Double win for GKR Scaffolding at CN Specialist Awards

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Double win for GKR Scaffolding at CN Specialist Awards

GKR Scaffolding have been awarded the Construction News Access and Scaffolding Specialist of the year award for the second year running AND a Training Excellence award.

The London based firm that employs over 300 people, GKR Scaffolding Ltd last night (22 March) collected the awards at the glitzy Construction News (CN) Specialist Awards, held at the London’s Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane. In a fiercely contested category, GKR stood out from the competition with their vision to be the UK’s leading scaffolding firm, providing solutions at every stage of a project while also being seen as an exceptional employer providing a great place to work. CN reports that the past 12 months have been an outstanding period for the company, during which it has engaged in several high-profile projects. These include Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium in north London, on which GKR provided one of the largest scaffold staircases in Europe. Other stand out projects mentioned were a highly sensitive job at the Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth. GKR erected an accessible scaffold around the preserved vessel that had to protect it while demolition works were undertaken for a viewing gallery. Another GKR project mentioned that is currently under way at Wimbledon for the All England Lawn Tennis Club, which is overseeing extensive work to No 1 Court to deliver extra seating and a retractable roof. According to the Construction News judges, GKR also stood out in the areas of Health and Safety with its occupational health programme, the business is implementing safety-critical medicals for all operatives. These medicals are carried out in a specially adapted van by occupational health service providers on visits to the firm’s sites. GKR Scaffolding was also awarded with the Training Excellence accolade for it’s in-house training academy. The GKR Academy opened in 2014 – believed to be a first in the scaffolding sector – and last year saw its first graduation evening for trained supervisors. Its graduates have achieved qualifications in leadership and team skills accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management, while 12 new supervisors have already begun the first module for year two of Delivering Leadership and Management Skills. CN say that “GKR’s comprehensive set of achievements left judges in no doubt that the firm stood out as the outstanding access and scaffolding specialist in the market.”

SHS Integrated Services Ceases Trading

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SHS Integrated Services Ceases Trading

Struggling SHS Group calls in the administrators after directors decide to cease trading with immediate effect.

According to an email that we have seen, which was sent to SHS employees announcing the decision last night (20 March), SHS Integrated Services Group has been facing financial difficulties for a while, mainly attributed to poorly performing contracts within its Cladding and Insulation divisions. In an attempt to save the business The Group had recently implemented measures to more accurately price contracts and to control site labour costs but the email went on to say, these measures would have taken time to implement and improve the performance of the business significantly. The Group’s management had also been exploring a number of options in order to secure the future of the Companies either via a re-finance or a sale of the business. However, these attempts had ultimately been unsuccessful. The directors have now taken the decision to cease trading with immediate effect. SHS anticipate that Administrators will be appointed over the group today, 21 March 2017 The Barry Vale of Glamorgan based SHS employs between 200 – 500 people it’s core services included Scaffold Access and Egress, Ventilation Installation, Industrial and HVAC Insulation together with a number of other additional capabilities such as Surface Protection and Coatings, Rope Access and Rescue Services. We have reached out to SHS for comment, but no further information has been received as yet.  

New MAX One-piece Plastic Brickguard in Production

Daniel Norton
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New MAX One-piece Plastic Brickguard in Production

Max Scaffold Products (MAX SP) adds a new wider One-piece Plastic Brickguard to its product line after production gets the green light.

The Oxfordshire based company behind the successfully popular MAX One-piece Plastic Brickguard is in the production phase of creating a new brick guard. The initial design will remain the same in principle to the original, however the new design will benefit from a wider dimension (1100mm). The new brickguard also features a traditional speedier hook type design, that works with tube and fitting and system scaffolding products like Haki.

A New Plastic Brickguard Available

According to MAX SP, The All New One-piece Plastic Brickguard is expected to be available from July this year.

The original MAX One-piece Brickguard was launched back in 2012, it was widely accepted within the industry as a revolutionary product, after it relieved the pain for many scaffolding firms from using the metal variant, which in short, was a total nightmare to install for scaffolders.

“The original brickguard will still be in production but this new brickguard will give the end user more choice when choosing their brickguard” says Peter Westlake of MAX Scaffold Products.

