IIRSM & Scaffolding Association Partner on Second Temporary Works Conference
The International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM) and The Scaffolding Association (SA) have been working together for their Temporary Works events.
In a statement, SA report that their London event held in March was very successful and their next conference takes place at Edgbaston Stadium, Birmingham, B5 7QU on Wednesday 3rd April 2019. SA says the event will stress again the importance of managing temporary works effectively and fill the gaps for those responsible for planning and monitoring the temporary works phase of a construction project. With both organisations firmly believing in practical and straight to the point training, the sessions will be delivered by industry specialists with extensive experience in the construction sector. Booking details can be found on www.iirsm.org/tempworks Robert Candy, CEO of The Scaffolding Association said: “There are still major gaps in how temporary works are managed due to the lack of understanding by those thrust into the role. We frequently see cases that highlight that a wider understanding is needed, not just from those who fulfil the role of TW designer or co-ordinator. Giving more confidence and knowledge to everyone involved in the process can only be of benefit.” Clare Fleming of the IIRSM said: “With around 40% of our membership working in the construction sector, I’m delighted that we’ve been able to partner with the Scaffolding Association on such an important topic.” The speakers will be Robert Candy (CEO, The Scaffolding Association), Professor Rudi Klein (CEO, The SEC Group) and Dr Mike Webster (MPW R&R Consulting).Sydney Scaffolding Collapse Kills Teen Apprentice
A large section of scaffolding has collapsed at a building site in Sydney killing an 18-year-old apprentice and seriously injuring another.
Apprentice Christopher Cassantiti was reported to have fallen from a height of almost eight-storeys when a large section of scaffolding suddenly collapsed at Macquarie Park worksite. The collapse occurred today (Monday 12:20pm) (ACT). Due to the amount of debris at the scene, rescue crews sadly had difficulty reaching the apprentice. He was pronounced dead a few hours later. A 39-year-old co-worker was also severely injured in the collapse, he was taken to hospital in a critical condition. An investigation by SafeWork NSW is now underway to ascertain why the 17-meter high scaffold collapsed. A spokesperson for construction union CFMEU said: “Such tragedy should not occur. We will update members as more is known.”UK Scaffolding Firm Flying High To Beat Pollution
London based MR Scaffolding Services Ltd are set to take part in a revolutionary project aimed at meeting new government requirements on vehicle pollution in the capital.
By using specially modified heavy-duty drones to deliver materials to sites both in and around London, the company will avoid breaking Ultra Low Emission Zone requirements introduced by the City’s Mayor aimed at improving air quality. From April 8th 2019, any HGV vehicle not carrying a low emission engine will be fined £100 each time it enters the zone. The move will ensure London has the world’s toughest standards on emissions.Taking A Stand
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “The air in London is lethal and I will not stand by and do nothing. But the scale of our air quality challenge is so big that I need to go further. I want to expand the ULEZ from 2020 for heavy vehicles such as buses, coaches and lorries so that all of London will benefit from cleaner air. Then from 2021, I want to expand it up to the North and South Circular roads for light vehicles, including cars and vans. These measures will help improve the air that millions of Londoners breathe. “Now I urge the Government to step up and match my ambition to transform the appalling air we breathe. Ministers need to deliver a national vehicle scrappage fund, reform fiscal incentives like vehicle excise duty and pass a powerful new Clean Air Act to Act end the toxic smog in London once and for all.” Jonathan Grigg, Professor of Paediatric and Environmental Medicine, Queen Mary University of London added: “The Mayor of London is to be congratulated in bringing forward the date of the ULEZ. Reducing diesel emissions in the congestion charge zone will reduce exposure to toxic soot particles and gases. To maximise the effectiveness of this initiative, the Government must now act to remove the current toxic fleet of diesel cars, vans and buses from all our roads”The Cutting Edge
Delivering Materials
JR Group Appoints Three New Directors
Paisley-based construction business, The JR Group, has appointed three new Directors to the Board which will include a shareholding in the business for the promoted colleagues.
Andrew Dallas becomes Projects Director; John Murdoch has been appointed Construction Director, and Craig Whyte becomes Commercial Director. The trio will join Gary McGregor and John Horne on the Board from 2 April 2019. Gary McGregor, Managing Director, said, “We have ambitious growth plans and to fulfill them we need to be attracting the best talent. Andrew, John and Craig all have a very different skill set and we are delighted they have taken up our offer. Their experience will add depth to the Board.” The move comes as the company celebrates a planned rise in turnover and the launch of a new Commercial Property division which will further compliment the Group’s core services. There are also plans to diversify further in 2020 with the introduction of the Group’s first bespoke private housing project. Since Gary joined the business in 2016, Group turnover has risen from £6m to £16m. A projected £30m turnover is anticipated for the coming year. Originally a successful scaffolding and light access business, the company has grown to provide both construction and specialist building services throughout Scotland. John Horne, Director, added, “These appointments demonstrate our desire for sustained growth and we will look at future opportunities to strengthen the Board further as required. We are keen to position the Group as a market leader and provide a complete service to the construction industry. We are fortunate that the Group has secured a number of high profile projects recently, but we are always looking forward to pursuing new opportunities.” Based in Paisley, the company employs around 170 staff. Founded in 1995 by John Horne and his wife, Anne-Marie, the JR Group started as a scaffolding business and is now one of the largest in Scotland. It operates throughout Scotland and Northern England working on behalf of a number of the UK’s leading housebuilders, registered social landlords and private clients.PHD Bags Two Top CN Specialist Awards
PHD Modular Access has retained their title as the Construction News Access and Scaffolding Specialist of the Year and also scooped Project of the year.
