XERVON Palmers Use Layer For Latest Boiler Job

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XERVON Palmers Use Layer For Latest Boiler Job

Palmersfeatured

XERVON Palmers has converted to System Scaffolding for an efficient large-scale industrial access job – to facilitate the bi-annual overhaul of the interior of a huge boiler at Aberthaw Power Station, in South Wales.

Working closely with client Doosan Babcock and their customer RWE, up to 47 XERVON Palmers operatives have constructed a 25 x 13 metre, 19-lift Layher System Scaffold within the enormous coal-fired boiler at Aberthaw Power Station, located near Cardiff on the North bank of the Bristol channel. The decision to use Layher System Scaffolding in preference to traditional tube & fitting scaffolding was made by XERVON Palmers management to improve the performance and efficiency of the scaffolding to suit the large, but confined space within the power station boiler and the time constraints of the contract. A key factor of the Palmers job at Aberthaw was to help reduce the amount of time the boiler (which helps the Power Station generate 1555MW of electricity to the national grid, enough for three million homes) was offline – hence the switch from bespoke tube and fitting to modular scaffolding as the optimum access solution for this environment, due to safety and speed of erection and striking. In addition, the formulaic design of the Layher scaffolding provided a neat and space efficient access solution, providing much improved, safe, clear and unhindered access platforms, enabling the many skilled operatives deployed at Aberthaw to complete their boiler overhaul works safely and efficiently. Additionally on the Aberthaw contract, XERVON Palmers operatives had were working in hot, dusty and noisy conditions had to manage carefully with limited storage facilities the significant amounts of manual handling that was required to get the Layher equipment initially through two small (48 x 18-inch) holes – to allow the erection of the first three scaffold levels and as work progressed materials were passed through larger doorway-sized holes above levels three to 19.
“The decision to move from conventional tube and fitting to modular System scaffolding has proved to be a wise choice at Aberthaw, as we were able to complete the installation of the Layher scaffold more efficiently with considerably less components. This helped make the overall work environment safer and quicker,” comments Ian McFarlane, Director at XERVON Palmers. “As a company, we are starting to see a rise in demand for System Scaffolding jobs now – even in traditional tube and fitting areas, like England. System is the scaffold of choice in Europe and very popular in Scotland too, so it’s interesting to see it taking a more prevalent role in England now,” Mr McFarlane added.
Palmers parent company XERVON GmbH based in Germany is one of the biggest scaffold companies in Europe, where System Scaffolding is more commonplace than in the UK. XERVON utilise Layher Scaffolding as their core scaffold system, with over 70,000 tons in stock and are actively encouraging Palmers to use more System Scaffold in the UK. A spokesperson for XERVON GmbH said:
“System Scaffolding, like Layher is commonly used for many different access jobs in Europe and we are starting to see – and suggest – a substantial rise in its use in Great Britain by XERVON Palmers operatives. The job at Aberthaw Power Station boiler lends itself perfectly to System Scaffolding, thanks to its efficient, space and time-saving construction and dismantling characteristics and its ability to be used safely in tight, restrictive environments.”
The XERVON Palmers Layher scaffolding job at Aberthaw Power Station boiler has enabled clients Doosan Babcock and RWE to efficiently carry out their bi-annual overhaul and has been constructed and dismantled on time and on budget by XERVON Palmers. For over 120 years XERVON Palmers has provided a quality scaffolding service to all industries, working on some of the most important sites and prestigious projects within the petrochemical, power generation, construction, offshore fabrication, marine, nuclear, railway and airport market sectors. XERVON Palmers specialise in scaffolding and access contracts as well as offering additional services like steelwork repairs, specialist coatings, including shotblasting and thermal insulation.  

Scaffolding Firm & Director In Court After Scaffold Falls Into Street

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Scaffolding Firm & Director In Court After Scaffold Falls Into Street

HSE: Builder Sentenced

A Cambridgeshire company and its director have been prosecuted after an unsecured scaffold collapsed into a street.

