Scaffolders Business Success Despite Lockdown

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Scaffolders Business Success Despite Lockdown

MG Scaffolding continues to increase its market share with larger premises despite the COVID-19 lockdown.

MG Scaffolding (Oxford) Ltd has posted another successful trading year for 19/20 as they continue to expand. Established in 2002 the NASC members opened their third depot in Rowley Regis, Birmingham in 2018 to run alongside its two established depots in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire and Banbury, Oxfordshire. Due to the success of the depot and increase in turnover, the firm has told ScaffMag its Birmingham depot has relocated to larger premises in Brierley Hill to service its ongoing and new clients. MG Scaffolding (Oxford) Ltd has become one of the largest independent stockists of scaffold equipment, resourcing high profile projects in the Midlands and throughout the South of England. Since the COVID-19 government lockdown rules eased, the business has secured new projects in all three depots, which has helped the business plan for the short term future in these difficult and uncertain times. The firm has said it directly employs a workforce of around 100 CISRS scaffold operatives and continually invests in training to deliver the best services possible for its clients. Carl Fallon, Managing Director of MG Scaffolding (Oxford) Ltd puts the success of the business down to the management’s teams in place at each of the depots and the skills of the workforce whom many have been with the business since the early foundation years of establishment and growth. “If we did not have the effective management teams in place who we have to put our trust and faith in, we would not be able to implement the disciplines and controls our industry requires in delivering our services,” Carl said. “Having said that we also require our scaffold teams to deliver the safe systems of works we are renown for and this requires a positive professional attitude in working to the highest standards that give our client base the confidence to use and rely upon our services.”

Workers start to remove melted scaffolding on Notre-Dame

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Workers start to remove melted scaffolding on Notre-Dame

Work to remove the melted scaffolding from the Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris is now underway.

Scaffolding was already encasing much of the 850-year-old world-famous cathedral when a huge fire broke out in April last year. The roof and spire were destroyed in the inferno and the giant scaffolding that included over 50,000 scaffold tubes became a tangled melted mess. Now, this week workers are tasked with the delicate job of cutting the melted steel tubes away after building another complex scaffold structure over the fire-damaged cathedral. Officials have said, two five-man teams hanging from ropes 40 to 50 meters in the air will be using electric saws to safely cut away the scaffolding piece by piece.
Notre-dame melted scaffolding
Workers begin to cut away the melted scaffolding this week. Image credit: Linkedin/unknown
It’s one of the riskiest operations during the restoration work as the process could quite easily damage the limestone walls supporting the priceless ceiling vaults. The operation of cutting away the melted scaffolding is thought to take workers up to four months to complete.  

CITB to Reopen and Resume Face to Face Training at NCCs

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CITB to Reopen and Resume Face to Face Training at NCCs

National Construction Colleges (NCCs) in England are set to reopen with face to face training in July.

The CITB has today told ScaffMag it’s reopening their construction colleges at Bircham Newton, Erith and Kings Norton in July to restart face to face training.

The CITB said they have been carefully monitoring the evolving COVID-19 position and the information which is being regularly issued from the UK Government.

CITB Chief Executive Sarah Beale said: “Our priority will continue to be learner and colleague safety, therefore we will start to deliver training through a phased approach, with pilot courses initially being offered from July onwards.

We will continue to monitor and review our procedures to ensure that the appropriate level of safety is maintained.”

The CITB we will be making direct contact with NCC apprentices in the coming weeks to confirm the restart of their learning.

NCC Inchinnan training centre in Scotland will, for now, remain closed, the CITB said but will continue to monitor the Scottish Government advice.

New Design For The Humble Scaffold Fitting

Daniel Norton
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New Design For The Humble Scaffold Fitting

A revolutionary new scaffold fitting with potential safety and speed benefits has been developed.

