Latest construction output statistics offers ‘little comfort’ to the sector

Scaffmag Newsdesk
-
0

The Scaffolding Association says the latest construction output statistics offer little comfort to the sector

The latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) published last week, show construction output in July 2021 was worth £257m (1.6% in volume terms) less than the month before the pandemic hit. It is the second month in a row where construction activity remained lower than pre covid levels according to the latest ONS figures. Rising prices and supply chain issues were sighted as the main reasons for the decline. According to a recent Construction Index survey, respondents told the ONS that order book volumes were high, but shortages of products are impacting live projects which is hitting the industry hard in the short-term. Weakened demand from private housing was the biggest contributor to July’s decline, which saw sharp falls in both new work, and repair and maintenance of 7.5% and 6.2% respectively compared with the previous month.

Perfect Storm

Robert Candy, Chief Executive of the largest UK scaffolding trade body the Scaffolding Association said “Supply shortages, rising costs of materials and supply chain issues are all playing their part in this perfect storm. A significant amount of construction is needed in the coming decade to fulfil the government’s plan for building 300,000 new homes per annum. The uncertainty around product availability and costs is already resulting in developers pausing or rethinking their development plans which will impact these ambitious targets”. He added: “Unfortunately there is no evidence to suggest that this situation will resolve itself anytime soon. The contributing factors are part of a global crisis, and it will be several months, if not longer, before things level out and we see some stability”.

Exclusive: NASC speaks out on Scaffolder Shortages

Scaffmag Newsdesk
-
0
Exclusive: NASC speaks out on Scaffolder Shortages

The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has spoken out about the growing concern for shortages of qualified scaffolders after a recent survey found its contributing to ‘suffocating growth’ within the construction industry

The survey conducted by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) found shortages of scaffolders, bricklayers, carpenters and electrical engineers. They now fear these shortages could last for ‘years’. Dave Mosley, NASC Training Director, exclusively spoke to Scaffmag to give his reaction to the findings of the research. He said “NASC recognises that overcoming labour shortages both now and in the medium-term presents a huge challenge to the whole of construction. While this issue has been exacerbated by the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit, it was by no means been created by them. The need to address the skills gap has been understood by NASC and the scaffolding sector for some time.  “NASC has a number of projects and initiatives in place to raise awareness of the benefits of taking up a career in scaffolding to a variety of jobseekers, all of which are aimed at bringing more people into the scaffolding industry.  “We are working closely with partners such as the Department for Work and Pensions and Ministry of Justice to help promote a wide range of opportunities within our membership, which we communicate to jobseekers through the NASC’s dedicated scaffolding careers website.  “Our work with DWP has led to the creation of the NASC Kickstart Gateway, via which close to 500 six-month work experience placements at 80+ NASC member companies across the UK have been made available to young people. Nearly 100 of these placements have been filled to date.  “The NASC continues to offer financial incentives to its members to support the training of new scaffolding industry employees. These include a £50,000 funding pot through which NASC Contractor members can claim up to £125 per operative for completing the New Entrant, CISRS Operative Training Scheme, and a £150,000 fund to re-train ex-Military personnel.  “The NASC understands that tackling the skills shortage is crucial if the scaffolding industry wants to continue to thrive. There is no “quick fix” however, through initiatives like those outlined above we must strive to promote scaffolding to as wide an audience as possible.” “We’re excited to share these with you in more detail in the next issue of Scaffmag.”

TRAD in training for Three Peaks Charity Challenge

Scaffmag Newsdesk
-
0
TRAD in training for Three Peaks Charity Challenge

Thirty TRAD staff members, including senior leadership, are putting in the miles as part of its 50th-anniversary appeal.

