Scaffolding on Big Ben ‘falls away’ with Snapchat App
Multimedia messaging app Snapchat has created a new lens that allows London sightseers to virtually remove the scaffolding surrounding Big Ben.
In an aim to celebrate the festive season, users of the globally popular app can point their phone camera at the iconic clock tower to see the scaffold magically fall away. Big Ben is then encased in a snow globe with the words “Happy Holidays.”
The transformed virtual tower will also reflect the accurate time on the clock and recreate Big Ben’s famous bongs, chiming on the hour accompanied by four quarter-hour rings.
The Big Ben Lens will be live for several months and the creative will be adapted over time
According to Campaign Snapchat said, the lens can be used in spite of bad weather and from any viewing angle. It will work on devices as old as Apple iPhone 6 and “mid-range” Android smartphones.
The Big Ben Lens is powered by location-based and 3D mapping augmented-reality technology.
The Elizabeth Tower has been encased in scaffolding since repairs started in May 2017, while the bell, known as Big Ben, was silenced in August 2017.
Stepup Scaffolding CEO And Executives Killed In Plane Crash
Scaffolding manufacturers and distributors Stepup Scaffolding have announced the tragic death of their CEO Wei Chen and 3 executives.
Stepup Scaffolding a subsidiary of Sunshine Enterprise Inc, based in Scotland and headquartered in Memphis USA has identified four of its employees as victims killed in a plane crash. According to reports, the business jet flown by Chen plunged out of the sky crashing into a football field in an Atlanta park as it was making its way from Atlanta to Memphis on Thursday 20 December. Wei Chen, John Chen, Bruce Pelynio and Danielle Mitchell were identified as victims in the crash, according to Stepup Scaffolding President, Mike McAnnally.
ScaffMag’s most read stories of 2018
As 2018 edges ever closer to an end, we take a look back at what most attracted your attention during the year.
This year has been another busy news-filled year for the scaffolding industry as ScaffMag continues to keep you updated with what’s going on. Either on desktop, mobile, tablet or in our quarterly magazine available in digital and print, we have you covered. During the year we saw several big stories that stood out and received a lot of attention. One of which was the news of a Manchester scaffolder in court after not being clipped while working at 60ft. The shocking image showing his actions captured by a retired Health & Safety inspector literally went viral. In addition also in our list of the biggest stories of 2018 were; Scaffolders earn more than Architects, apparently. News of the completion of the magnificent scaffold on London’s Big Ben, engineers develop an on-site scaffolding robot and scaffolders run for their lives after Stanlow refinery explosion to name a few. For a full rundown of ScaffMag’s top 10 biggest stories including page views and social shares see below. Pageviews: 19,375 | Social Shares: 1367Scaffolder who was not clipped on is sentenced2. Pageviews: 12,914 | Social Shares: 1754
Scaffolders run for their lives after explosion at Stanlow oil refinery3. Pageviews: 10,735 | Social Shares: 1062
Scaffolding on Big Ben now complete after ‘topping out’4. Pageviews: 8,447 | Social Shares: 2,114
New report shows Scaffolders earn more than Architects5. Pageviews: 8,209 | Social Shares: 426
Scaffold firm refuses to take down job over pay dispute6. Pageviews: 7,384 | Social Shares: 614
Engineers Develop The World’s First On-Site Scaffolding Robot6. Pageviews: 6,786 | Social Shares: 2,044
Hero Scaffolders chase off London moped robbers targeting mum and child7. Pageviews: 6,789 | Social Shares: 224
Four Workers Dead After Scaffolding Collapses At Multi Storey Building8. Pageviews: 3,780 | Social Shares: 449
Layher Creates Cutting Edge Aluminium FlexBeam9. Pageviews: 2,752 | Social Shares: 172
Video: Scaffolding works on the Silver Jubilee Bridge Runcorn10. Pageviews: 2,281 | Social Shares: 100
GTS Scaffolding Set For CITB Levy Hearing
Scaffolding Apprenticeship Funding On Hold Until 2020
Government-backed Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) plans for apprenticeship funding involving non-levy paying employers have been put on hold to at least March 2020.
