First Female Scaffolder Joins GKR
GKR have had the pleasure in announcing that Yvette Freeman has joined the company as a Trainee Scaffolder. Yvette brings an impactful set of capabilities and experience to her role, having worked as a Police Constable for the British Transport Police.
London based GKR Scaffolding say her dedication to safety processes, proactive attitude and great communication skills set her apart from other candidates. The recent headlines about how only a handful of women are working as scaffolders caused some industry debate. For a while, GKR have been involved in various industry initiatives to address the skills gap and increase diversity in the industry. It was this that encouraged Yvette to apply to work for the business after having a dialogue with Vicky Welch, who is behind the Facebook community, Females in Scaffolding.
Yvette Freeman said: “It means a lot to me that a business has recognised my potential after switching careers, and is willing to invest in my training and development. I’ve been keen to build a career in construction since leaving the Police force and then working as a labourer for a renovations company. I’m really excited about training and working with GKR, and helping break down barriers in the industry.”
Yvette will also be working on GKR’s BetterFuture programme, advising and acting as an ambassador for skills and diversity initiatives. Yvette knows how important it is to have female role models within an industry after having a female mentor in the police.
“It would be great to walk past a building site in a few years time and see women scaffolders at work. I’d like to think that I played a part in them choosing construction and scaffolding as a career by showing them that women can do it.”
GKR’s MD Lee Rowswell added: “What impressed us about Yvette was her attitude and approach, and given that she comes from a different industry she will bring valuable transferrable skills. We hope that our announcement about Yvette will encourage women and anyone wanting a career change to see past perceived barriers to working in this sector. This goes a long way in ensuring we attract the right skills, not just the right gender to our industry. We are genuinely excited about Yvette joining us and helping her shape the career in construction that she aspires to.”
Rotherham Scaffolders Found Guilty of Health And Safety Breach
A scaffolding company and director have been heavily fined for breaching Section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
Sheffield Crown Court passed sentence on Bullet Scaffolding Limited, after hearing how a worker suffered life changing injuries following a fall from height. Shane Percival fell through a fragile roof light, six metres onto a concrete floor receiving severe spinal injuries.
The accident in November 2014 left him paralysed from the waist down. Mr Percival was working from the roof, fixing guard rails around the perimeter of the industrial unit at the time.
A subsequent investigation by the Health and Safety Executive revealed the company and director failed to adequately plan for working at height, or provide a safe system of work. Bullet Scaffolding were contracted to provide edge protection around the roof of the unit at Aldham House Industrial Estate, Wombwell, Barnsley, so the host company could repair damaged roof lights.
The Rotherham based company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and was fined £65,000 and ordered to pay costs of £3600. Tony Jackson of the same address pleaded guilty to breaching and was fined £5000 and ordered to pay costs of £3600.
HSE Inspector commenting after the hearing said: “It was foreseeable Mr Percival and others could have fallen off the edge of the roof or through a fragile surface. The accident was entirely preventable by using a mobile elevating work platform or by constructing an independent scaffold thereby avoiding the need to access the roof.
“As a result of the accident the lives of Mr Percival and his family have been tragically affected.”
The Executive is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice, promoting training; new or revised regulations and codes of practice, and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement.
CISRS Teams Up With Training Providers To Provide A Series Of Fully Funded CPD Courses
CISRS have announced that with the collaboration of four of their approved training providers they are able to offer six fully funded (free) CPD courses across the UK in July and August.
The providers involved – LTC Training Services, National Construction College, Safety and Access Ltd and Simian Skill Ltd – have agreed to run these courses at a greatly reduced price, CISRS will be picking up the cost of the training courses, the course literature and renewed CISRS cards for all delegates attending.
Dave Mosley CISRS Scheme Manager said: “All of the providers taking part have been heavily involved in the development of the CPD course through their positions on the standardisation committee. We would really like to thank them for all of their hard work and their generous offer to work with CISRS to provide these fully funded courses.”
