TRAD UK launches new decking adjustable foot

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TRAD UK launches new decking adjustable foot

Made from injection-moulded plastic, new component offers cost-effective strength and durability

TRAD UK, the new brand for the combined TRAD Hire & Sales and TRAD Safety Systems companies, has done it again! For years now TRAD’s safety deck has been the watchword for quality and innovation, and it is this forward-thinking which has kept the decking system as the market leader for more than 15 years.

So TRAD UK is delighted to announce the launch of its latest concept: the new adjustable foot for decking.

Designed and manufactured in the UK and fully tested to BS-EN 12811-3 Part 3, the adjustable foot can be easily extended to three heights, making it a flexible and cost-effective option. At 70mm, the foot supports single decking panel overlap and can be extended to 140mm and 210mm to increase decking height accordingly. Each foot is supplied with a lockable steel pin for additional stability and security.

As well as offering versatility with the height adjustment, the product increases stability and helps to streamline the installation process reducing labour time and material cost.

“Designed to meet a variety of end-user needs, this new concept really does offer workability. The injection-moulded plastic adjustable foot is the latest innovation from TRAD UK,” said Alan Slater, Head of Technical and Product Support at the company.

“The product has undergone significant testing to ensure that it provides the best support at the most cost-effective price, allowing contractors to build decking securely at a range of heights with confidence.”

The adjustable foot is the first of many new product innovations currently being worked on by the TRAD team, with more to be revealed in 2021.

Scaffolding supplier confirms sale of tool hire depot

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Scaffolding supplier confirms sale of tool hire depot

Scunthorpe based Caspian Group Limited has confirmed the sale of their Grimsby tool hire depot to independent tool hire firm GoHire.

The Caspian depot, which has had a strong and successful presence in Grimsby for over thirty years, was acquired as a going concern by GoHire, a deal which includes the comprehensive hire fleet and two vehicles. 5 staff members were also transferred over as employees of GoHire. Caspian’s Managing Director, Neil Garrison, said: “This is a great opportunity for everyone involved, we have worked with Sally and the team at GoHire for many years and enjoyed watching the business grow, I am pleased to hand over the reins to Sally and we will be supporting the transition all the way.”     The sale of the tool hire depot forms part of Caspian’s ongoing consolidation plans and will help to allow for the future growth of the core business of manufacturing and supplying scaffolding access equipment. Caspian has an outstanding reputation within the industry and has been supplying scaffolding access equipment for over 40 years. Steady expansion and investment over the past 3 years have included the purchase of a  state-of-the-art scaffold boards manufacturing facility and production line and the acquisition of an additional three-acre site, along with further investment in their in-house transport fleet. All of which has helped the firm become one of the most reliable and competitive scaffolding equipment providers in the UK.

BrandSafway acquires Big City Access

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BrandSafway acquires Big City Access

BrandSafway continues its global growth and expansion with the acquisition of U.S. firm Big City Access.

In a move toward continued growth and expansion of its commercial construction and infrastructure business in Texas, BrandSafway has announced the acquisition of the assets of Big City Access, effective Dec. 1, 2020. “BrandSafway is committed to becoming the number one total access solutions provider in metro areas around the country, and this acquisition demonstrates that commitment,” said Art Eunson, president of BrandSafway’s Metro and Infrastructure Division. “By combining Big City Access with BrandSafway’s commercial operation in Texas, we will become the largest and most experienced premier commercial access provider in Texas, going to market as Big City Access by BrandSafway.” Founded in 2002, Big City Access is a premier, privately-owned provider of superior access and scaffolding in the Texas commercial construction market with approximately 160 employees. Headquartered in Houston, with additional locations in Dallas, Austin and San Antonio, Big City Access has worked with area builders, contractors, construction managers and developers to provide safe and efficient solutions for projects of every size and scope. Big City Access offers supported scaffold, shoring, mast climbers, transport platforms, and a range of hoists and suspended platforms, which can be custom engineered for any job. The company also provides safety equipment and training. “Big City Access has an outstanding reputation and brings more than 18 years of technologically advanced commercial access experience to BrandSafway in Texas,” said Mike Krach, regional vice president of BrandSafway’s Metro and Infrastructure Division. “By leveraging the assets and expertise of Big City Access, together with BrandSafway’s, we can deliver a full suite of access and scaffolding, forming and shoring, and safety equipment and training to the commercial and infrastructure markets throughout the Texas region.” Both BrandSafway and Big City Access customers will now be able to take advantage of a wider range of products and services. “This is an exciting opportunity for both our customers and our employees,” said Barbara Roberts, president and CEO of Big City Access. “By joining the leading access and industrial services company in North America, we can further grow our business and provide an enhanced level of service to our customers.”

