HSE statistics show workplace stress, depression and anxiety on the rise

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HSE statistics show workplace stress, depression and anxiety on the rise

Statistics published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show improvement in some areas but also show concerning trends in workplace stress, depression and anxiety.

The latest statistics published by the HSE which include work-related ill health and non-fatal workplace injuries, show that 1.8 million workers suffered from a work-related illness in the period 2021-2022, up from 1.7 million the previous year. Over fifty percent of these cases are related to stress, depression, or anxiety.

Data shows that there were 123 workers killed in the same period and that 565,00 workers sustained a non-fatal injury up from 441,000 the previous year.

The construction industry has the highest level of fatalities of any sector – 30 in total.

HSE’s Chief Executive, Sarah Albon, said: “Stress and poor mental health is the number one cause of work-related ill health. The effects of stress, depression, and anxiety can have a significant impact on an employee’s life and on their ability to perform their best at work. “Britain is one of the safest places in the world to work but we need all employers to do more and take seriously their responsibilities to support good mental health at work. That’s why improving mental health in the workplace is a key priority in our 10-year strategy ‘Protecting People and Places’, and why we’re developing new partnerships across industry to help employers support their employees.”

Industry Reaction

Robert Candy, Chief Executive of the Scaffolding Association said; “Almost a quarter of all workplace fatalities occur as a result of falls from height, which remains the single largest contributing factor – 29 for the period 2021-2022 and 29 too many.

Further, with over 50% of work-related ill health cases being a result of stress, depression or anxiety indicates a rapidly growing trend that employers must get to grips with to ensure employees are being offered the support they need.

Statistics published by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) earlier this year suggest that in construction (a typically male dominated industry) that men are three times more likely to die by suicide than national average men. That equates to another 700 deaths every year in construction.”

To see the HSE statistics and statement in full see here.

Award winning success for JDC Scaffolding

Daniel Norton
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Award winning success for JDC Scaffolding
After three consecutive years of being NASC finalists, JDC Scaffolding have finally been awarded the accolade of Project of the Year (Medium) for its incredible work at the Annexe Building in London. Hertfordshire-based JDC Scaffolding is celebrating its success after its project at the Annexe Building, Smithfield Market was deemed the best in its category at the recent NASC Awards 2022. The national scaffolding trade body awarded JDC for its highly technical and design-intensive project that’s helping with the restoration of what’s been called the ‘last ruin in London’ and will ultimately be the new Museum of London. Built-in the late 1800s the Annexe Building compromises of two main buildings; the Red House which was one of the first cold stores in the world and the triangular Fish Market both of which had been left derelict since 1983. The whole building is constructed over a network of tunnels and basements, including two main Thameslink rail lines. Working for main contractors McLaughlin & Harvey, JDC deployed a series of complex designed scaffolding structures across the project to allow restoration works that included shoring, protection and general scaffolding access.   This allowed contractors to make the building safe, clean the external masonry, replace internal timbers, replace the roof coverings and alter the internal layout. The NASC said: “The project highlighted JDC’s design capabilities and the depth of its engineering knowledge. The design development was an intense process and carried out in difficult communication circumstances during a pandemic.” Sam Sufferin, SHEQ Advisor for McLaughlin & Harvey added: “JDC has demonstrated excellent standards of safety performance throughout their time on the COL Annexe project to date. On what is an extremely intricate site, they have designed, constructed and maintained complex scaffolding systems with H&S at the forefront.” Phil Welham, Business Development Director at JDC Scaffolding said: “JDC Scaffolding were proud to receive the Project of the Year (Medium) award at the NASC Awards. We were up against some unbelievably tough opposition, but the judges thought that our submission, for this technically challenging project, was worthy of the award.  Our very strong and loyal team have stuck together, with hard work and self-belief it is amazing what you can achieve.”

