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As tech powers on, we ask ourselves, where is it going to fit into the scaffold world? Of course, we understand the role it takes in the pre-tendering/pre-planning of our work, in transport and communication, but where is the future for our operatives? What’s the application to the practical world of scaffolding?
System scaffolding is now so widely used in Europe and around the world that our continued use of tube and fitting seems to baffle most people I speak to from other European countries. British contractors choose system so infrequently, the likelihood of you having used it will depend on the companies you have worked for. Geographic location also seems to influence which system you use.
I first encountered system scaffolding whilst working for Tone Scaffolding back in 2007. Their system of choice was Layher Allround and I’ll admit, my first impressions were underwhelming. I couldn’t see the point, or the advantage it gave over tube and fitting. Until, that is, I witnessed the erection of an event scaffold at ExCel London, ready for a ski show. The entire thing went up in a weekend and the result was flawless.
Things have moved on since my Tone Scaffold days. Then, the system future didn’t quite seem like reality. Now, a new player arrives on the market every year, heralding a seismic shift in attitudes and the beginning of an industry-wide adoption of system scaffold.
For those new to system, here’s my shortlist of the key players and a nuts-and-bolts snapshot of each brand based on my experience of working with them. All options include their own roofing systems.
Layher
Image credit: Layher UK
Layher wears its German Engineering with pride. There is little this system hasn’t considered, and it’s backed up by stellar technical support both here and in Germany. Completing the scaffold using all Layher components gives an unbeatable finish – it will leave your client extremely happy with the result.
The one issue I’ve heard voiced about Layher is that, to achieve the perfect fit around a building, you either have to be very lucky or use an adjustable bay. An adjustable bay is exactly what it sounds like: a component that flexes for various sized buildings in order for the scaffolds to join correctly. Once you’ve identified the need for an adjustable, you’d require one on all elevations.
The downside here isn’t the component, it’s that it falls under the category of “non-standard” or “special.” Specials are made to order and come at a higher cost.
On a personal note, I had the pleasure of meeting Mr George Layher at the product launch of Layher Allround Lightweight Components. I was looking at the Layher roofing system when the man himself came over and spoke to me. I am a simple man, and I believe that relationships and passion are the key to success. Mr Layher displays these qualities in spades; he is a true gent. If you have the opportunity to attend a Layher open day or visit them at their warehouse, do it. You won’t be disappointed.
www.layher.co.uk
Haki
Image credit: Haki Scaffolding (FB)
We Hoover (but we don’t Dyson). We Google (but we don’t Bing). Some of us apparently “Netflix and Chill” (which is potentially not safe for work, so please Google it if you don’t know what it means). Some brands are so synonymous with getting the job done, we verbify them. Which explains why just about everyone in this industry has been on site when the project manager asks for a Haki (and not just a staircase).
Haki’s climb to the top of the site staircase world – pardon the pun – is well earned. The staircase of choice for access and egress on low-volume traffic areas, it feels reassuringly rigid when in use and there are few out there that give the same level of comfort. The other jewel in the Haki crown lies in their roofing system. In a market saturated by copycat systems, so not much stands out, the consensus is that Haki has that extra capability.
The one challenge Haki faces as it eyes the big league, is that its access independence is completely underused compared with its beams, roofing system and staircases. Most people I have spoken to don’t realise that Haki, like Layher, provide a complete product range of components. As such, they remain completely loyal to Layher and haven’t considered purchasing Haki stock for an independent.
www.haki.com
Cuplok
Image credit: SGB
Cuplok is as famous as the company that created it. SGB’s flagship system scaffold was once widely used across the U.K. and popular amongst scaffold contractors for its incredible ability to work with tube and fitting. Unlike other systems that are all-or-nothing, you could erect the scaffold with the time-and-material savings that system offers, while retaining the flexibility that tube and fitting offers. To my mind, that’s a major win.
Over the past 17 years, I have watched the use of Cuplok decline to the point where it continues only through the hands of die-hard loyalists. The question is, will SGB return this once flourishing system to its former glory?
www.sgb.co.uk/products/scaffolding/cuplok-scaffold
Plattec Metrix
Image credit: Altrad Group
The new kid on the system block, Plattec is quickly making waves. It’s owned by the Altrad group and with the power of TRAD hire and sales behind it, along with the flexible finance they offer clients, I reckon the company is onto a winner.