TRAD Group (‘TRAD’), one of the UK’s leading scaffolding and access companies, is busy training for October’s Three Peaks Challenge – part of the Group’s commitment to raising £75,000 during the course of this year. The teams, which represent all TRAD’s offices and depots, are now in serious training so that they can complete the 24-mile walk in just 12 hours. All money raised will go towards supporting three charities chosen by the company’s staff: The Royal British Legion, MIND and the Multiple Sclerosis Society. The intrepid charity trekkers include CEO Des Moore, Peter McShane, MD of TRAD Scaffolding Ltd. And Jim Gorman, Deputy Managing Director of TRAD UK. The Yorkshire Three Peaks is a circular walk that takes in the county’s three highest peaks – Pen-Y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. “Our fundraising goal for this challenge is £30,000,” says Des Moore. “We know that’s a big target, but these charities are really deserving of all our support. We have had a great response from our staff and their families and friends, and we’ve had donations from clients and suppliers. We’d love to smash this target, which will help us to celebrate our 50th anniversary in style.” The Royal British Legion, MIND and the Multiple Sclerosis Society have been chosen by TRAD’s staff members across the UK, and the group has committed to raising a considerable amount during the year, which will be equally split between the charities. The Royal British Legion helps members of the Royal Navy, the Army, the Royal Air Force, veterans and their families. It is best known for its annual poppy appeal, but offers day-to-day support to serving and veteran armed forces personnel and is active in campaigning for their care and rights. The huge need for this support has become headline news recently with the fall of the government in Afghanistan and the knock-on effects on our veterans who served in that campaign over the past 20 years. MIND supports better mental health. It is a nationwide charity that offers a wide range of information and support to those with mental health issues and the people who care for them, and is an active campaigner for a better understanding of mental health and greater support for it. “This is a cause close to our hearts,” says Des Moore. “Between 2011 and 2015 alone, more than 1,400 construction workers took their own lives in the UK, and we have had personal experience of this at TRAD. It’s been a key focus of mine to bring mental health issues to the fore across the industry and within TRAD itself, so supporting MIND is very important to us all.” The Multiple Sclerosis Society supports people with Multiple Sclerosis, a condition that affects the brain and the spinal cord, resulting in a wide range of symptoms. More than 130,000 people in the UK have MS. The charity runs a helpline and offers a wide range of support for everything from managing finances to supporting carers. Anyone who would like to sponsor the teams or make a donation to TRAD’s charity appeal can donate here: https://www.collectionpot.com/pot/275521/ 

CITB secures construction industry support for Levy Proposals

Scaffmag Newsdesk
-
0
CITB secures construction industry support for Levy Proposals

Construction employers have backed CITB’s Levy Proposals to support skills and training across England, Scotland and Wales, by way of the Consensus process.

The provisional result will now be taken to the Secretary of State for Education to make the final decision on the issue of a new, three-year Levy Order which, if approved, would be issued for 2022-2025. This will see the Levy continue at the following rates at 0.35% for PAYE and 1.25% for Net paid (Taxable) CIS Sub-contractors. CITB has said it will now get on with delivering this year’s Business Plan and working with the industry to agree its forward plan. In doing so, it will listen to the feedback it received on how it can communicate its plans and impact more clearly and ensure its support is relevant, accessible and easily understood. Overall, 66% or two-thirds of the total number of Levy-paying employers agreed to the proposals, with 63% agreeing when measured by the total amount of Levy paid. This result was based on submissions from the 14 Prescribed Organisations (trade bodies representing employers across the industry) and an independent survey of 4,000 employers who were not members of POs. Eleven of the 14 Prescribed Organisations supported the Levy Proposals. Apprenticeships and Skills Minister Gillian Keegan said: “My thanks go out to both the staff at the CITB for facilitating a complex process and to the employers, other members and reps for your active participation. “These last 18 months have been unusually challenging for the construction sector and that is why the CITB decided to delay the consensus process from 2020 to 2021. I recognise that Covid-19, one of the key factors for the postponement, has not gone away. Therefore the sector’s willingness to engage with the CITB is even more valuable.   “The next step in the process to progress the Levy Proposals towards a Levy Order now rests with me, before doing so I will be considering the Proposals in detail. “I know that the CITB will relish returning its entire focus to delivering skills provision for the construction sector at a time when it is more crucial than ever. I also want to welcome Tim Balcon in his new role as CITB CEO from 1 October and thank Sarah Beale for the great work she has done for many years in leading the CITB.” Peter Lauener, CITB Chair, said: “Construction has been through a tremendously difficult couple of years. CITB moved quickly to support employers by freezing Levy collection last year, cutting bills by half this year, and putting the right support in place.  “We will carry on with delivering our current plans and get started with shaping our future ones. I want to thank everyone who participated in the Consensus process this year – your input is invaluable and will help shape CITB’s support for you in future.” 

