The best of the best from the UK scaffolding fraternity will go head-to-head at the Construction News Specialist Awards 2017 after finalists are announced.
The Construction News Specialist Awards is in its 13th year and celebrates the achievements of the best specialist contractors in the UK. The awards are a fantastic opportunity for contractors to position themselves as leaders within their industry and receive recognition for their outstanding work.Out of all the many entrees, Six industry recognised scaffolding and access firms have been shortlisted, they will be battling it out in the following categories:Access and Scaffolding Specialist of the Year Finalists- This category aims to recognise the best access and scaffolding specialist contractor in the industry.
WellMax Scaffolding (Scaffolding Association Members)
Business Innovation of the Year – This award recognises those companies that have demonstrated innovation excellence which has improved their performance, business systems, or service to clients.
Klawz: Klawz Scaffolding Fitting (Scaffolding Association Members)
Project of the Year (Subcontract up to £1m) – The project awards are for specialist contractors who deserve recognition for the high standard of work, adherence to budget and client satisfaction in a healthy and safe working environment.
TIGER Scaffolding (Scaffolding Association Members)
Training Excellence Award – The award recognises those firms that have had a positive approach to producing well-trained staff committed to delivering exceptional quality to their customers.
GKR Scaffolding (NASC Members)
Speaking on the success of their members,Chief Executive of The Scaffolding Association, Robert Candy said:
“We are absolutely delighted to see a number of our members shortlisted across a range of categories at the CN Specialist Awards. To see them being recognised at a prestigious event like this truly demonstrates the commitment that they have to raising standards and improving the image of the industry.”
Each entrant has their work assessed in front of a panel of distinguished clients, industry leaders and construction experts, and after submitting their initial entry online the shortlisted entrants will next be delivering a face-to-face presentation to a judging panel in January. The winners will be announced at the awards evening at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London on the 22nd March 2017.
MTD Scaffolding becomes one of the NASC’s newest members
MTD Scaffolding has announced they have successfully gained membership status of the NASC (National Access & Scaffolding Confederation) Given the NASC strict membership criteria, MTD say gaining the reputable accreditation is an achievement.
MTD Scaffolding is a Midlands-based scaffolding company, with three depots in Telford, Loughborough, and Oldbury. The firm provides system and traditional scaffolding for public and private projects. MTD recently received major financial support from the Altrad Group, to invest in developing the business and train its scaffolders. The business has a view to move into new sectors – new build, commercial, railway, highways, and waterways. It also aims to secure larger construction projects alongside social housing contracts.
“We are thrilled that NASC has accepted MTD Scaffolding to join its impressive membership base, the opportunity to grow our business from this accreditation and break into more market sectors means that the future for MTD will be both exciting and challenging” said Sarah Vanes, Operations Director of MTD.“Our business has over 30 years’ experience, and a great reputation within the industry. It’s a real achievement for the company, its staff and operatives to gain the NASC accreditation from the premier scaffolding trade body,” she said.
To the join NASC, a company must meet a set of stringent membership criteria which include from the initial application, a desktop audit of the application, a visit to the companies premises to verify the information received, followed by site visits to audit on site practices which the NASC auditors place a great emphasis on. Audits including sites are then carried out on a biannual basis to ensure continued compliance.
NASC members must also attend two NASC meetings each year, and abide by a comprehensive code of conduct.
“Being an NASC member is imperative in this industry. These days, most main contractors and public authorities will only hire NASC-accredited suppliers,” Sarah said.“Our NASC accreditation assures our customers that we are a reputable company that meets strict standards and always puts safety first.”
The NASC have just recently launched their 2017 Yearbook announcing the confirmation of the highest level of NASC membership, since their formation in 1945.
NASC Managing Director, Robin James opens the 2017 Yearbook with a welcome note stating: ‘It’s boom time for the NASC and its members’ – as membership enquiries and applications peaked, sales of the widely accepted TG20:13 soared and the value of NASC membership reached scaffolding companies of all sizes in 2016.
Over the past 12 months the NASC has been out on a membership drive to attract more small and medium sized scaffolding businesses, after NASC President Alan Lilley launched the campaign in Leeds at the 2015 AGM.
Alan Lilley said: “I am pleased to report the initiatives we undertook to attract new members have proved an unqualified success.”
“I am eager for the NASC to be seen to represent the whole of the scaffolding industry and further initiatives by the confederation are being planned to broaden its appeal. Now is an opportune time to apply for contracting membership.”