“The main difference between the two is the unique one-piece hook design which has a more traditional feel to it and being an ex-scaffolder I have to admit I like brickguard’s that just drop over the guardrail for speed.”

“All the other features are the same in principle if not in design. They stack vertically, the spacing domes provide stability, the toe board clip reduces the need for additional fixings and the hooks fit inside each other without tangling.” Peter added.

SMART Scaffolder launches an inspection app

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SMART Scaffolder launches an inspection app

Industry software company launches new mobile scaffold inspection app.

Dorset based software company, SMART Scaffolder has launched an app called SMART Inspector. The app which went live on the app store last week, is said to make scheduling, conducting and reporting on scaffold inspections simple and efficient, and can now be done on an Apple or Android phone or tablet. SMART Scaffolder Inspection app SMART Scaffolder say the SMART Inspector app enables the user to store all inspection records online which can be easily retrieved back at the office via a simple separate desktop console. This prevents the build up of unnecessary inspection paper copies and retyping out onto an office computer. A spokesperson for SMART Scaffolder said: “Carrying out an inspection couldn’t be simpler: just set up the site on the desktop console and then follow the steps on the app when you’re onsite. You can capture photos of any defects you find and you record the client’s signature on your phone.” “The desktop console makes it easy to bring up reports such as unsafe scaffolds, completed inspections, inspection history and, coming very soon, handover certificates and scaffolds on extra hire.” You can find out more about this new app and arrange a free trial by visiting SMART Scaffolder  

Scaffolder narrowly avoids jail after scaffold collapse

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Scaffolder narrowly avoids jail after scaffold collapse

A Wigan scaffolder has been sentenced after scaffolding collapsed at a retail site in Loggerheads, Staffordshire

North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard how Mr Kinsley a scaffolder had been subcontracted to erect a scaffold, with debris netting attached along its full length, for roofing work on a Co-Op retail store. Mr Kinsley erected the scaffold with two of his employees, on 19 November 2015 but did not design the scaffold correctly or ensure it was tied to the building in any way. On 5 December 2015 the scaffold collapsed into a car park at the side of the store. Scaffolder, Scaffolding Collapse A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found Mr Kinsley failed to properly design or erect the scaffold in a safe and appropriate manner and as a result put members of the public and workers at risk. Mark Kinsley of Little Lane, Pemberton, Wigan pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. He was fined £1400 and sentenced to 16 weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months. He was ordered to pay costs of £1648. Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Katherine Blunt said: “This was a very serious incident and it is fortunate nobody was injured as a result of it. “The case highlights the importance of following industry guidance and in order to design and erect scaffolding in a safe manner, which does not raise risk to members of the public and workers using the scaffold.”

The NASC slash the cost of TG20:13 Guidance

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The NASC slash the cost of TG20:13 Guidance

The NASC have announced a 50% price reduction for it’s popular TG20:13 guidance and eGuide.

Originally launched in April 2014 TG20:13 Good Practice Guidance for Tube and Fitting has according to NASC been widely adopted throughout the UK scaffolding industry and the wider construction sector in the UK and increasingly abroad. The NASC have now announced a review of the existing TG20:13 publications and eGuide pricing structure following meetings held between the NASC working group. The following new pricing structure came into effect on 1 March 2017 NASC TG20:13 The aforementioned meetings were held in September and November of 2016, they were setup to review feedback and agree on modifications and amendments to TG20:13 in time for the next TG20:13 revision. The NASC invited and received a considerable amount of feedback on the guidance, from member companies and non member purchasers of TG20:13, outlining what they would like to see incorporated in the next revision. The NASC say some of the suggestions received included, ‘varying the number of boarded lifts, production of basic drawings and calculations, and increased leg load information’. An eGuide software upgrade is expected to be issued free of charge in the spring of 2017, however the NASC say the timescale for full review has not been agreed. It is unlikely that a fully updated version of TG20 will be published for at least two years.    

Construction firm fined after Scaffolder is left paralysed

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Construction firm fined after Scaffolder is left paralysed

A construction company has been fined £100K after a scaffolder fell 4m through an opening.