NASC Appoints Youngest Ever President

Daniel Norton
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NASC Appoints Youngest Ever President
NASC, the national trade body for scaffolding and access in the UK has appointed its youngest-ever president since it was established back in 1945. David Brown, Managing Director of IBN Scaffold Access Ltd has become NASC’s newest and youngest president. He takes over the helm from Lynn Way of Chris Sedgeman Scaffolding Ltd after three years’ service to the confederation. Aged just 36, the Barnsley-based MD is incredibly passionate about the NASC, its industry-leading guidance and its 450+ members. With his two-year term, he aims to debunk the stigma that some believe that the NASC is an ‘elite old boys club to wynd down the years before retirement,’ or that it’s just for medium to large scaffolding companies with huge profits. “The NASC has shown me that it doesn’t matter who you are, what member company you work for or what size company you represent, the NASC is open and accessible to all,” Brown said in his inaugural speech at the NASC’s recent AGM in London. His comments seemed to resonate with those NASC members attending the AGM as he outlined his core objectives as President at the Westminster Park Plaza hotel on Friday.
David Brown, Managing Director of IBN Scaffold Access Ltd has become NASC’s newest and youngest president.
David Brown addresses NASC members at its AGM on Friday.
Brown’s primary focus will be supporting NASC member companies through the labour and skills shortages the industry is currently facing. He aims to provide its members with massive training grants ‘on a scale that has not been offered before.’ “We must recruit new starters into the industry. We rely on new blood coming into Scaffolding to keep this amazing trade going.  As well as recruiting new starters it is vital that we address the skills shortages within the Industry and that NASC members continue to train and up-skill their workforce,” Brown said. The Environment is also something he is very passionate about; he intends to help the NASC fully support and guide the membership on reaching Carbon Net Zero by 2050. The NASC will be providing extensive guidance on this and access to further information before it becomes a core membership criteria in the future.
“Our members don’t just pay for a badge and then buy guidance from elsewhere. NASC members are the leaders in our Industry.”
NASC’s new President made some bold announcements

Bold Words

Besides Brown’s Net Zero goals for members and tackling the industry’s labour shortages, he is extremely passionate about main contractors insisting on only using NASC member companies. And he made a bold announcement at the AGM that some in the wider industry may find controversial. During his term as President, he is going to fully support the confederation in promoting ‘NASC only’ to all main contractors, clients, local authorities and even the Government. “Over recent years the criteria from main contractors have changed. ‘NASC Member Companies Only’ used to be the criteria on PQQ documents issued. During my term as President, we need to get back to this”, he said. “My message to main contractors is simple… “Do you want to employ scaffolding contractors who help produce the industry guidance and set the standard for the scaffolding industry?  Do you want to employ the scaffolding contractors who year after year and reducing their accident statistics and improving the industry? Do you want safe and compliant companies working on your projects? Do you want scaffolding companies who are fully audited and who are using materials fully in accordance with NASC product purchasing guidelines? “Only by employing a NASC member company do you get this as a minimum.” 

Fawley oil refinery scaffolders strike over pay

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Fawley oil refinery scaffolders strike over pay
Scaffolders and other workers at Fawley oil refinery have walked out on a two-week strike over poor pay.
Workers at the UK’s biggest oil refinery in Southampton had hoped for a last-minute deal to prevent industrial action. Members of Unite and the GMB union that include scaffolders, welders, pipefitters, boilermakers and mechanical fitters working on the site are taking part in the strike.

The union said the refinery’s employers had not formally given an offer it could put to its members.

Bryan Hulley, GMB organiser said to the BBC that Altrad, Bilfinger and their client ExxonMobil were “solely responsible for this walkout”.

“Despite the promises that they will make an offer to our members, we are yet to get a formal offer on the table,” he continued.

An ExxonMobil spokesperson said: ”This action involves trade union members employed by contracting companies operating onsite. Operations at Fawley are unaffected and we do not anticipate any impact on fuel supplies to customers.”

The spokesperson for the oil and gas company added that “industrial action is not in anyone’s interest” and urged the trade unions and employers to work together to reach a resolution.

Bilfinger said in a statement it understood the company was one of a group of contractors with employees taking part in the industrial action. “We are working closely with our employees and the unions to resolve this as soon as possible.”

The union says it has also issued notice of a further two weeks of action to follow.

