Lithuania holds first ever Scaffolding Championships

Daniel Norton
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Lithuania holds first ever Scaffolding Championships

Scaffolders have competed in the first-ever international scaffolding championships held at RESTA the countries largest trade fair in Vilnius, Lithuania.

In a bid to promote a professional scaffolding trade, while showcasing the improved safety standards within the Baltic region, nine teams from some of the leading scaffolding contractors within Lithuania, Poland, Estonia and Russia took part in the unique competition.

The international event was organised by the recently established Baltic Scaffolding Association (BSA). The BSA is a not-for-profit organisation that unites scaffold production, hire and sales companies and scaffold contractors in Northern Europe. The fundamental aim of the BSA is to promote the safe use of scaffolding and provide qualified training for scaffold installers in the region.

It’s not surprising to learn that many workers in Lithuania and its bordering countries are killed while working at height. The BSA is taking the first steps to tackle the terrible statistics by working closely with the Lithuanian State Labour Inspectorate to help improve their situation.

“We as an association think that scaffolders must get proper training before beginning to work. To show and prove that scaffolding can be completed efficiently and safely we decided to organise the International Scaffolding Championships,” said Žaneta Baltreniene Head of Training at the BSA.

Nine teams of five scaffolders had to safely erect and dismantle a designed freestanding system scaffold within two hours. Each competing team was against the clock and under the scrutiny of industry expert referees who would impose time penalties for any safety breaches or construction inaccuracies.

Champion of Champions

Lithuania Scaffolding Champions 2019
The Winners, Image credit: ScaffMag
Skilled scaffolders from the international firm HOTrema headquartered in Lithuania was awarded the 1st place accolade. Established in 2012 the company has many projects in a number of Europen countries. Judges and referees deemed the team’s safe erection and dismantling procedure was the fastest on the day. Estonia based company Adelante Tellingud were placed 2nd while ARAD from Poland was awarded a 3rd place position.

Speaking after the event Žaneta Baltreniene said: “The championships was a big challenge, to have nine teams from five different neighbouring countries and to make everything run smoothly was not easy. We are proud to host such event for the first time in Baltic states.”

Event organisers hope to make the Scaffolding Championships an annual competition with the invitation open to more countries next year. A more in-depth report on the Scaffolding Championships will be available in the forthcoming Spring Issue of ScaffMag

SMART Scaffolder adds the TG20:13 wind factor for the Channel Islands

Scaffmag Newsdesk
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SMART Scaffolder adds the TG20:13 wind factor for the Channel Islands
CADS, the developers of the SMART Scaffolder range of software, wrote the TG20:13 guidance and created the eGuide for the NASC. SMART Scaffolder have taken that expertise and used it to extend the functionality of their estimating, design and checking software known as SMART Estimator. In addition to creating fast accurate price quotations for scaffolding projects SMART Estimator provides an essential TG20:13 summary, displayed on-screen in real time or as a detailed printed report. The software checks your scaffold against the TG20:13 design criteria including rules to estimate the number of ties required etc. SMART Estimator creates a compliance summary report without the need to enter each structure individually so it’s also faster than the eGuide! Now the geographical range of SMART Estimator goes one step further and includes the wind factor for Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney and the Scilly Isles due to popular demand there. On the Channel Islands you are never far from the cost and are often building on exposed hillsides, both of which are automatically taken into account in the wind factor and the TG20:13 module offers suggestions for tie patterns, bay sizes, additional standards etc. Ian Chambers, Sales and Marketing Director at SMART Scaffolder, said “we are always looking to enhance our software to ensure scaffolders have the best possible tools to simply create TG20 compliant scaffolds and minimise the need to commission expensive engineering calculations. Now our customers in the Channel Islands have access to the same precise wind design information as the rest of the UK.” As well as providing a summary report with SMART Estimator you can create drawings, a professional quote, a cost breakdown and an accurate material list. This combination of features put quality assurance at the heart of your organization. For more information please follow this link: https://smartscaffolder.com/our-products/smart-estimator/drawings-tg20/

Wood bags contract for new technology centre in Saudi Arabia

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Wood bags contract for new technology centre in Saudi Arabia

Wood has secured a new contract with SABIC to deliver the engineering design for a world-class petrochemical research centre in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Wood will provide conceptual, basic and detailed design engineering for SABIC’s new 65,000m² technology centre in Jubail Industrial City on Saudi Arabia’s east coast. The scope of work includes engineering design of analytical and material labs to accommodate testing, characterisation and materials analysis, plus support utilities including a warehouse, workshop and substation. Effective immediately, the contract will be delivered by Wood’s base in Al-Khobar and builds on the company’s successful delivery of front-end engineering design services for expansion and upgrades to existing SABIC facilities in the region. Dave Stewart, CEO of Wood’s Asset Solutions business in Europe, Africa, Asia & Australia, comments: “This contract demonstrates our extensive experience in the design, development and engineering delivery of key energy infrastructure, and solidifies our position as an engineering partner for SABIC’s projects in the Middle East.” “Wood is committed to expanding our business in Saudi Arabia, and this contract aligns with our strategic objective to grow our presence in the downstream sector in the region, particularly in petrochemicals.” Wood was recently selected to develop the world’s largest fully integrated crude oil to chemicals (COTC) complex in Saudi Arabia on behalf of SABIC and Saudi Aramco, as the first PMC contractor.

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

Richard Trenchard
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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
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