Employees of Family-Owned Business Are To Help Create Lasting Change For Young People

Scaffmag Newsdesk
-
0
Employees of Family-Owned Business Are To Help Create Lasting Change For Young People

Young people’s charity The Prince’s Trust and diversified family-owned business The Denholm Group have announced a new partnership designed to create lasting change for young people.

The Denholm Group has confirmed its commitment to supporting young people by becoming a patron of The Prince’s Trust and is encouraging its employees to take part in fundraising activities to support The Trust’s work of creating brighter futures for young people, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Partnering with The Prince’s Trust also provides volunteering opportunities for employees at Denholm. As well as helping young people to develop their skills and raise their aspirations, volunteering with The Trust will give Denholm employees the opportunity to gain new skills and to challenge themselves beyond their regular job responsibilities.

The Denholm Group is head-quartered in Glasgow, and the locations of its offices and sites throughout the UK complement the network of Prince’s Trust Centres.  Denholm also operates in areas that do not currently have a local Prince’s Trust Centre, but in which the Trust is extending its reach by working with schools, colleges and other partners.

John Denholm, Chairman and CEO of The Denholm Group, said: “Our partnership with The Prince’s Trust marks the first time Denholm has nominated a Group-wide charity partner.  The Group has been expanding through organic growth and acquisition, and with 50 offices and over 1,000 employees across the UK, it now feels appropriate to partner with a UK charity that gives all our employees similar opportunities to support young people in their local communities.”

Mr. Denholm continues: “The Group currently supports a number of young people through apprenticeships, which combine work experience or on-the-job training with studying towards a formal qualification.  Our partnership with The Prince’s Trust is the natural next step in supporting many more young people by helping them to build their confidence and gain the skills they need to thrive in the world of work.”

Kate Still, Director, The Prince’s Trust Scotland said: “It is essential that we do everything we can to ensure young people have an increasing stake in our economy and society. We do this by improving their confidence, boosting their skills and ensuring they have the knowledge of potential career paths. The private sector plays a key role in offering young people in our country real opportunities so they can live, learn and earn. By establishing relationships with corporate partners, we can ensure that all young people who need help receive it. That’s why we are delighted that The Denholm Group has become a patron of The Prince’s Trust. 

“By working closely with Denholm and, with their support and commitment, we will make a real difference and transform the lives of many young people. Together we will support and empower young people to build a better future for themselves, their communities and our country as a whole.”

Formation of the partnership was formally recognised at an event on last week at The Prince’s Trust’s Wolfson Centre in Glasgow.

NASC Launches Safe Scaffolding Charter

Scaffmag Newsdesk
-
0
NASC Launches Safe Scaffolding Charter

The NASC has launched a Safe Scaffolding Charter to recognise the ever-growing number of organisations that place NASC membership at the heart of their scaffolding contractor procurement policies.

The Charter is open to any organisation that has specified ‘NASC-only’ in their scaffolding-related tender documents and/or has had an established commercial relationship with a full NASC member for at least a year. Signatories already include Nuclear New Build Generation – the company behind the development and eventual operation of Hinkley Point C – construction specialists DE Construct and principal contractors Knight Harwood. These organisations are featured on the NASC website’s dedicated Safe Scaffolding Charter webpage. Robin James, NASC Managing Director, said: “We are delighted to launch our Safe Scaffolding Charter. We feel it’s incredibly important to celebrate the various organisations that recognise the value of specifying NASC-only for their scaffolding requirements. “Signatories clearly understand that NASC members are demonstrably safe, compliant and independently audited every year to ensure the high standards demanded in order to gain NASC full-contracting membership are maintained. “They also understand how this benefits their business; including the reassurance and peace of mind gained by using experienced and expert scaffolding contractors.” Ashley Daniels, Head of Temporary Works & Lifting at Hinkley Point C, said: “I am delighted with our membership and look forward to working together with an organisation that proactively contributes to the safety of the construction industry. “Building on our own project values of humility, positivity, respect, clarity and solidarity, I also recognise the very significant contribution NASC provides to the scaffolding community. It’s clear that membership has a significant and long-standing positive effect in delivering safe and secure scaffolding across the largest project in Europe.” For more on the NASC’s Safe Scaffolding Charter click here.