Not for more than 100 years has the right angle coupler, aka ‘the double’ had this much of a makeover. But on seeing the new design would its original inventor dubbed the ‘Grandfather of Scaffolding‘ Daniel Palmer-Jones be turning in his grave? Developed by StrucTemp and LUMA-ID the new design is the brainchild of Shiraz Dudhia a civil engineer and Managing Partner of the structural and temporary works firm StrucTemp. Shiraz has 35+ years in the industry and was the Director of Engineering and Temporary Works for Balfour Beatty, responsible for all its UK operations. At any one time, he had more than 350+ projects, many of which had scaffolding on the sites. Over the course of his career on visiting construction sites, he was fed-up with the bolts that stick out on current fittings asking “has nobody come up with anything better than this?” Explaining his frustration and working with the design, prototyping and manufacturing company Luma-ID, Shiraz and the team has spent two years perfecting the idea into a new fitting design. “A main feature of the design is there are no protruding bolts and thus there is no risk to injury to personnel and the public”, Shiraz told ScaffMag. “It would be great to use for edge protection too as there are no protrusion bolts.”
The new scaffold fitting also boasts massive speed benefits with a shortened thread that allows scaffolders to tighten the coupler to a close in as little as two seconds using a traditional spanner. The bolt and washer are also integral with the coupler so no risk of missing bolts or washers. Shiraz added: “Its easier to handle and couple than current scaffold couplers. It enables scaffolding to be coupled together in 2 clicks and thus easier and faster to fix than traditional scaffolding which would aid in reducing repetitive strain injury on scaffolders wrist joints.” new design for the scaffold fitting The newly developed scaffold fitting received much interest from the industry when it was unveiled in London at the Futurebuild trade show in January. ScaffMag understands it’s yet to be decided on what process will be used to manufacture the new scaffold fitting.

How do we stop scaffolders being killed or seriously injured from falls from height?

Mark Clarke
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How do we stop scaffolders being killed or seriously injured from falls from height?

Why in 2019 and 2020 are scaffolders still being killed and seriously injured through falls from height?

It was the image of a young scaffolder being put into the back of an ambulance after falling from a roof working on a saddle scaffolding on 25th November 2019 in Morecambe Lancashire that the question needs to be asked, how do we stop these young scaffolders from being injured? As the Chairman of The Association of Northern Scaffolding Contractors (ANSC) I immediately brought this accident to the attention of our Safety Working Group. With the help of Spanset and George Roberts, we have developed a safe system of work for any scaffolder working on a roof undertaking saddle scaffolds. Unfortunately with the Covid-19 lockdown, we have not been able to put this into practice.
Mark Clarke
Mark Clarke believes the scaffolding industry could be made a lot safer with some simple changes
When I reviewed all of the documentation available for scaffolders when working at height the two main documents are SG4:15 and the HSE’s Scaffold Checklist. As a Co-Author of the first SG4:00 and SG4:05 Safety Guidance for Scaffolding, I feel that the current document SG4:15 has been diluted from the original guidance. The illustrations showing how to erect saddle scaffolds in SG4:15 is very poor and does not show a safe system of work. The HSE Scaffold Checklist although very descriptive could provide more detail and more guidance into what PPE all scaffolders should be using and what safe systems of work they should be working to. I believe the scaffolding industry could be made a lot safer with some simple changes; I am well aware that a lot of scaffold firms are now using twin tail lanyards and 4 Point Safety Helmets. I believe that this should be normal practice across the whole of the scaffolding industry to give every scaffolder a better chance of reducing head injuries in the event of a fall. I also believe that the unsafe practice of protected traversing should be removed from all scaffolding documentation relating to scaffolders safety as this is not a safe system of work. The illustrations showing scaffolders attached to standards using the protected traversing method does not provide any guidance on where the sleeve or joint should be in the lift below. It does not fully describe how these tubes are being fixed into position prior to the scaffolders being instructed to attach to these standards as part of the traversing method. It is now 20 years since the introduction of the first SG4:00 document and scaffolders are still the only trade allowed to work with a single handrail. Scaffolders are being asked to leave site by being issued with a red card because they have bent down below the top handrail to fix a swivel onto a brace.  I believe that Principal Contractors and Clients have a duty to instruct all scaffold contractors as part of their Scaffbrief to introduce double handrails on all scaffolds. This would ensure that the scaffolders would be fully compliant with the Work at Height Regulations when working from a fully boarded platform with double handrails to all elevations. The introduction of 4 Point helmets/twin tail lanyards and double handrails on all scaffolds that the Principal Contractor and Clients would have to pay for would greatly reduce the number of accidents and fatalities to our young scaffolders.