The NASC’s widely respected 2017 Yearbook also contains updates on new and revised NASC guidance, CISRS training and Britain’s premier access and scaffolding projects, as well as details of the activities of the confederation in 2016.
NASC Managing Director, Robin James added: “The NASC 2017 Yearbook testifies to a healthy and dynamic industry, and one that continues to astonish and amaze. The range and quality of work carried out by NASC member companies simply underlines the importance of maintaining the highest possible standards where requirements for NASC membership are concerned.”
ScaffMag featured in the ‘Missing Word’ round as the guest publication on the BBC1 prime time program Have I Got News For You, hosted by Comedian Jo Brand. Newspaper headlines from the week are read out with a vital word missing for the panel to guess the word which has been removed. It is tradition for a guest publication to be featured alongside this.
ScaffMag’s Founder and Editor, Daniel Norton said “This was an amazing opportunity for prime time TV exposure for ScaffMag, our advertisers and the scaffolding industry.”“Have I Got News For You has been making fun of the obscure guest publications for twenty-five years, however I believe it was important not to miss the opportunity to raise ScaffMag’s and the UK Scaffolding industry’s profile on prime time TV.”The show aired on Friday 21st October 2016 9pm BBC1
Merseyside based St Helens Plant have won the Construction and Engineering category plus an ‘Excellence Award’ for Scaffolding Fabrication, Repair and Reconditioning’ in the recent Build Awards 2016.
This is the second high profile accolade in 2016 for the NASC full non contracting (hire/sales) member – known within the industry for their fabrication, repair and reconditioning services. St Helens Plant were also awarded a finalist placement in the Access and Scaffolding Specialist of the Year category in the Construction News 2016 Specialists Awards in February.
In a recent press release from the NASC St Helens Plant was reported to be one of the UK’s all-encompassing scaffolding supply specialists, the firm has gained national and international recognition for their commitment and contribution to the access and scaffolding industry.
Gordon Pilling of St Helens Plant said: “We’re delighted to have been nominated by our clients, and to have won this construction and engineering award, also to have gained an excellence award for scaffolding fabrication, repair and reconditioning.
“It’s another award purely down to the strength, commitment and loyalty of each one of our team, from factory, dispatch and delivery, and office staff. We are very proud of all of who commit daily to St Helens Plant and have made our international recognition and awards possible. I extend my gratitude to our clients and the Build Awards for the privilege of being awarded this accolade.
“Safety of supply is a huge focus for us at St Helens Plant and being part of NASC, we try and promote this as much as we can at every opportunity.”
NASC MD Robin James added: “Congratulations to St Helens Plant on this magnificent achievement for their services to the scaffolding sector. Working alongside big clients in the scaffolding industry, expanding their operations and winning significant awards, they are living proof of the success NASC members have had in 2016. We wish them further success into 2017 and beyond.”
Edinburgh based City Access Scaffolding (CAS) recently brought an out-of-the box solution to its Boroughmuir High School scaffolding contract.
At the heart of the new school is a multi-functional atrium, which using a traditional birdcage scaffold would have meant a design requiring 13,000 m3 of scaffolding weighing around 56 tonnes.
CAS considered another way and used CAD (computer-aided design) from a previously used mobile roofing system and came up with the successfully implemented concept for a rolling scaffold constructed from the roof slab.
CAS say that this is the first time such a scaffold has been used in Scotland and is a significant improvement over a birdcage scaffold. The rolling scaffold, say CAS, is easy to use, was quicker to build and meant a saving of over £60,000 on the project.
“This innovation has had a huge impact on the build time and on our client’s costs. Although we are a relatively new company, our leadership team have over 35 years’ experience in the sector, which they applied in order to develop this effective solution. It’s very rewarding to make such a contribution to the project, and we look forward to using the rolling scaffold with other projects,” said Kirsty Allan, business development director, CAS.
“The initial concept was drawn up and agreed between CAS team and Craig Watson of Generation UK, then issued to Generation Design Engineers for clarity and suitability of concept before passing to Zenith Design to issue construction drawings, which were readily adopted by the main contractor,” said a spokesperson for CAS.
CAS said that the scaffold was built using four operatives over a period of three days with the scaffold being built on the roof slab before being lifted into position by the on-site tower crane. “By utilising this rolling scaffold design, CAS reduced the erection time by 86 per cent, from four weeks to just three days,” said the spokesperson
The contractor is pleased too. Mick Fearnon, project manager from O’Hare & McGovern Ltd said, “O’Hare & McGovern would like to express their delight with the rolling scaffold designed and fitted by CAS, and the difference it’s made to this major project. The CAS team provided a very innovative design that had never crossed our minds, or indeed any other contractor that tendered for the project. The scaffold itself is safe and easy to use by all contractors on-site and has helped us to make considerable savings in cost and build time.”