It fell onto the pavement and road in High Street, Stretham, on 18 April 2013 three days after it was erected in front of a house by Buckden firm Crusaders Scaffolding Ltd and director Gary Driver. Both parties were prosecuted today (31 July) by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after an investigation found the two-storey structure, which was around 11 metres long and 4.5 metres high, had not been secured to the property in any way. Cambridge Magistrates’ Court heard that a large covering of plastic sheeting had been attached to the outside of the scaffold to protect passers-by as the work being carried out on the house involved shot blasting and steam jetting. However, this ultimately acted as a sail that caused it to blow over in the wind. Crusaders Scaffolding Ltd, registered to High Street, Saffron Walden, Essex, but operating from Great North Road, Buckden, was fined a total of £7,500 and ordered to pay £526 in costs after pleading guilty to two breaches of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and one of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. Gary John Driver, 51, of Hunts End, Buckden, St Neots, was fined £5,000 with £500 costs after also pleading guilty to the same Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 offence. Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector John Berezansky said:
“It was extremely fortunate that no-one was working on the scaffold at the time and that no-one or nothing was hit when it fell. This is a busy High Street used by children to get to and from the local school. Had the scaffold fell during the morning or afternoon school run it could have been a different story. “The scaffold fell well below the required standard. In essence, Crusaders Scaffolding created an unsecured sail that fell over in the wind. Gary Driver was directly involved in the commissioning and construction of the scaffold. The risks associated with scaffolding are well known in the industry and to have not secured the structure was a basic error.”

NASC & CISRS to Re-Develop Level 2 Scaffolding Diploma

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NASC & CISRS to Re-Develop Level 2 Scaffolding Diploma

nascpress

The National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) and Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS) have recently been assisting the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) with a radical re-development of its Level Two Diploma for scaffolding apprentices (No. 601/3726/5). The new Diploma in Scaffolding will be available for registration from September 1st 2014.

A working party made up of representatives from CISRS, NASC, the CITB awarding body, approved training providers (NCC Midlands, Simian Skills and Safety and Access) and Scaffolding contractors including NASC members, Brand Energy (SGB), Deborah Services Ltd and Complete Access (Scaffolding) Ltd, has been meeting in recent months to review the content of the Level Two Scaffolding diploma.

The main focus has been to bring the diploma in line with the launch of the NASC’s new ‘best practice guidelines for tube and fitting scaffolding’ – TG20:13. And in addition to this, other “outstanding issues” have been resolved e.g. splitting the Independent scaffold from the Birdcage scaffold exercises, to enable them to be taken as standalone units. The new qualification has also been updated to include a unit on Prefabricated Aluminium Towers.

A CITB spokesperson said:

“The Level Two Diploma in Scaffolding was initially launched in August 2013 as part of the Training Qualification Review, as such it was updated in line with legislation and industry guidance that was valid at that time. It was however recognised that the scaffolding sector was going through a series of changes at this point, most importantly the imminent introduction of TG20:13 which was scheduled to be released in Spring 2014. Following an approach from NASC and CISRS, we felt a further review to the existing qualification content to confirm it met the new requirements was justified. After a meeting with them and other industry representatives, it was established that the qualification did require updating to ensure it was fit for purpose and met with what the industry needs to effectively train its workforce.”

Dave Mosley (CISRS Scheme Manager) said:

“We had originally looked at the diploma with a view to replacing some of the construction industry generic elements with more scaffolding sector specific items. It soon became apparent that following the launch of TG20:13 there where several existing units which would now need further examination. The working group has performed very well and we would we like to thank CITB for their positive and swift response to our sector’s request for a review. We are happy with the changes and feel that the industry now has a more relevant and representative diploma on offer.”

House Builder And Scaffolding Firm Fined For Scaffold Collapse

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House Builder And Scaffolding Firm Fined For Scaffold Collapse

HSE: Builder Sentenced

A scaffolding firm and house builder have been prosecuted after two bricklayers were injured after falling from scaffolding that collapsed.

