Scaffolding trade body the NASC now has a full complement of regional Vice Chairs through the appointment of Mark Skinner in Scotland & Northern Ireland.
Mark, Technical Director and co-founder at City Access Scaffolding Ltd, brings more than 20 years of scaffolding industry experience to the role, having served his time as a scaffolding apprentice working on the iconic Forth Rail Bridge, and subsequently holding trade, supervisory and management roles on a variety of high-profile projects in the industrial/offshore sector.
Speaking about his position as NASC Vice Chair, he said: “I’m really looking forward to working alongside the Regional Chair, Ronnie Charters, to deliver the best for members across Scotland & Northern Ireland.“I hope to bring a fresh set of eyes with a background from old school and new school scaffolding to help the NASC keep bettering the industry and looking after other scaffolding companies out there.”
Ronnie Charters added: “I’m pleased to have Mark as Vice Chair. He’s someone I know really well, so I know he’ll be a real asset to the region.”
Mark’s appointment means that all five NASC regions now have Chairs and Vice Chairs in place.
NASC Managing Director Robin James said: “It’s great to have a full set of Vice Chairs as this ensures that the members across the UK have two contacts within their region to approach with any questions or suggestions, and also helps with succession planning.”
Tributes have been paid to a well-known scaffolder described as a ‘beautiful soul’ who died suddenly after falling ill whilst working offshore.
Glasgow scaffolder and dad-of-three Alan Carr became unwell whilst working offshore last week and died a few days later on March 31 at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
Alan’s sister Siobhan Byrne told the Daily Record her brother was a ‘beautiful soul’.
She added: “Alan had such a beautiful soul, who touched so many lives. It has been incredible to see how much he meant to everyone.”
Following Alan’s tragic passing his friend Robert Nicholson set up a Go Fund Me page to help pay for funeral costs.
In just three days he has raised over £8,000.
Posting on the fundraising page and speaking about his friend Robert said: “For anyone that new Alan knows he’s one of the nicest guys you could ever meet. He was always happy smiling away, everyone that ever worked with Alan instantly liked him as he had a heart of gold and had time for everyone. He was so well-loved in the construction industry all over the UK.”
“let’s give Alan’s family the love and support they need at this terrible, tragic time.
“Rest in peace AL.”
Friends and family have also left messages of tribute to Alan on the fundraising page.
Ryan Mckenzie said: “See you up in the great gig in the Sky for that game of switch you promised me Alan Double or Quits!! I will miss you pal.”
Michael Sinclair said: “Shared a room with Alan, as people have already said he had a heart of gold and nobody had a bad word to say about him ever, rest easy mate.”
John Cain added: “Had the pleasure in working with Alan and also out with work as a friend. Always had a story, and they were brilliant to listen to. Too many good things to say about the man !. If you knew him then you know where I am coming from. REST IN PEACE ALAN KEEP THE FAITH!”To donate to the fundraiser click here
After having entered into exclusive negotiations with the Engie Group for the acquisition of Endel in August 2021, Altrad has today confirmed the effective acquisition of Endel on April 1st, 2022.
The global company says the agreement has been reached following regulatory approval of the transaction and after consultation with the employee representative bodies.
Endel is a leading French company with expertise and know-how in mechanical engineering and metallurgy, with unrivalled capabilities in many sectors, including the nuclear industry.
For Altrad, Endel’s teams will be an important additional asset, as the Group is always looking for qualified people with solid experience.
In a statement Altrad said it will continue to invest in Endel’s success in the enlarged structure, to develop the skills of the teams, the Group’s network in France and its international activities.
Mohed Altrad, President of the eponymous group, stated: “All the conditions were in place for this operation to take place under the best possible conditions. I am delighted with this new combination: Endel’s activities are highly complementary to those of Altrad and our objective in working together is to create value, not only for our clients but also for our teams, by giving them the means to implement a structured and viable long-term strategic plan. Our confidence in this transaction is based first and foremost on Endel’s skilled and qualified employees, for whom we have the utmost respect”.
Ran Oren, Altrad’s Co-CEO, added: “Altrad is pleased to welcome Endel within our Group. This is an important step and a major operation for us. We are all very enthusiastic about the idea of being able to build, with the Endel teams, a solid project for a sustainable future, over the long term. Besides, this is one of the most significant steps in Altrad’s evolution in recent years”.
Over the last 12 months, Altrad has completed a significant number of acquisitions, adding over €1 billion to its turnover worldwide. In the coming years, the Group have said it will continue to integrate new companies seamlessly, while generating value and developing and diversifying its portfolio of services and products.
