Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC) has fitted new canopies at entrances to its HQ building after a member of staff was injured when a glass panel fell to the ground.
Last November there were two separate instances of panels shattering at adjacent entrance ways which the council claims was most likely caused by objects falling from above although this remains a mystery as the windows in HQ cannot be opened.
Related story: CWaC staff member cut by falling glass panel at Chester HQ building
A female council officer suffered a cut leg during the first occurrence which happened at 8.05am on November 4, affecting a canopy on a pedestrian walkway circling the building which is due to become the entrance to a new steakhouse this summer.
Related story: New restaurant to open at Chester HQ
Following a second instance above the main entrance, overnight on November 18, a decision was made to remove the remaining glass panels in the two affected canopies so they could be tested by the glass manufacturer, although a third canopy was left in place.
The canopies involved in the incidents have now been replaced with laminated rather than toughened glass.
Cllr David Armstrong, cabinet member for legal and finance, said: “The canopies outside HQ reception and the adjacent ground floor unit have been fitted with replacement glass panels following two separate incidents last year where the glass failed.
Related story: Falling glass panels at CWaC HQ spark safety fears
“The glass which failed met all current regulations and was fit for purpose. Following investigations, it has been concluded that the most likely explanation is that an object fell from above, causing the glass to shatter.
“The replacement glass is laminated rather than toughened. If it was to be struck by a falling object the glass would remain in place due to the interlayer which holds it in place.”
The neighbouring Abode hotel, whose entrance includes a glass canopy, has been kept informed about the glass panels failing.
