Highways England has issued a safety warning to its supply chain after two workers were injured on the A556 Knutsford to Bowdon improvement scheme in near Manchester.

 

The operatives were working on a scissor lift to install a new bridge when a steel reinforcement cage for the central pier collapsed. One of the workers sustained a serious injury and at the time of writing was still in hospital.

 

Highways England’s safety alert relates to procedures for working around reinforcement cages used in the concreting process. It stated: “While the incident is still under investigation it highlights the risks associated with reinforcement in its temporary state. We would ask all sites to review their own works in this area and the potential associated risks.”

 

The incident took place away from the live road network at around 5pm on Monday 3 August and is currently subject to Health and Safety Executive and Police investigations. The operatives were working for a subcontractor.

 

A Highways England Spokesperson added: “The safety of our road and construction workers is Highways England’s top priority and we will occasionally issue safety alerts to remind people working in the supply chain of general and specific safety procedures.”

 

The A556 Knutsford to Bowdon project involves construction of a new 7.5km dual carriageway bypass to improve journeys between the M6 at junction 19 and the M56 at junction 7.

 

(Photo: Highways England)