Scaffolding tower ripped from Kendal flats in high winds

Scaffolding tower ripped from Kendal flats in high winds

FIRE fighters battled against high winds as a 20ft scaffolding tower hung precariously over a busy Kendal Road this morning.

Kendal Fire and Rescue team raced to Sande Air House, off New Road, at 8.57am, after the structure was blown onto the edge of a patio railing.

Crew manager Tony Harrison said: “The tower was on the top floor penthouse on wheels on a patio decking area.

“Due to the high winds it had blown towards the handrail and because of its height was blown over the top onto a lift shaft right above the pavement.”

Kendal Police condoned off the pavement below and prepared to close New Road as rush hour traffic drove past the scene.

Skilled rescue workers used specialist equipment including harnesses, ropes and pulleys were used to dismantle part of the tower and recover it to a position of safety within the hour.

Crew manager Harrison said: “The high winds were a major player in this incident.

“It was quite a technical operation and it was very windy up there. We were up on the top floor so we were really up against the elements.”

What if not lift shaft roof

Hi

Thanks for the post

What would have happened if the lift shaftwas not there.

This just shows even in the summer months you have to consider the wind loads.

Chris Engh:

ChrisEng said:

Hi

Thanks for the post

What would have happened if the lift shaftwas not there.

This just shows even in the summer months you have to consider the wind loads.

Chris Engh:

Click to expand...

Also drove past some scaffold this morning and the boards had been lifted by the wind overnight and were very nearly coming off, the scaffold was above pavements and next to a road junction so they could've done some real damage had they actually dropped. These were boards that, according to NASC guidelines (TG12:03), should stay in place under their own self weight yeah right!!! Wouldn't have happened if they had been fastened down with Safelinx!!!

just as a matter of intrest.how do your board retainers work on the return