New MD at Lyndon SGB

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New MD at Lyndon SGB

Former Mace Operations Director joins Lyndon SGB as its new Managing Director.

Stuart Robinson has joined Lyndon SGB as Managing Director
Stuart Robinson has joined Lyndon SGB as Managing Director with effect from 1st June. He takes over the role from Rob Lynch who is stepping down at the end of June after 20 years. Stuart joins the business after 15 years with construction firm Mace and before that Taylor Woodrow.  He has a wide experience of civil engineering projects and large scale developments across the globe including major retail and office schemes in Bahrain, casinos in Macau, the 2012 London Olympics, leading Mace’s consultancy business in India and most recently Tiffany’s 5th Avenue flagship store in New York and Heathrow’s expansion programme. Stuart Robinson said that “I am definitely joining at an interesting time, but I am very excited by the massive potential. Lyndon SGB has some great foundations; I have been impressed by the commitment to safety and the wellbeing of everyone we come into contact with.  Our plan is to make Lyndon SGB the scaffolding contractor of choice on a national basis.  Our ability to offer all types of scaffolding while being supported by mast climbers and our market leading hoist provider, Taylor’s Hoists, means we can provide clients with a unique integrated service.” Rob Lynch has said, “Although I am sad to be going, I am absolutely sure that the business is in safe hands, Stuart and the team have all the skills to make the business the UK market leader in scaffolding, I wish them all the very best.” BrandSafway purchased Lyndon Scaffolding and Taylor’s Hoists in January 2019 combining the businesses with SGB to create a truly national access provider, Lyndon SGB.

Leach’s donates anti-virus air cleaner to St.Thomas’s NHS Hospital

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Leach’s donates anti-virus air cleaner to St.Thomas’s NHS Hospital

Scaffolding safety suppliers Leach’s are doing their bit to protect the NHS during the pandemic.

Leach’s has donated the very latest, anti-virus air cleaner from manufacturer MAXVAC Switzerland to St. Thomas’ NHS Hospital, London. St. Thomas’ was chosen by the company after a survey asking which NHS hospital Leach’s customers would like to see receive a free MAXVAC MEDI 25 air cleaner, which normally costs around £5,000. Leach’s COO, Stephen Rees-Williams said: “We had been looking for an opportunity to do something good to support the NHS and its patients during this crisis. When we saw this new Medi 25 air cleaner with virus sterilizer from MAXVAC, it just made so much sense to donate one. It’s something that can provide lasting value and protection as it has been designed specifically to help prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria on an industrial scale. NHS workers are the front line of defence against the virus and we are proud to support them and help keep them and their patients safe. It is important that patients and visitors feel confident about coming into hospital when they need to and we believe the MEDI air cleaner can help with that.” The MAXVAC MEDI 25 is a powerful commercial air cleaner that does more than filter out harmful dust. It also sterilises the air, destroying bacteria and viruses. How? By using powerful UV-C lamps that destroys their DNA. This advanced germicidal technology is completely safe, with the powerful UV-C lamps concealed deep within the air cleaner. The MEDI is portable too so it can easily be moved from ward to ward depending where the need is greatest — something which is particularly important now as hospitals rapidly adapt to the changing needs of the current pandemic. Designed for any public space, such as waiting rooms, the MAXVAC MEDI continually sucks air through large HEPA filter screens which remove up to 99.995 % of dust and microparticles larger than 0.01µm,  leaving the naked bacteria and virus spores nowhere to hide as they pass through the UV-C sterilizer that destroys their DNA , rendering them harmless. Leach’s also distributed another MAXVAC air cleaner to a different NHS hospital but this is the first donation of this kind with specific anti-viral technology.

