Christian Brash from John Brash & Co. asks why sales of Grade A scaffolding boards are on the up when BS2482:2009 was supposed to be their death knell
Christian Brash, Chairman of John Brash.
The introduction of BS2482:2009 marked a watershed in the scaffolding industry, with new rules on board sizing, timber quality, board construction and the grading of scaffolding boards.
It replaced a British Standard that was nearly 30 years old. It introduced a new grade for 38mm boards – a 1.2m span and revised the grading requirements for 38mm boards with a 1.5m span and 63mm boards. The new 1.2m spam 38mm board was to ensure a safe and practical standard for what was the Grade A board
We thought it would spell the end of unregulated scaffold board, and for a while we were right because sales nosedived. However, Grade A boards are making a rather worrying comeback. But why is that?
We can only assume that it is because of three possible reasons.
The first is that BS2482:2009 is now six years old and although it’s an established standard, it’s probably long been forgotten. Despite the importance of these standards, I’ll bet there are very few scaffolders who can rattle off all the British Standards and specifications for the industry. And why should they? They’re all busy trying to earn a living, and paperwork is sometimes an inconvenience. There’s no point getting bent out of shape about it, as it’s just a fact of life.
The second is more concerning, as it’s clear that the standard is being ignored by some manufacturers. Again, as it’s been a while since BS2482:2009 came in, it gives some manufacturers scope to either pass off substandard boards as the real McCoy or blatantly sell Grade A boards to a section of the market that couldn’t care less, as a board is a board is a board.
That’s the Achilles heel of the British Standards Institute, which oversees the introduction of all these standards, which are designed to improve quality, health & safety and a range of other benefits. There’s no active enforcement of the standard for scaffold boards, and it’s down to individuals or a company to use a board that is ‘fit for purpose’.
It seems that the only time the authorities really get involved is when there’s an accident. And then it’s too late. Can you prove a Grade A is ‘fit for purpose’ and is graded to take the loads you require?
The final reason could be the name. For many people, the term “Grade A” indicates the best quality, but nothing could be further from the truth when it comes to scaffold boards. So it’s easy to see why the name may serve to confuse some people buying scaffold boards.
When you drill down even further, it seems that Grade A boards are flourishing because it comes down to a simple choice between price and safety.
We know that the industry is ruthlessly price competitive and that a few quid can be the difference between winning and losing a contract. Is buying the cheapest possible boards that don’t pass any safety standard tests the answer?
That’s not a question we can answer. As a manufacturer, all we can do is make the best boards we can that do comply to British Standards and hope that the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) and the Health and Safety Executive keep banging the drum to promote safe working environments.
Are you David?
David, a salesman at Zeta Scaffolding, had become frustrated by the seemingly endless number of phone calls, emails, and texts he was receiving during his work day. “Getting equipment to my customer is my top priority,” he said, “but it can be hard to find 5 uninterrupted minutes to create an estimate. My customers will call me urgently, asking for equipment they needed yesterday. I figured there had to be a better way.”
David knew about Quantify, the inventory management program. Then he learned that Quantify’s Request Portal makes communication with customers more efficient. Customers can use the Request Portal to specify what they need and salespeople receive instant notifications. Now David has a streamlined way of handling his customers’ requests.
A customer’s new request
Notifications are linked to a centralised website so David can view them on his phone or laptop. Any time a request is added, changed, or deleted, David, his customers, and anyone else subscribed to the job are notified. Everyone is always up-to-date.
His customer, Melissa, loves the Request Portal. “I don’t have to spend time on the phone detailing what I need,” Melissa says. “I can quickly log into the portal, send a note, and David takes care of it. Plus, I can check the order status any time day or night. It’s great.”
A list of customer requests in the Request Portal.What do you need to know?
David can control what information he needs from his customers. For hire-only jobs, he may ask his customer to fill out a bill of materials, without needing to know what the final structure is. For other jobs, he may simply need a description of the scope of work, such as, “Need a stair tower built next to the south end of the building”. If his customer already has materials but needs a quote for additional parts, labour, etc., he can quickly convert a request to an estimate and add additional charges such as transport and consumables.
An equipment request showing a bill of materials.
