NASC Launches SG4:15

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NASC Launches SG4:15

At a packed AGM in Leeds the NASC last night launched eagerly awaited SG4:15 ‘Preventing Falls in Scaffolding Operations’ guidance.Snip20151128_31

As previously mentioned, many of the principles of SG4 remain unchanged in this update, however SG4:15 provides more guidance on systems of work and available equipment to help comply. SG4:15 also contains several new areas of guidance that have been included to reflect the availability of new innovations and changes to recognised ‘good practice’ The new additions include guidance on:
  • Chimney scaffolds
  • Bridging with beams
  • Floor height lifts
  • Cantilever scaffolds
  • New PFPE (Personal Fall Protection Equipment)
  • Loading bay gate installation
Breaking from convention the NASC have made available the new guidance as a FREE download. Download SG4:15 – Preventing Falls in Scaffolding Operations

Scaffolder is prosecuted after Roofer falls to his death

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Scaffolder is prosecuted after Roofer falls to his death

A Castleford scaffolder has been prosecuted after a worker fell to his death from a roof.

Walter Booth (trading as WB Roofing) was carrying out repairs to the roof of Micklegate Methodist Church, Pontefract on 3 September 2012. A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found the scaffolding edge protection provided by Mr Wayne Morgan (trading as Barnsdale Scaffolding) failed to follow the profile of the roof edge leaving a gap through which 63 year old Mr Booth fell. Wayne Morgan of Barnsdale Estate, Cutsyke, Castleford, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 8(a) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005, and was sentenced to 200 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay £15,000 in costs by Wakefield Magistrates Court. After the hearing, HSE inspector Sarah Lee commented: “This was an entirely preventable death. In this case the scaffolding edge protection was not sufficient to prevent a person falling from the roof. The scaffold installation should have been erected correctly, follow the profile of the roof and have no large gaps. The standards for scaffold are well known and have been in place for many years. It is vital that scaffolders ensure that scaffold is erected as per the standards and it is checked after it is erected, to ensure that everything is in place.”

NASC publishes updated guidance notes

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NASC publishes updated guidance notes

The NASC has released a raft of seven revised and updated Technical Guidance (TG) and Safety Guidance (SG).

The revisions come as part of the NASC’s on-going commitment to refresh published technical and safety guidance on a five year cycle. NASC members have already received copies of seven guidance notes in the post during November 2015 these will also be available to full members via download, free of charge, via the NASC website. A full list of the updated guidance and what’s included as follows:
  • SG6:15 – Manual Handling in the Scaffolding Industry: A well-established document that remains robust and valid (date changes only).
  • SG9:15 – Use, Inspection & Maintenance of Lifting Equipment and Accessories for Lifting in Scaffolding: A complete review with new visuals.
  • SG31:15 – Management of Slips and Trips: Significant changes including added images.
  • TG7:15 – Scaffold Board Nailplates: Date changes only.
  • TG8:15 – Fire Damage: Cost of fire damage evaluation does not warrant recovery of metal components.
  • TG11:15 – Stress Corrosion Cracking in High Tensile and Alloy Steels: Minor amendments only including change of date.
  • TG17:15 – Identification of EN74-1 Couplers: Date changes only.
The technical guidance notes are comprised of short 1-2 page update sheets, whilst the safety guidance notes are longer, made up of six to 48-page documents respectively. NASC MD, Robin James said: “With a wide range – from a short TG8 update on fire damage, to a much larger SG6 revision on manual handling in the scaffolding industry – these seven revised technical and safety guidance notes will be useful updates for the NASC membership and wider industry. “The revisions also go to show the lengths that the NASC’s hard working committees go to in keeping guidance up to date with the latest health and safety and technical trends. Publishing these documents is at the heart of what the confederation does – making sure our membership continues to set the industry standard in scaffolding.”

CITB funds Aberdeen academy to build new £500,000 scaffolding training centre

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CITB funds Aberdeen academy to build new £500,000 scaffolding training centre

ASET Training Academy has been announced as the preferred bidder to develop a new £500,000 scaffolding training centre in the North East of Scotland, with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) jointly funded facility set to open in September 2016.

CITB is commissioning the facility due to increasing demand for scaffolders and insufficient training in the region. With £300,000 in funding towards building the facility, CITB will invest a further £200,000 on training over the first three years of operation. CITB will now work with ASET Training Academy – a part of North East Scotland College – on the details of the initiative, ahead of a deal potentially being signed early in 2016. Alex Birks, Head of Strategic Training Provision at CITB, said: “ASET Training Academy has a strong track record in providing high quality training, which is why we are delighted to have moved a step closer to building this new and much needed facility. “There is growing demand for scaffolding courses in the North East of Scotland, so this will ensure world-class training courses will be brought to where they are needed most.” Atholl Menzies, Chief Executive at ASET, responded:  “My fellow Directors and I from both the ASET Training Academy and North East Scotland College are delighted to have been selected for this contract”.

