Australia calls for improved scaffolding safety standards
An NSW government Minister has called on the industry to improve safety standards in the country or risk heavy fines after a number of deaths and serious injuries have occurred.
A scaffolding safety blitz is now underway in New South Wales after three people have died and 25 have been seriously injured after falling from a height on NSW construction sites this year.
A recent round of inspections saw more than 800 notices issued for significant safety breaches, NSW Better Regulation Minister Kevin Anderson said recently.
He called on the industry to improve its standards or risk heavy fines after the countries SafeWork’s inspectors found missing scaffold parts, unlicensed workers and substandard safety measures for those working from heights.
“This is no joke – this year alone three people have died and 25 have been seriously injured due to falling from a height,” Mr Anderson said in a statement.
In a three-month blitz SafeWork inspectors issued 26 penalty notices, 232 prohibition notices and 580 improvement notices, 500 of which were for risks associated with falling from heights.
“We will not tolerate poor safety and workers lives being placed at risk on our worksites, and from today we are kicking off a new three-month blitz, focusing on these risks,” Mr Anderson said.
Under the recently amended Work Health and Safety Act 2011, non-compliant businesses could face heavy fines or up to five years in jail.
“NSW is proud to be leading the way with the strongest work health and safety legislation in the country and we will not hesitate to prosecute anyone who disregards the safety of others,” Mr Anderson said.
Programme launched to prevent industry-wide addiction crisis
A new Addiction Awareness programme has been launched after it was revealed that more people are seeking treatment for drug and alcohol misuse than ever before.
The UK’s leading addiction treatment specialists UKAT have set-up the new free Addiction Awareness programme, aimed at helping those working in the UK scaffolding & construction industries.
The programme aims to support employers and employees as the Government continues to make further announcements about the Coronavirus crisis and the strengthening of restrictions. UKAT recently revealed that now more people are seeking treatment for drug and alcohol misuse than ever before. And warn any dependencies to drugs or alcohol developed during the Covid-crisis could well be exacerbated as society faces uncertainty over their job security. UKAT says eventually, this, in turn, could result in rising sickness and absence rates once employees are back to work properly. One particular substance widely associated with workplace stress is alcohol. Between April and August this year, UKAT admitted more clients for alcohol addiction than they have in the same time period of previous years. A staggering 79% of all admissions were for alcohol addiction. This is compared to during the same four months of 2017, where only 56% of all admissions were for alcohol addiction. This, they say, could present real problems for employers trying to support their staff during this difficult time. People could turn to using alcohol heavily in order to cope with the stresses derived from the recent Coronavirus crisis. Added pressure from job security and the potential fear of redundancy could turn people to alcohol as a coping strategy. This is where the UK Addiction Treatment Group Addiction Awareness Programme aims to help. UKAT says, the programme is free and delivered by a Certified Drug and Alcohol Therapist on-site or virtually. It engages and educates workers on the signs, symptoms, and the local support services available.
UKAT’s Head of Treatment, Nuno Albuquerque, told Scaffmag the importance of taking preventative action in order to protect staff, he said: “We know that as an employer, the employees come first. Looking after the mental well-being of your workforce is not just beneficial for them, it’s beneficial for your business too.
Employees who feel supported by management will always find it easier to stay in work or return quicker after any absences, which ultimately saves you money.”
“Those who are uncomfortable in opening up about addiction are likely to silently suffer, which could lead to them being unable to carry out their duties, increasing the possibility of a health and safety risk; not a risk worth taking in the scaffolding and construction industries.
“We understand that this is a sensitive subject and one that should be discussed with experts. That’s what we’re here to do. Together, we can help your workforce and in turn, help you and your business thrive during these difficult times.”
It’s not only UKAT’s figures which suggest proactive steps need to be taken.
A survey by DrugScope and Alcohol Concern found that 27% of employers said that drug misuse was a problem at work and that 60% have experienced problems due to staff drinking alcohol.
Nuno added: “We are a country of hard workers, with some of the hardest working in the construction trade, and the Coronavirus crisis has had to change everyone’s routines and normality. During these unprecedented times, some will struggle and some will turn to substances like alcohol to cope with the fear and uncertainty brought about by the pandemic.
“What is important is that employers who care about the mental health and well-being of their staff take proactive steps to mitigate their own addiction crisis down the line.”
For further information visit: www.ukat.co.uk/business-Lyndon SGB expands with new depot in Manchester
National scaffolding and access giants, Lyndon SGB has launched a new single scaffolding depot in Manchester, as part of its ongoing expansion program.
