TRAD UK is set to support both the Construction News Specialist and Main Contractor awards, and speaking at Inspiring Women in Construction event.
TRAD UK, part of the TRAD Group and the new brand for the combined TRAD Hire & Sales and TRAD Safety Systems companies, is delighted to be sponsoring award categories in both the Construction News Specialist Awards 2020 on November 17th and its Main Contractor Awards 2020 on November 26th.TRAD Group’s Finance Director, Paige Matthews, will also be part of a panel at an Inspiring Women in Construction event this week. “We are extremely pleased that Construction News has had the vision to find a solution to presenting their annual awards virtually this year”, says TRAD Group CEO, Des Moore. “The team has clearly understood the importance of the awards going ahead ‘as usual’ and we feel it’s more important than ever to celebrate the people who have worked so hard to keep things going. In times when we are having to deal with so many work and personal issues, something like this is a real boon to self-confidence and good mental health and wellbeing. We’re looking forward to being part of the celebrations.”In addition to having a member of its staff shortlisted for the Apprentice of the Year Award, the company is sponsoring the Health, Safety & Wellbeing Excellence Award at the Specialist Awards, which take place online today. This category is for businesses that are committed to health, safety and wellbeing in the workplace, and who have clearly demonstrated initiatives, innovation and leadership in the area. The judges have been looking for businesses who are driving positive action and embedding these serious issues within their culture.“We chose to sponsor this award because it reflects our own commitment to improving health, safety and wellbeing in the industry,” comments, Des Moore. “We have our own initiatives, and we look out for our people – we want to support other businesses who are doing the same.”The Construction News Main Contractor Awards take place later this month, and TRAD UK is pleased to be sponsoring the Diversity & Inclusivity Excellence Award, where the shortlisted companies include some of the best-known names in the industry. The judges in this award are looking for businesses that encourage diversity across the business, with evidence of positive leadership, genuine staff engagement and representation in both culture and training. Businesses should have open employment opportunities and have clear benchmarks to measure their progress.“I have been passionate about diversity in the industry for a long time,” adds Des Moore. “We are deeply committed to furthering opportunities for everyone in the industry, starting with our own Group businesses. We encourage equality across the whole of TRAD and actively look for new ways to bring people of all genders and backgrounds into the industry where we can use and support their talent.”TRAD is also a major contributor to the Inspiring Women in Construction initiative, and on November 19th, Paige Matthews, the Group’s Finance Director, will join other leading women in the industry at an event to discuss how businesses can become more welcoming place for women, creating a better environment for all. The event will cover:
Creating a welcoming and inclusive industry and exploring how change can support future growth.
At a corporate level, how are businesses changing practices to support women and their careers?
What does a more inclusive and diverse company look like in practice for employees and it’s structure?
How are leaders making the case to invest in more inclusive practices and what is impact on short-long term growth?
What can be done to attract the next generation of women to enter the construction industry and ensure it has a better image?
“All these initiatives were close to my heart when I was President of the NASC, a role I stepped down from in 2019” Des Moore says. “As Construction News heads towards its 150th birthday, and TRAD Scaffolding towards its 50th, I’m delighted that we are still focused on highlighting the very best that the industry has to offer.”
Actavo and Honeywell Combisafe partner up to supply its edge protection products.
Actavo Hire and Sales, the UK and Ireland building supplies company based in Wakefield, have signed a deal with Honeywell Combisafe to become an official distributor of its products. Actavo provides the industry synonymous edge protection product from Honeywell Combisafe, comprising of guard rails, toe boards and netting, all in one product.Honeywell Combisafe has been helping make construction sites safer for more than 30 years and has been an Actavo supplier for many of those years. Paul Norris, Managing Director, Actavo Hire & Sales said: “We have a significant history with Honeywell Combisafe, and this is a natural step in our relationship. We already had huge amounts of expertise in Honeywell Combisafe products across the business so making the move to official partner distributor was both an obvious and straightforward choice. By partnering with Honeywell Combisafe, we will be able to offer easier access to their products and superior levels of support over our competition.”Actavo’s official distributor status comes with a focus on Honeywell Combisafe’s barriers, steel mesh barriers and circular systems.Gerard Kennedy, Sales Leader at Honeywell Combisafe added: “We have a long-term relationship with Actavo, and we have a similar high regard for safety in the industry. We’re delighted to take the next step and announce a full distributor partnership with Actavo. We’re very excited about maximising the potential of their nationwide footprint and making more constructions sites across the UK as safe as possible.”Actavo works directly with many companies, large and small, across the UK delivering Honeywell Combisafe products to great effect.
