British Entrepreneur Buys Palmers Scaffolding

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British Entrepreneur Buys Palmers Scaffolding

The UK’s oldest scaffolding contractor, Palmers Scaffolding – formed in 1880 by Edwin Palmer – has a new owner.

Colin Butt

British entrepreneur Colin Butt who runs a number of established business from his UK base at Aviation House, Aviation Park, Chester becomes the new owner.

In a divestment process at the end of 2016 (which came into effect January 4th 2017), the leading scaffolding and access solutions brand Palmers was sold to businessman Colin Butt by previous German owners XERVON GmbH, who were looking to off-set some of their non-EU businesses, post Brexit.

The now British-owned and run Palmers Scaffolding UK Limited business – which employs 300 staff and consistently ranks in the top 10 of UK scaffolding contractors with multi-million pound turnovers (£15.3M 2016) – will continue to run leading scaffolding and access solutions across the UK operationally from its branches  strategically located across the country, from Vauxhall in central London to Belvedere in Kent, Bristol in the South West, Chester in the North West Middlesbrough in the North East and up to Glasgow in Central Scotland

As one of the UK scaffold industry‘s leading access, scaffolding and related industrial services providers, Palmers Scaffolding UK Limited will continue to focus on working on some of Britain’s leading projects and most important sites within the construction, airport, railway, petrochemical, power generation, marine and nuclear market sectors.

New owner & Palmers Scaffolding UK Limited CEO, Colin Butt said: “We are thrilled to be the proud new owners of such an historic brand as Palmers – who continue to operate at the highest level of Special Access provision, have a highly skilled workforce. They have established excellent, pre-qualified working relationships with some of the country’s leading contractors and we are looking forward to moving the brand forward in 2017 and beyond and working on some of the biggest, most important projects in Britain in coming years.”

Palmers Scaffolding UK Limited Managing Director, Donald Morrison comments: “It is very exciting times for the Palmers brand. Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental excellence has been, and will remain, the number one priority in the delivery of our business. For over 130 years, Palmers have provided a quality service to all industries. We know that the highest levels of service and performance in our areas of supply can only be achieved through collective involvement, commitment and teamwork. And with Colin Butt’s vast experience in the Special Access sector, his connections, enthusiasm and entrepreneurial skill set, it can only mean greater success for Palmers in the future.”

All Palmers corporate branding and staff remain unchanged with Donald Morrison MD supported by Lindsay Harle Director, Ian McFarlane Director Business & Project Development together with Colin Butt as the new CEO

CISRS Announce CPD Pilot Courses

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CISRS Announce CPD Pilot Courses

CISRS announce the running of CPD pilot courses at three of its accredited training providers.

CISRS will be running a series of pilot courses next month for its new controversial Continuing Professional Development (CPD) course, which is set to go live on 1st of July 2017. National Construction College (NCC) Midlands will run the first of the pilot courses at its centre in Birmingham on 15th and 16th February. CISRS will be looking for scaffolders whose card is due to expire in 2017 to attend the (free of charge) pilot courses. Further courses will take place at NCC Midlands on 15th/16th March and 24th/25th April. CISRS accredited providers Safety and Access and Simian Skill are also looking to set dates for further pilot courses to be delivered at their centres in Nottingham and Warrington respectively. Each of the CISRS accredited providers looking to offer CPD training will also be requested to have one of their instructors attend a pilot course, so they can bring themselves up to speed with the content and delivery of the new two-day course. The course will include a general scaffolding update – covering the relevant technical and safety guidance notes, such as SG4, SG6 & TG20 – as well as a scaffold inspection and an aluminium tower module, which if completed successfully can then be endorsed on the rear of the new card. A health and safety test will also be included, which if the delegates pass will negate the need to complete the CITB Health and Safety and Environment test. To assist in this new training module, a bank of health and safety questions will be issued to CISRS CPD delegates prior to attending the course. Dave Mosley, CISRS Scheme Manager, said:
Around 4,000 scaffolders will need to renew either their Scaffolder or Advanced Scaffolder card in 2017 and more than half of these hold cards which will expire prior to 1st July – and as such will renew under the current scheme requirement of completing the CITB Health and Safety and Environment Test or a recognised exemption, not the new CPD.
Card renewal reminders are issued to cardholders three to six months prior to the card expiry date and CISRS envisages that a number of scaffolders may renew their card early in order to beat the 1st of July CPD course deadline.