Some materials at Zeta’s project in Birmingham are managed by other Zeta employees. These employees were added to the list of users allowed to manage requests so they, too, receive status updates. And, since Quantify allows unlimited users, Zeta management doesn’t need to worry about additional license costs when new users are added.
The request portal is just one feature of the Quantify Web module. David and his customers can also see detailed, up-to-date views on what’s happening at a job site as well as what’s currently stocked. For example, the shipment pivot report lists every single delivery and return from a job in an easy-to-use matrix format.
David can also use Quantify Web to effortlessly map all of his assigned jobs. If a job tracks individual scaffolds, he can instantly view them and their details. Plus, a QR code scan will provide a complete history of inspections, a bill of materials for the structure, and the ability to locate scaffolding in the field on a mobile device.
Quantify integrates with Scaffold Designer, the automatic scaffold drawing program, so you can streamline your entire scaffolding process from drawing to bill of materials, quotation of the job, and invoice. It’s a complete, end-to-end software solution and you’ll finally be able to help your customer today with what they need tomorrow.
Contact Avontus Software for a free trial.
Avontus Software Ltd
www.avontus.co.uk [email protected]
01223 926298
Following the launch of its innovative Plettac Metrix scaffold system, TRAD Hire & Sales Ltd has announced its partnership with CADS – the UK’s market leader in structural design and estimating software for the construction industry.
As part of the new partnership, TRAD will be implementing CADS SMART Scaffolder software across its nationwide network of hire and sales depots. CADS is also developing a Plettac Metrix module for use by existing SMART Scaffolder users in the industry.
John Paterson, Managing Director of TRAD Hire & Sales, spoke recently about this exciting new development.
“As part of the launch of Plettac Metrix, we recognised the importance of providing first class support alongside a first class scaffolding system, so we’ve partnered with the UK’s market leader for scaffolding design and estimating software. With system scaffolding the thinking needs to be done before the equipment is delivered to site. SMART Scaffolder is an incredibly powerful tool which now enables our depots to effectively build the scaffold first in a 3D environment, then with the click of a button we can produce material lists, drawings, 3D views and quotes. This not only dramatically speeds up our response times but also improves accuracy. Modelling the scaffold first also allows us to identify and overcome any potential issues before anything is delivered to site.We’re also working with CADS to develop a Metrix module for SMART Scaffolder. This means that very soon, existing SMART Scaffolder users will be able to contact CADS and purchase the Metrix module as a bolt on to their existing package, giving users access to a full suite of Metrix components.”
Cape plc has been awarded a new offshore Clair Ridge contract with BP worth £9.8M securing 170 Jobs.
Cape plc, a leader in the supply of critical industrial services to the energy and natural resources sectors, continues it’s current relationship with BP after being awarded a new Clair Ridge contract worth £9.8m, with further future phases added over the next 18 months.
Clair Ridge, 75km west of Shetland, is the second phase of development within the Clair field – the largest undeveloped hydrocarbon resource on the UKCS. The contract is in support of the hook-up and commissioning of BP’s two new bridge-linked Clair Ridge platforms. Effective from July 2015, the contract will secure around 170 jobs for Cape employees through the provision of core services including access, insulation, coating, passive fire protection and platform services for the Clair Ridge hook-up work.
Joe Oatley, Chief Executive, Cape plc said: “We are delighted to be awarded this further contract by BP. Cape has a longstanding relationship with BP and we look forward to continuing to work with this important client to deliver our critical industrial services to this prestigious project”.
The NASC announce update for its Code of Practice (CoP).
The CoP product compliance list, documents compliant scaffolding products currently supplied by audited NASC hire/sale members.
The National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) originally introduced the CoP in 2007 for system scaffolds. The scope of the CoP has since been expanded to incorporate EN39 tube, EN74-1 couplers, BS2482 timber board and aluminium beams.
TG20 compliant unit transoms and high tensile 3.2mm tube will be added in 2016.
Audits are carried out by a third party consultancy company QSI Ltd at NASC member company UK sites and in the majority of cases at manufacturing sites worldwide. The audit is specific to new product at point of entry to the UK.
The confederation have produced a list that can be viewed here of compliant system scaffolding products currently supplied by audited NASC hire/sale members. In some instances compliant products are also supplied by other NASC hire/sale members.
