The True Cost of DIY

Scaffmag Newsdesk
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The True Cost of DIY

Having a go at home improvements may be more costly than we think, according to a recent study by construction supplier Burton Roofing.

By analysing monthly housing data from the Office of National Statistics and talking to 1,000 UK homeowners, the investigation found that the average UK household will spend £1,150.24 every year on their DIY attempts. This equates to a total of more than £31billion (£31,229,016,000) estimated to be spent on putting up shelves, refitting kitchens and hanging picture frames every year.

Londoners are revealed to be the most hands-on when it comes to their home improvements, spending £2,626 every year on their DIY attempts. On the other hand, Belfast came out as the most content with their surroundings, spending just £462.80 a year on home alterations.

  • London – £2,626.00
  • Southampton – £1,960.40
  • Bristol – £1,606.80
  • Norwich – £1,570.40
  • Liverpool – £1,326.00
  • Manchester – £1,326.00
  • Nottingham – £1,310.40
  • Leeds – £956.80
  • Sheffield – £956.80
  • Birmingham – £712.40
  • Cardiff – £629.20
  • Newcastle – £603.20
  • Edinburgh – £603.20
  • Glasgow – £603.20
  • Belfast £462.80

DIY projects don’t only have the potential to cost our wallets however, with the latest figures from NHS Digital showing that there were 62,895 hospital admissions in 2017-18 related to DIY accidents. Falling from ladders, contact with non-powered hand tools and falling through floors were just some of the injuries listed where the UK’s home improvement ambition has exceeded its skill.

diy related accidents

Other findings suggested that:

  • Men are more than twice as likely to be injured in DIY related accidents, with 43,495 men admitted to hospital for DIY related accidents (compared to only 19,400 women)
  • The most dangerous age to attempt DIY is 43 years old.

It seems the adage of ‘measure twice, cut once’ need to be followed most by UK males, with 69% of all DIY related injuries being suffered by men. The age to avoid any jobs around the house is 43 years-old, with this being shown as the most likely time to suffer an accident when doing work on the home.

Given the excessive spend and apparent danger that is associated with ill-planned DIY projects, Burton Roofing set out to find the UK’s biggest DIY disaster through a photo submission competition. With entries spanning from hammers falling through ceilings, mismatched brick effect wallpaper and flooded kitchens requiring a call to the fire brigade, it’s clear that planning is not always at the forefront of people’s minds when it comes to DIY.

Top 10 entries can be found here: https://www.burtonroofing.co.uk/news/post/diy-disasters.html

Paul Hattee, Managing Director at Burton Roofing, commented on the findings:

“Whilst it is heartening to see so many people trying their hands at DIY, it is important to keep in mind the importance of properly planning out a project, however big or small.

“As our competition has highlighted, there are a number of ways a DIY project can get out of hand, with the possibility of damage to property as well as injury to those involved.

“To avoid living with half a kitchen for six months, mismatched brick effect wallpaper or having to buy a new television after your light fitting comes crashing down, ensure you have properly thought through your household alterations and use the correct protective equipment.”

Scaffolding contractor fined after scaffolder falls 40ft at steel plant

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Scaffolding contractor fined after scaffolder falls 40ft at steel plant

Rowecord Total Access has been fined £9,600 and £100,000 costs after a scaffolder suffered “catastrophic, life-changing” injuries in a fall at Port Talbot steel plant.

In January 2014 Stephen Kift fell 40ft onto a steel girder at Tata’s steelwork site. He suffered “multiple catastrophic life-changing injuries,” a court heard.

His employers, Swansea based Rowecord Total Access appeared in court on Monday pleading guilty to ensure the health and safety of its staff. Tata Steel was cleared of breaching safety legislation.

Swansea Crown Court heard that Stephen was part of a crew dismantling a 70ft-high scaffold structure at the Port Talbot site. Workers removed a hatch in the scaffold to allow them to remove debris from the structure below and erected a temporary barrier around the hole. Stephen fell through this hole plunging 40ft and landing on a steel girder.

The court heard Stephen’s safety line had not been attached at the time of the fall although the reasons for that are not known. Stephen now relies on crutches to walk, is in constant pain and unable to sleep for more than four hours at a time.

It was the prosecution case that Rowecord Total Access had failed to properly plan for the work being undertaken, that the work was being done on an “ad hoc” basis with the company relying on the experience of the scaffolding crew, and there was not proper safety supervision at height.

