Study: Equipment Failure Caused Missouri Scaffold Collapse

June 24, 2009

A new federal report says a fatal scaffolding collapse at a Columbia school construction site last year was caused by equipment failure. The collapse on Nov. 10 killed Alan Hildebrand, a 53-year-old bricklayer, who was working on the walls for a school gym at the Alpha Hart Lewis Elementary School. A report filed with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration said two parts of the scaffolding failed within 1 to 11/2 seconds. The Columbia Tribune reports that accident investigators did not place blame on any party in the collapse, saying it was a typical wear and tear failure. Hildebrand's relatives have filed a wrongful-death lawsuit alleging the scaffolding was defective. Information from: Columbia Daily Tribune, www.columbiatribune.com