Palmers Scaffolding reaches 100 years milestone

Scaffmag Newsdesk
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Palmers Scaffolding reaches 100 years milestone

Scaffolding and special access providers, Palmers Scaffolding UK Ltd has reached an epic milestone in its rich and long-standing heritage – achieving 100 years since it was incorporated as a business brand, back in 1919.

A century ago this month, Palmers Scaffolding founder, Edwin Palmer took the decision to transform the well-known scaffolding and access family business name into a company – formally founding it as the legal business structure it still is today, now under British ownership with CEO, well-known scaffolding man and entrepreneur, Colin Butt at its helm.

Palmers Scaffolding UK Ltd CEO, Colin Butt said: “I am delighted to be involved in this marvelous anniversary and particularly to have returned ownership of this long-established business to British hands.”

Palmers Managing Director, Donald Morrison added: “I wonder what hopes and dreams Edwin Palmer had when Palmers was incorporated 100 years ago; having been trading since 1880?

“Then, as now, I believe we have built a reputation for excellence in the provision of our services, working safely and with a commitment to our clients. Of course, we wouldn’t have been able to achieve this success without our whole team; past and present. We have really excellent staff retention rates as a business and are delighted to say more than 10% of our workers have over 15 year’s service with us. Here’s to the next 100.”

Palmers Scaffolding turns 100

And Ian McFarlane, Palmers Director of Business and Project Development said: “Palmers is a trusted and historic scaffolding brand, whose employees are rightly proud to be associated with. Over the last century and beyond, we have established excellent, pre-qualified working relationships with some of the country’s leading clients & contractors who continually support us by awarding Palmers repeat business.

“And yet despite our rich heritage, at Palmers we are always looking forward to the most modern special access and scaffolding solutions. And we are actively supporting our employees and customers moving the Palmers brand forward by continuing to work to the very highest safety standards on some of the biggest, most important projects in Britain, now and for the foreseeable future.”

Formed in 1880, Palmers Scaffolding UK Limited have become specialists in providing long term infrastructure & industrial service maintenance contracts and fast track construction solutions, specialising in scaffolding and access contracts.

Top section of scaffolding to be removed on Big Ben

Daniel Norton
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Top section of scaffolding to be removed on Big Ben

The newly restored roof and spire on London’s iconic Elizabeth Tower will be revealed to the world after two years undercover.

Over the course of five weeks from today (Monday 7 October) an expert team of scaffolders from PHD Modular Access will start to take down the top section of scaffolding surrounding the Elizabeth Tower, known as Big Ben.

The scaffold will only be removed from the very top at this stage as conservation work continues to the rest of the tower.

The Elizabeth Tower is undergoing a major restoration project and while safely covered behind the scaffolding, extensive work has now been completed on the roof.

Around 3,433 cast iron roof tiles were meticulously removed and repaired. The towers’s signature metal cross and orb which sits 96 meters above ground level, has also been repaired. While a team of gilders has spent weeks gilding the ornate details to match the original design from 1859.

The project, which is just over halfway through, began in 2017 and is due for completion in 2021.

Image shows the clock face of Big Ben / Elizabeth Tower
Credit: ©UK Parliament/Mark Duffy

Charlotte Claughton, Senior Project Leader, said: “Removing the scaffolding in stages is part of our commitment to make sure as much as possible of this iconic landmark is visible to the public.

We share the world’s love of the Tower and the Clock and I know the whole team feel so privileged to be part of this project. And now we get to show everyone a bit more of what we have been working on.”

Image shows the clock face of Big Ben / Elizabeth Tower
Credit: ©UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor

UK Parliament has said ‘It’s a significant moment in the Elizabeth Tower conservation project’, it’s the most extensive programme of works ever carried out to the Tower.

“The first section of scaffolding coming down is a key moment in the project,” said Adam Watrobski, Principal Architect on the project.

“It means that we are getting nearer the end and that people can again enjoy this symbol of our nation and of democracy. A lot of hard work and ingenuity has brought us to this point and while there is much work still to be done, it is worth pausing to appreciate how far we have come.”

Red Hot Charity Calendar Set For Launch Day

Grahame Anderson
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Red Hot Charity Calendar Set For Launch Day

A highly anticipated hot new 2020 Crossway Scaffolding Charity Calendar is finally available to be purchased by the public.

Released to coincide with World Mental Health Day on 10th October, this latest creative offering has been carefully constructed to both bring delight and raise much-needed funds for Andy’s Man Club.

