It was really sad to hear that a man and woman had to be treated in hospital after they were hit by falling masonry in Paisley, Renfrewshire.

They were struck by material which fell from a building in the town’s Moss Street on 10 August 2015.

Both were treated for non life-threatening injuries at the town’s Royal Alexandra Hospital.

It has to be stressed that we do not know the cause of the masonry fall at this time and the main importance is the health and wellbeing of those affected by the falling masonry

Renfrewshire Council has been extremely active in raising the profile of the need to repair and maintain traditional buildings and applauded by many for doing so.

So if it can happen in an area which is so active in raising the profile it can happen anywhere.

Indeed it does! The Confidential Reporting on Structural Safety for Scottish Buildings (SCOSS) identified this very point.

This report concerned work carried out between August 2005 and August 2007 in collecting information from Local Authorities in Scotland on materials and debris that fell from buildings, and concerns about materials or components that might fall.

Twenty five Local Authorities provided 1,275 reports and short descriptions of incidents were given in many of the reports. Some examples, such as falls of masonry were potentially serious, and illustrate the risks of personal injuries or deaths to passing members of the public.

The age of buildings was an important feature with over 80% being estimated as at around 100 years old (therefore deemed as traditional buildings).

There was a standard list of categories for materials concerned and 65% of incidents involved stone walls or roofs.

The clear message being to repair and maintain your property to ensure that it is wind, watertight and structurally sound.