Kent scaffolding company fined following collapse of scaffold

RPS Scaffolding Ltd, a Kent based company, have been issued a fine following an incident where a scaffold the company had erected collapsed. The incident resulted in the injury of two workers.

On 10th August 2020, Westminster Magistrates’ court heard how two workers were injured when scaffolding they were working from on Thorpebank Road, London, collapsed.

Following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), it was found RPS Scaffolding Ltd had failed to erect the scaffolding to conform with the standard configuration and without the necessary strength and stability calculations being undertaken.

The scaffold collapse resulted in both workers suffering a fractured shoulder and one also suffering a fractured elbow and wrist.

RPS Scaffolding Ltd pleaded guilty to a breach of Regulation 8(b)(ii) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and were fined £40,000 and awarded full costs of £4,705.16.

Following the hearing, HSE inspector Adam Thompson, commented: “The Work at Height Regulations are clear, where scaffolding is erected that does not conform with a generally recognised standard configuration then strength and stability calculations shall be carried out.

“RPS Scaffolding Ltd’s failure to do this resulted in a scaffold that was unsuitable for its use that collapsed within the first morning of its use, injuring two people and putting the public at risk.”

CISRS issue new courses for 2022

CISRS has recently released an updated 5-Day Management & Supervisor course and also a new 2-Day Refresher course alongside their host of existing courses.

The scaffolding bespoke course is comparable to CITB SMSTS and recognised by Build UK. Successful completion results in a 5-year CISRS Management & Supervisor Card. The 5-Day Management & Supervisor course is aimed at personnel providing first line management/ supervision for scaffolding contractors.

The 2-Day Refresher Course is open to CISRS Management & Supervisor card holders looking to renew as well as qualified Scaffolder/Advanced card holders who are looking to move into first line management provided they hold a current SMSTS certificate.

CISRS delivered two webinars to CISRS Instructors to update them on the revised

Care after Combat

It is well known that men and women who have served in the military possess many of the skills which are highly sought after in the construction industry. Problem solving, self discipline, reliability, leadership and team working are just some of the acquired attributes that have proved so valuable in the construction and logistics industries. There are plenty of opportunities for those leaving the armed forces to begin a new career in construction and that is not limited to trade skills but also at management level. Most service personnel who leave the British Armed Forces do so successfully and frequently thrive in whatever second career they choose. However, there are some for whom the transition from the military family to life as a ‘civvy’ proves problematic, and for a minority of service leavers, those problems can result in contact with the Criminal Justice System and, sometimes, a custodial sentence.

As a direct result, the charity Care after Combat was formed in 2014 to support veterans in prison, through the prison gates and back in the community, to give them the best possible chance of making a success of their life beyond custody, to address the underlying causes of their behaviours and to prevent any reoffending. The core mechanism is a scheme of one-toone mentorship under Project Phoenix. This mentorship is delivered by staff and volunteer mentors who truly understand the difficulties that ex-Armed Forces personnel can experience when leaving the military and facing civilian life.

course topics and outline the requirements for consistency in teaching and course standardisation.

CISRS Management & Supervisor delegates will be provided with a course folder, including CISRS modules and Guidance Notes to help prepare them for the course end project.

For further information, please contact your nearest CISRS Training Centre https://cisrs.org.uk/training-centres/

The charity works with veterans to prepare them for employment and by making links with the employers and trade associations they have relationships with. Employers have described benefiting enormously from the valuable skill set that ex-servicemen and women bring with them.

If your company would be willing to employ ex-offender Armed Forces veterans, please get in touch with Care after Combat at enquires@careaftercombat.org. Equally, if you are interested in supporting our charity, or becoming a volunteer mentor, please see our website at www.careftercombat.org for more details.