CISRS OSTS scaffolding training continues to develop
Safety & Access Ltd have announced further development in its international partnerships for CISRS OSTS Scaffolding Training.
The Company have recently opened a new CISRS OSTS centre in Trinidad in partnership with their long-term customer RADIAN HA.
In addition to the new centre in Trinidad they have also partnered for a new CISRS OSTS training centre in Qatar with their long-term association with AECOR International.
The centre in Qatar represents an upgrade to the previous location with which the demand for CISRS training locally had outgrown capacity.
The new centres join and form part of its international partner network with additional CISRS OSTS centres already established in Abu Dhabi, Nepal, Oman, Malaysia and India.
Scaffmag understands that Safety and Access also have plans in 2022 to open a further CISRS training facility in the London area as well to compliment the existing UK facilities in Nottingham and Immingham.
Rick Statham, Safety & Access Director said: “We are very pleased to open the two new centres overseas with a further UK location later in the year.
We have been undertaking training in the Caribbean with our partner RADIAN HA for over twenty years and to finally have a CISRS centre is fantastic.
The demand for CISRS OSTS training continues to increase in the Middle East also and the new larger facility in Qatar will be able to offer this as well as being ideally located for persons from Ras Laffan and Doha.”
Altrad to acquire Doosan Babcock
Altrad has made an agreement to acquire industrial services firm Doosan Babcock Limited
The transaction, which is likely to conclude in quarter three of 2022, marks another milestone in Altrad’s development, whereby it invests in businesses that share its excitement, vision and values and a desire to add enhanced value to its clients.
Altrad’s CEO for the UK, Ireland & Nordics – Padraig Somers said, “We are delighted to welcome Doosan Babcock into the Altrad family. The acquisition represents an exciting opportunity to extend our portfolio of services and enter new markets, whilst enhancing the outcomes we deliver for our clients.”
Pleasingly, this arrangement will encompass approximately 4,000 talented people joining Altrad, wherein they will be valued and encouraged to develop fulfilling careers, to become the best they can be.
Andy Colquhoun CEO of Doosan Babcock added, “We are extremely pleased to be joining Altrad and are confident our business will be well-positioned to grow and develop at pace under the new ownership structure. We believe our collective capabilities and shared vision and values will be attractive to our clients, our people and the communities within which we work.”
Innovative Partnership Helps Prisoners Start Careers In Scaffolding
Fulcrum Scaffold Safety & Training Ltd are leading the way in training young prisoners awaiting release after HMP/YOI Thorn Cross and HMP Lancaster Farms have become CISRS COTS accredited centres as part of the Made Inside Britain (MIB) project.
Made Inside Britain is a Ministry of Justice funded campaign to support prison leavers into sustainable employment in the North West of England.
An innovative partnership between New Futures Network, Antz Junction, Fulcrum Scaffold & Safety Ltd and the two prisons, have designed and invested in employer-led workshops called Real Work Environments (RWE’s) creating clear job outcomes for participants in the sector.
These are the first CISRS centres to be located in a prison establishment. Participants are taking part in practical scaffolding training and leaving with a CISRS COTS card and real-life work experience leading to full-time, sustainable employment.
The first Real Work Environment launched at HMP/YOI Thorn Cross on the 4th April with nine men all who expressed an interest in a career in scaffolding and who are extremely motivated to learn new skills. Following the successful training, all nine men have been matched with a job on release.
After delivering the first course at HMP Thorn Cross, Fulcrum’s Managing Director, Dave Abraham, said “it was a pleasure to deliver the course, the lads are a great bunch and are keen to integrate back into society up on their release. The course is held over 5 days, during which the candidates are given practical hands-on experience, achieving a CISRS COTS card and GQA Level 1 Health and Safety in a Construction Environment.
We are pleased to announce that all those who attended the course have been offered employment with the following companies: Allied Access, Connolly Scaffolding, PDL Scaffolding and Gorilla Scaffolding. I would like to thank these companies for their support and for recognising that prison leavers deserve the opportunity of employment”
Dave went on to say: “Our staff at Fulcrum have put a lot of time and commitment into this project but we would not have been able to make this happen without the support from CITB and Procure Plus (Wiktor Morrell & Simon O’Donnell)”.
