Scaffolding Association has again joined forces with Birketts LLP Solicitors to run a half-day seminar on CONTRACT LAW and relevant contract issues called “How not to make a rod for your own back…”
The event will take place in Birmingham on Tuesday 4th June 2019 from 10am to 3pm and includes lunch, with bacon rolls on arrival from 9.30am. Places are limited to 25 on a first come first served basis. There is a small charge for the event and discount for members of the Scaffolding Association.
Carl Fura, Commercial Director, Godiva Group said of the event “I can wholeheartedly recommend making the effort to attend the Contract Law Seminar provided through the Scaffolding Association. I found it massively informative and a great session, one that was delivered in a professional, clear and simple way that was easy to follow and understand. A big thanks to the Birketts team for providing myself with some clear, positive advice and guidance on the day that has helped the company through some current challenges.”
Mark Parkin, Head of Operations, TIGER Specialist Access Limited said of the event “I thought the seminar was very well put together and a great way to chat with Birketts and also interact with our industry peers. I feel this is a necessary insight to an increasingly difficult market for any companies involved in scaffolding.”
ScaffMag understands that topics will include:
Knowing your contract – what to look out for and the risks if you don’t
How much control do you have?
Payment notices – the payment scheme and how it applies to you
Firefighters have tackled a large fire at a scaffolding yard in Croydon.
According to local media, fire crews were called to the blaze at 12.30pm on Wednesday (May 1). ScaffMag understands the yard belongs to RBC Scaffolding Ltd on Mitcham Road, Croydon.
A total of six fire engines and around 40 firefighters from the London Fire Brigade (LFB) are at the site. It has been reported that a large number of scaffolding boards are alight at the yard.
A spokesperson from the London Fire Brigade said: “Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters have been called to a fire at a scaffolding yard on Mitcham Road in Croydon. A large number of scaffolding boards are alight.”Update 21:09: Video emerges online showing the aftermath of the fire.
https://www.facebook.com/jack.purton/videos/10156077935861835/
Workloads for small and medium-sized (SME) construction firms have taken a dip for the first time in six years, according to the latest research from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
The FMB’s State of Trade Survey for Q1 2019 shows that the array of problems for small, local builders have taken their toll and have now put the sector in negative territory.
Overall SME workloads declined for the first time in six years as more respondents stated lower workloads (29%) compared with the final three months of 2018 (13%). However, expectations for the future have strengthened with 41% of construction SMEs forecasting higher workloads over the coming three months, up from 33% in Q4 2018.
With the slowdown, skills shortages eased slightly among some occupations, most likely due to less competition for workers because of lower workloads. Bricklayers were once again the trade in most short supply with 64% of firms having difficulties hiring them.
FMB research also found a record-breaking 88% of builders anticipate that material prices will rise further in the next six months. And almost three-quarters (71%) of construction SMEs expect wages and salaries to increase over the next six months, up from 66% in the previous quarter.
Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “This dip follows three years of political uncertainty, which have taken their toll on the SME construction sector. We knew anecdotally that the first three months of this year had been less busy for many of our members and our latest research confirm this. A perfect storm of diminished consumer confidence, rising material prices and increases in wages and salaries has resulted in the construction SME sector detracting for the first time in six years. These results are also very much in line with recent stats from the ONS and PMI data, all of which point to a wobble in the construction industry. Consumers and businesses alike are understandably putting off large investment decisions while the never-ending Brexit negotiations rumble on.”
Berry continued: “Interestingly, skills shortages in the first three months of this year have lessened slightly. This is the silver lining to reduced workloads in some parts of the sector – as workloads have declined, there has been less competition for tradespeople for those firms with lots of projects underway. However, what is less positive is that almost three-quarters of small building firms expect wages and salaries to increase over the next six months. Worse still, our latest research reveals record-breaking results for expected material price rises with almost 90 per cent of firms predicting that they will increase further in the coming months. This is bad news for builders and consumers alike as construction projects, large and small, become more expensive to deliver.”
Berry concluded: “The Government must do what it can to boost the economy during this time of political uncertainty and that’s why we’re calling for a reduction in VAT from 20 per cent to 5 per cent on all housing repair, maintenance and improvement (RM&I) work. Reducing VAT on RM&I work could boost the UK economy by more than £15bn over a five-year period, according to independent research by Experian. This reduction in VAT could also create more than 95,000 jobs and save 240,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from thousands of homes. Such a VAT reduction has the backing of more than 60 charities, trade associations, business groups and financial firms as there is no other policy that would achieve so many of the Government’s economic, environmental and social aims with so little cost to the public purse. At a time of continued political uncertainty and a dip in construction output, a VAT reduction for RM&I is exactly what the UK economy is crying out for.”
Scaffolders have competed in the first-ever international scaffolding championships held at RESTA the countries largest trade fair in Vilnius, Lithuania.
