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WorkSafe New Zealand says it was “miraculous” a nine-metre-high scaffolding collapse onto a busy Auckland road didn’t end in tragedy.

Kylin Scaffolding Limited was ordered to pay $8500 after pleading guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 over the January 2024 incident.

The dramatic collapse, WorkSafe said, saw drivers swerving to avoid injury or death as scaffolding used for townhouses being built on the boundary of the Ellerslie Racecourse fell into the path of cars along Remuera’s Peach Parade. Three workers were also nearby at the time.

“How this collapse did not end in tragedy is nothing short of miraculous,” said Brad Duggan, WorkSafe’s northern regional manager.

A WorkSafe investigation found the scaffold was effectively free-standing and lacked the minimum safety features to anchor it.

A witness described the sturcture as “starting to curl like a wave” before it came down onto the road.

“Our official guidelines are clear that rakers, ties, and risk assessments are essential, not optional,” Duggan said.

WorkSafe said Kylin Scaffolding Limited did not conduct a risk assessment for the roadside scaffolding or for its installation without rakers.

At the time of the collapse, WorkSafe noted, the company’s operations manager was qualified to design, construct, alter and dismantle the scaffold.

The company was unable to explain the safety shortcomings to WorkSafe investigators.

“It is extremely disappointing that Kylin Scaffolding Limited failed to ensure that this structure was safe, and followed industry standards and guidance,” Duggan said.

“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.”