CISRS has tightened up the entry criteria and course requirements for their Scaffold Inspection Training Scheme (SITS).
CISRS say the changes are effective immediately, there will now be a pre-qualification requirement that the delegate/employer must ensure they can provide evidence of a minimum of two years relevant industry experience prior to attending the basic SITS course.
The course, aimed at anyone responsible for carrying out statutory scaffold inspections on basic scaffolding structures in accordance with the Working at Height Regulations 2005 – as well as scaffolders wishing to expand their knowledge.
CISRS say the basic SITS course is one of the most intensive courses within the CISRS scheme, which entails three full days at an accredited training centre to complete.
The course includes practical inspection, theory, report writing, fault finding as well as an update on the latest NASC safety and technical guidance.
CISRS Scheme Manager, Dave Mosley said: “Scaffold inspection is such an important area with far-reaching effects and we feel that those attending the course should be able to verify that they have at least a rudimentary knowledge of scaffolding prior to attending training. They also need to be aware of the responsibility that comes with inspecting scaffolds – hence the pre-qualification change to two years relevant work experience. “In the past, companies would send staff on scaffold inspection courses very early within their career in order to gain some basic knowledge about scaffolding. CISRS feel that in reality a scaffolding awareness/introduction to scaffolding course is more suitable, until they have more of a working knowledge of scaffolding on site.”
As a result of the changes to the Scaffold Inspection Training Scheme, potential delegates will be required submit a CV, employer endorsement and/or proof of prior training at the point of booking a course.
CISRS are also considering the possibility of putting together a short duration scaffolding awareness course, for entry level training purposes.
Lyndon Scaffolding plc (Lyndon), which says it is the UK’s largest independent specialist scaffolding contractor, has confirmed that it has invested in two units of the Elliot Thomas Group, part of which has been reported as going into administration.
“Lyndon Scaffolding is delighted to confirm that we have invested in Rainsford Contracts Ltd. and Taylor’s Hoists formally part of the Elliott Thomas Group,” said a spokesperson for Lyndon.
“Both businesses have excellent trading records, a strong customer base and will benefit from the investment and financial support that Lyndon can offer. We have worked with Taylor’s Hoists and the senior management team for many years and we are looking forward to working ever more closely together to provide a better service to all customers,” said Lyndon’s Managing Director, Rob Lynch.
Taylor’s Hoists is described as a, “non-trading company,” at Companies House, while Rainsford Contracts Ltd is described as, “construction of commercial buildings.” Further details of the transaction have not been released by Lyndon at this time.
Scaffolding trade body alternative, the Scaffolding Association, announced its highest ever membership levels last week with more than 200 companies now joined in a pledge to raise industry standards.
The Scaffolding Association is a not-for-profit independent trade organisation, which is one of the largest of its kind in the UK. The Association was established to represent scaffolding and access contractors, client organisations, manufacturers and consultants that were not catered for by existing trade bodies.
The trade body alternative say the latest figures concrete the industry’s commitment to raising safety standards, improving skills training and establishing procedures to deliver the highest level of scaffolding competence. The Association’s regulatory procedures and auditing standards exceed the requirements of PAS 91.
In a recent press release, Robert Candy, chief executive of the Scaffolding Association, said: “We now have more than 200 members and this continued growth is extremely encouraging. Our success demonstrates the sector’s absolute commitment to achieving the very highest safety standards, something we’re passionate about.
“To date, we’ve made significant progress in our efforts to drive standards across the industry. The latest membership figures make it clear we’re creating a business framework that scaffolding contractors and clients of all sizes can benefit from and help us all in our quest for a safer, stronger and more professional industry.”
Bounce Back charity launches first of it’s kind scaffolding training centre at HMP Brixton Prison.
Criminal records are often a red flag for employers, often former prison inmates have little choice but to re-offend or consider re-offending. As a former scaffolding employer myself back in the late 1980s to late 1990s I will confess that I employed scaffolders and labourers with criminal records, including armed robbery, and had no problem with them at all. In fact, I will go further and say that these scaffolders often turned out to be better and more diligent employees than those recruited from the population at large. Right now, when skilled scaffolding operatives are in short supply a pool of highly motivated potential employees must be welcome.
