An HSE investigation has been launched after a scaffolder working at Fawley refinery fell 30ft through the roof of a disused building.
It has been reported that the 33-year-old casualty landed on a concrete floor and was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital, where he is being treated for serious injuries.
Police were called to the 3,250-acre refinery following the incident and an investigation has been launched by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Reports suggest the injured man is an employee of Cape plc – one of the contractors that support the operation of the huge petro-chemical complex.
A refinery spokesman told the Daily Echo the accident occurred last Saturday at about 8am.
She added: “He was treated at the scene and transferred to hospital by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.
“The Health and Safety Executive has been informed and an investigation has been launched”
Broughty Ferry, near Dundee, scaffolding specialists A&J Maintenance Support Ltd. (A&J) revealed recently that one of their employees and management family member, Lisa Duncan was named as a runner up of the NASC apprenticeship awards 2016, which were announced at the NASC’s AGM in Amsterdam.
“We are led to believe Lisa is the first female Scottish fully Qualified CITB, CISRS scaffolder and contracting NASC member to date but third female Scottish CITB scaffolder. What she has achieved so far is incredible and we as her employer are immensely proud,” said A&J spokesperson Jaclyn Duncan.
Paul Gaze of the CITB, Image credit: Linkedin
NASC Apprentice of the Year Scheme Judge Paul Gaze of CITB said in a statement, “This year’s awards were very tough to judge, with a record number of quality entries from NASC members across the UK. Whilst it was a difficult process, two candidates in particular stood out – demonstrating their commitment to the scaffolding and access industry. They are a credit to themselves and their employers.”
Dave Mosley, NASC director of training and CISRS scheme manager said, “Congratulations to both winner Kier Phur and runner-up Lisa Duncan. This NASC Apprentice of the Year award is a great way of promoting the many apprenticeships NASC member companies create year on year – providing a backbone and lifeblood to their firms.”
A&J told Project Scotland magazine Lisa holds a degree in accountancy and law but wanted to qualify as a scaffolder after being asked to join the family business (A&J) where Lisa’s mother, June Duncan is a company director and sister, Jaclyn Duncan is the company secretary.
Project Scotland reported that Lisa is now one of only three female NASC, CITB qualified CISRS scaffolders in Scotland. Lisa told the magazine that she wants to spend more time on site and also intends to obtain her CISRS Scaffold Supervisor and Scaffold Inspection Training Scheme qualifications.
“Lisa is herself very proud of her recent collaboration with local schools off the back of her achievements and is fronting a “Girls in Construction” workshop through Go Construct (CITB) as an Ambassador later this month and is already in discussions with more Dundee & Angus schools regarding more construction (not just scaffolding) workshops for pupils considering a career in construction,” said Jaclyn Duncan.
Generation Training Services has announced their CISRS Advanced Centre approval status and the appointment of a new lead scaffolding instructor.
The Wakefield based scaffolding training facility successfully obtained the CISRS Advanced Centre approval earlier this year, after continuous high standards and extensive audits by CISRS and the CITB.
In addition to the various CISRS training on offer, the advanced status now enables the centre to also offer delegates the 10 day Advanced Scaffolding Training, Advanced Inspection courses and Level 3 Skills tests.
Generation say their Wakefield Centre is the largest commercial CISRS training facility in the UK, the 9,500sqft practical area allows for 4 CISRS courses at any one time along with PASMA & IPAF courses. The centre also benefits from five spacious classrooms and a canteen area with further expansion plans in the pipeline.
Generation Training Manager, Jonathan Gaunt said: “We are very pleased that CISRS and CITB have recognised our work to take the centre and our training services to the next level.The Advanced Training Centre approval now means that Generation Training offers our customers a one-stop shop for their scaffolding training needs.”
“The ease and convenience of everything under one roof has greatly benefited our customers which we have seen in our training bookings for 2017.”
“Our goal is to work with and support Generation customers to recruit, train and retain the skilled scaffolders they need to grow and sustain their business.We ensure every course delivers the best possible training irrespective of their level of competence. We provide the platform for the learner to start their careers in the scaffolding industry and have a place to call on for ongoing support as they progress to the top.”
