Coventry Scaffolding collaborates with artist on major work in Hyde Park
Coventry Scaffolding, leading independent scaffold contractor and Royal Warrant Holder to Her Majesty The Queen, has revealed its partnership with world-renowned artist, Christo, in his first major work in Britain – the majestic ‘Mastaba’. Floating on the Serpentine in London’s Hyde Park until 23 September 2018, the enormous structure, formed of 7,506 horizontally stacked barrels, required the expertise of Coventry Scaffolding to deliver an infallible structural solution.
“This was a very special and exciting opportunity for Coventry Scaffolding,” says Coventry Scaffolding’s Managing Director and Project Manager, Paul White. “We have worked on large art installations before at the Tate Modern but when I said yes to ‘a project in Hyde Park’, I had no idea it would be floating on the Serpentine.”
First contacted by Christo’s team in February 2017, Coventry Scaffolding was required to spend a month in Bulgaria (the artist’s native country) to work on a third-sized version of the ‘Mastaba’ on the Black Sea to trial the soundness of the design before beginning on its larger counterpart in London. The weight of the scaffolding originally caused the floating platform to sag in the centre but White and his team resolved this issue by placing a steel grid on top of the floating piers and this resulted in a firm and durable structure on which they could erect the scaffolding.
As part of a 100-strong project team from Austria, Belgium, Switzerland as well as England and Bulgaria, Coventry Scaffolding began to build the ‘Mastaba’ on the Serpentine on 23 April 2018. It took two months to complete and scaling up to the full 40m x 30m x 20m of the structure required additional rigidity by bracing every line of scaffolding along the length and breadth of the steel frame. “It was most impressive how a team from all over Europe worked together to overcome the project’s many challenges,” comments Paul.
He continues, “There was a lot of maths involved. Because the dimensions of the barrels as well as the 4x3x2 proportions of the structure, were fixed, tolerances were down to the very last millimetre; it was doubly difficult because of course, the barrels had to go in after the scaffolding was erected. Plus, Christo wanted the barrels to look like they were floating on the water, so the scaffolding couldn’t be visible above the water line.“
Jerome Szeemann, Project Master for the ‘Mastaba’, says, “We approached Coventry Scaffolding because of their excellent reputation and were especially impressed with Paul’s enthusiasm for the project.” He continues, “Despite the enormity of the installation and its challenges, Coventry Scaffolding’s skill and determination have ensured the ‘Mastaba’ is a great triumph.”
Hailing from Ancient Egypt, a Mastaba was a tomb-like funerary monument. Christo’s 650 tonne structure in Hyde Park is open to interpretation by visitors and will remain free to view for the public. The ‘Mastaba’ flaunts stunning red, blue and mauve hues, complementing the park’s greenery and embellishing the West London skyline.
Godiva provides platform for Guinness World Record success
Coventry-based, Godiva Access and Scaffolding has supported a successful Guinness World Record attempt by Warwick University students for building the world’s largest blanket fort.
The scaffolding specialist, which is also currently responsible for providing scaffolding solutions to Coventry’s tallest new build, provided the framework on which the blanket fort was based at cost to allow a considerable amount of the funds raised to go to charity. The record attempt, organised by a team of volunteers studying at the university, aimed to raise money for Leamington Winter Shelter (LWS). The LWS was set up by Warwick University students in order to provide shelter to homeless people during the harsh winter conditions but is now open all year round, offering accommodation to up to 40 people per night.
250 volunteers worked on the shelter which covered the entire Oculus field on the university campus. The final shelter was covered with more than 200 blankets and stood 30.4m x 14.53m x 2m high. Godiva provided 7,000kg of scaffolding which was erected in just one day by four members of the Godiva team.
With Godiva’s support, the record raised £6,000 for the shelter with the funds going towards building a new permanent premises when the current residence gets converted into student flats.
Karl Degroot, managing director at Godiva Access and Scaffolding, said: “We pride ourselves on being an integral member of our local community and already have strong ties with Warwick University having been recently appointed to its approved supply chain. We jumped at the chance to support this record attempt and help raise money for such a worthy cause and we’re delighted the record attempt was successful and generated such a significant amount of money.”
CISRS CPD One Year On
Since CISRS introduced the Scaffolder CPD in July 2017, more than 2,500 scaffolders have now completed the mandatory two-day course.
The industry recognised scheme announced their controversial intent to introduce the CPD requirement around 12 months ahead of its launch date although not all within the industry welcomed the news with open arms. However, CISRS have said in a recent press release that feedback from those who have completed the CPD to date has been overwhelmingly positive, with the vast majority of attendees stating that it was constructive and beneficial. Talking to CISRS Joe Freaney, Contracts Manager at GKR Scaffolding Ltd, said: “Before attending the course to renew my advanced ticket, I thought it was going to be two wasted days of my week. How wrong was I. “I found the course to be very informative and learned many things about TG20:13 that I thought I already knew but didn’t. It’s always good to refresh the massive amount of technical data that we use on a day to day basis. “The inspection module of the course is a valuable extra, allowing me to inspect scaffold up to an advanced level, look at scaffolds from a different perspective and examine them closely. The only part of the course I felt was of no use to me personally was the alloy tower aspect, but it may have been useful to some of the other candidates. “It was surprising how much information was delivered in the two days and the instructor was outstanding. The technical package handout was also good with all the latest SG4 and TG20 regulations enclosed, all in all a very good course.”