NASC MD, Robin James said: “The rationale behind the NASC CoP audit was to introduce a level of compliance that supplier members should adhere to, with the audit covering Quality Systems & Procedures, Product Testing, Raw Material & Components and Process Control. Where appropriate relevant BS, EN & ISO Standards are utilised.“We are confident that the scaffolding industry and the wider construction sector will find the NASC CoP compliant product list a very useful document.”
Hull based Burflex Scaffolding Ltd beats the recession and continues to expand after investing £750,000 purchasing 47 new vans.
The major investment comes after the family owned business has shown impressive solid growth over the last four years growing it’s turnover from £2M in 2011 to almost £10M in 2015.
The firm was established 12 years ago by Steve Cox and his wife Tracy and two staff, the husband and wife team now employs 147 people.
Speaking to the Hull Daily Mail, Managing Director, Steve Cox said:
“We’ve steadily grown through the recession.“The company has been developing the right management structure to make it possible for us to grow.“It was tough through the recession but we’re a proactive bunch.”
Mr Cox said his firm survived through a focus on keeping existing customers and careful management.
He said: “I think the main reason we’ve been successful in the recession is repeat custom.“There are a lot of people we’ve worked for prior to the recession who’ve kept us in work.“We’re now certainly one of the largest family-owned scaffolding firms in Yorkshire, and possibly beyond.”
The business is now rumoured to be setting its sights to expand further by breaking into the Petrochemical and heavy industry.
48.3 announce the launch of a new Northern regional office and the appointment of a new team member.
One of the UK’s leading design firms 48.3 Scaffold Design has today announced the launch of their new Northern Regional Office based in Leeds, Yorkshire. The launch comes after the company’s services, headquartered in the South has been in huge demand nationwide in recent years.
48.3 have also announced the appointment of Ivik Masek to head up the new regional office and joins the firm’s Board of Directors.
48.3 new Northern region office
Ben Beaumont, Managing Director at 48.3 commented: “Opening our second regional office is a huge milestone for the company and geographically Leeds is the perfect location to allow us to do this. Being able to personally service our central and northern UK clients and expand our reach is really exciting for us as team and we are delighted to we welcome aboard Ivik Masek to help us do this”.
New team member Ivik Masek
New team member Ivik Masek has a wealth of experience in Design Engineering. Having been lucky enough to work for Alwyn Richards for the past ten years, Ivik has had the opportunity to work on a diverse range of projects including power stations, new builds and shopping centres plus the well documented £8 million refurbishment of Selby Swing Bridge and Lincoln Cathedral. This experience has allowed him to develop expertise in specialised fields including Network Rail and Historical Listed Buildings.
Ivik is also a professionally qualified Engineering Technician and is a active member of the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE). In recent years he has also become a ICE Reviewer, assessing candidates who want to become professional members and encouraging high standards in the industry.
Ivik added: “I am really excited to be taking on the challenge of running and developing the 48.3 Northern Regional Office. I have known Ben Beaumont for over ten years so when the opportunity came about to work with him and the team it was one I couldn’t turn down. We both have very similar mindsets and both strive to continuously improve the industry, there are endless opportunities for 48.3 to explore and it’s a very exciting time for both the company and myself”.
Altrad NSG helps to secure up to 165 jobs after securing multi-million pound contract renewals with two of the UK’s leading chemicals firms.
The scaffolding and industrial services company based in Deeside, which operates across the whole of the UK has today announced the firm has renewed contracts with INOVYN ChlorVinyls and Tata Chemicals to provide access solutions, repair and maintenance services across several sites in the North West.
The three-year contracts have a combined value of up to £16.5m, enabling the firm to continue its existing work at INOVYN ChlorVinyls’ chlorine production site in Runcorn, providing services including insulation, surface preparation, blasting and painting.
Altrad NSG will also deliver full access, repair and maintenance services to Tata Chemicals at the British Salt site in Middlewich, as well as its production plants in Winnington and Lostock.
Mike Carr, Managing Director at Altrad NSG, said: “These contracts are a fantastic boost and fill us with confidence that our unique approach to client needs puts us in a strong position to continue our expansion and create further jobs.“Our collaborative approach, experience and expertise has allowed us to develop excellent long-term relationships with INOVYN ChlorVinyls and Tata Chemicals, evidenced by the fact we’ve been working with INOVYN ChlorVinyls in Runcorn for more than 20 years now.“By working in partnership with our clients we can meet project goals safely, on time and within budget.”