ScaffMag has learned the decision was made with the aim of allowing more time for employers and training providers to prepare for the new way to fund apprenticeships. However, many believe it’s a huge slap in the face for the industry at a crucial time, particularly when considering that the move had already been postponed until 2019. Add to this the damning statistic that scaffolding is currently one of the top five key skill shortages in the UK. In essence, critics say the change of plan will adversely impact the scaffolding industry and further compound the current skills shortage across the trade.The Reasoning
The ESFA say: “Having listened to feedback from the sector and employers about the scale and pace of the apprenticeship reforms that we have introduced since May 2017, we want to make sure that we introduce future changes in a gradual, well-managed way.”New Standard
Ironically, the scaffolding industry created a new Trailblazer Apprenticeship standard, which was formally approved back in May, and this was considered to be a milestone moment for the occupation itself. However, those employer organisations heavily involved in introducing the new Standard feel very let down.
ESFA Contracts
The Apprenticeship Levy was introduced in April 2017 and was intended to be a means for UK employers to fund new Apprenticeships. It is applicable to employers with an annual payroll in excess of £3m. In order to deliver Apprenticeships, training organisations were required to undergo a tender process with the ESFA, which assessed providers’ capability and financial viability. The ESFA announced the results of their tender process for the allocation of Apprenticeship funding for non-levy paying employers in November of 2017, and according to sources, there was extreme disappointment when it emerged that almost all scaffolding training providers were unsuccessful with their bids. By tradition, scaffolding Apprenticeship places are generally oversubscribed and most learners are recruited by Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SME). There are approximately 4,000 scaffolding contractors in the UK and only two per cent are thought to be in-scope for the Apprenticeship Levy, meaning the overwhelming majority of scaffolding businesses find that support for apprentice recruitment remains out of reach.Presenting the Facts
The Institute for Apprenticeships (IFA) forecast shows the Apprenticeship budget could be overspent by £500 million in 2018/19, rising to a £1.5 billion overspend by 2021/22. ScaffMag has discovered that one scaffolding Apprenticeship provider, which has historically accounted for around 25 per cent of all scaffolding Apprenticeship delivery in England, received no funding at all. The same organisation typically recruits between 80 and 90 per cent of apprentices from SME non-levy paying employers. ScaffMag believes that this is further evidence that the industry’s skills shortage looks set to continue.Industry Insight
Simon Hughes from scaffolding training and safety experts Simian, told ScaffMag: “Historically, Simian has considered the output of scaffolding apprentices to be a core component of our training portfolio, as a means for supporting employers and helping to bridge the growing scaffolding skills gap.
“We are disappointed by the further delay in funding for non-levy paying apprentices and are concerned as to the impact that this will have on the skills gap the industry continues to experience.”
Hughes continued: “We recognise that there were some CISRS approved training providers who received a non-levy payer allocation, although only a very small proportion of their overall funding was dedicated specifically to scaffolding Apprenticeship delivery. As a registered training organisation, we are only able to support larger Apprenticeship levy paying employers and to date, have identified around 60 scaffolding employers, nationally.
“CITB Apprenticeships traditionally founded around 90% of the scaffolding industry’s apprentices. This typically equated to between 500 and 600 learners, however, they were also unsuccessful in their bid for non-levy allocation in 2017. This has led to a significant hiatus in Apprenticeship recruitment for SME scaffolding contractors since May of this year.”
Hughes added: “From February 2019, Simian will be in a position to support SMEs, as part of our collaboration with college partners, at our Centres in East London and Weston-super-Mare, but this will still leave the rest of the industry without substantial provision for the immediate future.”
According to ScaffMag sources, the CISRS understands that the 2017 decision to award funding, was based solely on a mathematical calculation, which did not consider specific sector needs at the time, or the impact of this decision on future Apprenticeship recruitment requirements. Access Company Spans All Three Iconic Bridges
A local innovative access solutions provider is showcasing its expertise on all three of Fife’s iconic bridges.
Span Access Solutions Ltd, which has offices at FRIC (Fife Renewables Innovation Centre) in Methil, and Kinross, is providing specialist equipment to support infrastructure projects on each of the Forth crossings. This year, Span Access installed seven suspended platforms and stair-towers to support the repair and replacement of the Truss End Links on the Forth Road Bridge. It is also involved in supporting an ongoing maintenance programme on the Queensferry Crossing, with the installation of 14 gantries on runway beams located under the bridge. More recently, it has designed and built a bespoke rolling gantry for under the South span of the Forth (Rail) Bridge to again support ongoing maintenance work – this was raised into position in November.