If you include the two CPD Pilot courses which took place at NCC Midlands in February and March 2017, this project will allow for almost 100 operatives to meet the CISRS CPD requirement and be issued with their Mobile Access Towers (MATS), Scaffold Inspection and CPD endorsed cards, free of charge. Had this training been delivered commercially it would have cost in the region of £30 – £35K.
CISRS are considering working with other approved providers later in the year in order to offer additional subsidised courses, should the programme prove to be a success.
The courses are open to all scaffolders or advanced scaffolders who have a card which expires in 2017.
Places will be offered on a first come first served basis and limited to 1 delegate per company in the first instance.
Those interested must contact the centers directly to secure their place and must act quickly as the first course takes place 3rd/4th July (see dates and contact details below.)
Monday 3rd/Tuesday 4th July 2017
Simian Skill Ltd Warrington
Contact: [email protected]
tel: 0345 602 2418 (option 1)
[email protected] tel: 0345 602 2418 (option 2)
Monday 17th/Tuesday 18th July 2017
NCC South (Erith, Kent)
Contact: Course Bookers [email protected] tel: 0344 994 4433
Monday 24th/Tuesday 25th July 2017
Safety and Access Ltd (Catch, Immingham)
Contact: Sarah Cockell [email protected]
tel: 0115 979 4523
Camilla Sunderland [email protected]
tel: 0115 979 4523
Monday 31st July/Tuesday 1st August 2017
LTC Training Services Ltd (Plymouth)
Contact: Carol Holmes [email protected]
tel: 01752 485 303
Monday 31st July/Tuesday 1st August 2017
NCC Scotland (Inchinnan)
Contact: Course Bookers [email protected]
tel: 0344 994 4433
Monday 31st July/Tuesday 1st August 2017
NCC East (Bircham Newton)
Contact: Course Bookers [email protected]
tel: 0344 994 4433
For further details on CPD or the Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS), please visit www.cisrs.org.uk or email [email protected].
Dave Mosley CISRS Scheme Manager said: “All of the providers taking part have been heavily involved in the development of the CPD course through their positions on the standardisation committee. We would really like to thank them for all of their hard work and their generous offer to work with CISRS to provide these fully funded courses.”
If you include the two CPD Pilot courses which took place at NCC Midlands in February and March 2017, this project will allow for almost 100 operatives to meet the CISRS CPD requirement and be issued with their Mobile Access Towers (MATS), Scaffold Inspection and CPD endorsed cards, free of charge. Had this training been delivered commercially it would have cost in the region of £30 – £35K.
CISRS are considering working with other approved providers later in the year in order to offer additional subsidised courses, should the programme prove to be a success.
The courses are open to all scaffolders or advanced scaffolders who have a card which expires in 2017.
Places will be offered on a first come first served basis and limited to 1 delegate per company in the first instance.
Those interested must contact the centers directly to secure their place and must act quickly as the first course takes place 3rd/4th July (see dates and contact details below.)
Monday 3rd/Tuesday 4th July 2017
Simian Skill Ltd Warrington
Contact: [email protected]
tel: 0345 602 2418 (option 1)
[email protected] tel: 0345 602 2418 (option 2)
Monday 17th/Tuesday 18th July 2017
NCC South (Erith, Kent)
Contact: Course Bookers [email protected] tel: 0344 994 4433
Monday 24th/Tuesday 25th July 2017
Safety and Access Ltd (Catch, Immingham)
Contact: Sarah Cockell [email protected]
tel: 0115 979 4523
Camilla Sunderland [email protected]
tel: 0115 979 4523
Monday 31st July/Tuesday 1st August 2017
LTC Training Services Ltd (Plymouth)
Contact: Carol Holmes [email protected]
tel: 01752 485 303
Monday 31st July/Tuesday 1st August 2017
NCC Scotland (Inchinnan)
Contact: Course Bookers [email protected]
tel: 0344 994 4433
Monday 31st July/Tuesday 1st August 2017
NCC East (Bircham Newton)
Contact: Course Bookers [email protected]
tel: 0344 994 4433
For further details on CPD or the Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS), please visit www.cisrs.org.uk or email [email protected]. NASC announce support for its members as CPD approaches
The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation have set aside £30,000 to help members needing to meet the CISRS CPD scaffolders requirements by 1st July. This initial funding will enable them to make a payment of £125 to NASC member companies, who support their employees through this process. These monies will help subsidise training costs for 240 operatives in the first instance. A further £20,000 will be ring-fenced for additional CPD funding (160 operatives), should this initiative prove successful.