Back in June the firm announced that it had been awarded its first major offshore contract after securing a five-year agreement with oil and gas exploration and production company Centrica Energy.
The HSE have issued a safety alert for Extendable Scaffolding Loading Bay Gates for the use of cable ties to secure loose mesh and unsafe means of operation.
The Health and Safety Executive yesterday raised the alarm after becoming aware that a number of manufacturers/suppliers are marketing an extendable scaffold loading bay gate that the HSE state does not satisfy legal requirements or applicable standards when in some configurations.
When extended the loading bay gate, which forms part of the edge protection on a scaffold, is not robust enough to fulfil this function and is therefore not suitable and sufficient to comply with the Work at Height Regulations 2005. This safety notice applies to all similar types of loading bay gate as described below.
The Safety Alert issued by the HSE is as follows:
The loading bay gates subject to this safety notice originate from a variety of manufacturers/suppliers and comprise two panels made up of tube and mesh (see photo 1). One panel section is fixed length and the other is telescopic and can be adjusted to the required width of the loading bay. This allows a width adjustment from approximately 2300mm to approximately 3900mm. The mesh infill spans the full width and height of each panel. There is no horizontal mid rail. This loading bay gate design is reported to be available in steel and in aluminium.
The mesh infill is typically 3 mm gauge on a 50 mm square pattern and each edge is welded to the fixed length panel. To allow the telescopic panel to slide during adjustment the mesh on this section is loose. Supplier instructions seen suggest the loose mesh should be fixed to the gate perimeter using plastic cable ties after this panel has been telescoped to a width suitable for the loading bay.
Photo 2: Loose mesh panel not secured to extending frame
This type of gate has been found on a number of construction sites where the mesh was loose and able to detach when pushed (see photo 2) so would not be able to resist a person leaning or in particular falling against it, and would also allow loose materials to fall from the platform.
The gates in question open by rotating upwards around a pivot fitting mounted approximately 500mm inboard of the gate (see photo 3). Because this type of gate has very short rear levers it is usually opened by lifting the handles on top of the gate, placing a worker right at the edge of the platform with a gap beneath the gate that can exceed 1.5 metres high. When fully open there is a gap beneath the gate of approximately 1 metre height although this is about 1 metre inboard of the open edge of the loading bay (see photo 3).
Photo 3: Gate in open position folded up and over to rest on fixed edge protection.
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 Schedule 2 requires edge protection used for construction purposes to be of suitable strength and rigidity and to comprise the equivalent of a top rail, a mid-rail and a toe board. Where no mid rail is present any mesh panels or similar must be able to achieve an equivalent level of containment.
This safety alert does not apply to designs of upward rotating loading bay gate that are robust and are operated from the rear of the loading bay and which close off access to the loading bay when the gate is open. These should already comply with BS EN 12811-1:2003 ‘Scaffolds – Performance requirements and general design’ which sets out the standards expected for loading bay gates.
Action Required:
For gates of the type described in this safety alert stainless steel cable ties will be accepted as an interim measure for securing the mesh panel, and should be installed to the gate supplier’s instructions. Typically this will be one cable tie per 300mm. Unless the gate manufacturer/supplier allows a lighter duty cable tie, ties rated at minimum 75kg loop tensile strength should be used. Note that most cable ties are not designed to be suitable for reuse following loosening or removal. Alternatively, this aspect of the safety alert can be complied with by installing the extendible gate in the fully closed (narrowest) configuration thereby not requiring the use of cable ties.
Stainless steel cable ties should be included as part of the 7 day scaffold inspection.
Options to allow the gates in question to be opened without workers being able to slip or trip and fall through the gap underneath the open gate or the large gap while opening the gate include remote opening using rope over a scaffold rail or pulley fixed above and inboard of the closed gate. Or moving the gate pivot further inboard and extending the operating levers – this may remove the need to fully rotate the gate during opening. Both these methods allow operation from the rear of the loading bay platform – ie at least 2m back from the open edge.