“A spokesperson told ScaffMag: “This calendar was the brilliant idea of one of our long-serving scaffolders Andy Butterworth and has been eight months in the planning. Special thanks to the fourteen amazing Crossway employees, Andy, Ben, Dave, Simon, Jack, Brandon, Ian, John, Sean, Matt, Kevin, Peter, Lee and Joshua who volunteered to bare all, in order to raise mental health and well-being awareness and monies for Andy’s Man Club.”

This invaluable club is run exclusively by unpaid volunteers each day from central Halifax in West Yorkshire. Born from Social media it enables people to get together, able to talk with like-minded souls about mental health and the day to day problems it can bring.

Every penny donated to Andy’s Man Club goes directly into the movement helping create new groups. It’s now a registered charity and growing nationally and internationally all the while.

The calendar follows on from what was a successful fashion show organised back in May with the result, £2,500 was raised. It carries a theme this year of ‘suicide prevention’, with the aim of gently spreading the message, we need to do much more about the problems of mental health.

Its official launch of the calendar will take place on World Mental Health Day –  a day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma. It was first celebrated in 1992 at the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health, a global mental health organization with members and contacts in more than 150 countries. Thousands of supporters come to celebrate this annual awareness program to bring attention to mental illness and its major effects on peoples’ life worldwide.

The calendar is set to prove extremely popular, so the advice is get your order in as quickly as possible.

To pre-order or purchase calendars, please contact Crossway Scaffolding on 01422 370033 or email [email protected]

Infiniti Scaffolding safe as houses with ISO 45001 landmark

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Infiniti Scaffolding safe as houses with ISO 45001 landmark

Infiniti Scaffolding’s focus on continuous improvement has seen the Scarborough group achieve the ISO 45001 accreditation, marking another milestone in its growth.

Alex Willgrass, Infiniti Scaffolding director, said “This is a significant occupational health and safety management systems benchmark which shows how importantly the Infiniti Scaffolding group takes its employee safety.  “Before anything here at Infiniti Scaffolding, health and safety is the absolute number one priority – that means the health and safety of all our employees, not only reducing workplace risks but creating the best, safe working conditions, based in an integrated, functioning holistic approach that aims to look after the mental and physical health and well-being of our employees and contracted staff.” The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) accreditation enables organisations to put in place an occupational health and safety management system to help improve health and safety risks while developing and implementing effective company policies and objectives.  “Creating and reinforcing our health and safety culture, employees are encouraged to work with us to take an active role in their own health and safety,” added Mr Willgrass. “We already have an excellent safety record and high-quality staff relations, but we expect ISO 45001 to further to feed through into reduced workplace incidents, reduced absenteeism and staff turnover, while increasing productivity and reducing insurance premiums.” This is the latest feather in the cap of Infiniti Scaffolding which incorporates Infiniti Roofing and Infiniti Building, as the group continues to win top quality construction-related contracts across Yorkshire and the North of England. It recently unveiled its new headquarters, a 10,000sqft site that includes new offices, warehouses and storage yard, while also opening its first depot in Leeds. Its new North Yorkshire HQ, at the Olympian Trading Estate, Eastfield, is now home to a company that employs about 40 staff including skilled scaffolders, scaffold inspectors, expert builders, roofers, general labourers and drivers, as well as an experienced administration and office team.

Australian scaffolding industry put on notice

Scaffmag Newsdesk
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Australian scaffolding industry put on notice

New data has revealed that nearly half of all construction sites in New South Wales (NSW) have non-compliant scaffolding.

The NSW government has put the industry on ‘notice’ after a safety blitz on more than 700 building sites by SafeWorkNSW. Inspectors shockingly discovered that 44 per cent of scaffolds had missing components, while 36 per cent of scaffolds had been altered by unlicensed workers or removed components. Since the tragic death in April of Christopher Cassaniti a teenage apprentice who was crushed to death in a scaffolding collapse, SafeWorkNSW has been targeting unsafe scaffolds. To date the government agency has handed out 832 notices, including $109,000 (£59,512) on-the-spot fines. Ms Cassaniti has become a workplace safety advocate since her son’s death and said change could not come quickly enough. “To me it is not surprising to find that the statistics have come back so bad,” she said. “I heard the workers complain a lot when they are on site and in dangerous situations.” She said she did not want her son to become “another statistic”. “Scaffolders put their scaffolds up, they tag it and then the workers go and use the scaffolding but some remove parts they should not, just to get the job done quickly,” Ms Cassaniti told ABC News. NSW Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation Kevin Anderson said: “It is clear that more needs to be done to get the safety message through to people, which is why this month the NSW Government will be rolling out a number of new initiatives which aim to protect workers from serious injury or death.”    