KSA Contract Amendment Award for Cape

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KSA Contract Amendment Award for Cape

Cape plc has announced that its Saudi Arabia operations have received a scaffold contract amendment to provide for an increased scope of 107,000 sqm of suspended scaffold and 182,000 sqm tower scaffold with an extended hire term for their Jazan project.

Saudi Aramco’s Jazan Refinery and Terminal (JRTP) is being constructed on the southern coast of the Red Sea and coastal part of the City of Bish. The refinery will cover an area of 12km² and will process 400,000 barrels per day of Arabian Heavy and Arabian Medium crudes to produce 80 million barrels per day of gasoline, 250 million barrels per day of diesel and more than one million tons per annum of benzene and Para xylene petrochemical products. Daewoo E&C’s plant construction projects are delivering a major role along with JGC in JRTP for Saudi Aramco. Cape, which operates as Cape RB Hilton in Saudi Arabia, has developed a successful relationship with Daewoo in delivering the original scope and is delighted to secure this amendment award and strengthen the business ties of both organisations. Paul Cockerill, Managing Director KSA & Bahrain commented:
“This subcontract amendment award is an important win for Cape RB Hilton and firming up our service offering with Daewoo E&C. It is the result of commitment to deliver a safe and reliable service to our customer. This increase in value of existing ongoing work plays a key share for our revenue in 2017.”

Inquest: Former scaffolder could have breathed in asbestos as a child

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Inquest: Former scaffolder could have breathed in asbestos as a child

A former scaffolder may have died through exposure to asbestos on his father’s clothing, an inquest heard.

According to local media, Alan Cooper, aged 52, died at Royal Bolton Hospital on September 28 last year from malignant mesothelioma, which is a rare type of cancer that most people get after being exposed to asbestos particles. Bolton Coroner’s Court heard that Mr Cooper thought that he had been exposed to small amounts of asbestos at times throughout his working life and when he was a child his father, William, who was also a scaffolder, may have exposed him to low level of asbestos from dirty work clothes and equipment when he came home in the evenings. Pathologist Patrick Waugh told the court it was likely that Mr Cooper, of Alberta Street, Deane, had been exposed at a younger age as, after asbestos particles are inhaled, it can take decades for the disease to form. He said: “This is one of the youngest cases that I have seen. People who commonly get this disease are people exposed in 1960’s and 1970’s when we didn’t know that asbestos was a problem.” Assistant coroner Rachael Griffin, who recorded a narrative conclusion that Mr Cooper died from from malignant mesothelioma, said: “This is very sad and a very unusual case.” Mr Cooper lived in Bolton for all of his life and the court heard was a very sociable and popular person. Health problems forced his retirement 11 years ago and, as symptoms of malignant mesothelioma began to show up, he was diagnosed with the disease in April last year.

Bilfinger secures 150 jobs with North Sea contract extension

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Bilfinger secures 150 jobs with North Sea contract extension

Asset lifecycle services contractor Bilfinger Salamis UK has secured a significant contract extension, securing employment for over 150 personnel.

The contract value or assets involved have not been disclosed, however, the contract extension is for a period of three years, with the option to extend for a further two years. Bilfinger Salamis UK provide a range of lifecycle services to the client, including onshore project management, fabric maintenance, scaffolding, hot work habitats, rope access, specialist cleaning, asbestos management, alternative access teams and shutdown management services, having worked with the company since 2011. Bilfinger Salamis UK Technical Director Kenny Bennet commented: “In a competitive market, we are delighted that our client has put their trust in Bilfinger for the next three years.” “This extension enables us to build on our close working relationship, and allows us to continue to demonstrate our commitment to delivering safe and efficient operations, while developing the scope of services we provide.”