New Lead Scaffolding Instructor
Image: Generation Training Manager, Jonathan Gaunt welcoming newly appointed lead Scaffolding Instructor, John Hall.
The newly appointed lead instructor John Hall will head up the team of four fully qualified and approved CISRS instructors. John has over 30 years’ hands-on industry experience, working in a majority of industry environments that vary from Street-work, Power-stations, Petrochemical Plants to working in Quarries and Offshore facilities.
Prior to joining Generation Training, John spent the last three and half years at the Nottingham and Humberside based Safety & Access Ltd.
“I feel that Generation Training are passionate about delivering really top quality training within the scaffolding industry” said John.
“With my background within the Industry, I can help Generation become an even more outstanding Training Centre.My aim is to develop the centre further to enable Generation to deliver the CISRS Supervisors Course as well as bespoke portfolio workshops and to train new instructors to be recognised as the best in the Industry.”
Generation Training Manager, Jonathan Gaunt said: “The addition of John Hall to our team further demonstrates Generation’s commitment to providing our customers with the ultimate one stop solution. With his many years of experience in the industry as an advanced scaffolder, supervisor and project manager and more latterly, scaffolding instructor/assessor, John will head up our team of four fully qualified and approved CISRS instructors.
Coming in as an advanced instructor, John is a great fit for our training division as 2016 is also a landmark year for us, gaining our CISRS advanced centre approval. In addition to supporting the team, John will also assist with the development of our future courses and oversee the training of our apprenticeship learners which currently stands at over 90 delegates.”
Looking towards the future, Gaunt added: “Our next step is to add the CISRS Supervisor course to our product range, which will complete the full suite of CISRS approved training at the centre.”
“We will also be continuing to look for new ways to improve the training experience for our learners, ever adapting to the advancement of technologies and teaching techniques to ensure that we also offer services that are able to cater to all learning styles for delegates of all levels of ability” said Gaunt.
Well before the Health and Safety at Work Act this excellent historical video depicts the life of London construction in the early 1960’s.
Interestingly the two minute clip gives us a great insight into the life of the scaffolder back in the day. When Band and Plate was king with heavy gauge 3″ tubes and 1/2″ spanners was the norm, and not a pair of gloves in sight.
With just the wearing of a pair of brogues and a flat cap for PPE, the video shows these men were literally putting their life (and others) on the line above the busy London streets below.
Video’s like these just goes to show how far our industry has progressed with hugely increased safety and technical guidance, that hopefully ensures we go home alive everyday.
Veteran scaffolder and scaffolding instructor, Fran Michna retired on November 21, 2016 receiving an award from Dave Mosley Director of Training NASC (National Access & Scaffolding Confederation). Fran has accumulated over 40 years of experience and for anyone that has worked with or been taught by Fran he will not be forgotten.
Fran spent the latter 15 years of his career with NETA Training (NETA) as an CISRS (Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme) instructor after having to give up working on the tools following a serious motorcycle accident in the mid 1990s.
Moscow Music Peace Festival in the former Soviet Union. Image Credit: klonik69.livejournal.com
After being told by a doctor that he would never work as a scaffolder again after his accident Fran retrained and began another career in instructing. “The thing with scaffolding is you get your cowboys that just throw it up and think that will do, but it has to be right,” Fran told NETA.
Fran Michna, Image Credit: NASC
“You have to be strict because what you are teaching is dangerous. When you are 300 foot in the air, you have to know what you are doing and you have to have your wits about you.”
Fran described tube and fitting as, “The best system in the world. You can build anything with it.”
Michael Allan, scaffolding training co-ordinator at NETA where Fran spent in total 15 years of his career, said, “Fran Michna has been a figure head in scaffolding for a number of years and he has always been heard of. Wherever you go people know Fran.
He has been an absolute pleasure to work with and I have learnt a lot from him that hopefully I can pass down in the training area. Fran leaves a legacy of tales behind him and no doubt will still be heard of for years to come.”