Apex Logistics Bags Contract With Archis Scaffolding

Scaffmag Newsdesk
-
0
Apex Logistics Bags Contract With Archis Scaffolding

Apex Logistics Solutions, the Essex based Logistics provider, has signed a deal with Archis Scaffolding to manage the companies supply chain.

The deal is expected to be worth an estimated £5,000,000 over the next 5-years and will involve the storage and distribution of scaffolding equipment.

“We are delighted to begin our partnership with Archis Scaffolding,” says David Perry, Managing Director of Apex Logistics Solutions. “We are looking to work with clients that are open to innovation, and Archis Scaffolding is a perfect match.  They, like us, have a lot of drive to disrupt their industry, and we can’t wait to work with that energy”. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Apex Logistics on board as a critical supplier to our business,” says Matthew Warner, CEO of Archis Scaffolding Solutions.

“We needed a supplier with the technical expertise to manage the flow of materials across our supply chain. We have complex requirements, such as the need to manage visually identical hired and purchased materials often travelling on the same vehicle; recovery and refurbishment of damaged equipment; and the stock control of hundreds of thousands of articles between dozens of sites.

We are confident that Apex Logistics understands our strategic vision and can deliver savings across our business. We look forward to what we expect to be a long and mutually beneficial partnership.”

Trade Body Offers International Membership

Scaffmag Newsdesk
-
0
Trade Body Offers International Membership

The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has launched an international information membership category in response to a growing demand from firms based overseas. 

The scaffolding trade body has said the new category recently launched is open to any non-contracting scaffolding industry organisation trading outside of the UK.

The new category is open to training providers, health and safety consultants, scaffold designers, insurers and other service providers to the access and scaffolding industry. 

The new category of membership has been created for companies outside of the UK who work within the scaffolding industry but do not carry out contract scaffolding.

Robin James, NASC Managing Director, said: “In recent years we have found that more and more businesses involved in the scaffolding industry overseas have been looking to forge closer relationships with the NASC and enjoy the wide range of benefits already afforded to their UK-based counterparts through the NASC Information Membership.

“We are delighted to address this demand and look forward to welcoming international information members from across the globe into the NASC fold.”

For more information on the new International Membership please visit the NASC website

Expansion at TRAD Hire & Sales

Scaffmag Newsdesk
-
0
Expansion at TRAD Hire & Sales

TRAD Hire & Sales, one of the UK’s largest provider of non-mechanical scaffold products, are currently active in expanding their sales and operational teams.  

Founded in 1998, TRAD Hire & Sales’ UK-wide network of depots have the resources and capabilities to meet every demand. They offer innovative products and a first-class service to their strong client base, and their team has an attention to detail that makes the company stand out from the rest. Their unrivalled commitment to service includes extensive User Guides, Nationwide Training, Technical / Product Support, Estimating Software, and an on-site support service. TRAD Hire & Sales pride themselves on the quality of their client assistance and after-sales service; their aim is to aid customers throughout the entire duration of their projects, and beyond.

In 2013, TRAD Hire & Sales joined the Altrad Group – a global leader in the construction sector. Since this acquisition, TRAD Hire & Sales have benefitted from significant investment and subsequent growth as a result. This growth makes it a necessary requirement to complement the existing, highly successful sales teams at their six nationwide depots, and currently TRAD Hire & Sales are looking to employ Sales Representatives in Stockport, Glasgow and Leeds. 

Operationally, an additional Technical Sales Manager and Health and Safety Representative have also recently been employed to cover the South of the UK, to support the sales teams in that area.  

If you would like to join the sales team at TRAD Hire & Sales, please send your CV and covering letter to [email protected], stating which location from Stockport, Glasgow and Leeds you are interested in. 

Union Demands Urgent Inquiry Into Reading Demolition Site Incident

Scaffmag Newsdesk
-
0
Union Demands Urgent Inquiry Into Reading Demolition Site Incident

Unite, the UK’s construction union is calling for an urgent investigation into the Reading scaffolding collapse that left three people in hospital. (Thursday 1 August)

The trade union, which represents construction workers, believes in order to learn lessons from the collapse, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) “must swiftly undertake an open and transparent inquiry into the incident.”

