Construction giant opts for ‘NASC-only’ firms
Multiplex has become the latest main contractor to specify ‘NASC-only’ scaffolding firms for its UK-based projects.
The news comes after Multiplex a multinational company, which builds large-scale and complex structures across the world signed the NASC Safe Scaffolding Charter. The move means only NASC member contractors will be eligible to work on its UK-based projects. Multiplex follows Amey, Hinkley Point C developers Nuclear New Build Generation, DE Construct and Knight Harwood in signing the NASC Charter. Andrew Ridley-Barker, Multiplex’s Operations Director for Europe, said: “At Multiplex we recognise the value of the NASC membership as a quality mark bringing a consistent and assurance-led approach to improving safety in one of the industry’s highest risk aspects of work at height. “Our work in creating iconic high-rise buildings demands exacting standards to protect the workforce and the public from falls and falling objects and we see the use of NASC-only contractors as being in the best interests of everyone affected by our undertakings.” According to the trade body, 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. Robin James, NASC Managing Director, said: “We are pleased that Multiplex has signed the NASC Safe Scaffolding Charter and happy to recognise their efforts with an NASC Safe Scaffolding Charter Signatory logo and certificate. “Our Wall of Honour on our dedicated Charter webpage is beginning to take shape but we know there are hundreds of companies across the UK that are eligible to feature and would encourage them to come forward to get the recognition their exemplary scaffolding procurement decision deserves.”CN Specialists 2020 finalists revealed
The Construction News Specialist Awards has announced it’s 2020 finalists.
Now in its the sixteenth year, the Construction News Specialists Awards are the only national awards recognising the outstanding achievements of specialist contractors. Focusing on our sector the Access & Scaffolding and Apprentice of the Year categories have been shortlisted and well represented by scaffolding firms across the country. The Construction News (CN) say finalists in the Access & Scaffolding Specialist category showed different ways of managing logistical challenges, prioritising workforce wellbeing and diversifying workloads.Access & Scaffolding Specialist of the Year Finalists:
CastleBuild Scaffolding
The Spalding based firm has recently undertaken a number of complex projects, which included the erecting of a temporary roof and maintenance access for the restoration of a 16th-century inn in Lincolnshire.LTC Scaffolding
LTC Scaffolding overcame a number of logistical challenges when working on a high profile project at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in central London.PHD Modular Access
PHD is continuing to strive to challenge the common misconceptions of scaffolders. They have focused on improving training and mental health within its business. The firm has introduced in-house mental health first aider and is rolling out mental health workshops to employees.QFS Scaffolding
QFS has in the past year broadened its workload by completing projects in a variety of different sectors including, prisons, asbestos-contaminated environments and high-rise buildings.Rose System Scaffolding
Despite being a relatively new business it has more than tripled its turnover from £700k to £2.2m. They have sought to invest in training, out of 37 employees, six are apprentices. The firm is planning to increase that number further.Apprentice of the Year Finalist:
Survey finds small builders are waiting for the ‘Boris bounce’
Workloads for small building companies fell in the final quarter of 2019 but builders are more optimistic for 2020 according to a recent survey from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
FMB’s State of Trade Survey for the final quarter of 2019 found that in the three months to December 2019, builders workloads fell into negative territory with around 21% of firms reporting lower workloads which were 5% higher than the previous quarter. The survey also found that expectations for the future rose with 37% of builders predicting higher workloads over the coming three months. However, material and wage costs are likely to rise over the coming six months. FMB says Northern Ireland was the only home nation to see an increase in workloads and enquiries. And employment activity moved back into positive territory for the first time since Q1 2019 with just under one in five (19%) builders reporting an increase in staffing levels Commenting on the results of the survey, Chief Executive of the FMB, Brian Berry, said: “The end of 2019 was a very turbulent period in the UK, both politically and economically, with Brexit gridlock and a General Election. When you consider this, along with the bad weather we saw in October, it is not surprising that the order books of small and medium-sized construction firms took a hit. We know that many consumers were holding off making important spending decisions until the outcome of the General Election was known and this took its toll on workloads” Berry continued: “Builders are more optimistic for the future, however, with over a third of SMEs predicting higher workloads over the coming three months. We are yet to see if there has been a so-called ‘Boris bounce’ yet, following the election result, but there are some positive signs. For example, employment levels amongst SMEs have returned to positive ground for the first time since the start of 2019. This of course, brings with it concerns around skills shortages, and SMEs continue to struggle to hire key trades such as bricklayers and carpenters” Berry concluded: “With the Budget due in early March, this provides a perfect opportunity to restore some confidence back into the construction industry. Builders will be instrumental in delivering key government objectives such as 300,000 new homes by the mid-2020s and reaching Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050.”PERI 3D laser scanning perfect for world famous church
Ulm Minster in Germany has benefited from 3D laser scanning as part of ongoing restoration work involving both Formwork Scaffolding Engineering and PERI Ltd in Rugby.
