Construction Industry leaders have called for an acceleration of rules relaxing requirements for COVID-19 self-isolation for double-vaccinated workers.
On August 16 the regulations on self-isolation will be relaxed across the economy, when anyone who has been double-jabbed will be able to continue to work if they are notified that they have been a contact of someone that has COVID-19.
But ahead of the change, construction businesses from merchants to manufacturers and consultants to contractors are being severely hampered as staff are having to stay home after being identified as a contact of a COVID-19 case, even if they are fully vaccinated.
The issue is further exacerbating existing difficult trading due to materials and staff shortages.
The Construction Leadership Council proposes that the 16 August relaxation be brought forward as soon as is possible.
The move would incentivise workers to get vaccinated, while alleviating pressures on the delivery of vital construction projects and maintenance of national infrastructure.
Construction continues to widely implement the Site- and Branch Operating Procedures to continue to operate safely.
CLC co-chair Andy Mitchell said: “We have reports from across the industry of plants, sites and offices having to wind down activities as staff have been asked to isolate. This is putting very significant pressure on the sector, risking project delivery and even the viability of some firms.“Where staff are already fully vaccinated, and recognising that such people will be free to work from 16 August anyway, we are asking the Government to bring forward this date for essential industries like construction, ensuring that the industry doesn’t grind to a halt”
An unqualified scaffolder and roofer have been sentenced following a fatal fall from a scaffold ladder access at a two-storey terraced house in Wimbledon.
Southwark Crown Court heard that on 26 November 2018, Philip Drinkwater and Anthony Bradley were working on the roof, which was accessed using a ladder and scaffold that had been erected by Dean Glen.
Later that day, Mr Drinkwater asked his co-worker, Mr Glen, to help him move some slates up onto the roof using an electric hoist. While he was carrying out this operation, he fell approximately six metres through a gap, which was adjacent to the hoist and landed on the ground where he died almost immediately.
An HSE investigation found that Mr Glen had erected the scaffold leaving a 1.17m gap in the edge protection at the ladder access point without fitting a scaffold gate.
Mr Glen had erected the scaffold when not fully qualified to do so and it did not comply with industry standards or legal requirements. Mr Drinkwater was in charge of the roof work, which he allowed to proceed despite the gap and unsafe ladder access. He lacked the training to manage health and safety on the site and failed to appoint a suitably qualified scaffolder to erect the scaffold.
Philip Drinkwater (trading as Prestige Roofing) in New Malden pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. He was fined £5,000 and ordered to pay costs of £6,318.
Dean Glen (trading as DDP scaffolding) in Horley pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. He was fined £5,000 and ordered to pay costs of £6,318.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Kevin Smith: “The tragedy of this incident was that it was totally avoidable.“Preventative measures were inexpensive and required little time or effort. Reducing the size of the opening in the guard rails and installing a self-closing scaffold gate would have stopped this man from falling to his death. A scaffold gate costs around £40 and only takes a few minutes to install.“Those involved in scaffolding and roof work on smaller sites need to be aware of the potentially devastating consequences of failing to put basic safeguards in place.”
Technical support for TG20:13 will be withdrawn from Tuesday 12 October.
Six months after the launch of TG20:21 the NASC say it will no longer be possible to activate, move or reset a licence for its older software TG20:13.
The online wind map functionality will also be removed from TG20:13. For now, the NASC say users will still be able to produce compliance sheets for scaffolds that do not use the wind map and it will still be possible to use the simplified ‘offline’ wind map.
Scaffolders wishing to continue to produce TG20 compliance sheets with data drawn from the online wind map function will need to purchase a TG20:21 licence, available in one-, three- and five-year subscriptions.
The five-year subscription, which costs 20% less than buying a one-year subscription and renewing each year, is a limited-time offer so users are encouraged to buy now to receive this saving.
The TG20:13 eGuide software is being formally withdrawn as the software platform it was developed on, Adobe Air, is no longer supported or maintained by Adobe.
During the lifetime of TG20:13, it has been necessary to update the software when third party platforms that TG20:13 is reliant upon, such as Google Maps, were changed.