“The Confederation fully supports the introduction of the CISRS CPD requirement prior to card renewal”, said NASC President Alan Lilley of Commercial Scaffolding Ltd in Hull. “We see the benefits it will bring to the scheme, the individual card holder and their employers. We do realise however, as with all training these benefits do not come without costs. As such NASC is looking to reinvest a substantial amount of money into NASC member companies who support their employees through this process, and meet the costs of the CISRS CPD training.”
Operatives must hold a current valid CISRS Scaffolder or Advanced card renewed via the CISRS CPD 2-day course, to be eligible for funding. A link will be provided by NASC enabling members to complete an online application form in order submit a claim. Applications will be verified via the CISRS database prior to funding being released, with payments being made within four to six weeks for those who meet the criteria. Any individual member company will be limited to a maximum of 10 applications initially.
UK Scaffolding Contractors currently paying a CITB levy will be able to apply for a CITB short duration training daily attendance grant. This currently stands at £50 per day for employees completing CISRS CPD training. CITB are currently running a pilot scheme with NASC members which could see the daily attendance grant figure to be raised to £100 per day for those undertaking CPD when the new CITB funding is made available later this year. Again, this will be available to all both NASC and non NASC members
CISRS Scheme Manager Dave Mosley said: “It’s great to see the level of financial support NASC is willing to make available to assist their membership a possible figure of £50,000 and I hope I can convince them to consider further funding in 2018.”
A number of subsidised CPD courses will be available across the UK over the coming months. Though all will be open to employers, it’s strictly on a first-come-first-served basis. All will be limited to one candidate per company. CISRS with the support of National Construction College, LTC Group 87, Safety and Access Ltd and Simian Skill Ltd, will be running the scheme.
“The Confederation fully supports the introduction of the CISRS CPD requirement prior to card renewal”, said NASC President Alan Lilley of Commercial Scaffolding Ltd in Hull. “We see the benefits it will bring to the scheme, the individual card holder and their employers. We do realise however, as with all training these benefits do not come without costs. As such NASC is looking to reinvest a substantial amount of money into NASC member companies who support their employees through this process, and meet the costs of the CISRS CPD training.”
Operatives must hold a current valid CISRS Scaffolder or Advanced card renewed via the CISRS CPD 2-day course, to be eligible for funding. A link will be provided by NASC enabling members to complete an online application form in order submit a claim. Applications will be verified via the CISRS database prior to funding being released, with payments being made within four to six weeks for those who meet the criteria. Any individual member company will be limited to a maximum of 10 applications initially.
UK Scaffolding Contractors currently paying a CITB levy will be able to apply for a CITB short duration training daily attendance grant. This currently stands at £50 per day for employees completing CISRS CPD training. CITB are currently running a pilot scheme with NASC members which could see the daily attendance grant figure to be raised to £100 per day for those undertaking CPD when the new CITB funding is made available later this year. Again, this will be available to all both NASC and non NASC members
CISRS Scheme Manager Dave Mosley said: “It’s great to see the level of financial support NASC is willing to make available to assist their membership a possible figure of £50,000 and I hope I can convince them to consider further funding in 2018.”