Their German subsidiary PERI Systems utilised the technique to measure the interior and transfer of the 3D building model into PERI CAD as the basis for the scaffold planning. PERI CAD is a state of the art professional tool used by experienced CAD professionals for a wide range of tasks in formwork and scaffolding planning. This includes simple ground plans with standard systems through to solutions for complex civil engineering structures. The Minster, of course, has the highest church spire in the world proudly standing 161.53 metres high. It also carries a 29 metre long, 15 metres wide and 26-metre high choir. Many refer to this impressive structure as Ulm Cathedral because of its huge size, but it has never been the seat of a bishop. It’s a Lutheran church located in Ulm, State of Baden-Württemberg. It’s no stranger to breaking records. For example, Its capacity to accommodate 20,000 people greatly exceeded the size of the population at the time the church was founded. It’s the 5th tallest structure built before the 20th century. The towers and decorative elements are of stone masonry, most of the walls, however, including the façades of the nave and choir, actually consist of visible brick. For this reason, Ulm Minster is sometimes referred to as a brick church.
Update on HSE investigation after Reading demolition incident
A section of scaffolding collapsed on a demolition site in Reading injuring three people in August 2019.
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) is still investigating the incident that happened on August 1 last year but has revealed that part of the old shopping centre being demolished failed. This, in turn, caused the section of scaffolding on the outside of the building to collapse. Many within the online scaffolding community came to the same conclusions shortly after the incident back in 2019 that injured three people. At the time of the incident Unite the UK’s construction union called for an urgent investigation into the collapse. According to the HSE, it was unlikely there would be any further answers revealing more on what happened at the site, for some time. They said: “HSE continues to investigate this incident with a view to determining the causes. As there were a large number of parties involved in the planning and the carrying out of the project, it is likely to be some months before conclusions can be drawn. “We cannot comment further at this time.”Another impressive year of trading for the Altrad Group
According to recently published Full-Year Results for the fiscal period ending 31st August 2019, it’s been another momentous year for the ever-expanding Altrad Group.
Altrad the global leader in industrial maintenance services across multiple sectors has continued its impressive growth, showcasing a strong net profit of £202m, an increase of £1million from the previous 12 months. ScaffMag managed to catch up with Altrad Group CEO Louis Huetz to get his thoughts on what has been a very pleasing phase for the group. Given unsettled financial conditions we wondered how in the case of the Altrad, operational and financial performance surpassed expectations?
It’s so hard not to compare Altrad with Liverpool Football Club who seem to be taking all before them. So do they have a secret formula for ongoing success?
It was a comment well received by Louis: “As Liverpool are European champions, we will take that as a compliment! Liverpool FC has a strong culture and history, and the team has great balance and leadership, so there are a lot of parallels with Altrad.
“I’m not sure there is necessarily a secret to our success, it’s more a pure strategic focus on building our business upon the foundations of Excellence and strong founding values. We are very good at what we do, and we try to ensure we maintain exceptionally high standards in all areas of our business.”
The group has maintained its services order book for the year of £2.3billion, largely involving blue-chip clients, also keeping net debt at £510m. Cash stands at a cool £911m, and wherever you look, the future looks incredibly bright for this group innovator.
We are of course well into a new reporting year at this stage, so what’s the message coming from the Altrad boardroom?
Louis explained: “We are happy to deliver another set of excellent full-year results reflecting the successful growth strategy that the group has adopted in recent years and our continued focus on building a diverse and stable business underpinned by excellence.
“We operate in fluid markets and it’s important to keep evolving the business organically and inorganically to ensure we maintain a competitive advantage. We are constantly reviewing ways in which we can enhance our business to deliver growth and value for our stakeholders, and be the best Altrad that we can be.”
One of the core elements of Altrad’s strategy is the “One Altrad” vision which aligns all of the businesses under the Altrad Group, consolidating and involving all subsidiaries to share the same approach focusing on innovation, synergy, sharing and dissemination of best practice.
Last year Altrad successfully completed the integration of its three major industrial services groups, being Cape, Hertel and Prezioso Linjebygg, under the newly formed brand Altrad Services.