Tim Bailey, Business Manager, Made Inside Britain, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire, Cumbria and Lancashire Prison Groups commented: “I am very excited by the potential of this initiative and what can be achieved.
Ultimately, we want to increase employer confidence in the value of employing prison leavers, which to this point is a largely untapped employment market. We also want to ensure there is improved workforce retention among prison leavers and that they get the qualifications and skills needed to enter the local labour market.”
Employment Manager, HMP Thorn Cross said “Our aim as an open prison is to support those in our care to return to society with all that they need to live purposeful, crime-free lives. Stable, meaningful employment is a key part of this. Having worked with Made Inside Britain and Fulcrum Scaffolding from the outset, it’s clear the opportunities provided will make a real difference to the men in offering something they know will lead them into employment.
Both the MiB team and Fulcrum have, from the start, put the men’s needs first, even securing employment for one man before the course started! Their drive to help our men succeed is evident both in discussions with staff and prisoners and in their delivery of the qualification and work. We look forward to continuing this partnership in the future and seeing the successes of our men in their new jobs!”
The MiB team recognise that providing skills and employment is only part of what is required to break the cycle of reoffending.
An integral part of the project is to provide wraparound support to those prisoners as they progress through the gate and back into society. This support is provided by Antz Junction, a North West based charity.
Their through the gate support covers employment, education and training, housing, health and well-being, finance and benefits and most importantly being that trusted person that our participants can come to when needed.
Alongside through the gate support, prison leavers are given the opportunity to be matched with a business mentor who will provide an extra layer of support into employment and beyond.
This extra layer of support helps to overcome personal barriers and break the cycle of re-offending.
New Futures Network, HMP Lancaster Farms, HMP/YOI Thorn Cross and Antz Junction are incredibly excited to be working with Fulcrum on this new initiative.
More Information
Working with the Made Inside Britain project could give your business access to a rich and often talented pool of people looking for work upon release from prison. This is an opportunity to fill a skills shortage that could result in business growth and supporting the local community. Email [email protected] now to find out more.Scaffolders Golf Championship Set to Tee Off
After a two-year Covid enforced break SCP / Forgeco is set to hold its 2nd Scaffolders Golf Championship at the Belfry.
Midlands-based Scaffold and Construction Products (SCP) / Forgeco, suppliers of scaffold and construction products and components has revealed to Scaffmag the date for its exciting annual Scaffolders Golf Championship.
The event is taking place at the prestigious Belfry PGA course in Sutton Coldfield on the 12th September 2022. Competing players can look forward to unique challenging fairways and fast running greens at this world-class PGA golf course.
The event is free and open to golfers who work within the industry and have an official club handicap. The competition is an 18 hole Stableford with various prizes The round will be followed by a Buffet Dinner and Prize Presentation.
Anyone interested in competing should contact SCP / Forgeco for an application from Ron Johnson. Email:- [email protected]
Kent scaffolding firm fined £40K following collapse
Kent-based RPS Scaffolding Ltd has been fined following an incident where the scaffolding the company erected collapsed, injuring two workers.
Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard that in August 2020, two workers were injured when the scaffolding they were working from on Thorpebank Road in London collapsed.
An HSE investigation found that RPS Scaffolding Ltd erected a scaffold to enable the exterior of the property to be decorated. The scaffold erected did not conform to standard configuration and it was erected without strength and stability calculations being carried out.
Soon after the two workers accessed the top lift of the scaffold and it collapsed. One of them suffered a fractured shoulder, elbow and wrist while the other suffered a fractured shoulder.
RPS Scaffolding Ltd of Ashford, Kent pleaded guilty to a breach of Regulation of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. The court fined them £40,000 and awarded full costs of £4,705.16.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Adam Thompson, commented: “The Work at Height Regulations are clear, where scaffolding is erected that does not conform with a generally recognised standard configuration then strength and stability calculations shall be carried out.
“RPS Scaffolding Ltd’s failure to do this resulted in a scaffold that was unsuitable for its use that collapsed within the first morning of its use, injuring two people and putting the public at risk.”
Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard that in August 2020, two workers were injured when the scaffolding they were working from on Thorpebank Road in London collapsed.
An HSE investigation found that RPS Scaffolding Ltd erected a scaffold to enable the exterior of the property to be decorated. The scaffold erected did not conform to standard configuration and it was erected without strength and stability calculations being carried out.