New Wakefield Office for Safety & Access

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New Wakefield Office for Safety & Access
Due to continued growth in 2016, Safety & Access (SA) have announced the opening of a new Strategic Business Development & NVQ Assessment office. With their site team and the convenience of a dedicated facility, the move enables SA to respond to the growing demands of their customers whilst pursuing new prospects in line with their strategic growth plan. SA new office was opened on Tuesday 3rd January 2017 which will be managed by Sarah Cockell, Business Development Manager along with a team of Assessors and Internal verifier’s. All the firm’s training enquires will be channelled via this new office. The NVQ office will also be supporting customer and learners to process their qualification in a smooth and timely manner for learners to gain their CISRS Scaffolders card.

CAPE extends contracts with EDF Energy

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CAPE extends contracts with EDF Energy

Cape plc, announce current portfolio expansion with EDF Energy in the UK.

Cape, an international leader in the provision of critical industrial services, will provide access, insulation and asbestos services in support of EDF Energy’s Coal and Gas assets, including: The Cottam and West Burton A coal power stations in Nottinghamshire, which together provide 4GW of capacity and are capable of generating enough power for 7.5 million homes. The West Burton B CCGT power station, which has three combined cycle units capable of generating enough electricity for approximately 1.5 million UK homes. The gas storage facilities in Hole House, Cheshire, which provide the ability to store large volumes of gas combined with the fast cycle import and export capability, helping safeguard gas transmission system stability and security of supply. These substantial contracts, which extend Cape’s long standing contract with EDF Energy, encompass the supply of specialist access, thermal insulation and asbestos services for five years to 2022 in support of EDF Energy’s mission to provide safe, reliable generation to sustainably meet the needs of the UK electricity market. Commenting on the signing of the contracts, Simon Hicks, Managing Director UK, said: “We are delighted with this award; it is further demonstration of our ability to deliver excellence in the safe and efficient service provision across these assets with close collaboration with our key customer, EDF Energy”.

Scaffolder loses leg and arms after being electrocuted

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Scaffolder loses leg and arms after being electrocuted

A scaffolder has had his leg and both arms amputated after being severely electrocuted while at work.

Dad-of-two Jamie Mines was working at height on scaffolding in Swindon just days before Christmas, when he was shocked by the huge volt of electricity. He was electrocuted so severely he had to be rescued by emergency services. Jamie’s injuries were also so severe he was placed in an induced coma. To save Jamie’s life doctors had to amputate one of his legs, he lost all the toes on the other, and also had one hand amputated. However several days later, soon after Boxing Day, both his arms had to be amputated also according to recent reports. The Health and Safety Executive are currently investigating the incident. Jamie continues to remain in intensive care.

Donate

Tributes have poured in for Jamie on a Go Fund Me page. The Go Fund Me page was set up by his close friend Ian Kennedy with a target of £100,000, over 1,230 people have already donated £30,294 in seven days. Jamie, who is being supported by his girlfriend, is father to newly born twin daughters and is hugely popular in his home town of Frome. Ian, who set up the page with a group of others close to the family, said: “He is an honest, very hard working man. He is the provider of his beautiful family of newly born twin girls. He is a scaffolder by trade. “Jamie is a popular man from the town of Frome who always had time for other people. Jamie was a keen, active and talented sportsman who played semi-professional football for Frome Town FC, Radstock, Larkhall and Paulton and was known as a goal machine for each of his clubs. We are honoured to know him and honoured to call him our friend. “To have your life change in the blink of an eye must be devastating. Our heart goes out to Jamie because we know the road ahead of him is going to be a difficult one. “We pray he can keep his head up and stay strong and know he has love, support, and prayers behind him. On top of that it is the holiday season. I know the holiday seasons are tight budgeted for us all. But if you are able, please consider helping out this family. Any help is greatly appreciated.” If you would like to donate please click here.

First Female Scaffolding Apprentice for AIS

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First Female Scaffolding Apprentice for AIS
scaffolding apprentice
Image: left to right Kate Lovelock from AIS with scaffolding apprentice
Claudia Ferguson.

A North East training company is welcoming its first ever female scaffolding apprentice and is urging others to follow to help address the dramatic gender imbalance in the construction sector.

