U.K. Edition
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Cape Awarded Scaffold Contract for New Fadhill Facility
“This scaffold contract award is a significant strategic win for Cape R B Hilton, it’s an important stepping stone into the Fadhili Gas Plant Project with one of our major clients with whom we have had a long and successful relationship. We are committed to delivering a safe and reliable service and will look to secure additional work packages at this prestigious project.”
NASC 2017 Safety Report Reveals Another Fatality Free Year
The National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has reported another fatality-free year in its highly regarded 2017 Safety Report.

“Once again, the NASC Annual Safety Report has highlighted how successful our members are at reducing accidents through compliance with industry safety standards and adherence to NASC guidance. No doubt, the release of SG4:15 ‘Preventing Falls in Scaffolding Operations’ was a major factor in achieving this reduction in accidents. And the fact that there’s been a marked reduction in the number of accidents – despite a record-level of NASC membership, shows what we do for our members in producing quality safety and technical guidance.”The news isn’t all good however, as slips, trips and falls were the major cause of accident and injury – representing a third of all reported injuries, for the 12th year running. NASC Managing Director, Robin James added:
“The Annual Safety Report clearly highlights what we are doing to drive up safety standards in access and scaffolding, with reliable data to back it up. NASC members are strictly audited to maintain the highest possible standards, helping to keep their contracted operatives safe on construction sites right across the UK.”The NASC 2017 Safety Report will be officially launched at the ‘Health & Safety Scotland’ Event industry trade show held at Glasgow SEC, May 3-4. The report is also being circulated with Construction News Work at Height issue on June 9th and Construction National Spring issues, with a digital reader/PDF version available here.
Layher Scaffolding System Driving Major Scottish Development
The All-round Lightweight scaffolding system from modular specialist Layher will have a major role to play in Aberdeen’s £745Million transport infrastructure development.
The scheme, Linking Stonehaven in the south to Tipperty in the north, will include four sections, 75 principal structures including two river crossings, a railway bridge and 70 culverts. The Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route will significantly improve travel in and around the north east of Scotland. The scaffolding system will be part of the general construction process. “A project of this size clearly has key scheduling objectives that need to be met,” says Sean Pike, MD of Layher UK, whose involvement was orchestrated by the company’s Livingston facility. “The speed and adaptability of the scaffold installations are critical, particularly as each bridge structure is designed to meet individual functional and location considerations.”

Scaffold Contractor MTD Midlands proudly supports Wates Charity Football Match
On the 15th of April at 12.00 pm a charity football match kicks off in aid of Marie Curie. Eileen King, mother of John King who works for Wates, sadly passed away on New Year’s Eve suffering from cancer.

John said: “Mom was a very loving, caring person who always thought of others first. Eileen was a member of Birmingham City Council Tenant Liaison Board for 20 years and was always helping people in the flats that she lived in, always helping the more elderly residents by collecting pensions and essential shopping.
Everyone in the block adored her. She never stopped helping others. Eileen’s final days were spent at the Marie Curie Hospice. All the staff were so caring, really wonderful people.”Wates kindly arranged a charity football match in honour of Eileen with all proceeds going towards Marie Curie Hospice. So far, an amazing £1,100 has been raised.
MTD Midlands, who contract for Wates, have kindly donated a football kit for the game on the 15th and Wates are very grateful for their support.
Sarah Vanes, MTD Midlands’ Operating Director pictured above, donning the yellow goalkeeper’s jersey said: “Marie Curie is a charity close to my heart, it is a fantastic cause. MTD Midlands are honoured to support our colleagues at Wates in supporting and donating to such a worthy cause.”
Many thanks from everyone at Wates.
Bilfinger Secures Multi Million Pound Dutch Contract
Asset life-cycle support services provider Bilfinger has won a multimillion pound contract with Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij B.V (NAM) and Shell UK.
Aberdeen-headquartered Bilfinger Salamis UK, will team up with Bilfinger Industrial Services NL to provide topside inspection engineering and non-destructive testing services. As a result, more than 30 new jobs will be created to the benefit of the companies‘ onshore and offshore assets in both the UK and Netherlands.
Scotti Ties Set To Bring An End to Deadmen Tubes
Innovative new scaffold fittings comes to market to bring an end to the use of ‘dead men tubes’
A revolutionary new fitting has come onto the market set to transform the way scaffolding is secured in the industry. Scotti Ledger Ties, are designed to remove the need to install ‘Deadmen’- a vertical tube attached to the handrails able to reach down and attach the toe-board.

