Details of a scaffolding collapse onto a busy Auckland road have been revealed, as the court case draws to a close. The nine-metre-high scaffold for townhouses built on the boundary of the Ellerslie Racecourse fell onto Remuera’s Peach Parade on a windy January day last year. A WorkSafe investigation found the scaffold was effectively free-standing and lacked anchoring.
“Our official guidelines are clear that rakers, ties, and risk assessments are essential, not optional. Construction scaffolding design is complex, and you are gambling with lives if you cut corners,” says WorkSafe’s northern regional manager, Brad Duggan.
“How this collapse did not end in tragedy is nothing short of miraculous. This was a seriously deficient set-up, and a blatant risk to public safety. Businesses must manage their health and safety risks, and where they do not, WorkSafe will take action.”
Whether temporary or long-term, all scaffolds must be secured against movement, uplift, or overturning, in exposed or high-wind environments. Effective anchoring involves connecting the scaffold to a sound structure using properly rated ties, rakers, or braces at regular intervals and in accordance with engineering specifications.
Industry guidelines recommend that every scaffold be designed to withstand both vertical and horizontal loads, including wind and accidental impact. Anchors should be tested to verify load capacity, and ties must be installed progressively as the scaffold is built, not left until the end. In areas open to the public, additional precautions such as exclusion zones, protective barriers, and regular inspections are also vital.
In recent years, WorkSafe has increased both inspections and prosecutions related to scaffolding failures, signalling a clear intolerance for preventable incidents. Beyond enforcement, the agency also provides detailed scaffolding guidelines, industry alerts, and resources to support safer work practices. WorkSafe New Zealand continues to place strong emphasis on proactive risk management in the construction sector.