Lee Marley Appoints Training Manager for Brickwork & Scaffolding

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Lee Marley Appoints Training Manager for Brickwork & Scaffolding

Lee Marley Brickwork Ltd has appointed Christian Hatherall-Good as the company’s Training Manager.

Lee Marley Brickwork (LMB) currently offers both brickwork and scaffolding apprenticeships in order to bring the next generation of tradesmen into the construction industry. Christian, bringing 25 years of experience in construction and education, will be charged with developing LMB’s programme further and capitalising on the recent change in the pathway of apprenticeship funding that gives employers greater flexibility on delivering the training that they need. What sets LMB’s award-winning programmes apart from others is a combination of behavioural coaching and up to the minute technical instruction. The training offered goes beyond current apprenticeship requirements with specialist modules focussing on modern methods of construction, fire safety and quality assurance. Based at their Head Office in Reading, he will be in charge of all LMB apprentices, mentoring and monitoring them throughout from the point of induction, to monitoring and delivering training, through to qualification. LMB’s brickwork apprentices spend four days on-site gaining real hands-on experience and one day at College while apprentice scaffolders follow a more staged block release programme. Christian is currently looking after 26 brickwork and 9 scaffold apprentices, he has students working on sites such as Oval Village Vauxhall with Berkeley Homes and Chelsea Barracks for Multiplex. Many of the company’s current apprentices are from Brooklands College where he worked for over 8 years as Head of Construction Curriculum and as a bricklaying tutor. But a key part of Christian’s role will be building relationships with other colleges and local authorities in order to identify new talent to join the LMB apprenticeship scheme. Christian, who holds a Professional Certificate in Education focused in Education from Greenwich University, will also oversee personal development and upskilling of LMB’s current operatives including identifying recent graduates of the apprenticeship programme that show managerial promise and encouraging them to take on more responsibility under the wing of an experienced site supervisor and are supported through their SSSTS and SMSTS for brickwork supervisors or their Advanced Scaffolder or CISRS Supervisor qualification for scaffolders. The next step for LMB will then be to open their own training centre that would be at the forefront of brickwork and scaffolding training in the UK. Christian is in the process of looking at funding and accreditation for this, watch this space! Christian said: “We are working on creating the best brickwork and scaffolding training centre in the UK. This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for me to be involved from early planning stages in creating a training centre from scratch, delivering the latest methods and models of construction and traditional brickwork skills.” LMB Managing Director Lee Marley commented “As a former apprentice bricklayer I appreciate the opportunities that a quality apprenticeship can off a young man or women. It is also essential for the construction industry to encourage young talent into the sector and focus on evolving skills in order to improve productivity”

Altrad secures ‘significant’ offshore contract renewal

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Altrad secures ‘significant’ offshore contract renewal

Altrad has signed a contract renewal for an upstream Oil & Gas operator in the Southern North Sea.