CISRS have stated that they will conduct an in-depth review of the current CPD programme soon, during which feedback from the industry will act as a main focus. Comments will be taken on board and the next cycle of CPD will look to address any common themes raised, they said.
Wherever possible CISRS has looked to work with training providers to offer value for money. With the help of a number of organisations (listed here) and to mark the one-year anniversary of the introduction of CPD, a series of heavily subsided courses (£50) are currently being run across the UK.
This coupled with the original pilot courses and an initial launch offer of free courses means that more than 20 courses have been delivered either free of charge or for £50 in this 12-month period. This is something that CISRS is likely to repeat in 2019.
Chris Churcher of QCF Developments, Cardiff, said: “The recent subsidised CPD course carried out at the Centre proved to be a great success. The interactive content of the course gave the delegates time to reflect on their job roles and helped to show where they could make improvements.”
The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) is currently offering a CPD cashback payment to its members, with £125 available for each operative that they put through the programme.
The completion and payment of CISRS CPD has been written into the NAECI Agreement with a similar statement is likely to be included within the CIJC Working Rule Agreement.
David Mosley, CISRS Scheme Manager, said: “Despite some reticence it has been a very busy and successful 12 months for CISRS CPD, courses are full and feedback is positive. There will always be some resistance to changes, when the card renewal and Health and Safety Test requirement was introduced into Industry training schemes in 2000, there was a much bigger backlash from the sector.
“However, the majority of people involved in scaffolding accept that the introduction of CPD was the right thing to do.”
For more information about CISRS CPD visit http://cisrs.org.uk/continuingprofessional-development/ Kent Based Scaffolder Given Suspended Jail Sentence
A scaffolder from Surrey has begun a suspended jail sentence and placed under curfew after breaking safety regulations and verbally abusing an HSE Inspector.
Steven David Connolly was sentenced to 24 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, tagged and ordered to pay £2,000 costs by Medway Magistrates. The court heard how the man employed seriously unsafe working practices, erecting scaffolding at a site in Kent on 19th August 2016. Mr Connolly refused to take advice, and instead launched a tirade of bad language and abuse, when approached and asked for his identity by a female HSE inspector. The worker then left the scaffold in an unsafe and incomplete condition offering no warning for subsequent users. The following HSE investigation revealed Connolly was not only working unsafely, but was also putting himself at risk of a serious fall from the scaffold, under construction. Mr Connolly from Lower Kingswood, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 6(3) and 8(a) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. HSE inspector Andrew Cousins commented after the hearing: “An already worrying situation was compounded by the defendant’s unwarranted abuse of a public official and then leaving the scaffold in a perilous condition. He effectively obstructed the inspector in the exercise of her duty by his attitude, language and behaviour as well as his refusal to provide his identity or who he was working for. “Those in control of work have a responsibility to devise safe methods of working and to provide the necessary information, instruction and training to their workers in the safe system of working. Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work related fatalities in this country and the risks associated with working at height are well known.” The HSE continues to take any breaches of safety extremely seriously.Scaffolding Olympics Are Coming Soon
Hold the front page…. the Scaffolding Olympics are back and coming to town.
An exciting scaffolding competition is to be held at Hengrove Football Club, Whitchurch, Bristol in August showcasing the fastest scaffolding teams in the country. Scaffolder and event organiser Stephen Gardiner hopes to bring scaffolders from all over the UK to compete in speed and strength events held at these new Olympics. “I have been in the scaffolding game since I was 16, so I remember when the industry was different as you had to work hard or the chargehand would sack you,” Gardiner said. “Last time we had a Scaffolding Olympics was in the late 80s. Imagine having fastest scaffolder written on your CV.” Gardiner told ScaffMag that Two & three hand gangs will go against the clock in erecting from a drawing various two and three lift scaffolds with traditional spanners and levels. The scaffolds will also be dismantled against the clock but with impact wrenches. Times will be deducted for wrong measurements of standard distances or working dangerously. Other events held at the Olympics will include hemping five 21ft tubes in the fastest time and 100m race carrying boards and buckets of scaffold fittings. Substantial cash prizes will be awarded to 1st and 2nd places. The Scaffold Olympics will take place on Sunday 19th August at Hengrove Football Club, Norton Lane, Whitchurch, Bristol at 11:30am. To enter the competition or if you would like more information visit: The Scaffolding Olympics Facebook Page or email:[email protected]World Cup fever grows for these scaffolders
World Cup fever has swept across the country as football fans get behind the England football team as they progress through the tournament.
