Scaffolding firm takes on Wellington wind and loses

24 August 2006

A Wellington company has received its second conviction in as many years for inadequately securing scaffolding to withstand the city’s blustery conditions.

Instant Access NZ Ltd was this week fined $20,000 after an incident in December 2005, when more than two storeys of scaffolding fell from Ramset House on to cars in Haining Street. One of the three cars was a write-off.

The Department of Labour prosecuted the company, and its supervisor, for breaches of the Health and Safety in Employment Act and regulations. Instant Access NZ Ltd was convicted of similar charges in 2004, after scaffolding fell 63 metres from a building in Featherston St on to cars below. In that case it was fined $15,000.

Department acting health and safety service manager for Wellington-Kapiti Alan Cooper said the two incidents happened in windy conditions – not uncommon in Wellington – and that the company hadn’t appeared to have learnt from its earlier mistake.

It was an “incredible stroke of luck” that no one was working on the scaffolding, or walking underneath, when the two incidents occurred, Mr Cooper said.

“I sincerely hope there isn’t a third occasion, as I don’t think their luck will last.”

Along with the company, the job supervisor was convicted and fined $650 for failing to ensure the scaffolding was erected and secured safely.

To the journalist: please note that health and safety services formerly referred to as Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) should now be referred to as the Department of Labour.