With Christmas events canceled across the country, the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity has just the thing to lift the spirits of your employees, suppliers and sub-contractors. Many companies already opt for an e-card or ‘charity cards’ but this one comes with the opportunity to win a share of a £25,000 prize pot! With many people working from home there seems little point in sending conventional cards or gifts by post this year and the Christmas cracker e-card is also environmentally friendly. What better way to spread some Christmas cheer amongst your employees, supply chain contacts and subcontractors than by giving them the chance to win a top prize of £10,000 whilst raising much-needed funds for Charity.Cards cost just £1 each and you can choose from five great designs or if you’d prefer your own design then you can simply choose a plain ‘cracker’. You will then receive your e-card with your personalised greeting, company logo and unique reference number. Forward this to your contacts and all they have to do is register the card for a chance to win top cash prizes. The prize pot consists of;
1 prize of £10,000
1 prize of £5,000
5 prizes of £1,000
10 prizes of £500
Bill Hill, CEO of the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity said: “We know that many companies have already moved away from sending conventional Christmas cards, but we wanted to add an element of fun and excitement into the mix. Our e-Christmas cards not only spread seasonal cheer they also give organisations the opportunity to support our charity whilst getting the opportunity to win some fantastic cash prizes! If we can sell 350,000 e-cards then we can replace the funds that we’ve lost as a result of having to cancel our hugely popular fundraising Christmas events across the country. Now, more than ever, we need to continue our vital charitable support to our construction community and ensure that no worker or their family is alone in a crisis.” The draw will take place on 18 December 2020 at 2020hrs and it promises to be a party atmosphere too, so don’t miss out!
Business secretary Alok Sharma has said thank you to everyone working in the construction sector.
The thank-you comes in an open letter addressed to everyone working in construction as he expressed his gratitude for the work being done during the Covid pandemic.
He said: “During this difficult Autumn, I want to pay tribute to you and express my admiration for all the work you are doing. Whether working on large or small construction sites, in peoples’ homes across the country, in builders’ merchants, designing and project managing schemes or producing construction and mineral products, you are making an invaluable contribution in supporting the economy.“Since the outset of the pandemic in March, you have performed a vital role. In the past six months we have seen the industry build the Nightingale Hospitals, accelerate the delivery of infrastructure projects, support vital public services and help the country adapt buildings to become Covid-Secure. Whilst doing this, the industry has itself had to innovate and adapt, changing the way it operates on sites, finding more efficient ways of delivering projects, and collaborating effectively throughout the supply chain.My Department and I are in regular contact with industry leaders about the risks, issues and challenges you face.”
He added: “Thank you again to everyone operating in the UK construction sector. You are making a hugely valued and critical contribution to our country.”
KAEFER has bagged a £90m Industrial Services Framework contract renewal with Sellafield Ltd.
The deal will see KAEFER deliver a range of industrial services in Cumbria, including access, insulation and asbestos services.
The initial contract duration is three years, with further options based on performance delivery, the firm said.
KAEFER is said to be delighted with the news of extending its long-term relationship with Sellafield Ltd in the UK.
Chris Foulkes, CEO of KAEFER in the UK & Ireland, said: “KAEFER are proud to be a leader in providing industrial services to the UK Nuclear Industry. This contract renewal was a key strategic target and was only achievable through demonstrating that, over the last seven years, our collaborative approach has had real impact and aligned us with our Client’s aim to ensure safe, efficient & innovative Industrial Services across the Sellafield site. We remain committed to continuous improvement, further developing the necessary skills in order to deliver our services by training existing personnel and investing in opportunities for residents of the local region. This will ensure we continue to support Sellafield’s mission and transformation plan well into the future. I would like to thank our Operations Director, Paul Hoyle and his team for the excellent work they have achieved for our Client. Only by delivering on our previous and current commitments has this renewal been possible.”
Paul Hoyle, Operations Director, added: “This framework award is a testament to the exceptional skill, knowledge and experience our KAEFER team possesses. Not only in the successful delivery of an extremely competitive tender process, but also the ever-increasing levels of commitment and professionalism required to be at the forefront of safe, innovative delivery on such a complex facility as the Sellafield site.”
Steve Bostock, Sellafield Ltd Site Director: “Congratulations to KAEFER Ltd. We look forward to continuing our important strategic relationship with the business through the next framework period. We are entering a crucial period in the history of Sellafield as we safely and securely complete our operational missions and transition to a full focus on decommissioning and waste management.Through this framework, KAEFER Ltd will make an important contribution to progressing our mission to make Sellafield safer, sooner.”
Guest speakers and the former Premier League football manager Harry Redknapp is to feature at this year’s NASC AGM.
