Construction workers in Australia are being warned of the dangers of tampering with scaffolding.
SafeWork NSW is launching Scaff Safe 2020 a new scaffold safety campaign aimed at tackling unsafe scaffolding in New South Wales.
The campaign comes after a spate of recent incidents and scaffold collapses in the country. The most recent incident saw 30 school children injured after a temporary scaffold structure collapsed at a Sydney school. While last year an 18-year-old apprentice lost his life in a major scaffold collapse also in the capital.
Scaff Safe 2020 will see inspectors visit hundreds of construction sites across the southeastern state talking to employers and workers and checking compliance.
SafeWork NSW has the power to issue on-the-spot fines for dodgy scaffolds, $750 for construction workers and $3,600 for businesses.
In 2019, inspectors issued more than 1,300 notices related to scaffolds across the state, including 131 on-the-spot fines totaling $432,720.
The Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation, Kevin Anderson said: “far too often we see different trades remove a small part of the scaffold to make it easier to do their work, without understanding what they are doing to the integrity of the structure, and that’s how accidents can happen.”
“Our message for principal contractors is to make sure there is adequate supervision, consultation and communication on site. By doing so they can easily address the risks associated with scaffolds and we can avoid unnecessary accidents or injury.”
Anderson added: “The NSW Government does not tolerate worker’s lives being placed at risk which is why field operations like Scaff Safe 2.0 are so important.”
Build UK and the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) have said the UK construction industry is set to become ‘dramatically and severely affected’ from Coronavirus.
In a joint statement released today, the two organizations warned the situation had ‘accelerated’ over the weekend.
They warned that construction sites across the country will have to close if the UK government chooses to put the country into ‘lockdown’ and takes measures to restrict the movement of UK citizens.
Build UK said, the impact on construction’s supply chain, consisting of multiple layers of businesses, many of them small businesses with a significant amount of self-employed workers will be “catastrophic and unavoidable”.
Industry chiefs at Build UK and the CECA have set out a range of measures to prepare for the impact of coronavirus on construction:
Provide information on force majeure and other contractual clauses for the whole supply chain.
Call on the public sector to provide clarity on each of its construction contracts, in particular the contractual position regarding delays as a result of the coronavirus covid-19.
Talk to private sector clients urging them to take a similar stance.
Work with CITB to maintain continuity for all apprentices.
The organisations will ask government to:
Identify safety-critical work on the infrastructure network that is essential and must be continued and confirm arrangements and prompt payment for the work.
Confirm support available to employers to retain essential skills.
They will ask their members to:
Set up clear communication channels to all suppliers on their contracts and projects and provide regular updates.
Ensure payments to their supply chains are up to date.
Clarify the position over suspension of any works.
Identify if any activities can continue remotely or be brought forward.
Ensure projects are ready to recommence work as soon as possible.
Build UK and CECA said measures the groups’ members have already taken are:
Increasing welfare and hygiene facilities.
Liaising with clients on contingency arrangements.
Reviewing contractual arrangements to understand options now and in the future.
Liaising with funders and banks to secure sufficient credit.
Contacting HMRC on 0800 0159 559 to discuss arrangements for delaying payment of taxes.
Setting up project-specific communication networks with their supply chains.
Reviewing safety-critical elements of their projects.
Reviewing programmes.
Ensuring remote access is in place.
Offering those with the ability to work from home to do so.
Protecting business-critical functions such as payroll and accounts departments.
Splitting teams to avoid everyone becoming ill at the same time.
Reducing contact between leadership teams.
Cancelling or moving meetings and overseas travel to conference calls or online meetings.
They added: “We know that this is much more difficult for on-site construction roles including manufacturing facilities which will be directly affected by any restriction on movements.“Many individuals are also concerned about their financial situation, the future of their business, their employer and their job.“Communication at this time is key. To reassure workers and the supply chain where possible but also to ensure prompt action can be taken to implement government policy, advice and guidance, which is changing rapidly.”
Build UK has published an article on managing risks to your staff and workplace, while it has advised employers and businesses to continue to follow the most up-to-date government guidance, as well as referring to its advice sheet on home isolation.
The second annual International Scaffolding Championships has been postponed due to the fear of the global Coronavirus crisis.
The event which was originally scheduled to be held on the 24th April in Vilnius, Lithuania it will now take place at a later date.
Event organisers the Baltic Scaffolding Association (BSA) took the decision to postpone the championship over the growing concern of the COVID-19 virus.
Registration was open to any teams with six persons to compete who have skills and knowledge of the Layher Allround System.