Scaffolder football fan shaves chest and back for World Cup

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Scaffolder football fan shaves chest and back for World Cup
A football-mad scaffolder has shaved his chest and back to show support for England in the World Cup while raising awareness for a mental health charity. Scaffolder and West Ham fan Alfie Callagher-Roberts, 25, shaved his chest hair into the shape of the St George’s cross and dyed it red ahead of England’s first game on Monday where the Three Lions thrashed Iran 6 – 2. The PDC Scaffolding Ltd employee aims to visit pubs during the World Cup with his man-sculpted flag proudly on display. There is however a serious side to his antics. Alfie is hoping to raise awareness of the charity Construction Sport, which aims to tackle the spiralling suicide rates within the industry by using exercise as a vehicle to get men to open up about their feelings.
Credit: guardian-series.co.uk
  Speaking to the Guardian Alfie said: “Football’s definitely coming home. But if it doesn’t, we’re going to have a good time hoping it does. It started out as a joke before and it is a bit of fun, but I am hoping to raise awareness of mental health issues in construction.” His boss Paul Casey, who owns Essex-based PDC Scaffolding, is a major sponsor of the charity and they often take each other on in five-a-side football matches. The charity was set up by groundworker Steve Kerslake, who wants to change the way the industry deals with the mental health of its workers. Government figures show there is a higher rate of suicide among men working in construction than any other industry – at an alarming rate of almost two suicides per working day. “I want to raise awareness that there are charities out there that people can talk to and encourage people to take up the sport, Alfie said. Steve found that by introducing a football to a group of construction workers it immediately created a common ground where a conversation could start. Alfie added: “In scaffolding, we’re in the van together for a long time, we’re all on first-name terms, we know each other, it’s a bit easier to open up. “On construction sites with 50 other blokes, it’s not as easy. Steve’s doing a really good thing to try to change that and I’m trying to help spread that message. “I’ll be watching the games with my top off and going around with Three Lions blaring out of my van as world cup fever starts to take grip. “If someone comes and sees me in the pub with my top off, they might ask what that’s all about and I can tell them. It’s about creating that conversation, like what Steve is doing.” You can follow Alfie’s World Cup antics at www.tiktok.com/@thefurryfootballfan. Visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/world-cup-antics-fund? to donate to his cause.  

Winners unveiled at NASC Awards 2022

Daniel Norton
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Winners unveiled at NASC Awards 2022
Some of the best, and most respected scaffolding firms and members of the scaffolding and access community came together to celebrate in London on Friday for the NASC Annual Ball & Awards 2022. The highly anticipated event was to date the largest-ever annual black-tie Awards and Ball for the national scaffolding trade body. More than 740 guests converged in the capital at the Westminster Bridge Park Plaza Hotel to celebrate the very best the UK scaffolding and access industry has to offer. A drinks reception awaited guests on arrival to this year’s event which focused on its core event theme of ‘Think Sustainability’ in line with one of the NASC’s objectives under newly appointed NASC President David Brown. Drinks were followed by a fine-dining three-course meal and live music. Those in attendance were thoroughly entertained by online viral sensation, Troy Hawke who took up the Master of Ceremonies duty for the evening. However, guests were bowled over and amazed by the surprise appearance of TV megastar and award-winning children’s novelist, David Walliams who hosted the Awards.

NASC Award Winners & Runners-up

Apprentice of the Year 1 Louie Peebles – JMAC Scaffolding Ltd (Winner) 2 Trenai Munnings – Lyndon SGB by BrandSafway (UK) (Runner-up) Health & Safety (Small) 1 Shield Services Group (Winner) 2 MR Scaffolding Services Ltd (Runner-up) Health & Safety (Large) 1 KAEFER UK & Ireland Ltd (Winner) 2 Connect Scaffolding Ltd (Runner-up) Innovation of the Year 1 Layher Ltd (UK) – TwixBeam (Winner) 2 PERI – EVOTOP (Runner-up) President’s Award 1 GKR Scaffolding Ltd (Winner) 2 JFE Attridge Scaffolding Services Co Ltd (Runner-up) Project of the Year (Small) 1 INFRASTRUCTURE SITE SERVICES LIMITED – Swaith Viaduct Refurbishment, Barnsley 2 Shield Services Group – Prince Charles Hospital, Merthyr Tydfil Project of the Year (Medium) 1 JDC Scaffolding – Annexe Building, Smithfield 2 Chris Sedgeman Scaffolding Limited – Geevor Tin Mine, Pendeen Project of the Year (Large) 1 PHD Access – HMS Victory, Portsmouth 2 Enigma Industrial Services Ltd – Cameron House Restoration, Loch Lomond Acting NASC Managing Director, Dave Mosley, said: “It’s been another fantastic NASC Ball and Awards. The event grows year on year and has been established as a real highlight in the scaffolding and access industry calendar. A big thanks to all those involved in organising this event, with a special mention to event organiser (& NASC Membership Manager), Jamie McGuire who has had to oversee each aspect of this very special occasion. “Congratulations to the winners, runners-up and indeed all those nominated for an award this year, the standard as always was incredibly high – which is what the NASC is all about of course. It’s an excellent way of giving recognition to everybody’s hard work, it is something to be proud of and can only enhance their reputations and credibility with the wider industry.”