Plattec looks almost identical to Layher but don’t let that put you off – it’s no copycat. Rather, the system carries its identity well with different applications of components and roofing systems. Being so young, there are still some problems to overcome. Plattec is not quite there yet with the full product range and they’ll have to build their component suite up quickly if they’re going to grab market share. I reckon this is one to watch.
www.tradhireandsales.co.uk/product-range/plettac-metrix/about/
Kwikstage
Image credit: Access Training Services
One of the original system access solutions, Kwikstage continues to benefit from RMD’s formidable presence in the temporary works arena and maintains a strong reputation with its staging, formwork and system scaffold. It has cracked a number of geographies and is widely used around the world. Except, interestingly, in England.
Despite the reputation, off all the systems, my experience is that Kwikstage needs a lot of improvements. It seems to be popular in Scotland and Ireland but in my 12 years of engineering and design, I have only completed five designs using this system.
www.rmdkwikform.com/products/
Against these strengths and weaknesses, how do you choose a system? As always, it’s in the individuality that you can find the best fit for you, your team and your business. All the major companies hold regular open days. Whether you are in the market for system or not, I would urge you to do some research and have the conversations that will help you to make an informed choice.
The Future is System
I sit in a lot of pre-tender meetings with main contractors and the same question keeps popping up: can we build this in system? My answer is always yes, although some projects lend themselves to tube and fit better. The conversation that inevitably follows is the shrinking of the tender pool. The reality is, not all scaffold contractors will carry system …. yet.
Like most things in business, innovation starts with a whisper, then progresses to a shout. For all us diehard tube and fitting supporters, there’s an uneasy transition ahead. System scaffolding is coming faster than you think and it’s not a question of “if” but “when.” Are you ready to crack the system?
This article was first published in the Summer 2018 issue of the ScaffMag magazine.
As dramatic as it is innovative, the scaffolding access installed during the renovation of Lindisfarne Castle in the north east of England is impressive by any measure. It is also a demonstration of the benefits associated with Layher’s modular scaffolding system and the skills of contractor John Laidlaw and Sons Ltd.
The need to address a long history of water ingress related issues – the structure, which in part dates back to the 1400’s, sits at the end of a tidal causeway some three miles from the mainland – was clear-cut. With the focus on conservation works to stonework, windows and roofing, this major project has been designed both to halt further damage and to secure the building’s long-term future.
“The work presented a series of challenges which have seen Layher’s on-site support services and our own design team combining to fulfil specific objectives, not least to provide access to virtually every part of the external structure for the specialist conservation teams,” says Alan Laidlaw, Managing Director at John Laidlaw and Sons, who were appointed by main contractor Datim Building Contractors, working for The National Trust, which cares for Lindisfarne Castle.
Image credit: Layher UK
The three-phase programme is scheduled to run over a period of some 18 months. Sitting high on a volcanic extrusion, it is characterised by a steep south-facing cliff-face against the North Sea with a further slope on its northern side. This variation in terrain had to be reflected by the scaffolding designs, as Alan Laidlaw continues –
“We were unable to tie-in into the cliff-face as this would have caused permanent damage to the rock so we used a combination of buttresses and kentledge,” he says. “This allowed us to build a firm base to a height of 24 metres up to the walls of the castle itself upon which the access lifts could then be erected. On the opposite side, we pushed the scaffold further back from the walls to provide sufficient room for an installation that sloped gradually upwards towards the castle. Again, buttresses were used.”
The latter face is also adjacent to the access road along which scaffolding components were transported. With no crane access possible, the lightweight design of Layher’s Allround systems proved highly beneficial as components were manually loaded on to two platforms, positioned at key locations in the structure. Layher’s staircase systems were also used to simplify worker access and movement around the fully decked scaffold design.
Image credit: Layher UK
“This is a highly impressive installation and we are delighted to have contributed to the majority of the access scaffolding solution,” says Sean Pike, Layher’s UK Managing Director. “Our temporary roofing system has also been a key part of the project. With a span of almost 19 metres and a length of 40 metres, the Keder Classic roof was designed in a rolling configuration in phase one and then fixed in position for the remaining two phases.” He points out that the company’s equipment was also used to create a temporary viewing platform for public use within the castle grounds.
With tidal issues to accommodate and inclement weather for much of the project period – wind speeds could vary by 40mph between the ground and the temporary roof some 48 metres higher – the Lindisfarne restoration work pays credit to all concerned. During the winter, the high level site weather station recorded winds in excess of 90 miles per hour. At one time a military fort before becoming a somewhat unique holiday home and now cared for by The National Trust, it has a long, varied and dramatic history.
