Scaffolding designers celebrate 10 years in business

Scaffmag Newsdesk
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Scaffolding designers celebrate 10 years in business

The engineering design consultancy firm, Independent Design House, (IDH), has reached the milestone of 10 years in business.  

To mark the occasion, the company, which has bases in the UK, Poland and Bahrain, celebrated by raising a virtual toast with all employees, as each team member raised a glass to celebrate the company’s success.  

IDH was started by CEO, Tim Burt, and Wojciech Wisniowski, in 2011 in Rochester, Kent. The demand for services offered by the company outgrew expectations and larger office premises were quickly required.

In 2013, IDH unveiled its new head office premises in Maidstone, Kent. The firm has since expanded further and now has offices in Poland, Bristol, Chorley, and Bahrain in the Middle East, employing over 40 members of staff.  

IDH which works with industry-leading clients such as ISG and Laing O’Rourke Construction Ltd, offers both temporary and permanent works design; with full 2D draughting and 3D modelling services along with all BIM requirements. 

Predominantly offering temporary works design, to include design and support for all bridge installation schemes, both steel and concrete, and other steel industry works ranging from structural frame design to connection design and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and further temporary works design, plus full draughting services.

Tim Burt, CEO, attributes IDH’s exceptional growth to the “trusted and reliable” services provided to its clients. Tim Burt comments: “It’s brilliant to see the company expanding so organically and to see our approach continuing to reap rewards. I am extremely proud of the success IDH has achieved throughout its 10-year history and to be looking ahead to the next 10 years is very exciting. The team is exceptional, and we are very proud of the level of service we offer.”  

“The next 10 years will involve opening more offices across the globe.”

Wojciech Wisniowski, Chief Engineer, adds: “To have been a part of IDH from the beginning of its journey has been a wonderful achievement.  The next 10 years will involve opening more offices across the globe. It has been great to celebrate with the whole team in the UK and Poland virtually – let’s hope we are able to meet in person to continue celebrations in person very soon.” 

A large Christmas gathering is planned for an in-person celebration. Previous annual celebrations have seen the entire team fly out to Poland for skiing and activity events and to Athens for a cultural exchange. 

The company is eyeing rapid expansion in the UK, Poland and other European markets as well as further expansion in the Middle East market with an anticipated 100+ engineering roles.  

UK innovation revolutionizes composite scaffolding and toe board clips

Grahame Anderson
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UK innovation revolutionizes composite scaffolding and toe board clips
A UK based company is celebrating the arrival of new lightweight composite scaffold tubes set to change the way the industry utilises its materials. Scaffmag has been taking a closer look at the potential success of both lightweight tubing and brilliantly designed toe-boards clips. Life is good when materials are easier to transport, handle and far less likely to lead to personal injury issues. It’s a goal the whole of the scaffolding industry is striving toward as we move deeper into the 21st century. Thanks to the bods at Kapiti Engineering Ltd and Forefront Scaffolding Hire and Sales, a new form of tube is set to be snapped up by site professionals across Britain and beyond. While the external diameter of com-tube is the same as conventional steel or aluminium scaffold tubes it has several other attractive features. Firstly, the resilience of the composite materials comprising the com-tube makes them resistant to corrosion even in hostile chemical environments. What’s more, they are ideal for applications in both onshore and offshore marine locations. In fact, com-tube is ideal for operations in the vicinity of high voltage electrical works such as power stations, transmission lines and railways. Due to their non-sparking properties com-tube provides an ideal solution when operating around potentially combustive environments such as chemical plants, and oil and gas facilities. It’s important to note this innovative tubing is made from an advanced composite of resilient thermoset resin binding both longitudinal and spirally wound reinforcing fibres. This means it’s stronger in bending than traditional steel scaffolding tubes.