Access & Scaffolding Specialists of the Year 2019 Finalists:
- AFI Group
- Benchmark Scaffolding
- Brogan Group
- Craven Scaffolding
- Lee Marley Brickwork
- QFS Scaffolding
- WellMax Scaffolding
Contractor jailed for skimping on scaffolding
A Salford builder has been given a suspended sentenced for his cutting corners approach to health and safety.
Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard how, in July 2018, whilst carrying out repointing work at a house in Altrincham, Kenneth Morris allowed his employees to work on unguarded platforms six metres in height. The workers were also not provided with adequate protection from silica dust during the removal of mortar. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) began investigating after receiving information from members of the public. During the investigation, it was found that Kenneth Morris had made a deliberate decision not to provide the correct scaffolding or means of dust capture in order to save money. Mr Morris had also failed to insure his employees against any injury or ill health sustained during the course of their work. Kenneth Morris, trading as K & M Pointing of Basten Close, Salford pleaded guilty to breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and breaches of the Employers Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969. He received a 26-week prison sentence suspended for two years, 180 hours community service and ordered to pay £2,000 in costs. After the hearing HSE inspector Matt Greenly said: “HSE receives thousands of concerns from members of the public each year and we investigate those which show serious risk. Corners must not be cut when dealing with employees’ safety, such as working at height.”NASC Appoints New Training Officer
The National Access & Scaffolding Confederation has strengthened its learning and skills capabilities through the appointment of a new training officer.
Henry Annafi brings a wealth of training, apprenticeship and stakeholder engagement expertise to the NASC team, having previously managed multiple high profile training initiatives for the public and private sector.
In his new role as NASC Training Officer, Henry will support members with any training issues they may have and also encourage more people to take up positions in the scaffolding industry.
In a NASC press release, Henry said: “I am excited to be joining the NASC and look forward to helping members reach their training objectives as well as engaging with jobseekers both directly and indirectly to bring more people into the industry.”
Writing on his Linkedin profile Henry wrote: ‘As the Training Officer for the National Access & Scaffolding Confederation, I support members in accessing additional funding opportunities and promoting the sector as a sector of choice with young people, highlighting the unique benefits and diverse opportunities that exist within scaffolding in particular and construction overall. The immensely rewarding career choices are not just for scaffolders, but for Supervisors, Managers, Estimators, Health and Safety Advisors, Surveyors, Designers, Trainers and much more.
‘As such, I will be working to ensure that schools, colleges, universities and careers professionals have the necessary information to help young people make more informed career choices. I also work with 3rd parties to address industry needs and raise the profile of the NASC as well as the benefits of working with its members.’
Robin James, NASC Managing Director, added: “I am really pleased to welcome Henry to the NASC. His role will see him working with the members, but also with third parties to address industry training needs and access additional funding opportunities.
“He’ll also play a key role in promoting the industry as a worthwhile and rewarding career choice for people who are interested in becoming scaffolding operatives as well as those looking to take up a broad range of other roles, such as supervisors, estimators, health and safety advisors, surveyors, designers and trainers.” Jersey scaffolding firm hit with £30K fine
A scaffolding firm has been hit with a £30,000 fine for Health and Safety breaches which ‘could have caused a fatal accident’.
The Health and Safety breaches occurred last March whilst K-Lok Scaffolding was sub-contracted to erect scaffolding works on The Standard Chartered Bank in Castle Street, Jersey. K-Lok pleaded guilty to two offenses which ‘could have caused a fatal accident’ after both a scaffold tube and a scaffolding spanner fell from a height on separate occasions narrowly missing passing pedestrians. Details of the offenses were discussed by Crown Advocate Conrad Yates in The Royal Court last week. The court heard that the erected scaffold consisted of nine lifts. On the first of Three incidents, a tube was dropped weighing 1.5kgs and fell over six meters to the ground landing in front of a pedestrian. This was reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) by a nearby pedestrian. Health and Safety investigators visited the project the next morning and K-Lok employees admitted to the event. Safe working systems were discussed including working during quieter periods, the closure of the pavement in Castle Street and putting a protection fan in place to provide protection from falling debris. Later the same day another incident was reported where a spanner had fallen and landed within 10 feet of another pedestrian. HSE was again informed and revisited the site where the employees of K-Lok denied any knowledge of falling materials and stated that a protection fan had already been put in place. Advocate Yates stated ‘the pavement had been closed using a tape stretched between the scaffold, with a cone at both ends and an employee directing pedestrians.’ Upon investigation of these two incidents, it was found that one of K-Lok’s employees had lied to the HSE inspectors and had, in fact, dropped a spanner. A third incident was also reported on March 15 and a stop order was placed on site. After looking into the third incident it was determined there were no failings on part of K-Lok. Work was resumed on site to complete the project with stipulated instructions that ‘all works had to occur outside peak hours so there was less pedestrian activity.’ K-Lok owner and director Dale Campbell appeared before Commissioner Julian Clyde-Smith with Advocate Olaf Blakeley defending. It was suggested the safety breaches warranted a fine of £35,000 and £3000 in prosecution costs. Advocate Blakeley argued that due to how serious the company had taken these incidents a fine of £20,000 would be more appropriate. Jurats Robert Christensen and Collette Crill, Commissioner Clyde-Smith noted the area where the incidents occurred was ‘a very busy pedestrian thoroughfare’ and added ‘the breaches could have caused fatal injury, it was just luck no pedestrian was struck.’ K-Lok was fined £30,000 plus £3000 legal costs to be paid on 12 months.Formark Scaffolding Boss Signs Up For Charity Boxing Bout