A previous trial was halted at the end of last year when it emerged Stephen had been signed in at the morning’s safety briefing, despite not being present. “It is clear that a briefing took place, but it is clear that Stephen was not present and someone falsely signed on his behalf,” said the judge.

Rowecord Total Access was fined £9,600 and £100,000 in costs that included £32,544 in Health and Safety Executive investigation costs.

Scaffolding on Big Ben inspires new sauce label

Grahame Anderson
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Scaffolding on Big Ben inspires new sauce label

It’s time to forget Brexit as we celebrate the 160th anniversary of ‘Big Ben’s Great Clock’ at The Houses of Parliament. But thanks to our journalistic ‘sauces’, ScaffMag can also reveal another Great British institution is being celebrated across the land.

HP sauce named after The Houses of Parliament is giving everyone food for thought, presenting a new label for the first time in 123 years. Famous London landmarks including the Elizabeth Tower (housing Big Ben), the House of Commons and Westminster Bridge previously adorned the label, everyone knew and loved.

Now, of course, Big Ben is getting a face-lift. So to reflect our modern times HP Sauce has decided to update their label to show him in all his scaffolded glory. As a long time favourite of our construction and scaffolding workers, what better way is there to share the joys of both the condiment and the industry. And it’s not costing them a sausage.

Joel Hughes, spokesperson at HP Sauce poured over the announcement saying: “Big Ben is the most Instagrammed landmark in the UK and decorates millions of bottles of HP Sauce every year. While Ben has a face-lift, and because we’re a good and honest sauce, we thought it was high time we showcased the true view and created a label that showcases parliament and Big Ben in their scaffolded glory. The 160th anniversary of The Great Clock at the end of May seemed like a great opportunity to launch, so we’re celebrating its momentous anniversary with our new label that we’ll keep until the old guy rings out across the land again in 2021.”

In fairness to the bods at HP, such a move takes a lot of bottle. Mind you, it was named HP after it was reported Ministers were enjoying it in the Westminster restaurant. In fact, the original recipe was invented and developed in 1896 by Frederick Gibson Garton, a grocer from Nottingham. Fred invented the recipe in his pickling factory at the back of 47 Sandon Street, Basford. When the current owner of no. 47 moved in, he threw out a skip-full of original HP Sauce – which could have been worth a fair bit of money today! Garton sold the recipe for the sum of £150 to settle a debt with Edwin Samson Moore, the founder of the Midlands Vinegar Company, who launched what we know and love today as HP Sauce. It was granted a Royal Warrant in 1951.

HP Sauce label shows scaffolding on Big Ben.
New HP Sauce label shows scaffolding on Big Ben.

HP Sauce History

You may not know The HP Sauce recipe is so secret when it was sent to Canada during WW2, it was sent in code in two separate envelopes, with a third envelope containing the instructions. HP now sells 24 million bottles a year, with the average British citizen consuming a kilo of HP Sauce annually. If those 24 million bottles were stacked on top of each other, they would reach the same height as 5,304 Houses of Parliament!

There’s much more however in our quest to bring you spicy news, as ScaffMag has learned the late Prime Minister Harold Wilson’s wife told the press he smothered HP Sauce on absolutely everything. This lead to the sauce being dubbed ‘Wilson’s Gravy’ for a while. The name arose after Wilson’s wife, Mary gave an interview to The Sunday Times on his saucy habits – the full English if you like.

And if you want the ultimate tribute – HP sauce features in John Betjeman’s poem ‘Lake District’ – “I pledge her in non-alcoholic wine / And give the HP Sauce another shake.”

In 1984 however the French paragraph on the label was removed from the bottle – provoking fury from this Times reader: “Sir, Am I alone among your readers in deploring the loss of that much loved and most piquant of French primers – the label on the HP Sauce bottle?

“If unfortunate circumstances decreed that there was nothing else to read at the breakfast table one could always turn to the HP Sauce bottle for a little French revision. It will be sadly missed.” Dr. JH Hunter, Frampton On Severn, Gloucestershire.

More recently, the Brown Sauce range has seen the addition of HP Reduced Salt and Sugar, with 25 percent less salt and 30 percent less sugar, for the more health conscious HP lovers. Fortunately, if we ever do leave the EU, our continental friends will still agree on one thing – we have the world’s best label when it comes to our parliamentary sauce.