The contract renewal announced today (2 Dec) will see Altrad continue to provide fabric maintenance services for one of the leading oil and gas operators in the Southern North Sea, United Kingdom. Altrad told Scaffmag the contract commenced back in April 2020 and will continue until December 2021. It’s understood it will encompass Altrad providing offshore deck operations, mechanical, access and scaffolding, thermal insulation and corrosion protection services in support of 45 offshore platforms and 2 onshore terminals. Altrad’s Director of Operations for Offshore Services, Chris Garland, said: “We are delighted to have renewed this contract which demonstrates our ability to deliver long-term, sustainable value for our client, whilst reducing their operational costs”.  The contract award builds upon a successful strategic relationship which spans back over fifteen years, during which time Altrad has extended the scope of services such that on any one day, between 140 and 170 of our talented people, deliver critical services on behalf of its client. “The award of this contract, marks another milestone in Altrad’s transformation strategy in the UK offshore sector, wherein we have restructured the business, to put our client`s objectives at the heart of our decision making.  This opportunity allows us to continue to deliver enhanced value for our client, which exceeds that available from any of our competitors, demonstrated not just by our words, but in how we deliver a superior outcome” added Peter Hughes, Director of Business Development & Strategy.

COVID prompts NASC to slash members fees

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COVID prompts NASC to slash members fees

NASC has reduced its 2021 subscription fees for full members by 25 per cent.

The UK scaffolding trade body is set to reduce the fees in recognition of the challenging commercial conditions brought about by the Coronavirus pandemic. The cost-saving will be open to NASC full contracting and full non-contracting members and operate on a sliding scale, calculated from each members’ turnover in 2019. The announcement was made at their recent AGM where further details on it eagerly-anticipated TG20:21 guidance was also unveiled. Robin James, NASC Managing Director, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has placed all UK businesses, including those in the scaffolding industry, under enormous pressure. “The lockdowns and ongoing uncertainties regarding a return to normal have had numerous knock-on effects which have disrupted commercial activities in both the short and medium terms. “In light of this the NASC has moved to provide its full members with a financial saving in 2021 and will look at ways to further support them through this difficult time in the coming weeks and months.”

GKR Scaffolding scoops top construction award

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GKR Scaffolding scoops top construction award

Scaffolding and access specialists GKR Scaffolding has won the Construction News Health, Safety & Wellbeing Excellence award.

The multi-award-winning business based in London picked up the accolade via an interactive virtual award ceremony, hosted by comedian Tom Allen and Construction News editor Lem Bingley.

The Construction News said GKR had taken behavioural training and wellbeing to the next level by identifying the cultural flaw that hinders people’s ability to learn and drive continuous improvement in safety.

Their award entry focussed on the firm’s cultural drive to improve psychological safety with its ‘Speak Up’ campaign.

The company’s internal initiative encourages high performing teams to record making more mistakes, including in safety, which they can openly learn from. The high levels of trust also mean GKR’s staff are comfortable sharing ideas. It is also the foundation for better mental health at work due to providing openness, support and involvement within the business.

GKR has said they are in the process of training all supervisors and managers in how to integrate psychological safety into their management styles.

GKR Strategy Director, Helen Gawor said: “The elephant in the room is that we have a blame culture in construction. The stifles our ability to learn how to work safer as people fear speaking up. This environment does nothing to support our mental health either.

Training staff to manage people in a way that creates trust and psychological safety means overcoming the outdated leadership styles connected with authority that we still see too often in our industry.

There is little point promoting wellbeing, safety and innovation initiatives unless we fix our culture.”

The Construction News judges commented: “This was an excellent submission, detailing how initiatives can drive change within an organisation. As a scaffolding company providing a service to principal contractors, GKR has continued to evolve and give health, safety and wellbeing all the same billing. In addition, the judges were impressed by the excellent commitment to training and development for staff and can see the impact this is having on the culture of the business.”

An Agile Approach to Health & Safety with Site Supervision

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An Agile Approach to Health & Safety with Site Supervision

Billy Jones, Director of scaffolding company, Millcroft, discusses the importance of supervision in ensuring site risks are addressed in real-time and health and safety is maintained.

A meticulous approach to health and safety is integral to the success of any scaffolding business because the industry carries inherent hazards which must be managed effectively to reduce risk to employees, clients, delivery partners and the public. 

