A fatal scaffolding collapse at a construction site in Springfield Park, Durban has raised urgent questions around safety protocols in South Africa’s built environment sector.
Source: Pexels.
The incident occurred at approximately 11:30am on Tuesday, 24 June 2025 claiming the life of one worker and injuring four others, some critically.
The men were working at an elevation of around six metres when the temporary structure gave way beneath them. Emergency services from ALS Paramedics responded swiftly to the scene, describing “total chaos” upon arrival.
Despite advanced life support efforts, a male worker in his forties was declared deceased at the scene. The remaining four were stabilised and transported to Ahmed Al-Kadi Private Hospital.
The site, located off Umgeni Road, forms part of a commercial development intended to bolster retail capacity in the Springfield area. Work has since been halted pending a full investigation by SAPS and the Department of Labour.
Industry faces reckoning
KwaZulu-Natal’s MEC for Public Works, Martin Meyer, expressed condolences to the family and colleagues of the deceased, while calling for urgent reforms.
“This tragedy is a stark reminder of the ongoing safety risks in our industry. We must enforce stricter compliance with occupational health and safety legislation, particularly on high-rise and commercial developments,” he said.
This latest incident adds to a string of structural failures in the province, including collapses on the R102 near King Shaka International Airport in January, and multiple accidents throughout 2024. Industry watchdogs have flagged recurring issues such as poor scaffolding practices, lack of adequate inspections, and workforce fatigue on high-demand projects.
Construction firms are now under pressure to re-evaluate their internal risk assessment procedures, training regimes, and third-party contractor oversight. The Master Builders Association (MBA) has called for a comprehensive audit of all scaffolding systems currently in use on commercial projects.
According to the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), non-compliance with minimum health and safety standards remains a critical concern in the sector. While many companies maintain high standards, smaller sub-contractors and project management lapses can undermine site-wide safety.
Stakeholders are now looking toward both the Department of Labour and industry associations to drive improved accountability and regulatory enforcement.
The construction community is also being urged to prioritise worker welfare — not only in terms of compliance but as a moral and professional imperative.
As investigations continue, the incident serves as a sobering reminder that safety in construction is not negotiable. The lives of those who build our cities depend on it.
