31.01.2014

Nice scaffold shame about the platform

Spotted in a local UK newspaper today a team of builders using an alloy scaffold tower, built large enough to be stable without outriggers, yet totally lacking in any care at the platform.
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The tower looks as though it will certainly be stable (Photo: Mark Scott)

The tower was used to put the finishing touches to a major renovation of the historic Leopard pub in Burslem, Stoke-On-Trent.

The tower is clearly not quite high enough, so the platform is just 400mm from the top with an exposed spigot should he slip. No toe-boards of course or guardrails. However a man is standing behind the man on the platform and holding on tight so perhaps he would be able to catch the man if he did slip?
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No guardrails - no toe boards and not enough height (photo: Mark Scott)

In the words of our correspondent: “Please find an article in today’s North Staffordshire’s Sentinel which should be entered into your Death wish series. Although not the worst ever seen, it beggars belief that these pictures are used as an advertising feature on line and through newspaper coverage.”

“If anything, I’m off to find the contractor to suggest his staff require PASMA courses as a matter of urgency.”

We agree, not the worst case by any means, but still a definite one for our Death Wish series.