Elaine SafierLeading training and technology organisation, 3t Energy Group, has appointed Elaine Safier as a non-executive director on the board.
New York-born, Elaine has distinguished herself in the digital arena, having spent her career in senior positions with global companies such as AOL, Cable and Wireless, HSBC and United News and Media helping to create and shape their digital propositions.
Most recently, she was chief digital officer at learning and development business, MindGym where she was responsible for building a new digital e-learning proposition to complement traditional in-person training programmes for its FTSE 100 and S&P100 clients. During this time Elaine built a 100+ strong team from scratch and launched MindGym’s first industry-leading digital coaching product.
Elaine also has considerable experience of building and scaling pure-play digital businesses and disruptive technology companies including Tradedoubler and Atosho.
Since its formation in early 2018, 3t Energy Group has transformed the global training market through its companies, AIS Survivex, Drilling Systems and 3t Transform to become the UK’s largest energy sector training provider and a world-leader in the application of digital technologies into training, such as virtual reality, e-learn, simulation and training management software.
Elaine will be responsible for providing a software as a service (SaaS) experienced perspective to the 3t Energy Group board, as well as adding her extensive business expertise and knowledge to strategic decision-making.
Elaine Safier said: “3t Energy Group is entering a really exciting phase as it builds on the huge tail wind created from increased digital technology adoption in the wake of the pandemic.“The global energy sector is recognising the enormous potential of blended learning and 3t Energy Group is in the unique position of leading the market in both traditional training and innovative training technology. It also has an exciting opportunity to take its offering into other high risk, highly regulated sectors.“This is a fantastic time to join the team. I’m really looking forward to bringing my experience of high growth technology-driven businesses to the table to help 3t as it embarks on the next stage of its inspirational growth journey.”
Chair of the 3t Energy Group Board, Mark Corrigan, added: “I’m delighted to welcome Elaine Safier to the board at 3t Energy Group. She has a proven track record in scaling up and commercialising digital businesses and SaaS models and will strengthen the board’s existing skillset by bringing her own unique perspective. 3t Energy Group has built an unrivalled reputation in the energy training sector and we are excited by the opportunities associated with helping our customers become safer, smarter and more efficient through technology and training. We’re also inspired by challenges such as the energy transition and the over-arching trend towards digitalisation and intend to leverage our proven expertise and offerings to benefit customers in other high risk and high compliance sectors. Elaine’s appointment and experiences will help us accelerate this journey.”
To find out more visit https://3tenergygroup.com/
As the year edges closer to an end, and before we pack up and close for the traditional Christmas break we take a look back at what most attracted your attention during 2021.Daniel Norton – Scaffmag Editor
The last twelve months have been another busy news-filled year for the scaffolding industry as ScaffMag continues to keep you updated with what’s going on. Whether on desktop, mobile, tablet or in our quarterly magazine available in digital and print, we have you covered.
During the holiday season, we will update the site with any major breaking stories but our full news service will be back on 5 January 2022.
We would like to take this opportunity to wish all our valued readers, subscribers and social media followers from around the world a very safe and Merry Christmas and a happy new year.
Also in February our report on Lyndon SGB supplying complex access solutions on one of the most prestigious and largest scaffolding projects in the country got your attention.
Modular scaffolding giants Layher have developed a new hybrid advanced guardrail system that combines the versatility of its leading Allround System with the speed of its STAR system.
A leading UK construction trade body issued a warning in April over spiralling materials costs as a result of disruptions brought about by the twin impact of coronavirus and Brexit.
Scaffolding specialist Alltask Ltd strengthend and extended its capabilities after completing the acquisition of Luton based, EA Scaffolding & Systems Ltd.
A GIANT INFLATABLE RAT has joined British Steel scaffolders and strike campaigners outside a South Shields company.
We hope you have a very merry Christmas and a happy new year, see you in 2022!
Lyndon SGB’s London division has bagged a number of major scaffolding and access contracts on Europe’s largest railway project, the High Speed Two (HS2) rail infrastructure program, at various project sites over the city.
Bosses confirmed yesterday the contracts will last half a decade and will see the UK’s largest scaffolding, hoists and mastclimbers firm, Lyndon SGB, work alongside familiar main contractor clients in the form of HS2’s Main Works Civils Contractor, Skanska Costain STRABAG JV (SCS JV).
Lyndon SGB will be providing scaffolding and access to some of the tunnel works and multiple riser shafts along the length of track between Euston and Ruislip. And the firm will also be invited to tender for any larger scaffolds throughout the SCS JV section of the HS2 route.
