Scaffolding incidents have increased, says NASC

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Scaffolding incidents have increased, says NASC

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
  • Accident types
  • Detailed analysis of accidents
The full safety report can be viewed here.

French scaffolding firm says workers smoked at Notre-Dame

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French scaffolding firm says workers smoked at Notre-Dame

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.

Female Scaffolder Breaking Down Gender Stereotypes

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Female Scaffolder Breaking Down Gender Stereotypes

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 Partners with Providers to Offer Subsidised CPD Courses

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CISRS Partners with Providers to Offer Subsidised CPD Courses

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.

Firm Fined After Child Falls From Scaffolding

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Firm Fined After Child Falls From Scaffolding

A scaffolding company has been sentenced after a 12-year-old boy slipped off a scaffold ladder, falling 10 metres.

Cardiff Magistrates’ Court heard how, in May 2017, two boys were able to climb the rungs of a ladder within scaffolding erected by Doncaster based Westdale Services Limited, by placing their feet either side of a ladder guard that did not cover the rungs of the ladder. One boy climbed to the top platform of the scaffold and climbed the uppermost ladder to a height of approximately 10 metres. The ladder slipped, causing the boy to lose his balance and fall to the ground. The boy suffered life-changing injuries requiring multiple operations. The boy now has no bladder or bowel control and is only able to walk short distances due to being unstable on his feet. An investigation by the HSE found the security arrangements for preventing access to the scaffolding, especially by children from a nearby school, were inadequate. Westdale Services Limited of Doncaster Road, Askern, Doncaster pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and has been fined £160,000 and ordered to pay £22,310 in costs. Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Michael Batt commented: “The death or injury of a child is particularly tragic and a lot of thought must go into securing construction sites. Children do not perceive danger as adults do. The potential for unauthorised access to construction sites must be carefully risk assessed and effective controls put in place. “This incident could have been prevented by removal of the ladder completely or installing an appropriately sized ladder guard to cover the full width of the rungs.”

Altrad Group To Partner For The Reconstruction Of Notre Dame Paris

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Altrad Group To Partner For The Reconstruction Of Notre Dame Paris

Mohed Altrad has announced the Altrad Group will ‘materially’ support the reconstruction of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

The world watched in horror on Monday 15th of April as the roof and spire of the 850-year old Paris landmark collapsed after it was engulfed in flames. Although still unconfirmed the fire could be linked to major renovation works at the medieval cathedral. Watching the incident unfold Altrad Group’s president, Mohed Altrad ‘immediately decided to work for its restoration’, according to a press release published today. The statement reads: Like every woman and man in France and abroad, Mohed Altrad, president of the Altrad group, has been particularly affected by the fire that damaged Notre-Dame de Paris on April 15, 2019. He has therefore immediately decided to work for the restoration of the monument. The proposal of the Altrad group is to accompany materially, during all the necessary time of the works, with its expertise and its technicality, the restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris. “Our group has always been driven by humanistic values. We are, in the world of scaffolding, the direct descendants of the communities who built these great monuments like Notre-Dame de Paris, allowing us to progress and move upwards. Together, with all stakeholders, we will meet the time and restoration challenges”, explained Mohed Altrad.  

Interview with CEO PHD Group Alan Brockhouse

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Interview with CEO PHD Group Alan Brockhouse
Founded in 1984 by Bernard Dwyer, London-based PHD has established as one of the go-to construction access firms in the country, providing scaffolding solutions to a broad range of projects. In recent years those have included One Hyde Park, the London 2012 Olympics, the Cutty Sark’s restoration, Victoria Tower at the Palace of Westminster, and both Kings Cross and Marylebone stations. Expanding from an entirely scaffold and modular access business to now include a range of other solutions, in 2019 PHD is looking to create a national network of firms across the UK. All of which would be held to the same standards, with contracts distributed to the best in their respective fields within the respective regions. Localised work on a national level. Keen to learn more, we asked Alan Brockhouse, the firm’s CEO, what this means for the company and end customer alike. “Our clients are important to us, and we want to be able to service them on a national scale. Many of the firms that we service are national and multi-national companies, that have access requirements across England and Wales,” he explains. “Having established excellent relationships with these firms and produced cost-effective, high-quality access solutions for them, they inevitably want to use our services further afield. This is where our concept of our national network originates from. “By setting up key hubs across the UK, we are looking to acquire businesses in other regions of the country, with focus across the infrastructure, commercial and residential sectors. “We have already established an office in Manchester, and are looking for another in Cambridge, where we are currently providing access solutions to the AstraZeneca campus. We believe Cambridge’s ever-expanding technology sector means it will act as an excellent base for us to establish new sources of work.” It’s a logical idea. Strength will always be found in numbers, and while the world continues to become more globalized, specialist knowledge of particular locations and areas is growing in importance. That goes for everything from leisure and recreational services to property development. At the same time, by expanding to incorporate, rather than replace regional counterparts, local economies can be bolstered, as oppose to it simply being a case of job creation during a project’s lifespan, and employment depletion when that project ends and the company charged with delivery moves on to the next, perhaps in the opposite end of the country. And when there’s less upheaval, costs can be reduced. “The network will also allow us offer cheaper solutions for our clients. With access equipment being sourced locally and less transport costs, we can offer a faster, greener and more efficient service,” Mr Brockhouse added. “Another benefit of providing regional hubs is guaranteeing work for local labourers for sustained periods in identifiable geographical areas. We will be able to give workers financial stability and the reassurance that they can work in their preferred locations.” Change is certainly a hot topic in the UK right now, as uncertainties over Brexit and the future of a country attempting to pave its own way forward continue. Conversely, PHD’s plans boil down to unifying and pooling resources in order to safeguard its future, and the great unknowns of Britain post-March 29 are precisely the reason why now is the time for this to happen. “Strangely, it is the current uncertainty in the industry which we feel makes it the right time for expansion,” Mr Brockhouse explains. “We are confident in our ability to create cost-effective solutions for clients based partly on the fact that we already have an efficient, streamlined business model. “It’s my belief that as the market tightens others won’t possess the same confidence in their business and will be looking for a way out. The continuing uncertainty caused by Brexit is another reason that many access firm owners may be willing to cash their chips in now. It’s a cliché but the uncertainty can bring opportunity.” If the idea proves to be successful the next five years could be transformational for PHD and its partners, with eyes firmly set on cementing the brand name as the gold standard for cost-effective access solutions domestically, while also expanding beyond the current territories into more overseas locations. A courageous step forward that evidences both determination and a clarity of vision, we wouldn’t be the only ones to point out the irony of a company acting in this way as a direct response to circumstances brought about by a government that seems unable to follow suit. Exciting times for all involved, it’s a welcome example of industry confidence at a time when we need it most. This article was first published in ScaffMag Issue 5