Scaffolder receives life-changing injuries after 9m fall

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Scaffolder receives life-changing injuries after 9m fall

A bristol based scaffold firm has been fined after a scaffolder was seriously injured after falling nine metres.

Bristol Magistrates Court heard how on 23 July 2013 an employee of Tubular Access Scaffolds Limited was dismantling a scaffold structure when he fell, causing life-changing head injuries. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident, which occurred at Berkley Crescent, Clifton, found that there was no evidence of preventative measures taken by the company before the incident. Tubular Access Scaffolds Limited, of Duckmoor Road, Ashton, was fined a total of £26,250, after pleading guilty to offences under the Work at Height Regulations 2005. Speaking after the hearing Health and Safety Executive principal inspector Helena Tinton said: “If the company had managed a safe system of work with properly trained and equipped scaffolders, then the employee would not have suffered such terrible injuries.” 

Video: Scaffolding Training in 1969

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Video: Scaffolding Training in 1969

A video has emerged showing how scaffolders were being trained in 1969.

British pathe has published a very interesting snapshot video of scaffolders being trained at the old CITB scaffold training center in Mitchem, London. Well before harnesses and the conception of SG4 & TG20, the video profoundly highlights how far our great industry has progressed to become a world leader in scaffolding training and safety. The video also shows Big Ben and parts of Westminster covered in scaffolding. Old school scaffolders, we salut you. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.  

SG4:15 – Preventing falls in Scaffolding Operations announced

Daniel Norton
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SG4:15 – Preventing falls in Scaffolding Operations announced

The NASC have announced the latest edition of the safety guidance SG4 – Preventing falls in Scaffolding Operations.

For almost 20 years and 200,000 copies later the popular guidance notes SG4 continues SG4:15 to be revised and developed for the better, which has now become the established minimum standard for fall prevention in the scaffolding industry today. With a new title ‘SG4:15 – Preventing falls in Scaffolding Operations’ is described in the new NASC Yearbook 2016 as “evolution not revolution” it continues to focus on the current preventative and protective measures that are classed as good practice, like for instance, creating the ‘Scaffolders Safe Zone’. Many of the principles of SG4 remain unchanged in this update, however SG4:15 provides more guidance on systems of work and available equipment to help comply, also a wider selection of methods for a contractor to consider for creating the ‘Scaffolders Safe Zone’ Overall SG4:15 reflects the focus of the guidance to protect scaffolders working at height during erection, alteration and dismantling procedures. The latest edition of the guidance will be launched later this month at the NASC AGM in Leeds on 27 November.  

TRAD Group – Going for Growth

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TRAD Group – Going for Growth
Since joining the ALTRAD Group of Companies in September 2013 the TRAD Group has received substantial investments totaling £10 million from ALTRAD Holding, this has enabled growth in this two year period of almost 70%. This obviously significant fund injection only made possible by becoming part of the Group combined with minor organisational restructuring, “a key objective of the ALTRAD Group bespoke Management Charter “Pathways to the Future” resulted in the TRAD Group joining the ranks of the top five Scaffolding Groups in the UK today, with further organic growth yet to come. Des Moore – TRAD Group Managing Director said: “I would like to personally Thank, Mohed Altrad, Louis Heutz, the ALTRAD Holding Team, our Chairman Hayden Smith and above all the TRAD Group Management Team and our entire workforce for their huge efforts in helping to make this happen, along with exciting new plans for further growth, we look forward to increasing our market share into 2016 and beyond.”

New TRAD Commercial Vehicle Fleet – Protecting People and the Environment and enhancing service levels.

Trad Group

TRAD is proud to announce the completed purchase of 15 new Scania HGV units complete with 1.5 Ton Fassi Cranes at a cost of £1.7 million. These modern high quality vehicles are fully Euro 6 compliant helping us to protect the environment by reducing emissions, particularly in London where TRAD Co mainly operates, this is part of our continuous drive to reduce our carbon footprint and improve our Environmental Management System accredited through BSI to ISO 14001.

Moreover, as part of our continuing focus on improving safety for our Employees and the General Public, all 15 vehicles have been fitted with top of the range cameras. These enhancements help protect Cyclists and Pedestrians by substantially reducing blind spots in the Driver’s field of sight. TRAD currently holds Bronze FORS Accreditation and this purchase of the new Scania HGV units solidifies our commitment to achieving the FORS Silver standard early next year.

Trad Group

Furthermore, these new Lorry Loader Cranes enable a much safer working environment with a major advancement in remote controlled Lifting Operations. All TRAD’s HGV drivers have received certificated Training, allowing them to control every aspect of the lifting process from any position around the truck, thus resulting in increased visibility of all operations improving safety and enabling us to give a better quality service to our customers.