The company has a magnitude of experience in the infrastructure and railway sectors and the ability to deploy hundreds of PTS trained operatives on this once in a lifetime project.
Lyndon SGB Managing Director, Stuart Robinson
Lyndon SGB Managing Director, Stuart Robinson said: “HS2 is the most important economic regeneration project in Britain for decades. The construction of HS2 is showing the world the very best of British skills, innovation, and ambition and Lyndon SGB is proud to be a part of that – sustaining and creating jobs, supporting local economies, and growing businesses as we build back better from the pandemic, with a focus on lowering carbon emissions.“Since the start of HS2 works in 2017, Lyndon SGB has been involved in providing scaffolding and access solutions – from overhead lines, to underground works, station and hub environments and more.It’s such an exciting project to be part of and is testament to our company’s high skill levels and vast experience in all the key areas – infrastructure projects, complex special access, first-rate design solutions, health and safety and of course scaffolding brilliance. The sheer scale of our operation and our ability to solve problems as they arise makes us the perfect fit for such a high achieving infrastructure project, where only the best will do.”
Lyndon SGB London Regional Manager, Joe Freaney added: “Our SHEQ department have worked tirelessly with SCS JV on previous projects and have established a level of trust and a working knowledge of their systems that sets us apart. We will be working under the SCS JV umbrella and will have a full team set up and dedicated to this project from site management through design and a fully staffed administration team in the background.We will be utilising the previous experience we gained working with SCS JV on multiple projects at Euston and have established a strong working relationship with them that we will take forward to this next phase of works. We look forward to working together with SCS JV on this flagship project.”
Understood to be the tallest building in Hackney at some 22 storeys, Seaton Point is now undergoing a major EWI rendering refurbishment programme – with the benefit of scaffolding from Layher Ltd.
Installed by Mattison Scaffolding Ltd. for main contractor EQUANS, the residential block is remaining open throughout the works and, as Mattison Scaffolding Contract Manager John Moore explains, is gaining from key features of Layher scaffolding design.
“The need to create clear walkways on all four faces of the building in order to optimise the movement of both workforce and materials has been fully met by the scaffolding system,” he says.
“We were able to erect the structure to the full 62-metre height on two faces to allow the work to commence then follow that through the remaining two sides. The speed and simplicity of this was significantly greater compared with an alternative tube and fitting scaffold, which would have taken longer, and has helped to accelerate the programme.”
He points out that the full scaffolding installation was completed in 16 weeks – two weeks ahead of schedule.
The Layher site stair measuring 2.57m x 2.07m, with wide 0.94m aluminium stair flights, has been installed on the scaffold to provide full access to every level while a materials hoist has also been utilised.
Access decks for additional ladder access also feature while two protective fans have been installed on opposite sides of the building above beams which themselves were installed above ground level access.
The project represents a major investment in Layher equipment by Mattison Scaffolding who approached Layher Hire and Sales specialist Rotamead Ltd. for the supply.
“We have worked with Mattison Scaffolding for many years and also have extensive experience of Layher equipment so the logic of recommending the scaffold for the project was clear-cut,” says Grant Norfolk, Rotamead’s Sales Director.
Mattison has also recently upgraded their transport fleet with Hiab capabilities to complement their new Layher stock.
“This is an extremely impressive installation and one which reflects great credit on all concerned – Mattison Scaffolding and Rotamead,” says Sean Pike, Layher’s UK Managing Director.
“With clear advantages of our system scaffolding design in evidence, we believe the equipment will make a key contribution to the refurbishment programme through the year-long project.”
NASC has been recognised for its crisis management efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The scaffolding and access trade body has been shortlisted for the Trade Association Forum Best Practice award in the Crisis Management (Covid-19 Member Support) category.
The award category recognises trade associations across the board that moved quickly and effectively to safeguard and support their members and the wider scaffolding sector throughout the Coronavirus pandemic.
NASC says its entry focuses on the various ways in which they kept scaffolding sector businesses up-to-date and informed, including the creation and distribution of its daily Covid-19 e-bulletins, the establishment of a dedicated Coronavirus News section of its website, and the production and dissemination of free to download Guidance for Scaffolding Operations during the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, and an associated Toolbox Talk.