With the Forth (Rail) Bridge opening in 1890, the Forth Road Bridge in 1964 and the new Queensferry Crossing opening in 2017 our bespoke platforms are currently supporting the infrastructure from three centuries of crossings over the Firth of Forth.
Span Access Chairman, Kenny Wiggins said:
“Span has had an exciting year as we have supported these key projects, working on all three of these iconic bridges simultaneously shows our innovative capabilities with alternative access. Each of the bridges required a different solution, developed and installed exclusively to meet the needs of the client.”
Span Access has also received Expert Help assistance from Business Gateway Fife. Their adviser, Lynne Baillie, commented:
“Span has shown that it has ambitious plans for the future of its alternative access solutions business. Their work in a diverse range of sectors, including the recently announced Innovate UK backed offshore wind project proves the worth of their innovative approach to solutions for major infrastructure projects.”
Span Access has experienced significant growth in each of the last two years with a focus on Infrastructure, Oil & Gas and Wind Industry Projects with further growth on the horizon. Omega Scaffolding Bags Liverpool Football Club Project
Warrington based Omega Scaffolding Services Ltd has been awarded the scaffolding package for the new Liverpool Football Club Training Facility.
Work has already begun on the prestigious development and Omega will be on site from early January with completion expected in early 2020. Main contractors McLaughlin and Harvey (formerly Barr Construction) have worked closely with Omega Scaffolding Services on various projects over the last decade including two rugby stadiums for Warrington and St Helens. Contracts Manager Tony Clarke, who has been with Omega for more than 8 years, said: “We are delighted to work with McLaughlin and Harvey again on such a prestigious job and this will be a great start to the year for Omega.”Family Pleas For Stringent Health And Safety After Death Of Scaffolder
A grieving family has urged employers to be more stringent about health and safety following the death of 38-year-old scaffolder David Smith last year.
The plea came after North London Coroner’s Court found the father of two’s fatal fall was caused by multiple defects in scaffolding, both erected and dismantled by workers lacking the proper industry qualifications. A Telling Verdict The jury at Mr Smith’s inquest in late November recorded a narrative verdict detailing how he fell 24 feet after the scaffolding was dismantled in an incorrect sequence, causing it to become unbalanced underneath him. The self-employed contractor who worked for Wembley Scaffolding Services Ltd for more than 10 years suffered severe brain and internal injuries, as a result of falling at a site on Cricklewood Broadway in February 2017. Following the incident, the dad to 16-year-old daughter Tia and 18-year-old son Charlie, was airlifted to St Mary’s hospital for surgery. His family was informed it was unlikely he would survive, and if he did it was thought he could be severely brain damaged. David’s condition worsened as a result of several strokes, his life support eventually being turned off by the family on the advice of doctors. Mr Smith was pronounced dead in hospital on March 4, 16 days after the incident. His mother Lorraine, 60, said: “Our family still cannot believe he is no longer with us. He has left a huge hole in our lives and we are devastated that he will not get to see his children grow up. “It is difficult not to think that if just a few simple steps had been taken Dave would still be with us today. “All we can hope for now is that his death was not totally in vain and employers recognise the importance of upholding health and safety standards at all times.” Police Concern It was revealed police had considered bringing corporate manslaughter charges after the tragic accident, which also led to another worker being seriously injured. They decided not to proceed, though Workplace injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell investigating on the family’s behalf and a report by the Health and Safety Executive, found a number of serious health and safety failings.
Companies fined after scaffold tubes crush engineer
PHD Modular Access Services Ltd and Principal Contractor St George City Ltd have been fined after a structural engineer received serious crush injuries.