It’s time for scaffolders to raise a bottle in café’s and service stations across the land as we wish both Big Ben and the new HP sauce label, a happy fruity future. Other varieties are available of course.

Grahame Anderson – written on his lunch break

Caspian Group purchase new three-acre site

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Caspian Group purchase new three-acre site

The Caspian Group, a leading producer and supplier of scaffolding access equipment continues its investment and expansion with the acquisition of an additional Scunthorpe based site. 

Situated on Scunthorpe’s Grange Lane North, this recent purchase is the result of the group’s continued growth over the past 18 months and becomes the fifth site within its operations, the firm has reported.

Managing Director Neil Garrison said “This is an exciting development for us. The new site will enable us to provide even higher levels of service for our customers and will allow for the future growth of the products and services we provide.” 

Mr. Garrison adds “This is also a great opportunity for us to reinvest in our local area, we will be regenerating a site that has been unused for quite some time, and with our continued growth and development we anticipate further job creations across our sites.” 

Having recently invested significantly in their Scunthorpe manufacturing facility, this ongoing expansion further demonstrates their commitment for sustained growth and bolsters their position as a leader within the industry.

Three new Mercedes-Benz Arocs trucks keep George Roberts in top position

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Three new Mercedes-Benz Arocs trucks keep George Roberts in top position

Liverpool-based scaffolding specialist George Roberts (North West) has enjoyed first class support from Mercedes-Benz truck sales executive Richie Rainford for a quarter of a century. No surprise then, that the latest additions to its fleet also wear the three-pointed star.

Supplied by Dealer Roanza Truck & Van, the three 8×2 Arocs rigids are fitted with dropside bodies by PPS Commercials, of Bury, and Fassi 485 cranes with a maximum outreach of more than 28 metres.

All are 3246 models with 10.7-litre straight-six engines which produce 335 kW (456 hp) and drive through Mercedes PowerShift automated transmissions – two of the trucks have ClassicSpace M day cabs, the other an aerodynamic StreamSpace sleeper.

Direct replacements for a trio of 6×2 Mercedes-Benz rigids stood down after providing four years’ reliable service, they have lined up alongside another three six-wheelers and are George Roberts’ first four-axled delivery trucks. The operator resolved to upgrade its fleet from 26- to 32-tonners to stay on top of increased customer demand, and a growth in the number of larger contracts requiring deliveries of heavier loads.

Transport Manager Andy Roscoe said: “In terms of performance and reliability our Mercedes-Benz trucks have always been superb. They’re also well-appointed and popular with our drivers. If a scaffolding delivery is late an entire construction site can grind to a halt, so it’s crucial that our vehicles are up to the task. Experience has taught us that Mercedes-Benz trucks can be relied on to deliver on time, every time.”

George Roberts (North West) is a leading provider of tube and fittings, scaffold boards, system scaffolding, formwork and related products for hire and sale worldwide. Its trucks deliver loads of scaffolding to sites across Britain – these include new-build housing and commercial developments, as well as more specialised domestic and commercial renovation projects.

George Roberts Scaffolding

George Roberts’ latest Arocs are the subject of a Mercedes-Benz Finance contract hire agreement. Those with day cabs typically deliver to large building sites – if their presence is required for more than a day, operatives stay overnight in local hotels. For multi-day jobs in more remote locations with no accommodation nearby, the truck with StreamSpace sleeper cab provides a roomy and comfortable ‘home from home’.

The muscular Mercedes-benz Arocs is purpose-designed for construction and related applications. “The Arocs is ideally suited to operation on rough sites, being both rugged and reliable,” confirmed Mr Roscoe. “Meanwhile, Roanza’s Richie Rainford has put together another excellent package for us. He knows our business inside out, and has always looked after us very well.

“We have a great working relationship too, with the Dealer’s Service team. One vehicle goes in each week for its six-weekly check. We’ll drop it off at Roanza’s workshop in Wavertree on a Friday evening, and it’s always ready to be picked up on the Saturday morning. This means we can load the truck on a Sunday ready to go out again first thing Monday morning, thereby virtually eliminating any downtime.”

The latest release of SMART Inspector saves hours

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The latest release of SMART Inspector saves hours

Scaffold estimating software developers CADS have launched a new update for the SMART Inspector app, saving users hours of work.