The firm aims to provide the best multi-sector scaffolding and access solutions nationwide, it said today in a press release. According to the company statement, Lyndon SGB’s Hendham Vale depot on Hazelbottom Road in the north of the city is now its regional office for the North West region. And with a large scaffolding yard on-site, the depot is set to service all Lyndon SGB scaffolding contract activity in the North West. Meanwhile, the company’s Crabtree Lane site on Clayton Industrial Estate in Openshaw has been re-purposed to be focused on Lyndon SGB mast climbing mechanical access activity and to provide regional support to Taylor’s Hoists. This depot will also host a Hünnebeck office, which is also part of the BrandSafway group of companies.
The firms recently appointed new Managing Director, Stuart Robinson said: “The launch of this single scaffolding depot in Manchester is the final step in merging the former Lyndon and SGB scaffold depots in Manchester and part of our on-going expansion and development program for the brand.
This process will enable us to offer an unrivalled level of scaffolding service for each region of the U.K. and help us work efficiently and safely on the most prestigious and challenging projects throughout the country.”
Operations Director, Kevin Fitzpatrick, said “We are all very excited to see the already high standards of safety and productivity from the Lyndon SGB Manchester teams rise from the streamlined and focused operational centre at Hendham Vale. The facilities are excellent and everyone in the team is more committed than ever to provide our clients in the North West with the best in temporary access from the new depot.”
Lyndon SGB North West Regional Manager, Jon Cooke, added: “We have been working on this exciting development for some time now and Hendham Vale is going to be a real positive for our operational capability in the region. From this site, we are now in the enviable position of being able to offer the traditional tube and fitting services we are renowned for, alongside three of the world’s leading modular scaffold systems, in HAKI, Layher and our own CUPLOK® fully galvanised, multi-purpose steel system scaffolding.”
The new Manchester offices and yard servicing the North West is located at: Hendham Vale Industrial Park, Vale Park Way, Manchester M8 0AD. Telephone 0161 230 4061 TRADGUARD now available across the UK
TRAD UK, the new brand for the combined TRAD Hire & Sales and TRAD Safety Systems companies, is able to supply its proprietary barrier system, TRADGUARD for hire and sale to scaffolding and construction industries across the UK.
The TRADGUARD mesh barrier system has been used on many high-profile projects around the country since its launch in 2014. Suitable for use with reinforced concrete, structural steel, timber frame and civil engineering applications, it’s a lightweight, versatile system that offers significantly enhanced safety to traditional guardrail applications.
Importantly, the TRADGUARD system is light: at just 17.5kg per 2.6m panel, it is the lowest weighing mesh barrier system on the market, allowing individual panels to be manually handled by a single worker, resulting in faster and safer installation. At the heart of the system is the 2.6m x 1.2m mesh barrier panel with integral toe-board. This offers protection which is compliant with BS EN 13374 Class A, giving buyers and site workers confidence when working at height.
TRADGUARD adds to the wide range of scaffolding products now available from TRAD UK at its depots across the UK. Now, scaffolding contractors can access complete systems for their projects, including cost and time-saving products like the PLETTAC METRIX scaffolding system, the Mini Catch Fan, TRAD’s internal stair unit, TRAD Safety Deck and much more. With access to industry-leading expertise and technical understanding, TRAD supports scaffolding contractors and construction companies to buy or hire products that save time and money whilst also improving safety on-site for workers, visitors and the surrounding general public.
“With approximately 26,000 linear metres of TRADGUARD in our hire fleet, we are perfectly positioned to help scaffolding and construction companies protect their site workers with an affordable, fully compliant proprietary edge protection system,” says Oliver Gwinnell, TRAD UK’s TRADGUARD Product Champion.
“We offer comprehensive training by qualified Working at Height trainers so that the on-site team is confident about installing the product during construction.”
TRAD UK also offers a full design service for the product, including layout and drawings, which is ideal for specialist requirements or challenging sites, and is completely free of charge. Additionally, sales customers can request the system be branded in their corporate colours.
The low-weight system improves site safety and delivers cost-savings
- The UK market’s most lightweight proprietary mesh barrier system
- Can be assembled without specialist knowledge
- Fully compliant to BS EN 13374 Class A
- Greater containment than other guardrail solutions
- Suitable for a wide range of construction types
- Adjustable vertically and horizontally
- Wide range of sockets and attachments
“With approximately 26,000 linear metres of TRADGUARD in our hire fleet, we are perfectly positioned to help scaffolding and construction companies protect their site workers with an affordable, fully compliant proprietary edge protection system,” says Oliver Gwinnell, TRAD UK’s TRADGUARD Product Champion.
