Company fined after live electrical cable is fixed to scaffolding
A Jersey scaffolding firm has been fined £45,000 after putting workers at risk of electrocution and burns.
Jubilee Scaffolding Company was contracted to erect scaffolding at a property in St Lawrence, Jersey in August 2018. But shortly after the scaffolding was erected, the owner of the property was surprised to discover that an uninsulated mains electrical cable had been secured to the scaffold using a scaffold fitting. The Royal Court in Jersey heard that The Health and Safety Inspectorate was contacted and investigated the matter, calling in the company’s directors for an interview in December. The scaffolder responsible for erecting the scaffolding said that workers had believed the wire was a telephone cable not an electrical cable. According to the Jersey Evening Post, Crown Advocate Conrad Yates said that there had been a ‘serious risk’ of electric shock, burns or electrocution to workers from the exposed wire, while work was being carried out. He called for the company to be fined £40,000 for breaching health and safety laws. The company. which pleaded guilty to the breaches, was represented by its managing director and owner Sarah Waye in court. She said that she had done ‘everything in her power’ to improve safety standards since last summer. She added: “I can’t believe that anybody did not see the cable. I’m dumbfounded.” Ms Waye said that she understood why the Crown wanted to ‘send a message’ by imposing a fine for the law breach. During sentencing, Lieutenant-Bailiff Anthony Olsen said: “It’s the court’s conclusion that the crown was correct and the fine should be £40,000.” He added that the company would be allowed four months to pay the fine and would also be charged a further £5,000 to cover the prosecution’s legal costs.HAKI launches new mobile application
System access equipment provider, HAKI has launched a new iOS mobile application that brings to life the product range through interactive user guides and augmented reality (AR).
The HAKI App is a free, one-stop service that provides customers 24/7 access to information about HAKI equipment and applications, irrespective of their location. Simple navigation allows users to easily find component lists, mounting and loading data, and videos on products like the market-leading Stair Tower, Universal system and HAKI Bridge System (HBS) – all at the click of a button. Complemented by AR, the app allows users to take a closer look at core HAKI systems and components in 3D. Rotation and zoom features also give a detailed view of structures. Additionally, customers can book training courses and view the latest HAKI news and case studies through the app. Developed by HAKI’s Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) team, the HAKI App forms part of the company’s broader digitalization plans, and follows the release of new HAKI design and BIM tools in late 2018.
VDC and innovation manager, Mattias Kuduk said: “We developed the new mobile app to help our customers find the information they need, quickly and easily,
no matter where they are in the world. This is convenient for customers and makes sure that they have the correct information about our products to hand, so systems are used safely.
“The interactive AR feature lets people see HAKI from a real-life perspective – something that has not been possible from our standard brochures and manuals before.
“We also have plans to update the app later this year with more features, like a built-in configurator, and an Android version of the app will be released soon.”
You can download the free HAKI App now, on an iOS device via the App Store. Trade body selects new Vice President
The NASC has selected its Contracts Committee Chairman to serve as its next Vice President of the scaffolding trade body.
David Brown of IBN Scaffold Access Ltd based in Barnsley and Manchester was chosen by his fellow NASC Council members to succeed current NASC Vice President, Lynn Way. Mr Brown has been a member of the NASC Contracts Committee since February 2012 and became chair of this committee, and as a result a member of NASC Council, in 2016. He also represented the trade body on the Contractors Legal Group (CLG) for several years and now sits on the Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) Council on behalf of the NASC. Mr Brown will take up his two-year tenure as Vice President on the same date that Mrs Way begins her Presidency – November 22 – the date of the NASC’s AGM, Ball & Awards. He will duly become President himself from November 2021 to November 2023.
Contract Law Seminar back by popular demand…
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
- Variations/changes – risk management, fixed-price contracts etc
- What happens if you don’t get paid? – suspending your works or termination
- Dispute resolution – adjudication and insolvency
- Real life examples will be used
- Open panel discussion at the end for YOUR questions
UPDATE: VIDEO Firefighters tackle blaze at Croydon scaffolding yard
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/Small builders workload dips for the first time in six years
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.”Lithuania holds first ever Scaffolding Championships
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.
Champion of Champions
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 ScaffMagSMART Scaffolder adds the TG20:13 wind factor for the Channel Islands
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/
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 bags contract for new technology centre in Saudi Arabia