Scaffold Design Firm and UKSSH Help to Provide Innovative Solution at Sellafield

Scaffmag Newsdesk
-
0
Scaffold Design Firm and UKSSH Help to Provide Innovative Solution at Sellafield

Creator Scaffold Design and UKSSH were proud to be part of supplying a complex HAKI Temporary Roof that enabled the removal of radioactive sludge in record time.

Working closely with Creator Scaffold Design, UKSSH supplied a Haki Temporary Roof that enabled a redundant sixty-year-old settling tank at Sellafield to be cleared of radioactive sludge and then be resealed in record time. Despite the complexity of the project, it took Creator Scaffold Design just 12 weeks to design, deploy and commission the structure. Clay Pickworth of Creator Scaffold Design explains that the rolling aspect of the roof was critical to the success of the project: “By designing a rolling roof we enabled scaffolders to build the structure from a position of relative safety and push it out over the tank – the alternative (traditional) approach would have required scaffolders to work over an open tank of radioactive liquor”. A leak from the sump of a redundant settling tank was discovered in 2019 and – although it posed no immediate risk to people – required urgent work to fix it. The settling tank had been put into a care and maintenance regime in the 1990’s, with decommissioning planned for the 2030’s, but that all changed in 2019 when the leak was discovered. In the 1990’s the work could have taken years, but despite the Covid-19 lockdown, the work was completed in just nine months with innovations that have helped accelerate the decommissioning of the wider site. The primary requirement was to perform waste retrieval operations at a safe distance for humans while minimising any airborne contamination. The HAKITEC 750 Roof System from UK System Scaffold Hire was the perfect solution: Lightweight, safe, fast and easy to erect, the HAKITEC 750’s highly effective weatherproof seal provides maximum protection against the elements and helps to contain hazardous materials. The temporary roof enabled a gantry to be built above the tank which supported a remotely operated crane that lowered the necessary tooling to safely remove radioactive sludge and waste before re-concreting the base of the tank to reseal it. The solution was so effective that, now that the immediate problem has been overcome, the system remains in place to clean up other areas of the same facility.

Shortage of scaffolders could last for years

Scaffmag Newsdesk
-
0
Shortage of scaffolders could last for years

A major survey of building firms by the CBI has found that shortages of scaffolders, bricklayers, carpenters and electrical engineers are suffocating growth in housebuilding and civil engineering projects.

The CBI now fears these shortages could last for ‘years’ as some of the most in-demand tradesmen, such as bricklayers, have been left off the post-Brexit Shortage Occupation List.

With material supplies and transport issues both being worsened by the current HGV driver shortages, the CBI is calling on the government to get a grip on the situation.

Tony Danker, CBI Director-General, said: “Labour shortages are biting?right across? the economy. While the CBI and other economists still predict growth returning to pre-pandemic levels later this year, furlough ending is not the panacea some people think will magically fill labour supply gaps. These shortages are already affecting business operations and will have a negative impact on the UK’s economic recovery.” “Other European countries are also experiencing staffing shortages as their economies bounce back. In the UK, many overseas workers left during the pandemic affecting sectors including hospitality, logistics and food processing. And new immigration rules make replacing those who left more complex. “Building a more innovative economy – coupled with better training and education – can sustainably improve business performance, wages and living standards.? But transformation on this scale?requires planning?and takes time.? The Government’s ambition that the UK economy should become more high-skilled and productive is right. But implying that this can be achieved overnight is simply wrong. And a refusal to deploy temporary and targeted interventions to enable economic recovery is self-defeating. “Let’s be clear – employers back existing Government schemes to get people back into work. And businesses are already spending significant amounts on training, but that takes time to yield results, and some members suggest it could take two years rather than a couple of months for labour shortages to be fully eliminated. “Using existing levers at the UK’s control – like placing drivers, welders, butchers and bricklayers on the Shortage Occupation List – could make a real difference. The Government promised an immigration system that would focus on the skills we need rather than unrestrained access to overseas labour. Yet here we have obvious and short-term skilled need but a system that can’t seem to respond. “Great economies like great businesses can walk and chew gum. We need short-term fixes to spur recovery and long-term reforms to change our economic model.”

