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Two men seriously injured in London steelwork and scaffolding collapse

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Two men seriously injured in London steelwork and scaffolding collapse
Two men have been seriously injured after steelwork collapsed onto scaffolding erected on a town hall at a construction site in West London. Dozens of police, fire and ambulance vehicles attended Hammersmith town hall in King Street after the incident at around 5.30pm on Wednesday. According to reports, both men had suffered ‘life-threatening injuries and were rushed to a major trauma centre “as a priority”. The Metropolitan police have said the men were taken to a central London hospital, and the Health and Safety Executive had been informed. A source told Scaffmag: “The steelwork collapsed and took the scaffolding down with it, when the steelwork failed it knocked over the cherry picker the steelworkers were working on.” It is believed that one of the steel erectors was thrown 30m from the cherry picker and the other was still attached by his harness.

The London ambulance service said: “An investigation has been launched after two men were injured after scaffolding attached to Hammersmith town hall collapsed late on Wednesday afternoon.

“Officers from the Metropolitan police attended along with firefighters.”

How can Tube-Lock benefit your company?

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How can Tube-Lock benefit your company?

Tube-Lock® can revolutionize the way you are designing and erecting scaffolds. By combining simplicity and strength, Tube-Lock holds many benefits over traditional tube and fitting scaffolding.

Tube-Lock® tubes are regular 48,3mm scaffolding tubes, fitted with two cast iron Tube-Lock pieces. Because of the Tube-Lock ends, tubes can be connected with each other by a twisting motion, visibly locking them in place. No tools nor additional parts are required to make or secure the connection. 

This provides many advantages.

Because the two tubes can be joined by a twisting motion, it is a fast and easy way to connect tubes together. This leads to faster erection and dismantling times for the entire scaffold. 

Furthermore, no additional parts nor tools are needed. No longer needing sleeve couplers and joint pins means that there are no spare parts that need to be transported. Additionally, you don’t have to invest in sleeve couplers and joint pins as you no longer need them.

This also eliminates the risk of sleeve couplers breaking, getting lost or getting stolen. And you don’t have to service the sleeve couplers anymore. Tube-Lock connections are completely maintenance-free. 

Another logistical advantage is that Tube-Lock comes in standard lengths from 1 meter or 4ft up to 4 meters or 13ft. Because of this flexibility, it prevents the necessity of cutting the tubes to length. 

The maximum length of 4 meters means the maximum weight of a Tube-Lock tube is 16 kg. This leads to less strain on scaffolders, which is essential because of the strict Occupational Health and Safety regulations. 

Additionally, there is no need to stagger joints, Tube-Lock is as strong as a continuous tube. The connection may even be submitted to pull force. Using Tube-Lock tubes leads to a smooth tube connection over the full length of the tube. This makes it possible to use couplers anywhere on the tube. Even on the Tube-Lock connection. 

Van Thiel United Ltd. can make Tube-Lock tubes out of your (used) scaffolding tube!

In their innovative production facility, they can turn your (used) scaffolding tube to Tube-Lock tubes! This means you can update your own material without enormous investments. Even the repair of existing Tube-Lock stock is possible. And they now offer a special discount on the conversion of your scaffolding tube!

Have a look at www.thielscaffolding.com for more information, or contact [email protected] to hear more about all possibilities!

Star-Studded Line-Up Announced for 2025 Scaffolding Excellence Awards

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Star-Studded Line-Up Announced for 2025 Scaffolding Excellence Awards

The NASC has announced that its prestigious Scaffolding Excellence Awards 2025 will be hosted by a trio of household names, Clare Balding, Alex Jones, and Leigh Francis at a glittering ceremony in Manchester this September.

Taking place during Scaffex25, the awards evening is widely regarded as the highlight of the scaffolding and access industry calendar, offering a rare moment to celebrate standout achievements, innovation, and excellence across the UK sector.

This year’s ceremony brings together a formidable hosting team:

  • Clare Balding – an award-winning broadcaster and author, renowned for her Olympic coverage, documentaries, and campaigning work. She was awarded a CBE in 2022 for services to sport and charity.

  • Alex Jones – one of the UK’s best-loved presenters, known as the face of BBC’s The One Show. She has fronted a wide range of factual and lifestyle programmes and is a passionate advocate for family, wellbeing and community causes.

  • Leigh Francis – comedian, actor and writer, best known for his character Keith Lemon. While Keith may be on “permanent holiday,” Francis is expected to bring plenty of humour and energy to the evening in his own right.

More celebrity special guests are expected to be confirmed in the weeks leading up to the ceremony.