Fast-growing national scaffolding, brickwork, and drywall business, Phoenix Brickwork, has announced its intention to create a state-of-the-art training academy for apprentices in Derbyshire.
Chairman of Phoenix Brickwork, Christian Watson, said the Phoenix Brickwork Training Academy, which is in the early stages of planning and development, will invest in young people who have a passion to work in scaffolding, drylining and bricklaying.
Christian Watson Phoenix Chairman
He believes the new facility will boost the number of Derbyshire-based teenagers taking up apprenticeships and wanting to launch their careers in the industry.
Christian said: “It is my ambition to see more youngsters learn real, practical skills in scaffolding, drylining and bricklaying. Some people find academic study a struggle, but they often thrive when they learn on the job.“Establishing a Phoenix Brickwork Training Academy means we can invest in our industry and provide young people with genuine trade skills, and not just a certificate.”
Apprenticeships are now a popular career option for young people and for Dylan Tewson, Oliver Thomas and Jordan Crofts, starting at Phoenix Brickwork has changed their lives – and their outlook on employment – for the better.
The trio make up a cohort of 20 apprentices at Pinxton-based Phoenix Brickwork.
Dylan Tewson, 21, is a trainee Quantity Surveyor at Phoenix and loves learning on the job. He says he is most excited about getting a degree and becoming a fully qualified Quantity Surveyor with ambitions to advance into a commercial manager role.
Apprentice Dylan Tewson“Working for Phoenix has been good for me,” said Dylan. “I joined Phoenix to gain more knowledge and practical experience in the job, and I fitted in straight away. I really enjoy being an apprentice. This opportunity provides me with hands-on experience and I’m earning money.”
A positive attitude and a genuine desire to work is why Oliver Thomas, 21, is another success story at Phoenix. He says he is excited about gaining recognised practical qualifications, furthering his knowledge, and starting his career.
“What I love most about Phoenix is learning a variety of different skills and working alongside experienced tradesmen who are willing to pass on their knowledge to me.”
Jordan Crofts, 22, joined the team of apprentices in November 2021, and is determined to progress at Phoenix Brickwork.
Apprentice Jordan Crofts
He said: “I really love working on site and getting involved in different tasks. Having support from the team and gaining knowledge from Site Managers and Bricklayers is so beneficial.”
Christian Watson said: “It is so encouraging to read what our current apprentices have to say – after all, with the disturbing decline in experienced tradespeople in our industry, mainly due to retirement, they are our future, and my mission is to ensure the trade has a strong pool of tried-and-tested talent.”
TRAD Group’s TG20-compliant units allow contractors to partially systemise traditional tube and fitting structures.
TRAD UK is well-known for its innovative approach to scaffolding products, which are designed to help scaffolding contractors to work more safely whilst also saving time and money on projects.
This is certainly the case with its prefabricated transom units, which offer both safety improvements over traditional transoms, and time efficiencies in terms of labour needed on site. These transoms, used in conjunction with of traditional tube and fitting, in most instances allow contractors to leave out ledger-to-ledger bracing, allowing unimpeded access at platform level.
TRAD prefabricated transom units come in three types:
TRAD prefabricated TG20 compliant structural transom units (commonly known as Readylok Transoms)
TRAD prefabricated intermediate extending transom units with wedge fittings
TRAD prefabricated intermediate extending transom units
With no specific British or European Standard available for transoms, TRAD has ensured that these products are approved under the NASC TG20 requirements and comply with the NASC Product Code of Practice audit process standards, verified by an independent auditor.
For the intermediate transoms, which are not covered by NASC TG20 requirements, TRAD UK has also engaged a rigorous testing and validation regime, using an independent Test House with all results verified by an independent Chartered Consulting Engineer, giving scaffolding contractors and the end-user confidence in the quality and safety aspects of these critical components.
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Key benefits of TRAD’s transom units include:
Strength –TG20 compliant, the structural transom units are typically stronger and more robust than traditional transoms fixed with couplers.
Speed – the integrated fittings allow for faster and simpler connections, saving time on site.
Compatibility – transoms can be used in conjunction with traditional tube, fittings and boards, giving contractors complete flexibility.
Cost savings – the lack of loose components, coupled with the protective zinc coating make the transoms easy to use and exceptionally cost effective. Investing in these transoms gives contractors flexibility without having to invest in a full system scaffold.
TRAD’s prefabricated transom units are available for sale or hire from its depots around the UK: London, Andover, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Glasgow.
The makers of HP Sauce have announced it intends to remove the scaffolding from its famous label showing Big Ben covered in scaffolding.
