Generation believes the Future is Futuro. Over the next 6 months over 300 scaffolders have signed up to find out why at a series of nationwide demonstrations.
In April, it was the turn of the Edinburgh branch to show scaffolders how Futuro can transform their business and profits. Over 30 scaffolders, braved bad weather, to attend either a morning or afternoon session.Working on a Futuro scaffold, attendees saw how the innovative tension-optimised socket plate makes Futuro one the best ring systems on the market. Stress-engineered for maximum strength and weight savings, it has eight formed openings that can all be used simultaneously to house ledgers and/or diagonals set at virtually any angle. Whilst not ideal for an open-air demonstration, the hail and freezing conditions perfectly demonstrated howthe connections flat shape reduces wear and prevent ice, mortar, grit and dirt accumulation. The shape also allows the standards and socket plates to interlock to reduce the storage volume by over 5% and make it roll resistant to allow safer stacking and transportation. Attendees were impressed with the strength of the structure relative to the number of components required to achieve this. The use of steel boards as part of the integral structure means better integrity with fewer ledgers and components. The attendees saw that Futuro was 50% quicker to erect than Lok systems and 300% faster than tube fittings and boards. Gary Watson, area director for Scotland and the North East remarked on the day: “The feedback we have had has been very positive. Attendees were so impressed by Futuro we have already had enquires. The very next day we received an order for an 8-month hire. It is great to know that the demonstration was useful and underlines our commitment to our customers to provide them with the best value equipment in the market.”Combined with Generation’s design engineer team and commitment to value, Futuro provides scaffolders with quality at the best price.If you want to find out more, Generation’s demo days are FREE to attend across the country. Talk to your local branch, or check out our website for updates to see for yourself.
Wood Group has been awarded a contract to support Shell in the decommissioning of their Brent Bravo platform in the North Sea.
Effective immediately, Wood Group will prepare the platform for removal via single lift methodology. This includes conductor removal, structural strengthening and installation of under deck lift points, in addition to the modifications required to enable the platform to operate on minimum manning mode.
Dave Stewart, CEO for Wood Group’s Asset Life Cycle Solutions business in the Eastern region, said: “We have over four decades of experience supporting Shell’s Brent field and this new contract clearly demonstrates our client’s trust in our consistent delivery of innovative and efficient technical services that have been designed for offshore decommissioning challenges.“We will leverage our learnings from the delivery of the Brent Delta decommissioning scope. Our commitment is to continuing to work in partnership with Shell to ensure the safe, cost efficient and timely execution of the contract.”
Wood Group is a multinational energy services company headquartered in Aberdeen, Scotland.
This unbelievable video captured by a bystander, shows the actual moment strong winds brought down a huge 35-storey scaffolding structure.
The video captured earlier this month shows tubes and boards falling away from the building as winds of 72kmp were reported across Tehran, the capital of Iran.
The footage looks to show the entire scaffolding start to move in an upward motion before collapsing to the ground below.
Storms were predicted across the region in the days leading up to the collapse of the huge scaffold. Those working on construction sites across the region were warned of the dangers posed by the extreme weather.
PERI Ltd, the UK’s largest manufacturer of scaffolding and formwork, has provided a unique scaffolding system to help the installation of waterproofing lining at a complex escalator shaft at the new Farringdon Station for the Crossrail project. Crossrail is building 42km of tunnels, 10 new stations and improving 30 more. The finished railway will be named the Elizabeth line when it opens in central London in 2018.
After providing an intricate scaffolding system to the tunnel works on the same project, PERI utilised a combination of its Rail Climbing System (RCS), PERI UP scaffolding and heavy duty rollers to provide contractor Bam Ferrovial Kier JV (BFK) with a safe and reliable climbing system for the complicated escalator shaft. The shaft’s 30° incline meant that PERI’s technical design team had to tailor its previous solution used on the horizontal tunnels, while also taking into consideration the various access points and climbing stability.