Toe Board Clip

New toe board clip If you thought one superb creation would suffice however, how about a versatile toe board clip designed to allow toe-boards to be secured against adjacent standards without the need for tightening bolts? Once again industry experience has been put to good use. As a result, the new com-clip has emerged made from a material that will never corrode. Now, toe boards can be attached to the adjacent standards with a reasonable manual force. Once attached to the tube they should remain in position requiring a small force to manually slide them into place over the board. when positioned over an edge toe-board the locking arms should protrude far enough to allow a second end toe-board to be secured between the arms. Correctly positioned they certainly won’t be a safety hazard in any way, and in carrying a low weight the construction task is made even easier. There is currently no specified regulatory requirement for the strength of toe-board clamps. “For toe boards, the horizontal point load is 0.150kN.” This relates to the strength of the toe board itself to an outwardly directed force from operations on the platform. These outwardly directed forces on the boards would be resisted by the toe board bearing against the standards against which they are attached meaning com-clip® toe board Clips are more than adequate. NASC TG 20 has a similar requirement to BS EN 12811-1. Looking even closer it’s also necessary for the clip to be able to resist an inwardly directed wind force of between 0.06 and 0.08kN (6 and 8kgf). Tests have demonstrated the com-clip toe board Clips have a pull-off capacity of 0.075kN (7.5kgf). This article was first published in the ScaffMag Magazine Issue 14

Chemical plant scaffolders to strike over ‘shocking pay disparity’

Scaffmag Newsdesk
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Chemical plant scaffolders to strike over ‘shocking pay disparity’

Scaffolders working for less than £12.50 an hour at a chemical plant will strike in November over ‘shocking pay disparity’.

Around 25 Altrad scaffolders based at Mitsubishi Chemicals in Billingham, Stockton-on-Tees are planning a mass walk out over a row with employers over pay. Official strike action will begin on 4 November at the site until 4 December. Scaffolders, insulators and painters, who all work at height on the site, voted unanimously for strike action earlier this month. Unite the union said the basic pay for a scaffolder at the chemical plant is £12.06 an hour, when the rate for their job under the National Agreement for the Engineering Construction Industry (NAECI) is £17.45 an hour. These new planned strikes come just weeks after other industrial action by scaffolders continues at British Steel in Scunthorpe.
“Altrad and Mitsubishi must pay the proper rate for the job.”
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Working at height at a chemical plant is a difficult and dangerous job, which is reflected in the NAECI rate. It is not acceptable that our members are being subjected to an outrageous pay discrepancy of more than £5 an hour. Altrad and Mitsubishi must pay the proper rate for the job.” The Mitsubishi Chemicals Billingham plant produces battery electrolytes and methacrylates, which are base chemicals for the manufacture of acrylic plastics. Unite regional officer Neil Howells said: “If strikes go ahead there will be major disruption to the site’s maintenance and repair schedule. Altrad and Mitsubishi can avoid this by paying NAECI rates. The current pay scale is well below industry standard and is an insult to a committed workforce.”

CISRS offers third-round of subsidised CPD courses

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CISRS offers third-round of subsidised CPD courses

The Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS) is funding a third round of subsidised CPD courses.

The new funding will enable approved training centres to deliver the CPD course for only £50 per delegate. CISRS has now fulfilled the funding pledge it made earlier in the year. In total, the training scheme has provided in excess of £150,000 in subsidised CPD training in 2021. In a news statement CISRS said that ‘Covid-19 has caused disruption and additional expense to scaffolders, employers and training centres alike, these subsidised courses are a gesture from CISRS to those who have worked hard to keep the industry going in the last year or so. The scaffolders training scheme is a not-for-profit organisation and wherever possible aims to give something back to its stakeholders, the Scaffolders, they said. Previously CISRS worked with training providers In March and June offering similar subsidised CPD courses.
“We have reinvested over £150k back to our cardholders, there are very few training schemes that could say the same.”
CISRS Managing Director David Mosely said: “Over 500 individuals will have benefitted from these three programmes, we have reinvested over £150k back to our cardholders, there are very few training schemes that could say the same.” Neil Gray Managing Director of LTC Training Services added: “LTC Training Services are delighted to be able to facilitate additional CISRS subsidised CPD courses in our Plymouth & Cullompton training centres and wish to thank CISRS for the opportunity.” The subsidised CPD courses will be held at the following centres:
  • AIS (Aberdeen) 6-7 November 2021
  • AIS (North Shields) 20-21 November 2021
  • CWIC Swansea 20-21 December 2021
  • Construction College Midlands 1-2 November 2021
  • LTC (Cullompton) 20-21 December 2021
  • LTC (Plymouth) 9-10 December 2021
  • NCC East (Bircham Newton) 10-11 November 2021
  • NCC Scotland (Inchinnan) 13-14 December 2021
  • NCC (Erith) 6-7 November 2021
  • NETA (Stockton) 13-14 December 2021
  • Safety and Access (Nottingham) 20-21 December 2021
  • Safety and Access (Immingham) 20-21 December 2021
  • Simian (Warrington) 13-14 December 2021
  • Simian (Waltham Forest) 2-3 December 2021
  • Simian (Weston Super Mare) 13-14 December 2021
  • Simian (Menai) 24-25 November 2021
  • Simian Aspects (Coventry) 20-21 December 2021
  • Simian CIST (Anglesey) 8th-9th September 2021
  • Training 2000 (Blackburn) 6-7 December 2021
Delegates will need to contact the training centres directly to check availability. CISRS centre contact details can be found on the CISRS website here.