The iconic logo on brown sauce bottles was changed in May 2019 to reflect the ongoing restoration work to the world-famous clock tower.
Now nearly three years on, and as the scaffolding works to the clock tower is nearly complete and dismantled, HP Sauce owners Kraft Heinz have said its logo will no longer show the scaffolding on Big Ben.
Bosses at HP – which accounts for around three-quarters of the brown sauce market in the UK – say the first-ever design change to their bottle will be phased out imminently.
The complex Layher system scaffold surrounding Big Ben was erected in 2017 by PHD Modular Access but is due to be completely removed within the next month.
HP which is short for Houses of Parliament sauce was invented in 1870 by greengrocer Frederick Gibson Garton, before being officially registered in 1896, when MPs started using the condiment in Parliament.
HP Sauce new and old label
A spokesman for the company said: “Following the announcement from the House of Commons that the gantry is to be removed, HP Sauce announces it will remove the scaffolding from its label too.
‘Since May 2019, glass HP Sauce bottles have displayed the Elizabeth Tower covered with scaffolding, to present an honest view of the restoration work that’s been taking place.
‘With the scaffolding set to be removed in late March and April, HP Sauce labels will be restored to their original glory too.
‘The label change in 2019 was the first-ever design change to the famous bottle in 123 years and now there’s only a limited time left to secure a dollop of history.”
Clara Monksfield, of HP Sauce added: “The Elizabeth Tower, home to Big Ben, has adorned our label for over a century, so it was only right for us to update our label back in 2019, reflecting history as it happened to the most-Instagrammed landmark in London!
‘We were delighted to hear the news that the scaffolding will soon be taken down – four years after the structure was first enclosed for the restoration project.
‘As a celebrated sauce tied with these iconic landmarks, we’ll remove the scaffolding from our bottles too and show these fantastic landmarks in all their original glory once more.”
HP Sauce bottles featuring the scaffolding will remain in shops while stocks last.
National training provider Boss Training Ltd has announced a partnership with PLT training to provide new facilities for trainees.
The partnership will see the relocation of Boss Training’s current Wednesbury training centre into more modern facilities at Showell Road in Wolverhampton, currently operated by PLT Training.
The move means that Wolverhampton will have a one-stop-shop for a huge variety of health and safety training courses, with Boss Training bringing its first-rate IPAF, PASMA, UKATA and CITB Training Courses to the centre. PLT Training currently offers NEBOSH, Confined Spaces, Forklift and First Aid training courses.
Boss Training Managing Director Andrew says,“We are very much looking forward to moving into such a thriving area as Wolverhampton and excited at the opportunities this will bring.“PLT are a fantastic company with a similar outlook to ourselves. With a combined 60+ years in the construction industry, we will be able to offer customers old and new an even greater level of service and a wider range of courses.”
By forming the partnership, Boss Training Ltd are bringing better facilities to their trainees, where they will deliver vital manufacturing and construction industry training.
The opportunities for upskilling staff at local firms will be improved in an area where development is on the rise.
Wolverhampton has seen a wealth of new developments in recent months, including the Brewers Yard regeneration project in Culwell Street, which will see 300 new homes for the area, the rejuvenation of Heath Town Estate where 200 new homes will be created, and eight tower blocks will be improved.
In addition, the refurbishment of Bond House will create 34 supported living apartments and services for individuals with a history of rough sleeping and homelessness.
The Showell Road training centre will provide purpose-built classrooms and fantastic transport links for people from the wider West Midlands area to access the training offered by Boss Training and PLT Training.
Boss Training will move into its new space at Showell Road on April 1st 2022.
A team of scaffolders from Brighton have shown support for Ukraine as the unprovoked war continues in the country.
Workers from Yates scaffolding have wrapped one of their latest jobs in blue and yellow netting to mirror the Ukrainian flag. The huge netting flag covers the full scaffold erected for refurbishment work on a pub in London Road, Brighton.
Credit: The Argus
Speaking to The Argus, Alfie Yates founder of Yates Scaffolding said: “A project in the centre of Brighton like that, we thought we’d do a little tribute for all the Ukrainian people living in our city.”“It’s just a nice little touch.”
The pub is one of the first landmarks people see when travelling into the city.
“We had to order the ‘Brighton stands with Ukraine’ banner on the front. But we didn’t want to upset anybody, so I did have to ask the painter and the landlord of pub, and they ok’d it and said it was really good.”Credit: The Argus
The project took approximately 12 days to complete and has already received a fantastic response from residents, and people visiting the area.