Cinema Collapse Brings Down Scaffolding On Tyneside
Life Can be Electrifying
UK Power Networks are urging trades people to Work Safe, Stay Safe and Think Electricity.
We all know people’s lives can change within seconds. Let’s be honest, it’s something individuals see happen every day on the news. It’s difficult enough when tragedy isn’t self inflicted. But when lives are lost because we’ve been careless or foolhardy, it can make the situation so much worse. The fact is, there are hidden killers in our midst all the time, and electricity is one of the most deadly. Terrible burns can be inflicted in just a second or two, and getting too close can be fatal. And yet in terms of the working world, In 2015/16 alone, more than 70,000 trade’s people suffered injuries at work. More often, this results in taking time off and losing money. How would this effect you and your family? People in scaffolding, construction, forestry, agriculture, infrastructure or anyone else who may work near overhead lines are particularly at risk. It can be all too easy for busy trade’s people to be in a hurry, get distracted or not bother to check for service cables when working on site. It’s sometimes easy to get over-confident in our abilities and assume everything is fine, when dangers are clearly lurking. We know electricity is there, but of course most of the time it can’t be seen. There are also certain situations, in which this necessary source of power can take us unawares. Overhead power lines are often uninsulated (bare) and can carry high voltages. They can look like telephone wires, but you should never assume this is the case. In fact, you should never assume anything. Always be clear on what you’re dealing with and where the dangers can be. Electricity can jump gaps, so be aware a scaffold tube or equipment does not have to touch a power line to result in a serious or lethal electric shock. And despite what you may hear, materials such as rubber and wood may not be an effective insulator against a high or low voltage charge, and cannot be relied upon to prevent an electric shock. It’s worth remembering cranes, diggers, trucks, excavators, trailers and other plant can make contact with electricity on a regular basis. Anyone working close to live power lines should take time to read the simple safety leaflets and notices provided by a range of health and safety professionals. Many trade associations and bodies (NICEIC, NAPIT, NFU, Gas Safe Register, Road Haulage Association, and lot of others across various industries are working hard to keep safety at the forefront of their members minds. The UK Power Networks have produced a free downloadable safety leaflet for scaffolders that can be viewed here and a safety video shown below. The major UK Power Networks distribute our electricity through a series of networks, sub-stations, underground cables and overhead lines. And no matter who your own personal provider may be, electricity is always there for our use. Sadly, accidents are a part of modern life. But in terms of electricity and the damage it can course, we can all ensure they are kept to the very minimum. So always ‘Think Safe’ – ‘Always Think ElectricityNew Branding For The TRAD Group
Building an even higher reputation for excellence
April will see new branding for one of the country’s leading Scaffolding and Fall Prevention Providers. The TRAD Group has specialised in Traditional Contracting, Equipment Hire and Sales, and Specialist Fall Safety Systems for more than 46 years. Now, having become part of the Altrad Group in September 2013, the firm is set to take on a new look thanks largely to investment of £15million. “Even in the depths of the recession, we remained a very strong business,” says Des Moore, the TRAD Group’s CEO. “With both the Altrad Group’s involvement and substantial investment we’ve become even stronger, and the TRAD Group has doubled in size. The new branding reflects this and the Altrad Group’s presence in the UK market.” Hertel and Prezioso apart, the more visually recognizable branding will be seen across the whole Altrad Group, as all business entities will be using an identical core logo going forward. Change can sometimes see companies losing sight of what made them successful in the first place, but this hasn’t been the case with the TRAD Group. The top management team has remained completely intact and the company culture hasn’t changed. “The ideals that exist in the Altrad Group management charter are those at the heart of our values for the last 40-plus years,” added Des.
