This is the heart-stopping moment a scaffolding collapses just a few inches from a man capturing photos.

Footage shows producer Caio Guilherme photographing the location while standing under the temporary framework.

He then leans against a barrier to take more shots. However, without warning, the structure crumbled down onto the pavement.

The employee moves out of the way at the last second, narrowly avoiding being crushed to death as the planks and poles come tumbling down in a cloud of dust.

The young man said he felt unwell after the incident due to shock and was treated for high blood pressure and a headache by firefighters.

Caio told local media: 'I'm psychologically shaken because I almost died.

'This is their mistake. Since it almost fell on me, it could have fallen on anyone.'

Authorities are investigating the collapse in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on June 18.