First scaffolding Trailblazer Assessments take place
Five scaffolding apprentices have become the first cohort in the UK to successfully complete their Scaffolding Trailblazer End Point Assessment (EPA) at NETA Training in Teesside.
CISRS have said Michael Allan, an experienced CISRS instructor of JMA Contract Services, put the group through their paces over the 2-day assessment. The delegates had to successfully erect a small structure individually, erect a Truss out scaffold as part of a group and pass a scaffolding theory test. They were required to read the drawings, work out materials lists and follow Risk Assessments and Methods Statements related to the exercises. The End Point Assessments had originally been scheduled for the spring, but due to COVID they were unable to take place, CISRS said. But also as an External Quality Assurance (EQA) body had not been appointed until recent months. Mr Allan said: “Although this was the first-ever Scaffolding EPA, we have been carrying out Skills tests associated with the CISRS core scheme for many years, as such I was pretty confident the format would work. “The lads were understandably a little nervous, particularly when they heard that CISRS Scheme Manager was coming to the Centre to see how things went, but they did well with both the individual and group structures and all them came through successfully.”What is a Trailblazer End Point Assessment?
Once an apprentice has completed their apprenticeship programme, they are deemed to at “the gateway” and they will be cleared to demonstrate their knowledge and capabilities in an assessment. The end-point assessment is conducted by a third party organisation and/or assessor that must be independent of the training provider. During the end-point assessment, the apprentice must show they can perform in their occupation in a fully competent, holistic and productive way. This will include a theory test, an basic individual task such and an independent or a tower plus also a larger structure to be completed as part of a team e.g. a Truss Out. The assessor must ensure that each member of the group is given the opportunity to lead operations and show their ability to read the drawings, work out materials and safely erect and dismantle the job.Sean Johnston Commercial Training Manager for NETA said: “We are really pleased to have got the first group of Scaffolding Apprentices through their End Point Assessment, albeit a few months later than we had originally planned. “We would like to thank Michael and JMA for a thoroughly professional job, I am sure the group are very pleased and possibly a little relieved to have successfully completed the programme. We hope they go onto to have a long, safe and successful career in scaffolding for years to come.” The original Scaffolding apprenticeship Framework has been withdrawn in England as of September, as such all future apprentices will be following the trailblazer programme. There are three other End Point Assessment Organisations in place, which should ensure that providers across the country can achieve timely completions for their apprentice cohorts.
Floating scaffolding system set for UK demo tour
ScaffFloat the new safe floating scaffolding access system is going on tour across the UK.
As reported first by Scaffmag the ScaffFloat is an innovative new product that uses a set of tough plastic floats that have been specifically designed to integrate with standard scaffolding parts to make floating pontoons, rafts and versatile floating structures. Following a number of requests from contractors, utility companies, government agencies and private companies around the UK, the firm have planned a small demo tour to give people the chance to come and stand on an 8m x 4m demo pontoon. ScaffFloat says it will give them the opportunity to see how stable, strong and safe the system is and help them understand the range of solutions ScaffFloat and their Approved Installers can offer projects they have above, on or near the water that need safe floating access. Toby Budd, Founder and MD said “The timing is not ideal with COVID, but we have taken extensive precautions to keep risk to a minimum. The demos are outside, pre-booked online, and attendance is capped to five guests.” He added: “We appreciate that many people won’t be able to attend because of the COVID situation, but given the quality of enquiries we are getting, we feel on balance it is still worth going. When people stand on the pontoon they ‘get it’; it is so stable, safe and well made it’s something you really need to see in person to appreciate.’’ All of the demos are being jointly hosted by Approved Installers of the system: these are scaffold companies that are trained and approved to build pontoons and floating access with the ScaffFloat floats. These include a wide range of companies and include Centregreat, Hadley, Attridge, iScaff, TR, Kaefer, SRT & Tilbury with more joining each week, they said. The floats are designed to integrate with popular 450 & 750 lattice beams, and then use standard tube lengths, forged double couplers and scaffold boards. The smallest pontoons start at 4m x 4m and can scale to almost any size. Safety is key to the system, so all pontoons come with a full set of designs and calculations for buoyancy and stability produced by a Naval Architect. CAT 3 checks are also available if needed. For more information on tour dates visit: scafffloat.co.uk/demo/TRAD Lift Shaft Gate – The Ultimate Safety Solution
TRAD UK, the new brand for the combined TRAD Hire & Sales and TRAD Safety Systems companies, now supplies the TRAD Lift Shaft Gate to scaffolding contractors and construction sites from its six depots across the UK.
The lift shaft gate is designed for use in multi-storey building construction, helping to protect site workers all the way through the project, and often being one of the last pieces of equipment to come off-site.
At 1.2m wide and 2m high, the gate is designed to fit a standard lift shaft opening, and can be extended with additional mesh panels for larger openings. The stable door design means that workers can access the shaft whilst benefitting from compliant edge protection, without needing to expose the whole of the shaft space.
Made from aluminium, this is a lightweight yet strong and secure gate solution that can be manually lifted and fitted, so there’s no need for expensive cranes to lift the gate in on every storey level.
Lockable gate protects workers around empty lift shafts during construction
“TRAD’s Lift Shaft Gate is the ideal safety solution for multi-storey construction sites,” says Derrick Quinn, TRAD’s Technical and Product Support Manager.
“Easy to move and install, completely lockable and offering total protection during construction, contractors can buy or hire our lift shaft gates for complete projects, no matter how many storeys high. This product is proving popular with contractors, who can now offer internal safety systems as well as external scaffolding solutions to their clients.”
- Stable-gate design for access with edge protection
- Fully lockable for complete safety
- Complies with BS EN 13374 Class A classifications
- Weighs just 30kg
- Fits standard 1.2m shaft opening
“TRAD’s Lift Shaft Gate is the ideal safety solution for multi-storey construction sites,” says Derrick Quinn, TRAD’s Technical and Product Support Manager.
“Easy to move and install, completely lockable and offering total protection during construction, contractors can buy or hire our lift shaft gates for complete projects, no matter how many storeys high. This product is proving popular with contractors, who can now offer internal safety systems as well as external scaffolding solutions to their clients.” G&M Training Surges Post Lockdown
Leading UK work at height training provider, G&M Safety Netting and sister brand G&M Safe Deck have seen a huge surge in demand for work at height and safety systems training from construction workers returning to work post-lockdown.
It’s especially seen demand for its own brand of access platform decking, G&M Safe Deck, the firm said today. The state-of-the-art new G&M training centre, just off the M6 in Cheshire, has seen an exponential increase in nationwide enquiries and bookings since the lockdown eased mid-June. In fact, industry calls for their training courses are so plentiful, G&M now has taken on two full-time FASET approved and audited training providers on the books, Daniel Lewis and Toby Ryder. Demand for the FASET Installers Card training has increased exponentially, along with training for its own brand of G&M Safe Deck, which is rapidly establishing itself as the number one choice for house builders for access platform decking. The G&M training centre has also seen demand for other FASET training courses they offer – Safety Netting Riggers Course, NVQ Level 2 Diploma in Safety Net Rigging, Safety Net Repair Course, Stair Tower Training, Inspectors, Managers and riggers General Site Assessment (GSA) – soar post lockdown, as companies seek to boost skill sets, safety and productivity on busy construction sites across the UK. All the G&M work at height training courses are being run to meet COVID security recommendations; following strict hygiene, PPE and social distancing guidelines, with limited course delegate numbers and plenty of fresh air billowing through the modern, spacious training centre unit.
G&M Managing Director, Mark Pickles said: “These have been trying times for everyone and our region has been hit hard by the pandemic. But the lockdown gave us the time to get ready to provide safe training for the UK construction sector, once the lockdown eased. And it is absolutely fantastic to see the response we have had to our training courses since, with the phone ringing off the hook to get booked in. We are run off our feet, especially with G&M Safe Deck training and hire and sale enquiries.
“Safety is in our DNA at G&M, so setting up and adhering to COVID-security measures has been bread and butter to us. And our popularity and the massive spike in demand for the range of FASET and other temporary safety system, inspection and management courses we offer has been a real lift in tough times.”
The Middlewich-based family-run firm, G&M Safety Netting has been a Fall Arrest Safety Equipment Training (FASET) approved training centre since 2010, with sister company G&M Safe Deck achieving FASET training status in 2016.
G&M Safety Training Ltd offer a wide range of FASET and other work at height training courses, as well as their own range of access platform decking, G&M Safe Deck and associated work at height safety products.
Course and product information and contact details can be found on the new-look websites: www.gmsafetynetting.co.uk & www.gmsafedeck.com. Construction charity app upgraded to include financial support
The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity’s free App has been upgraded with nudge, the market-leading financial wellbeing platform.
The new feature comes in response to feedback from the industry and findings of their latest Impact Report.
One of the key findings of the recently published report was that 62% of emergency financial grants were to help pay for daily living costs including buying food, paying utility bills, and clearing rent arrears and debt.
Over 50% of our construction workforce are either self-employed, agency workers or on zero-hour contracts, so when things go wrong financially, issues can quickly spiral out of control, the charity said.
With the newly upgraded app, it provides timely prompts (nudges) to take action and the tools look to help users manage their money. The construction charity said that nudge will help people to understand and manage their money more effectively, boost their financial wellbeing and in turn their overall wellbeing.
The new feature offers:
- nudges: When there’s something people need to know or a financial action they ought to take, users are sent a personal, timely nudge to remind them.
- Education: Bite-size personalised content – boosts financial knowledge, skills and confidence.
- Tools: Money management tools help with tasks such as budgeting or saving for goals easier.
Top design engineer returns to GKR
Lachezar Slavchev is returning to GKR Scaffolding to help grow its in-house Design Engineering team.
Award-winning scaffolding and access specialist GKR Scaffolding Ltd has confirmed Lach will lead the London based firms engineering strategy as a Consultant Engineer. Lach will be supporting GKR’s Managing Director, Neil Rowswell, and their operations team in a period of transformation, the company said. GKR Scaffolding has realigned its overall business strategy in response to the industry Roadmap for Recovery from the Construction Leadership Council. It has also established 6 workstreams to accelerate change in 6 key areas, with digital transformation being one of them, led by Neil Rowswell. Lach’s appointment sits within this part of the strategy, building on work that had already begun pre lockdown with tier 1 contractors planning for BIM integration and digital mandates. Lach originally joined GKR in 2015 as an undergraduate engineer. Having a unique hands-on approach, Lach complimented his engineering studies by also training as a scaffolder. He went on to build the largest in-house Design Engineering function in the London & South East region. By the time he left GKR in 2019, he left a strong legacy for training and developing graduate engineers in a unique learning culture that still thrives.
Anglewest Scaffolding calls in liquidators
Maidenhead based scaffolding contractor Anglewest Scaffolding Ltd has called in liquidators.
Anglewest Scaffolding had been trading for over 30 years offering scaffolding and access solutions to the London, Southeast and the Home Counties. The firm had worked on a number of high profile projects for construction giants in and around London including the Gherkin, London Bridge Station and Lords Cricket Ground. Anglewest employed over 30 scaffolders and office staff who were unaware until this week of its financial position. Difficulties arose after a number of the firm’s projects and contracts were suspended or cancelled as a direct result of COVID-19. Scaffmag understands FRP Advisory has been appointed liquidators. As of yesterday (8 October), Uxbridge based PHD Access has stepped in to fulfil contractual obligations of the business and minimise disruption to Anglewest’s clients. The firm has also taken on some of Anglewest’s staff that were made redundant. Danny Dwyer, Managing Director at PHD Access said: “Anglewest had an excellent reputation and employed many good people, however, Covid-19 and Brexit are having a significant impact on the construction industry and many scaffolding businesses are experiencing difficulties.”Builders report busy summer of home upgrades, says FMB
Strong levels of demand for repair and maintenance works saw builders report a busy summer, according to a new survey released today by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
Key findings from the FMB State of Trade Survey, the only survey of its kind to track the experience of small to medium-sized (SME) firms in the building industry, include:- 1 in 2 builders (47%) reported increased workloads in the summer months;
- More than 2 in 5 (42%) predict higher workloads in the autumn;
- More than three quarters (78%) of builders said they expect material costs to increase over the next two months;
- Almost 1 in 5 (17%) SMEs is planning to increase the number of general labourers on-site in the months ahead; and
- Almost 1 in 5 (16%) SMEs is planning to increase the number of specialist tradespeople on site.
AIF submits official representation to HM Treasury
