The Building Safety Group

What are you looking for?

30 September 2024

Mobile Tower breaches up 36%

Mobile Tower breaches up 36%

The number of mobile scaffold tower breaches has increased by 36% during the first half of 2024, according to a new report published by The Building Safety Group (BSG).

BSG’s latest figures were calculated by comparing the number of tower infringements recorded in Q1 with Q2 this year. Statistical analysis was based on 7500 site inspections conducted by BSG advisers over this period.

The increase in mobile tower violations is concerning given that falls from height remains the largest cause of fatalities in the construction sector. According to figures release by the HSE, deaths resulting from falls from height were up 22% from 2022/23, with some 41 deaths.

Mobile Tower Breaches

The most common types of non-compliances found when inspecting towers include:

  • Dangerous methods of erection or dismantling – where a safe system is not being followed
  • Defects in the erected scaffold – where the tower structure is incorrectly assembled or where a platform guardrail is missing
  • Misuse of the scaffold – where a ladder is used on a tower causing it to overturn or when a person falls while the tower is being moved
Mobile Towers – The Dangers

The dangers of misusing mobile towers was made clear in a recent court case. Cambridge Magistrates Court heard how, on 15 September 2017, Sean Harding was working on a mobile tower levelling a steel beam that was seated on a door lintel. This involved using a crowbar to lever the beam up for a work colleague to insert a metal packer into the gap. Mr Harding caught his jacket sleeve on the tower, lost balance and fell over a single guard rail and down to ground level. He was taken to hospital but died three months later due to medical complications.

An investigation by Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the mobile tower wasn’t configured correctly for the task due to the limited headroom and that double guard rails could have been used, if configured correctly. Peter Saunders Builders Ltd of Tennyson House, Cambridge Business Park, Cambridge pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 8 (a) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and was fined £16,000 with £5,139.80 costs.

BSG Recommends

Helpful information for reducing the risks associated with mobile towers can be found by logging into the BSG Hub. Hub users can use our ‘Working at Height: Mobile Alloy Towers’ risk assessment template or download and follow the 106 Mobile-Alloy-Tower document.

More information advice is available on the HSE website in the Tower Scaffold section.

Several BSG members have also chosen to enrol on our Mobile Scaffold Tower (3T & AGR) training. The course demonstrates how to follow a safe system of work by using the Advanced Guard Rail (AGR) and the Through the Trap (3T) methods. BSG members will automatically receive a 20% discount on this course.

If you are a member of The Building Safety Group and would like to speak with a BSG Safety Adviser about using mobile towers, please contact us so we can arrange a time for your local adviser to get in touch.

Back to news

Latest News

Mobile Tower breaches up 36%

30 September 2024

Mobile Tower breaches up 36%

Read more
SIP Accreditations & The Building Safety Act

30 August 2024

SIP Accreditations & The Building Safety Act

Read more
Become a BSG member today

Membership

Become a BSG member today

The impact of a major accident on a company can be devastating. Apart from the human cost, the financial costs can be enough to force a business to cease trading.

We offer a range of membership packages to suit your business needs.

Find out more

What our members say

“With health and safety at the forefront of all that we do our membership of The Building Safety Group (BSG) is invaluable to us. The service is first class and is delivered by consummate professionals who are totally in tune with our needs and requirements.”

Pearce Construction (Barnstaple) Ltd

“BSG’s training was insightful, engaging and has provided me with invaluable knowledge for my job. Thank you BSG.”

BSG Training delegate

“City & Country is rapidly expanding as a business and we needed a health and safety partner that could provide us with national coverage. This is why we selected The Building Safety Group (BSG), who have a UK network of health and safety resources that can support our needs as we grow.

We also firmly believe that joining BSG will strengthen our reputation as a construction company by helping us to continue to deliver the highest standards in health and safety.”

City & Country

“BSG are clearly experts in health and safety training for the construction industry.”

CTS

“We have a responsibility to deliver the highest standards in health and safety for our workforce. This is why we became members of The Building Safety Group (BSG), whose professional and expert advice help to ensure that we remain compliant with industry regulations. We would highly recommend The Building Safety Group.”

E.G. Carter

“With health and safety at the forefront of all that we do our membership of The Building Safety Group (BSG) is invaluable to us. The service is first class and is delivered by consummate professionals who are totally in tune with our needs and requirements.”

Pearce Construction (Barnstaple) Ltd

“BSG’s training was insightful, engaging and has provided me with invaluable knowledge for my job. Thank you BSG.”

BSG Training delegate

Contact us

Today to find out more about how we can help you operate both your team and your business safely and in total compliance.

Membership

0300 304 9070

New membership sales

0300 304 9070

Technical Support

0300 304 9070

Marketing and Events

0300 304 9090

5 Pinkers Court
Briarlands Office Park
Gloucester Road, Rudgeway
Bristol BS35 3QH

 

Company No. 01109090
VAT No. 139 9633 27

Download our brochure

Summary of Services

© The Building Safety Group Ltd 2024

The Building Safety Group is not responsible for the content of external sites.

Privacy Notice

Terms & conditions