We asked Fran some questions too. And, typically he provided some insightful answers.
Q: What got you into scaffolding and why did you stay? Fran:“I was working in a boring job at the Vauxhall car factory in Luton when my friend Stefan saw an ad for scaffolders’ labourers at the Arndale Centre. I stayed in scaffolding because I liked the physical graft, the camaraderie and the money.”Q: What was the high point in your scaffolding career? Fran:“Too many to mention but some of the best were: Working at the Moscow Music Peace Festival, the first outdoor rock and roll festival in the Soviet Union. Working with the Rolling Stones. Designing and building the set for Doctor Marigold at the Arc theatre in Stockton. The set was inspired by a picture by M C Escher.”
The Rolling Stones, Image Credit: Billboard.com
Q: What do you wish could have worked out better in your scaffolding career? Fran: “Physical injuries from a motorbike accident prevented my continuing ‘on the spanners’. Although it led to a new career as a scaffolding instructor/assessor, it meant I missed out on the Oasis tour in 1996.”Q: What is, in your opinion, the biggest change in the industry? Fran: “The volume of academic components in scaffolding training.”
Q: What changes would you like to see in the scaffolding industry? Fran:“Get rid of the NVQ and go back to BS5973.”
Thank you for your service Fran. We wish you a long a happy retirement.
Sir Robert McAlpine Special Projects Division has been awarded the scaffolding contract and pre-construction service agreement (PCSA) at London’s iconic Big Ben.
The scaffolding is for essential works to conserve the Elizabeth Tower, the Great Clock and the Great Bell, also known as Big Ben.
The three-year programme of restoration and modernisation work is due to begin in early 2017 on the Elizabeth Tower, the Great Clock and the Great Bell.
The high-profile scaffolding erection for the 96m tall tower is expected to take six months alone to complete with at least one clock face left exposed during the upgrade.
The works have been designed to repair problems identified with the Elizabeth Tower and the Great Clock, which cannot be rectified whilst the clock is in action.
McAlpine will repair and redecorate the interior and renew the building services, conserving significant elements of the Tower, as designed by architects Charles Barry and Augustus Welby Pugin
The approximate fee value for the scaffolding construction and PCSA is £3.5m. The conservation of the Elizabeth Tower as a whole is expected to cost £29m.
Scaffolding works on Big Ben in 1984
In addition to the scaffolding contract, Sir Robert McAlpine Special Projects Division has also been awarded the PCSA for the remainder of the conservation works. The PCSA will be used to allow further detailed planning for the conservation of the Elizabeth Tower, the Great Clock and additional modernisation, while the scaffolding goes up.
Designed by Edmund Beckett Denison, the Great Clock was first installed in the Clock
Tower in April 1859. Parts have become worn and require repair. There are concerns about the pendulum’s accuracy, and the suspension spring, which holds the pendulum in place, needs to be replaced. The clock hands were last removed in 1984. Many of the 312 pieces of pot opal glass used to make up each clock face need to be renewed as a number have cracked over the years. In addition, the cast iron frameworks which hold the glass in place have corroded.
Access to the Tower is via 334 stone steps and evacuation in the event of an accident is carried out using a complex abseiling rig. To ease emergency procedures, a lift will be installed in one of the existing ventilation shafts.
The Rilmac Group of Companies have announced the promotion of Sam McSpadden, Rilmac Scaffolding Ltd, to Contracts Director (Southern).
Sam takes up his new post from 1 December 2016. Sam joined Rilmac Scaffolding 5 years ago and progressed quickly into management positions holding both safety and business development posts during this time.
Sam took up the post of Northampton Branch Operations Manager to become responsible for the Northampton depot in 2014. His background in Scaffolding gives Sam a strong understanding of how to consistently deliver quality projects to some of the construction industry’s most demanding clients, whilst his drive, energy and enthusiasm with the ability to motivate his team has led to the success of the Northampton depot.
Based in Lincoln and Northampton, long standing NASC members Rilmac Scaffolding provides access scaffolding throughout the UK although the majority of their scaffolding work is in and around the East Midlands, West Midlands and Yorkshire.