TRAD Group presents cheque for £35K to Anthony Nolan

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TRAD Group presents cheque for £35K to Anthony Nolan
The TRAD Group has presented a cheque for £35,000 to Anthony Nolan, the Group’s chosen charity for 2022 in memory of the late John Paterson. Having originally set a target of ‘£22k for 2022’, the company has been delighted by the generosity of its workforce, customers, suppliers and others in the industry, taking the total to well over that target. This year’s charity campaign has been in memory of John Paterson, a much-loved figure within the industry, and a director at TRAD for many years. John and his wife Jane were supported by Anthony Nolan when John was ill, and have been involved with many of TRAD’s fundraising events. Anthony Nolan is the charity that makes lifesaving connections between people with blood cancer and incredible strangers ready to donate their stem cells. Alongside this they also fund ground-breaking research, and provide the best post-transplant care – something that can make a huge difference to the lives of those living with blood cancers and disorders. The best donors are aged 16-30, and young men are really needed to come forward as they only make up 18% of the register but provide 55% of the stem cell donation. TRAD’s fundraising will help the Trust to recruit new donors and support families. “We rely on fundraising to help us with all the important work we do – from research to family support,” said Bianca Joyce (Head of Corporate Partnerships) from Anthony Nolan. “We are delighted with this exceptional fundraising from TRAD Group, which will make a real difference to our work, and shows how highly regarded John was among his friends and colleagues.” TRAD organised a number of key fundraising events, including the Surrey Three Peaks Challenge, the Great North Run and a golf day at Gleneagles – John’s home club. Alongside these events, all TRAD’s depots and offices organised ongoing fundraising events to help beat the target. “John was such a personality in TRAD and in the wider industry,” said Des Moore, CEO at TRAD Group. “He is still sorely missed in the company and we all have stories and happy memories of our time with him. It has been an honour to spend this year supporting Jane and fundraising for the charity that gave them both so much help. I want to thank all the TRAD teams, customers, suppliers and others who so generously donated to our campaign this year.” “Anthony Nolan supported John and I through our toughest times,” commented Jane Paterson. “It has meant so much to me and our families that TRAD has raised so much money in his memory. He would be bowled over by the kind words, support and fundraising from all his friends at TRAD, and I can’t thank them enough.”

Who’s up for an award at the NASC Awards 2022?

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Who’s up for an award at the NASC Awards 2022?
With the 2022 NASC Ball & Awards just around the corner, we look at who is up for a possible award at the highly anticipated event in London. The huge annual scaffolding event which is taking place at Westminster Bridge Park Plaza Hotel, London on Friday 18 November showcases the very best scaffolding projects, processes, products and personnel. After weeks of careful consideration by the NASC Awards judging panel, comprising experienced construction industry professionals, the shortlist for this year’s NASC Awards has been confirmed.