PERI utilised a tailored mobile scaffold system on heavy duty rollers to complete the task of waterproof lining the tunnel walls. The system was able to move along the tunnel and as this method was successful, PERI and BFK took the decision to use the same system for the escalator shaft providing the safest and most beneficial solution.
The main challenge for PERI’s design team was the 30° incline. To climb up a standard vertical shaft, PERI’s RCS can be used thanks to its ‘climbing shoes’. The RCS shoe, which is normally fixed to the core walls, allows the rail to be guided up the shaft. However, on this occasion, the RCS shoe required some additional support as the weight from the scaffold, and subsequent friction, would have potentially been too heavy. PERI’s technical team decided to deploy the same heavy duty rollers (as used in the tunnel) for the escalator shaft, meaning the scaffold was securely supported and able to move freely.
The heavy duty rollers can withstand more than 250KN of weight, meaning that, when positioned next to the standard RCS shoe, the system would work efficiently and safely. Additionally, the system was pulled up the shaft using an electronic winch, provided by the contractor, which lifted from the RCS system (rather than from the scaffold).
Another significant engineering challenge for PERI was the positioning of the platform levels used to access the surface of the tunnel. As the contractor required access to specific points, PERI had to design the scaffolding to have staggered platforms. For a standard horizontal design, the platforms can be positioned at two metre intervals, however for the 30° angle, the platforms needed to be staggered as the heights on the different angles continuously changed. After extensive research and development of the 3D designs, PERI’s team were able to plan and implement a cost-effective and optimised scaffolding solution that allowed three access stations at different heights along the 7.5m long scaffold.
Tony Austin, Regional Technical Manager, South at PERI Ltd, commented: “The escalator shaft was a really rewarding project to work on thanks to the originality of the design. The Farringdon project provided our first ever rolling tunnel scaffold designs, and utilising this to an inclined application was another first for us. The end result was ideally suited for the complexity of the project, as the waterproofing could be quickly and safely installed prior to the secondary tunnel lining.”
Nathan Bond, Engineer at BFK, added: “We were happy to once again work with PERI Ltd in the construction of the station. Given the unusual design and incline, we were delighted with the system proposed. The solution was ideal for our needs and the up-front planning, technical expertise and support from the PERI team meant that we were always in safe hands when erecting the system.”
To ensure a smooth process, PERI’s dedicated scaffolding site demonstrator regularly visited the site to help with the assembly of the equipment, providing technical advice throughout the duration of the project. PERI’s equipment was delivered to the site in late March and was on-site for just four weeks. For more information.
A search is still underway tonight after a man was reported missing from a North Sea rig.
The 49-year-old man who, according to unconfirmed reports on social media is a scaffolder from the Aberdeen area. The man was reported missing at around 9:20pm yesterday from the Noble Lloyd Noble installation, located in the Mariner Field approximately 90 miles (150km) east of Shetland.
North Sea Rig Noble Lloyd Noble
Police Scotland can confirm that inquiries are continuing to trace a 49-year-old man who has been reported missing from the Noble Lloyd Noble installation.
Searches involving the Coastguard have been carried out but have now been scaled back but the man has not been traced.
Rescue vessels are continuing to search and a team of officers led by Detective Inspector Norman Stevenson has flown offshore to carry out inquiries and assist the installation.
Detective Inspector Norman Stevenson said: “An extensive search has been carried out which has involved a search and rescue helicopter as well as standby vessels and a platform supply vessel.
“The next of kin of the man have been informed of the ongoing inquiries and further information will be made available to the public when we have it. There are no apparent suspicious circumstances.”
TRAD’s people and many of their clients – including Walter Lilly – supported Workers’ Memorial Day, held on Friday, 28th April 2017.
For this poignant memorial event, a minute’s silence was held at 11am, honoring those who have lost their lives or been injured whilst at work, a devastation which has touched so many people’s lives on a deeply personal level without much thought given from the outside world.
To mark this event, TRAD office staff wore purple ribbons and TRAD’s site people wore PPE displaying the purple ribbon and Workers’ Memorial Day logo.
