This Month in Scaffolding February Round Up

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Each month, we bring you a comprehensive roundup of news and alerts from the scaffolding industry. We cover news, key innovations, emerging trends, safety incidents, and things you may have missed, ensuring you stay informed.

Structural Concerns in Brighton

On 24th February 2025, structural engineers reported that scaffolding at the fire-damaged Royal Albion Hotel in Brighton was at risk of "catastrophic failure." The hotel, which suffered extensive fire damage in the summer of 2023, prompted Brighton & Hove City Council to close part of the A259 King's Road near the property to ensure public safety. Owner Britannia Hotels has been instructed to conduct risk assessments and install safety barriers around the structure.

Golden Gate Bridge OSHA Scaffold Letter Case Dismissed

A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District against the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The lawsuit challenged a revised OSHA interpretation letter for temporary scaffolding designs. Judge Richard Seeborg ruled that the amended 2020 OSHA letter did not constitute a final agency action requiring a notice and comment period. The court also determined that the agency lacked standing and failed to prove any injury from the regulatory change

Safety Incidents Across the Globe

On the safety front, several notable incidents have occurred:

• Chicago, USA – Scaffolding Collapse Lawsuit
  In mid-2024, a worker miraculously survived a scaffolding collapse at a Chicago construction site by landing on a pile of PVC pipes. Now, he is suing the responsible parties, raising concerns about site safety and liability. This case has reignited discussions about workplace safety standards in the construction sector.
• Panna, India – Cement Factory Tragedy
  A devastating scaffolding collapse at a cement factory in Panna, Madhya Pradesh, resulted in the deaths of three workers and left several others injured. Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to determine accountability and implement measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
• Sydney, Australia – Multi-Storey Scaffolding Collapse
  A dramatic incident in Sydney saw multiple stories of scaffolding threatening to fall, endangering both workers and the public. The collapse ,has sparked renewed scrutiny of site safety protocols and the structural integrity of scaffolding in high-risk areas.