One of Scotlands largest scaffolding providers has revealed how the firm erected a 24m-high circular scaffold around the Hamilton Mausoleum in preparation for major repairs.
JR Scaffold Services, a division of the JR Group has erected a full perimeter scaffold structure including a huge circular/radial scaffold around the dome of the building ahead of restoration works.
The scaffold, which was supplied on behalf of Go Wright Ltd, will stand erected until 2022, upon completion of planned stone restoration and lead replacement works.
Project Scotland reports that following a campaign from the Hamilton Mausoleum Trust, South Lanarkshire Council pledged to invest thousands into repairing the historic building.
They later commissioned repair work to combat water ingress and reverse signs of wear and tear.
Located in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, the Hamilton Mausoleum was the resting place of the family of the Dukes of Hamilton.
Built-in the grounds of the now-demolished Hamilton Palace, it’s high stone used to hold the record for the longest echo within any man-made structure in the world, taking 15 seconds for the sound of a slammed door to fade.
In recent years the Mausoleum has hosted modern and classical music performances and art installations.
JR Scaffold Services worked with Historic Scotland to erect the scaffolding project in a way that would protect the building and its history.
Speaking to Project Scotland John Jack, contracts manager at The JR Group, said: “We’re proud to be playing a part in the restoration of the Hamilton Mausoleum – one of the country’s most iconic buildings that holds a fascinating history.
Over a four-week period, we built a scaffold structure around the entire perimeter of the building including the dome, along with a full-height loading bay, staircase and hoist bay. The scaffold will allow for important works to preserve the Hamilton Mausoleum, which has been showing signs of water ingress.
“JR Scaffold Services worked closely with Historic Scotland throughout this process to ensure that the building and its features were protected. Vital repair works have now begun and when completed will breathe new life into the landmark, helping to safeguard its future.” 
Over 140 tonnes of PERI UP scaffolding has been used on the project to support a range of access requirements, keeping the temporary load of the solution to a minimum throughout each phase. This has involved incorporating the lightweight 
One of the key benefits of PERI’s involvement was its supply of essential formwork products in the early stages of the project and how it integrated with the 
HSE’s chief inspector of construction, Sarah Jardine, said: “Around 100 times as many workers die from diseases caused or made worse by their work than are actually killed in construction accidents.
“Our inspection initiatives ensure that inspectors are able to speak to duty holders and visit sites to look at the kind of action businesses in the construction industry are taking right now to protect their workers’ health, particularly when it comes to exposure to dust and damage to lungs. These are mature health challenges that the industry ought to be managing effectively.
“There are a few simple things that everyone can do to make sure they are protecting their health and their future. Be aware of the risks associated with activities you do every day, recognise the dangers of hazardous dust and consider how it can affect your health. We want businesses and their workers to think of the job from start to finish and avoid creating dust by working in different ways to keep dust down and wear the right protective equipment.”
HSE is being supported by the Health in Construction Leadership Group (HCLG) and Tier 1 industry contractors. Throughout October 2021, HCLG members will carry out more than 1,000 site visits to assess the effectiveness of measures in place to controls workers’ exposure to respiratory risks from dust.
Findings from site visits and a survey will allow the industry to feed into HSE’s broader commitment to improve the health of construction workers by providing HSE with a wider dataset to evaluate ongoing practices across the industry.
HSE and industry Insights will support HSE’s strategic plan to broaden the range and depth of future regulatory health interventions. 
Matthew Harbinson, defending, said: “When he arrived at the company he was proactive in cleaning up the yard. In doing so he collected up a lot of scrap metal.
“He said most of the metal was offcuts and he decided that as these lengths didn’t meet regulations he would send them for scrap for his own financial gain.
“He is prepared to pay the company the amount he gained financially back in full.”
The former branch manager admitted fraudulent activity in that between June 2017 and September 2018 he dishonestly obtained scaffolding tubes belonging to MG Scaffolding and sold them as scrap.
Judge Ian Lawrie QC told him: “You really need to examine your sense of integrity in the light of your offending.
“However, I am pleased that you have found new employment in a completely different career. You do need to be punished, however, for the gross betrayal of trust.
“You will repay the amount you fraudulently gained back to the company.”
The judge ordered that he pay £5,840.20 compensation to MG Scaffolding and be subjected to an 18-month community order that includes 200 hours of unpaid work He also ordered him to pay court costs of £1,822 and a victim surcharge. 
Charles Stratford, Business Development Manager – PERI UP, said: “In today’s world, it’s really important that we share our knowledge and work collaboratively with the whole supply chain. The days are gone where you stand alone in winning major projects and promoting safe working practices. We feel it’s important that engineers have a full appreciation of weight, buildability, and the integration with other systems to be able to put the best design forward.
We’ve had a lot of positive feedback around the event, and we look forward to hosting more days like this where we can support the next generation of industry workers as we strive to make the construction process more efficient and safer.” 
Rob Davies, CITB Wales Senior Customer Engagement Manager, said: “This is a great way to show that there’s something for everyone in construction, whatever you’re interested in. Due to a labour shortage the sector is crying out for new entrants right now, and offers so many paths into a highly rewarding career, from apprenticeships to Further Education and more.”
The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) no longer require applicants applying for the Supervisory Gold card with an OWS N/SVQ to submit additional evidence demonstrating competence in their occupation.
The change comes after consultation with the National Working Group (NWG) for Occupational Work Supervision (OWS).
Applicants need only to provide evidence of their OWS N/SVQ and to have passed the 
