Scaffold company subject of public inquiry

Following a public inquiry, the Deputy Traffic Commissioner has published his findings and decision after Sky-High Scaffolding Limited were issued a prohibition by the DVSA in May 2021.The prohibition was marked as showing a significant failure of roadworthiness compliance in that various defects were found with the vehicle including a wing missing and an insecure underrun device which should have been detected when a daily walk round check was conducted. A follow up investigation was conducted by the DVSA on the 17 August 2021 which was marked as unsatisfactory. There were very limited policies and procedures in place for key areas, an absence of downloading and record keeping in relation to drivers’ hours and ineffective daily walk round checks and maintenance provision.

In the statement sent in advance of the hearing, one of the company directors listed a range of proposals which he promised would produce improvements in compliance. These included the appointment of CPS qualified transport manager, new policies and procedures, changed maintenance provider, reduction in PMI frequency and laden rolling road brake tests at each PMI. He accepted that there had been a failure to achieve acceptable compliance levels to date and said that he had been taken advantage of by a former employee. He had been suffering serious ill health and had relied on others who had let him down. He had been naïve but asked for the chance to be allowed to continue and to make the necessary improvements.

Following much consideration of all the evidence, the Deputy Transport Manager sought agreement to the following undertakings: a) A CPC qualified transport manager approved by or on behalf of the Traffic Commissioner shall be employed by the operator for not less than 8 hours per week no later than the 1 May 2022. The operator will notify the Traffic Commissioner if the approved person leaves their employ at any time. b) PMI intervals for all authorised vehicles shall be set at 8 weeks with immediate effect. c) Laden rolling road brake tests will be carried out at all PMIs. d) An independent audit of the transport operation will be conducted in October 2022. A copy of the audit with the response from the operator to any recommendations shall be sent to the Office of the Traffic Commissioner within 14 days of receipt. (A schedule detailing the areas that the audit must cover will be sent with this decision notice.)