‘King of the Jungle’ Harry Redknapp and Build UK Chief Executive Suzannah Nichol MBE will be delivering speeches at NASC’s virtual Annual General Meeting next week.
For the first time ever the AGM will be held virtually via Zoom due to the pandemic and is open to all UK and international members of the scaffolding trade body. The event – open only to NASC members – will feature short presentations from NASC’s MD Robin James, Its President Lynn Way and Terry Roberts, Software Development Manager at CADS.
Scaffmag understands that two additional speakers will also make appearances. Harry Redknapp, who managed the likes of West Ham, Tottenham, Portsmouth and Southampton since the early ’80s, will talk about his time in the sport and the vast experience he has gained, including man-management and motivational skills.
It’s said he will also share details of his time on the TV show ‘I’m a Celebrity…’ in 2018 which saw him win and crowned ‘King of the Jungle’.
Build UK’s top boss Suzannah Nichol MBE will additionally deliver a speech including the future of the construction industry, the impact of Brexit and how Build UK can help improve productivity and deliver better project outcomes.
Suzannah helps to provide a strong collective voice for the construction industry supply chain, bringing together clients, the industry’s largest main contractors and leading trade associations representing more than 11,500 specialist contractors.
The virtual event will take place on Friday 20th November.
Simon Robinson, NASC Marketing Manager, said: “We’re really looking forward to this year’s AGM. While it’s a shame that the NASC members are unable to come together in the same venue for this event, there are advantages of hosting it virtually.“With no maximum room capacity to work to, we’ve been able to lift the usual restriction of only two delegates per member company. And we’re delighted that more than 100 people have signed up to attend so far.“The AGM will give us the opportunity to discuss NASC achievements and plans for 2021 as well as hear from Suzannah Nichol of Build UK, an organisation which the NASC has strong ties, strengthened further recently through the appointment of NASC President Lynn Way to the Build UK Board, and Harry Redknapp, who we’re sure will have the members’ full attention.”
NASC members can register to attend by emailing NASC Membership Manager Jamie McGuire via [email protected]
TRAD UK, the new brand for the combined TRAD Hire & Sales and TRAD Safety Systems companies, can now offer its TRADSTAIR system to scaffolding and construction contractors, allowing them to access different areas of the site easily and safely.
The stair, which has been designed to work as an independent unit, or in conjunction with tube and fitting or system scaffolds, is adaptable and can be assembled from a minimal number of pre-fabricated galvanised steel components.A fully tested and verified system which complies with all relevant British and European standards, TRADSTAIR is assembled from standards, ledger beams, purlin rails and frames, stair flights, landings, guardrails and handrails. Components are subject to periodic testing by approved, trusted and independent UK facilities and are marked with TRAD’s identification giving full traceability. In addition, the system’s minimal amount of components makes TRADSTAIR extremely efficient and easy to use.Independent stair can also be used with traditional and system scaffolding
High permissible loads and personnel capacity
Faster to build, helping contractors to save time and money
Maximises efficiency and productivity on site
Compliant with BS EN 12810 and 12811 and NASC Code of Practice
“TRADSTAIR is an important part of our product range and gives contractors the ability to hire or buy quality staircases that can be used on-site, in isolation or alongside scaffolding systems,” said Alan Slater, Head of Technical and Product Support. “It provides safe and efficient access to on-site working at height locations, and helps to protect workers, whilst also being a cost-effective solution.”
Weekly wages across construction in England has increased by an average of 1.7% in October, and demand for workers continues to rise according to the biggest industry payroll company.
Hudson Contract has reported it made 146,700 payments to tradespeople on its books in October which is an increase of 6.6% on September.
Across England, average wages have increased month-on-month by 1.7% to £890 per week, the company said.
However, there were substantial regional variations of pay across the country. The East Midlands saw a rise of 8.9% and the East of England was up by 4%. But London and the South East saw wages fall.
Average weekly earnings across all trades were at their highest in East of England, reaching £987.
While scaffolders average weekly earnings in October were at their highest in London, reaching £913.
Ian Anfield, managing director of Hudson, said: “Our clients are telling us they have full order books and that demand for skilled trades continues to outstrip supply.“Despite doom and gloom predictions from the Construction Leadership Council, our clients say it will be business as usual up to Christmas in spite of the new lockdown.”
He added: “Some clients report the extension of the self-employed support scheme could encourage people to stay at home, but that the vast majority of tradespeople are working and don’t want to be sitting at home on support schemes.“There is plenty of work around. The Government has committed to a lot of infrastructure spending and new projects are being announced every day.“Measures such as Help to Buy, the stamp duty holiday and relaxed planning laws are supporting a buoyant housebuilding sector.“Looking to next year, the end of free movement will cause disruption but countering that is reduced demand in January and February. Construction could struggle as stimulus packages like help to buy and the stamp duty holiday come to an end around March/April.”