The winner of the inaugural NASC Scaffolding Product Innovation Award has been announced at the confederation’s AGM as Acorn Scaffolding (Yorkshire) Ltd – for their impressive £1.8M 50m (w) x 20m (h) x 90m (l) ‘Acorn Super Structure’ temporary roof at the Creamfields Steel Yard event this Summer.
The highly commended ‘Big Ben Braked Gin Wheel’
And a highly commended NASC Product Innovation Award has been given to TRAD Scaffolding Co Ltd for their revolutionary ‘Big Ben Braked Gin Wheel’ – designed to stop scaffolding loads plummeting from height.
The entries were considered by an independent judging panel (Rick Statham of Safety & Access Ltd and Simon Hughes of Simian Risk Management Ltd), with NASC Technical Officer, Ken Johnson the point of contact for judging:
Acorn Scaffolding (Yorkshire) Ltd for the ‘Acorn Super Structure’
Focus Scaffolding Ltd for their two and three board hop-up bracket for tube and fittings.
The winners were announced at the NASC AGM in Amsterdam, on Friday November 25th, where trophies and certificates were presented. And in addition Acorn and TRAD will now be able to use a bespoke NASC Product Innovation logo for a period of two years.
At the AGM, Des Moore, NASC Vice President and Chair of the NASC Hire & Sales Committee gave a presentation on the various entries, showcasing cutting edge products to the membership and the scaffolding industry as a whole.
Speaking about Acorn Scaffolding (Yorkshire) Ltd, the judges said: “Acorn came through in creating an innovative structure using an innovative product. Their aim is to help clients deliver world class, unique and memorable events –specialising in innovative, temporary scaffold-based event structures. Their brief was to push the boundaries of festival production.
“It took months of collaboration, planning and design. The effect was to give every festival goer enjoyment of the premium technical production and high end immersive technology. It is an exceptional product borne out of determination to reach solutions in close liaison with a manufacturer and client. The judges made their determination considering the project as innovation at its best.”
Runner-up, the TRAD Scaffolding Co Ltd ‘Big Ben Braked Gin Wheel.’ was highly commended for its wide-reaching benefit, ensuring that loads do not go into free fall, and for radically reduced rope chafing characteristics.
The judges said: “By applying designs from other industries to our trade and enhancing the safety of this commonly used lifting accessory, TRAD evolved this clever item through their in-house ‘Play it Safe’ safety meetings. It was seen as a major benefit to the whole of the industry – ensuring loads cannot plummet, which is a real innovation and safety feature.
“This product will undoubtedly ensure a reduction in handling injuries. Even hoisting upwards allows fluid movement and safe landing of materials – solving a major safety feature that is a common ‘near miss’ situation. It will assist in significantly ensuring safe practice and helping to ensure operatives go home safely to their families at the end of the day.”
NASC MD Robin James said: “This new biennial award has attracted considerable interest and has been superbly supported by the NASC members. It shows the ingenious and inventive nature of our membership – who lead the way with scaffolding product innovation, for productivity and safety. Credit should go to all of the nominees and the hard working members of our hire and sale committee, who pioneered this excellent scheme. And particular congratulations go to the inaugural NASC Product Innovation Award winners Acorn Scaffolding (Yorkshire) Ltd and highly commended TRAD Scaffolding Co Ltd – who the judges felt stood out in the competition.”
CADS SMART Scaffolder launches a new responsive website.
SMART Scaffolder, the scaffolding software for scaffolders, has just launched an entirely new website. The Dorset based software firm say, the new website was designed right from the outset with mobile telephones in mind. “Knowing that most scaffolders spend much of their day on the road or on site it was important that our website is easy to read and it’s easy to find what you want on a smart phone” a spokesperson said.Ian Chambers, Sales & Marketing Director at SMART Scaffolder, said “We are very pleased that we have a modern website that is as easy to use as our software solutions”.The website also includes a new video that explains the benefits of the estimating, design and TG20 compliance software in under two minutes through the eyes of one of their customers, Ducker & Young Scaffolding. The film quickly shows how the software benefits scaffolders from setting out the scaffold to producing a professional looking quote, drawings and a materials list.SMART Scaffolder spokesperson added: “The ‘responsive’ website also provides more than a quick overview of the software and has a real depth of useful information. You can find out about the various product modules, get online help, read about TG20:13 or check out who’s who in SMART Scaffolder. There are also a number of testimonials from fellow scaffolders so you can see what they think of the software in their own words”.