Last year saw nine teams of scaffolders from some of the largest contractors in Europe compete in the competition. Teams had to safely erect and dismantle designed freestanding scaffolds against the clock.
With 168,500 construction job opportunities being created by 2023, CITB has launched a new campaign to help change young people’s minds about construction.
The industry needs to change the hearts and minds of under-25s to address the skills shortage, as 71% of them are currently turned off by construction jobs according to CITB research.
So, Future Made is a new campaign to change their perceptions of construction – but if you’re reading this, you likely won’t see Future Made.
Instead, social media influencers will be posting content on their platforms to show young audiences their adventures in trying out bricklaying, roofing, painting and decorating and more as part of the campaign.
Day-in-the-life videos of inspirational young bricklayers, carpenters, painters and decorators will also be promoted to young people on their favourite social media.
Anjali Pindoria, 24, is a project surveyor with Avi Contracts and has submitted one such clip to the campaign. She said: “I absolutely love coming on site. Not only do I learn new carpentry and joinery elements but I also get to learn about construction in general, you get to see the different parts of the logistics and you just get to be inquisitive about what is going on on site.”
Billie-Jo Judd is a 22-year-old plasterer who also has made a Future Made video. She said: “It’s always something new, I just love it, it’s amazing, it’s probably the most therapeutic job in the whole world. The reaction from the customers is probably the best feeling ever.”
Watch Anjali and Billie-Jo, as well as Mimi-Isabella Nwosu, Verse Abudar, Lauren Holland and more on the Future Made content hub.
During a small-scale test phase last autumn posts received over 88,000 views in one month, with over 16,000 engagements. Content showing the positive experiences in the industry of their peers will attract young people, before being directed to detailed information on applying for apprenticeships and to local training providers on Go Construct.
Supported by industry
Future Made is backed by the CITB Nation Councils for England, Scotland and Wales, made up of representatives from construction companies of a range of sizes and trades.
Diane Bourne, managing director with Eric Wright Civil Engineering, said: “Through my member seat on the CITB Nations Council for England, I am delighted to be involved in this campaign. My career has enabled me to support my passion for the profession of civil engineering together with a desire to help and nurture talented young individuals of the future and Future Made is both timely and necessary.“The Eric Wright Learning Foundation, partnered with Preston’s College, is also a great example, delivering vocational training for 14+ year olds to support and guide them in choosing a career within the wider construction and civil engineering industry. We also have a great career ambassador programme within Eric Wright Group and I am looking forward to sharing my own passion with other members of the CITB Nations Council to encourage other young people into our industry.”
Perception changing takes time, so the Future Made campaign will take place throughout the next three years with annual results evaluated through surveys of young people’s attitudes to the industry.
Careers strategy
Future Made is just one component of CITB’s construction careers strategy, which also includes:
Giving young people the right information and routes to join the industry through Go Construct
Supporting the national SkillBuild competition to inspire potential entrants
Research to inform a better provision of work experience, nationally
Grants to support construction employers of all sizes to take on apprentices
Chancellor Rish Sunak has announced a £30bn spending package to help mitigate the impact of the Coronavirus on businesses.
The new Chancellor outlined his £30bn response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Westminster yesterday. £7bn is directly available to small and medium-sized businesses.
The response comes as Sunak warned that up to 20% of workers could be off work at any one time.
Self-employed workers will now be able to claim Employment and Support Allowance and Universal Credit for workers having to self-isolate. Sick notes will be available by contacting the NHS 111.
Construction companies with less than 250 employees will be able to claim back funds paid out for statutory sick pay from a £2 billion government fund.
A new temporary £1bn coronavirus business interruption loan scheme will also see banks offer government-backed loans of up to £1.2m to small businesses to ease cash flow fears.
Tax
Self-employed people and small businesses can ask HMRC for more time to pay taxes during the outbreak by calling a dedicated HMRC helpline.
Changes to the national insurance contribution threshold means workers will be £104 better off a year, and self-employed individuals £78 a year.
Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) said: “Understandably, the Chancellor has delivered a ‘first aid Budget’ to overcome the short-term crisis caused by COVID-19. But he has missed an important opportunity to announce interventions that would support the sustainable, long-term recovery construction needs. The autumn Budget must include measures to cut VAT on repair and renovation, and a National Retrofit Strategy to promote decarbonisation and create jobs and growth.”“Builders are increasingly concerned about the impact COVID-19 will have on their businesses. Today’s package of measures to support SMEs through refunding Statutory Sick Pay, making temporary loans and grants available, and support for the self-employed will provide welcome relief to small building businesses and their workers alike.”