Soon after the two workers accessed the top lift of the scaffold and it collapsed. One of them suffered a fractured shoulder, elbow and wrist while the other suffered a fractured shoulder.
RPS Scaffolding Ltd of Ashford, Kent pleaded guilty to a breach of Regulation of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. The court fined them £40,000 and awarded full costs of £4,705.16.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Adam Thompson, commented: “The Work at Height Regulations are clear, where scaffolding is erected that does not conform with a generally recognised standard configuration then strength and stability calculations shall be carried out.
“RPS Scaffolding Ltd’s failure to do this resulted in a scaffold that was unsuitable for its use that collapsed within the first morning of its use, injuring two people and putting the public at risk.”
TRAD Wins Altrad Group ‘President’s Safety Award’ For Best HSE Campaign
A top award that recognises a highly successful Personal Engagement Programme among other HSE successes has been awarded to the TRAD Group.
The UK scaffolding group has said it was delighted to be presented with the President’s Safety Award at the recent Altrad Group Seminar in Montpellier, France.
The award, which is presented for ‘Best HSE Campaign’ within the Altrad Group, was presented in recognition of TRAD’s highly successful Personnel Engagement Programme (PEP), the forming of numerous working parties, the introduction of defibrillators in each of the Group’s locations and the introduction of Trailer Access Platforms (TAPs) along with the Thumbs Up Campaign within TRAD’s yard areas.
The award was presented to TRAD Group’s CEO Des Moore and TRAD UK’s Managing Director Colin Dobson, by the Altrad Group’s President Mohed Altrad and The Altrad Group’s HSE Director Wayne MacDonald.
With seven depot yards around the country and teams of scaffolders or safety product installers on site with customers, good health and safety principles are essential at all times. It helps to protect not just workers but site visitors and the general public, and it’s something that TRAD Group takes very seriously.
“We want everyone to be thinking HSE-first across TRAD,” says Colin Dobson. “Over the past 12 months we have rolled out proactive HSEQ drives, talking directly to staff around the country so that everyone who works for TRAD is genuinely engaged with health and safety issues – and taking personal responsibility for them.”
The Group’s Personnel Engagement Programme was designed by the Health and Safety Progress Unit – an internal working party set up to focus on HSE outcomes. Amongst other things, it sets out to help TRAD’s workforce with mental health, wellbeing, sharing knowledge, safety as part of the environment, visual standards and diversity and inclusion.
In accident and near miss recording and reporting, the company has instigated a proactive tool so that teams can discuss ‘Green Days’: the number of days each month without an accident or incident. This has led to further staff engagement, with people asking what they can do to improve statistics, which has led to a further decrease in the already low frequency of accidents or incidents.
TRAD Group CEO, Des Moore, said: “We are delighted to have won this prestigious award for our health and safety approach. The Progress Unit has worked incredibly hard to design, develop and roll out our new PEP scheme, and to make our other health and safety initiatives a reality. As with everything we do in TRAD, this is a whole-team effort and I couldn’t be prouder of the staff, who have committed to higher standards and a proactive approach, helping to make everyone our yards and our customer sites safer places to be.
I’d like to say a big thank you to all our staff who have helped to make these initiatives a reality, without your input and commitment we wouldn’t have been considered for, never mind been given, this prestigious award. This is yours.”
TRAD Group CEO, Des Moore, said: “We are delighted to have won this prestigious award for our health and safety approach. The Progress Unit has worked incredibly hard to design, develop and roll out our new PEP scheme, and to make our other health and safety initiatives a reality. As with everything we do in TRAD, this is a whole-team effort and I couldn’t be prouder of the staff, who have committed to higher standards and a proactive approach, helping to make everyone our yards and our customer sites safer places to be.
I’d like to say a big thank you to all our staff who have helped to make these initiatives a reality, without your input and commitment we wouldn’t have been considered for, never mind been given, this prestigious award. This is yours.” Band of Builders charity appoints first CEO
Band of Builders has appointed its first Chief Executive Officer as part of ambitious plans to significantly increase the registered charity’s ability to help members of the UK construction industry who are battling illness or injury.
