Altrad Beaver 84 acquires Star Events Group

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Altrad Beaver 84 acquires Star Events Group

Altrad Beaver 84

The Construction Index has reported that Scaffolding firm Altrad Beaver 84 has acquired Star Events Group for a seven figure sum.

Star Events Group supplies temporary structures, staging and rigging services to the events sector, a market that Beaver 84 had been targeting.

Star Events becomes a subsidiary of Altrad Beaver 84 but will stay based at its own Bedford premises.

Star Events director Roger Barrett said:

“For some time now we have been aware of the need for substantial investment to ensure our industry leading status. This deal puts us in a position to maintain everything that works so well within the company, coupled with the commercial strength of the Altrad Group.”

Four of Star Events’ management retain their shares in the company and get new job titles: Roger Barrett becomes special projects director; Celine Watson-Lamb is operations director; Pete Holdich is head of structures; and Jane Russen is sales & client liaison executive.

Altrad Beaver 84 managing director Steve Tysoe has taken on the role of managing director at Star Events as well. He said:

“This acquisition forms part of our growth strategy in the events sector, which already uses a number of products that are made by Altrad Group businesses.  Star Events’ portfolio of ingenuity, expertise and equipment is unsurpassed and I look forward to helping the company realise its considerable contemporary ambition.”

SMART Scaffolder v5.3 Launches

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SMART Scaffolder v5.3 Launches

CADS launch latest update to SMART Scaffolder business software with some great new features.

Fresh on the heels of the TG20:13 work undertaken by CADS on behalf of the NASC, their versatile SMART Scaffolder business software continues to grow. The latest update introduces some handy new functionality. SMART Scaffolder v5.3 contains many new exciting features, not least of which is the ability to bring 2D site plans in to the software and with a few clicks model entire scaffolding structures! In addition, with many clients responding to the government drive for BIM adoption, SMART Scaffolder now enables the creation and export of 3D files compatible with software such as Autodesk Revit, Navisworks and structural design and analysis software such as Scia Engineer. BIM stands for Building Information Modelling, the design technology that is sweeping the construction industry by storm! The new BIM Toolbox module helps SMART Scaffolder users share their 3D models with their customers. Users can exploit the increased productivity and improved communication benefits of 3D BIM modelling now; with this powerful fully integrated module for SMART Scaffolder! BIM Toolbox features: Import of 2D Files
  • Import 2D CAD files in DXF, DWG and PDF file formats.
  • Quickly position scaffolds over site layouts and existing buildings.
  • Quickly trace over building outlines helped by a ‘Intersection Snap’ tool.
  • Easily manipulate and scale the imported drawing to suit.
  • Filter out unwanted information by switching off layers and colours.
Export of 3D Files
  • Provide customers with 3D IFC files they can use in Revit etc.
  • Export 3D IFC files for import into Structural Engineering software.
If you wish to learn more there is more information including a great video illustrating the import of a 2D site plan and modelling of a scaffold on the SMART Scaffolder website. Just visit www.smartscaffolder.com/bimtoolbox to learn more about BIM, IFC files and BIM Toolbox. CADS is also holding two FREE seminars in June. These will be in Nottingham 11th June and Hull 17th June, with registration open now. For further information contact: Email: [email protected] Tel: 01202 603031 Web: www.smartscaffolder.com

Scaffolders Go That Extra Mile To Raise Money For Help For Heroes

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Scaffolders Go That Extra Mile To Raise Money For Help For Heroes
Tower420

A family run Kent based scaffolding  firm will be raising money for our wounded servicemen, women and veterans in the 2014 Hero Ride. 

Mercer Scaffolding are proud to announce their participation in the 2014 Hero Ride on 8th June. The signature event is hosted by the Help For Heroes charity and raises money for our wounded servicemen, women and veterans. 

The Mercer Team has organised its own 30 mile bike ride, from its yard in Longfield to the meeting point at Blackheath Common. We’d love for you to join us on this special occasion and bring your friends along. To add to the challenge and as a token of respect we’ve built a scaffold tower fixed to a bike trailer, which will be shared voluntarily between riders along the route. At the meeting point in Blackheath, over 2000 riders will come together and make their way 10 miles into Central London, after completing their own Hero Rides from different parts of the UK. To mark this occasion riders will then gather at the Cenotaph for a ceremony, before falling into formation for the finale along the Horse Guards Parade. To donate please visit:  http://www.bmycharity.com/Mercerscaffolding For more information please visit: http://www.mercerscaffolding.com/hero-ride-2014.html  

Northampton Scaffolding Firm In Court After Worker’s Life-Changing Injuries

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Northampton Scaffolding Firm In Court After Worker’s Life-Changing Injuries

hselarge

A scaffolding firm and the owner of a roofing company have been fined after a worker suffered serious injuries when he plunged nine metres through a fragile warehouse roof in Northampton.