Cathedral Scaffold Company Ltd had erected a scaffold six meters from the ground bridging a narrow gap between the gable ends of neighbouring houses on a construction site in Lincoln. After loading out materials, two bricklayers were about to start work when the scaffold collapsed. The two men fell approximately two meters onto the lift below, both men sustaining serious injurers. A Health & Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that the scaffold constructed by Cathedral Scaffold Company Ltd was not to a hsecollapserecognised design, which would of included standards to transfer the loads to the ground. Scaffolders onsite mistakenly believed they could not fit a four-board wide scaffold with standards required by the contractor Persimmon Homes Ltd in such a narrow gap. Not to any current scaffolding standard the scaffold was still handed over to Persimmon Homes Ltd with a handing over certificate identifying the structure as a general purpose  scaffold capable of supporting a specified distributed weight load. As no calculations for strength or stability were undertaken this was not guaranteed. Persimmon Homes Ltd then overloaded the scaffold causing it to collapse. HSE found the weight of just one pack of dry blocks distributed evenly over the platform would have taken it over the load limit – even without the men, tools or mortar on the platform. It was likely that the actual loading could have increased the danger as the blocks were all stacked towards one side of the platform.

Persimmon Homes Ltd, of Fulford, York, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 8(b)(i) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and was today (28 July) fined £8,000 and ordered to pay £10,426 costs.

The Cathedral Scaffold Company Ltd, of Dixon Way, Lincoln, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 8(b)(ii) of the same Regulations and was fined £4,000 with costs of £5,500.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Linda-Jane Rigby said:

“Unless a scaffold is a basic configuration described in recognised guidance it should be designed by calculation, by a competent person, to ensure it will have adequate strength and suitability. The design information should describe the sequence and methods to be adopted when erecting, dismantling and altering the scaffold. That did not happen in this case.

“Persimmon accepted handover of the scaffold and subsequently overloaded it, causing it to collapse.”

Midlands Trainee Scaffolder Wins Apprentice Of The Year

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Midlands Trainee Scaffolder Wins Apprentice Of The Year

Charlie Holloway

A trainee scaffolder from Kidderminster is celebrating after winning apprentice of the year for the midlands region by the National Construction College (NCC).

Charlie Holloway was named apprentice of the year for the midlands and winner of scaffolding year two category for his continued work at GMK Scaff-Form, a family-run business based in Charlie’s home town of Kidderminster. Talking to local media, The Kidderminster Shuttle Charlie said:
 “I am absolutely delighted to get these awards. My apprenticeship has been a lot of hard work but it has been worth it. “I have learnt so much during the course but I am eager to keep on learning and to get better all the time. “I am looking forward to working my way through the ranks at GMK while also completing the NCC’s advanced scaffolding course. “I could not have won these awards without the support and training of the college and my employer.”
GMK Scaff-Form director Darren Keen said:
 “Charlie has achieved so much in such a short amount of time and it proves that apprenticeships can work if the young people involved have the right attitudes. “GMK is really proud of Charlie’s success and he has performed his duties with us admirably.”
The National Construction College awards are run each year to recognise and to celebrate the hard work of apprentices from around the United Kingdom.