After Tuesday 12 October, no further updates to TG20:13 will be made.
Terry Roberts, Software Development Manager at CADS, which develops TG20 on behalf of the NASC, said: “We have taken the opportunity to not only refresh the technology that the TG20 eGuide is developed on, but also to substantially improve its presentation and clarity, with interactive 3D graphics that clearly illustrate the TG20 compliance features of the scaffold.“Now that the TG20:21 eGuide is available on the Cloud via the NASC ePortal, it is more accessible than ever, whether you are working on site, at the office or at home, and on a wider variety of devices that now includes Apple iPhones and iPads in addition to Windows, Mac and Android devices.”
TG20:21 retains the user-friendly look and feel of TG20:13, but includes a number of revisions to make the process of producing compliant scaffolding – in accordance with the European standard BS EN 12811 – even simpler, and incorporates a wider range of scaffolding types.
Additions include exterior birdcages, tube and fitting mobile towers, tube and fitting loading bays without beams, and tied independent scaffolds with three inside boards. TG20 compliance sheets are now double-sided, with an illustration and principal compliance criteria on the front, and detailed compliance criteria listed on the reverse.
Users can access TG20:21 – including the associated and updated Operational and Design Guides – via the NASC ePortal.
Robin James, NASC Managing Director, said: “The TG20 compliance criteria and good practice guidance have been significantly updated for TG20:21 and the NASC strongly recommends that all those involved in the procurement, supply and use of scaffolding follow the latest guidance.”
Scaffolding contractors Millcroft has won a significant project with TfL (Transport for London) at Whitechapel Station.
The two-year project will see Millcroft deploy enabling works for a maintenance and upgrade programme involving retail and residential properties owned by TfL adjacent to the District and Hammersmith & City lines at Whitechapel.
Millcroft has specialist expertise in complex projects across infrastructure, heritage and commercial sectors. Scaffmag understands the firm secured the project following a competitive tender after delivering the initial design consultancy work for TfL, which informed the Conceptual Design Statement (CDS).
The TfL approved scaffolding company with an enviable track record in the rail sector, including current Crossrail infrastructure at Paddington and HS2 works at Euston, Millcroft will begin the project by erecting a 150 metres long x 8 metres high screen between the properties and the live London Underground lines. Work on the screen will be restricted to weekend possessions and involve installation of a scaffold frame for a monoflex screen.
Once the screen has been installed, Millcroft say they will erect the scaffolding required for access and safety for the refurbishment programme, which will involve works to the facades, windows and roofs.
Installation and adaptations to the scaffolding will be phased to meet the main contractor’s requirements during the two-year programme and the Millcroft team will collaborate with the contractor to finalise the design and agree the schedule.
Billy Jones, managing director of Millcroft, commented: “We have been involved in this project since the very earliest stage, when our in-house engineering team provided guidance on the design requirements. We’re delighted to be building on our relationship with TfL and our reputation in the rail sector with this project and look forward to completing the screen within the next month.”
Enigma Industrial Services has boosted its workforce on Teesworks – the UK’s largest Freeport after a series of contract wins.
The multiservice company has been on Teesworks for four years providing scaffolding, insulation and painting services on a number of projects across the site.
Recent work includes providing internal scaffold access for the remediation of Steel House, focusing on the removal of asbestos.
According to the Northen Echo the firm has now won a new £450,000 contract to remain at Teesworks for 12 months, and its presence there has already led the team taking on more work with other businesses on the site.
Enigma is currently erecting scaffolding at the South Bank Coke ovens and, thanks to these successes, in the past four weeks it has increased the number of its workers on site from four to eight.
It has also signed up Stockton-based training provider Northern Safety to upskill the company’s new starters giving them the skills they need to help with the redevelopment of Teesworks.