Following a successful period of strategic integration, Altrad Services now benefits from a collaborative knowledge-share and expanding network of customers providing further growth opportunities. Construction contract awards hold steady in 2019
Data from Barbour ABI shows the value of all construction contracts awarded in 2019 was just 0.2% higher than in 2018.
The value of all construction contracts awarded in 2019 was £59.9 billion. This represents an increase of 0.2% on 2018 which in turn was 15.7% lower than 2017. Whilst contract awards values have levelled off in 2019, the value of £59.9 billion is approximately 20.3% lower than the peak of £75.1 billion achieved in 2015. The number of contract awards continued the downward trend exhibited in recent years with awards falling to 9,580. This is a decrease of 7.3% on 2018 and is also 23.0% lower than 2014 when the number of contract awards peaked at 12,447. The latest edition of the Economic & Construction Market Review from industry analysts Barbour ABI, highlights levels of construction contract values awarded across Great Britain. The residential sector maintains its position as the leading sector in 2019, accounting for 38.4% of all construction contract awards, which is 0.3% higher than 2018. The leading residential contract awarded during the year was the Nine Elms Parkside Plots B & D at Wandsworth in London, valued at £276.4 million. The second largest sector in 2019 was infrastructure which had a 17.3% share of all contracts awarded. However, this is 2.0% lower than 2018. The largest overall infrastructure project awarded during 2019 was the £1.5 billion Sellafield SRP Process Facility. The sector accounting for the third largest share of contracts awarded in 2019 was commercial & retail with share of 12.7%, which is 0.5% lower than for 2018. The largest office award was the £400 million Paddington Square – Paddington Cube in London. Commenting on the figures, Tom Hall, Chief Economist at Barbour ABI and AMA Research said, “As we saw throughout 2019, development figures flatlined and a yearly round up shows similar levels to 2018. With the date for the UK to leave the EU less than two weeks away, and the future of HS2 hanging in the balance, uncertainty continues to engulf the construction industry.” Download the full report hereAltrad bags £350m contract from EDF
Altrad Services has been awarded a £350m contract to supply maintenance services for eight EDF nuclear sites across the UK.
Altrad has been chosen as the maintenance partner for a £350m contract by EDF to carry out a range of works on the existing fleet of eight nuclear power stations in the UK for the next nine years.
The company has said around 500 people employed will support the contract.The services will include scaffolding access, insulation, coatings, tanks and building facades and comes under Altrad Services’ maintenance business.
Paudie Somers, CEO Altrad Services UK, Ireland and Nordics said: “This material contract is testament to the relationship Altrad and EDF have fostered over 30 years spent working together.
“As the largest provider of industrial services in the UK, I’m pleased we will continue to help EDF power the UK with an ever-increasingly innovative suite of services designed to take our industry into the digital age. This contract also ensures long-term revenue for the UK Services business.”
New Zealand scaffold fall leads to $230K fine
A construction company and scaffolding firm will have to pay a combined $230,000 as part of a settlement agreement with New Zealand’s Health & Safety Board WorkSafe.
The substantial fine comes after an on-site incident in 2018 which resulted in injuries to a painting contractor who fell 3.5 meters from scaffolding. Main contractor Stevenson and Williams and Bramwell Scaffolding are set to pay a combined $230,000 with $40,000 going to the victim. An investigation found that during work on a 15 three-storey residential apartments, lead contractor Stevenson and Williams contracted Bramwell Scaffolding to supply and erect scaffolding and roof edge protection.The painting contractor was applying primer to various balcony decks and during the work leaned on a handrail which gave way, resulting in the fall and various injuries.
The contractor wasn’t able to work for four weeks as a result of the injuries.
Subsequent investigation determined that the certified scaffolder on-site had left the site for personal reasons and that scaffolding erection had been left to a labourer.
No qualified inspection had been done following that work.
Stevenson and Williams managing director Rob Cunningham told the Otago Daily Times the company had been ”devastated” by the incident and the injury.
He said he had immediately visited the site to determine what had gone wrong and had also seen the worker.
‘‘He is back at work now and we are just happy that it didn’t turn out any worse.
”We are absolutely committed to taking all the steps necessary, putting the necessary systems and process in place to make sure it doesn’t happen again,”
Cunningham said the company had long prided itself on its attention to safety and systems.
”This is a low point for us and we fully intend to learn from the unfortunate circumstance around it.”
Cunningham said while there had obviously been a problem with the scaffolding in this instance, Bramwell remained as a preferred contractor and was definitely one of the ”best in the business”.
