U.K. Edition
Over 1000 Scaffolders have renewed CISRS card via CPD
Over 1000 Scaffolders and Advanced scaffolders have now attended the CISRS CPD course.
The Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS) have announced that over 1000 Scaffolders and Advanced Scaffolders have now attended the CISRS CPD course and applied to renew their CISRS cards under the new scheme rules. The requirement for scaffolders to complete the 2-day course prior to card renewal caused quite a stir when it was introduced in July last year. However, CISRS say in a statement that despite the initial backlash from some segments of the sector, the new course has been very well supported. Interestingly, the statement goes on to say that In July and August last year accredited CISRS training providers had proceeded cautiously in relation to the amount of CPD courses that were included within their training programmes. But in reality the number of scaffolders looking to attend the CPD course has proven to be much higher than expected with centres making additional courses available to meet demand. Dave Mosley CISRS Scheme Manager said: “This is a fantastic achievement in such a short space of time, as any change to an established scheme usually takes quite a while to bed in. “We had expected a lot of people whose cards expired in 2016 simply to take a H&S test and apply for an early renewal prior to the CPD requirement going live. These figures show that there are plenty of scaffolders who have completed the programme and demand for places on courses is increasing.”
CISRS also say that when the industry was initially informed about the intention to introduce a CPD/refresher element to the CISRS scheme, it met with a very mixed response, ranging from “It’s about time” to “I’ve been doing this for years, what can you tell me?”
Jonathan Gaunt Training Manager for Generation Training Services said “It’s interesting to see the change in attitude of some of the scaffolders over the 2 day programme. Initially they arrive feeling that they will learn very little, however giving them a knowledge test early in the course usually highlights that there are areas they do need to brush up on.
“It’s been a long time since some of the delegates attended a training centre and for those who got their card under Grandfather Rights it could actually be the first time. After the initial uncertainty they tend to enjoy the course and mixing with their peers, the delegate feedback forms reflect a positive experience.
“We commend CISRS for responding to the demands of both the construction industry and the HSE, producing a comprehensive CPD product for Scaffolders with a very timely, positive approach.” Estimating software firm Avontus teams up with Trimble
Concrete contractors face unique challenges when estimating, planning, and managing their formwork operations. In addition to needing an accurate and understandable design, inadequate planning can result in costly delays that affect the entire project. And, knowing when and where equipment is needed is essential. Trimble and Avontus have partnered to help concrete contractors with these challenges.
“Tekla Structures, including its unique concrete pour planning and formwork tools, has been a game changer for our customers” says Andy Dickey, Business Development Manager at Trimble. “Our powerful 3D modeling and BIM capabilities make creation of detailed formwork plans faster than ever before. Contractors have full visualization into how formwork is planned and can more efficiently manage and coordinate their work.”
Enhancing Trimble’s commitment to improving operational efficiency, Trimble has partnered with Avontus, driving a more streamlined and productive way for concrete contractors and formwork providers to estimate, plan and manage their formwork operations. The equipment information in detailed formwork models created with the Tekla Structures is now integrated into Quantify, Avontus’ inventory management software.
“The bottleneck in inventory management has always been the lack of an easy-to-use bill of materials,” says Brian Webb, CEO/Founder of Avontus. “When shipping equipment for multiple pours to a site, it’s very important to consolidate formwork materials into a unified list. These lists are used to ship exactly what you need to the site to get the job done, as well as to return formwork as soon as it’s no longer needed.”
Joining Tekla Structures with Quantify takes the industry to an entirely new level. Formwork modeling and detailing is now integrated into a fully-featured equipment management suite.
“Whether a small concrete contractor or a large multi-national formwork provider, the combination of Tekla Structures and Avontus Quantify allows those planning and managing formwork to solve bigger problems. This new integration between our software will vastly improve their operations.” Dickey says.