The Mariner platform in the UK North Sea has confirmed it is responding to a suspected case of Coronavirus on board.
Its Norwegian owners Equinor said it has mobilised emergency response support and has undertaken its “isolation procedure” with the suspected infected worker.
According to reports, the worker reported mild symptoms yesterday morning.
ScaffMag understands that the Mariner A platform which is located approximately 80 miles east of Shetland is on total lockdown. No workers are getting on or off the platform.
On Tuesday the same company revealed a confirmed case of COVID-19 on its Martin Linge platform located in the Norwegen section of the North Sea.
Measures to prevent further contamination for offshore installations has been introduced.
The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) and CADS are working on the next version of TG20 which is set to be released in February 2021.
The NASC is again working with scaffolding software experts from CADS to produce the very latest version of TG20.
CADS who are the makers of the SMART Scaffolder software created the original groundbreaking TG20:13 eGuide. It was one of the biggest changes within the UK scaffolding industry in recent times when it was officially launched in February 2014.
The fast and user-friendly eGuide software was specifically designed to reduce the amount of bespoke engineering design work to show a scaffold structure was compliant and up to standard.
The new suite of Technical Guidance which will be aptly named TG20:21 will be very different from previous versions. According to the trade body, only a small number of TG20 books will be published opting instead for a totally new digital offering.
Web Portal
The TG20:21 Operational and Design guide will be published via a new web and mobile ‘portal’ with a range of new apps including a brand new eGuide. Its also expected all future sets of guidance over the coming years from the NASC will be published in this new ‘portal’.
Being an online app the deployment will allow the TG20:21 suite to be accessible on any Windows, Mac, iOS or Android device with a modern web browser.
It’s unknown at this time how its members and non-members will be able to access this new web and mobile portal, although it’s assumed some form of subscription service will be active.
What to expect with the new TG20:21
It’s still early days with the development but sources suggest the range of standard designs are set to be extended to include several more scaffold types.
Compliance sheets are also set for an overhaul, in TG20:21 all compliance sheets will be double-sided with a more representative illustration of the scaffold to be built.
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An example visual representations of the software, the numbers included may not be accurate. Credit: NASC
An example visual representations of the software, the numbers included may not be accurate. Credit: NASC
An example visual representations of the software, the numbers included may not be accurate. Credit: NASC
An example visual representations of the software, the numbers included may not be accurate. Credit: NASC
In a recent article, about TG20:21 within NASC’s Scaffolding Matters magazine CADS International Sales and Marketing Director, Ian Chambers wrote: ‘Principal compliance criteria will be on the front of the new Compliance sheets while detailed compliance criteria will be on the reverse in landscape format.’
Additionally, Chambers highlighted the number of boarded lifts in the new guidance can be specified with the optional ladder landings. Cantilever fans can be placed at a specified lift and a new screen within the new eGuide is provided to configure tie patterns.
Further information on other changes to be included in TG20:21 will be released later in the year.
A spokesperson for the NASC said: “The NASC is acutely concerned that it should deliver the best possible value for money for its members and as a matter of principle whishes to refresh its technical and safety guidance on a regular basis. “Feedback from software specialists CADS also reinforced the view that the current eGuide was getting a bit ‘long in the tooth’ and the TG20 revamp was also a timely opportunity for a technology refresh.”
Overseas training providers Simian Skill has closed its doors with immediate effect to help stop the spread of Coronavirus.
The international scaffold training provider based in Dubai has been shut down. All schools and training establishments in the UAE has been ordered by its Government to cease all forms of training until at least the 4th of April.
In a bid to curb the spread of the Coronavirus, the UAE’s Ministry of Education took the decision to close all schools and training centres for 4 weeks as a preventive and precautionary measure.
Its understood all closed facilities will be deep cleaned during the closure.
Health officials have said so far, the total number of confirmed infections in the country stands at 45.
Ian Fyall, Managing Partner at Simian Skill said: “The closure announcement came as a surprise to us. We are still taking bookings, but we feel the postponement is the best form of action across the country to try and stop the spread.”
As the Coronavirus spreads across the globe like wildfire how is it going to potentially impact the scaffolding sector?
There have now been nearly 100,000 cases worldwide of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) confirmed and as Scaffmag went to press, 90 people in the UK have caught the highly infectious disease.
