Tipping over of Wheeled Scaffolding Costs Employer $60,000

Two workers were installing fascia and soffits on a building while standing on a scaffold, which was mounted on wheels and supplied by their employer. The wheels were equipped with a locking mechanism, but three of the four locks didn’t work and wouldn’t engage. In addition, the scaffold sat on a slight decline. The scaffold rolled off the sidewalk, tipping over with both workers on it. Each suffered broken bones. The employer pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that scaffolds mounted on castors or wheels had suitable braking devices on each wheel and the brakes were applied when a worker was on the scaffold. The court fined it $60,000 [Ritz Architectural Systems Inc., Govt. News Release, Dec. 9, 2014].