Learn more about Tekla solution for concrete contractors
Download Tekla Structures – Quantify export in Tekla Warehouse (available for customers in maintenance)
Tekla Software by Trimble
Tekla software solutions for advanced BIM and structural engineering are produced by Trimble. Trimble’s construction offering ranges from total stations to advanced software, giving the industry tools to transform planning, design, construction and operation of buildings. Tekla software is at the heart of the design and construction workflow, building on the free flow of information, constructible models and collaboration. Information about Tekla software: www.tekla.com
Trimble
Trimble is transforming the way the world works by delivering products and services that connect the physical and digital worlds. Core technologies in positioning, modeling, connectivity and data analytics enable customers to improve productivity, quality, safety and sustainability. From purpose built products to enterprise lifecycle solutions, Trimble software, hardware and services are transforming a broad range of industries such as agriculture, construction, geospatial and transportation and logistics.
Quantify
Quantify makes managing your formwork business easy. From one user-friendly program, you can monitor inventory, ship materials, generate invoices, job costs, set reminders, manage re-rentals, and oversee all of your projects. Using your custom catalog, Quantify will track where every piece of equipment is and calculate how much you’re owed in rental. Anytime you want to know more, just run a custom report. You’ll stay on top of your business and free up countless hours. Information about quantify: www.avontus.com
Avontus
Avontus’ has been producing quality software since 2002, focused exclusively on the formwork, shoring, and scaffolding industries. Their easily-operated and thoroughly tested software is the most technically advanced in the industry.
Additional information
Andy Dickey, Business Development Manager at Trimble, email [email protected]
Andrew Smith, Business Development Manager at Avontus, email [email protected]
Benchmark fined after scaffolder seriously injured
Specialist contractor Benchmark Scaffolding has been fined after a scaffolder suffered serious injuries.
Derby Magistrates’ Court heard how, on 22 February 2016 at a site in Chaddesden, a 24-year-old employee, Lee Gaskin was injured during the loading of bins of scaffold fittings onto a lorry using a Hi-Ab lorry mounted crane. The Hi-Ab arm knocked him from the bed of the lorry to the ground and he suffered significant injuries to his arms. A HSE investigation found that Benchmark Scaffolding Limited failed to properly plan the lifting of scaffolding parts onto a lorry. The investigation also found that they failed to provide clear instructions and supervision and failed to ensure that the lifting of scaffold parts was carried out in a safe manner. Benchmark Scaffolding Limited of Waterside Trading Estate, Hanwell, London pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 8(1) of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998. The Company was fined £40,000 and ordered to pay full costs of £1,968.63 and a Victim Surcharge of £170. Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Katherine Blunt said: “This was a very serious and wholly avoidable incident, caused by the failure of the company to plan and implement safe systems of work, for the loading of scaffolding parts on to the lorry. “This incident could so easily have been avoided through the company properly planning the lifting of scaffolding parts onto the lorry, giving clear instructions for employees to follow, and having a competent person identified as Supervisor. This would have ensured the lift was carried out in a safe manner”.New Zealand Scaffolding apprenticeship scheme sets up
The New Zealand scaffolding industry is hoping a new apprenticeship scheme will help the profession reach new heights.