It will remain in place for around six weeks for the duration of the outer refurbishment.
Scaffolders and other construction workers in crisis are being urged to use a new free counselling service that has been set up by a national builders charity, after its inaugural Big Brew fundraising campaign raised enough cash to run the service for the next two years. Band of Builders (BoB) is reaching out to tradespeople who are experiencing anxiety, depression, loneliness, relationship issues, self-harm, feeling suicidal or any other trauma to encourage them to take the all-important first step of seeking help, which is tailored for those in the construction industry.
Tradespeople can self-refer themselves through the charity’s website and receive confidential counselling in person (dependent on location), by phone or online via a video call service such as Microsoft Teams or Zoom.
Band of Builders – a registered charity which helps members of the UK construction industry battling illness or injury through the completion of practical projects carried out by volunteers using donated materials – is also funding the training of 150 mental health awareness courses – designed primarily for builders merchants staff across the UK, as they are often the first line of support for tradespeople.
The introduction of the counselling service and the drive to make mental health awareness courses available is the charity’s response to tackling the mental health crisis within the construction industry, where the suicide rate of UK construction workers is estimated to be as high as two people every day. UK construction workers are also nearly three times as likely to die by suicide than their counterparts in other industries.
Peter Cape, Big Brew lead at Band of Builders, is keen to encourage any construction worker in need – or even an immediate family member of a tradesperson – to access help and support through the new counselling service.
“Band of Builders has a very active community of nearly 50,000 tradespeople across the UK and they share so many heartbreaking stories of people who are struggling, or facing some very serious situations,” he said. “We hope that our new counselling service can be a real lifeline for people who think they have nowhere else to turn. “Whilst there are some incredible organisations out there doing fantastic work to support people across the spectrum of mental health and wellbeing, we hope that the fact we’re a charity for builders, run by builders, might make it ever so slightly easier for people in crisis to reach out to us.”
Mr Cape also thanked all those who supported the charity’s first inaugural Big Brew event – which was sponsored by Resideo – in October 2021 which raised far more than the charity had hoped for.
“The Big Brew was conceived as a way to encourage tradespeople to open up about their mental health over a cuppa. The builders merchant sector in particular really got behind this and during the month there were nearly 200 events that were hosted across the UK,” he said. “The campaign was run in conjunction with Resideo – and events were held at the likes of Jewson, Talasey, Lords, DEWALT, Graham’s, Plumb Centre, Wolseley and many more – because we know that many tradespeople feel isolated and a visit to a merchant to get materials may be their only human interaction during a day. This is why the funding of mental health first aiders for merchants is equally as important to BoB and because counter staff will be trained to spot telltale signs of builders who are struggling. They can also talk and potentially offer support.”
The counselling service can be accessed from https://bandofbuilders.org/pages/apply-for-help and clicking the Wellbeing Service where there is more information about the service and self-referral form. This is also signposting for people in immediate crisis.
Peter added: “We’d much rather support lots of people who are in crisis, than even just one family who have been left bereaved because a tradesperson has taken their own life.”
Big Brew will be running again this October and BoB has set its sights on doubling the amount of events across the UK, so it can fund even more mental health provision for the construction industry.
Infiniti Scaffolding has kicked off 2022 with a bang winning a series of new scaffolding contracts including projects for Keepmoat Homes, Lindum Homes, and Formes Construction.
Scarborough-based Infiniti Scaffolding has won a contract to scaffold the 94-plot Phase 4 of Keepmoat Homes’ Capella 588-home new build housing development at Middle Deepdale. Infiniti has already completed three phases of the Keepmoat Homes site that is providing two-, three- and four-bedroom semi-detached and detached homes four miles from Scarborough.
In Pickering, Infiniti Scaffolding is working on a Lindum Homes site at Outgang Road for 20 new build flats, semi-detached and townhouses; while on Filey Road, Gristhorpe, the company has been contracted to provide scaffolding for 25 new build two-, three- and four-bedroom bungalows, detached and semi-detached homes, following the 41 plots of Phase 1.
“These wins are another testimony to the hard work and skill of our scaffolders and our investment in training and safety and mark a fantastic start to the new year for us, ” said Joe Naylor, director Infiniti Scaffolding.
The company has recently completed large scaffolding contracts including for Sheffield Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation, Termrim Construction in Scarborough and Filey, the Department for Works and Pensions and William Hare, the UK’s largest independent steel company.
The privately-owned business continues to have a large presence in North Yorkshire working on residential projects for householders and local tradesmen providing a fast and efficient service.
