From scaffolder to safety advocate

In 1994, I proudly completed the CITB Advanced Scaffolder course at Bircham Newton – a full-year residential programme that shaped the foundation of my career. I left with two awards: Best Sportsman and the Gardner Merchant Award for Social Affairs, both presented by Sir Michael Latham. At just 19, I was full of ambition and ready to make my mark.

I worked for a dynamic company with two sides: contract scaffolding and event scaffolding. One day I was on a building site, the next I was helping build sets for movies and TV shows. It was exciting, fast-paced and full of opportunity.

Training, knowledge and experience

By 1995, I had completed my scaffolding inspection course and began my journey into health and safety with the ROSPA General Certificate. I was preparing for the NEBOSH General Certificate next. My company was incredibly supportive, giving me hands-on experience in estimating, surveying, manufacturing and even sales. They were helping me become a well-rounded professional.

By 1996, I was working in a new department – Turner Morland – focused on scaffold inspections and safety consultancy. I was inspecting not only our own scaffolds but also those built by other companies. At just 20, I had the best training available, growing knowledge and a strong foundation of experience.

The day everything changed

On 10 July 1996, I was asked to revisit a job at 92 High Street, Paisley – a site I had previously surveyed during my time in estimating. Our team was stretched that day, and I had a good rapport with the client, so I stepped in to help.

The job had changed slightly – two additional towers were to be added. As part of the site visit, I was taken up to the roof to assess the location of one of the towers. At 10:30, I approached the edge to take a measurement. I leaned against a wrought iron balustrade – what appeared to be the roof edge protection.

It gave way. I fell 34 feet, head first.

After the fall: a new path forward

After my accident, our team didn’t just react – we responded with purpose. Although the company was already a leader in health and safety within the scaffolding industry, the incident pushed us to go even further. We launched a thorough investigation to understand exactly what went wrong and, more importantly, how to prevent it from ever happening again.

That drive led to real innovation: we developed one of the world’s first advanced guardrail systems and new methods of working at height. These weren’t just internal improvements – they quickly became recognised as best practice across the industry, earning awards and setting new safety standards. It was a painful catalyst, but it sparked meaningful change that helped protect countless others.

Reflection: why this story matters

That fall didn’t just end my scaffolding career – it changed the course of my life. I had done everything right. I was trained, careful and competent. But the system failed me.

Recovery was long and difficult. But through it all, I found a new purpose: to make work at height safer for everyone. I leaned into my health and safety training and began advocating for better standards, clearer communication and a culture that puts people first.

My story isn’t just about a fall – it’s about what happens when we assume safety is someone else’s job. It’s about the importance of competence, communication and control. And it’s about resilience – how we can take even the most painful experiences and use them to protect others.

If sharing this helps one person pause, double-check or speak up, it’s worth it.