Scaffolding safety warning

Aberdeen city council and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are to hold a seminar for businesses based across the north-east aimed at highlighting the importance of risk assessments concerning scaffolding.

Taking place on Thursday June 19th, companies and local authorities will be shown practical demonstrations on how to erect scaffolding correctly and protecting members of the public.

Niall Miller, a HSE inspector, believes action needs to be taken to prevent the high number of incidents involving poorly-assembled scaffolding.

"People die and suffer major injuries from falls from height across Scotland every year. Erecting and working on safe scaffolding is not just a company's legal duty - it is imperative to the wellbeing of its staff and business," he said.

The seminar will take place at the Beach Ballroom in Aberdeen and is being supported by Construction Skills and the Grampian Occupational Safety and Health Group (Building Interest Group).

Last year, around 45 employees died and 3,750 people were injured in falls from height in the UK.