Layher UK expands with new West Bromwich depot
The worlds largest system scaffolding manufacturer has opened a new depot in the West Midlands.
Layher UK’s head office, in Letchworth, is backed-up by a network of regional depots, the latest is now opening its doors in West Bromwich. The new depot, near Birmingham, puts Layher’s range of equipment and expertise right in the centre of England for the first time. It will provide both a storage and demonstration facility to support Layher’s local clients and to additionally promote their growth in the area. Layher UK says the site’s location, adjacent to the M5 enables unprecedented access via the region’s motorway network including the M6 and M42 motorways to the north and west and M6 and M42 routes to the east, with the M5 also allowing quicker access to the southwest and Wales. This means the new depot not only enables Layher UK to demonstrate their equipment but also to transport it more quickly to its customers within the regions. Experienced at working with Layher Allround materials for many years, Steve Pickard, Layher UK Operations Manager and his colleague Andy Gee, Area Sales Manager are well versed in Layher’s design characteristics and the solutions that it enables. Under the management of Steve and the team, Layher’s well renowned and full added value service package will be fully accessible to all its clients. Sean Pike, Managing Director of Layher Ltd.’s UK office said: “We have always taken the view that our customers’ decision to utilise our modular scaffolding and access and protection systems is not based solely on proven designs, safety and performance, but also on the ability to access a full range of support services at a local level. Our growing depot network demonstrates this with the new facility in West Bromwich adding to our operations in Eggborough near Doncaster, Livingston in Scotland and Dublin in Ireland.”Corporate video goes wrong but scaffolding firm benefits
Funny outtakes from a scaffolding company’s promotional video have become their actual corporate film, and users of Linkedin love it!
The humorous video posted yesterday on Linkedin shows both LA Scaffolding’s Managing Director Gary Sadler and Senior Contracts Manager Brett Lambert keeping it ‘real’ seems to of struck a chord with users of the business orientated social media site. In just 24 hours the video has already racked up nearly 5,500 likes and over 1000 comments of congratulations. The video came about after Leeds based LA Scaffolding recently enlisted a marketing company to create a new website and a serious corporate video, however, things didn’t go entirely to plan while filming. LA Scaffolding’s Managing Director Gary Sadler originally wanted to create a film that captured what they are about and how they are really customer service focused. What actually happened can be seen in the film above. “We had the site built and tried to make a “corporate” video, we ended up with a lot of out-takes and laughing a lot, we thought that this captures us better than any corporate video could.”, Sadler wrote on Linkedin. Speaking to ScaffMag about the video, Sadler told me: “I’ve got to give a shout-out to Wayne at Digital Growth Secrets as we’ve been working with them on a new website and marketing campaign. We were making our own version of a ‘corporate’-ish style video and to be honest it wasn’t going to plan, we were all laughing too much and we just didn’t know how to be all ‘corporate’, he convinced me that we should use the outtakes as they were so funny and it’s taken on a whole new life of its own, as a lot of people seem to agree.” He added: “We seem to have struck a genuine chord with people who are sick of the fake stuff that’s out there and had a real laugh along the way. I think we sometimes as scaffolders we get overlooked, but I’d say we have a real input on the success of construction projects, at least people know we have a good sense of humor now!”Firm fined after scaffolding collapses at school
A scaffolding company has been fined over £24K after scaffolding they had erected collapsed onto a neighbouring primary school.
Scaffolders from Swain Scaffolding had erected a 7m high gable end scaffold on a residential property in Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan. Cardiff Magistrates’ Court heard that on 5 May 2017 at around 1:30pm, the scaffold collapsed onto a single storey roof above the playground of a neighbouring school. Shockingly at the same time, a group of young children was playing just meters away from the collapse, while just minutes before, the playground had been full of schoolchildren on their lunch break. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the scaffolding was not designed or installed to withstand foreseeable loads. It was not tied to the adjacent building, nor did it have adequate buttressing or rakers and was essentially a freestanding structure. The investigation found that it was almost inevitable that the scaffolding would collapse, even in unremarkable weather conditions. Swain Scaffolding Limited based in Cardiff was found guilty of breaching the Construction Design and Management Regulations and was fined £24,000 and ordered to pay £3452.50 in costs. Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Gemma Pavey commented: “Failure to adequately design and install scaffolding, so that it can withstand foreseeable loads, creates risk to workers and members of the public who could be injured by an uncontrolled collapse. “Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”Safety and Access expands training reach into west London
Scaffolding training providers Safety and Access has today unveiled the opening of a brand new CISRS Accredited Scaffolding Training facility in London.
The new facility is part of the West London College Campus which is conveniently located at Park Royal – the largest business park in the capital. It’s been set up as part of a construction related learning venture that also features a flurry of other trades including joinery and electrical training.
