U.K. Edition
Tower crane drops pallet of bricks on pedestrian
GKR develop new ‘Saddle’ scaffolding fitting
GKR Scaffolding is in the final weeks of testing and is soon to introduce a new multi-use fitting.
The new patent fitting called the “Saddle™” will be for the use with tube and fittings and system scaffolds. Group Director Lee Roswell at GKR Scaffolding broke the news on Linkedin late last week. Working in partnership with VR Access and Loughton Plant, Lee Roswell said: “The ‘Saddle™” has been developed as a multi-use fitting, having numerous applications for all scaffolding applications.” Uses with the Saddle™ fitting to include:- A replacement to the structural (Aberdeen) transom (final testings by end of March 2018)
- One piece tie to be used with drilled anchors
- Guardrail puncheons
- Loading bearing birdcages
- Loading bearing scaffolds
- Gantry Scaffolds
- Loading Bays
- Temporary roofs
- Sheeted and debris netted scaffolds for flush outside finish.
- Guardrails without protruding bolts
Scaffolding Manager jailed for fraud
A scaffolding company manager has been jailed for stealing money from his own firm to fund a chronic gambling addiction.
Daniel Bell, 45, received a sentence of two-and-a-half years at Basildon Crown Court after admitting stealing £326,000 between June 2015 and July 2016. Working in his role as commercial manager for Durston Scaffolding Ltd based at Laindon, Bell was caught following an attempt to destroy documentation covering financial discrepancies at the company. He had previously falsified invoices so he could divert the cash straight into his own bank account in order to carry on his addiction.Repercussions For The Company
The actions of the former betting shop manager resulted in the company being forced into voluntary liquidation, also causing great embarrassment to the reputation of its owner and director. Paul Durston discovered holes in the accounts after returning from holiday. He confronted Bell, from Alburgh in Norfolk with facts, recording the conversation. Bell, who is married with a 13-year-old son then admitted committing fraud. Mr.Durston who is rebuilding his life has since managed to set up a new company called Durston Scaffolding Ltd, based in Canvey but with offices in London Road, Westcliff.Long-Term Problem
The court was told Bell had been addicted to gambling since he was a teenager as his mother had been in a relationship with a bookmaker. His own attempt at managing his own bookmaking shop proved to be unsustainable.
A Serious Sentence
On passing sentence, Judge Owen-Jones said: “I cannot ignore that, although no charges were brought, you had done exactly the same thing some years before and were given a second chance.” “You were dismissed for gross misconduct and the company was forced into voluntary liquidation, causing massive embarrassment and damaged Mr. Durston’s personal reputation.” “He went through hell as a result of this – there’s no doubt about it. His house is up on the market in order to manage his debt and he has sustained stress and depression.” GamCare operates the National Gambling HelpLine, and remains the first port of call for anyone experiencing problems with gambling.Bilfinger wins multi-million pound contract with Shell
Industrial services specialist Bilfinger Salamis UK has been awarded a multimillion-pound contract for technical manpower services on Shell U.K. southern North Sea (SNS) assets.
The three-year contract covers the execution of maintenance operations services onshore at Bacton Gas Plant, and offshore on the Leman Alpha Platform, Clipper and Seafox 4 Barge as well as the Kroonborg Walk-to-Work vessel supporting NAM in the Dutch sector. Bilfinger Salamis UK’s Managing Director, Sandy Bonner, commented: “We are delighted to have secured this contract as it further solidifies our position as a leading provider of Modifications, Maintenance and Operations (MMO) services. “Bilfinger has worked extensively with Shell and NAM for many years. Shell’s decision to award this contract to us is testament to the strong, collaborative relationship we have.” Over 150 personnel will transfer to Bilfinger Salamis UK from the incumbent contractor, in electrical, mechanical, pipe fitting, welding, crane and rigging disciplines. In January alone, Bilfinger recruited and rehired over 600 personnel in the UK, positioning the firm as a leading employer in the sector.Investment in Southern North Sea
The contract will be managed from Bilfinger’s Great Yarmouth base. The company is a major player in the SNS, having had a presence in the region since 1981. Initially focused on offshore fabric maintenance, the company has since expanded its SNS and Netherlands offering, and in recent years developed its service capability to secure maintenance, inspection and renewables contracts. Key customers including Statoil, ConocoPhillips, Perenco and Oranje Nassau Energie (ONE) UK.
Malvern set to start work on Birmingham’s tallest residential tower
Malvern Scaffolding has been awarded the prestigious scaffolding package on the Left Bank Tower 2 project in Birmingham.
