Scaffolding catches fire after it was erected to remove fire risk cladding in Sydney

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Scaffolding catches fire after it was erected to remove fire risk cladding in Sydney

Scaffolding dramatically caught fire in Sydney, Australia yesterday after the office block cladding was removed less than a week ago because of concerns sparked by the deadly Grenfell Tower blaze in London last year.

Local media reports the fire ignited the plastic sheeting on the scaffolding of the building, just before 8am and climbed the exterior in a matter of minutes.

Workers had to scramble up the scaffold to avoid the wall of flames.

Fire & Rescue NSW Commissioner Paul Baxter told local reporters it was hard to tell how today’s fire would have played out if the cladding was still in place, but said it could have been “dramatically different”.

The fire was contained before it could reach the internal structure of the building, which is on Macquarie Street next to the NSW Supreme Court and near state parliament.

Twenty people were evacuated and several were being treated for smoke inhalation.

An investigation into the cause of the blaze is under way.

Scaffolding on Big Ben now complete after ‘topping out’

Daniel Norton
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Scaffolding on Big Ben now complete after ‘topping out’

The 98-meter high scaffold surrounding the Elizabeth Tower, better known as Big Ben was this week completed after the final piece was slotted in place at a rooftop ‘topping out’ ceremony.

In just over a year, with the worlds media watching, 800 tonnes of Layher has been expertly installed by PHD Modular Access on one of the worlds most iconic landmarks.

The Uxbridge based PHD began erecting the fully bespoke awe-inspiring structure in May 2017. A mind-boggling 23,500 Layher Allround components have been used to create the impressive scaffold. Interestingly, if all the scaffold standards, ledgers, transoms and bracing were laid end to end this would reach almost 20 miles.

With 47 working lifts and a temporary roof at the top, the scaffold is now fully in-place to allow urgent and vital conservation works to continue. The scaffold will encapsulate the world famous clock until 2021 when works to the Big Ben Tower are due to be completed. The upper section of the Tower however, will be uncovered as the project progresses. As the scaffold is dismantled, close inspection will take place of the finished works.

In a ceremony marking the achievement, main contractor Sir Robert McAlpine Special Projects attached an evergreen bough to the scaffold — a centuries-old ritual celebrating the highest point of building work being completed. The Director General of the House of Commons, Ian Ailles, attending the ceremony thanked the team of experts managing the huge task of restoring the Grade I listed building to its former glory.

In line with tradition, an evergreen bough is attached to the scaffold of the Elizabeth Tower to mark its topping out, May 2018 © UK Parliament/ Mark Duffy

Ian Ailles said: “The steel structure encasing the Elizabeth Tower consists of nearly 24,000 elements, weighs 800 tonnes and has taken just over a year to complete. Despite a complex programme and challenging weather conditions earlier this year, we are on schedule, to the credit of all those working on this much-loved landmark and we look forward to welcoming visitors back to the Tower.”

Paul Hamer, Chief Executive Officer, Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd. added: “As one of Britain’s most iconic buildings, it is a privilege to be entrusted with the preservation of the Elizabeth Tower. We are proud to help keep this landmark a centrepiece of our country’s rich heritage through our skills and technical excellence and celebrate this milestone in the conservation work.”

A full project report will be available in the forthcoming Summer issue of our Digital Magazine.

New Heights For Lynch Scaffolding System

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New Heights For Lynch Scaffolding System

The recent launch of a unique product has further enhanced the innovative Lynch Scaffolding System that is also improving safety in the workplace.

Their advanced double handrail and kicker board component works not just with this system but also with traditional tube and fitting scaffolds. What’s more, the designed patented coupler attachment of one fitting on top of the other allows for bay sections to be inserted level over the plain tube. Bay sections then need to be set to the required advanced double handrail and kicker board measurements.