In what the UK Ministry of Justice says is the first centre of its kind in the UK, scaffolding training is now on the HMP Brixton prison agenda.The centre was launched at an event at HMP Brixton prison that was opened by Paul Elliott, eminent football governing body ambassador and passionate supporter of youth engagement, and hosted by TV presenter and journalist Raphael Rowe on October 19.
The launch of the latest skills training centre in the Bounce Back portfolio is a very special event for two reasons. As a first in a UK prison all eyes are on it – not only to watch the progress of the 7 metre tower – but to see the impact in terms of skill levels it can deliver. Secondly it is a clear example of a response from the construction industry to an immediate need for scaffolding recruits. Alandale, through its relationship with Land Securities (who had already driven this model in dry lining), came into the prison and set up the training facility for Bounce Back so it could train up potential employees.
Bounce Back is a charity that trains in construction skills in HMP’s Brixton and Wandsworth, as well as CSCS training in a number of other prisons.
It is also a painting and decorating Social Enterprise that employs people as professional decorators on release and works on projects large and small around London and the Home Counties with a team of up to 30 at any one time. Bounce Back says that it trains up to 60 inmates a day across both of its centres and says that it has an 85 per cent success rate on people leaving prison either going into further training or employment. The charity says that it was worked with just under 600 people thus far and reoffending rate is currently monitored at 12 per cent.
“This is a great example of true partnership working – the new Scaffold Centre will meet industry skills gaps and tap into the potential of people in prisons, it’s a win-win situation for everyone’ – people get a second chance, the industry gets skilled workers and our communities become safer by reducing reoffending rates,” said Debbie Akehurst head of economy and communities at Land Securities.
“We have been delighted by the opportunity that this gives our participants to get into employment on release’ says Fran Findlater CEO of Bounce Back. “As we focus on training skills that respond to the need of the construction industry, in this case we have more than fulfilled our objectives – we could easily place 20 or more scaffolders into work and we’ve only been open a couple of months.This is all about getting our participants ready for work on site.It is not about high levels of extensive training, it is to see if individuals have the appetite to go up a scaffolding tower and get involved in the hard work the profession requires. If participants do this, dry lining and painting and decorating in our three centres, we know they will have an aptitude on release.Ultimately this has one end goal – stopping people coming back to prison because they have the skills, confidence and earning potential to manage on the outside.”
Prisons Minister Sam Gyimah said, “Bounce Back is an excellent example of how employers can provide invaluable work opportunities for offenders while in prison to help them turn their lives around. Schemes like these can help to break the cycle of re-offending, which means fewer victims and saves the taxpayer money.”
Bounce Back confirmed that trainees can be good to go for employment as soon as they leave prison as they are able to gain their CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) cards while still in prison.
Scaffolding, ladders, ropes and associated equipment could always quite reasonably be associated with escape attempts. So I asked about security. “The Governor has considered all eventualities. The positioning of the scaffold has been measured very precisely to ensure escape is impossible,” said a spokesperson for Prisons – Ministry of Justice.
To the join NASC, a company must meet a set of stringent membership criteria which include from the initial application, a desktop audit of the application, a visit to the companies premises to verify the information received, followed by site visits to audit on site practices which the NASC auditors place a great emphasis on. Audits including sites are then carried out on a biannual basis to ensure continued compliance.
NASC Managing Director, Robin James opens the 2017 Yearbook with a welcome note stating: ‘It’s boom time for the NASC and its members’ – as membership enquiries and applications peaked, sales of the widely accepted TG20:13 soared and the value of NASC membership reached scaffolding companies of all sizes in 2016.
This is the second high profile accolade in 2016 for the NASC full non contracting (hire/sales) member – known within the industry for their fabrication, repair and reconditioning services. St Helens Plant were also awarded a finalist placement in the Access and Scaffolding Specialist of the Year category in the Construction News 2016 Specialists Awards in February.
At the heart of the new school is a multi-functional atrium, which using a traditional birdcage scaffold would have meant a design requiring 13,000 m3 of scaffolding weighing around 56 tonnes. 
Bounce Back is a charity that trains in construction skills in HMP’s Brixton and Wandsworth, as well as CSCS training in a number of other prisons.
Prisons Minister Sam Gyimah said, “Bounce Back is an excellent example of how employers can provide invaluable work opportunities for offenders while in prison to help them turn their lives around. Schemes like these can help to break the cycle of re-offending, which means fewer victims and saves the taxpayer money.”