Enigma Industrial Services General Manager Kayvon Azadi said: “We’re thrilled to continue to be part of this massive regeneration project, which will bring real positive change for generations to come with new opportunities. It’s been really interesting watching how the site has developed in the four years we’ve been working there and are incredibly privileged to be able to help it evolve further.“We’re proud to employ local people and are delighted we’ve been able to grow our workforce to get more people permanently based on the Teesworks site and take on these new projects.“We’re passionate about supporting local businesses and using the brilliant supply chain that exists in the region and our work at Teesworks has meant we can do that, as we progress on to bigger things.”
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “We’re grateful to have Enigma and its skilled specialists on-site, helping our team and other contractors as we ramp up Teesworks’ transformation faster than ever. This will get the site investor-ready as early as possible, make sure we take full advantage of all the opportunities.
“Enigma’s help has been invaluable over the years on a range of projects, and so it’s a no-brainer to award them a new contract to keep them on the site, ensuring their experience is put to good use.
“It’s fantastic to see other companies at Teesworks are noticing Enigma’s hard work and signing them up too. It’s down to all of this that it’s been able to go on and increase the boots on the ground, backing another great local training provider in the process.”
Teesworks is the UK’s largest Freeport and has been set up to promote the economic growth and commercial development of the Tees Valley by converting assets in the South Tees area into opportunities for business investment and economic growth.
It covers around 4,500 acres of land to the south of the River Tees and includes former SSI steelworks site as well as other industrial assets.
The area has river access and includes the deep-water port of Teesport, England’s largest exporting port.
Alex Minett, Head of Product & Markets at CHAS, shares some tips for working well in hot weather.
While temperatures have been variable in the UK this summer, the UK’s ten warmest years on record have all occurred since 2002 and overall, the world is hotting up; the highest temperature ever recorded on earth was observed in Death Valley on June 9th 2021, where it reached of 54.4°C. With extreme hot spells often arriving with little warning, employers and employees alike must be ready to recognise and manage the risks.
Be educated about sun protection
Alex Minett, Head of Product & Markets at CHAS
The potential for skin damage and skin cancer from unprotected exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays is one of the better understood hot weather hazards, yet according to the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, skin cancer is rising faster than any other common cancer. It’s therefore essential that outdoor workers understand the risks and know how to stay protected.
All skin types are susceptible to damage, but people with red or fair hair and light coloured eyes and those with many moles are at increased risk.
The good news is that skin cancer is almost entirely preventable and several measures can be taken to stay safe when working in the sun. These include: Keeping t-shirts and tops on, wearing a hat that covers areas vulnerable to sunburn – such as the ears and back of the neck, staying in the shade where possible, using a high factor sunscreen of SPF 15+ and checking skin regularly for unusual spots or moles.
For more see: www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg337.pdf
Be alert to heat-related illnesses
As temperatures rise so does the risk of suffering heat-related illnesses, commonly referred to as heat stress. Heat stress can include relatively minor issues like heat cramp and heat rash along with more severe conditions such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Treating heat exhaustion quickly can reverse the effects but a blood temperature rise above 39.5°C can turn into heatstroke, which is a medical emergency. Regular training can help workers to recognise and respond to the signs of heat-related illnesses.
Consider control measures
Several control measures can reduce the risks associated with working in the heat. These include scheduling work for cooler times of day and alternating tasks to avoid sustained periods of outdoor work. It’s also a good idea to provide shade where possible and consider window tints for vehicles operating in direct sunlight. Increasing the frequency of breaks during hot spells and providing shaded or air-conditioned rest areas with access to water can also be helpful.
Provide protection
Covering up with long-sleeved cool clothing, wearing hard hat neck shades or legionnaires hats with a flap and brim to protect the ears and neck and using high-factor sunscreen can all help guard against sunburn while breathable safety footwear can ensure workers stay comfortable and protected.
Some workers may appreciate cooling vests that can be ice-cooled like ice packs and cooling bandanas, towels and wraps.
When it comes to sunglasses, look for the European CE mark, which indicates a safe level of protection. Ideally sunglasses should be close fitting and wrap around to prevent solar UVR entering around the edges and don’t forget to make sure they’re compatible with other PPE.