Embedding Supervision in a Team Approach

Health and safety is embedded in each project long before the installation takes place on site. The expertise of the design team, the maintenance of scaffolding materials, the safety of vehicles and the training of personnel all have a role to play in delivering safety and reducing risk. Health and safety measures are designed into the scaffolding solution and the risk assessment and method statement consider all potential health and safety issues so that hazards can be controlled. Once the project is on-site, however, risks can change. There may be changes to the scope of work, revisions to staffing, challenging weather conditions, factors relating to other trades…one of the only certainties about risk is that it is never static, so a project team needs to be prepared to adapt. As a result, the risk assessment carried out at the beginning of the project may not always be sufficient to anticipate risk throughout the programme, because new hazards can become apparent as the job progresses.  It’s for these reasons that Millcroft decided some time ago to shift the Site Supervisor role from a desk-based responsibility, visiting sites daily and returning to the office to review works, to a site-based responsibility within the Foreman’s role. The move means that site-specific risk assessments and method statements can be updated in real-time in response to any changes to workplace conditions. The Foreman is responsible for identifying and managing risk on-site as part of a collaborative health and safety process which also includes the wider Millcroft team. Careful planning includes input from both the SHEQ and transport departments to co-ordinate safety on-site and efficient planning of materials, routes and vehicle allocation. Monitoring of projects by Millcroft’s managers and contracts managers, alongside regular director visits, audits and safety walk rounds, ensures every site is checked and scrutinised by a full team of professionals.

Training and Experience

The role of the supervisor has always been a skilled job, requiring a professional who is both well-qualified and well-suited to the role. As a company that puts health and safety at the heart of everything we do, Millcroft has always looked beyond the standard role requirements when appointing and training foremen as supervisors. Training for Millcroft Supervisors includes at least a five-day Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) course, along with in-house mental health training and experience in delivering complex scaffolding projects. All Millcroft foremen are highly qualified in general site management, health and safety and safety leadership, which makes their existing skills a good fit for the Supervisor responsibility. They all have experience of identifying hazards and implementing control measures as part of day-to-day site management.
“It’s not just training and experience that are essential to the role of supervisor”
Their role involves completing a daily checklist of hazards to mitigate risk, daily risk assessment reviews and pre-start briefings for both the Millcroft team and those working in the area at the beginning of every shift. This includes having an understanding of both Millcroft’s activities, and associated risk factors. The Millcroft Foreman questions all those who attend the daily briefing to verify their understanding and will not allow work to commence until he is confident that all risks have been controlled. Having a Supervisor based on site means that day-to-day changes to hazard and risk can be assessed in the context of site-specific and up-to-date knowledge from the beginning of the working day. Projects do not always run to schedule and supervisory responsibility on-site means that risk can be monitored aligned to actual progress – for the scaffolding and other trades – not to the programme alone, and new safety issues can be included in the daily briefing.

The Right Person for the Job

It’s not just training and experience that are essential to the role of supervisor; a natural aptitude for the job is also important. It’s a responsibility that requires commitment, a can-do attitude and initiative, along with leadership abilities, attention to detail and excellent communication skills. The role involves taking a tough approach to ensuring that everyone behaves safely on site and reports any hazards, but it also involves taking a nurturing approach to gaining trust and supporting the team.  Above all, the supervisor role delivers most value in reducing risk and ensuring productivity when it is delivered with a collaborative approach. By combining the duties of Foreman and Supervisor in a single site-based role, health and safety best practice is embedded in day-to-day operations and the team member leading the project on site drives a safety-first culture for all personnel.

CISRS seeks anonymous views on Scaffolders CPD training

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CISRS seeks anonymous views on Scaffolders CPD training

CISRS has launched a short and anonymous CPD survey to gauge the views from the industry on its somewhat controversial Scaffolders refresher training.