HSE update guidance on driving and riding for work

Scaffmag Newsdesk
-
0
HSE update guidance on driving and riding for work

The HSE, working in partnership with the Department for Transport (DfT), has published updated guidance on work-related road risk (WRRR) for employers and workers.

The gig economy and the increasing use of personal vehicles for work purposes – the so-called ‘grey fleet’ – has created some confusion over where responsibility for legal compliance lies, says the regulator. Driving for work is likely to be the most dangerous activity most workers will ever undertake.
  • Every week there are around 200 deaths and serious injuries involving people using the road for work
  • It is estimated that 40,000 people working in occupations such as sales, deliveries or taxi-driving are involved in road traffic collisions every year
  • Company car drivers in the UK are 49% more likely to be involved in traffic collisions, even after correcting for demographic variables and their relatively high mileages
  • Countless other will suffer stress, anxiety and/or minor injuries from unreported incidents.
HM Inspector for HSE’s Transport and Public Services Unit, Nicola Jaynes, commented: “The Health and Safety at Work Act sets out the legal duties of employers and those engaged to work for them, their responsibilities to manage WRRR are nothing new. However, the landscape is changing and we wanted to ensure guidance reflects these changes and also remains relevant for years to come. “Companies who otherwise have robust health and safety policies sometimes fail to consider their responsibilities adequately when it comes to driving or riding for work. Everyone should come home from work safe and well, whether they’re working behind a desk or behind the wheel.” Prosecutions could lead to significant fines and custodial sentences, as well as driving bans and/or operator licences being revoked. In 2020, a company found guilty of failing to effectively manage fatigue for their employees driving for work, was fined £450,000 and ordered to pay £30,000 costs after two men lost their lives in a motorway collision. All drivers and riders have an individual responsibility for their driving behaviour under road traffic laws. However, when driving for work, the organisation they work for has legal responsibility for their employees’ health and safety. For example, ensuring employees do not drive an excessive number of hours and checking their vehicle is properly maintained, even if it belongs to the employee. The regulations apply to all workers including those using two-wheeled vehicles, such as motorcycles, scooters and ebikes. The updated guidance is informed by HSE research which included a literature review, survey and interviews with those working in the sector. Nicola Jaynes added: “The shocking number of injuries and fatalities associated with driving for work demonstrates that more needs to be done to manage WRRR.  This updated guidance will give employers the guidance they need to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their drivers and riders. Organisations with a positive safety culture and clear, well-managed policies for driving and riding for work can have a significant influence keeping our roads safe for everybody.” Read the newly updated guidance on work-related road risk here.

CITB is set to protect and increase training capacity for scaffolding

Scaffmag Newsdesk
-
0
CITB is set to protect and increase training capacity for scaffolding

CITB has announced that scaffolding training will continue at its facility in Erith, Kent while also increasing capacity at Bircham Newton in Norfolk.

Speaking to Scaffmag the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) said in addition to creating increased capacity at the Bircham Newton, Norfolk-based, training site, retention of the training centre at Erith has now been confirmed, in order to ensure that high-quality provision remains available for the sector.   

This is to ensure employers’ access to specialist training provision in the region, particularly in the priority skills area of scaffolding.   

National Construction College (NCC) South, run by expert instructors, continues to provide high-quality training alongside CITB’s other colleges at Bircham Newton, Norfolk, and Inchinnan, near Glasgow. 

