Ladder slips on mobile scaffold: site manager convicted of breaching building rules

29/10/2025 · Federal Supreme Court / Neuchâtel Cantonal Court · NE · Fatal · 6B_740/2024; CPEN.2023.80

What happened A painter stood on a ladder placed on a mobile scaffold without side protection or outriggers. The ladder slipped, the scaffold tipped, he fell about 4 m and died.

What the court decided First instance: negligent homicide. The Cantonal Court (24.4.2024) acquitted him of that and convicted him of negligently breaching building rules. The Federal Court declared the relatives' appeal inadmissible – final.

Why The non-compliant mobile scaffold put workers in concrete danger, whatever the victim did. The homicide acquittal was not reviewed because the Federal Court did not hear the appeal.

• Technical manager running the site: convicted of negligent breach of building rules, 40 day-fines of CHF 100 (total CHF 4,000), suspended. Knew the mobile scaffold needed side protection and outriggers and underestimated the danger. Acquitted of negligent homicide.

Never put a ladder on a mobile scaffold. Use mobile scaffolds only with guardrails and outriggers deployed.

Source: entscheidsuche.ch (FR) · entscheidsuche.ch (FR)