Dropped objects from scaffolding
- Safety Flash
- Published on 3 January 2005
- Generated on 25 February 2026
- IMCA SF 01/05
- 2 minute read
There have been several incidents where tools and equipment have been left inside scaffold tubes that are part of a scaffold structure.
The picture is from an incident where a metal spike fell 7-8 feet to the deck, narrowly missing a scaffolder as he was dismantling a scaffold structure.
Fortunately nobody was injured, but there could have been a serious accident had someone been struck.
What were the causes?
The root cause of the problem has been noted to be as a result of personnel working on scaffold structures, using horizontal scaffold tubes as temporary storage areas while undertaking a work activity, then forgetting to remove the item.
Actions
All personnel working on scaffold tubes have a responsibility to work safely and it is vital that they leave their working area in a safe condition.
The following actions have been recommended:
- Capping the ends of guardrails and horizontal scaffold tubes to minimise the opportunity and temptation for personnel to use tubes for storage.
- Issuing a reminder to all personnel working with, on or around scaffolding:
- Be aware of the risks of dropped objects.
- Do not use scaffold tubes as temporary storage.
- Remove all tools and equipment from the scaffold structure on completion of each task/on leaving an area of the structure.
- Be aware of the risks of dropped objects.
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