TRAD Group intend to continue their full support by holding memorials for years to come, reminding us of the importance of supporting Workers’ Memorial Day. Like our clients, we will also strive to improve safety for all, to produce the safest environment for our people, our clients’ people and the general public, to save lives and minimise workplace injuries for future generations:
We all deserve to return home from work; SAFE AND SOUND
Generation launch new design and support services. The move is combined with investment and development of the Futuro system. The new design and engineering team provide scaffolding sub-contractors who want to adopt a ring system or have a complex structural project with access to:
A highly skilled estimation, design and engineering team
State-of-the-art design software
Project support and financial assistance
The Generation design and engineering team are co-located with Altrad DESSA, to create a shared centre of excellence. Scaffolders, in-house designers and independent consultants can now tap into these skills to support the adoption of new products, such as Futuro, and on structurally challenging projects.
The design and engineering service now work with Generation customers to support and deliver:
On-site surveys
Hand sketches
Working CAD drawing production
Stress and structural analysis
Estimation
Material shipping and health and safety advice
Equipment solutions based on scaffold and access requirements
The service is in response to our customers increased adoption of system in response to contractor demands, financial and labour pressures. In response, Generation has increased its investment and development of Futuro and the free customer services it provides.
Futuro is a versatile Ring system, which is fully compatible with other Imperial ring systems at a fraction of the price. The provision of full design and engineering support means that Generation’s account customers and their design teams have complete support to support the adoption of Futuro and any complex project.
Futuro supports a broad range of applications, in particular, construction projects for industrial and civil engineering; where adaptable heavy-duty scaffolding systems are especially important. The vast structures and complexity of these projects make the depth of experience and design support a vital part of the specification process.
Generation believes the future of system scaffold is Futuro. Our customers can now tap into the product benefits and the free services provided to grow the projects they work on and their business.
Talk to us how we can support you within the estimation, specification, design and delivery stages.
www.generationuk.co.uk
School children and staff narrowly miss serious injury after scaffolding collapses onto a school in Wales.
An investigation by Health and Safety and Vale of Glamorgan Council officials is underway after scaffolding collapsed on to the main entrance of Albert Primary School in Penarth, Wales on Friday 5th May.
Reports suggest the scaffolding was erected on a neighbouring property and came down in high-winds. Amazingly no children or staff at the school were injured.
One parent said “My wife and kids had walked through the gate moments before the scaffolding came crashing down. A very close call”.
Image credit: Penarth News
Albert School issued a statement to parents saying “Please be made aware that the Top Gate of the school is not accessible today due to a neighbouring property’s scaffold falling across into the school premises.
Please be assured no one was injured in anyway. Due to restorative works taking place there will be considerable congestion at the end of the day.”
Planet Platforms has pledged to keep their sponsorship of the life saving YORKSHIRE Air Ambulance (YAA) going beyond the company’s 40th anniversary.
As one of the world’s leading manufacturers of working at height equipment the Wakefield headquartered business, has been proud of their relationship with the YAA. A key maintenance provider for the two helicopter operation, they also see their role as giving something back to the community. With this in mind, the team will be organizing a series of fund raising activities, as well ensuring YAA’s maintenance costs for another 12 months. MD Peter Pemberton said: “Yorkshire Air Ambulance ethos of protecting those in danger resonated with our founding principals. Planet Platforms has worked with Air, Sea and Rescue and the YAA for many years so it seemed logical to support them in our anniversary year. YAA is an independent charity operating two helicopters out of Nostell Priory in Wakefield and North Yorkshire. Being on our doorstep they were an obvious choice for our anniversary year charity. It costs £4.4m each year to keep both aircraft flying and provide the valuable service the public relies on. We have already planned a series of fundraisers throughout the year in addition to the sponsorship and would urge everyone to support them.”As a rapid response air emergency service the Charity serves a population of approximately five million people across four million acres. Planet Platforms makes bespoke working at height solutions and off the shelf scaffolding for major aviation, defence, rail, offshore and construction companies around the world. It was keen to mark its celebration by reflecting its core values.
Numbers of Front-line health and safety inspectors have been cut by 25 per cent in six years according to figures obtained by the Unite union.