In a bid to promote a professional scaffolding trade, while showcasing the improved safety standards within the Baltic region, nine teams from some of the leading scaffolding contractors within Lithuania, Poland, Estonia and Russia took part in the unique competition.
The international event was organised by the recently established Baltic Scaffolding Association (BSA). The BSA is a not-for-profit organisation that unites scaffold production, hire and sales companies and scaffold contractors in Northern Europe. The fundamental aim of the BSA is to promote the safe use of scaffolding and provide qualified training for scaffold installers in the region.
It’s not surprising to learn that many workers in Lithuania and its bordering countries are killed while working at height. The BSA is taking the first steps to tackle the terrible statistics by working closely with the Lithuanian State Labour Inspectorate to help improve their situation.
“We as an association think that scaffolders must get proper training before beginning to work. To show and prove that scaffolding can be completed efficiently and safely we decided to organise the International Scaffolding Championships,” said Žaneta Baltreniene Head of Training at the BSA.
Nine teams of five scaffolders had to safely erect and dismantle a designed freestanding system scaffold within two hours. Each competing team was against the clock and under the scrutiny of industry expert referees who would impose time penalties for any safety breaches or construction inaccuracies.
Lithuania Scaffolding Championships 2019
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Champion of Champions
The Winners, Image credit: ScaffMag
Skilled scaffolders from the international firm HOTrema headquartered in Lithuania was awarded the 1st place accolade. Established in 2012 the company has many projects in a number of Europen countries. Judges and referees deemed the team’s safe erection and dismantling procedure was the fastest on the day.
Estonia based company Adelante Tellingud were placed 2nd while ARAD from Poland was awarded a 3rd place position.
Speaking after the event Žaneta Baltreniene said: “The championships was a big challenge, to have nine teams from five different neighbouring countries and to make everything run smoothly was not easy. We are proud to host such event for the first time in Baltic states.”
Event organisers hope to make the Scaffolding Championships an annual competition with the invitation open to more countries next year.
A more in-depth report on the Scaffolding Championships will be available in the forthcoming Spring Issue of ScaffMag
CADS, the developers of the SMART Scaffolder range of software, wrote the TG20:13 guidance and created the eGuide for the NASC. SMART Scaffolder have taken that expertise and used it to extend the functionality of their estimating, design and checking software known as SMART Estimator.
In addition to creating fast accurate price quotations for scaffolding projects SMART Estimator provides an essential TG20:13 summary, displayed on-screen in real time or as a detailed printed report. The software checks your scaffold against the TG20:13 design criteria including rules to estimate the number of ties required etc. SMART Estimator creates a compliance summary report without the need to enter each structure individually so it’s also faster than the eGuide!
Now the geographical range of SMART Estimator goes one step further and includes the wind factor for Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney and the Scilly Isles due to popular demand there. On the Channel Islands you are never far from the cost and are often building on exposed hillsides, both of which are automatically taken into account in the wind factor and the TG20:13 module offers suggestions for tie patterns, bay sizes, additional standards etc.
Ian Chambers, Sales and Marketing Director at SMART Scaffolder, said “we are always looking to enhance our software to ensure scaffolders have the best possible tools to simply create TG20 compliant scaffolds and minimise the need to commission expensive engineering calculations. Now our customers in the Channel Islands have access to the same precise wind design information as the rest of the UK.”
As well as providing a summary report with SMART Estimator you can create drawings, a professional quote, a cost breakdown and an accurate material list. This combination of features put quality assurance at the heart of your organization.
For more information please follow this link: https://smartscaffolder.com/our-products/smart-estimator/drawings-tg20/
Wood has secured a new contract with SABIC to deliver the engineering design for a world-class petrochemical research centre in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Wood will provide conceptual, basic and detailed design engineering for SABIC’s new 65,000m² technology centre in Jubail Industrial City on Saudi Arabia’s east coast. The scope of work includes engineering design of analytical and material labs to accommodate testing, characterisation and materials analysis, plus support utilities including a warehouse, workshop and substation.
Effective immediately, the contract will be delivered by Wood’s base in Al-Khobar and builds on the company’s successful delivery of front-end engineering design services for expansion and upgrades to existing SABIC facilities in the region.
Dave Stewart, CEO of Wood’s Asset Solutions business in Europe, Africa, Asia & Australia, comments: “This contract demonstrates our extensive experience in the design, development and engineering delivery of key energy infrastructure, and solidifies our position as an engineering partner for SABIC’s projects in the Middle East.”“Wood is committed to expanding our business in Saudi Arabia, and this contract aligns with our strategic objective to grow our presence in the downstream sector in the region, particularly in petrochemicals.”
Wood was recently selected to develop the world’s largest fully integrated crude oil to chemicals (COTC) complex in Saudi Arabia on behalf of SABIC and Saudi Aramco, as the first PMC contractor.