“We offer comprehensive training by qualified Working at Height trainers so that the on-site team is confident about installing the product during construction.”
TRAD UK also offers a full design service for the product, including layout and drawings, which is ideal for specialist requirements or challenging sites, and is completely free of charge. Additionally, sales customers can request the system be branded in their corporate colours. CITB extends support for apprentices through Covid-19
CITB is offering support to help find a new employer for any displaced apprentice as part of a raft of measures to keep skills within the industry.
Any construction apprentice is now eligible to receive CITB support if they lose their job or apprenticeship. This means around 11,000 apprentices across the construction industry, more than the 7,000 currently contracted with CITB, and their levy-registered employers can benefit from:- job redeployment services, including through the Construction Talent Retention Scheme
- reallocation of grant funding to a new employer to help apprentices to complete their training if at risk
- the apprenticeships information and reporting app
- pastoral support
- shared apprenticeship schemes
Trade body President elected onto Build UK board
The first-ever female NASC President has been appointed a Specialist Contractor Director of Build UK following an election process.
The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) president Lynn Way, who is also the Financial Director and Company Secretary at Cornwall based Chris Sedgeman Scaffolding is set to help provide strategic direction for the leading construction industry body, Build UK. Speaking of her appointment, Lynn said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been elected by Build UK trade association members to join such a respected and influential group. “I have been very impressed with Build UK’s activities throughout the Coronavirus pandemic and have taken part in a number of their webinars in recent months. “I’m now looking forward to getting further involved, representing the scaffolding industry and ensuring the needs and views of our industry are heard, as well as delivering for the construction industry as a whole.” Lynn continues the NASC’s director-level input at Build UK, following on from former NASC President and TRAD Group CEO Des Moore, who took up the same role in 2017. Build UK is the leading representative organisation for the UK construction industry. By bringing together Clients, Main Contractors, Trade Associations representing over 11,500 Specialist Contractors and other organisations committed to industry collaboration, Build UK represents in excess of 40% of UK construction.Scaffolding Firm and Director Fined For Scaffolders Death
A Watford based scaffolding company has been fined following an incident where a scaffolder fell five metres and suffered a fatal head injury.
Southwark Crown Court heard how, on 16 February 2017, two workers employed by Wembley Scaffolding Services Ltd were dismantling a scaffold on Cricklewood Broadway, London. During the dismantling, the scaffold collapsed resulting in one of the workers falling at least five metres onto a concrete pavement. The man sustained serious head injuries, he later died from these injuries on 4 March 2017. An investigation led by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Wembley Scaffolding Services Limited’s director, Sean Chapple, failed to carry out a suitable risk assessment, plan the work and provide a design for erection and dismantling of the scaffold. Sean Chapple himself was not knowledgeable about the measures required to do this without putting people at risk and therefore didn’t follow the correct measures to ensure safe erection and dismantling of the scaffold. Wembley Scaffolding Services Limited based in Watford pleaded guilty to breaching the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and the Health and Safety at work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £7,860 and ordered to pay costs of £8,940. Its Director, Sean Chapple pleaded guilty to breaching the Work at Height Regulations 2005; sections 33(1)(a) and 37(1) of the Act; Section 33(2) and Schedule 3A to the Act (as amended by section 1 of the Health and Safety (Offences) Act 2008. He was fined £1,000, received a 12-week prison sentence suspended for one year and was ordered to pay costs of £11,000. After the hearing, HSE inspector Saif Deen said: “This tragic incident led to the avoidable death of a young man. The case highlights the importance of following industry guidance in order to design and erect scaffolding in a safe manner, to prevent risk to workers using the scaffold. The death could have been prevented had the employer acted to identify and manage the risks involved, and to put a safe system of work in place.”South-East Rugby Club and NJS Achieve ‘Covid-Safe’ One-Way Route With HAKI
Chichester Rugby Football Club and NJS Scaffolding have created a COVID-SAFE crowd-management system utilising HAKI’s Public Access Stair
For Chichester Rugby Football Club (CRFC), like many other UK community sports clubs, the COVID-19 coronavirus lockdown imposed on the nation in March 2020 meant closing doors that had long been open, bringing their sport and use of their clubhouse to an abrupt halt. And, when the UK Government finally announced that businesses and venues could start reopening between July and August 2020, it was met with mixed emotions of relief, excitement, and apprehension from all club members, due to strict safety guidelines imposed. Within Chichester RFC’s clubhouse, “The Oaklands Pavilion”, crowd-management was the main challenge to overcome. Due to the narrow staircase entrance, the club needed to implement a one-way travel system into, around, and out of pavilion before welcoming back any members and visitors. Local to and long-standing supporters of Chichester RFC, NJS Scaffolding was contracted to help deliver on this specific requirement to get club members back into the clubhouse safely, and the bar and restaurant business back up and running. NJS purchased a 3-meter-high Public Access Stair (PAS) from HAKI to facilitate an exit route from the stand, as part of the one-way system. The temporary stair, compliant with building regulations for public access and egress, boasts a strong 7.5kn/m² loading capacity, exceeding the required footfall of staff and visitors during the coronavirus outbreak. It also offers favourable safety benefits of non-slip treads and child-safe handrails and is robust enough to withstand an extended period of time without replacement. In this particular case, an in-line PAS was suitable, but the product also allows for a spiral configuration.