In 2010 the total of inspectors stood at 1,311, but by the end of 2016 this had fallen to just 980. These shocking statistics emerged from a Freedom of Information request in the run up to International Workers’ Memorial Day. This news comes amid revelations acquired from the same source revealing it takes three years four months on average, for any sentence to be handed down after a workplace fatality. Clearly the findings are worrying for industry professionals. “HSE inspectors play a vital role in keeping workers safe,” said Unite acting general secretary Gail Cartmail. “Rogue bosses who are prepared to break safety laws, are only kept in check by the fear of being caught and punished. Fewer inspectors mean more bosses willing to risk workers’ lives to boost profits. In these circumstances it is more important than ever that union safety reps are given the training, support and time to conduct their duties and keep their fellow workers safe.” The Health and Safety Executive is the body responsible for the encouragement, regulation and enforcement of workplace health, safety and welfare. It also carries out vital research into occupational risks in Great Britain. As part of its work HSE investigates industrial accidents, small and large, including major incidents. Both Unite and workers in the construction industry will be watching the situation closely in the hope things will improve going forward in terms of growing health and safety inspector numbers going forward.
Whilst not ideal for an open-air demonstration, the hail and freezing conditions perfectly demonstrated how the connections flat shape reduces wear and prevent ice, mortar, grit and dirt accumulation. The shape also allows the standards and socket plates to interlock to reduce the storage volume by over 5% and make it roll resistant to allow safer stacking and transportation. Attendees were impressed with the strength of the structure relative to the number of components required to achieve this. The use of steel boards as part of the integral structure means better integrity with fewer ledgers and components.
The attendees saw that Futuro was 50% quicker to erect than Lok systems and 300% faster than tube fittings and boards.
Gary Watson, area director for Scotland and the North East remarked on the day: “The feedback we have had has been very positive. Attendees were so impressed by Futuro we have already had enquires. The very next day we received an order for an 8-month hire. It is great to know that the demonstration was useful and underlines our commitment to our customers to provide them with the best value equipment in the market.”
Combined with Generation’s design engineer team and commitment to value, Futuro provides scaffolders with quality at the best price.
If you want to find out more, Generation’s demo days are FREE to attend across the country. Talk to your local branch, or check out our website for updates to see for yourself. 
The heavy duty rollers can withstand more than 250KN of weight, meaning that, when positioned next to the standard RCS shoe, the system would work efficiently and safely. Additionally, the system was pulled up the shaft using an electronic winch, provided by the contractor, which lifted from the RCS system (rather than from the scaffold).
Another significant engineering challenge for PERI was the positioning of the platform levels used to access the surface of the tunnel. As the contractor required access to specific points, PERI had to design the scaffolding to have staggered platforms. For a standard horizontal design, the platforms can be positioned at two metre intervals, however for the 30° angle, the platforms needed to be staggered as the heights on the different angles continuously changed. After extensive research and development of the 3D designs, PERI’s team were able to plan and implement a cost-effective and optimised scaffolding solution that allowed three access stations at different heights along the 7.5m long scaffold.
Tony Austin, Regional Technical Manager, South at PERI Ltd, commented: “The escalator shaft was a really rewarding project to work on thanks to the originality of the design. The Farringdon project provided our first ever rolling tunnel scaffold designs, and utilising this to an inclined application was another first for us. The end result was ideally suited for the complexity of the project, as the waterproofing could be quickly and safely installed prior to the secondary tunnel lining.”
Nathan Bond, Engineer at BFK, added: “We were happy to once again work with PERI Ltd in the construction of the station. Given the unusual design and incline, we were delighted with the system proposed. The solution was ideal for our needs and the up-front planning, technical expertise and support from the PERI team meant that we were always in safe hands when erecting the system.”
To ensure a smooth process, PERI’s dedicated scaffolding site demonstrator regularly visited the site to help with the assembly of the equipment, providing technical advice throughout the duration of the project. PERI’s equipment was delivered to the site in late March and was on-site for just four weeks. For more information. 