Last year Infiniti Scaffolding won a significant feather in its cap, gaining the coveted National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) Full Contractor Member accreditation, making it the only NASC-approved scaffolder within a 50-mile radius of Scarborough.
Infiniti Scaffolding directors Joe and Lisa Naylor have recently attended the NASC Spring 2022 Regional Meeting held in Durham, and this was the first Regional Meeting of 2022 and was very well attended. Lots of new projects being launched in relation to recruitment and supporting new membership schemes. Take a look at www.nasc.org.uk
As one of the UK’s access and scaffolding national trade body, NASC is regarded as a benchmark for quality, safety, and professionalism, with its accreditation accepted as the highest industry standard by the Health and Safety Executive and other government and public sector bodies.
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Peter Cape, Big Brew lead at Band of Builders, is keen to encourage any construction worker in need – or even an immediate family member of a tradesperson – to access help and support through the new counselling service.
“Band of Builders has a very active community of nearly 50,000 tradespeople across the UK and they share so many heartbreaking stories of people who are struggling, or facing some very serious situations,” he said. “We hope that our new counselling service can be a real lifeline for people who think they have nowhere else to turn.
“Whilst there are some incredible organisations out there doing fantastic work to support people across the spectrum of mental health and wellbeing, we hope that the fact we’re a charity for builders, run by builders, might make it ever so slightly easier for people in crisis to reach out to us.”
Mr Cape also thanked all those who supported the charity’s first inaugural Big Brew event – which was sponsored by Resideo – in October 2021 which raised far more than the charity had hoped for.
“The Big Brew was conceived as a way to encourage tradespeople to open up about their mental health over a cuppa. The builders merchant sector in particular really got behind this and during the month there were nearly 200 events that were hosted across the UK,” he said.
“The campaign was run in conjunction with Resideo – and events were held at the likes of Jewson, Talasey, Lords, DEWALT, Graham’s, Plumb Centre, Wolseley and many more – because we know that many tradespeople feel isolated and a visit to a merchant to get materials may be their only human interaction during a day. This is why the funding of mental health first aiders for merchants is equally as important to BoB and because counter staff will be trained to spot telltale signs of builders who are struggling. They can also talk and potentially offer support.”
The counselling service can be accessed from https://bandofbuilders.org/pages/apply-for-help and clicking the Wellbeing Service where there is more information about the service and self-referral form. This is also signposting for people in immediate crisis.
Peter added: “We’d much rather support lots of people who are in crisis, than even just one family who have been left bereaved because a tradesperson has taken their own life.”
Big Brew will be running again this October and BoB has set its sights on doubling the amount of events across the UK, so it can fund even more mental health provision for the construction industry. 
Peter Cape, Big Brew lead at Band of Builders, is keen to encourage any construction worker in need – or even an immediate family member of a tradesperson – to access help and support through the new counselling service.
“Band of Builders has a very active community of nearly 50,000 tradespeople across the UK and they share so many heartbreaking stories of people who are struggling, or facing some very serious situations,” he said. “We hope that our new counselling service can be a real lifeline for people who think they have nowhere else to turn.
“Whilst there are some incredible organisations out there doing fantastic work to support people across the spectrum of mental health and wellbeing, we hope that the fact we’re a charity for builders, run by builders, might make it ever so slightly easier for people in crisis to reach out to us.”
Mr Cape also thanked all those who supported the charity’s first inaugural Big Brew event – which was sponsored by Resideo – in October 2021 which raised far more than the charity had hoped for.
“The Big Brew was conceived as a way to encourage tradespeople to open up about their mental health over a cuppa. The builders merchant sector in particular really got behind this and during the month there were nearly 200 events that were hosted across the UK,” he said.
“The campaign was run in conjunction with Resideo – and events were held at the likes of Jewson, Talasey, Lords, DEWALT, Graham’s, Plumb Centre, Wolseley and many more – because we know that many tradespeople feel isolated and a visit to a merchant to get materials may be their only human interaction during a day. This is why the funding of mental health first aiders for merchants is equally as important to BoB and because counter staff will be trained to spot telltale signs of builders who are struggling. They can also talk and potentially offer support.”
The counselling service can be accessed from https://bandofbuilders.org/pages/apply-for-help and clicking the Wellbeing Service where there is more information about the service and self-referral form. This is also signposting for people in immediate crisis.
Peter added: “We’d much rather support lots of people who are in crisis, than even just one family who have been left bereaved because a tradesperson has taken their own life.”
Big Brew will be running again this October and BoB has set its sights on doubling the amount of events across the UK, so it can fund even more mental health provision for the construction industry. 