Load all your scaffolds from an Excel spreadsheet

SMART Inspector and SMART Handovers already do away with the need for paperwork, for example weekly inspection reports, handover certificates or variation instructions can all be completed on a mobile phone or tablet that creates an auditable trail back at the office via a web console.

With the latest release you can save even more time on large sites, be that a housing development or an industrial contract, as all the scaffolds to be built or inspected can be instantly loaded from an Excel spreadsheet. Just upload the file and all your scaffolds are ready to be handed over or inspected.

Top inspection defects report

There is also a new chart in the desktop console showing the top defect types reported, which you can filter to show them across your business, per site or per customer. As an example, you might find that, for a particular customer or site, you have a lot of instances of brick guards being removed. It’s a great feature because it allows you to find instances where tradesmen are interfering with the scaffold (which can be reported to the main contractor) or instances where your scaffolders are making mistakes and need training.

Monitor activity across your sites

A new activity screen auto-refreshes, so you can use it on a monitor up on the wall to see activity coming in from site. When you click on an activity (for example when a handover, variation or dismantle is completed) you see the details including the photos and signatures. You can click again to download the Handover Certificate or Variation Instruction, making the web console a virtual ‘mission control’.

Ian Chambers, Sales and Marketing Director at SMART Scaffolder, said “our latest release is part of our ongoing plans to constantly respond to our customers’ requests for additional features. This release makes uploading scaffolds on larger sites possible in seconds and also gives a new level of visibility across all a scaffolder’s sites.”

To see how you can save time, improve visibility across your sites and improve safety while tracking and charging for any extra hire or variations please visit www.smartscaffolder.com.

Leading social housing provider officially opens Arbroath affordable housing

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Leading social housing provider officially opens Arbroath affordable housing

AN attractive £8.1 million development of 71 much needed affordable homes in Arbroath is to be opened by local MSP Graeme Dey.

Cairn Housing Association has worked in partnership with Angus Housing Association to help create 36 of the new homes at Railton Crescent.

The affordable development, comprised of one, two and three bedroom homes, was built by Persimmon Homes and supported by a £4,542,580 grant from the Scottish Government.

Mr Dey will open the new development alongside Cairn and Angus tenants and staff on May 31.

Jason MacGilp, Chief Executive of Cairn, said: “We pride ourselves on providing great homes and services and we’re proud to have worked in partnership with Angus Housing Association to develop much needed affordable homes in the local area.

“Angus has a proven track record as a developer and detailed knowledge of the local market which has made for a great example of how partnership work like this project can be so effective.

“We always put our customers first so I’m excited to see our new tenants at Railton Crescent officially open the development alongside Graeme Dey.

“Cairn is fully committed to building excellent, quality housing as part of our five year development plan to build 400 homes across Scotland by 2022/23 which will help meet the needs of communities across the country.”

Work on the project began in October 2017 and demand for the 71 homes has proved very high.

The partnership work between Cairn and Angus Housing Associations has seen homes built across Angus, where there is a great need for affordable housing across the region.

Cairn provides the repairs and maintenance for the 36 properties while Angus Housing Association carries out tenancy management which includes tasks like property sign-ups and ensuring homes are filled.

Ron McArthur, Asset Manager at Angus Housing Association, said: “Angus Housing Association is delighted to be involved at the forefront of the development at Railton Crescent. Working closely with Cairn Housing Association and Persimmon Homes, this is an excellent example of how associations can jointly deliver high quality housing.

 “One of the features of the development is the spacious  internal living space standards and pleasant external surroundings. Our tenants deserve the best and we are determined that tenancies can be sustained in this pleasant, quite area.”

Cairn Housing Association has over 30 years’ experience of creating quality, affordable housing with a property portfolio of 3200 houses across 24 local authority areas.

It works closely in partnership with other housing associations to provide high quality affordable homes across Scotland.

Scaffolding boss wins tribunal claim

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Scaffolding boss wins tribunal claim

An ex scaffolding boss has won an employment tribunal claim after he missed out on a £20,000 bonus when he took his son to hospital for an operation.

Network Scaffolding Contractors, part of Taziker Industrial in Horwich accused Will Webb of failing to work his notice at the firm.

