design and drawings of a professional engineer. The scaffolds were not fitted with adequate number of tiebacks as would have been recommended by professional engineer and the components were old and rusty. Old joint pins and arm locks were also used. Besides, the designated person also did not carry out monthly  inspection on the scaffolds.

Part of the scaffolds installed in the building construction site

Recommendations:      

1.    The scaffolds erection must be undertaken under the charge of a designated person and must be erected in accordance to the design and drawings of a professional engineer.

2.    The scaffolds components need to be checked and confirmed to be in safe and good condition for use before installation.

3.      Monthly inspections need to be carried out to make sure the scaffolds are safe for the workers.

4.     The main contractor must carry out risk assessment on the construction process that is being carried out and extend the requirement to all sub-contractors   .

5.  Contractor must comply with (regulation 72), Factories and Machinery (Building Operations and Work of Engineering Construction) (Safety) Regulations 1986 on and make reference to the Guidelines of Safe Scaffolds Installation and Guidelines on Protection from fall at Workplace.