The fast-growing charity – which was founded in 2016 before becoming registered in 2019 – has appointed its former Chair of the Board of Trustees Gavin Crane into the newly created role as it looks to build on its solid foundations to expand its scope, reach and influence within the construction industry.
Mr Crane explained that his first challenge is to map out the strategy and direction of the charity for the next 5–10 years as it looks to build on its three cornerstones of providing practical support by completing projects, offering financial help to tradespeople facing hardship and making wellbeing services readily accessible to anyone in the construction industry who is in crisis.
“In its simplest form, the new CEO role will mean ensuring that more people support Band of Builders, so we can help more people,” said Mr Crane.
“It’s a very exciting time to be part of Band of Builders because the charity is gaining huge momentum, which is all down to the commitment of so many of our base of volunteers, who give their time generously to support the charity and its activities. It’s also down to the benefactors and sponsors who have given us significant financial support – in many cases making us their official charity partner.
“The board of trustees has ambitious plans for the growth of the charity, and the creation of this role is a huge statement of intent. I’m looking forward to being at the heart of taking Band of Builders to the next level.”
As well as being tasked with building more strategic partnerships and developing more fundraising opportunities, Mr Crane also has a wider-reaching ambition to be a positive voice on issues affecting the construction industry, such as apprenticeships, the skills gap, inclusion and gender discrimination.
His appointment comes at a time when the charity is working to complete a record-breaking 12 projects this year, is well underway with plans for its second annual Big Brew event this October (to highlight mental health within the construction industry and raise funds to expand on its recently launched wellbeing support service) and is bracing itself for a predicted rise in cases of requests for financial assistance if the cost of living crisis continues to bite.
He added: “I want to publicly thank everyone who helped Band of Builders get to this point, including all our volunteers and wider membership base, which is approaching 50,000 people. I’d also like to thank our sponsors and partners, including DeWALT, Jewson, Gibbs & Dandy, V12 Footwear, Talasey, Resideo and Haemmerlin. I’m very excited about what comes next, and I’m looking forward to more people becoming part of our charity and activities.”
The 38-year-old from Cambridgeshire has 20 years’ experience as a commercial landscaping contractor and first became involved with the charity in 2017, when he was the Project Lead on Band of Builders’ second project, from which he says: “I got the bug.”
He joined the admin team in 2017, continuing to be involved closely with the charity, from taking part in projects to building relationships with corporate partners and joining in fundraising activities. Mr Crane became a trustee of the fledgling board in 2018 and its Chair of Trustees in 2020, before stepping down from the role earlier this year and winding down his own contracting business to take up the position as CEO.
Away from work, he and partner Louise have recently taken on an allotment as a way to relax.
Hands On Experience Wins The Day For Essex Based Scaffolding Company
Essex based Scaffolding Access Ltd has succeeded in creating a rolling system temporary roof structure to help re-roof a major store in Newhaven.
The company utilised more than 25-years-experience in order to meet the challenge offered up by Best Demolition working to present the Summerfield store with a new contemporary look. They generally supervise projects within various specialist industries including Asbestos, Demolition, Hospitals, Airports and Social Housing.
AFIX UK and Scaffolding Access have had a long working relationship, but this was one of the most testing projects to date, taking into account a methodical and painstaking approach to get the job done on time.
Their brief was to both design and build a temporary roof structure that was a duo pitch roof 55m long by 50m span in the DESSA Uni roof system.
Technology may have a big hand to play in the modern scaffolding industry, but this project called on the whole project to be constructed by hand. Proof positive basic skills are still priceless in terms of what can be achieved with patience and clever planning.
Jeff Satwick of Scaffolding Access told us: “The whole job came together from start to finish. The supply of the equipment from AFIX UK, the design work from DESSA, down to the scaffolding site team, who’s outstanding efforts delivered the job with time to spare. They have all done me proud.
We have become a significant contractor in the construction industry by growing in a controlled way, taking on staff who expand the depth of our technical expertise, whom we value appropriately and intend to keep. This policy has resulted in excellent relations with our growing list of high-profile clients and project completion times on – and often before – target.”
The Scaffold Access site team Geoff O’Brien and Joe Satwick told us: “Every job has its challenges, and this was no different, building a roof of this size by hand and on time was a serious task. We are glad it’s over the line and the client was very happy with the overall result of the project.”