Cough guard hard-hat

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Cough guard hard-hat

Safety supplier JSP has produced a hard-hat with a cough guard specifically for the construction industry, to help stop the spread of infections.

The firm has developed the helmet-mounted cough guard to reduce the likelihood of any exhaled airborne droplets contacting the wearer’s face. It also stops the wearer from touching their eyes and face, which is how infections are often spread. The plastic cough guard is designed to fit the JSP Evolution range of safety helmets and leaves the helmet accessory slots free for fitting helmet-mounted ear defenders. It is also compatible with the JSP range of respiratory products. Wearing the cough guard does not remove the need to wear safety eyewear or goggles where appropriate, as it is not classed as personal protective equipment as defined by the EU PPE Regulation 2016/425 and does not meet the requirements of EN166 (including splash protection or impact protection).  

Scaffolding collapse thought to be sabotage

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Scaffolding collapse thought to be sabotage

A scaffolding structure has collapsed in suspicious circumstances in a town in Scotland.

According to reports, the scaffolding collapse happened in the early hours of Wednesday morning. It fell onto buildings on the other side of a narrow road in Kirkcaldy. No one was injured in the collapse but the scaffolder who erected the job is convinced it was sabotaged to attack his Edinburgh-based firm Blair Scaffolding. Speaking to local newspaper The Courier Blair Dryburgh said: “It’s absolutely crazy, you work hard to build a business to provide for your family and for your employees then someone sabotages your business like this.” The scaffold came down during high winds but the scaffolder said it was impossible that this was the cause and has evidence to show that the job was tied in.
Evidence that the scaffold was tied in when first erected / Image credit: thecourier.co.uk
“We drill into the wall and fix anchors to it,” he said. “Someone has taken the butts out that tie that together and adjusted the outside legs. The jacks had been dropped by about six inches. “They’ve tied a bit of rope to the top and pulled it over, They must have stood in the church grounds opposite, as the rope was still over that side.” Blair said his team, who are fully qualified and insured, build a number of scaffolds a day, and on rare occasions, the wind has been known to lift boards but had damaged this scaffold in such a way. The Courier reported that the collapse is believed to have happened at around 1am and the road was closed until the scaffolding was removed later in the morning.

PERI releases new scaffolding demonstration videos to support sites

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PERI releases new scaffolding demonstration videos to support sites

PERI UK has released a series of free product demonstration videos to help its customers adhere to the latest social distancing guidance from the CLC and NASC.

Recognising the construction industry has a vital part to play in an economic recovery, PERI UK has released a series of free product demonstration videos on its website as part of its 4-step customer support plan. As more sites continue to reopen, PERI has been quick to adapt its products and services to ensure sites operate safely and efficiently, despite a reduced workforce. The new videos guide scaffolders on how they can erect PERI UP scaffolding systems in line with the latest Site Operating Procedures and guidelines from CLC and NASC. Each video features step-by-step demonstrations and detailed explanations provided by the company’s scaffolding supervisor, Mark Holmes, so scaffolders can assemble these systems safely under supervision. Crucial safety measures, such as two-metre distances, can be observed using PERI’s scaffolding systems, as the videos demonstrate how they can be erected by just one scaffolder. Currently, the demonstration videos feature the company’s most commonly used and versatile scaffolding systems, such as the PERI UP Flex Stair 75 and PERI UP Flex Stair 100, which can be used to provide temporary building access or as reinforcement scaffolding respectively. The product demonstration videos will not be replacing the company’s valuable on-site support services, but will instead enhance PERI’s existing offer and help sites maintain construction output during a time it is needed most. Managing Director for PERI UK, Alasdair Stables said: “We are determined to support our customers and help them keep their sites operational whilst working safely and efficiently. The current situation means that we cannot continue to work in the way we are all used to. A key focus for PERI at this time is to help customers adapt to the CLC’s Site Operating Procedures for the construction sector and to maintain the best possible efficiency on-site with whatever restrictions may be required.” Part of this approach is to make sure our sales and technical teams remain available to help with any challenges on-site, and in addition, our site demonstrators can provide web or site-based support for products being used on site.”
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