Image credit: Layher UK
“It is an important part of both local and national heritage, and one that is now gaining from the combination of our own installation skills and Layher’s scaffold systems which, in my opinion, fully prove their versatility and quality with a project such as this,” concludes Alan Laidlaw.
Scaffold Sales Manager Tony Stevens is recovering in hospital following a dramatic rescue having risked his life to save his pet dog.
The operation involving fire crews, paramedics and Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service’s Urban Search and Rescue Team, took place last Saturday afternoon in Kings Lynn. With 30 responders at the scene on the Lynnsport playing field, both the 59-year-old and Tibetan terrier, Bramble, were hauled to safety from a storm drain ledge 20 feet below ground.
Mr Stevens looked on in horror as his three-year-old pet unwittingly plunged into the drain which had its manhole cover missing. The father of two dashed to the hole to see his furry friend struggling in the dirty water below, howling in obvious discomfort. His wife Karen takes up the story: “While walking our dogs Bramble and Poppy, we came across the open manhole and I stopped to phone the council to tell them about how unsafe it was.
“All of a sudden, Bramble ran past me and went into the hole. I immediately dialled 999 to ask the fire brigade to bring a ladder and get her out. When I put the phone down, I turned around and realised Tony was lowering himself down the hole. He then dropped himself in and landed on the concrete below.
“He reached into the water and pulled Bramble out, but then he shouted back up that he thought he had broken his ankle. Tony sat there holding Bramble – but there was no ladder to get them out. In the end, the emergency services came here with 14 vehicles. It was quite a complicated operation.
“I dread to think what would have happened if someone had fallen in and had been on their own. They would have been stuck down there with nobody to hear them. The drain cover must have come off in the heavy rain about 24 hours earlier, it could easily have been a child falling down the hole. I am surprised nobody else had fallen in.
Scaffold Sales Manager Tony Stevens in Hospital, Credit: The Stevens Family
“When I spoke to Anglian Water, they said that they only allowed people into a drain like that in proper bio-hazard suits and with breathing apparatus. When you hear your dog screaming its head off, you do whatever you have got to do to save it and you don’t think of the consequences. Tony loves our dogs and would do anything for them.
“I can only assume any fumes had escaped due to the manhole cover being missing for so long. When Bramble came up in a rucksack, she was covered in sewage”
It seems Tony had hit the ledge hard breaking both his shin and ankle. He did, however, manage to grab the dog and pull him from the effluent. Bramble was eventually hauled out in a harness, before Mr Stevens was strapped to a stretcher board and hoisted with the aid of a tripod and ropes, more than two and a half hours after becoming trapped.
Mrs Stevens daughter Toni, 35, arrived at the scene to stay with Tony while Karen took Bramble to the vets. She added: “The paramedics were saying they are always telling people they should not put their lives in danger to rescue their pets, but at the same time they all said they would have done the same thing.
“Tony has had an initial operation to insert metalwork and screws put in to position the bones in his shin before more surgery.
“The vet could not find any broken bones. Bramble is better than she was, but she is still a bit slow and subdued so I am taking her back to the vet in case she has internal injuries.”
Mrs Stevens posted on Facebook: “If your dog fell 25 feet down a storm drain with a missing cover – what would you do? Leave her to drown or jump in after her?”
Rescued Bramble, Credit: The Stevens Family
He now faces another procedure next week in Norwich, to repair the broken shin bone.
Norfolk fire-fighter Rob Combs, who played a role in the rescue operation, explained: “The cover of the storm drain had come off, most likely through the flooding the night before. It was hot, smelly and just took time to set up an appropriate rope line system. We wanted to take him out as straight as possible.”
A spokesperson from the Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service said: “Please be reminded if you see an animal in distress, either in water, below ground or stuck at height, don’t try and rescue them yourself, please call the RSPCA or 999 for assistance.”
The number of foreigners traveling to New Zealand to work in scaffolding and construction has reached a new record.
According to figures obtained by Newshub show in the year to May 2018, 8089 work visas for construction jobs were approved. Of those, 2231 were carpenters, followed closely by scaffolders at 2195 and steel fixers at 1192.
Geeves Scaffolding Ltd Director Tim Geeves says right now, the demand is as high as it’s ever been. “There’s a lot of construction activity going on. Not only in residential, but in the commercial sector as well.”
On their current site, there’s an even split when it comes to worker nationality.