Strategically located for positive transport links and within easy reach of local tube and bus routes, the new scaffolding training facility includes excellent welfare and catering facilities, Safety and Access said.The training company will be offering the following scheduled courses to its customers with immediate effect:
- CISRS Basic Scaffolding Inspection
- CISRS COTS New Entrant Course
- CISRS scaffolding Manager and Supervisor Course.
- CISRS scaffolding Manager and Supervisor Course. (Refresher)
- Scaffolding Appreciation
- SG4 / TG20 Appreciation Course
Safety and Access also say, there are plans to introduce CISRS Scaffolder CPD Course, CISRS System Scaffolding Course and PASMA training to the facility in the coming weeks.
Rick Statham (Joint MD for Safety and Access) commented. “We are extremely happy to finally have a permanent presence in the capital to support our clients. We have been planning this move for almost two years and we believe we have got this model right and can help to meet some of the demand in the region”
Dave Mosley (Scheme Manager for CISRS) added; “it’s is good to see that providers are willing to expand their services to meet the demand for training in different regions. There has previously been no CISRS provision in the West of London so I’m hoping this will make it easier for those in the surrounding to attend CISRS training.
For more details please visit the Safety and Access website www.safetyaccess.co.uk
Parliamentary report demands major review into work at height culture
A new report has been published by The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) calling on the government and industry to undertake a major review of work at height.
The report published yesterday (26 February) is the result of a 12-month inquiry by AAPG exploring the working at height cultures and, most importantly the number of deaths and accidents caused by falls from heights. A concerning 18% of people who die at work do so as a result of a fall from height. The APPG is now demanding a major review of the working at heights policies and is asking what the Government and industry leaders can do to help keep the millions of working at height in the UK safe. The report makes 4 primary recommendations to reduce the overall number of falls: • The introduction of an enhanced reporting system through RIDDOR. • The appointment of an independent body that allows confidential, enhanced and digital reporting of all near misses, to be shared with government and industry to inform health and safety policy. • The extension of the Working Well Together – Working Well at Height safety campaigns. • An equivalent system to Scotland’s Fatal Accident Inquiry process extended to the rest of the UK. Read the full report here Chair of the APPG and MP for Glasgow Central, Alison Thewliss commented, “Every fall from a height can have life-altering consequences for workers and their families. There is an urgent need to improve work at height culture, yet this issue is sadly not at the top of a ‘decision-makers’agenda.” A lack of empirical data prevents us from understanding the root causes of falls from height. This is compounded by a cultural obstacle when it comes to supporting people to report unsafe practices. We have made comprehensive recommendations to Government, but the APPG’s work does not stop here. Our report must be the first step in a wider process of systematic and cultural change.” The next step in this essential process is for the APPG to ask for an additional period of consultation. With a review of how to engage with difficult to reach sectors, the role of digital technologies in improving safety and also the appropriateness of financial penalties.New Temporary Roof Guidance In Development
The NASC is working on a safety guide dedicated to the erection, maintenance and dismantling of temporary corrugated tin roofs.
In a statement, the confederation announced that the move to develop the guidance comes in response to calls from the HSE and the scaffolding industry as a whole. Many believe a definitive system of work related to the erection of temporary roofs is needed. With the assistance and input from scaffolding industry experts and stakeholders, the NASC held a Temporary Roof Workshop last week at Simian’s Waltham Forest CISRS training centre in East London. ‘The workshop was held to establish the methods scaffolders should abide by to erect a temporary roof as safely and efficiently as possible’, the NASC said. The good practice safety guide on Tempory Roofs is being produced by a working group consisting of the NASC’s H&S and Technical committees as well as HSE representatives, ASITO and CISRS. The new safety guidance document is expected to be published later in the year. Alan Harris, Chair of the NASC H&S Committee and Managing Director of Pro-Fix Access Ltd, said: “The NASC is recognised both nationally and internationally as the leading organisation in the scaffolding industry with a long and established track record of providing industry with the H&S and technical guidance it uses to carry out a wide range of scaffolding projects in a safe and compliant manner. So when we were asked to produce a guidance note for the erection of tin roofs we were more than happy to take on this task.
PERI to showcase new developments at international trade show
PERI will be showcasing some new developments in formwork and scaffolding technology to customers and visitors at this year’s industry-leading international trade show, bauma in Munich.