The industry is offering a three-year apprenticeship for people to learn the ropes of the trade while working on the job. Developed by the Skills Organisation and the Scaffolding, Access and Rigging Association (SARNZ), it’s hoped it will help the industry tackle a long running skills shortage. Speaking to local media Radio NZ, SARNZ chief executive Graham Burke said: “It’s not getting any better, so the forecasts in the construction pipeline are for strong growth for some time to come yet and there’s never been a better time than to get into the industry as far as building a career,” He hoped it would help make the profession more attractive and build bridges with new talent. “We’ve had a level 5 qualification as our highest qualification for a long time but we’ve never actually been recognised as a trade by the general public and it seems like until you actually have an apprenticeship people don’t recognise the skill level in the industry. “I think it will help us get the recognition from schools and parents and people looking at embarking on a new career; that is we’re not just a labouring trade.”‘Business owner’
Phil McConchie’s company Camelspace employs around 130 people and is one of the country’s largest scaffolding companies. Also speaking to Radio NZ he said: “It’s hard enough actually to hire unskilled people to just move things from A to B but it’s infinitely more difficult to hire skilled people. It’s one of our biggest constraints.” He said it was hard to train people as experienced staff were required to help, but also getting into training was hard with only a few private training organisations. “We’re not alone in the scaffolding industry with being dissatisfied with the way that works and that holds us back. We can have people ready to enter polytechnic block courses under the existing system and we’re happy to pay all the fees as a company to train people and those training organisations are just not in a position to take them.” He said some eager labourers had to wait up to nine months to get into a class. “As we’re short of skilled people we’re keen to back them and pay for their training and get them on the course. With the existing courses this seems to be such a problem. The candidates are willing, the companies are willing, but the system at the moment just doesn’t seem to be able to keep pace.” Mr McConchie said with health and safety standards now higher and scaffolding used more widely the need was even greater. “We’re building hanging scaffolds off 60, 80-metre buildings coming down from the top in central Auckland, we’re building grandstand seats for Rugby World Cups, Cricket World Cups. We’re building concert stages for the country’s biggest events. “So it’s a serious business that needs to be done properly and there’s quite a bit of skill involved now.” He said he was “optimistic” about the new apprenticeship scheme and planned on enrolling a few of his current labourers in the next few weeks.Godiva bags scaffolding contract on Coventry’s tallest new build
Godiva Access & Scaffolding has secured the scaffolding contract to provide its services on Coventry’s tallest new build, creating 20 new jobs.
The Coventry-based business confirmed that they started work on the site this week. Working in partnership with main contractors Winvic Construction, Godiva’s scaffolding specialist will use more than 900 tonnes of scaffolding to help Winvic construct the new 1,192-bedroom student accommodation complex in two towers, one 23-storeys and a second at 14-storeys, connected by smaller blocks. The scheme is located on the corner of Fairfax Street and Cox Street in the city and forms part of a city-wide rejuvenation project that follows the announcement that Coventry will be City of Culture 2021. The new win bolsters a growing order book for the Canley business, which is working on contracts across the West Midlands, and means that it now wants to recruit 20 more scaffolders during the first quarter of 2018. Colin Taylor, managing director at Godiva Access & Scaffolding, said: “This is a fantastic win for us and it will help to create new jobs for local people in Coventry. We have a really strong background in working on skyscraper construction so to be able to work on what will become such a prominent feature in Coventry’s sky line is hugely rewarding as we can really showcase our skills in this area. With Coventry being announced as City of Culture 2021, there couldn’t be a better time for us to be involved in such an exciting project for the city.”SMART Scaffolder launches 2018 update
Software giants CADS SMART Scaffolder have just released their latest update for 2018.
Dorset based company SMART Scaffolder are constantly adding new functionality to their estimating and TG20:13 compliance software. In their latest release, they have added some exciting features that mean you can input your scaffold in seconds, just take a tender schedule and simply key in the dimensions to produce automated drawings, precise quotes, accurate load lists, 3D visuals and TG20:13 summary reports. Commenting on the update Ian Chambers, Sales and Marketing Director at SMART Scaffolder, said “We always listen to what our customers tell us and this year’s release means any sized firm can quickly produce a quote they can be confident in”. The software firm say there are plenty of other improvements, including a new report to show the costs involved in a project, clearer quotations and improved client data sharing across a company network. They have also updated Draw IT, a free bolt on for Autodesk AutoCAD 2018, which provides blocks, guides and tools for editing scaffold drawings in AutoCAD.
According to the firm, when combined with the existing powerful functionality, the new features make SMART Scaffolder the most comprehensive estimating software scaffolders can buy.
To see more details, visit the SMART Scaffolder website. Big Ben launches new Gold Groove™ Level
Swiss tool manufacturers Big Ben® have launched a new eye-catching magnetic level made from aircraft alloy with a smart grooved base.