Necessity has proved to be the mother of invention for Malvern, Worcestershire based Malvern Scaffolding Ltd. (Malvern).
Having got past the tender stage for a £700,000 retirement village scheme with the Wates Group, which was priced in 1.5m progressive masonry lifts, it soon became clear that some innovation would be required.
Malvern’s tender was based on the assumption that the scaffold would be tied through the window openings. However, Wates’ project manager wanted to install windows while the scaffold was still at full height for roofing.
Malvern contacted ADI Supply Ltd. (ADI), a specialist in a wide variety of scaffold fixings, which agreed to work with Malvern in finding a solution. Striving to avoid drilling, Malvern with ADI attempted a brickie installed slide lock tie, which was rejected by Wates because of cold bridging concerns, and a tang type tie, the first of which fixed to the inner blockwork and the tang to the outer brickwork; both failed the pull test.
Developing the tang concept further Malvern and ADI came up with what was to become the, “Malvern Key-Tie.” The tie is essentially a hook fitting welded on to a bar with a plate welded at the end. The brickie prepares a putlog type joint, the tie plate is inserted behind the external brickwork and then turned to lock it off, then it’s a case of attaching the scaffold to the hook. Removal is the opposite process.
The Malvern Key-Tie
“The new ties are really quick to install through the slot the brickies leave behind,” said Jon Stone, Malvern’s commercial director. “There’s no drilling needed, no messing around in window openings. Just insert – lock – secure.
The scaffold is secured as in TG20 & TG4 using a hook fitting, but without the risk of damaging the front of the bricks, or having to relocate the ties once the windows need fitting. You can simply “fit and forget” and then retrieve them as the scaffold is stripped.”
Bearing in mind that compliance for most progressive masonry jobs requires a tie of around 2.5kN Malvern say that the Malvern Key-Tie was tested in-situ to 9kN and pull tested to destruction at 12.5kN. This was sufficient said Malvern to rate the Malvern Key-Tie for standard duty at 6.1kN thus covering the majority of applications.
Stone said the current version of the tie works within the around 40mm space cavity between the outside skin and the insulation, which give the Malvern Key-Tie the space to turn. However, Stone also said that Malvern has used the Malvern Key-Tie where the insulation board takes up almost all of the cavity and the tie has performed well too. “It (the tie) doesn’t penetrate the insulation board,” said Stone.
There is a bit of an education process prior to using the Malvern Key-Tie explained Stone but once the brickies understand what they have to do in order for the tie to work, “brickies have been great,” he said.
We asked if Malvern had experienced any significant labour saving through using the Malvern Key-Tie and while Stone said that the company had not performed any time and motion study yet he said that the company estimated that on a 100m perimeter building that four or five hours could be saved using the Malvern Key-Tie compared to drilling and about half of that with using window ties.
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“The contractor is so much happier with the end product,” said Stone. He said that the tie has also performed well on existing buildings too but the ability to use the tie is strongly dependant on the type of cavity that is present.
“We have entered the Malvern Key-tie as a new innovation in the NASC New Product Awards. We know we are up against some stiff competition but most of the other contenders are either system based or only used in special circumstances, whereas the new Malvern Key-tie can be used in numerous situations and will be of use to every scaffold firm in the country.
It is not just new builds either, most modern buildings have a cavity where the Malvern Key-tie can be used,” said Stone.
Having got past the tender stage for a £700,000 retirement village scheme with the Wates Group, which was priced in 1.5m progressive masonry lifts, it soon became clear that some innovation would be required.