Could more apprentices be the answer to the skills shortage?

Dave Randles
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Could more apprentices be the answer to the skills shortage?
The construction industry is experiencing a skills shortage and unsurprisingly industry leaders are concerned. The problem isn’t new but it has been exacerbated in recent years by a number of factors. Primarily Brexit and an ageing workforce in the industry. A large proportion of British born construction workers are nearing retirement age (three in 10 British-born construction workers are over 50). One approach to addressing this shortage is to encourage more people to consider the benefits of an apprenticeship as a route to a long-term career and to encourage employers to plan ahead and recruit apprentices sooner rather than later, so they have skilled trained employees in place when they need them. The Apprenticeship Levy, which was introduced in April 2017, has gone some way to raise awareness and encourage employers to consider offering apprenticeships. Although apprentice numbers jumped following the introduction of the levy, they did in fact drop by a quarter this year which is frustrating. The levy aimed to create 3 million apprenticeships by 2020 but it looks unlikely that this target will be hit. It is my belief that more needs to be done to raise awareness of the benefits of apprenticeships and to communicate this to employers and young people. As someone who started out as a labourer in the scaffolding sector and has worked my way up, I see examples every single day of people who have progressed in their careers following an apprenticeship. Apprentices contribute massively to the construction sector and yet this contribution is rarely recognised. Apprenticeships have always offered a great career path but now more than ever it offers an attractive proposition for young people considering their career options. No university fees, real life work experience, training which leads to recognised qualifications and pay from day one. If you are an employer in the construction or scaffolding sector and aren’t currently offering apprenticeships then now is the time to reconsider. The benefits are vast and it is one clear step that you can take to begin to futureproof your workforce.

TRAD UK to replace 8,000 tonnes of rival Layher stock with its own Plettac Metrix

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TRAD UK to replace 8,000 tonnes of rival Layher stock with its own Plettac Metrix

8,000 TONNES of Layher Allround will be up for sale after TRAD UK replace its stock with Plettac Metrix.

TRAD Scaffolding, part of TRAD UK, is to commence a phased programme of replacing its stock of Layher Allround with Altrad’s system scaffold, Plettac Metrix. Which the makers say, dramatically cuts the cost of scaffold projects and improves both on-site productivity and safety.  Des Moore, TRAD UK CEO and TRAD Scaffolding MD said: “The added efficiencies this will provide will further grow TRAD Scaffolding’s operational capabilities and ensure we can continue to provide cutting-edge scaffolding solutions to our clients. Plettac Metrix has proven itself to be one of the most advanced ring-based system scaffolds and is significantly faster than traditional Tube & Fitting Scaffolding. “TRAD has benefitted from significant investment and subsequent growth since becoming part of the Altrad Group and this continues in the further development of the Plettac Metrix scaffold system – manufactured in Germany by Altrad Plettac – including newly implemented automation to increase capacity to meet demand.” TRAD believe the Plettac Metrix system has many advantages over other ring-based system scaffolds. And being a true modular scaffolding system, Plettac Metrix is suitable for use in all construction, heavy-duty industrial and civil engineering applications and is easily palletised allowing for optimal transportation.   TRAD Scaffolding was one of the first companies to recognise the advantages of systemised scaffold some 25 years ago and quickly introduced it into all sectors in which it worked. We now believe that Plettac Metrix takes system scaffold to the next level.  If any TRAD Hire & Sales customers are interested in purchasing their Layher stock, please email [email protected] for further details.  

2019 NASC Scaffolding Awards shortlist revealed

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2019 NASC Scaffolding Awards shortlist revealed

The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has announced the finalists for its forthcoming awards ceremony to be held at the Celtic Manor Resort, Wales in November.

The eagerly anticipated glitzy black-tie event will showcase the very best scaffolding projects, processes, products and personnel. Its set to take place at the five-star Welsh resort on the 22 November 2019. Judges have whittled down a record-breaking 59 submissions that were received across the seven categories down to just 32 finalists.