“There would be probably 50-50 at this stage, Kiwi workers to guys on overseas visas.”
One country that dominates the numbers of approved construction job work visas is the Philippines with 4,608 followed by the UK with 798, 618 from China and 252 from Ireland.
But while foreigners are traveling to New Zealand in droves, the number of young Kiwis wanting to work in construction is also breaking records. New Zealand Certified Builders chief executive Grant Florence said it’s interesting it’s at an all-time high. The problem is the Kiwi trainees won’t be on the tools for a few years yet.
Scaffolding, Rigging & Access NZ chief executive Graham Burke said “it does take five years to become a good scaffolder or any trade, and we’ve got an urgent need.”
“A lot of them are now actually in positions where they’re helping young Kiwis learn their job,” Mr Burke said.
Foreign workers are rising up on commercial building sites across the country – and not going home any time soon.
A new policy on scaffolding has been introduced by the council on The Isle of Wight to safeguard both construction workers and the public. The legislation marks the culmination of work between the Council and Island Roads, in partnership with the Isle of Wight Working Well Together group (IWWWT). Supported by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), it will promote good practice within the construction industry.
The aim is to ensure scaffolding on or affecting the public highways is safe for both construction workers, and road and footway users. The Working Well Together group wants to ensure it does not impede pedestrian access with structures only in place for as long as necessary. From September, applications for scaffolding over or on the highways will need to include more information on the purpose of the scaffolding and how it will be constructed.
Those erecting it will be required to have the necessary industry-standard accreditation in accordance with the Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS). Scaffolding towers will be required to display consent from the council, as well as the agreed dates the structure can remain in place. By 2019, they will also have to demonstrate accreditation to the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation.
“It is imperative scaffolding is erected and used correctly and I am delighted that the Island now has more robust policies in place to ensure that happens”, said the Cabinet member for community safety and public protection, Cllr Tig Outlaw.
“This is not a case of excessive bureaucracy or overbearing health and safety requirements – it is quite simply about keeping people safe.”
IWWWT chairman Cllr John Nicholson, also an owner of a construction company, added: “Those companies on the Island who are professional and conscientious – and most are – have absolutely nothing to fear from this new approach. The price of an application will not rise but by being more rigorous it will help ensure scaffolding erected on Island highways complies with safety regulations and professional standards. It will also help Island Roads, which manages the highway network on the council’s behalf, to monitor and regulate scaffolding that is on the highway.”
One of the major drivers of this fresh approach was to force out those companies operating without proper insurance, training or qualifications.
Steve Ashman, Island Roads service director, explained: “As a business, Island Roads operates to the highest health and safety standards and we were delighted to work with like-minded people at the council and within the construction industry to develop this new approach.”
Four drop-in sessions are being organised at Island Roads’ HQ at Daish Way, Newport, for any business who have queries over the new policy.
They are on 8 August (2-4pm), 21 August (10-12 noon), 23 August (2-4pm) and 29 August (2-4pm).
A scaffold firm owner is refusing to remove scaffolding from a newly-redeveloped city centre apartment block in a dispute over pay.
Norwich Evening News reports that Russell McVey claims he is owed more than £21,000 by the developers of Grosvenor House on Prince of Wales Road in Norwich.
The 31-year-old’s company was contracted by Intro Developments in 2017 to erect scaffolding around the former office block. But following completion of the work to turn it into 80 flats, he claims he is still owed money by the Manchester-based firm.
And he is now refusing to remove scaffolding from the property in protest. He said to local media: “If we leave the scaffolding up our hope is that they will realise that they need to pay us. It should have been down weeks ago and everyone should have been paid by now. But they are saying they won’t pay me another penny.”
In response, Intro Developments, which is part of MCR Property Group, said it had paid what was owed to Mr McVey and his company Aboveall Scaffolding Services.
Chris Taylor, fund manager for MCR, warned if the scaffolding was not removed, his company will take it down.Mr McVey said Intro Developments had so far paid £269,261 for the work. But he claims he is yet to receive an additional £21,584 for the cost of scaffold and hoist hire between April and May this year.
The original fee was £157,368, but Mr McVey said it became more expensive due to changes with the project.
VPH Roofing and Scaffolding, based in Watton, owns the existing scaffolding on the side of the property. The company was brought in by Mr McVey to help with the work.
A spokesman for VPH said the company had “no intention” of taking the scaffolding down.
Mr Taylor, from MCR Property Group, said: “As per Intro Developments’ business relationship with Aboveall Scaffolding Service, we have four purchase orders on record.