Labourer Stephen Allibon was walking on fragile asbestos cement sheeting during roofing work on 13 August 2012 when it gave way beneath him. He fell onto a metal pallet and then the concrete floor.

He sustained three fractures to his right arm, multiple fractures to his face and head, a punctured lung, damage to his chest and a severe gash to his right leg.

Mr Allibon, who is still unable to work, now has reduced movement in his right arm and right leg, numbness in his left arm, and suffers chest problems and dizzy spells. His employer, Beekay Scaffolding Ltd, and contractor William Thomas Toone, trading as Industrial Roofing Services (IRS), were both prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after an investigation identified they had both failed to make sure the work was carried out safely.

Northampton Magistrates’ Court heard today (19 May) that Beekay had been contracted by IRS to erect scaffolding for a warehouse roof repair in Watford village.

Repair work to the roof was planned in two stages. Protective nets and scaffolding were put in place to the south side to allow repairs to take place there before being moved to the north side to complete the work. However, poor management meant that when Mr Allibon was moving scaffolding tubes from the south side of the roof, there was no edge protection and no netting remaining under the perimeter of the roof where he was walking, nor were the scaffolders using platforms of any kind. HSE found that both companies had agreed safety precautions in advance of the work but both had failed to ensure they were implemented properly during the course of the work, exposing the workers to extreme risk.

Beekay Scaffolding Ltd of Obelisk Rise, Kingsthorpe, Northampton, was fined £6,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,640 after admitting two breaches of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and a single breach of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007. William Thomas Toone, trading as Industrial Roofing Services (IRS), of The Leys, Roade, Northampton, was fined £2,500 and ordered to pay costs of £1,400 after pleading guilty to a breach of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Richard Lockwood said:

“Mr Allibon suffered very serious injuries, but we could easily be talking about a fatal incident. Simple, straightforward, common sense procedures could have prevented this fall and the severe consequences it has had for one worker and his family.

“Both IRS and Beekay Scaffolding fell very far short of a safe and reasonable standard. They were clearly informed of the dangers. If properly used, the precautions would have reduced the risk to a minimal level. “The dangers of working at height are well-known in industry, yet workers still die or are permanently disabled because of the poor safety standards and lack of safeguards that still exist among some contractors.

“It is essential that the hazards associated with working at height are recognised and understood by those carrying out the work.”

CISRS Overseas Scaffolding Training Makes Progress In Middle East

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CISRS Overseas Scaffolding Training Makes Progress In Middle East

training1

CISRS have announced that they are very excited about the positive response CISRS scaffolding training is receiving within the Middle East region.

Having recently returned to the UK after carrying out successful annual accreditation visits to two CISRS providers – Safety and Access Middle East in Ajman and Simian Skills in Dubai – CISRS have announced that they are very excited about the positive response CISRS scaffolding training is receiving within the region. Whilst both training providers have only been in operation for a 12 month period, several hundred delegates have now undertaken CISRS Overseas Scaffolder Training Scheme (OSTS) courses. These have included Level 1 training2Scaffolder, Basic Scaffold Inspection and Scaffolding Supervision. Although scaffolding training is not necessarily a new thing in this region it is only in recent times that clients and contractors are beginning to question the suitability, course content and duration of some of the previously available courses. The introduction of the CISRS scheme is seen as a massive step forwards in improving the safety and quality of scaffolding erected on site. As such, many of the major players within the region are looking to implement a scheme which reflects UK standards. Dave Mosley (CISRS Scheme Manager) said:
“I feel that there are great opportunities for the CISRS scheme within the Middle East, as there is a vast amount of work in both construction and the booming oil and gas sectors. Both CISRS providers in the Middle East are making excellent progress with some very important clients. It would be amazing to think that in the not too distant future CISRS could become the qualification of choice for the scaffolding sector within this region.“
The reputation of the CISRS scheme is beginning to grow – with requests for CISRS training coming from all around the Middle East. CISRS training has already taken place in Abu Dhabi and Bahrain, and just to emphasise the point that things are starting to happen, Safety and Access Middle East has just gained approval for a new CISRS centre in Ras Laffan in Qatar, where they are supporting QATAR Petroleum with their scaffolding training requirements. Primarily they are looking for Scaffolding Supervisor and Scaffolding Inspection training, but there is scope at the centre through further development to cover the full range of courses. CISRS will be looking to return to the region later in the year for a promotional visit and to meet with further interested parties.