How To Make Working At Height Safer

Alcumus
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How To Make Working At Height Safer

The latest statistics from the HSE reveal that, although falls from height are reducing, they are still one of the most common causes of injuries to employees and account for 29% of fatalities in the workplace.

EMPLOYERS should take their responsibilities very seriously, not least because of the risks to a business, but also the number of lost working days every year as a result of injuries from falls from height. The Work at Height Regulations 2005 was introduced in a bid to prevent death and injury caused by falls from height, therefore minimising risks to workers. Therefore, one of the best ways for a business to minimise its risks from Work at Height activities is to remain compliant with the legislation. In 2007 an amendment came into force, applying to those who work at height providing instruction or leadership to one or more people engaged in caving or climbing by way of sport, recreation, team building or similar activities in the UK. The regulations also recommend that, where possible, all methods to complete a task must be investigated so working at height can be avoided. However, this is not always practical. Therefore, as part of the regulations where work at height can’t be avoided, duty holders must ensure:
  • All work at height is properly planned and organised.
  • Those involved in the work (including the planning, organising, supervising, and undertaking of the work) are competent – meaning they have the skills, knowledge, and experience to do the job, or are supervised by a competent person if they are being trained.
  • The risks from work at height are assessed and appropriate work equipment is selected and used.
  • The risks from fragile surfaces are properly controlled.
  • The surface/access equipment in use is stable and strong enough to support the worker’s weight and that of any equipment. Any edge protection should be wide enough and strong enough to prevent a fall
  • As much work as possible from the ground or partly from the ground, for example assemble structures on the ground and lift them into position with lifting equipment
  • Workers can get safely to and from where they want to work at height and also consider emergency evacuation and rescue procedures
  • That anyone who is not competent (someone who doesn’t have the skills, knowledge, and experience to do the job) undertake work at height
  • Where a risk of falling can’t be eliminated, use work equipment, training, and other measures to minimise the distance and consequence of any fall as much as possible.
  • Employees are aware they must report any safety hazards to their employer.

Inspection of fall protection equipment

Regulation 12 and 13 of the regulations deals specifically with the inspection of fall protection equipment.  Here, the responsibility lies with the employer to have Work at Height equipment properly tested and inspected on a regular basis. As a result, many businesses choose to outsource their testing and inspection requirements for fall protection equipment to specialist Work at Height companies in order to ensure that their systems and PPE are fit for purpose. This gives them the reassurance that Work at Height equipment is compliant, and they are minimising their risks to employees and to the business.”

Working at height training

Undertaking safety training is an excellent way to help companies and employees stay safe. A good working at heights training course will provide adequate information including:
  • An overview of working activities involving risk of injury from working at height and typical injuries
  • Legal responsibilities including an overview of the Working at Height Regulations
  • Basic hazards and risks affecting risk
  • Main precautions to prevent falls and falling materials
  • Safe working practices for common forms of access equipment
  • Inspection requirements for scaffolds.
You can make your employees aware of their exposure to risk through educating and re-educating them. By completing working at height training employees will have a greater understanding of the Working at Height Regulations and general precautions, and how to safely work at height.

We can help

Alcumus offers Working at Height training courses which will teach attendees about legislation, management, selecting the right equipment, and working safely on ladders and roofs. If you have any queries or concerns about how to manage your risk then please do not hesitate to contact the Alcumus’ Health and Safety team for assistance either by email at [email protected] or call us on 01484 439930.

