Video | New scaffold safety guidance for demolition sector

The National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NFDC) has worked with contractor McGee to issue a new safety guidance video for the use of scaffold protection during demolition works. 

The seven-minute-long animated video demonstrates the process to follow when determining risk control measures and has been produced after McGee itself suffered a scaffolding collapse in Reading last year, in which three people were injured.

• Three people injured in Reading scaffold collapse

Clarifying the purpose of scaffold in demolition, the
guidance explores the hazards and alternatives to be considered to reduce or
eliminate risks.

The video has been distributed to NFDC’s membership of 145
UK demolition contractors and made available to anybody working in demolition via
the Federation’s website and Youtube channel, with a sub-titled version also
available via NFDC’s Youtube
channel.

Spearheading the new safety guidance initiative is Nick Taylor, demolition director at McGee. Following the Reading accident in 2019, the team at McGee has played an instrumental role in the production of new best practice guidance. 

Taylor said: “Safety in our industry is paramount, which is
why it’s critical that on the extremely rare occasion an incident occurs, we
all learn from them. Not just demolition engineers but an industry as a whole.
The comprehensive NFDC video guidance for Use of Scaffold in Demolition has
been developed with a team of experts including the National Association of
Scaffolding Contractors (NASC) and other NFDC accredited demolition
contractors. It is our aim to circulate the new guidance as far and wide as
possible, in order that future incidents may be prevented.”

Howard Button, CEO at NFDC, added: “This video guidance
is another excellent deliverable in NFDC’s Safety Guidance series and I would
like to thank all those who have played a role in its development. The
Federation is committed to increasing the sharing of knowledge and best
practice with the wider demolition industry through the provision of quality
safety guidance that helps contractors to assess and reduce risk when carrying
out demolition works. A written guidance will follow in due course.”