Create a sun protection policy
Sun protection policies are commonplace in countries such as Australia, where they have a large number of sunny days and a high UV index but as temperatures rise in the UK, they are also becoming more popular.
A sun protection policy could include any of the measures set out above as well as providing details of any training schedules and pledging a commitment to review your approach regularly.
The charity skin.org offers a free Sun Safe Workplaces accreditation scheme which involves creating and uploading a sun protection policy as a written document that records why and how the solar UVR risk is to be managed. www.skcin.org/ourWork/sunSafeWorkplaces.htm
To find out more about how CHAS can help ensure high standards of health and safety throughout your supply chain, visit chas.co.uk
CISRS has strengthened its management team through the appointment of a hugely experienced scaffolding industry professional.
CISRS has today announced that Tony Barry, who has worked in the industry for 40 years – the most recent 20 of which have been with the CITB, takes up the position of CISRS Compliance Manager.
In his new role, Tony will have the primary responsibility for the development and review of course content, Scheme accreditation criteria, auditing procedure and scheme policy, ensuring that they remain high quality, cost effective and ‘fit for purpose’.
CISRS said that Tony will also be heavily involved with the Scaffolding Apprentice Trailblazer review due to take place later this year. Having delivered many apprenticeship programmes over the years he will no doubt offer a unique insight into the training and assessment process.
Talking about his CISRS role, he said: “I’m looking forward to promoting the scaffolding industry as an exciting opportunity for all to become competent, valued and skilled members of the construction industry workforce. “I’m also relishing the opportunity to review CISRS Scheme content. Standardised training such as the CISRS Scheme helps ensure a safe working environment through continually looking to enhance the training requirements to mirror new industry innovations and development.”
In his new role, Tony will work closely with CISRS Managing Director Dave Mosley.
Tony started working with NCC Midlands (CITB) around 20 years ago around the same time Dave Mosley began working with CISRS. They have worked together on several working parties over the years and already have a good working relationship
Dave Mosley, CISRS Managing Director
Dave said: “Myself, the Directors and the CISRS staff are really pleased to have Tony on the team. He has a wealth of industry knowledge and experience which will be a massive boost to CISRS. “He has really hit the ground running, currently revising the CISRS Training modules to reflect the changes to TG20. There is plenty more to come with course content and scheme accreditation reviews in the pipeline. “We know he will bring the same enthusiasm, professionalism and rigour to CISRS as he that he has shown in his various roles at CITB in the last 20 years.”
Everyone’s heard of the old saying ‘You get What You Pay For’ – here in the scaffolding industry this certainly applies to both Scaffolders and materials. As the summer heatwave arrives, quite a few are getting hot under the collar over the subject as Matthew Cousins, Director of Apex Scaffolding explains.
We all know the eternal problem Scaffolding companies face in terms of finding both scaffolders and materials. Scaffmag and the media has widely documented the soaring costs of both timber and steel, and how companies are struggling to obtain both for reasonable cost, to fulfil the contracts tendered for pre-pandemic.
I’m not sure there’s ever been a lack of available labour like there is now. Whose fault is that? Are we not being welcoming? Are we not attending careers fairs to promote the job? Do we have a training programme that takes years to complete? What teenager now wants to spend two years training to be a scaffolder, when it seems like you can become a fully qualified bricky just by owning your own trowel.
Is it our recruitment strategy appears to be, ‘my uncle did it once so he said I should have a go’? Ironically, it’s how I got into scaffolding in the first place. Are we still looked upon as not clever enough to get into college?
I’m passionate about working with the NASC to get into schools and colleges. We need to promote the industry as something exciting, challenging and ultimately a decent way to earn good money, without racking up tuition fee debts.
If you need an example, how about this, the other morning yet another scaffolder had come into our office and said: “So and so has rung me up and offered me £X per hour, so I’m off as you don’t pay me enough.” Now anyone who has worked in the office of a scaffolding company will have heard this countless times, and the normal response is as a company we do not like being held to ransom. As soon as word gets round everyone wants a pay rise, because ‘They’re all worth it’.