This simple but effective piece of kit is expected by the makers to revolutionise how scaffolding is constructed in the future. It can be inserted from the working lift below without the need for scaffolders standing on steps. Given the dangers involved in the erection or dismantling of scaffolds, the take up is certain to be popular with companies across the board.

Paul Lynch told Scaffmag: “Our advanced double handrail and kicker board works with tube and fitting scaffolds by simply attaching a fitting also designed by the lynch scaffolding system, which then allows for the advanced double handrail and kicker board to be inserted before the transoms are positioned in place. On lots of other scaffolds you will see bolts or holders sticking out from the upright standards. It’s a common problem especially on new development sites when lifts are stacked with materials and walkways are then narrowed creating a greater safety risk to everyone involved.

“Because this reduces the risk of impact-related injuries, it’s perfect for a whole range of media and entertainment events where restrictive access is necessary. It’s excellent for both barrier and roof protection, and it also means no adjustable jack plates are required on ground surfaces as standard base plates will suffice. And let’s be honest, the stability of all structures starts from the base.”

The benefits of the product are certainly impressive beginning with the fact no leveling is required, as the component just sits on top of any single fittings. There are no dead men, and you simply tighten bolts with an extended ratchet spanner. It’s also worth remembering this innovative product introduction reduces time-scales hugely, which can also have a long-term knock-on effect on business profits.

Paul added: “There are three different sizes of the advanced double handrail and kicker board bay sections, and they can be purchased with an extra added brickguard if required which is welded permanently to the handrail. They all carry a galvanised steel finish.”

According to Paul the handrail and kicker board component has been thoroughly and professionally tested that has been proven to be an excellent product for handrailing, during the process of erecting high scaffolds. Scaffolders just move the bay sections up on the scaffold lifts whether erecting or dismantling.

Paul says, there is also a reversible stop end double handrail and kicker board component which has an optional inside board attachment. This all means no restrictions are needed on correct levels of working platforms, there are no costly upright standards required, and no complete restocking of materials. You just add to existing stock.

Whats it Cost?

  • 2m .385 mm length x 1 m high bay section: £ 51.50
  • 1m .935mm length x 1m high bay section: £48.00
  • 1m.245mm length x 1 m high bay section: £44.60
  • Reversible stop end 990mm x 1m 90mm high with an extended inside board attachment: £45.70

“More products will become available with the system in the coming months to improve the safety of scaffolders when erecting or dismantling of scaffolds and also improve access for all users of scaffolds” Paul added.

The Lynch Scaffolding System is certainly on the way up in making an impact in the world of scaffolding, and it seems their advanced double handrail and kicker board component is another interesting timesaving product.

To find out more please visit: lynchscaffoldingsystem.co.uk or email: [email protected]

You can also call: 01792 920211 Mob: 07875239216

Wolf whistling can now attract on the spot fines

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Wolf whistling can now attract on the spot fines

Under the new law in France, wolf whistling may soon be deemed as an act of sexual harassment.

Other forms of harassment that will be included under this law include blocking of someone’s path, following women/men and bugging men/women for their number.
Credit: Rex Features
Here in the UK, catcalling and wolf whistling has on several occasions resulted in serious consequences for construction workers. Workers in the construction industry, including the scaffolding industry, are the most notorious for catcalling and wolf whistling. There have been numerous reports made by women who have fallen victim to this unlawful acts. According to a report, a roofer lost his job after subjecting a passerby to catcalls from his van’s window. The ordeal started as a backhand compliment quickly escalated and left the victim crying. Men too have fallen victim to this type of sexual harassment with one man reporting that a female mail worker catcalled him. The fines to be issued on the spot in France with penalties are up to a maximum of £656. These changes are said deemed as important to ensure that people, especially women are not afraid to go outside and that they can report these issues to authorities if they feel they were being harassed. While catcalling and wolf whistling have been seen as a form of flirting in the past, one should feel free to report the matter if they feel that the way they were delivered was unwelcome which can be tantamount to sexual harassment. According to police reports, men who have been convicted of carrying out serious sexual harassment cases have in the past took part this type of low-level targeting of women. What seemed like innocent ‘banter’ on the streets has often led to heinous acts of sexual crime against women. With this new law, French authorities expect the number of sexual crimes such as rape and other forms of sexual harassment will be on the decline.