The government who is obviously anxious to slow down the spread of the respiratory disease, on Tuesday, laid out some potentially drastic measures if the situation gets any worse. Possible action includes closing schools, cancelling events, banning large public gatherings and working from home. Which is not something that’s possible within the scaffolding and wider construction industry.
According to reports, it’s possible that up to 80% of workers could be unable to work during the forthcoming peak weeks of the outbreak.
Evidence shows the COVID-19 virus has already penetrated into the industry after energy firm EDF who are building two new nuclear reactors said yesterday one of its workers on Hinkley Point C had contracted Coronavirus.A worker on Hinkley Point C has contracted Coronavirus
A large majority of ill workers will, without doubt, have a knock-on effect and slow down of many construction projects across the country, with many workers with symptoms having to self-isolate for two weeks.
Supply of Materials
Supply chains are also expected to be somewhat impacted as a result of many scaffolding materials like tube and fittings are imported from the Coronavirus epicentre country China.
George Roberts, one of the UK’s largest supplier of scaffolding for hire and sales is already seeing the repercussions of the COVID-19 outbreak. The firm is currently taking additional steps to increase stockholding by spreading purchases across geographical locations to hopefully reduce the potential impact of shortages.
Matt Johnson, External Hire & Sales Executive at George Roberts (NW) said: “We are extremely aware of the current global situation, as always we carry vast stocks of equipment and have been in close communication with our supply chain. At this stage it remains fully operational, additional steps have also been taken to increase stockholding and mitigate the potential impact by spreading purchases across geographical locations. We are also using remote solutions to monitor and ensure product quality along with strict quality checks in the UK upon arrival of goods.”“However, nobody can forecast how this situation will develop so we continue to monitor things daily and take positive action to do all we can to prevent stock issues and support our client base.”
Business as usual
Layher headquartered in Eibensbach, Germany.
Looking at the system scaffolding market, the worlds largest producer Layher headquartered in Eibensbach, Germany, has said it’s still in a ‘very good position to deliver’.
In a statement released to Scaffmag the company said that due to the nature of its business and as pre-planned, they used its full production capacity over the winter months up to February, and continued to expand the stocks at its factory in Germany and at its 140+ service centres worldwide.
Layher explained they do this in order to be well prepared for its traditional busy spring/summer seasons. Due to the past uncertainty over Brexit, Layher UK had already upped its high stock levels considerably.
“We have equally as large stocks of raw materials, are not dependent on supplier products – such as from China. We are therefore well in hand for many months,” Layher said.
A similar response was also echoed over at HAKI.
Thomas Schüller CEO at HAKI Scaffolding said: “We have until today not seen any effects or slowdowns due to the virus. We are following the situation closely and we act/will act upon recommendations from the authorities on the markets we act on or plan to visit. We give our employees thorough information and access to antibacterial.”
How to avoid catching or spreading coronavirus
The NHS suggests the following:
Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds.
Always wash your hands when you get home or into work.
Use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze.
Put used tissues in the bin straight away and wash your hands afterwards.
Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.
BrandSafway has introduced the only fully compliant temporary public access stairs and ramp in North America.
In partnership with Universal Manufacturing, BrandSafway has launched temporary public access stairs and ramp constructed from scaffolding that meets the International Building Code (IBC) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Mathieu Grumberg, director of product development at BrandSafway said: “This combined solution is one of the safest available in North America.”
According to BrandSafway IBC and ADA standards are more stringent than the OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) standards used for construction stairs.
“Before we introduced this combined temporary public access solution, there were no true IBC- or ADA-compliant products constructed of scaffolding available,” Grumberg added. “The industry was using construction-grade stairs and adding wood and guard rails to try to make it as safe as possible and bring it up to code.”
After nearly eight months of rigorous testing and design improvements, the stair system was introduced to help minimize disruption to the public and provide safe access as needed during construction and renovation projects throughout the U.S. The access ramp, which is generally custom designed based on site-specific needs, meets the even stricter ADA requirements for safety and accessibility.
“The stairs and ramp need to meet a very high load capacity for emergency situations or events where a large number of people are using them at one time,” Grumberg said.
“We used our expertise in safety and breadth of experience in developing solutions for a diverse range of industries to help Universal improve the design and meet all standards.”“Our products don’t get approved for use without first getting an independent engineering seal of approval to ensure we are bringing the safest solutions to the market,” said Mike Bredl, national sales manager for Universal. “We know there isn’t a solution in North America that comes close to offering the safety that this stair tower and ramp provide, and we’re excited to help meet this critical safety need in the construction industry.”