The collapse that happened on a demolition site in Reading at around 11:15am on Thursday 1 August left three people injured. Many believe a large section of the old shopping centre currently being demolished fell against the scaffold bringing the structure down onto Garrard Street.

A site worker at the former Friars Walk Shopping Centre was treated for a head injury, while a man and a woman were treated for suspected shock and an ankle injury.

Scaffold Collapse Reading

Unite national officer Jerry Swain said: “Everyone must be very grateful that the injuries reported so far have not been serious.

“A full inquiry must not just include the immediate reasons for the scaffolding collapse but also examine whether the work had been sub-let, were all workers on site properly employed, and did they all have the appropriate skills and training.

“It is essential that we learn the lessons from this accident to prevent similar serious incidents in the future.”

Three Injured In Major Scaffolding Collapse In Reading

Scaffmag Newsdesk
-
3
Three Injured In Major Scaffolding Collapse In Reading

Three people have been hurt after a large section of scaffolding collapsed in the main shopping area of Reading.

Emergency services and search and rescue teams are currently looking for injured people after the section of scaffold fell on Garrard Street. The site was being demolished in a major redevelopment of Reading town centre.

A site worker has been treated for a head injury, while a man and a woman were treated for suspected shock and an ankle injury.

It is not known if any more people were in or around the building when it collapsed.

Tony Heselton, incident commander for SCA, said: “Our emergency operations control room team took upwards of 10 emergency calls from around 11.15am all reporting a scaffolding collapse at the former Friars Walk Shopping Centre.

“We have assessed three patients who sustained minor injuries as a result of the collapse.

“We are remaining on scene to support colleagues from the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service.”

Saudi Arabia CISRS Training Centre Success

Scaffmag Newsdesk
-
0
Saudi Arabia CISRS Training Centre Success

CISRS has announced its approved training facility in Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has passed its first annual accreditation audit with flying colours. 

The centre, launched by TAFE Arabia (Technical and Further Education) in 2018 and operated with the support of established UK provider Simian Skill, offers a wide portfolio of scaffolding programmes including CISRS Overseas Scaffolder Training Scheme (OSTS) Level 1 and 2, Scaffolding Inspection, Scaffolding Supervisor and CPD courses.

OSTS is mapped to and mirrors the CISRS UK scheme, including established guidance notes such as TG20, SG4, SG6 and using the same structural drawings as the UK courses. 

Despite CISRS UK qualifications being well established in the region, take-up of CISRS OSTS locally has been slower than anticipated. Surprisingly, some Supervisors and Inspectors currently working in Saudi Arabia are still travelling to the UK to complete courses.      

Dave Mosley CISRS Scheme Manager said “TAFE have an excellent facility here in Saudi Arabia the practical training area and classrooms are all finished to a very high standard. The scaffolding materials and PPE etc are all brand new and meet International industry recognised specifications.

“I feel that we need to work more with clients, contractors and training providers locally to ensure that everyone is aware programmes available in Saudi Arabia are delivered under the same strict criteria as the UK scheme. CISRS is here, it’s just a case of getting the message out there.”

Abdulghani Alrumaih, CEO of TAFE Arabia, said: “TAFE has existing relationships with both clients and contractors across the Arabian Peninsula and we are confident that given time OSTS will improve the skills of the sector from scaffolders to Supervisors and become the recognised qualification for the industry in this region.”    

Several UK and KSA training providers are watching the situation with interest having already expressed an interest in seeking CISRS OSTS approval.

Study reveals the Most Ludicrous Health & Safety Rules in Trades

Scaffmag Newsdesk
-
0
Study reveals the Most Ludicrous Health & Safety Rules in Trades

A recent study by Dickies Workwear has found a top 10 list of unexpected health and safety rules. It was found that more than 61% of participants experienced a ban on shorts on a construction site, even in the sweltering heat of summer.

The workwear brand, established in 1922, asked and polled their loyal social media followers for the most ludicrous health and safety rules they had come across and took to the masses to vote on which ones they had also experienced.

Following an interesting range of results, Dickies Workwear made it their mission to mythbust some of the most dubious rules.

Mark Tapper, Head of Ecommerce at Dickies Europe Ltd comments, “over the years we have seen the number of seemingly bizarre rules on sites increase for sure. However, on some occasions, these are perfectly legitimate policies, for example, rules on sleeves may be in a place where high visibility is required to ensure the employees have the correct surface area of reflective material to comply with specific EN ISO regulations for the dangerous surroundings.”

