Scaffold collapse injures 2 workers

People living or working in Harlow may have heard of the incident that occurred in Essex when two builders were injured after a scaffolding staircase collapsed. This accident occurred on March 23 in Chelmsford. Essex police were called to the scene at 11.15 a.m. after receiving reports that a scaffolding staircase had collapsed. The structure was part of scaffolding erected around flats located in Moulsham Street, above the Co-operative supermarket.

The two workers who were injured were under the scaffolding when the incident occurred. One of the men suffered a head injury and his colleague suffered facial injuries in the incident. Two land ambulance crews were dispatched to the address, and Moulsham Street had to be closed to allow an air ambulance to land. Both men were taken to Broomfield Hospital, and the Moulsham street junction with Parkway was reopened to the public by 1 p.m.

The Health and Safety Executive gives guidance specifically regarding scaffolding and working at height in the construction industry. The aim of the organisation’s guidelines is to prevent accidents and injuries to workers and passers-by. The guidance includes recommendations that scaffolding used for construction should be inspected before it is first used and every seven days afterwards.

When a person is injured due to his employer failing to meet his duty of care, then that person may be entitled to compensation. Duty of care might include the expectation that scaffolding is maintained in a safe condition. A person who has been injured at work may wish to consult with a solicitor who is familiar with personal injury law in order to discuss the details of his or her accident.

Source: Essex Chronicle, “Staircase collapses on two builders in Moulsham street,” Pete Walker, March 23, 2015

Source: Health and Safety Executive, “Construction – Work at height,” Accessed March 25, 2015