Wellmax Bags CN Project of The Year Award

Scaffmag Newsdesk
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Wellmax Bags CN Project of The Year Award
WELLMAX SCAFFOLDING has won Project of the Year at the Construction News Specialist Awards 2021 for its impressive work at the British Museum. Chelmsford-based Wellmax Scaffolding scooped the award at the glitzy annual London event held yesterday (19 October 2021) by the Construction News. Wellmax was awarded Project of the Year by a Specialist Contractor (subcontract up to £1m) for its work on the British Museum in central London. The vital conservation project at the British Museum saw Wellmax provide numerous challenging access solutions for its client that set strict constraints in place. Wellmax had to create a scaffolding structure that would not affect or disturb the building whilst at the same time reducing the visual impact of the scaffold as much as possible. The company had to also achieve the same level of access whilst the Museum continued to remain open to the public. Its client needed to install a new copper roof which meant a temporary roof scaffold was also needed, but the building could only bear weight in highly specific locations. This led to solutions including the cantilevering of one elevation of the roof from the existing soffit scaffold and the installation of a temporary roof that was able to move up and down in high winds. Finally, the client wanted to wrap the scaffold, to mask the construction work going on. WellMax supplied and installed a mesh, using a high-resolution digital image of its famous portico, to seamlessly match the building’s facade. The CN Specialists Awards judges said: “This was a unique project and were particularly taken by the drive to provide the best solution to the client, the museum and the public, enabling others to be able to do what was needed. “This complex project was full of innovation, was delivered safely and is a project of which they are deservedly proud.”

An Industry-First Floating Scaffold On The River Severn

Scaffmag Newsdesk
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An Industry-First Floating Scaffold On The River Severn

A unique floating access solution on the River Severn has allowed contractors to install much-needed Eel Screens.

Midlands-based Attridge Scaffolding has just completed an industry first by providing one of it’s long-standing clients, Integrated Water Solutions (IWS), with a unique access package that combined traditional land-based scaffold with the innovative floating ScaffFloat system to lift and install a set of eel screens afloat.

The scope of works was to provide full access to the vertical concrete penstock face of the riverside water works using traditional scaffold, and then to also to provide two large floating scaffold pontoons for storing and lifting the new eel screens, weighing 2.2t each, into position afloat.

For the land-based scaffold, Attridge used shear plates fixed with anchors into the concrete to enable the saddle to be erected. Once the saddle was in place the design scaffold was erected.

James Attridge said: “This project was almost 12 months in the planning.  After an initial site visit with the client, it was a case of putting together a scheme utilising past experience from other projects.  The exception being the floating lift rig.  This is where our professional working relationship with ScaffFloat enabled both parties to work together to develop a solution.”

As one of the main UK Approved Installers of the floating scaffold system they worked with the ScaffFloat team to design a custom design that met the very site-specific client requirements. Access to the water was very limited and so both pontoons were built shoreside as a skeleton framework, this kept the weight for the crane lift down to 1t. Once afloat additional tubes, fittings and boards were craned down and both pontoons were completed afloat bringing their weight up to around 3t each.

The scaffold structure in the pontoons was floated using ScaffFloats patented plastic floats with each one supporting 0.5t – in total over 60 floats were used for both pontoons.

The first pontoon was used as a storage pontoon, with a 6t payload it was used to store components afloat before they were fitted by the team from Edwards Diving.

The second pontoon was fitted with a custom lifting A-frame, this was designed specifically to lift the 2.2t, 6m x 3m Eel Screens. Designed and built to Eurocode standard with a suitable dynamic application and safety factor, it was also proof tested on-site to over 3t. In addition, Richter provided an independent Cat 3 check to provide further safety assurances.
“It was a great project and we are proud that we achieved the six lifts ahead of time and without any accidents.”

Toby Budd, MD of ScaffFloat said: “One of the challenges for this lift was water depth. The eel screens were installed just below the surface so there was not enough draft or water depth to have the pontoon above. This meant the 2.2t lifts had to be done over the bow of the pontoon at a distance of 3m.

It was a great project and we are proud that we achieved the six lifts ahead of time and without any accidents. This is another example of how quickly the ScaffFloat system is developing, customers love the versatility and we have a number of other trick lifting jobs in the pipeline.”

Benchmark named Access & Scaffolding Specialist of the Year

Scaffmag Newsdesk
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Benchmark named Access & Scaffolding Specialist of the Year

Benchmark Scaffolding has scooped the Construction News Access & Scaffolding Specialist of the year award.