Southwark Crown Court heard how, on 15 September 2015, the engineer, accompanied by two managers at the site in London, approached four bundles of scaffold tube stored on the ground. One of the bundles had been stacked on top of the other three which had been left unattended. The top bundle weighing about on tonne was disturbed, rolled off and fell onto the engineer’s lower legs. It took several attempts to free him from under the bundle. The engineer suffered fractures to both ankles and a number of fractures on his right leg. The scaffold bundles were delivered earlier that day and belonged to scaffolding firm PHD Modular Access Services Ltd. St George City Ltd was the Principal Contractor for the site, where demolition activities were taking place within a very confined footprint. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that PHD failed to ensure that control measures specified in the company’s risk assessment were in place to prevent access by unauthorised persons. St George City had signed off on PHD’s storage requirements and should have been conscious of the practical difficulties concerning deliveries and storage due to the confined nature of the site. On the day of the incident, St George site management had become aware that the scaffold materials had not been segregated, however, no action was taken. PHD Modular Access Services Ltd, based in Uxbridge pleaded guilty to breaching the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, and was fined £50,000 and ordered to pay costs of £7,777.99. St George City Limited, which is part of the Berkeley Group, of Berkeley House, Portsmouth Road, Cobham, pleaded guilty to breaching the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 and was fined £130,000 and ordered to pay costs of 7830.79. After the hearing, HSE inspector Gabriella Dimitrov said: “The contractors knew that it was a congested site with large demolition machines tracking around and as such required careful planning with regards to material arrivals and storage. This incident could have been easily prevented had suitable barriers been provided.”Bricklayer To Sue Lyndon Scaffolding For £200K
A Bricklayer is seeking more than £200,000 in damages from Lyndon Scaffolding Plc, after allegedly falling from a ladder at work.
Benjamin Katuszka, 33 is suing the well-known scaffolding firm after the incident on September 21 2015, at the Royal Navy Air Station in Yeovilton, south Somerset. Katuszka, who was laying blocks on the site claimed that he was about to descend a ladder from the second lift of scaffolding when the ladder gate protecting the access point swung shut on his hand. Shocked by the impact and pain he instinctively lost his grip on the ladder and fell to the ground below, fracturing his wrist and right knee. He alleges that the access to the scaffold in the area where he had been working was unusual, as a single ladder which he claims was very steep was used to access the second lift from the ground. The incident has left him struggling with anxiety and depression. And due to his injuries, Katuszka is now unable to work as a bricklayer. Local media report that a writ issued at London’s High Court states Katuszka’s claim that the company failed to carry out a suitable risk assessment, failed to provide a safe workplace, arranged the ladder and gate so that the gate closed against the ladder, and actively created a trap. The writ also states that following the incident the contractors modified the scaffolding so the gate did not hit the ladder once it had closed. ScaffMag contacted Lyndon Scaffolding Plc about the incident, they have strongly denied the claims. A Director at Lyndon Scaffolding commented “We are aware of the incident and are sad to hear that Benjamin Katuszka has not recovered from his injuries. We do however, deny the allegations made and note that the site was subject to the most stringent audit review process in the industry.”Layher Creates Cutting Edge Aluminium FlexBeam
The world’s largest system scaffolding manufacture has developed a revolutionary aluminum FlexBeam to help create safe and economical quality structures.
In the past, constructing suspended & cantilevered access, elevated site cabin & pedestrian gantry walkway types of scaffold structures would involve an array of heavy steel lattice beams requiring time-consuming installation, and the use of further materials for lacing, bracing & tying the structure. This new innovation does all of this in a single product facilitating rapid assembly. The high load capacity Aluminium FlexBeam enables surface scaffolding to be efficiently assembled both suspended and upright. Layher UK Managing Director, Sean Pike said: “The product carries a 40 percent higher bending load capacity, with 40 percent lower height. There’s no need for compression chord bracing when compared with other steel lattice beams. Faster assembly is possible thanks to a U-shaped upper side of the section, enabling direct suspension of system decks and an easy to build lift off preventer. Technical support comes in the form of information sheets with structural details. It’s great flexibility is key of course. “Further expansion using standard Allround components is also possible. In the case of use as suspended scaffolding, both the anchor plate and the suspension shoe are available for receiving the beam. The anchor plate is intended for direct wall-plug connection to the structure.”
Advanced Design
This well-designed product comes with a number of options making it extremely flexible in a range of different situations. The suspension shoe can be directly connected to the tie rod adapter, meaning the suspension itself can be extended in length by Allround standards using the standard adapter, male or female adapter. A standard connector is used for expansion within the Layher system dimensions. What’s more, the lift-off preventer can be inserted anywhere and moved in the longitudinal direction of the beam, fixed in place with a special bolt. To extend the length of beams, the FlexBeam spigot is available, which is inserted into the hollow chamber of the beam section and then pinned to it. The timber beam support permits lateral fitting of an extra beam. For example, it can act as a basis for providing fitted bays in curved sections.