A number of subsidised CPD courses will be available across the UK over the coming months. Though all will be open to employers, it’s strictly on a first-come-first-served basis. All will be limited to one candidate per company. CISRS with the support of National Construction College, LTC Group 87, Safety and Access Ltd and Simian Skill Ltd, will be running the scheme. Spitfire Scaffolding Reaching For The Sky
BoS Family Business of the Year Winner constructing success
Spitfire Scaffolding is flying high as winners of the first BoS Family Business of the Year Award. Putnoe based Nigel, Barry and Stuart Corbett created the company in 2009 after they saw work drying up during the infamous credit crunch. All they had to their name was a single lorry, but just eight years later the business is quickly expanding as other family members join the firm. Orders have soared, enough for them to also look for a new apprentice. “Back when we started we were such a small business, we had just one loading bay for our equipment. “It was an amazing experience, the feeling when we won, it was a total shock and has been great ever since,” said Managing Director Nigel.Godiva Erect Largest Free Standing Scaffolding in Coventry
Godiva Group have erected what is believed to be the tallest free-standing scaffolding in Coventry.
Godiva were contacted by Coventry’s University Hospital Maintenance contractor Vinci Facilities to assist with an emergency scaffold at the hospital, due to the potential of spalling Render on an area of the building adjacent to the emergency ambulance entrance.
Godiva contacted system manufacturer AtPac who produced a fully buttressed free-standing system design within 12 hours. No ties were permitted into the building fabric due to it being rendered, patching difficulties as well as a lack of through tie opportunities.
Godiva commenced the structure following design approval the next day and the structure was erected by a team of 4 operatives within 7 working days to a height of 28m with a fully buttressed supporting scaffold. The free-standing structure incorporated two public protection gantries a full height system staircase for operative access both during erection and for the client, as well as a fully decked façade access scaffolding. A full height rubbish chute was added as a designed item a few days later for material removal at high level.
Managing Director Colin Taylor said “this was our first experience utilising the AtPac system and from the initial design through to project completion i have been impressed with both the response and overall level of service provided.”
“The system provided an increased level of safety, reduced manual handling , whilst increasing output levels, resulting in a delighted client and a quality finish, a great effort all round, a real platform for success for all concerned in my view.”
Wood Group wins industrial services contract for Royal Navy submarines
Wood Group has been awarded a new industrial services contract by BAE Systems Submarines.
Effective immediately, the two-year contract is to provide insulation installation services to the UK Royal Navy’s Astute class submarines based in Barrow-in-Furness, and includes up to three one-year extension options. Wood Group is currently contracted by BAE Systems to provide a range of industrial services including painting, cleaning and insulation to the Royal Navy’s existing surface ship fleet and its Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers under construction in Rosyth. Dave Stewart, CEO for Wood Group’s Asset Life Cycle Solutions business in the Eastern Hemisphere, said: “Wood Group has supported the Royal Navy for 40 years in the provision of marine painting. This award builds on our reputation for providing industrial services and protective insulation technologies to the marine sector. “We look forward to continuing our strong collaborative relationship with BAE Systems, delivering engineered hull and pipe insulation to the Astute class – the Royal Navy’s largest and most powerful fleet of attack submarines.”Electrocuted Scaffolder Returns Home
Jamie Mines on the mend following scaffolding nightmare
Scaffolder Jamie Mines who lost both arms and a leg following a massive electric shock on a five metre high scaffold has been allowed home from hospital. The 33-year-old dad of two and talented lower league footballer from Somerset, has spent six months recovering following his horrific injuries sustained while helping construct the scaffolding. Jamie was taken to Southmead Hospital just two weeks before Christmas after the accident at Kendrick Industrial Estate on Galton Way in Swindon. The injuries were so severe he was placed into an induced coma and also lost the toes on his remaining leg. His girlfriend Harley Ware kept a bedside vigil as he lay in a serious condition while friends set up a fundraising page to support his young family. She revealed: “After being told of his electric shock my heart sunk. It just kept getting worse. It seemed every time I’d get a phone call was to tell me that he’d have another limb removed. I couldn’t stop crying all week, each time something else had happened. But the overwhelming support for Jamie from strangers around the world kept him going.”
Three-year Scaffolding Project Gets Underway at Big Ben
Scaffolding is now visible as a three-year programme of essential works to conserve the Elizabeth Tower, the Great Clock and the Great Bell, also known as Big Ben gets underway.