  1. The ban of shorts (even during summer)

61% of participants experienced a ban on shorts in their site/workplace in the past. Whether workers can wear shorts on a site depends on the site’s policy. If the site policy states that workers must not wear shorts to work, then it’s expected that everyone adheres to the ruling – even if in the sweltering heat of summer.

2. Must wash hands after toilet or risk removal from site

14% of participants said that they have been told to wash their hands after going to the toilet or risk removal from site/workplace. Perhaps one of the strangest responses, workers had to wash their hands after the use of the toilet or risk removal from site. (Dickies Workwear are unsure of how this is monitored, nor whose job it is to keep watch on the lavatory usage and hand cleanliness thereafter.)

3. Wearing a harness which isn’t attached to anything

Across all industries planning to work at height, the regulation is a maximum of 4 feet before wearing a harness. In construction work, the threshold height is 6 feet above a lower level. Fall protection on scaffolding is required at 10 feet, although a Twitter user offered up this rather ludicrous rule that they experienced often in the ‘90s.

4. A ban on short sleeves

31% of participants have been banned from wearing short sleeves on site. In recent times, more and more construction sites and companies are adopting the “long sleeve PPE” safety policy. This generally refers to the requirement to have all members of the workforce wearing long sleeve shirts when working on site.

5. The ban on radios

63% of participants said that they’ve experienced a ban on listening to the radio on site. A highly debated rule in the trades industries, and whilst environment must be taken in to context (building site vs. domestic property), having a radio (or other devices) is now considered to be unsafe, given that it distracts the workers from the task at hand, which often involves them having to concentrate on doing the job properly and safely.

6. Hard Hats Aren’t Compulsory

In the construction industry in the UK, 3% of workers sustain a work-related injury and 11% of these injuries are from being struck by an object. In fact, another 66,000 injuries are estimated to go unreported every year.

While it isn’t 100% compulsory by law to wear a safety helmet on a construction site if there is no risk of head injuries, however, on most construction sites there are dangers so wearing hard hats are necessary.

7. The ban of heavy lifting

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), handling, lifting or carrying makes up 20% of non-fatal injuries to employees.

These factors can create excessive stresses and strains on the body. This can cause immediate damage to muscles and tendons such as sprains and pains but can also lead to longer-term or recurrent problems. Therefore, it’s in everyone’s best interest to not exceed weight restrictions.

8. The ban on stepladders and ladders

It’s a common myth that stepladders and ladders are a health and safety risk. According to HSE, this is a myth and stepladders and ladders are not banned, merely a precautionary measure.

9. The way hi-vis clothing is worn

One of the respondents was not allowed onsite until his hi-vis vest was completely fastened at the front. According to HSE, around seven workers die and 93 are seriously injured annually by vehicles or mobile plant on construction sites.

And just when you thought you’ve seen it all, perhaps not a legal regulation, but it must’ve been an enforced rule in this workplace…

10. Having to deal with bizarre client requests

Perhaps not as much a rule as a standard protocol, but we’ve heard of the term “the client is always right” and so, especially when working in housing sites, it often happens that tenants like to get involved.

Mark Tapper mentions, “If you’re unsure as to why a particular rule may be in place at your place of work I’d recommend speaking to the H&S team, as it is likely that there is a logical explanation.”

For further information on the research conducted, please see Dickies Workwear’s full guide here.

VIDEO: NASA’s Valkyrie Robot Can Erect Scaffolding

Scaffmag Newsdesk
-
1
VIDEO: NASA’s Valkyrie Robot Can Erect Scaffolding

NASA’s Valkyrie robot is able to use human tools to erect scaffolding and plot itself a path across difficult terrain.

Ok, I know what you’re thinking, so Valkyrie is a little slow at erecting a scaffold as seen in the NASA demonstration video above. But this semi-autonomous robot has been designed to hopefully one day build structures for habitual life on the Moon or Mars.

As Valkyrie was initially designed to work in disaster zones the robot could also be used on Earth in places which cannot safely be reached by humans.

Could this be a very early glimpse of a real humanoid scaffolding robot?

1...179180181...324Page 180 of 324