The week before, as a response to all the previous leavers we had got everyone together in a toolbox talk and said to them: “Do you know what, we’ve been looking at the rates you are all on, and think you have done well in the last 12 months’, so every single person in the firm gets a £1 an hour increase. Even the lad who started three days before had the fastest ever increase! But is this enough?
We always felt our company was the place scaffolders wanted to work. Perhaps that was naïve of us, certainly conceited. We do high profile jobs on amazing buildings and work for the biggest and the best clients – but is this our downfall? We had a chat about it – if we were still on the tools would we want to work to all the extra conditions laid down by the main contractors, glasses, gloves, double lanyards, tool tethers, long trousers, long sleeves, pre-start briefings, safety stand downs, next day briefings, all while earning less than other guys jumping around in shorts on building sites? Do the Tier 1 construction sector actually value the lengths that we, and our operatives go to?
I would like to think our employees appreciate how much we value their safety. We would hope they’d like us to buy them all bacon rolls when someone gets an award. That we offer more training courses than local companies and look after our workers interests. I am still not sure all scaffolders care about is their wage packet. There are some who change companies for 25p an hour and must have a cupboard full of branded t-shirts from every company in the region. That doesn’t excuse the fact that as an industry we haven’t been paying enough for a long time.
The recent pandemic and furlough payments showed being self-employed, or moving companies meant people missed out on government support. But like footballers’ scaffolders only have a certain window to earn the big money so they must get all they can without penalties while they can. Sorry about that.
Someone suggested we could offer them other benefits – I know a lot of other industries offer different perks including healthcare and gym membership. But if they have enough energy for the gym, have they been working hard enough? Do scaffolders really want any of these things?
Vans are popular – but surely only one from the gang gets the benefit of the van, outweighed by the fact he must get up earlier to pick everyone up on the way?
Down here in the South-West we have a housing boom and the HPC project creating a major vacuum point for scaffolders. It’s not a situation we can easily fix. We are starting again with five new apprenticeships, bringing new blood into the industry. Hopefully, they will see the gains of being with us, for the long haul. We like investing in people and watching them grow, and ultimately making them into the sort of people who are worth every penny.
We are exceptionally proud of everyone who puts on an Apex shirt because we want them to be proud of wearing it. If it means we must up our wage bill, then so be it. If this has a knock-on effect on our prices, so be it.
Just like us, if they want the best, they must be prepared to pay for it.
Altrad has announced the signature of a new three-year contract with its long-term partner Doosan Babcock.
The contract will see Altrad provide a range of support services in support of the UK Atomic Energy Authority’s fusion research and technology programme at its Culham Science Centre HQ in Oxfordshire and its new facility in Rotherham, Yorkshire.
Commencing in July 2021, Altrad will be working in partnership with Doosan Babcock to provide UKAEA with a year-round, core site team to support the UK’s fusion research and technology programme.
Altrad’s Business Unit Director (Nuclear) – Simon Roberts said, “The award of this contract builds upon our long-term, successful strategic relationship with Doosan Babcock and we look forward to using the ingenuity of our people to support the safe and efficient operations at the Culham and Rotherham sites”.
The company said this latest contract award reinforces Altrad’s position as the market leader in the provision of support services to the UK’s nuclear sector, which are delivered by over 1,000 of its talented, nuclear professionals.
Every day, 365 days a year, Altrad provides support services at a number of UK nuclear facilitates including; six nuclear-decommissioning sites across the Magnox estate, several decommissioning contracts at Sellafield, the entire EDF generation fleet, Hinkley Point C and at Capenhurst and Aldermaston.
Altrad’s Director of Business Development & Strategy – Peter Hughes added “We are delighted to have been awarded this contract, which supports the development of new technologies to enable the UK’s low carbon energy transition. The contract award aligns with the bold ambitions set out in our 2026 strategy, which will see Altrad become carbon neutral by 2030 or sooner”.
Betley Court Manor House was a residential home, where 20 people lived. As the house was completely unsafe after a fire broke out, the project needed to be restored quickly and safely.