A Manchester employment tribunal was told that management at Network Scaffolding claimed he had left work early on March 22 last year and then failed to attend work the following day. However, Mr Webb insisted he was allowed to leave work as he was accompanying his son while he had surgery to remove his appendix.

The scaffolding firm told him he was not entitled to a £20,000 bonus for the year, as he had failed to complete his full notice period. Mr Webb told the hearing he believed he had been placed on gardening leave, as he was asked to hand in his company car and site keys.

According to the Bolton News the manager was in charge of the company’s Salford branch before being moved to Bolton, in October 2017, where was made responsible for one of their regions.

His salary rose from £45,000 to £55,000 but he argued, as he had to take on the duties of a departing commercial manager, he should be paid more.

Though the parties disputed this, he says they agreed to eventually pay him £60,000, with a £20,000 bonus.

Ruling in Mr Webb’s favour, employment judge Pauline Feeney said he was a “credible witness”, who had produced Facebook messages supporting his claim he was placed on gardening leave before he left.

Major Edinburgh Development Approved by Local Council

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Major Edinburgh Development Approved by Local Council

Plans for the future supply of homes in Edinburgh have been given the go-ahead by Councillors at a hearing.

The 655-home development at Cammo Estate is a consortium project by CALA Homes and David Wilson Homes and includes 164 much-needed affordable homes. The development will provide a unique mix of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments, terraced homes, colonies as well as detached family homes. A spokesperson on behalf of the consortium, said: “We must thank the local community first and foremost for engaging with us throughout, helping us to shape the final proposals which have evolved over the past two years. “We fully understand how important the junctions at Maybury and Barnton are and traffic was a key concern for many people at the outset. “We feel the improvements made through Planning Gain contributions will benefit the wider community and those commuting in or out the city. “Following yesterday’s decision our focus now turns to assisting the City of Edinburgh Council to ensure a timely delivery of these improvements” A key component of the site is the extent of publicly accessible green space – which totals over a third of the entire development and includes linear parks, a seven-hectare park, and over 700 new specimen trees. In addition, a half kilometre 20-metre wide green corridor at Maybury Avenue will feature a much-needed cycle and footpath detached from Maybury Road. Further improvements to the walking and cycling network will be made from Planning Gain contributions the developments will make. In line with the Local Development Plan these routes will connect to the land at West Craigs, and as part of that development connect onwards to the Gyle and Edinburgh Park. The spokesperson added: “At the heart of the design solution has been the delivery of an outstanding landscape environment along with significant investment to improve public transport, education and health care and the delivery of an excellent pedestrian and cycle network. “Within the development site we will deliver new bus infrastructure in addition to making contributions to public transport connections to the site. “In addition, there is an exceptionally wide range of homes that will help to ease the supply shortfall that features throughout the market.” As part of the 655 homes, 25% of the development units will be of affordable tenure delivered with our Registered Social Landlord partner; comprising a wide range of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments and terraced homes. The affordable housing will commence as part of the initial phase of development.

Trade body partners up with SMAS Worksafe

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Trade body partners up with SMAS Worksafe

SMAS Worksafe (Safety Management Advisory Service) has formally joined in a professional partnership with scaffolding trade body The Scaffolding Association with members of both organisations set to benefit.

With the aim to improve health and safety within the scaffolding industry, both SMAS and The Scaffolding Association bring years of experience to the partnership which formally began in May 2019. With SMAS Worksafe becoming the SSIP scheme of choice for The Scaffolding Association, members will be able to benefit from a 20% discount off SMAS Worksafe full assessment* as well as a Health and Safety helpline and increased visibility to the SMAS Worksafe client base, which includes of over 45 of the biggest house builders in the UK as well as many other organisations in construction. Likewise, scaffolding companies that are members of SMAS Worksafe will be able to benefit from a discounted fee of 20% for membership of The Scaffolding Association at Assessed and Audited Level. Head of Client Relations at SMAS Worksafe Hollie Baxter said of the partnership, “It’s great news to be able to formalise a partnership with another organisation that promotes the safety and wellbeing of workers, in this case the scaffolding industry. I look forward to a long last relationship between us.” The Scaffolding Association Chief Executive Robert Candy says “This new partnership with SMAS Worksafe supports our efforts to drive standards across the industry, enabling us to help develop a business framework that scaffolding contractors and clients of all sizes can benefit from, and help us all in our quest for a safer, stronger and more professional industry.”
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