Construction firm Structural Metal Decks Limited (SMDL) has been fined £105,000 after a scaffolder was left paralysed following an accident at a building site in Kilsyth, Scotland. The Scaffolder suffered injuries to his spinal cord and is now paralysed from the neck down following the incident. Airdrie Sheriff Court heard how Structural Metal Decks Ltd had been sub-contracted to lay metal deck flooring by John Graham Construction Ltd who were building a new health centre in Kilsyth. On 22 April 2015, a scaffolder was moving scaffolding components when he stood on a section of decking which had been put in place by SMDL. The decking sheet gave way and the man fell more than four metres to the ground.
Scaffolder
An image of the scene, Credit:ppconstructionsafety.com
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the metal deck sheets on the first level of the building had not been secured properly and the access to the first level of the decking was not adequately controlled allowing non-decking workers onto the deck. Structural Metal Decks Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 3 (1) and 33 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and were fined £105,000. Speaking after the verdict, HSE inspector Graeme McMinn said: “This is a tragic incident, which has had a devastating effect on a young man’s life. The accident could have been avoided if the Structural Metal Decks Ltd had taken appropriate safety precautions and ensured the decking sheets were properly secured.”  

PASMA Launches Major International Safety Campaign

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PASMA Launches Major International Safety Campaign

PASMA has announced the launch of the PASMA Safety at Height Advisory Panel

The new initiative is designed to promote height safety and the safe use of mobile access towers. The Panel is intended to make the specialist knowledge, operational guidance and resources of the association available across different regions of the world, starting with the Middle East Gulf States. PASMA will be working in partnership with government departments and agencies, other trade and professional bodies and industry at large, the Panel will promote advice and information designed to keep people safe when working at height – one of the biggest causes of death and injury in the global workplace. PASMA Middle EastChaired by Mike Palmer – Regional Quality, health, safety, environment and Training Manager at Rapid Access; the Panel comprises industry experts from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences with the common objective of advancing safety and good practice through standards, guidance and training. Mike said: “We all have first-hand experience of working in the region and therefore know and understand the way in which the local access industry operates. We want to offer insight and advice and to encourage a good practice mindset based on accepted standards and skill.” Sarah Nunn, PASMA’s Head of International Development, is delighted with the positive response that the Panel is already receiving. “Here at PASMA we are passionate about making work at height safer for everyone. The launch of the Panel is a practical demonstration of that commitment to reducing falls from height.”

Shocking Video: Man Pulls Scaffolding Over onto Busy Street

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Shocking Video: Man Pulls Scaffolding Over onto Busy Street

A video has emerged online showing a man purposely pulling a fully erected scaffold over onto a busy street and parked cars.

The five minute sickening video originally posted on Facebook shows an unidentified man calmly dismantling the bottom lift of a scaffold, which had been erected on the front of a house somewhere in the UK. The video continues on to show the man wait for the traffic to clear on the busy street before pulling the full scaffold over with a rope crashing down onto parked cars and the road. The video then falls into darkness but the unidentified man and accomplice or accomplices are heard running away laughing. No further information about the video or the location is available at this time.

Totally Shocking

The general feeling and reaction to the video on social media is utter shock and condemnation to the man’s actions. Many people are asking why someone would do such a thing, and endanger innocent people and cause such damage.

Cape wins five year contact with Qatar Petrochemical Company

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Cape wins five year contact with Qatar Petrochemical Company
Cape plc has announced its Qatar operations have been awarded a five-year framework contract for scaffolding, insulation, painting and refractory lining works by Qatar Petrochemical Company (QAPCO). QAPCO Q.S.C. is one of the most successful producers of low-density polyethylene – a basic plastic polymer that is derived from natural gas. QAPCO is the operator of the QATOFIN linear low-density polyethylene plant. QATOFIN Company Limited is a joint venture between QAPCO Q.S.C., Total Petrochemicals France and Qatar Petroleum, located in Mesaieed Industrial City in Qatar. Samir Chopra, Operations Director Qatar, commented: “We are very proud to have won this framework contract from QAPCO and we look forward to continuing our long-standing relationships.”
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