Jeff Satwick of Scaffolding Access told us: “The whole job came together from start to finish. The supply of the equipment from AFIX UK, the design work from DESSA, down to the scaffolding site team, who’s outstanding efforts delivered the job with time to spare. They have all done me proud.
We have become a significant contractor in the construction industry by growing in a controlled way, taking on staff who expand the depth of our technical expertise, whom we value appropriately and intend to keep. This policy has resulted in excellent relations with our growing list of high-profile clients and project completion times on – and often before – target.”
The Scaffold Access site team Geoff O’Brien and Joe Satwick told us: “Every job has its challenges, and this was no different, building a roof of this size by hand and on time was a serious task. We are glad it’s over the line and the client was very happy with the overall result of the project.” NASC Exhibits at Safety & Health Expo
The NASC represented the scaffolding industry at the 2022 Safety & Health Expo, sharing industry best practice and advice with hundreds of health and safety professionals across the three-day London event.
NASC representatives gave out NASC guidance, NASC and CISRS site posters, digital copies of the latest NASC Safety Report and goodies such as NASC bags, pens and notepads while also answering any technical and health and safety questions visitors had.
Interest in NASC Information and Services & Ancillary Products membership was strong across the three days.
Delegates were also keen to learn more about the next iteration of SG4 Preventing Falls in Scaffolding Operations, which is due to be published this year, and many attended the SG4:22 presentation given by Simon Hughes, Director at SIMIAN and NASC Health and Safety Committee member, on the final day of the Expo.
Robin James, NASC Managing Director, said: “We always enjoy exhibiting at the Safety & Health Expo as it gives us a chance to re-connect with hundreds of health and safety professionals, disseminating the latest NASC guidance and information as well as answering any scaffolding industry questions visitors might have.
“My thanks go to the NASC members from Allen & Foxworthy, Pro-Fix Access, Midland Scaffolding Services, SIMIAN and TRAD Scaffolding Co that gave their time to represent the NASC across the three days and for all the visitors that stopped by our stand to speak with us.
“Exhibiting at the Expo helps us ensure vital health and safety scaffolding information is received and understood by those that need it, something that contributes to the excellent safety standards the industry has worked hard to establish and equally continues to work hard to maintain.”
Robin James, NASC Managing Director, said: “We always enjoy exhibiting at the Safety & Health Expo as it gives us a chance to re-connect with hundreds of health and safety professionals, disseminating the latest NASC guidance and information as well as answering any scaffolding industry questions visitors might have.
“My thanks go to the NASC members from Allen & Foxworthy, Pro-Fix Access, Midland Scaffolding Services, SIMIAN and TRAD Scaffolding Co that gave their time to represent the NASC across the three days and for all the visitors that stopped by our stand to speak with us.
“Exhibiting at the Expo helps us ensure vital health and safety scaffolding information is received and understood by those that need it, something that contributes to the excellent safety standards the industry has worked hard to establish and equally continues to work hard to maintain.” Offshore scaffolders down tools on several North Sea platforms
Scaffolders and other maintenance workers on several North Sea platforms have staged unplanned strike action in an effort to force an increase in pay.
Workers on installations for some of the sector’s largest operators, including BP’s ETAP and Harbour Energy’s Judy, downed tools and caused widespread disruption with wildcat walkouts on Wednesday (18 May).
The strike has been described as a “wage revolution” by workers who believe they deserve a pay rise.
According to Energy Voice, the strikes were started by fabric maintenance staff on the TotalEnergies-operated Elgin platform and Safe Caledonia on Tuesday night.
Workers are seeking an increase to base rates of £7 per hour to help with the surge in inflation and the cost-of-living crisis.
Unions have said that they do not condone wildcat strike action, but are not surprised things have come to a head.
A BP spokesperson said the firm is monitoring the ongoing unplanned industrial action and liaising with the employing companies.
“Safety remains central to everything we do and we’re confident there’s no increased risk as a result of this action,” they said.
Bilfinger workers from several platforms have announced plans to down tools.
Bilfinger UK said it is working closely with its clients and employees to resolve the situation as soon as possible.
A spokesman said: “We understand that Bilfinger UK is one of a group of contractors with employees downing tools on assets in the North Sea. We are working closely with our clients and employees to resolve this as soon as possible.”