NASC Awards 2019 Shortlist

Project of the Year (£5m+ Turnover)
  • Benchmark Scaffolding Ltd
  • GKR Scaffolding Ltd
  • JDC Scaffolding Ltd
  • Palmers Scaffolding Ltd
  • TRAD Scaffolding Co. Ltd
  • UK Access Solutions Ltd
Project of the Year (up to £5m Turnover) 
  • Apex Scaffolding (Exeter) Ltd
  • E A Scaffolding & Systems Ltd
  • CCS Scaffolding Ltd
  • Connolly Scaffolding Ltd
  • RPF Scaffolding Ltd
  • Summit Marine Scaffolding Ltd
Health & Safety (67+ Employees) 
  • Cape Industrial Services Ltd
  • GKR Scaffolding Ltd
  • TRAD Scaffolding Co. Ltd
  • Turner Access Ltd
Health & Safety (1-66 Employees)
  • ASC (Edinburgh) Ltd
  • Apex Scaffolding (Exeter) Ltd
  • CCS Scaffolding Ltd
  • RBS Scaffolding Ltd
Innovation of the Year
  • Cape Industrial Services Ltd
  • Layher Ltd (Flex beam)
  • Layher Ltd (SIM)
  • Layher Ltd (Steel deck)
Apprentice of the Year
  • Connect Scaffolding Ltd – Joshua Britton
  • Crossway Scaffolding (Elland) Ltd – Jordan Walsh
  • High Peak Scaffolding Ltd – Edward Oldridge
  • TRAD Scaffolding Co. Ltd – Stephanie Betts
NASC President’s Award
  • ASC (Edinburgh) Ltd
  • Apex Scaffolding (Exeter) Ltd
  • Crossway Scaffolding Ltd
  • Star Scaffolding Ltd
  Simon Robinson, NASC Marketing Manager, said: “I would like to pay tribute to every NASC member company that entered the 2019 Awards. This year drew a record number of entries from a record number of members. “Judges have reported that this year’s entries were incredibly difficult to separate, something that speaks volumes of members’ commitment to quality, safety, innovation and excellence.”

Residents ‘disgusted’ after NHS medical records used as kentledge on scaffolding

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Residents ‘disgusted’ after NHS medical records used as kentledge on scaffolding

SEVEN tonnes of partly recycled medical records have been used as kentledge to help weigh down a scaffold in Milton Keynes.

Locals have been left ‘disgusted’ after hundreds of thousands of NHS medical records were meant to be shredded but instead placed on a scaffold at an art festival to help stabilize it. The medical records that include confidential data were only partly destroyed and were still legible, prompting fears of possible identity fraud, reports The Sun. To make matters worse some of the records had come loose from around 40 bales and were strewn around in the street, visible for people to read. Aiden Birch, 36, said: “I could see prescription forms and there were clear names and addresses and details of surgery. It is disgusting. You can see people’s private information.” The freestanding four lift scaffold forms part a sculpture at the annual Festival of Urban Living outside a shopping center in Milton Keynes. A spokesperson from the scaffolding company who erected the structure told ScaffMag: “The paper bales were a part of the art installation and procured by the council. It was nothing to do with us, we also used concrete ballast to weigh down the scaffold. We calculated 24 tonnes of kentledge and deducted about 7 tonnes to allow for the paper bales that were procured and delivered by the council as part of the installation, as well as wooden windows and other recycled materials used to construct the artwork.” Event organisers specified recyclable material should be used to help stabilise the structure from winds. A recycling company in Hertfordshire sent cut and part-shredded paper. The council was “appalled” at the mishap and said: “We immediately covered the bales and arranged for their removal.”

New multi-height scaffolders step-up device launched

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New multi-height scaffolders step-up device launched

New improved multi-height scaffolders step-up device goes on sale.

Worcestershire based Lakeside Industries Ltd has created a new scaffolders step-up called the Alto Scaffmate Duo. It has a unique double fold dual height design which enables scaffolders to work at both 0.5m and 1.0m heights with the same product. Manufactured in the UK and weighing only 7kg the all-aluminium, corrosion-resistant and autolocking Duo neatly folds in half to create the dual height functionality. Charlie Wright CEO of Alto Access Products said: “We reviewed the products on the market and concluded that we could make a product that was of better quality and potentially safer than many of them and also make it fold so that we could allow scaffolders to avoid having to purchase and carry two items of equipment. The Scaffmate Duo is the outcome of this process.” The Duo folds flat for easy compact storage and is available direct from the manufacturer Lakeside Industries or from a range of scaffolding stockists.  List price £125 plus VAT Specialists in aluminium access products, Alto is renowned around the world for its quality, strength and durability.
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