Could cowboy builders be responsible for this tragedy?

[sandyRoe]

http://uk.news.yahoo....debris-150202596.html

I can't see how else it could have happened.

[Zacs-Master]

Could have been a genuine error. They do happen. They're called 'accidents'. The HSE will no doubt find out.

[hc4361]

Did it fall out of the wall? If so, how old was the property? How long had the frame been in?
Could be decades on and wear and tear.

[dotty.]

possibly, but there is absolutely no indication as to whether it was a renovation, a repair or whether the window frame just fell out. It is unlikely there was actual work taking place on the window as there would have been scaffolding at leas and at best barriers and hazard signs for pedestrians.

[HowardKennitby]

Some time ago but this sort of thing happens.
Thing with this is that the entire building had been renovated about 2 years previously.

http://news.bbc.co.uk.../scotland/1794280.stm

[bednobs]

The problem is that "accidents" should be foreseen and measures put into place to stop them injuring anyone

[Zacs-Master]

So you think that one day accidents will be a thing of the past bednobs?

[dotty.]

this is why i don't think that there was any actual work taking place on the window, as there would have been cordons and bariers and probably scaffolding, no use really saying much more, there will be more info on it in the papers tomorrow, poor woman, sounds horrific. still, she's gone now, those that witnessed it will be in a bad way.

[bednobs]

no i don't think that zacs. However, if it was a construction site, then the CDM person should have planned out all of the risks (they should be the one thinking "what if ....")
That is making a big assumption though that work was going on at the time. you can never eliminate risk entirely as howard's post shows!

[spotit3]

I think it said in one of the papers that scaffolding had been removed a short time ago.

[Zacs-Master]

I know all about CDM Co Ordinators, risk assessments, method statements,good working practises etc. They've been part of the building trade for almost 20 years, and longer in other forms. And still accidents happen due to human error. You simply can't calculate for every eventuality.

[bednobs]

husband has just done an investigation on a planned crane lift that went wrong and almost killed someone because someone planned the lift for a 6 tonne weight, when really it was 16 tonnes - a simple error where someone had accdentally misread 16 as 6

[sandyRoe]

True. You can't legislate for human error, stupidity, or carelessness. Remember the Herald of Free Enterprise?

[Zacs-Master]

Exactly bednobs. Human error. An accident.

[HowardKennitby]

http://s1159.photobuc...ow/Edinburgh%20Views/

This is a view of the bar. Most Edinburgh buildings have smooth gables not crow-steps. Previously the only retention was the mortar. I believe now that these type of slabs have to be pinned as well.