Only 12% of construction workers are female with less than 2% working manually on construction sites, according to statistics by the CITB, so training and skills specialist AIS Connect was delighted when Claudia Ferguson enrolled onto its CITB-endorsed scaffolding apprenticeship scheme. Claudia, aged 22, from Sunderland works for scaffolding company ISL and will undertake a full CITB scaffolding apprenticeship with AIS Connect. The unique programme takes wannabe scaffolders, aged 16-24, through a minimum of 18 months of comprehensive skills training and on-the-job experience to qualify as a CISRS (Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme) scaffolder able to safely erect, alter and dismantle scaffolding structures. After leaving school, Claudia was unsure of the right career path to follow. Despite studying photography and art and design at college no suitable jobs were available and Claudia ended up working in a call centre to earn money. But Claudia knew this wasn’t for her and after several discussions with a family friend set her sights on the construction industry. Claudia said: “When I heard about what a job in scaffolding involves it immediately appealed. You get to work outside in lots of different locations and it’s very physical so you can keep fit without going to the gym. The lack of women in the sector made me want to rise to the challenge even more and show people I was capable of doing the job. “I can’t deny it was hard at first but now I love it. The banter is fantastic and the guys I work with are extremely supportive and treat me like one of their own. My boss in particular has been there for me all the way and the company has really helped me progress. Once I complete my apprenticeship with AIS Connect, I want to go into a supervisory role – possibly offshore. I can’t see myself doing anything else and would encourage women to look at construction as a viable career option. Because women are rare in the sector, companies are much keener to take you on and there are lots of potential jobs out there.” Head of partnerships and strategic development at AIS Connect, Kate Lovelock said: “It’s important to get the message out that the construction sector offers lots of rewarding and exciting career paths for women as well as men. AIS Connect is working with the region’s key educational establishments to raise awareness of the opportunities available in the construction, engineering and energy sectors and it’s great to see a female as enthusiastic and motivated as Claudia coming through our doors. Hopefully her story will inspire others and we urge any woman wanting to find out more about how to get into industry to get in touch.” Kevin Hartburn, apprenticeships officer from the CITB said: “There is a terrific future for women in the construction industry and enlightened employers will be the ones to reap the benefits of having a higher proportion of females in their workforce. We’re delighted to see a female in the scaffolding industry being trained with AIS Connect. The company has an excellent reputation for developing tailored training programmes for industry and has heavily invested in a new state-of-the-art training facility for young people.”

Scaffolding Prices Set to Rise in 2017

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Scaffolding Prices Set to Rise in 2017
The cost of tube, fittings and boards is set to rise from 2016 lows because of the increase in steel price and post Brexit crash in the Pound’s value. Birmingham, UK – Scaffolders should prepare for a rise in the cost of tube, fittings and boards in 2017. The cost of scaffolding equipment will rise because of the global increase in the price of steel, aluminium and wood combined with a fall in the value of the Pound. The global price of steel has increased by 48% from its March 2016 low. The forecasters predict that this trend will continue throughout 2017, with the increase driven by China’s 20% reduction of steel production. This has combined with an 8% increase in the use of steel which means demand is ahead of supply the first time in a decade. Scaffolding Prices The 16% post Brexit fall in the Pound against the Dollar and Euro has also made things worse for UK scaffolders. As raw materials are priced in Dollars and Euros this has raised the cost of raw materials and made imported scaffolding products more expensive to buy. Scaffolding manufacturers have started to pass on the costs and UK suppliers are reporting their wholesale prices for a foot of tube has risen by over 60% since March this year. The price rises come at an uncertain time for the construction Industry after the recent years of fast growth. Government data shows that construction activity shrank by 0.8% between July-September 2016. This represents the sectors worst performance since 2012.Scaffolding PricesWhen contacted about the rising prices, Generation Commercial and Finance Director, Alan Wilkinson, said: “Our customers report that they are busy through the early part of 2017 but concerned about the increasing costs of scaffolding. As the UK’s largest purchaser and supplier of scaffolding products we have also experienced the rapid price rises. Our aim is to support and provide our customers with the best quality and value scaffolding. To protect our customers from sudden price rises we have invested heavily in new hire stock throughout 2016 to keep prices as low as we can.”   “This investment means we can guarantee the ability to freeze our hire rates at 2016 levels for the whole of next year, for all existing customers and any new accounts opened before the 31st January 2017. This is all part of Generation’s aim to ensure that our scaffolding customers consistently get the best value, service and support.”
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