Safety & Access Offer Funded Training

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Safety & Access Offer Funded Training

Safety & Access Ltd

CISRS Scaffolder Part 2 Funded training available now!!

Part Funded CISRS Part Two Scaffolder Course/NVQ & Skills Test Employees that are 24 + years old at date of registration Candidates will be co-funded.  An employer contribution of £245.00 + VAT per candidate will be charged.  This will include Part Two, NVQ level 2 support and 1-Day Skills Test
  • Candidates must be employed
  • Candidates must live in England (Wales and Scotland are not included)
  • Candidates must work for a company with less than 250 employees
(An SME – Small to Medium Sized Enterprise) If candidates are 19 – 23 years old at date of registration the qualification is fully funded Dates & Location: 2nd June Nottingham 16th June Humberside (CATCH) Two week (10 Day) for Trainee Scaffolders who have completed a Trainee Scaffolder (Part 1) training course and at least 6 months of practical experience. Offer Includes Level 2 qualification and one day skills test. Visit our website for more information: www.safetyaccess.co.uk All the above prices are subject to VAT Contact Demi Lawson on 0115 9794523 Email [email protected]

Scaffolding Firm Fined After Scaffolder Falls From Ladder

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Scaffolding Firm Fined After Scaffolder Falls From Ladder

HSE: Builder Sentenced

A Birmingham firm has been fined after a worker suffered life-changing injuries in a two-metre fall from a ladder while constructing scaffolding for the set of a television programme.

Craig Shakespeare, 49, of Birmingham, sustained serious foot injuries in the incident at The Bond on Fazeley Street, Birmingham, on 25 March 2013. He is now reliant on a wheelchair and has been unable to work since.

Mr Shakespeare was working for Solihull-based Swan Scaffolding Contractors Limited, which was today (8 May) prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for failing to ensure sufficient measures were in place to prevent or mitigate the fall.

Birmingham Magistrates’ Court heard the company was building the supporting scaffold to hold a theatrical set in place.

Mr Shakespeare was working from a ladder to attach supporting scaffold to the back of the wooden set. As he pulled a fixture on the set towards the scaffold the fixture came away and he lost his balance.

He realised he was about to fall and jumped from the ladder, but landed heavily on his feet, badly breaking both heels.

HSE established a tower scaffold or elevated work platform should have been used instead of a ladder, as readily-available guidance clearly states. The court was told that had more suitable access equipment been used, the incident could have been avoided.

Swan Scaffolding Contractors Limited, of Knowle, Solihull, pleaded guilty to breaching regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and was fined £5,000 and ordered to pay £535 in costs and a £500 victim surcharge.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Edward Fryer said:

“The danger of using ladders should not be underestimated.  This is another example of serious injuries being sustained where other access equipment could have been used instead. 

“A tower scaffold was available and should have been used. As a scaffolding company, Swan Scaffolding should be experts in access and working at height. They know it is a high-risk activity, and they should know what measures to put in place to keep workers safe.”

Unsafe Towers Lead To New PASMA Safety Campaign

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Unsafe Towers Lead To New PASMA Safety Campaign
Pasma Campaign At this year’s first ever Health & Safety Event in Birmingham, a new campaign on the dangers of using unsafe towers was launched by PASMA. The campaign aims to show the importance of only using properly assembled towers and those certified  to the European standard BS EN1004 over often cheap and potentially dangerous alternatives – saying that “your life or the lives of others may depend” on using the right tower.

PASMA’s campaign has been created in an effort to combat the use of unsafe tower equipment, brought into sharp relief by the HSE’s blitz of construction sites throughout 2013 with month-long spot checks. During September over 1,000 sites – almost half of those visited – were failing to meet basic safety standards including failures related to the work at height equipment used.

Peter Bennett, PASMA’s Managing Director, said: 
“Dangerous work at height is far more common than it has to be, as using safe equipment can prevent many of the issues that repeatedly come up, such as not fitting proper platforms and guardrails. Simply using an EN1004 tower can make all the difference when it comes to a site’s safety. “This campaign aims to show that this isn’t just about fines and figures, but about lives. Falling from height kills more people than anything else in the workplace, which is why it warns people using towers that their lives and the lives of others may depend on only buying or hiring a safe tower.”
There are many examples of people whose falls could have been prevented by using safe towers. Robert Wilkin was paralysed when he broke his back last year after falling from a second-hand scaffold tower put up by an untrained builder.