Clive Dickin, NASC Chief Executive, said: “It’s always such a great night. A chance for the industry to get together and have fun. One member recently said he’d rather be in Manchester for this one night than go on a week’s holiday in Greece.

He may be right, this is shaping up to be one of our best events yet.”

Celebrating the Best in Scaffolding

The awards are open to NASC members and span nine categories, covering a broad cross-section of the industry’s people, products, and projects. They include:

  • Apprentice of the Year

  • Lifetime Achievement Award

  • Best Product or Service of the Year

  • Project Awards – recognising small, medium, large and major projects, as well as best scaffold design

The project categories aim to reflect the vast range and complexity of modern scaffolding work, from tightly managed urban builds to major infrastructure schemes, while the product and service award highlights the role of innovation in advancing safety, productivity, and quality on-site.

James McFadden, Chair of the independent judging panel and CS&A Responsible Engineer at Sellafield, said: “For anyone in the scaffolding and access world, these are the awards that matter. They’re recognised as a seal of approval from industry peers. To collect one of these awards in September, you will have to beat some very impressive entries.”

Winners will be chosen by a panel of independent experts and announced live during the gala dinner in front of hundreds of industry leaders.

Entries Now Open

Submissions are now open at nasc.org.uk/awards and close later this summer. Those looking to attend the ceremony or reserve a table can book via nasc.org.uk/product-category/scaffex-2025.

Registration Opens for ScaffEx25 at Manchester Central

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Registration Opens for ScaffEx25 at Manchester Central
ScaffEx25, the UK’s leading scaffolding and access industry exhibition and conference, will return on 11–12 September at Manchester Central, and registration is now open. Following a successful debut in Belfast last year, this year’s edition promises to be larger in scale, with more exhibitors, networking opportunities, and industry insights. Crucially, the event remains free to attend. Organised by the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC), ScaffEx25 is designed to bring together key players from across the sector, including contractors, suppliers, buyers, and industry leaders, under one roof. Clive Dickin, CEO of NASC, said: “We are very proud of the scale of this year’s show. It is the ideal opportunity to meet anyone you need to meet from the scaffolding and access world, all gathered under one roof for two days. Regardless of whether you are a contractor, a supplier, or a buyer, the people you need to meet will be with us in Manchester.”

Two-Day Conference to Explore the Future of Scaffolding

Running alongside the exhibition is a dedicated two-day conference focusing on the “Future of Scaffolding.”
ITV News presenter Nina Hossain
Nina Hossain
Hosted by experienced television journalists Sophie Long and Nina Hossain, the conference will feature high-profile speakers from across the sector who will tackle some of the industry’s biggest challenges and opportunities. ScaffEx25 is expected to attract a broad audience from across the UK and beyond, reinforcing its reputation as the must-attend event for anyone involved in scaffolding and access. Get your free tickets now at: https://nasc.org.uk/product-category/scaffex-2025/

NASC Expands into Scotland with New Edinburgh Office and Key Appointment

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NASC Expands into Scotland with New Edinburgh Office and Key Appointment
The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has opened a new office in Edinburgh and appointed a dedicated Business Development Manager to strengthen its presence across Scotland and Northern Ireland. Lloyd McKenzie takes up the newly created role, bringing with him decades of experience as a CISRS Advanced Scaffolder, scaffolding manager, and technical authority. His appointment marks a significant step in NASC’s efforts to support scaffolding businesses and grow its membership in the region. Clive Dickin, Chief Executive of NASC, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Lloyd to the team. We’re committed to growing and developing our presence in Scotland, which remains a vital region for us and scaffolding in the UK. “This is also why we have opened an office in Edinburgh. The arrival of Lloyd is a further boost to our plans for the north and for Scotland and Northern Ireland. He brings experience from his time working as a scaffolder, as well as a deep knowledge of the sector in Scotland, which is unique among UK regions. We look forward to tapping into his experience in sectors like energy, offshore, and renewables.” The creation of a new Scottish base follows increased demand from scaffolding companies for localised support and representation. NASC hopes the move will help build closer relationships with firms across Scotland and Northern Ireland and promote industry standards. Speaking about his new role, Lloyd McKenzie said: “This is such a great opportunity for me to give something back to an industry that I am passionate about. I am, first and foremost, a scaffolder, and that won’t ever change. “NASC is an important part of the UK and global scaffolding and access sector, and I look forward to helping to develop NASC across Scotland and in Northern Ireland. The message today is that NASC North is open, and we are ready to support the industry.” The Edinburgh office is now open and will act as a regional hub for NASC activity in the north.

