SAFETY ALERT

‘INSPECTOR FALLS OFF SCAFFOLDING’

INCIDENT
A quality inspector sustained injuries to the back after
falling from the 4th to the 3rd level of a scaffold, while
performing a paint inspection on the stern hull of a ship
in “building stage”.
CAUSES
§ The ladder of the scaffold was anchored at the top side
but not at the bottom.
§ Non-compliance with erecting instructions of the
scaffold, during the assembly process.
LESSONS
CORRECTIVE MEASURES
(Operational | Supervisory level)
§ Inspect ladder before climbing. Never climb on a
shaky ladder or a ladder with slippery or broken
rungs.
§ Personnel should fully comply with
instructions when working with Scaffolds.
§ Supervisors should carry out regular
inspections of scaffolds, including ladders,
and register findings in an inspection log.

§ No daily inspections of the scaffold were being carried

out.
PREVENTATIVE MEASURES
(Local Management level)

§ The internal procedures for the erection and

use of scaffolds should be updated in line
with the Temporary Works Equipment
Scaffolds - performance requirements and
general design: BS EN 12811-1 2004.

STANDARDS
RELEVANT STANDARDS
§ UK Work at Height Regulations 2005.
§ Temporary works equipment Scaffolds - Performance
requirements and general design: BS EN 12811-1 2004
§ Ladders: Specification for requirements, testing, marking:
BS EN 131.

In case of any questions or observations of incidents similar to

the one above, please contact:
Damen Shipyards Gorinchem (DSGo).
Or write an email to HSEQ-CNBD@damen.com