Video: Man falls 30 feet after scaffolding accident

Scaffmag Newsdesk
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Video: Man falls 30 feet after scaffolding accident
Video Credit: Newsflare A video showing the aftermath of a scaffold collapse on the side of a boat in the Philippines on the 12th May has been published. At a drydock in Zambales, Phillippines four workers were working on the side of a cargo ship when the scaffold collapsed. The collapse resulted in the death of one contractor while three others were left dangling. Footage taken after the first man died shows the three remaining workers desperately clinging on – with two being caught by colleagues and a third being plucked to safety with a crane. According to reports they were rushed to hospital and treated for minor injuries while colleague Ferdinand Leuterio was later pronounced dead. The injured men were Gerry Bayuta, Johnny Alegre and Vailian Dela Cruz. Zenaida Angara-Campita, regional labour department director, said: ”Clearly, there was an unsafe working condition because of an overload of workers and their equipment on the scaffolding, causing its sudden collapse. ”Aside from this, unsafe acts were also observed because of workers’ failure to use safety harnesses, as well as their supervisor’s failure to control them on the adherence to safety practices.”

TRAD Southern is top scorer for stadium scaffolding

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TRAD Southern is top scorer for stadium scaffolding
This Premier League season kicked off with several stadium expansion plans. These large-scale, high profile projects rely on scaffolding contractors who can complete the works swiftly, safely and to a high standard. TRAD Scaffolding is no stranger to stadium developments. As one of the UK’s leading scaffolding suppliers, it previously secured the package for a pioneering lighting system around the roof at Stamford Bridge, home of Chelsea FC. The club was the first to meet new league regulations for lighting evening matches. TRAD was challenged with difficult access into the ground, and under seven weeks to erect over 28,000 cubic metres. It opted for system scaffolding to meet the tight timeframe. In the three years since, TRAD has introduced Plettac Metrix system scaffold. TRAD says it is proven to be the fastest ring-based system to erect and also outruns traditional tube and fitting scaffolding. This makes it a top choice for complex structures such as sports stadiums, which need to be erected quickly and cost-effectively. “When it comes to speed, safety and flexibility across all scaffolding operations, Plettac Metrix ticks all the boxes,” says Peter McShane, TRAD Southern’s Divisional Director. “German-engineered, it features unique divisibility. This means you can use extra vertical members within the bay length and width. So the system is far more adaptable and faster to erect than other scaffolding systems,” Peter adds. Plettac Metrix also has unique perforated steel decks with built-in lifting handles, to let more light through the structure. Plus, there are wind locks and anti-tilting devices, and an optional permanent advanced guardrail. Combined, these features save on materials and labour, cut assembly times, and improve safety. The system is also CISRS-approved and NASC-compliant. TRAD and Plettac Metrix are firmly at the top of the table for scaffolding stadiums, and other prestigious projects in the UK. Over the past four decades, TRAD has been involved with the Royal Albert Hall, Olympic Park, Holborn Bars, and the Royal Festival Hall. It also supports major air, rail and civil engineering infrastructure projects. “We receive a significant amount of repeat business due to our reputation for safety, high service levels, and quality of build. We also have the expertise to quickly resolve complex issues, and deliver on time and budget,” Peter says.
TRAD Scaffolding Contractors operate across the UK as TRAD Southern, TRAD Midlands and TRAD Southern, and are part of the TRAD Group. With a nationwide coverage, the group holds over 19,000 tonnes of system scaffold and 66,000 tonnes of traditional tube, fitting and boards. No other UK scaffolding contractor can match TRAD’s capacity and equipment – making it the top choice for building large and complex projects.