A scaffolding firm has been fined for safety failings after scaffolding collapsed on to a street in Maidenhead while it was being dismantled.
High Wycombe Magistrates Court heard how the collapse could have resulted in serious injury or loss of life.
An investigation was carried out by the Health and Safety Executive following the incident that occurred on 30 April 2018.
It was found that the underlying cause of the scaffold collapse was a lack of training and adequate instruction.
The scaffolder carrying out the dismantling of the scaffold and removal of the scaffold ties was not adequately trained, the HSE said.
Subsequent high winds acting upon the monoflex sheeting on the day of the collapse caused the scaffold to act as a “giant sail” and subsequently toppled over into the street.
Formula Scaffolding (London) Limited of Church Lane, Chessington was found guilty in their absence to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and have been fined £160 000.00 and ordered to pay costs of £11 533.36N.B.
[Please Note: Formula Scaffolding Ltd in Southampton is a totally different company and unconnected.]
After the hearing, HSE Inspector John Caboche commented: “This was a very serious incident and it is fortunate nobody was injured as a result of it.“Those in control of work have a responsibility to devise safe methods of working, ensure that their workforce is adequately trained and provide the necessary information, instruction and training to their workers in the safe system of working.”
PASMA, the recognised authority in mobile access towers, and CSCS, the leading card scheme for the UK construction industry, have teamed up to help firms check that anyone working with complex access towers is suitably qualified.
Starting in 2021, PASMA’s new Access Tower Specialist cards will carry the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) logo, providing a familiar way for clients, employers and contractors to verify qualifications and training.
The holographic logo will only appear on cards held by those who achieve the highest qualification available for access towers, PASMA said.
Individuals are competent to erect, dismantle and inspect all types of towers, including bespoke structures designed to suit the needs of a site.
The partnership between CSCS and PASMA signifies industry-wide agreement that the PASMA Access Tower Specialist course is the required standard of qualification and skill for anyone erecting, dismantling or inspecting complex mobile access towers.
PASMA will continue to issue cards without the CSCS logo to anyone qualified to work with one or more standard configuration towers, such as mobile access towers or cantilever towers.
The addition of a CSCS logo means the individual can work with any type of tower and they’re the only people qualified to work with custom-designed towers.
Peter Bennett OBE, Managing Director of PASMA, commented: “The partnership between PASMA and CSCS is a huge step forward for access tower safety on UK construction sites. If someone arrives to assemble a tower, the site manager can easily check they’re qualified just by viewing the details on their PASMA card.“Anyone holding this card has considerable experience and knowledge of scaffold towers. Gaining industry-wide recognition of their specialist skills and level of qualification was a logical move with a big impact on height safety.”
Graham Wren, CEO of CSCS, added: “CSCS holds an important place in our industry, providing evidence of qualifications and training thousands of times a day. PASMA have been maintaining safety, standards and best practice for many years and I am pleased to welcome them as the latest CSCS Partner Card Scheme.“This is positive news for the industry, PASMA cards displaying the CSCS logo align with the objectives of the Construction Leadership Council and are another example of the industry working together to achieve a fully trained and qualified workforce.”
The partnership between CSCS and PASMA signifies industry-wide agreement that the PASMA Access Tower Specialist course is the required standard of qualification and skill for anyone erecting, dismantling or inspecting complex mobile access towers.
PASMA will continue to issue cards without the CSCS logo to anyone qualified to work with one or more standard configuration towers, such as mobile access towers or cantilever towers.
The addition of a CSCS logo means the individual can work with any type of tower and they’re the only people qualified to work with custom-designed towers.
Peter Bennett OBE, Managing Director of PASMA, commented: “The partnership between PASMA and CSCS is a huge step forward for access tower safety on UK construction sites. If someone arrives to assemble a tower, the site manager can easily check they’re qualified just by viewing the details on their PASMA card.
“Anyone holding this card has considerable experience and knowledge of scaffold towers. Gaining industry-wide recognition of their specialist skills and level of qualification was a logical move with a big impact on height safety.”
Graham Wren, CEO of CSCS, added: “CSCS holds an important place in our industry, providing evidence of qualifications and training thousands of times a day. PASMA have been maintaining safety, standards and best practice for many years and I am pleased to welcome them as the latest CSCS Partner Card Scheme.
“This is positive news for the industry, PASMA cards displaying the CSCS logo align with the objectives of the Construction Leadership Council and are another example of the industry working together to achieve a fully trained and qualified workforce.” 