In one impressive display, a team of scaffolders have erected a giant England flag on a building in Hove, East Sussex to celebrate England’s successes in their World Cup matches so far. Steve Eason and his team from Seasons Scaffolding used debris netting to create the eight-storey flag, which is proudly displayed on Albany Towers in St Catherine’s Terrace on the seafront near Hove Lawns. Talking to the Argus newspaper Steve said: “It took us about a week to do. We’ve been getting loads of comments, people cheering on the way past. The flag is 120ft long and 60ft high. Steve said other scaffolders had been particularly impressed and they had received praise from teams as far afield as Chichester and Portsmouth. He said the idea had sprung from conversations between his team in the run-up to the tournament. He said: “It just felt like a fun thing to do, and we’re happy that people enjoy it. “We are like a family here and me and the boys have all been watching the football at the pub.” Asked for his World Cup predictions, Simon said: “We ought to get to the quarterfinals and then anything after that’s a bit of fun.” Scaffolder Lewis Brinley, part of the team, said this was not the first time the team had been creative with building supplies. He said: “A while ago we made a giant game of human whack-a-mole out of rubbish chutes which was pretty fun. We’ve got a lot of love for the flag this time round, people sharing and commenting on social media.” Andy Golding, another member of the team, said: “We’re all into football and with the flag up, everyone’s been buzzing.” Discussing the current tournament, he said: “It’s been the best World Cup I’ve seen in a while. “My first was Italia 90 which was obviously great, but since then we just haven’t done as well. Euro 96 was good, but I think this is the best I’ve seen England play for several years.”My Kingdom For A Horse? As long as it’s made from scaffolding
An offshore petroleum engineer has carved a new take on the magnificence of the racehorse. And you could be forgiven for making a double take, perhaps not instantly recognising this fine equine specimen was actually made from old scaffolding boards.
Self taught artist Geoff Robinson, 62, from Barnstone, has spent the last two years carving a 2.4 metre tall horse from reclaimed wood discovered in his local area. Should the horse ever be named, ‘ecological’ would look good in any racing card, born from natural recycling.
In actual fact, this amazing piece was inspired by a real race horse as Geoff explained: “My daughter always had horses and after she moved away, she left lots of photographs at home. I have always had an interest in wood carvings, so I just decided to go for it and make it.”
And of course, this talented carver would never dream of actually buying wood for any of his sculptures also including an impressive emperor penguin. For environmental reasons it simply has to be scrap wood. His larger creation, however, is riding high in terms of local popularity. With an artistic bent running through the family it comes as no surprise to see his wife Silvana, creating an accompanying painting of the horse. She added:”His carvings are really amazing, he is very talented. You wouldn’t believe he would be able to make something so impressive out of the driftwood he finds.
“He starts off working on the wood not knowing what the final product will look like, but in the end, it is always beautiful.”
Geoff’s work may be slightly slower out of the stalls, but once the finishing line is crossed it’s every inch a clear winner. There is hope of entering his work into an exhibition, but selling the piece is also a possibility. Parting with such a fantastic beast might be easier said than done, though Geoff’s ethos is far more valuable.
“I think from an ecological side of things, it’s important that I always use reclaimed wood,” he added.
“I get a real sense of fulfilment from seeing these pieces come to life from nothing.”
A Frankie Dettori or Ryan Moore may not be able to saddle up the horse, but they would surely be just as admiring. And if they wanted a superb coffee table, then Geoff could do that as well.
We look forward to more scaffolding gems from this wonderful artist, solidly cantering to carving success.
Hero Scaffolders chase off London moped robbers targeting mum and child
Scaffolders are being named as heroes after CCTV shows them helping to chase off a moped gang of muggers who targeted a mum and child in broad daylight.
A gang of four men on a black moped and motorbike can be seen on the footage loitering on a corner on Sandpits Road in South West London. While two of the men drive down a side street, the remaining two approach the mother and young child who are crossing the street, hand-in-hand. One of the men dressed in black and wearing a motorbike helmet makes a grab towards the woman, who instantly pulls her child to safety, swinging the infant into her arms and running across the busy road to escape the men. As the two men begin to make there escape a red scaffold lorry pulls up and scaffolders jump out to give chase without a second thought of their own safety. These unidentified heroes have yet to be named but sources have told us they work for DSL Scaffolding Ltd off Willow Lane Estate, South London.CISRS Accreditation Renewals in Oman & Nepal for Safety & Access
Training specialists Safety & Access have announced that following recent stringent audits by CISRS their partner centres in Oman and Nepal have passed with flying colours.
Safety & Access say their partner STS have a fully accredited centre at Nizwa in Oman and have continued to expand their client base and course capability. A full range of courses are available through STS including Level 1 and 2 Scaffolder Skills training along with inspection and supervisor training.
The centre also saw the recent introduction of CPD courses for scaffolders wishing to renew their Level 2 qualification.
Additionally their strategic partnership with AECOR in Kathmandu, Nepal continues to go from strength to strength with hundreds of candidates attending CISRS courses each year.
The candidates primarily go on to find work in the Middle East to support their families in Nepal and this also offers a great facility to our clients across the Gulf to enable training at source.
The CISRS accredited Nottingham and North East Lincolnshire based training firm has international training facilities in the Middle East, South Korea & Nepal.