Steel Price Fluctuations Hasn’t Dented Scaffolding Firm Sales

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Steel Price Fluctuations Hasn’t Dented Scaffolding Firm Sales

The price of steel has fluctuated over the past 12 months causing a bit of a headache for scaffolding firms and suppliers.

The reason for the quick changes in steel prices has been predominantly attributed to currency fluctuations over the past year – yet, its causes may be more wide-ranging than currency fluctuations alone. Working out when to buy and at what price to sell has been the main concern facing business owners wanting to avoid shortchanging themselves and keep their balance sheets looking healthy.

Steel Price

The steel industry has faced numerous obstacles since the 2008 recession and unstable demand for steel worldwide appears to have become the status-quo. Another problem is that China has had their own financial crisis meaning domestic demand is low and have instead opted to export their steel worldwide. Consequently, British manufacturers and suppliers have entered into competition with their Chinese counterparts, and have even started buying steel from China in abandonment of the British steel industry.

Despite this somewhat ongoing crisis, it is possible to improve sales and turnover during this unsettling period and the proof is in the pudding. Based in Netherton, George Roberts is an established supplier of scaffolding equipment supplying to some big names throughout the UK such as Balfour Beatty, Network Rail, and Wimpey, as well as supplying within an array of other sectors. Despite the problems caused by inconsistent steel prices, they have managed to financially progress as a business.  They managed to turnover £33.3m up from £28.96m over the last year and their pre-tax profits also increased by an impressive £200,000. A spokesman for their company stated:

‘’…purchasing at the right time and anticipating market conditions is key to our success’’

The company have said that their success is based on heavy planning, a strong focus on providing quality, and making sure their most sought after stock is always available. Not to mention, an injection into marketing strategies and introducing fresh products. It is quite evident that their success comes off the back of investing in themselves and showing their confidence of the service they provide and will continue to offer.

George Roberts

If businesses alike George Roberts can invest a lot of time into planning and analysing steel price forecasts, there is no reason why they cannot overcome the unstable steel market.

Their success should give encouragement to other scaffolding firms who operate during trying times and steel price fluctuations.

Do Scaffolders Have An Increased Risk of Premature Death?

Scott Anfield
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Do Scaffolders Have An Increased Risk of Premature Death?
Ever been told that too much exercise is bad for you? Well, in a way, they might have been right. Researchers have found new evidence to suggest that males who have highly physical jobs – such as scaffolders – are at an increased risk of dying earlier than those that do not have to undertake physical activity during their working day.
Scaffolders have a Physical Job
Image Credit: CN
The general guidelines suggest that everybody should complete at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on a daily basis. However, these guidelines have never considered the general amount of physical activity that is done over a (working) day and therefore the distinguish between what constitutes your required 30 minutes a day is ambiguous. The research was conducted by Dr. Pieter Coenen of the medical department at the Free University of Amsterdam (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam). They conducted a meta analysis of 33 other studies involving just under 200,000 subjects by using their data to get a big picture of the consequences of highly physical jobs – or ‘’occupational physical activity’’. Their findings indicated that males who work in manual and physical jobs are 18% more likely to die young than those that do not. In practice, this means that due to the amount and/or intensity of physical activity that scaffolders put their bodies through in a working day could cause complications in the not so distant future. Interestingly, the same was not found to be true with female workers and actually pointed to the opposite being true. This would mean the recommended amount of physical activity should be offset for those working in construction, factories, and even healthcare to accommodate their working exercise i.e. those with physical jobs should have a lower recommended amount of weekly exercise than those that do less strenuous jobs. It could even suggest that it is possible that too much exercise is not just bad for us, but could be fatal. However, the study has received a bit of a battering within the academic community and academics have pointed to numerous other reasons why this finding may be misleading. One argument against the results was that jobs such as construction include a lot of risks and potential accidents. Accidents can occur from factors other than the required physicality of the job such as working at heights and using machinery which can lead to poorer health. Another argument against the study was that such roles are occupied by working class people who may be under other stresses such as financial worries, or worrying about their job security. It is nothing new to test the health consequences of specific jobs and plenty has also been suggested about low amounts of physical activity within the workplace may also lead to health complications. The full study can be found in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Head for Heights Looking to Solve Scaffolding’s Mental Health Problem