According to stockists Leach’s, the golden coloured scaffolders level called Gold Groove™ is proving popular amongst scaffolders across the country, and we can see why! This ultra-tough, top shelf premium level has been machined from aircraft alloy and is said to be the perfect size and shape for scaffolders, weighing only 240g. The Gold Groove™ level also boasts a top class Vistatech™ vial which is far easier to read in various light conditions making the level far faster to work with and more accurate to work with. Apart from the level having the beautiful looks of a Italian supercar, Gold Groove has the addition of a smart groove along it’s base which ensures it always sits straight on the scaffold tube and has Induction magnetics technology™ which is guaranteed for life !
Leach’s say the development of this groundbreaking level is the result of very much research and input from Scaffolders over the years. Eventually after a lot of investments, new technology has made it possible to machine this simply beautiful tool out of a single piece of solid material.
With it’s golden colour the level comes with a golden price for it’s premium features and exquisite design expect to pay £79+VAT.
However as the saying goes ‘you buy cheap you buy twice’.
One-legged Scaffolder in battle to keep his car
A Barnsley scaffolder who suffered three amputations on the same leg along with a damaged hand has been refused higher rate mobility benefit and could lose his adapted car.
Paul Tate from Langsett Road, New Lodge in the town, fell about 12ft from a scaffold in September 2000. But it wasn’t until a few years later part of his leg had to be amputated following complications, and he’s lost even more of the same leg since. The 46-year-old was in and out of hospital, and about eight years after his accident, received the devastating news his leg would have to be amputated six inches below the knee. Despite this major setback, he carried on working as and when he could. He remained in the scaffolding trade, confined largely to driving rather than climbing ladders. Paul said: “I only fell about 12ft, but I landed badly, just on my left leg,” said Paul, 46, of Langsett Road, New Lodge. “I lost about eight inches of shin bone, it just shattered basically. They put me one of those big frames on which I had for a few years. But it kept getting infected. I worked and kept involved as much as I could, but the infection would flare up and wipe me out, sometimes for months at a time. They then had to take another inch off my leg, but I still kept working. It was totally devastating as it keeps flaring up and I’m still in and out of hospital.” Finally two years ago, surgeons had to amputate for a third time – this time above the knee. A fall , when his knee gave way, resulted in surgery to a hand needing total reconstruction. The metal plate inserted restricting it’s use, means he cannot push himself in a wheelchair and can’t use crutches. He also struggles to walk more than a few metres and only on to his flat. Paul has been entitled to a car under the Motability scheme for 15 years, which is replaced every three years. He’s always chosen to pay a contribution himself to upgrade to a larger and higher car – a Ford Cougar – as it’s easier for him to get in and out of. Last year however, he had to apply again for the benefit, but was refused on the basis he did not need the ‘higher rate mobility allowance’. A second application was also rejected, and and next month he will have to take his fight to a tribunal. “If they read my history over the last 15 years, and read what I’ve gone through, surely they can see I’ve got a mobility problem, added Paul. I’m knackered without my car basically, it gives me independence. I pull the car up the side of the house, and it’s one step from my kitchen into my car. It gets me out and about, I can get out and see the grand-kids, see friends, and get to hospital when I need to. I physically cannot get about without my car.” Paul’s twin brother Graham said: “That car is his lifeline. I just can’t believe they want to take it off him. You see people who can walk about getting cars. He can’t walk, he can’t go out without someone else with him. He’s absolutely terrified he’s going to lose it, and I think it’s just disgusting.” A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions said: “Decisions for PIP are made following consideration of all the information provided by the claimant, including supporting evidence from their GP or medical specialist. Anyone who is unhappy with a decision can appeal, and may submit additional evidence. “Most people leaving the Motability scheme are eligible for a one-off payment of up to £2,000 to help meet their needs.”Safety alert issued for Acrow Props