NASC Awards Shortlist

Apprentice of the Year Louie Peebles (JMAC Scaffolding Ltd) Lee Benson (Lyndon SGB) Trenai Munnings (Lyndon SGB) Mason Gill (SRK Scaffolding Ltd) Health and Safety (Large) Actavo UK Ltd Bilfinger UK Ltd Connect Scaffolding Ltd KAEFER Ltd Health and Safety (Small) Chris Sedgeman Scaffolding Ltd MR Scaffolding Services Ltd Shield Services Group Ltd Innovation of the Year Benchmark Scaffolding Ltd – Benchmark App Layher Ltd – Twix Beam Lyndon SGB – QuickDeck PERI Ltd – Evotop NASC President’s Award (this year celebrating members’ sustainability and environmental achievements) GKR Scaffolding Ltd JFE Attridge & Sons Ltd Liddiard Scaffolding Ltd Tubes Scaffolding Ltd Project of the Year (Large) Bilfinger UK (Claymore CAP) Enigma Industrial Services Ltd (Cameron House, Loch Lomond) KAEFER Ltd (Hinkley Point C) PHD Modular Access Ltd (HMS Victory, Portsmouth) Project of the Year (Medium) Apex Scaffolding (Exeter) Ltd (Wheal Betsy, Mary Tavy) Chris Sedgeman Scaffolding Ltd (Geevor Tin Mine, Pendeen) Connolly Scaffolding Ltd (The Printworks, Manchester) JDC Scaffolding (Annexe Building, Smithfield) Project of the Year (Small) Infrastructure Site Services Ltd (Swaithe Viaduct Refurbishment) Shield Services Group Ltd (Prince Charles Hospital, Merthyr Tydfil) SAY Scaffolding (Northern) Ltd (Hull Maritime Museum) TR Scaffolding (Bristol) Ltd (M5, J11 Golden Valley)

Refinery facing disruption as workers balloted over pay

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Refinery facing disruption as workers balloted over pay
Workers based at ExxonMobil’s ethylene plant in Mossmorran, Scotland are set to take part in an industrial action ballot which could threaten production. Around 200 Unite members are employed on construction engineering maintenance contracts. The workforce is split between Altrad, Bilfinger, and Kaefer. The ballot which open yesterday (14 November) and closes on 28 November is a dispute over the level of bonus payments under the NAECI (National Agreement for the Engineering Construction Industry) agreement which covers the workers. The contractors are seeking to secure the maximum bonus of £2.37 an hour under the terms of the NAECI agreement to offset rampant inflation rate which now stands at 12.6 per cent (RPI). The employers, however, have to date refused to pay the bonus. Record profits In October, US oil giant ExxonMobil released its third quarter result showing record earnings of nearly £17.3bn ($20bn). Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Energy companies like ExxonMobil are making record profits of hundreds of billions, yet there is apparently no money available for hard-pressed workers, who are essential to the Mossmorran plant operations.” “Unite’s members are determined to fight for what they deserve especially when and they we see major corporations fanning the flames of rampant profiteering. Our workers will be receiving Unite’s unflinching support.” Disruption expected Due to the nature of the work undertaken by the construction workers any industrial action will result in disruption and delays to the operations at Mossmorran. Bob MacGregor, Unite industrial officer, added: “Unite’s members working for Altrad, Bilfinger, and Kaefer at the Mossmorran plant are angry at being denied what they are owed and deserve under the terms of the NAECI agreement. Any strike action will be entirely of the employers’ own making due to their penny-pinching. They have had every chance to resolve this dispute through negotiation but have chosen not to do so.” Last month, Unite members contracted by Kaefer based at Shell’s Mossmorran plant resolved a separate dispute over pay.

Altrad wins 2-year offshore contract for TotalEnergies

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Altrad wins 2-year offshore contract for TotalEnergies
Altrad has secured a 2-year contract to support the final construction and commissioning phase of the Tyra II gas production platform located 225km off the west coast of Denmark. The multidiscipline services contract will represent over 600,000 manhours supporting the hook-up campaign. Altrad will deliver a range of safety-critical support services including project management, planning and co-ordination, scaffolding, rope access, protective coatings and insulation services, to enable the safe and efficient commissioning of the platform. Peter Hughes, Altrad’s Executive Vice President of Business Development & Strategy said, “We are delighted to have secured this latest contract with TotalEnergies, which builds upon our successful strategic relationship that spans back over several decades. We look forward to working collaboratively with TotalEnergies to deliver, what will be one of the world’s most advanced natural gas facilities”. Once operational, the Tyra redevelopment will meet a dual objective: to build a state-of-the-art facility offering heightened safety and wellbeing for its teams, and to revitalise its production and export capacity at lower emissions, which will ensure continued gas supply contributing to the energy security of Denmark and the EU for decades to come. The award of this contract will significantly increase Altrad’s team in Denmark and the new talented people will be valued and encouraged to develop fulfilling careers, Altrad said. Jens Moerk – CEO of Altrad Services A/S added, “We are extremely pleased to have been awarded this contract by TotalEnergies, which will be delivered in a value enhancing manner – using a combination of our local resources and facilities – and the skills and experience of the wider Altrad Group.”
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