Since CISRS introduced the Scaffolders CPD in July 2017, more than 60% of scaffolders have now completed the mandatory two-day course. Scaffolders CPD was originally introduced following a request from the Health & Safety Executive to incorporate a more thorough card renewal process. A Working Party was set up to discuss and agree proposed content, duration and method of delivery, based upon previous discussions with Access and Scaffolding Industry Training Organisation (ASITO), NASC membership and third parties such as CITB, CSCS and the Unions. CPD caused quite a stir when it was brought in but CISRS say despite the initial reluctance to its introduction, the course has proven very popular, with early feedback collected from delegates upon completion had been overwhelmingly positive, they said. Having now passed the halfway point in the five-year CPD cycle, CISRS are very interested in hearing the views of those that have completed the training and the wider industry. CISRS is seeking anonymous views on the Scaffolders CPD, both in its current form and suggestions for what it may look like for futures programmes. CISRS have said the responses to the survey will assist them when reviewing Scaffolder CPD.

Take part in the CISRS CPD survey here.

The CPD survey will remain open until February 28 2021. Dave Mosley, CISRS Scheme Manager, said: “CPD/Refresher training as a scheme requirement caused quite a bit of controversy at the time of its introduction, but most in the sector now accept that as a Safety-critical trade, it makes sense to ensure that Scaffolders are kept up to date with changes within their industry. “We want people to be honest in their responses as such the survey is anonymous. We do, however, want the comments to be constructive. Remarks like “it’s rubbish” will not help us identify areas that require consideration. “If there are specific elements of the programme that someone has concerns with, we want them to let us know and if they can offer solutions to these issues they would be welcomed.”
 

ASTERIX HD Beam now available across all TRAD UK sites

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ASTERIX HD Beam now available across all TRAD UK sites

The heavy-duty ASTERIX HD beam is ideal for all applications from large-span temporary roofing to stadium lighting rigs.

TRAD UK, the new brand for the combined TRAD Hire & Sales and TRAD Safety Systems companies, is delighted to announce that the proprietary ASTERIX HD beam is now available for sale and hire from each of its six depots across the UK. At 133cm deep, this high load capacity aluminium alloy beam comes in a range of lengths from 0.55m to 4.0m.  With a permissible bending moment of 102.2kNm, and a maximum point load of 47.57kN for all load conditions, along with all chords and posts being manufactured in traditional scaffold tube diameter, the beam is arguably the strongest, scaffold fitting-friendly beam available on the UK market today.   The beam also offers consistent nodal spacing, ensuring that lacing and bracing elements are consistent when multiple beams are joined together. Beams are simply joined by utilising a simple 8-hole spigot and quick-release pins. In addition, the ends of the beam are closed, allowing it to be load-bearing along the full length. Importantly for scaffolding contractors, the ASTERIX HD beam is fully compatible with the ALTRIX system and, with ridge pitches of 12°, 18° and 36°, it can be used to form large span temporary roof structures, which previously would have been extremely difficult to achieve. It can also be used within many different types of scaffold structures using standard rather than expensive specialist scaffold fittings. And, like the ALTRIX system’s own beam, the ASTERIX HD beam can be used to form large, fully decked areas using either traditional tube, boards and fittings or systems such as TRAD’s PLETTAC METRIX system.  However, with the higher load capabilities of the beam, greater distances between supporting structures can be realised, or higher load classes attained. Since its launch, the ASTERIX HD beam has been used in a wide variety of construction and refurbishment projects, including the Derby Market Hall Transformation Project, where the beams were used both in the temporary roof structure and the internal support scaffolding. “The ASTERIX HD beam is an extremely useful product for a range of construction and scaffolding projects,” comments Alan Slater, Head of Technical and Product Support at TRAD UK. “From large-span bridging sections to temporary buildings, and architectural dig protection structures, these beams are designed to integrate seamlessly with our ALTRIX system and provide straightforward solutions with other standard scaffolding systems.  This makes life as easy as possible for those involved, especially from a manual-handling point of view when compared to alternatives, making it ideal for large or complex construction projects.” Contractors can buy or hire the ASTERIX HD beam from any of our depots around the UK.
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