ScaffPlan Returns to ScaffChamp 2025 with Innovation in Tow

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ScaffPlan Returns to ScaffChamp 2025 with Innovation in Tow
ScaffPlan has confirmed its return to ScaffChamp 2025 as a key sponsor, marking its third consecutive year backing the international scaffolding skills competition. The event, now powered by Layher, will take place on 6–7 June in Lithuania and is set to feature 20 elite teams from around the world in a two-day contest of speed, precision, and technical skill. Widely regarded as the leading global stage for scaffolding excellence, ScaffChamp has grown into more than just a competition. It has become a gathering point for industry professionals, suppliers, and innovators, promoting best practices, safety, and a renewed focus on technical proficiency. “ScaffChamp is the heart of global scaffolding culture, and we’re thrilled to be part of it again,” said Ben Beaumont, Director of ScaffPlan. “There’s nothing quite like the energy, the camaraderie, and the sheer skill on display. We’re proud to support the industry’s best and to show what the future of scaffolding looks like – smarter, faster, and more connected than ever before.” This year, ScaffPlan will use the event as a platform to unveil major developments in its product offering. Attendees will get an early look at “BOSS”, a new CRM platform explicitly tailored for scaffolding firms. Designed to streamline client management, job tracking, and operations, the tool is expected to play a significant role in digitalising day-to-day scaffolding workflows. In addition, the company will showcase the upcoming ScaffPlan Version 2025—its most significant software update to date, promising new features that aim to improve design accuracy, team collaboration, and project efficiency. With its mix of competition, innovation, and community, ScaffChamp 2025 is again shaping up as a highlight in the scaffolding calendar.

PERI Staff Support Local Foodbank with Generous Donations

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PERI Staff Support Local Foodbank with Generous Donations
Employees at PERI UK’s head office in Rugby have come together to support their local community by collecting and donating food and essential supplies to the Rugby Foodbank. In recent weeks, staff at the construction systems provider have filled collection baskets with items, including pasta, tinned goods, tea bags, and toiletries. Earlier this week, the team handed over the donations to the food bank, which is part of a nationwide network tackling hunger and poverty across the UK. The initiative forms part of PERI’s broader commitment to giving back in 2025, with foodbank support chosen by staff as a key priority during recent internal feedback sessions. Tracy Armstrong, Head of Marketing at PERI UK, said: “In addition to fundraising events for specific charities, one of the most common suggestions from our employees was to support local communities by establishing foodbank collection points. We’re proud to now have donation stations at all five of our UK offices. The work being done by Rugby Foodbank is truly inspiring, and we’re privileged to support their efforts in helping those in need.” PERI says more community-driven efforts are planned throughout the year, including employee-led charity hikes and further local initiatives aimed at widening the company’s social impact.

BSIF Urges Workers to Share Life-Saving PPE Stories

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BSIF Urges Workers to Share Life-Saving PPE Stories
The British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) is calling on workers across the UK to share their personal experiences of how Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) has protected them from serious injury or death. The appeal forms part of the BSIF’s newly launched PPE Saves campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the critical role PPE plays in workplace safety. Used across a wide range of industries, PPE safeguards the body’s most vulnerable areas – including the head, eyes, face, lungs, hands, and feet – and acts as a vital last line of defence when hazards cannot be fully eliminated. To support the campaign, BSIF is encouraging workers, employers, and safety professionals to share real-life stories of how PPE has made a difference. The Federation hopes these accounts will highlight the life-saving potential of protective equipment, promote stronger safety cultures, and encourage wider PPE compliance. Those wishing to participate can use the hashtag #PPEsaves on social media or email their stories directly to [email protected]. BSIF says that by sharing these experiences, workers can help prevent future incidents and potentially save lives. More details about the campaign can be found at www.bsif.co.uk.

STA Issues Open Letter Urging Pause to CISRS Reforms

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STA Issues Open Letter Urging Pause to CISRS Reforms
The Scaffolding Training Alliance (STA) has issued a detailed open letter to the industry, calling for an immediate pause to planned changes to the CISRS training scheme and raising concerns over governance, consultation, and transparency. Scaffmag has seen the 11-page letter, which was shared with us and posted on social media. In it, the STA says it is not a breakaway group and does not intend to replace CISRS, but instead represents a not-for-profit network of existing CISRS-approved training providers. While the STA claims to represent multiple centres across the UK, the identities of its member training providers still remain undisclosed. The Alliance claims recent reforms and proposed changes have been implemented without meaningful consultation and warns of a “top-down directive” approach by NASC and CISRS leadership. Key concerns raised in the letter include:
  • Reduced training centre specifications set to take effect from 1 June
  • Poor communication with providers
  • Governance changes that the STA says undermine balanced oversight
  • Delays in card processing and customer service
  • A lack of transparency around decision-making and survey results
The STA is now urging NASC and CISRS to pause reforms, re-establish proper industry dialogue, and clarify the governance and ownership of the CISRS scheme.