The training board says supporting employers’ core skills and training needs and tackling long-term people and skills challenges underpin CITB’s 2021/22 Business Plan, published in March. And the CITB remains focused on supporting learners at the three NCC centres to continue delivering excellent training for construction employers.  

Its new commitment comes after the CITB shelved plans earlier this year to sell off the NCC’s at Bircham Newton, Norfolk and Inchinnan after failing to find buyers.

The CITB’s training update has been welcomed by industry body the Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS). 

David Mosley, CISRS Managing Director, said: “It’s great news that the scaffolding training facility at Erith is to be retained by CITB, whose expert instructors have provided training for London and South East employers for so long. 

“The construction industry urgently needs new workers to ensure contracts are fulfilled and the industry can be more productive, so the retention of Erith provides much-needed continuity, reassurance and confirmation that CITB remains committed to training the next generation of scaffolders.” 

Jackie Ducker, CITB Customer and Product Director, said: “Scaffolding has been identified as a priority skills need and training is in high demand.  

“Employers in the South East and London can have the confidence that they can access the training they need through CITB, which will continue to support a dedicated high-quality training facility run by experts, for professionals, to benefit the region, industry, and wider economy.” 

Scaffolding Association Welcomes Improved Mental Health Support

Scaffmag Newsdesk
-
0
Scaffolding Association Welcomes Improved Mental Health Support

New research suggests that over a third of businesses have reported that employee mental health support has got better since the start of the pandemic.

A recent survey conducted by the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) who work with millions of employers and employees every year to improve workplace relationships, found that over a third of British employers have seen their mental health support improve since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Businesses were asked about whether they had seen a change to employee mental health and wellbeing support in their organisation:
  • over a third (36%) said it had got better
  • nearly 1 in 10 (9%) said it had got worse
  • half (50%) reported it as staying the same
  • 6% of employers did not know
Robert Candy, Chief Executive of the Scaffolding Association welcomed the findings. He said “Whilst the results from this survey are largely positive, there is much more work to do across all sectors to ensure employees can access the help and support they need on this really important issue. The construction industry in particular, must be more proactive in tackling the huge problem it has with the lack of wellbeing support provided to its workforce. Poor mental health in the industry is exacerbated by requirements to work away from home, heavy workloads, long hours and job insecurity”. A recent report published by the construction sector stated that seven in ten construction companies surveyed do not measure the mental wellbeing of their staff and Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures show that more than 2,000 construction workers took their own lives in the UK in the decade to 2017 which is more than four times the number of constructions workers killed whilst working during the same period. For more information on this latest research from ACAS visit: https://www.acas.org.uk/over-a-third-of-businesses-report-that-employee-mental-health-support-has-got-better  

Advanced Scaffolding (SW) Ltd Wins Top Business Award

Scaffmag Newsdesk
-
0
Advanced Scaffolding (SW) Ltd Wins Top Business Award

Advanced Scaffolding (SW) Ltd, have won a top business award that names them as ‘Best Employer’ in North Devon’s independent Business Action Awards 2021.

Business Action Awards Judges said they were impressed with Advanced Scaffolding’s open approach to recruitment and its belief that “everybody deserves a chance to shine and achieve their potential”. The firm has taken on many young people who have grown and matured while working for the business since it was established in 1999 by Matt Bacon. Advanced Scaffolding is one of the largest scaffolding contractors in the area employing more than 50 people. The company has new build sites in the Exeter, Tiverton and Barnstaple areas. The business also benefits from nationwide contracts with Aldi supermarkets, Lloyds bank and Marks & Spencer, predominantly located in the South of England and Wales. The business aims to create a family atmosphere, having an open-door policy so everyone feels comfortable discussing their ideas, concerns or suggestions, the judges said. Speaking to AccessPoint about winning the award Gemma Bacon, the company’s Office Manager, said: “To be awarded the winners of ‘Best Employer’ was a huge honour. We have dedicated employees who have worked with us learning their trade from the ground up – from apprentices to SMSTS Advanced Scaffolders – a number of whom have been part of the team for almost 20 years. This reflects the teamwork and the family ethos that we strive for.”
1...128129130...339Page 129 of 339