Robin James, NASC Managing Director, said: “We are delighted to have been named as a finalist in this category. During the first few months of the pandemic, a lot of often complex information was being announced and implemented by Government on an almost daily basis.“The NASC team worked tirelessly to communicate this information to members and the scaffolding industry at large in a clear and effective way, enabling businesses to make important commercial decisions with confidence. The team also worked proactively to support the scaffolding industry, producing its Guidance for Scaffolding Operations During the Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic and Toolbox Talk of the same name, and regularly reviewing and updating these resources as Government guidance changed.“Beyond that, efforts were made to call each and every NASC Contractor member to gain a better understanding of the challenges they were facing, offer any assistance, and ensure they were aware of the various support streams offered by the Government as well as the new NASC Operational Guidance.“As the trade body for access and scaffolding in the UK, keeping members and indeed non-members informed of ever-changing rules and Government support schemes during the Covid-19 pandemic was of paramount importance to us. I am delighted with how the team stepped up for the scaffolding industry during this unprecedented and extremely challenging period.”
A scaffolder has received serious injuries after a scaffold tube he was lifting hit an overhead power line – sending 48,000 volts through his body.
Steven Gillmore the 36-year-old scaffolder also fell from height following the electric shock. He has remained in hospital in a serious but stable condition since the incident happened in Crawley on November 29.
“The injuries he sustained will result in life-changing conditions”, his partner Vicky Blackman said.
She has been travelling to the burns unit at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital to visit him where he remains receiving treatment.
Doctors are unsure of the severity of his internal burns and how much of his hands and arms are going to survive. But surgeons have said it will be a long and rough road to recovery for Steven.
One of his friends, Kieran Friend, 45, launched a fundraising campaign to help Mr Gilmore’s family as he remains in hospital.
So far over £14,000 has been raised in donations for the scaffolder and his family.
“I’m over the moon with the amount of money raised so far,” Mr Friend said to Kent Online.
“I never knew it would have gotten this high so thank you to all who have put in.“But the more I think about things and his recovery – which is going to take months not weeks – the family will definitely need a lot more money than we have already raised.”To donate to the fundraiser click here.
Millcroft has beaten strong competition to be awarded a five-year programme of scaffolding works for HS2 in central London.
The contract will involve design, installation, adaptations and project management of access and safety scaffolding requirements.
Working for HS2’s Main Works Civils Contractor, Skanska Costain STRABAG JV (SCS JV), Millcroft will leverage the company’s extensive experience in the rail sector to provide bespoke scaffolding solutions for ventilation shafts, head houses, bridges, abutments and tunnelling works.
The full scope of works is yet to be finalised, but Millcroft’s in-house design department will work collaboratively with the client to understand the mission-critical programme and safety requirements at each site and deliver solutions aligned to the needs on construction and engineering teams.
Millcroft will establish a dedicated HS2 team in place for the project, including project management, design and logistics expertise. The move will enable the company to maintain an agile approach to answering the project’s changing needs as the work progresses, supporting industry-leading health and safety standards for SCS JV.
Millcroft has already taken on an additional 10 staff on-site, and are likely to recruit considerably more as the project continues.
The contract win builds on Millcroft’s wide-ranging track record on prestigious rail projects. The company was shortlisted in the Construction News Specialist Awards for its work on the cut line modifications to Euston Station as part of the HS2 terminus infrastructure. Millcroft was also shortlisted in the Health, Safety & Wellbeing Excellence (Project Category) in the 2021 Construction News Awards for the company’s work on the Crossrail Elizabeth Line terminus project at Paddington Station.
The company will also bring previous experience of working with large tunnel boring machines (TBM) to the new HS2 contract, having previously worked for the Align JV on HS2 infrastructure works with the ‘Florence’ and ‘Cecilia’ TBMs.
Billy Jones, managing director of Millcroft commented: “HS2 is the biggest rail project in Europe and the most important UK infrastructure investment in a generation, so we are delighted to be continuing to play a role in delivering this prestigious programme.“Our experience in rail, and specialist knowledge of the challenges and safety considerations it involves, have been instrumental in our success in winning this contract. We will work closely with Costain Skanska Strabag to ensure we respond quickly to site requirements and are proactive in providing design expertise.”
Wages for subcontractors in construction have reached the highest level since December 2019 and the highest on record across many parts of the UK.
According to research by the industy’s biggest payroll firm Hudson Contract found that subbies in London, the South East, the South West and Wales are earning the most.
Average weekly earnings increased by 1.8 per cent to £944 during last month, the highest November pay levels on record. Compared with the same period last year, earnings increased by 4.7 per cent.
Workers in the East Midlands saw average weekly earnings rise to over £1000 per week, a 9% increase on 2020 earnings.