An EN1004 tower could have easily prevented the structure being used in the unsafe way that led to the fall. Safe towers are designed to avoid anyone ever having to stand on an unprotected platform.

Mr Wilkin said:
“I don’t remember much about what happened after I fell. Lots of people were rushing about and it took the ambulance crew about 20 minutes to get me onto a back board because I had fallen in an awkward place between pallets of bricks.

“My life has been ruined because I can no longer do the things I used to do. I can’t go out on my own or drive. I feel my freedom has been taken from me and it’s been really hard on my family.”
Another example of the unsafe work carried out on non-EN1004 towers involved a boy standing on scaffolding with his father, six metres up on a non-EN1004 tower with wide open unprotected spaces he could easily have fallen from.

The tower was not fitted with proper platforms, built-in access or guardrails. At one point the man had to help his 10 year old son onto a too-short portable ladder above him by his ankles.

Children should not even be allowed on safe towers – work at height is obviously for competent adult workers, not children – never mind one from which it would have been so easy to fall. The HSE inspector ordered the man to come down and help his son off of the structure. Later the builder was fined, and sentenced with 80 hours of community service.

PASMA’s website (pasma.co.uk) has set up a new ‘Scaffold Towers’ section as part of the campaign. It outlines the facts about how dangerous unsafe work at height is, and gives simple and practical advice about how to keep safe, as well as offering a free Tower Safety Pack filled with essential information on buying and maintaining a tower.

Man seriously injured in Newbury scaffolding collapse

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Man seriously injured in Newbury scaffolding collapse
scaffoldcolapsestory

A man has been seriously injured after scaffolding collapsed at a building site in Newbury.

Police said the man was flown to hospital after falling from the structure at the site in West Street shortly after 09:30 BST on Friday 2 May. The South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) said the man’s injuries were non life-threatening. A SCAS spokeswoman said she believed the man was trapped under the scaffolding at one point. Ambulance crews worked with fire crews on an aerial platform to get the man off the building. He was sent by air ambulance to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. Sgt Dan Londe, from Thames Valley Police, said:
“We’re just assessing how serious his injuries are, and then there will be an investigation between us and the Health and Safety Executive.”
The road was closed earlier between Northbrook Street and Northcroft Lane while the area was made safe. Via: BBC

Hero Scaffolder Saves Man At Demolition Site

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Hero Scaffolder Saves Man At Demolition Site

shaun

A scaffolder has been hailed a hero after saving a man’s life following a roof collapse in Bedford.

Scaffolder Shaun Morrison, 22 from Bedford was working on a demolition site at Bedford’s old Town Hall when disaster struck. Shaun was among workers who rushed to the aid of an injured man who was trapped by the neck after the roof collapsed and a wall toppled at the site on Wednesday April 23rd. Speaking to local media Shaun said:

 “There were three of us round the corner from where the roof came down and the wall toppled.

“The man who was injured was standing by the wall when it fell, tipping on to him and trapping him round the neck.

“We reacted seconds after it fell.

“When we first got round the corner to help him he wasn’t breathing as the scaffolding tube was pinned on to his neck which stopped him being able to breathe.

“Luckily I had the tools on me to remove the metal tube as the man looked lifeless, and the paramedics were still on their way to the site at that time.” He added: “I didn’t really think about it, I just wanted to help him.

“I knew that the wall could have fallen on all of us but if myself and two workmates ‘Slavi’ and Anthony Woodland hadn’t helped him I really think he would have died.”

Shaun’s dad Ian said:
“Kids these days get a bad press but Shaun is a good lad and loves his job as a scaffolder. “I’m just so proud of him. He just dived straight in there to help. “He’s a hero in my book – if he hadn’t taken the metal tube off that man’s neck he would have died.”
Shaun then helped the paramedics who arrived on the scene, in lifting the injured man on to a spinal board. The paramedics couldn’t reach the man as he was in a precarious position on the site and Shaun continued to assist the medics. Hero Shaun said:
“He was panicking a bit when he came round so we reassured him by saying things like; ‘You’ve got a holiday coming up soon mate. “My boss said to me afterwards: ‘Well done’, but I just wanted to help.”
An air ambulance was called and landed nearby but the man was treated by paramedics at the scene before being taken to Bedford Hospital, where he remained this week.  
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