HSE has been informed that the supplier of one model of the gates in question is working on a design change to bring the gate to a standard that meets EN 12811-1 during operation and use. HSE expects manufacturers/suppliers of similar gates to do the same. These improvements will need to address the securing of the mesh infill panels; the risk of the gate opening due to a person or materials falling against it; and the level of fall protection provided when the gate is operated or open.
Cable ties are not a permanent solution, However it is appreciated that many of these gates are manufactured and shipped from overseas and that changes will take time to implement. HSE will accept the correct use of stainless steel cable ties as an interim measure until the end of December 2016. After that date Enforcement Notices will be considered on a case by case basis for inadequate gates and/or gate designs. During the interim period gate installations that do not meet the minimum standard set out in this document will be subject to appropriate enforcement action.
For more information please see the safety alert on the HSE website
Many scaffolders across the country are ditching the traditional scaffold spanner in favour for a never tiring Impact Wrench (battery depending) for the erection and dismantle of scaffolding.
Could this be the future for our industry? Will we all end up having one of these hanging from our belts? But seriously.. should we be using Impact Wrenches ?
The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has been busy behind the scenes performing vigorous tests tightening couplers with two popular types of impact wrenches and a wide range of drop forged couplers. The couplers were from different suppliers in various conditions, new, used, lubricated and unlubricated. Over 60 tests were completed.
No Concerns
Industry experts at the NASC analyzed the data and found no concerns or adverse effects to the couplers from the tests carried out with both impact wrenches and the traditional scaffold spanner. Subsequently the NASC has deemed the use of impact wrenches for scaffolding purposes acceptable.
However the confederation has released a statement highlighting several important recommendations to be considered by the employer before the use of impact wrenches by operatives:
The recommended force required to tighten a fitting is 50 N/mtr as stated in EN 74. Most wrenches have stated torque settings (N/mtr) in excess of this recommended figure. However during testing it was noted that settings published by the manufacturer can differ greatly from what is actually achieved. It is therefore recommended that any employer considering authorising the use of impact wrenches carries out testing to establish that the impact wrench which they intend to authorise for use by their employees is capable of applying the correct torque to scaffold fittings on a consistent and recurring basis. Further to completion of an adequate risk assessment by the employer the impact wrench may then be deemed fit for purpose for erection/dismantling and alterations to scaffolding by their employees.
It is recommended that prior to use of an impact wrench on site the employee should first undergo a suitable period of training, familiarisation and monitoring, to ensure that the impact wrench is being used in the correct manner at all times.
The NASC recognises that impact wrenches can offer certain benefits. However members and users of such equipment should be aware that there is potential for concern regarding use and operation. Employers should adequately assess the risk for their own particular situation and ensure that they put in place protocols to cover safe use. It is recommended that any assessment should also address noise and hand/arm vibration.
In addition to the initial training and familiarisation phases, it is recommended that employers should carry out regular toolbox talks refreshing operatives with company policy and rules for the safe use of impact wrenches.
In the event that a nut is stripped off the ‘T’ bolt it is recommended that the fitting should be returned to the employer’s yard where a new replacement ensemble (‘T’ bolt, nut & washer) can be fitted by the company’s maintenance team.
Impact wrenches are normally supplied with rechargeable lithium batteries that provide a more stable power pack. However the confederation recommends that all users follow manufacturer’s instructions and that battery life should be monitored.
This statement only applies to drop forged scaffold fittings. The NASC does not recommend the use of impact wrenches with ‘pressed’ type scaffold fittings.
The NASC has also developed a basic Form which users of impact wrenches may find useful.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
David can also use Quantify Web to effortlessly map all of his assigned jobs. If a job tracks individual scaffolds, he can instantly view them and their details. Plus, a QR code scan will provide a complete history of inspections, a bill of materials for the structure, and the ability to locate scaffolding in the field on a mobile device.
Quantify integrates with Scaffold Designer, the automatic scaffold drawing program, so you can streamline your entire scaffolding process from drawing to bill of materials, quotation of the job, and invoice. It’s a complete, end-to-end software solution and you’ll finally be able to help your customer today with what they need tomorrow.
Contact Avontus Software for a free trial.
Avontus Software Ltd
www.avontus.co.uk
[email protected]
01223 926298 