Scaffolding Association joins the Temporary Works Forum

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Scaffolding Association joins the Temporary Works Forum
As part of its continuing strategy to improve the standards of scaffolding and access within the construction industry, the Scaffolding Association has become a member of the Temporary Works Forum (TWF). The TWF is a not-for-profit company that was established for the benefit of the construction industry, and aims to promote best practice and encourage open discussion of any matter related to temporary works. The Scaffolding Association, which has a membership of almost 400 companies and has been building partnerships with a wide range of industry organisations over the last 12 months. It views the TWF as a valuable platform in which to influence future practices within the industry, and represent its members to key industry stakeholders. Following their attendance at the first open TWF meeting Robert Candy, Chief Executive said “One of the key aims of the Scaffolding Association is to ensure that industry standards are continually being raised, and the Temporary Works Forum seeks to promote best practices and improve standards. There is a synergy between the organisations and we look forward to being active members of the Temporary Works Forum”

CISRS OSTS Continues to Expand in UAE

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CISRS OSTS Continues to Expand in UAE
The Overseas Scaffolders Training Scheme (OSTS) is growing in the UAE in terms of both availability and demand, CISRS have said. CISRS management was in Abu Dhabi last week to carry out a pre-accreditation visit at Safety & Access and Aecor’s new training centre. The new facility will deliver Level 1, 2 and 3 scaffolding training, Basic Scaffold Inspection, Supervisor training and CPD courses once it becomes operational in four to six weeks’ time. In a statement released by the scheme, they also reported, whilst in the region, CISRS held meetings with two major construction companies to promote the CISRS Overseas Scaffolder Training Scheme (OSTS) and the new centre. CISRS officials met with Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC), the largest engineering and construction company in the Middle East with more than 110,000 employees, and Target Engineering Construction Company, which is involved in projects in civil, mechanical, marine construction, electrical – power and instrumentation/control works and MEP works for both onshore and offshore-based oil and gas sectors and the commercial sector.  In Dubai, Simian Skill passed the CISRS OSTS annual accreditation visit with flying colours. Training numbers are up year-on-year at the facility, which delivers Level 1 and 2 scaffolder training, Basic and Advanced Scaffold inspection, Scaffold Supervisor training and even a CPD course for UK ex-pats. David Mosley, CISRS Managing Director, said: “It’s great to see increased interest in CISRS OSTS both in the UAE and further afield. It’s a real positive step that major clients are becoming more aware of CISRS OSTS and looking to implement it for their workforce.  “I look forward to seeing the new centre in Abu Dhabi up and running when work has been completed.”   Safety & Access and Aecor currently operate training centres in Nepal and Qatar. As well as Dubai, Simian Skill instructors are delivering training around the globe, including in Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Nigeria.

Wood wins key role on Hinkley Point C project

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Wood wins key role on Hinkley Point C project
Wood has secured a new contract to provide a construction design management advisor service for the Hinkley Point C new build nuclear power station project in the UK. The new contract gives Wood a key strategic role in the project’s Technical Management and Acceptance team, which is responsible for implementing construction regulations and managing design risk assessments. Effective immediately, the contract with station developers EDF Energy will see Wood engineers working to help mitigate design risks and prepare for site implementation, achieving safety through design, better value for money and greater efficiency. Bob MacDonald, CEO of Wood’s Specialist Technical Solutions business, said: “We are looking forward to working with EDF Energy on another aspect of this project which is so vital to the UK’s future energy security. Our nuclear business has played a key role in every UK nuclear new build and this contract supports our strategy to increase our involvement at Hinkley Point C, where we already provide safety case and engineering support, equipment qualification services in several key areas, and are sole suppliers for independent verification of ultrasound inspections on safety critical components.”
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