THE WINNERS of the Construction News Specialists Awards were revealed at The Brewery in London yesterday (Tuesday 19 October 2021.) Hundreds of people from the UK’s leading specialist contractors, clients and suppliers gathered to celebrate the best of construction at the glitzy London live event. From our sector, London and Barnsley based Benchmark Scaffolding were announced winners of the Access & Scaffolding Specialist 2021 category. Founded in 1995 the firm had chosen to focus on “the more technically challenging type of projects”, where it aims to differentiate itself through technical expertise and the application of the latest design technology. Benchmark’s current projects include the Palace of Westminster, where it has worked for the past eight years to provide access for specialist engineers working on roof replacement, observing strict security and noise restrictions. Scaffolding works also enabled the removal and replacement of cast iron roof panels weighing 1.8 tonnes apiece. The firm is also on the Battersea Power Station project, delivering access for contractor Mace including the expansion of the scope to support the construction of a glass elevator attraction, rising 109 metres to chimney-top height. According to The CN Specialists Awards judges they said Benchmark displayed “clear technical excellence” as well as a “commitment to sustainability”. They added: “Benchmark showed a clear focus on core values and people. It was great to see such vision regarding net-zero carbon, and the demonstrable use of innovative digital techniques.”

Highly Commended

  • Millcroft
CN judges said that Millcroft provided stiff competition for the winner in this category. They praised Millcroft’s investment in low-carbon and electric vehicles as part of its push to reach net-zero carbon.

Access & Scaffolding Specialists of the Year 2021 Finalists

  • Lee Marley Brickwork
  • LTC Scaffolding
  • PHD Access
  • WellMax Scaffolding

Lyndon SGB provides Hybrid Access at Cambridge Uni

Scaffmag Newsdesk
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Lyndon SGB provides Hybrid Access at Cambridge Uni
Lyndon SGB is providing hybrid access solutions on the Sidgwick College Lecture Theatres at Cambridge University, which is undergoing extensive building refurbishment and re-roofing. Working closely with main contractor SDC Builders Ltd, Lyndon SGB have designed and installed an external Cuplok access scaffold and temporary roof solution to facilitate the refurbishment works. Due to the tight timescale, up to 14 scaffolders worked on-site to install in a six week period, working alongside Taylor’s Hoists, who have expertly installed two hoists to service the roof levels. Lyndon SGB Regional Manager, Mark Regan said: “This has been another superb collaboration to produce the optimum in-house designed, hybrid access solution – working scaffolding and hoists simultaneously together for the client.  “We have had to overcome underground services, working safely in the college during COVID and all within a tight erection period to facilitate completion of works by Christmas. It’s a great example of what we can do, quickly, efficiently and safely for our clients in this region and beyond.” Steven Yanusauskas, SDC Site Manager added: “Designed and installed in quick time to meet customers requirements… to celebrate the handover of the scaffold and start of the re-roofing works here at Sidgwick, we took some drone photos to mark the occasion. In what feels like a rare moment to reflect on this project, I’d like to thank everyone who has played a part, big or small, in getting to this milestone. Collectively we have managed to appoint, design, plan and deliver a large amount of work in a very short period, overcoming an array of issues along the way. We are also very close to completing the asbestos removal, which given the challenges we have faced, is brilliant news.”

Makita adds new Impact Wrench to LXT line-up

Scaffmag Newsdesk
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Makita adds new Impact Wrench to LXT line-up

Power tool manufacturer Makita UK has announced its October collection that includes a new powerful 18v Impact Wrench

The new 18V LXT DTW302 Brushless Impact Wrench features a fresh design on its previous counterparts. Compact, with an overall length of 138mm and 3/8-inch square driving shank, the DTW302 brushless motor provides high power with a fastening torque of up to 300Nm and maximum nut-busting torque of 500Nm. Featuring a variable speed trigger, the DTW302Z provides the user with more control, with 4-stage impact selection, enabling the user to set the appropriate torque for the application at hand. For greater control and convenience, the tool also features Forward / Reverse function, with 6 modes for customised applications. Speaking on the new products, Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita UK said: “With over 275 cordless solutions within our LXT platform, we are delighted to further expand the possibilities for professionals with these new additions. Designed with purpose-built motors, innovative battery technology and enhanced communications, all our cordless tools work together to deliver reliable power, speed and run times that provide the trade with a cordless solution for every type of application.”
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