“The four purchase orders were paid in full, including all costs, and there is no amount owing.” He said if Intro Developments has to remove the scaffolding, Mr McVey’s company would be charged for the work.
“If they cannot pay then we will sell the scaffolding, take out costs and return the balance to Aboveall,” Mr Taylor said.
A new CISRS approved scaffolding training facility in Saudi Arabia has been launched by TAFE Arabia (Technical and Further Education) in partnership with Simian Skill.
At the new training facility, located in Dammam, operatives will be able to undertake CISRS Overseas Scaffolders Training Scheme (OSTS) Level 1 and 2, Basic Inspection, Scaffolding Supervisor and OSTS CPD courses.
Abdulghani Alrumaih, CEO of TAFE Arabia, said: “TAFE has been providing high quality training in this region for over a decade. When we considered offering scaffold training we were only interested in delivering CISRS OSTS approved programmes.
“We are very proud to be the first CISRS OSTS in Saudi Arabia and sure our partnership with Simian Skill will be a great success, improving the skills of the scaffolding sector and helping to establish a robust and recognised qualification across industry.”
Dave Mosley, CISRS Scheme Manager, and Ian Fyall, Operations Director at Simian Skill, travelled to Saudi Arabia for the accreditation audit at the new training centre.
Whilst in the Region CISRS, TAFE and Simian took part in Scaffold Safety Awareness Workshop arranged by multinational oil and gas company Saudi Aramco, attended by more than 100 delegates from across the province.
Dave Mosley said: “I was very pleased to take part in the Scaffold Safety Awareness Workshop and would like to thank Saudi Aramco for the invitation. While CISRS UK has historically been recognised in Saudi Arabia, the development of OSTS will allow the scheme to be delivered to the sector locally, reaching a much larger proportion of the industry.”
Ian Fyall added: “Simian has had a lot of interest for training in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and have previously met with a number of providers. TAFE stood out from the crowd as they shared our ambition.
“We’ve worked together during the past 12 months to get this centre up and running to KSA standards. From our meetings with Saudi Aramco we are feeling positive for full training courses.”
Hull-based, Altitude Scaffolding has added two Volvo FE 26-tonne rigid trucks to its own account transport fleet.
The trucks are the first brand-new heavy vehicles bought by the company, in addition to being the largest types operated to date.
From its base in Freightliner Road, Hull, Altitude Scaffolding predominately works across central England, but the company does, as with previous contracts, operate across the UK and Ireland. Supplied by Pete Atkinson, Area Sales Manager at Crossroads Truck and Bus Limited in Hull, the two Volvo FE rigids are powered by Volvo D8K Euro-6 engines rated at 320hp. Behind the power plants, Altitude Scaffolding opted for Volvo’s award-winning I-Shift automated transmission system with 12 gears. The low height chassis are fitted with drop-side scaffold bodywork, which was specified with a 9,000mm length and a width of 2550mm.
Malcolm Black, Operations Manager at Altitude Scaffolding has a long career association with Volvo trucks that stretches back to the F12 and FL10 models.
“We have a mixed marque fleet, but the Volvo trucks we’ve previously bought second-hand have always been reliable,” he reports, explaining, “The company required vehicles with a larger payload capacity to deliver bulk supplies of scaffolding to out of town jobs.”
“The 26-tonne Volvo FEs tick a lot of boxes for us. We can deliver enough supplies to keep a team of scaffolders busy for days and the optional third cab seat means we can also move crew members if required,” continues Malcolm adding, “the scaffolding equipment we carry is heavy, but fully-loaded, the FEs will only be operating at around two thirds of their maximum gross operating weight. This means less wear and tear on the trucks and of course, keeps us right with legal compliance.”
“Our drivers are ‘over the moon’ with the FEs and are a massive step up from what we had,” Malcolm concludes.
Summer is officially here…The long-awaited summer issue of ScaffMag has now been published online.
Spread over 66 pages our Summer issue features an array of fantastic articles concentrating on the rise of system scaffolding that is currently driving change within the UK scaffolding & access industry.
We look at the current high profile project at London’s Big Ben and we find out what makes the world largest system scaffolding manufacture Layher tick when we visited their factory in Germany. Our new writer Andrew Kitley ‘Cracks the system’ as he shares his opinions on the various types of systems on the market and we find out why the relatively new system Plettac Metrix is a real tower of strength. Plus much more…
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