To restore the beloved grade II listed 18th-century manor house, scaffolders needed to protect the whole area from the elements, allowing the building to dry out after being drenched by 40 firefighters. Once dried, the building needed ongoing protection to allow the restoration work to be carried out unhindered. George Roberts was engaged to supply all scaffolding, access, and weather protection equipment to this important project.
Space on site was limited, meaning George Roberts drivers had to Hiab the equipment onto ground level, and to minimise impact on those who reside around the building, careful planning was required to maximise the delivery schedule.
Working closely with its customer and their design team to specify the 1.3m X Beams for the support structure, George Roberts provided full and open technical data during the design process. This helped them to act quickly and mobilise equipment to support our customer’s programme and budget.
Challenges
As the building had been completely destroyed by the fire, serious care had to be taken in order for the job to be undertaken safely. Consideration for the historical elements of the building also had to be a priority, as with any listed building restoration.
One of the complexities of the project was to design the temporary roof structure around the numerous chimneys where extra beam work was required to support the roof. The best solution for this was utilising its 1.3m deep X Beams.
George Roberts Ltd provided a full UBIX roof system and the Aluminium X Beams in both 750mm and 1300mm deep for the additional support to enable the whole structure to be covered for restoration to begin.
Our high stock holding with beams being manufactured in the UK meant we were able to react quickly and mobilise the equipment within 7 days, allowing MD to stay on track with their tight programme.
Scaffold Package is £600k. Overall project estimated to be appx £6m.
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CLC co-chair Andy Mitchell said: “We have reports from across the industry of plants, sites and offices having to wind down activities as staff have been asked to isolate. This is putting very significant pressure on the sector, risking project delivery and even the viability of some firms.
“Where staff are already fully vaccinated, and recognising that such people will be free to work from 16 August anyway, we are asking the Government to bring forward this date for essential industries like construction, ensuring that the industry doesn’t grind to a halt” 
We always felt our company was the place scaffolders wanted to work. Perhaps that was naïve of us, certainly conceited. We do high profile jobs on amazing buildings and work for the biggest and the best clients – but is this our downfall? We had a chat about it – if we were still on the tools would we want to work to all the extra conditions laid down by the main contractors, glasses, gloves, double lanyards, tool tethers, long trousers, long sleeves, pre-start briefings, safety stand downs, next day briefings, all while earning less than other guys jumping around in shorts on building sites? Do the Tier 1 construction sector actually value the lengths that we, and our operatives go to?
I would like to think our employees appreciate how much we value their safety. We would hope they’d like us to buy them all bacon rolls when someone gets an award. That we offer more training courses than local companies and look after our workers interests. I am still not sure all scaffolders care about is their wage packet. There are some who change companies for 25p an hour and must have a cupboard full of branded t-shirts from every company in the region. That doesn’t excuse the fact that as an industry we haven’t been paying enough for a long time.
The recent pandemic and furlough payments showed being self-employed, or moving companies meant people missed out on government support. But like footballers’ scaffolders only have a certain window to earn the big money so they must get all they can without penalties while they can. Sorry about that.
Someone suggested we could offer them other benefits – I know a lot of other industries offer different perks including healthcare and gym membership. But if they have enough energy for the gym, have they been working hard enough? Do scaffolders really want any of these things?
Vans are popular – but surely only one from the gang gets the benefit of the van, outweighed by the fact he must get up earlier to pick everyone up on the way?
Down here in the South-West we have a housing boom and the HPC project creating a major vacuum point for scaffolders. It’s not a situation we can easily fix. We are starting again with five new apprenticeships, bringing new blood into the industry. Hopefully, they will see the gains of being with us, for the long haul. We like investing in people and watching them grow, and ultimately making them into the sort of people who are worth every penny.
We are exceptionally proud of everyone who puts on an Apex shirt because we want them to be proud of wearing it. If it means we must up our wage bill, then so be it. If this has a knock-on effect on our prices, so be it.
Just like us, if they want the best, they must be prepared to pay for it. 