New Trucks – New Livery

The new trucks have been liveried with distinctive new paintworkTrad Group and visuals, helping them to stand out and promote the TRAD and ALTRAD brands. Featuring striking graphics and the ground-breaking use of “chrome” film, the vehicles promote our new ‘Metrix’ scaffolding system, as well as the five key safety behaviours that form our Behavioural Management of Safety Programme, Play it Safe. They also celebrate our parent company the ALTRAD Groups affiliation with the Montpelier Rugby Club, which is personally owned by Mohed Altrad.

The trucks have been transformed into a highly effective form of mobile messaging, promoting continual awareness of our Behavioral Management Programme ‘Play it Safe’ as well as promoting both the TRAD Group and ALTRAD Group Brands.

NASC shortlisted for Pride of Construction Award

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NASC shortlisted for Pride of Construction Award

The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC), has been shortlisted for a top award for its outstanding commitment to supporting apprentices.

NASC is in the running for a prestigious Pride of Construction Award at the annual industry prize-giving run by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). The awards celebrate all of the best people, companies and partners in the construction industry. This year’s ceremony, which takes place on 25 November at the Natural History Museum in London, arrives at an exciting time for the construction industry, with 10,000 jobs forecast to be created in Greater London alone over the next five years. The NASC has been nominated in the Outstanding Strategic Partner category in recognition of its best practice initiatives such as its commitment to apprenticeships, and its promotion of the scaffolding industry training scheme (CISRS). NASC Director of Training, Dave Mosley commented: “We are very pleased to be nominated and shortlisted for this Pride of Construction award. As the UK’s scaffolding and access trade body (NASC) we work closely with CITB to make the construction industry a safer place in which to work. “It’s gratifying to receive recognition from CITB for our role in achieving this; and indeed to be recognised for our work as a CITB strategic partner. We have a long and proud history of working with CITB, helping to raise the profile of industry training in the construction sector.”  

Workers jump for their lives as scaffold collapses

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Workers jump for their lives as scaffold collapses

Three firms have been prosecuted by the HSE after workers had to literally jump for their lives when a huge scaffold collapsed into the River Brain in Essex.

Renovation work was underway at the Former Riverside Centre, Braintree when on the 1 July 2014 a forty meter run of independent five lifts high collapsed. Workers leapt through open windows to avoid falling with the huge scaffold. The HSE commenced a full investigation into the incident and charged three firms with various breaches of law. Principal contractor Parkland Developments Ltd, scaffolding contractor SC Cousins Scaffolding Ltd and CDM co-ordinator Haze and Safety Ltd all found themselves before Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court. The court heard HSE’s investigation found numerous failings on site;
  • The CDM co-ordinator had failed to provide suitable and sufficient advice to the client (Parkland Developments Ltd) or ensure that the arrangements were being implemented on site.
  • The principal contractor (Parkland Developments Ltd) failed to implement the construction phase plan or ensure that they planned and managed or monitored the scaffolding works.
  • The scaffolding contractor failed to plan the work or design the scaffold. They also failed to send trained and competent workers to site. In the weeks prior to the collapse, a scaffolding labourer was acting as the supervisor and overseeing trainee scaffolders in erecting, altering and inspecting the scaffold.
  • Not one of the duty holders had identified there was no design for the scaffold.
HSE served a Prohibition Notice following the collapse, stopping all further work until an adequate design had been drawn up. Following the collapse, SC Cousins Scaffolding continued to send untrained scaffolders to site and Parkland Developments allowed them to adapt the scaffold. Parkland also continued to allow site labourers to adapt scaffolding, even providing the tools to do so. the court was heard how Parkland Developments Ltd had received an inspection from HSE at the same site several months prior to the collapse where five enforcement notices were issued for other management failings. A Notification of Contravention was also issued on CDM co-ordinator Haze and Safety Ltd for failing to provide suitable and sufficient advice to the client. SC Cousins Scaffolding Ltd had also received an inspection from HSE at a different site five weeks before the collapse and had been informed of the design requirements for scaffolding. Parkland Developments Ltd of Witham Road, Black Notley pleaded guilty to safety breaches. They were fined £20,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,893. S C Cousins Scaffolding Ltd of Church St, Billericay pleaded guilty to breaching Work at Height Regulations. They were fined a total of £15,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1,981. Haze and Safety Ltd of Meadowside, Braintree pleaded guilty to breaching Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007. They were fined a total of £5,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1,981. After the hearing, HSE inspector Adam Hills said: “This collapse was entirely preventable and it is only by chance that multiple fatalities did not occur. It beggars belief that following the collapse, no lessons were learnt and untrained people were still allowed to adapt the scaffold. “This case highlights the importance of ensuring those who undertake construction work have the relevant skills, knowledge, training and experience to do so.”  
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