The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has published its annual safety report showing an increase of 27% in accidents and injuries among its members while on the job in 2018.
Members of the NASC recorded 113 accidents and injuries on site during 2018 – equating to one incident for every 150 operatives. While in 2017 the figure was just 89 which was an all-time low. An increase in falls from height was also recorded in 2018, there were 22 falls, up from 14 in 2017.
The figures were revealed in the NASC 2019 Safety Report, which documents and analyses accident and injury statistics for its full contracting members in the previous calendar year.
The 113 injuries recorded means that more than 99% of all NASC member operatives – a total of 16,645 employees – went through 2018 accident and injury-free. Pleasingly there were also no operative fatalities last year, for the sixth consecutive year.
The NASC report shows that the most common cause of accident and injury was ‘Slips, Trips and Fall on the same level’ – representing more than 43% of all accidents reported.
Des Moore, CEO of TRAD Group and NASC President, said: “The report shows that NASC members and their operatives continue to work incredibly safely at height. “While it is slightly disappointing to see a slight year-on-year rise in the number of reported incidents, it is important to view this figure in context – taking into account the 16,000+ operatives who completed millions of working hours in 2018 without injury. “Indeed, the annual incidence and frequency rates remain incredibly low, demonstrating how much value NASC full contracting members place on implementing and enforcing safe working standards on every project they undertake. “However, there is always room for improvement. This is why the NASC will use the data collected to drive positive change – looking for ways to lead safety in our industry and help our members continually improve H&S standards on sites and in yards across the UK.“We’re particularly keen to reduce slips and trips and will be working closely with clients and contractors to achieve this aim.”
Robin James, NASC Managing Director, added: “The NASC believes wholeheartedly in safety leadership, accountability and transparency, which is why it goes to such great lengths every year to collate, analyse and publish a detailed safety report to enable the NASC to focus on strategies and guidance to improve the scaffolding industry. “It is only through this process that we are able to lead on safety through our ongoing collaboration with the Health & Safety Executive and other leading construction bodies, and the continued support and determination of NASC members, that our trade body can improve on its already excellent safety standards.”
NASC full contracting members are required to submit a detailed accident return as a requirement of membership. The NASC Safety Report is compiled from this data and includes:
Injuries and fatalities to operatives, third parties and members of the public
The scaffolding company that worked on the roof of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris has said its workers smoked on the scaffolding, but ruled out that a cigarette butt started the fire.
According to a news report by Paris Reuters, a spokesman from family-owned Le Bras Freres told the news organisation that some workers of its Europe Echafaudage scaffolding unit had informed the police that they had “sometimes” smoked on the scaffolding, despite a smoking ban on the site.
“We condemn it. But the fire started inside the building… so for company Le Bras this is not a hypothesis, it was not a cigarette butt that set Notre-Dame de Paris on fire,” Le Bras Freres spokesman Marc Eskenazi said.
French newspaper The Canard Enchaine reported that police had found the remains of seven cigarette butts in the burnt-out remains of the cathedral.
Eskenazi said it was impossible to set a log on fire with a cigarette butt and questioned how cigarette butts could have been found on the site.
“If cigarette butts have survived the inferno, I do not know what material they were made of,” he said.
French officials have said that it is not ruling out any theories about the cause of the fire and investigations are continuing.
A female scaffolder is helping to break down gender stereotypes while she works on one of the most high profile restoration jobs in the land.
For the past 16 months, Fay Parker has been helping to erect scaffolding on Big Ben as the part of the iconic clock tower’s multi-million pound revamp.
The 29-year-old is believed to be one of only six female scaffolders in the country and is keen to encourage other women into jobs that have been traditionally seen as men-only roles.
Fay, who works for access firm PHD Group which supplies scaffolding, hoists and mast climbers, hopes that the fact she is working on such a prestigious project will help encourage other women to enter jobs in the construction industry.
Speaking to the Sunday Mirror, Fay, of south London, said: “I think it’s really important that women aren’t pigeon-holed into a particular role. If young girls can see women doing jobs that are usually done by men then perhaps it’ll make them realise they can do the work too.“My dad was a scaffolder and then my cousin got me into it and I paid for my first course myself. I didn’t think being a woman should stop me.“I love my job. It’s amazing to be working on somewhere like Big Ben that is known all over the world. It’s a privilege to be able to go up there every day. Hopefully it can inspire other women.“Scaffolding work is physically demanding but there’s a lot of strong women out there. It means I can stay fit while doing the job whereas my mates are having to go to the gym.“Once I’ve got the right amount of experience I’m hoping to use my qualifications to work abroad and go travelling. The qualifications we get in the UK are renowned all over the world so it opens up opportunities abroad.”
PHD Group recently won the prestigious Access and Scaffolding Specialist 2019 award from Construction News with its work on Big Ben receiving particular praise, as well as its dedication to its workforce.
