Attaching flags to lighting columns brings with it “a significant risk” of injury or even death to members of the public, the ILP has warned, amid the sudden spate of flags being hung from lampposts and in other public places this summer.
The flags, often the George Cross or the Union Flag, have appeared on lampposts, across motorway bridges, along streets and even painted on mini-roundabouts or crossings.
They first appeared – and were later removed – in the West Midlands and Tower Hamlets in east London in early August, and have spread across the country since then.
Their spread has been encouraged and supported by a range of local groups, often via social media under the banner of ‘Operation Raise the Flags’.
While many have argued they are simply a sign of local pride and patriotism, others have expressed concern they are being used to fuel tensions over immigration and to promote far-right groups.
The ILP, in conjunction with its Technical Committee and the Lighting Column Technical Forum, has emphasised it is focused solely on the health and safety ramifications of attaching flags, any flags or similar, to lighting infrastructure.
While a flag “may seem like an insignificant item on a column”, it has highlighted, “during periods of high winds, the flag will apply wind loads and vibrations from its flapping onto the lighting column that are much more significant than the flag weight.”
“The addition of a flag or banner – irrespective of its style, logo or design – puts an additional loading on the column for which it was not designed,” it said.
“Lighting columns have a limited life span, and the additional loading of unexpected attachment loads (e.g., flags) puts additional stresses on the lighting columns and their foundations, which could lead to early failure in some cases.
“To avoid this additional stress, all non-authorised attachments should be removed by competent personnel using a Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP), which is used when lighting columns are maintained and inspected – lighting columns are not designed to be strong enough for direct climbing or to support ladders,” the statement added.
In addition, the attachment of flags by members of the public, either by climbing the column or by resting a ladder against the column, “will put significant loads onto the lighting column that can cause bending or buckling of the column shaft and/or loosening of the foundations,” the ILP warned.
“It can also cause cracks to form at welds which, while unnoticed at the time, could lead to early failure of the lighting column and a potential injury due to the unexpected collapse.
“There is clearly a significant risk to members of the public putting up flags on lighting columns due to the column failing while climbing it, due to falling from the column or ladder or from being hit by a moving vehicle, all of which have a real chance of resulting in serious injury or death.
“Local councils have a process to enable any organisations wanting to install flags or other attachments to lighting columns to apply for permission, and it is recommended that the council be approached before proceeding. Any unauthorised attachments can and should be removed from lighting columns,” the ILP added.
The Lighting Column Technical Forum, in a separate statement, echoed these concerns. “The mounting of any unauthorised attachment on a street lighting column without a design check to confirm its suitability could cause structural failure,” it warned.
“Mounting of such attachments in any other way than a MEWP is extremely dangerous and could result in serious injury or a fatality. It could also overload the lighting column structure,” it added.
Image: Shutterstock