ScaffCon 2025 Scrapped as Association Plans Bigger Return in 2026

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ScaffCon 2025 Scrapped as Association Plans Bigger Return in 2026
The Scaffolding Association has confirmed to Scaffmag that it will not be holding its annual conference (ScaffCon) in 2025, but plans are already in motion for a return in 2026. Following what it described as a “tremendous success” in 2024, the Association said the decision to pause the annual industry event for a year was made to allow time to evolve and enhance the format. In a statement, the Association said: “ScaffCon24 was a tremendous success, with exceptional engagement from across the scaffold and access industry, from insightful speaker sessions to the addition of our new evening dinner dance, which was widely praised by delegates and sponsors alike. While we won’t be holding ScaffCon25, plans are already underway for ScaffCon26, which we’re confident will build on the momentum and feedback from 2024.”
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Robert Candy, Chief Executive of the Scaffolding Association
Robert Candy, Chief Executive of the Scaffolding Association, said the move will allow the team to build an even stronger offering for future events: “ScaffCon24 exceeded all expectations, from the quality of discussion to the energy in the room. The feedback from our members and stakeholders has been overwhelmingly positive. While we won’t be holding ScaffCon25, this pause allows us to evolve and enhance the event for the future.” He added that the Association will now focus on other key initiatives, including the return of National Scaffolding Week in October 2025, which he described as a growing celebration of the industry’s people and progress. Scaffmag will share further updates as plans for ScaffCon26 take shape.

Scaffold firm supports historic Glasgow church restoration

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Scaffold firm supports historic Glasgow church restoration
One of Scotland’s leading scaffolding providers is playing a central role in the restoration of a historic church in Glasgow’s West End. JR Scaffold Services has been tasked with providing specialist access solutions at St Peter’s Church in Partick, a B-listed building currently undergoing a significant renovation. Around 3,000 square metres of Cuplok scaffolding have been erected around the site in phases, enabling roof, stonework and window repairs over the 20 to 40-week project. The work is being carried out on behalf of John Fulton Plumbing & Roofing, who secured the renovation contract from property consultants Brown & Wallace. Due to the complex structure and sensitive location of the church, JR Scaffold worked closely with third-party scaffold engineers to develop a detailed access plan before installation. The external works were complemented by over 20 aluminium towers inside the church, designed to give safe access to internal ceiling and window areas. With the building remaining an active place of worship, the internal scaffolds are dismantled each weekend and reassembled on Mondays by JR Scaffold’s light access team, allowing services to continue uninterrupted. Alistair McKay, Contracts Manager at JR Scaffold Services, said: “This has been a fantastic project to have been involved in from the start. Everything from the detailed design process to the logistical challenges of working in an active church has made it incredibly rewarding. “We’re proud to be supporting the restoration of such an important community landmark.” The project is part of wider efforts to preserve and modernise key historic sites in Glasgow, ensuring they continue to serve local communities for generations to come.

Scaffolder Burned in Incident at Hartlepool Nuclear Power Station

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Scaffolder Burned in Incident at Hartlepool Nuclear Power Station
A scaffolder has been injured in an electrical incident at Hartlepool Nuclear Power Station, prompting regulatory action against the plant’s operator. The incident occurred on 20 February, when the scaffolder erected scaffolding to access a wall heater inside the reactor hall. During the work, the individual came into contact with a damaged light fitting and sustained a minor burn to the back of the neck. The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), which investigated the incident, has issued an improvement notice to EDF, which operates the site. Mike Webb, head of the ONR’s operating reactors sub-directorate, said EDF had identified the faulty light fitting in October 2024, but had failed to properly assess the health and safety risks it posed. “Our investigation into the incident showed that EDF had identified the defective light fitting,” he said. “However, EDF had not correctly assessed the health and safety risks associated with the damaged light fitting, resulting in the injury to the worker.” In response, EDF said it had reminded staff of the importance of pre-work risk assessments and had taken steps to strengthen its electrical safety procedures. A spokesperson for the company said: “We have taken steps to tighten electrical safety procedures and reminded teams of the need for thorough risk assessments before starting work.” To comply with the improvement notice, EDF must now ensure it has suitable arrangements in place to assess risks linked to known equipment defects. The ONR said it would continue to monitor the company’s progress.
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