The focus is on innovation, practice-oriented system supplements as well as other developments which cover a wide range of applications and target groups. The company’s latest digital solutions will also be exhibited alongside its comprehensive range of services which are used to make all aspects of formwork and scaffolding more economical and safer for all users. PERI has said they are well prepared for the seven-day trade fair, which is to feature live demonstrations and sharing expertise and knowledge with customers. Visitors can look forward to a completely redesigned PERI exhibition hall where the company will present its innovations and highlights in formwork and scaffolding technology. PERI Group’s Managing Director of Marketing and Sales, Alexander Schwörer commented: “bauma is and will remain the leading trade fair of our industry. We are looking forward to having the opportunity to show our customers and trade show visitors what we have been working on over the past three years. PERI’s products are designed to make operations more cost-effective, faster and safer for our customers. This is our mission and our driving force. At bauma 2019, visitors can experience first hand how our latest innovations and services, as well as our proven systems, can contribute to their individual project success. And of course, we are bringing a number of very special innovations with us to Munich for our customers.” “With us, everything can be obtained from one source. No breaks, no interruptions, with optimally matched solutions. Formwork, scaffolding and services go hand in hand at PERI – for ensuring the best possible customer success. In this way, we fully support our customers throughout the entire value-added process. In addition to products and systems, the areas of services, digitization and Building Information Modeling (BIM) all play an important role here. We have an excellent range of services and products available with which we want to accompany our customers into the digital future”, added Alexander Schwörer. PERI´s trade fair appearance will focus on the future of construction. By visiting the PERI stand, visitors will also gain an insight into the latest 3-D concrete printing technology that will be supplemented by corresponding reference projects. In autumn 2017, PERI announced that it had obtained a significant stake in a technology leading company in the 3-D concrete printing sector. There will also be the opportunity for visitors to see how robots may facilitate PERI jobsites in the future. Through live demonstrations, visitors will be able to see how robots will be able to provide more planning reliability and efficiency in the future when surveying construction sites.BCM sale set to benefit scaffolding services in the capital
The Safe Rise Scaffolding Group has acquired BCM Scaffolding Services in a sale aimed at strengthening such services for the Greater London area.
As a leading access provider with impressive accreditations BCM serves a strong blue-chip client base operating in the commercial construction, residential construction and maintenance sectors. The company has a high reputation for supply and hire services, capable of meeting the demands of very large sites. Based in the South East of the capital they pride themselves on supplying a first-rate service delivered with safety at the forefront. The sale will be seen as a positive move by all parties enabling the industry to help raise the standard bar even further in London and the surrounding areas. Adèle McLay, Director of Safe Rise Scaffolding Group Limited led the transaction for the acquirer drawing on her significant business advisory, accountancy and investment banking experience. Her business partner and husband, David Hayde, Director of Safe Rise Scaffolding Group also played a vital role in the acquisition process. His expertise involving both London commercial construction projects and corporate finance and management consulting as a former Partner, KPMG in New Zealand, proved invaluable. Adèle from Safe Rise Scaffolding Group explained, “We are thrilled to have acquired BCM Scaffolding Services. It has a long and proud history of serving leading construction companies in the wider London area, and we look forward to continuing to meet our clients and to providing excellence in scaffolding services to our existing and new clients.” BCM’s General Manager Fergal Shaw will stay with the company reporting to the new Directors who will be hands-on within the business in the early stages of the acquisition. BCM founder Peter Commane has left the company to enjoy retirement. The Camlee Group was the lead financial adviser to BCM Scaffolding Services on the deal. Andrew Rath, Corporate Finance Executive at Camlee, was lead advisor alongside Managing Director Cameron Varley. He added: “The Camlee Group was very pleased to have facilitated the sale of BCM to Safe Rise Scaffolding Group, and we wish the new owners tremendous success”. Camlee is a boutique corporate finance advisory with specific expertise in company disposals, management buyouts, acquisitions and raising development capital. Ramatu Banga of Fieldfisher Solicitors was adviser to BCM Scaffolding Services, withSafe Rise Scaffolding Group ably advised by Stephanie Kleyman and Nick McEwen at Kleyman & Co. Solicitors. The sale offers a modicum of good news given the current gloom hanging over business because of Brexit.SafeTime launch new passive inspection system
The digital scaffolding inspection company SafeTime has launched brand new hardware for scaffolding inspections, the ‘Inspect7 Label’.
The Inspect7 Label is a new passive inspection system from the London based company. The label works in the same way as their traditional inspection device Inspect7 but with no digital display. SafeTime say this will help their customers reduce hardware costs whilst keeping all the benefits of the Inspect7 cloud system.
The double-sided label allows inspectors to show the assignment has been failed by displaying it’s red “Do Not Use” side when the structure becomes unsafe.
Inspectors still inspect the label digitally using SafeTime’s award-winning Inspect7 app, which uses NFC (Near Field Communication) – The same technology as contactless credit card payments – making it a completely paperless solution.
For more information visit: www.safe-time.co.uk