The company which has large access projects in the UK and overseas is helping to banish the traditional view of scaffolding firms who sometimes have a reputation for employing wolf-whistling workers.
Fay said: ‘When people think of access and scaffolding firms they imagine a bloke turning up with poles on the back of his van.
‘Where I work is a big, really professional operation. People are sometimes surprised to see a woman on site but everyone’s accepts me for who I am. There is banter but everyone gets on well and it’s not an issue me being the only woman on site. Everyone is respectful.
The scaffolding around Big Ben stands at more than 90 metres tall and had to be specially designed to ensure that it didn’t damage the clock tower.
While Fay has been working at Big Ben, below her in the House of Commons MPs have dithered, delayed, schemed and argued over the way forward for Brexit.
Fay said: “I just get on with my work. It’s strange to think that all these huge decisions for the country’s future are being made below where I work. Perhaps they should just get on with their job as well.”
PHD Group which turns over £40 million a year and employs more than 400 people is currently starting an acquisitions programme to buy access companies across the country to create a network of sites.
Alan Brockhouse, CEO of PHD Group, said: “Fay is a great role model and I hope she’ll inspire other women to take up access and scaffolding work.“We’re expanding the business and in the process of buying up new companies. This will mean taking on new workers and we hope to be able to attract more women employees to work on our front line. We employ people based on their ability, not their gender. Times are changing for the better and we hope to help be a positive part of creating positive role models for women.”
CISRS is marking the second anniversary of the introduction of its controversial CPD courses for scaffolders by running a number of subsidised courses across the UK.
CISRS has reached an agreement with a number of training providers that will enable them to deliver the CPD programme for just £50 (or even less in some cases) for around 250 delegates across the UK this summer and autumn.
CISRS also say they will waive the usual costs of the delegate training folders and card application fees normally incurred in the delivery of these courses.
The mandatory 2- day CPD programme for CISRS card renewals was introduced in July 2017. Despite some initial resistance, CISRS continues to say the course has proved to be very successful according to course feedback.
In just under two years figures suggest that 6000 operatives have now completed the refresher course.
CISRS said: “As a not for profit organisation, CISRS continues to look for positive initiatives such as this to redirect some of its income. They will be injecting over £65,000 mainly raised via CISRS Overseas Training back into the UK sector”.
Dave Mosley CISRS MD said “We would like to thank all of the providers who are taking part in this promotion, we really appreciate their support it allows us to give something back to the industry. We hope to offer more in the way of subsidised training, potentially targeting the new entrant sector later in the year”.
The subsidised CPD courses confirmed so far will be held at the following centres:
• AIS (North Shields)
• AIS (Aberdeen)
• Altrad/Generation (Wakefield)
• CITB Northern Ireland (Crumlin)
• LTC (Plymouth)
• LTC (Cullompton)
• NCC East (Bircham Newton)
• NCC Midlands (Birmingham)
• NCC Scotland (Inchinnan)
• NCC South (Erith)
• NETA (Stockton)
• Safety and Access (Nottingham)
• Safety and Access (Immingham)
• Safety and Access (London)
• Simian (Venues tba)
• Training for Construction
• Training 2000 (Blackburn)
Course dates and centre contact details can be found on the CISRS Website http://cisrs.org.uk/cisrs-subsidised-cpd-courses/ Bookings will be taken directly by the training centres.
Carl Fura, Commercial Director, Godiva Group said of the event “I can wholeheartedly recommend making the effort to attend the Contract Law Seminar provided through the Scaffolding Association. I found it massively informative and a great session, one that was delivered in a professional, clear and simple way that was easy to follow and understand. A big thanks to the Birketts team for providing myself with some clear, positive advice and guidance on the day that has helped the company through some current challenges.”
Mark Parkin, Head of Operations, TIGER Specialist Access Limited said of the event “I thought the seminar was very well put together and a great way to chat with Birketts and also interact with our industry peers. I feel this is a necessary insight to an increasingly difficult market for any companies involved in scaffolding.”
ScaffMag understands that topics will include:
Nine teams of five scaffolders had to safely erect and dismantle a designed freestanding system scaffold within two hours. Each competing team was against the clock and under the scrutiny of industry expert referees who would impose time penalties for any safety breaches or construction inaccuracies.
Ian Chambers, Sales and Marketing Director at SMART Scaffolder, said “we are always looking to enhance our software to ensure scaffolders have the best possible tools to simply create TG20 compliant scaffolds and minimise the need to commission expensive engineering calculations. Now our customers in the Channel Islands have access to the same precise wind design information as the rest of the UK.”
As well as providing a summary report with SMART Estimator you can create drawings, a professional quote, a cost breakdown and an accurate material list. This combination of features put quality assurance at the heart of your organization.
For more information please follow this link: 
