FALLS - 14.10.2021

Stairwell cover failure led to fall

The accident

The three men were working on a site managed by St Modwen Homes Ltd (S) when the accident took place in July 2018. They were working over a gap where stairs would be fitted later in the project and, to facilitate their work in the meantime, a cover was installed. Whilst they were working this suddenly gave way, causing the bricklayers to fall 2.5 metres onto a concrete floor. They sustained serious injuries including in one case, a broken back. The HSE found that S hadn’t identified that the stairwell cover was a temporary working platform and ought to be managed accordingly. As such it should have been strong enough for the job, properly fixed and subject to inspections. S pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 13(1), Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 . It was fined £200,000 and ordered to pay costs of £13,332.

How to manage working platforms

The HSE’s point in this case was that the construction company had not recognised that the cover was a working platform and had the same status as, for example, a scaffold platform. If they’d designated it in that category it’s more likely they’d have considered the essential attributes it required including the way it was fixed and its load capacity.

Tip. When using material such as a piece of board as a platform, consider:

• whether it has the strength required, given the number of workers, tools and materials likely to use it
• how it will be made stable and fixed in position
• the measures which are needed to prevent loose materials from falling through gaps, holes or over edges
• that there are no openings or traps through which workers’ feet can pass.

Tip. Where small pieces of material, nuts and bolts could fall through and injure someone below, one option is a double-boarded platform sandwiching a polythene sheet. Ensure that loose plastic at the edges doesn’t create a tripping hazard.

Maintaining safety

All working platforms must be inspected after installation or assembly, and this must be repeated periodically. The inspection should be undertaken by someone with the competency to identify risks and specify what is to be done about it.

Tip. If the platform is more than two metres high, re-inspect at least every seven days. For lower platforms there’s no set rule but it would make sense to stick with a similar frequency. In any case, inspect all working platforms after any event which could have adversely affected stability. Supervisors should also ensure that work platforms are kept clean and tidy during use and that waste etc. is not allowed to build up.

Tip. A record should be made of the inspection and the report kept for three months. It should show: (1)  who the inspection was done for; (2)  location; (3) what was inspected; (4) date and time; (5)  defects/risks identified; (6) action taken and any further action considered necessary; and (7) the name and position of the person making the report (see The next step ).

For a work platform inspection record, visit https://www.tips-and-advice.co.uk , Download Zone , year 20, issue 03.