The speed and efficiency inherent to the HAKI system, combined with NJS’s familiarisation of the product range, resulted in the extremely quick lead and erection times needed so CRFC could reopen on time and take part in the RFU’s nationwide “Pitch Up to Rugby” weekend on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th September.
Over 400 members and visitors were able to use the clubhouse because NJS and HAKI had provided the safe and timely means of access. Without the staircase, the clubhouse would remain closed.
RAdm (Rtd) Paddy McAlpine CBE, Chichester RFC’s Chairman, was extremely grateful to both HAKI and NJS: “Without the efficiency of both companies and the excellence of the equipment provided, our clubhouse would remain closed and we would have undoubtedly failed as a community rugby club and a business venture. Their contribution has helped assure the survival of a rugby club, that was established in 1926. Every single member, from 6 to 60 years old, would like to pass their sincere thanks”.
Chris Betsworth, Contracts Manager at NJS, commented on the project and relationship with HAKI: “The HAKI PAS really was the perfect solution for this project, and it was made so much easier with the support from all at HAKI to deliver the solution so quickly.” Recession is an opportunity in Wolf’s clothing
There are more opportunities to grow your wealth during periods of world crisis and economic downturns than any other period in history. Simon Boyes asks the question… are you ready to take advantage of it?
2020 has hit the scaffolding industry like a dropped ledger! The construction industry has not yet felt the same force of the pandemic as the retail, tourism, and hospitality market, but the flow-on effect is forecast to hit the construction sector in late 2020 and into 2021.
Following this, some of the world’s leading business strategists are predicting that the period between September 2021 and September 2031 will see a business growth period on a scale none of us has ever experienced before.
The questions is… are we ready for it?
What we do today and the way we think about our approach to solving our customer’s problems is going to shape the way we live and how (or if) we come out the other side.
If we don’t change our mindsets and our approach to what we do, we are going to be left behind. You can guarantee that our competition is already strategising on how to take full advantage of the upcoming opportunities.
During periods of financial discomfort, people are forced to think differently and find new ways to solve old problems. Take the Global Financial Crisis in 2007 for example, college students who couldn’t get jobs or were working from their garage for minimum wage, changed the world forever by inventing platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Netflix.
The same is going to happen coming out of the COVID-19 crisis. Between September 2021 and September 2031, we are going to experience more innovation than society has ever seen before.
We have already seen some of the early impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, as businesses have been forced to pivot and change the way they operate to survive. We have proven that businesses can operate just as efficiently working remotely as they can working from the same office. We have proven that a video call is just as effective as a face to face meeting. We have shown that it no longer matters where you live or the country you reside because we can all collaborate through the internet, so what comes next?
Are scaffolding companies going to shift from owning expensive offices and storage facilities to working from home? Or move from owning all their own equipment to cross hiring from another supplier? Or moving away from having their own staff to using labour contractors? The next 18 months is going to change the way we live, work, and play forever.
The key to surviving such a period is to take a deep dive into our businesses to really understand the key metrics and what are the critical drivers to our success. What overheads do we have that are luxuries that we can no longer afford?
Having an open and honest conversation between your team will help everyone understand the current economic situation and keep everyone’s vision aligned. It is important for the site team to understand what is going on in the office and vice versa.
For as long as scaffolders have been connecting tubes together, the site team has a perception that the guys in the office sit around all day doing nothing and the guys in the office think the guys on site can work harder and faster. But in today’s changing climate, it is more important than ever before to keep the entire team on the same page and working towards a common goal.
My advice to any senior leader or decision-maker of a scaffolding business is to be open with your team and make sure everyone understands what you are trying to achieve. Without buy-in and help, everyone is going to fall short of their goals.
We all need to stick together through this turbulent time and together as an industry we will make it out the other side and be stronger for having been through it.
This article was first published in the ScaffMag Magazine Issue 10