Positioned on one of Birmingham city centre’s busiest street the tower will become the city’s tallest residential building. Once complete the Left Bank project will provide 206 one, two and three-bed apartments, internal and external residential amenity space and a commercial retail unit. First female completes Overseas Scaffolder Training
Female Safety Officer becomes the first woman to attend and complete CISRS Overseas Scaffolder Training.
CISRS have announced that Miss Hien Pham, a Safety Officer with Black Cat JSC Ltd has successfully completed both OSTS Level 1 Scaffolder and Basic Scaffold Inspection courses at the AIS/Blackcat CISRS approved Training centre located in Vang Tau, Vietnam. Miss Pham becomes the first female to attend CISRS Overseas scaffolder training, the overseas scheme is hoping that she will be the first of many. CISRS say, the level one course includes both theoretical and practical sessions, covering general health and safety, working at height guidance, prevention of fall from heights, component recognition, understanding basic drawings, safe methods of erection and dismantle of basic structures such as towers and independent scaffolds. Miss Pham said: “The first time I went on site and witnessed scaffolding operations taking place I realised I wanted to learn more about how these structures where constructed. Participating in the Level 1 course has highlighted to me, the correct way to build scaffolding. I think the information on fall protection and avoiding falls from height is especially important for everyone involved in the sector.” “The Inspection course is essential to me as a safety officer, it has given me a lot more in-depth knowledge of scaffolding and will help me to spot hazards, either with defective equipment or poor construction and allow me to identify corrective actions.” “I am really happy and proud to have completed these two courses.” Miss Pham said.
U.S. Scaffold collapse caught on video
Workers had to run for their lives as strong winds cause a scaffold collapse in Rockford, Illinois USA.
The terrifying video below caught by onlooker Nicholas Layng shows the tremendous force of mother nature.Formark Scaffolding welcomes their first female apprentice
Formark Scaffolding is celebrating the successful qualification of its first female apprentice scaffolder.
Charlie-Lauren Whitear gained her CISRS Labourer Card after achieving the COTS Site Safety Plus Certificate and passing the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test. The 23-year-old joined the Surrey-based Formark Scaffolding as an office administrator in 2015. After giving as good as she got when bantering with the scaffolders about site work, she decided to go one step further, and join them. “I told them that anything they could do, I could do with a bra on,” said Charlie. “So I couldn’t really back down.” “It certainly wasn’t a dream of mine to become a labourer or indeed a scaffolder, but why not?” “A lot of people were very apprehensive when I said what I wanted to do. But when I got a chance to qualify as a labourer everyone at Formark was supportive and now I have got the Labourer Card the scaffolders treat me as one of the team.” Charlie still works in the office at Formark’s yard on the London/Surrey border and has already been on site, carrying tubes during the dismantling of a scaffold in Kent.
Birmingham builder dies in scaffold fall
The Police and the HSE are currently involved in a joint investigation after a 78-year-old builder died after falling from scaffolding.
On March 5, the builder from Birmingham was working on the refurbishment of a new Go Outdoors retail unit at Centaurus Business Park, South Gloucestershire.
While fitting a large window the builder fell around 15ft. He was taken to Southmead Hospital but died from his injuries the following day.
Detective Inspector Dave Lewis said: “This is a tragic incident in which a man fell from scaffolding while fitting a large glass window. His family have been informed and are being supported at this very difficult time.
“We’ve been working closely with our colleagues in the Health and Safety Executive, who are assisting with our enquiries, to establish what happened.
“We want to appeal to anyone who was in the area of Centaurus Business Park on Monday morning, who saw or heard any part of this incident, to come forward and speak to us.”
2018 CN Specialists Awards winners revealed
PHD Modular Access Services has come out top in this year’s Construction News Specialists Awards.
At a glittering ceremony held at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel over 750 attendees from the UK’s leading specialists firms and clients came together to celebrate the best in construction. Against stiff competition in the category which included previous winners GKR Scaffolding, PHD Modular Access Services was named this year’s Access & Scaffolding Specialist 2018.
- Chris Sedgeman Scaffolding
- Controlled Scaffolding
- GKR Scaffolding
- JECS Offshore Scaffolding
- Premier Technical Services Group
- QFS Scaffolding
- WellMax Scaffolding
Innovation of the Year (Contractor): Winner
The scaffolding sector also saw success from GKR Scaffolding after they were awarded the impressive title of Innovation of the year. For their groundbreaking Virtual Reality Working At Height Safety Training that we previously reported on.
- Bachy Soletanche
- Kelly Formwork UK
- Keltbray Piling
- NG Bailey
- O’Donovan Waste Disposal
- Premier Technical Services Group