Ian Anfield, managing director of Hudson Contract, said: “Our analysis shows we are back in the normal cycle where people work more hours in the run-up to Christmas. Storms Arwen and Barra may have lost us a few days and contractors are fighting to get the materials they need but we are still within the most productive time of the year. The festive season is coming up and people know January will be slow with bad weather.“The strong performance in the South West and Wales reflects the increasing investment in housing and infrastructure as part of the government’s ‘levelling up’ agenda. In London and the South East, growing demand for new housing and home improvements is feeding through to labour requirements and rates are catching up.“Looking ahead, the removal of the red diesel rebate in April will hit groundworks contractors and quarrying companies the hardest and likely drive up material prices across the construction industry. The smaller and more agile firms on short-term contracts are able to react quickly and put their rates up as are the self-employed.”
November was a particularly good month for surfacing contractors, who enjoyed record earnings at £888 per week – the equivalent of £42,600 per annum.
The Prime Minister announced that England is moving to Plan B following the rapid spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant.
In a live press conference to the nation on Wednesday, Boris Johnson described the move as ‘proportionate and responsible’ which would ‘buy time to get yet more boosters into more arms’.
The government’s Plan B will see the additional restrictions introduced over the next week:
From Friday, the legal requirement to wear a face-covering will be extended to most public indoor venues, although it will not include hospitality settings
From Monday, the guidance to work from home where it is possible to do so will be reintroduced
Daily tests will be introduced for close contacts, rather than a requirement to self?isolate, to minimise disruption.
Following the news conference Build UK quickly urged construction sites to continue to minimise the risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus to keep workers safe and sites open.
Build UK also informed its members the CLC’s Site Operating Procedures and guidance on the Use of Face Coverings in Construction are now under review following the PM’s announcement.
A GIANT INFLATABLE RAT has joined British Steel scaffolders and strike campaigners outside a South Shields company.
Scaffolders and Unite the union has accused Rope Access Trade Solutions of supplying workers to help British Steel break a strike by scaffolders employed by Actavo (UK) at its site in Scunthorpe.
The protest took place outside Rope Access Trade Solutions South Shields address this morning (Wednesday 8 December).
The union has warned British Steel that engaging with the firm could be in breach of criminal law which prevents workers from being supplied to cover the duties of workers engaged in lawful industrial action.
62 scaffolders have been on continuous strike action for 9 weeks in a long-running dispute with their employer Actavo (UK). They are significantly underpaying their workers.
Unite says this breaks a national agreement that sets fair rates for the job and prevents a race to the bottom for construction workers. But Unite says that the client, British Steel, must also take responsibility for this long-running dispute.
Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said: “We believe Rope Access Trade Solutions have been engaged by British Steel specifically to carry out works which would normally be done by our members who are on lawful strike. This may well be in breach of criminal law. We also have evidence that other workers are being pressured into working for British Steel’s scaffolding contractor Actavo. “The workers on strike have their union’s steadfast support. Any attempt to break this strike will be fiercely resisted. My priority is to defend Unite members’ jobs, pay and conditions.“Unite will not allow employers to use strike breakers to help erode workers’ pay. We will fight tooth and nail to stop the race to the bottom.”Striking scaffolders at British Steel. Credit: Twitter/United Scaffs
The dispute, which began in 2019, is a result of the scaffolders not being paid in line with the National Agreement for the Engineering Construction Industry (NAECI).
The rates for the workforce are currently between 10-15 per cent (depending on specific roles) below these rates.
The workers maintain over 500 scaffolding structures at the British Steel site.
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Installed by Mattison Scaffolding Ltd. for main contractor EQUANS, the residential block is remaining open throughout the works and, as Mattison Scaffolding Contract Manager John Moore explains, is gaining from key features of Layher scaffolding design.
“The need to create clear walkways on all four faces of the building in order to optimise the movement of both workforce and materials has been fully met by the scaffolding system,” he says.
“We were able to erect the structure to the full 62-metre height on two faces to allow the work to commence then follow that through the remaining two sides. The speed and simplicity of this was significantly greater compared with an alternative tube and fitting scaffold, which would have taken longer, and has helped to accelerate the programme.”
He points out that the full scaffolding installation was completed in 16 weeks – two weeks ahead of schedule.
The Layher site stair measuring 2.57m x 2.07m, with wide 0.94m aluminium stair flights, has been installed on the scaffold to provide full access to every level while a materials hoist has also been utilised.