Over the next three to six months scaffolding will continue to creep up the UK’s most famous clock tower. In a carefully planned program of works in consultation with Historic England, The scaffold will reach a height of 96 meters to enable access for contractors to carry out essential external works lasting three years.
The scaffolding will be progressively dismantled from the top, and at least one clock face will be on show at all times.
Extensive conservation works was last carried out on the 160-year old tower more than 30 years ago between 1983 – 1985, significant work and an investment of £29m is now required to ensure it remains in good condition and is safeguarded for future generations.
Steve Jaggs, Keeper of the Clock, said:
“This historic clock is loved by so many people. It is both an honour and a great responsibility to keep it in good working order for public enjoyment. Every day our team of highly skilled clock mechanics cares for this Victorian masterpiece but, in order to keep the Clock ticking, we must now take the time to thoroughly inspect and restore it.
These essential works balance value for money with Parliament’s custodial responsibility to the building as well as to those visiting and working in the Elizabeth Tower. This project will enable us to give one of Britain’s most famous landmarks the TLC it so desperately needs and deserves.”
“This historic clock is loved by so many people. It is both an honour and a great responsibility to keep it in good working order for public enjoyment. Every day our team of highly skilled clock mechanics cares for this Victorian masterpiece but, in order to keep the Clock ticking, we must now take the time to thoroughly inspect and restore it.
These essential works balance value for money with Parliament’s custodial responsibility to the building as well as to those visiting and working in the Elizabeth Tower. This project will enable us to give one of Britain’s most famous landmarks the TLC it so desperately needs and deserves.”
Avontus Software Launches Global Web Presence
Avontus Software has launched two new websites to manage their ever-growing global footprint. Customers can now securely place credit card orders in GBP, Euro, and USD, as well as manage their subscriptions.
“Our customers want to buy our software and instantly use it. A good portion of our business is Pay-As-You-Go, which is a subscription that has an affordable startup fee and a small monthly payment. After purchasing, customers are able to activate and use their new software within minutes. They can also log on and manage their payment methods and activate or deactivate their software online whenever they want,” says Andrew Smith, Avontus UK Sales.
Both Avontus.com and Avontus.co.uk are mobile-friendly sites that run on secure https, ensuring that all customer visits are encrypted.
In addition to the helpful content found on the site, how-to videos are kept up to date with the current releases of the software. Additionally, visitors are not required to provide personal information or create an account to see how the software works.
Manufacturer catalogues are freely downloadable on both websites to support the ever-expanding manufacturer base that is supported in Scaffold Designer.
“Not only do we work to constantly improve software for our customers, we also recognize the need to automate our internal processes. This keeps us efficient internally and allows self-service for our customers,” says Brian Webb, Avontus Founder and CEO.
For more information please visit Avontus at https://www.avontus.com or https://www.avontus.co.uk/.
“Our customers want to buy our software and instantly use it. A good portion of our business is Pay-As-You-Go, which is a subscription that has an affordable startup fee and a small monthly payment. After purchasing, customers are able to activate and use their new software within minutes. They can also log on and manage their payment methods and activate or deactivate their software online whenever they want,” says Andrew Smith, Avontus UK Sales.
Both Avontus.com and Avontus.co.uk are mobile-friendly sites that run on secure https, ensuring that all customer visits are encrypted.
In addition to the helpful content found on the site, how-to videos are kept up to date with the current releases of the software. Additionally, visitors are not required to provide personal information or create an account to see how the software works.
Manufacturer catalogues are freely downloadable on both websites to support the ever-expanding manufacturer base that is supported in Scaffold Designer.
“Not only do we work to constantly improve software for our customers, we also recognize the need to automate our internal processes. This keeps us efficient internally and allows self-service for our customers,” says Brian Webb, Avontus Founder and CEO.
For more information please visit Avontus at https://www.avontus.com or https://www.avontus.co.uk/. 
