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May 20, 2023

Safety warning issued after scaffolder falls from dropper

A safety advice bulletin published by Network Rail revealed that on Friday 24th

A safety advice bulletin published by Network Rail revealed that on Friday 24th September the scaffolder fell from a dropper tube that became loose from its coupler.

The unnamed scaffolding contractor was tasked with dismantling a traditional tube and fitting scaffold between the south pier and the riverbank on a structure over a river in Glasgow, Scotland.

According to the bulletin the scaffolder was standing on a dropper tube when it ‘slipped loose from its couplers’, causing the man and the tube to fall from the scaffold into the river.

His harness and lanyard were clipped onto the same dropper tube.

A nearby rescue boat on standby immediately mobilised and rescued the man by pulling him out of the water. The scaffolder was rushed to the hospital by emergency services but was discharged the same day.

The safety warning issued to Network Rail line managers, safety professionals and its accredited contractors called for immediate safety action after the incident. These included: