CISRS Cards Set To Go Smart In December

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CISRS Cards Set To Go Smart In December

CISRS new smart card system is set to go live in December when NOCN Job Cards take over from CITB, but don’t expect to receive your new card until January 2020.

As we previously reported, the forthcoming new digital Smart cards are thanks to a new partnership between CISRS and NOCN Job Cards after the CITB withdrew from providing the card scheme administration services, as part of its Vision 2020 programme.

CISRS has today confirmed that NOCN will take over the card provision from 2nd December 2019. This means any operative applying for a new CISRS card from this date will receive the new digital ‘Smart’ card.

However, CISRS has stated in a press release that due to the staff relocation from CITB to NOCN, induction training coupled with the usual Christmas shut down period, CISRS Smart cards will not be issued in December.

CISRS has asked that a little leniency is shown towards operatives waiting for a new card to be received during this period.

The new cards which will cost applicants £30 will use NFC (Near Field Communication) technology. When the Smart card is tapped on any NFC enabled device like modern mobile phones and tablets, the cardholders name, photo, courses and endorsements will magically appear on the screen of the device.

ScaffMag also understands that NOCN Job Cards are currently working on the next stage of Smart cards to allow for additional features to be introduced such as card renewal notifications.

CISRS NOCN Job Cards Logos

David Mosley, CISRS Managing Director, previously said: “We have been talking about smart technology for several years. We believe the new cards will add value to operatives, scaffolding contractors and end-users. 

“We are confident of achieving a smooth transition from CITB to NOCN Job Cards as we have been working closely with these parties over the last year and several of the staff currently working on CISRS administration at CITB are to be transferred to NOCN, so their knowledge and experience will not be lost.” 

For more information on the change over please read the CISRS Smart Card – Information for Applicants

TRAD UK shines spotlight on diversity and inclusivity

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TRAD UK shines spotlight on diversity and inclusivity

A UK scaffolding group has hosted an industry seminar with guest speaker Katie Piper to highlight the importance of diversity and inclusivity in scaffolding and wider construction.

TRAD Scaffolding, part of TRAD UK, has highlighted the importance of diversity and inclusivity within the scaffolding and wider construction industries by hosting a seminar for clients, staff and some of its workforce. 

The seminar, called ‘All Walks of Life Welcome’ focused on TRAD’s already-positive record for bringing a diverse range of employees into the industry, and highlighted the ways the company is intending to do more in the immediate future, including encouraging socially-marginalised groups like ex-offenders into the industry, giving people a second chance and welcoming anyone into the business.

Building on the theme, the seminar also covered the importance of looking after general wellbeing and mental health in the workplace.

“We’re certainly not jumping on a popular bandwagon,” said TRAD UK CEO Des Moore as part of his opening speech. “I’ve been with TRAD for almost three decades now and it has always been one of my objectives to balance the workforce in the business and ensure that everyone that wants to work here can – in any capacity and in any of the businesses, irrespective of background, academic ability, social situation, ethnicity, religion, race or gender.”

  • Katie Piper at TRAD UK Seminar
  • TRAD UK Seminar in London
  • TRAD UK

TRAD welcomed Katie Piper as the keynote speaker at the event. Ms Piper, an actress, television presenter and model, was the victim of an acid attack in 2008, which caused major injuries to her face and blinded her in one eye. She told the audience about her attack, her experiences of multiple surgeries and recovery and how she dealt with the attitudes and expectations of people around her, which changed significantly after the attack. 

Explaining how she eliminated negative energy from her life, and how the attack completely changed her perception of what was important and what was not, Ms Piper inspired the audience with her positive and open attitude, and the overall feedback was that they had left uplifted by hearing her story in person.

“Katie has overcome so many obstacles and has had a hard journey to get where she is today – which is a very good and positive place. I know everyone has gone away with huge respect for her determination, resilience and can-do attitude,” said Des Moore. “It’s important for everyone to see how hard it is for people who are seen as ‘different’ to fit into the workplace – and it’s our job as employers to break down those barriers and make sure that absolutely everyone gets a fair chance to show what they are capable of.”

TRAD Scaffolding, which celebrates its 50th birthday in 2021, is doubling its efforts to welcome all workers into the business. It is planning to sign the Armed Forces Covenant in the near future, and wants to increase representation by women in the industry – something that Des has been championing not just within TRAD UK, but during his term as President of the NASC.

Royston Scaffolding support colleague and ex-serviceman in Remembrance Sunday commemorations

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Royston Scaffolding support colleague and ex-serviceman in Remembrance Sunday commemorations

Cambridge & Hertfordshire based company Royston Scaffolding Ltd were on hand to aid the Remembrance Sunday commemorations, with support in particular for one of their colleagues and ex-serviceman, Richard Wright, who previously served in Iraq.

Accounts Manager Jacqueline and her 6-year-old Grandson, Jesse also showed their support by raising money for the Poppy Appeal and joining in the tributes at the Royston Remembrance parade with which Richard was taking part in. 

Richard Wright served in the army for almost ten years and was a Corporal (Section Commander) during this time he was deployed to Iraq, whilst on the roof of one of the buildings he wasn’t struck by enemy fire but was unlucky enough to be struck by lightning!

The ex-serviceman, now a Trainee Scaffolder commented: “I don’t recall much of the incident but I do remember when I was airlifted I was keen to see out of the window at the incredible view! I count my lucky stars and I try not to dwell on it too much as there are other servicemen who aren’t always so lucky.”  

Partner of Royston Scaffolding Ltd, Elliott McGrath added: “We’re so grateful to have Richard on the team here. Ex-servicemen can provide so much to ours and others’ industries and Richard is an excellent example of that. Scaffolding day-in-day-out is a tough job and Richard’s teamwork and leadership skills not to mention his humour are incredible.”

CISRS continues to grow globally after expanding into the Caribbean

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CISRS continues to grow globally after expanding into the Caribbean

CISRS has announced its overseas training scheme is now available in the Caribbean thanks to a new partnership between Scaffolding Manufacturers Trinidad LTD (SMTL) and Simian Skill.

Level 1, Level 2, Basic Inspection and Scaffolding Supervisor courses will soon be available at STML’s purpose-built training centre in Point Lisas, Trinidad, following a successful CISRS Overseas Scaffolders Training Scheme (OSTS) audit earlier this month.

Philip Archie, Managing Director at SMTL, said: “As we continue making mammoth strides, we are proud to announce this partnership with Simian Skill, through which we can offer CISRS scaffold training in Trinidad, setting the pace for the transformation of the scaffolding industry in the Americas.”

Ian Fyall, Managing Partner at Simian Skill, said: “We are pleased to open our ninth overseas CISRS partner centre, this time with SMTL, one of the most established scaffold companies in Trinidad. This goes to show the CISRS scheme has no boundaries with Simian having centres in the Middle East, Asia, Africa and now the Americas. 

“This centre is finished to a very high standard, with excellent space for training delivery and first rate practical and classroom areas. All scaffolding materials, PPE etc are brand new and meet the required BS/EN standards. We cannot wait to get the training underway.” 

  • Inside the new CISRS (OSTS) training centre in the Caribbean
  • Inside the new CISRS (OSTS) training centre in the Caribbean
  • Scaffolding Materials
  • Scaffolding Training Room
  • CISRS scaffold training in the Caribbean

Whilst in Trinidad, David Mosley, CISRS Scheme Manager, and Ian Fyall were invited to give a presentation on the CISRS scheme to the health and safety department of Atlantic LNG, one of the world’s largest producers of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) with an established reputation as a safe and reliable operator.

The pair were also invited to take part in one of the twice daily health and safety site walk rounds with the health and safety department and contractors, which aim to highlight not only any potential issues which could occur but recognise and praise the safe practices of those working on the site. 

David Mosley said: “We would like to thank Atlantic LNG for inviting us to the site at Port Fortin, these sorts of visits are invaluable for gaining an insight to Scaffolding practices in a region. Congratulations to SMTL and Simian. They have done a great job with the centre.

“We hope both clients and contractors will support them with their aim to establish recognised scaffold training qualifications in the Caribbean and wish them every success for the future.” 

SMTL is one of the largest scaffolding companies in the Caribbean, with more than 45 years of service in the industry.  SMTL continues to strive for excellence by providing every customer and stakeholder with the highest quality of service and putting safety first at all times.

Scaffolding Firm Fined For No Licence

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Scaffolding Firm Fined For No Licence

A Romford based scaffolding company has been prosecuted for erecting scaffolding in South East London with no Pavement Licence.

JCS Scaffolding Services Ltd, based in Romford, has been fined £1,283 after pleading guilty at Bromley Magistrates’ Court.

According to local media, the court heard that Bromley Council received a report in July 2019 that scaffolding had been erected at a property in the town without a licence, and JCS hadn’t adhered to the relevant requirements.

Under the Highways Act 1980 Section 169, the Council is meant to grant permission for a variety of structures to be placed on roads including scaffolding, builders skips, building materials and hoarding.

The Licences give permission for the structure to be on the highway for a set period of time.

Usually, certain conditions must be met before a licence is issued as this ensures that appropriate measures have been taken to safeguard the public and reduce disruption to other highway users.

Avontus Introduces Enhanced 3D Capabilities in Scaffold Designer 2020 Release

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Avontus Introduces Enhanced 3D Capabilities in Scaffold Designer 2020 Release

Avontus announced 3D shading modes, export to 3D PDF, and a host of new features in Scaffold Designer 2020 update.

Scaffolding software company Avontus has introduced major updates to its flagship Scaffold Designer software, which they say gives its customers a clear path to success in 2020 and beyond. 

Scaffold Designer 2020 has reached another design milestone with more advanced 3D capabilities that provides its customers access to the hallmark features of high-end CAD software. This enables its users to create detailed and professional 3D drawings in minutes rather than hours. 

The new software is packed with various new shading modes in 3D view (Realistic, Flat, and Hidden Lines, for instance), Scaffold Designer can instantly render vector-sharp views of the 3D design from raster images. This feature makes it easier to visualise the scaffold model dynamically on different devices and screens for accurate scaffolding erection.

Scaffold Designer 2020 also gives Avontus customers an Export to 3D PDF function. Its users can now export the 3D model from Scaffold Designer and view and share the design using Acrobat PDF Reader; no third-party applications are required.

Sharing his vision for Scaffold Designer 2020, Brian Webb, Avontus Founder and CEO said: “Our goal is to provide customers with an immersive 3D environment with four different methods to view scaffold designs: 3D PDF, Interactive 3D, Augmented Reality, and Virtual Reality. Having cutting-edge technologies that are comparable with premium CAD software, Scaffold Designer 2020 gives everyone a powerful way to communicate complex designs, enhance their bid strategy, and bring scaffold design to life and visualize success.” 

Avontus Scaffold Designer 2020

More New Features

In addition to these enhancements, Scaffold Designer 2020 includes multiple design improvements. A new tool for Dome shapes makes it easy to design geodesic domes like tanks and vessels. It also supports vertical domes and horizontal caps at any angle, helping designers fulfill architectural demands when working with irregular structures.    

Another addition to the Drawing tool is a U-head jack element for scaffold legs, which is adjustable in Bay View. It’s a small update yet carries a great impact. The detailed drawings of the U-head jacks convey the support components required for scaffolding safety.  

Offering a comprehensive building shapes stencil, Scaffold Designer 2020 enables quick and precise planning for any scaffold project. It gives users the freedom to innovate while still meeting the requirements of unique structures. 

Designers will enjoy a faster, more intuitive user interface. Scaffold Designer 2020 features enhanced user interface elements, new vector icons, streamlined ribbon navigation, and more.  

Avontus Scaffold Designer 2020

Another significant update is the new Training Video Player, featuring over 20 short tutorials (with more to come). These training videos are topic-focused and derived from real support cases. They offer quick guides that are searchable, easy to digest, and accessible using a side-by-side viewing mode that enables real-time interaction with the software at the same time. This feature update aims to maximize users’ time and allow them to get up to speed with Scaffold Designer at their own pace. 

“It’s easier than ever to create professional models in Scaffold Designer 2020,” explained Andrew Smith, Avontus VP of Operations. “Users can access and bookmark in-app tutorial videos and resume where they left off at any time. This helps them get around different parts of the software quickly, reduces the learning curves, and enables them to create amazing designs in next to no time.” 

The new release is now available for download. For the complete Scaffold Designer 2020 release updates, please visit the Avontus Website.

Scaffolder from Liverpool is Inspirational Apprentice of the Year

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Scaffolder from Liverpool is Inspirational Apprentice of the Year

Liverpool Scaffolder wins Inspirational Apprentice of the Year at the CITB Apprenticeship Awards 2019

Kenny Sandison, a 21-year-old scaffolder from Liverpool, was named Inspirational Apprentice of the Year at the 2019 Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) Apprenticeship Awards for his natural ability in scaffolding and attitude to work.  The CITB Apprenticeship Awards celebrate the achievements of apprentices and employers across the UK for their commitment and dedication to construction.  The winners were presented with their awards at a ceremony hosted by broadcaster and property entrepreneur, Sarah Beeny. The ceremony took place at Merchant Taylors’ Hall in London (7 November). Kenny started his apprenticeship with no formal qualifications from school, but with a passion to follow his dad’s footsteps to become a scaffolder. Kenny completed his level 2 in scaffolding and was taken on as permanent by Taylor Wimpey after his apprenticeship with them. He now has more responsibility on site and can supervise others. He has recently started mentoring new apprentices at the company.  Kenny said: “I am so pleased and at the same time shocked to win this award. My apprenticeship was a great experience and I would fully recommend it as a route to a brilliant career because, you get the balance of learning and practical experience. I’d like to thank Taylor Wimpey and Simian Skill as they supported me all the way in my apprenticeship”. Nici Milner, Apprenticeship Officer at CITB, added: “I am so pleased to see the person Kenny has become. He has achieved through adversity and proved himself to everyone, but most importantly to himself. His employer saw qualities in him that others were distracted by. They invested in him which helped him realise how much he is valued there. He was always respectful and polite in our meetings and he was a joy to work with. I am so proud of Kenny, he is extremely deserving of this award.” Kevin Mcloughlin, CITB board member and founder and Managing Director of Mcloughlin Decorating, concluded: “Congratulations to Kenny, a clearly dedicated apprentice – it’s great to recognise his hard work. Apprenticeships provide a fast track route into the construction industry. With so many rewarding careers opportunities in construction there is something out there for everyone. I wish Kenny all the best in his career in construction.”

We should think twice before using scaffolding, says demolition boss

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We should think twice before using scaffolding, says demolition boss

The Vice-President of the Insitute of Demolition Engineers has said his industry should think twice before using scaffolding to cover buildings under demolition.

VP, Richard Dolman, who is also the managing director of AR Demolition, said it was time for the demolition industry to consider new ways of dust suppression and protection from flying debris during the demolition of buildings. His stark comments were captured in a ConstructionIndex article following a flurry of recent demolition incidents that involved the collapse of scaffolding in Reading, Liverpool and Nuneaton. Speaking to Theconstructionindex Dolman said: “For many years, I’ve never understood why people think is a good idea to fasten scaffolding to a building, then demolish the structure behind the scaffold using a machine. “Scaffolding is useful if it’s used to take a building apart in reverse of how it was constructed, but I’ve never thought that it goes well with big machinery. It’s not even great for stopping dust because the minute you dismantle it, the dust goes everywhere. If there’s a structural collapse, you’re in real trouble as the recent incidents show.”
An Image of Richard Dolman of AR Demolition
Richard Dolman
However, his company AR Demolition has invented an alternative solution in the form of a modular debris protection frame and blast mats. “Our modular frame system took six months to design and can be transported in sections and bolted together in a day. The mats hang off a crane or a demolition rig – they’re six metres wide, 15 metres high and act as shield to stop debris and dust,” he said. “Only a few companies use it and as far as I know we’re the only one which uses an incorporated jet system to spray water back on to the work face.” He concluded in saying: “Let me emphasise that I’m not saying there is no place for scaffolding in demolition. There are occasions – mainly during floor-by-floor, very controlled, small-scale demolition – when it is the most appropriate method of dust suppression and protection against debris. I just think that there are better methods which should be more commonplace.”

Stork Awarded North Sea Offshore Services Contract

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Stork Awarded North Sea Offshore Services Contract

Stork has bagged a five-year contract to provide services for the Heather, Thistle and Magnus offshore platforms in the North Sea.

Global maintenance firm Stork has been awarded a five-year contract by EnQuest PLC to provide multi-skilled deck crew services for its offshore oil and gas assets located in the northern and central North Sea. Stork hasn’t disclosed the contract value. However, ScaffMag understands that The Muehlhan Group has retained the scaffolding contract. They will continue to supply and erect scaffolding services on EnQuest platforms in the North Sea. “Stork is pleased to once again work with EnQuest by providing operational support services and continuing to help improve the efficiency of the company’s North Sea assets,” said Taco de Haan, Stork’s president. Stork’s multi-skilled crew will provide services for the Heather, Thistle and Magnus offshore platforms in the northern North Sea and the floating production, storage and offloading vessels in the northern and central North Sea. The five-year contract began in September and includes two one-year extension options.
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