Scott Anfield
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Head for Heights Looking to Solve Scaffolding’s Mental Health Problem

In a bid to tackle the stigma surrounding mental health in the scaffolding industry, the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has announced the unveiling of the Head for Heights campaign, which it hopes will assist sufferers of mental health issues in having more confidence to discuss their problems.

With mental illness such as depression and anxiety becoming more acceptable to discuss in everyday life, there has been a wave of advocates hoping to make it the norm, as well as urging businesses to show more compassion in dealing with their employees who suffer from such issues.

The initiative has been designed to help raise awareness about mental health sufferers and encourage them to feel safe and free to discuss their problems with friends, family, co-workers and employers.

There is also a goal to demonstrate to companies what steps they can take to create safe and positive environments for their employees as well as identifying and introducing solutions to take a proactive approach to helping anyone suffering from mental health problems overcome them.

Mental health problems affect one in four people every year and, according to Time to Change, half of those believe that the stigma and following isolation caused by a culture where discussing mental health is considered taboo exacerbates their troubles and can be more harmful than the condition itself.

In the construction industry, where there is a pronounced macho culture, mental health can be even more troublesome to experience. According to statistics published in Lexology, site workers are three times more likely to commit suicide than the average UK male.

It is not just the culture that makes industry workers feel powerless to discuss their problems though. Issues can also arise due to long hours, homesickness and uncertainty over job security.

Furthermore, surveys taken earlier in the year revealed that two-thirds of workers claim to want more wellbeing support. If anything, this is an indication that Head for Heights came at exactly the right time.

Working alongside mental health advocacy organisation, Time to Change, NASC is imploring its members to sign the Employer Pledge which is a social movement striving to eliminate the discrimination and social stigma surrounding mental health.

In a press release discussing the announcement, NASC Managing Director Robin James said: “We are delighted to launch our Head for Heights campaign and also sign the Time to Change Employer Pledge, demonstrating our commitment to addressing how mental health is viewed in the industry.

“There is a stigma surrounding mental health, one that is felt particularly keenly in a male-dominated industry such as scaffolding and access. That’s why we’re so keen to support people and help them find the confidence to speak up, and also support businesses looking to step up their mental health and wellbeing support.”

It can be a challenge to open up to others when you are suffering from mental health problems, but there are organisations such as Time to Change that are endeavouring to help make the struggle more manageable. To learn more about how Time to Change is making an impact, or to read and sign the Employer Pledge, please click here.

Scaffolder crushed by 500kg concrete bridge panel

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Scaffolder crushed by 500kg concrete bridge panel

A Demolition firm has been fined after a scaffolder suffered multiple injuries when he was struck by a falling concrete panel.

Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard how Vale Park Demolition Services Limited was contracted to demolish a link bridge structure at Littleborough Primary School, Rochdale. On 29 October 2015, an employee of GT Scaffolding North West Limited was struck by a concrete panel weighing approximately 500kg when he was dismantling scaffolding that was placed in front of the final part of the link bridge that was due to be demolished. The scaffolder suffered from a broken right shoulder, five broken ribs, three fractures to the spine, a punctured lung and a broken left foot. A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found the work was not suitably planned and the stability of the panel was not appropriately considered when removing the scaffolding. Vale Park Demolition Services Limited of Hazelbottom Road, Crumpsall, Manchester pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and have been fined £4,000 and ordered to pay costs of £4,397.64. HSE inspector David Norton said “The incident could so easily have been avoided by simply carrying out correct control measures and safe working practices. “Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards”.
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