Access decks for additional ladder access also feature while two protective fans have been installed on opposite sides of the building above beams which themselves were installed above ground level access.
The project represents a major investment in Layher equipment by Mattison Scaffolding who approached Layher Hire and Sales specialist Rotamead Ltd. for the supply.
“We have worked with Mattison Scaffolding for many years and also have extensive experience of Layher equipment so the logic of recommending the scaffold for the project was clear-cut,” says Grant Norfolk, Rotamead’s Sales Director.
Mattison has also recently upgraded their transport fleet with Hiab capabilities to complement their new Layher stock.
“This is an extremely impressive installation and one which reflects great credit on all concerned – Mattison Scaffolding and Rotamead,” says Sean Pike, Layher’s UK Managing Director.
“With clear advantages of our system scaffolding design in evidence, we believe the equipment will make a key contribution to the refurbishment programme through the year-long project.” 
Installed by Mattison Scaffolding Ltd. for main contractor EQUANS, the residential block is remaining open throughout the works and, as Mattison Scaffolding Contract Manager John Moore explains, is gaining from key features of Layher scaffolding design.
“The need to create clear walkways on all four faces of the building in order to optimise the movement of both workforce and materials has been fully met by the scaffolding system,” he says.
“We were able to erect the structure to the full 62-metre height on two faces to allow the work to commence then follow that through the remaining two sides. The speed and simplicity of this was significantly greater compared with an alternative tube and fitting scaffold, which would have taken longer, and has helped to accelerate the programme.”
He points out that the full scaffolding installation was completed in 16 weeks – two weeks ahead of schedule.
The Layher site stair measuring 2.57m x 2.07m, with wide 0.94m aluminium stair flights, has been installed on the scaffold to provide full access to every level while a materials hoist has also been utilised.
Access decks for additional ladder access also feature while two protective fans have been installed on opposite sides of the building above beams which themselves were installed above ground level access.
The project represents a major investment in Layher equipment by Mattison Scaffolding who approached Layher Hire and Sales specialist Rotamead Ltd. for the supply.
“We have worked with Mattison Scaffolding for many years and also have extensive experience of Layher equipment so the logic of recommending the scaffold for the project was clear-cut,” says Grant Norfolk, Rotamead’s Sales Director.
Mattison has also recently upgraded their transport fleet with Hiab capabilities to complement their new Layher stock.
“This is an extremely impressive installation and one which reflects great credit on all concerned – Mattison Scaffolding and Rotamead,” says Sean Pike, Layher’s UK Managing Director.
“With clear advantages of our system scaffolding design in evidence, we believe the equipment will make a key contribution to the refurbishment programme through the year-long project.” 
Ian Anfield, managing director of Hudson Contract, said: “Our analysis shows we are back in the normal cycle where people work more hours in the run-up to Christmas. Storms Arwen and Barra may have lost us a few days and contractors are fighting to get the materials they need but we are still within the most productive time of the year. The festive season is coming up and people know January will be slow with bad weather.
“The strong performance in the South West and Wales reflects the increasing investment in housing and infrastructure as part of the government’s ‘levelling up’ agenda. In London and the South East, growing demand for new housing and home improvements is feeding through to labour requirements and rates are catching up.
“Looking ahead, the removal of the red diesel rebate in April will hit groundworks contractors and quarrying companies the hardest and likely drive up material prices across the construction industry. The smaller and more agile firms on short-term contracts are able to react quickly and put their rates up as are the self-employed.”
November was a particularly good month for surfacing contractors, who enjoyed record earnings at £888 per week – the equivalent of £42,600 per annum. 
Ian Anfield, managing director of Hudson Contract, said: “Our analysis shows we are back in the normal cycle where people work more hours in the run-up to Christmas. Storms Arwen and Barra may have lost us a few days and contractors are fighting to get the materials they need but we are still within the most productive time of the year. The festive season is coming up and people know January will be slow with bad weather.
“The strong performance in the South West and Wales reflects the increasing investment in housing and infrastructure as part of the government’s ‘levelling up’ agenda. In London and the South East, growing demand for new housing and home improvements is feeding through to labour requirements and rates are catching up.
“Looking ahead, the removal of the red diesel rebate in April will hit groundworks contractors and quarrying companies the hardest and likely drive up material prices across the construction industry. The smaller and more agile firms on short-term contracts are able to react quickly and put their rates up as are the self-employed.”
November was a particularly good month for surfacing contractors, who enjoyed record earnings at £888 per week – the equivalent of £42,600 per annum. 