Innovations: The ProView Dragonfly Scaffolders Level

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Innovations: The ProView Dragonfly Scaffolders Level
The ProView Dragonfly is the first Product to be launched by X-Pro Tools and it introduces the Multi-Award Winning and Patented Innovation, the ‘ProView’ Safety Viewing Feature. Paul A Sparrow, the Inventor, is a Professional UK Tradesman with over 27 years of experience on the tools, where he used ‘Spirit Levels’ all day every day in his own Trade working as a self-employed Window Fitter on both domestic and commercial installations. He came up with the idea whilst fitting a Window; without thinking he leaned in to view the bubble on his level and impaled his lower eyelid onto a painted nail sticking out of the Wall. Coming so close to what could easily have been a very serious life changing incident he immediately realised that having strategically placed mirrors installed into the level would prevent the user from having to get into such awkward and risky positions in the first place. Also due to the way conventional levels have to be viewed it makes it virtually impossible if the user is wearing a Hard Hat or Glasses. ProView takes that awkwardness out of the product. The Dragonfly, along with all other X-Pro Spirit Level Designs now incorporate Paul’s new ProView Technology, which in this case will provide two extra and unique viewing features. xprotools The ProView Dragonfly has been specifically designed for the Scaffolding Industry at the request of Professional Scaffolders that had seen the earlier ‘Proof of Concept’ CNC Machined ProView Torpedo version at various Tradeshows. Paul set about designing one and over time received a lot of feedback about what was needed.  
  1. It had to have the same accuracy as the traditional Stabila, which although originally designed for Brickies, had also been adopted by the Worldwide Scaffolding Industry.
  2. It had to have High Impact Strength as they often get dropped.
  3. It had to have 2 Powerful Neodymium Magnets so as not to drop off a Tube.
  4. It had to be 250mm long as they are used to measure the drop for lower Handrails.
  5. It had to fit Existing Standard Frogs and have Good Grip in the Wet.
With these points in mind it went through several design iterations before ending up at the Dragonfly design currently being launched, and this design has come about in Consultation with Professional Scaffolders who now have a Level specifically designed for their Trade. The ProView Dragonfly can be purchased online via our own Website at; www.x-protools.com where it is currently still available at the ‘Pre-Order’ price of £29.95 + Shipping. Alternatively it will be going ‘Live’ in the Toolstation Online Store as of 1st August 2014 where it will be available at the full Retail price of £39.90 + Shipping. At which time the X-Pro website will increase their price to match the Toolstation price. Follow; www.facebook.com/XProTools and/or @Octopeye on Twitter for more updates. The first Production Run is just waiting on packaging before being shipped from the factory, so people will get one quicker if they buy from Toolstation as of the 1st August, as shipping normally takes about 6 weeks on the water before reaching a UK Port, so anyone wanting to buy at the reduced price from the X-Pro website will actually have to wait longer to receive it. As a Personal Note; ProView was actually conceived in 1986 and it was finally filed for ‘Patent’ in 2006 and since then even having Won the coveted title of British Invention of the Year in 2009, it has constantly been refused funding from all sources approached on the grounds that it always fell outside of their eligibility criteria. Essentially it was stuck in a ‘Catch 22’.

The ‘Catch22’ explained;

Banks and Investors all refuse to lend until a Project can show actual Orders placed for its products (Proof of Income). Buyers demand sight of Actual Production Samples before they can place those Orders (Proof of Quality). This creates the proverbial ‘Catch 22’ scenario because the Projects need the Funds <> to make the Tooling – to get the Samples the Buyer demands – before they can place the Orders the Bank demands – before providing the Funds (Go back to <>). As you can see, once a Project falls into this trap there is rarely a way out!!!… As a result in 2013 I resurrected an old ‘Fundraising’ idea I’d previously had way back in 1993 whilst pursuing another Project, I renamed it BizKit-Tin and asked my Customers to ‘Pre-Order’ the Dragonfly to help raise the funding needed to put it into production. Therefore I would especially like to thank everyone that placed a ‘Pre-Order’ via BizKit-Tin for their support as without them this great project may never have seen the light of day!.. Thank you!!!… Paul A Sparrow. Founder of 4octopus.com and Inventor of ProView. NOTE; (It has recently come to light that this 1993 Fundraising Project may potentially be the first ‘Recorded’ Modern Day Crowdfunding Project (As we now know them) to exist.

The F-Board Wins ‘Best Recycled Product’ Award 2014

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The F-Board Wins ‘Best Recycled Product’ Award 2014
Fboardwins

The innovative F-Board has won the ‘Best Recycled Product’ award at the 2014 National Recycling Awards.

The Judges commented:
“The winning product has lots of potential in terms of take up and wide usage. The product it was replacing had a short life span, but this product offered great benefits through end of life take back and replacement.”
The awards, which took place at the Hilton Hotel, London, on Thursday, 3rd July, are considered to be the most prestigious and coveted awards in the waste and recycling annual calendar, and is the biggest networking event within the recycling industry with more than 700 industry leaders from across the nation attending. Organised by MRW magazine, the awards celebrate achievements and products from within the recycling fraternity. The ‘Best Recycled Product’ award exemplifies the best of sustainability, with careful consideration of resources and with recycling and reusing in mind through the use of recycled content. F-Board is very proud to announce that they have won the ‘Best Recycled Product’ category with our innovative and forward-thinking scaffolding board. The board, which is made from recycled UPVC, has captured the attention of the scaffolding and recycling industries with its financial and environmental attributes – as well as being extremely safe to use. The recycling loop of buying back the F-Board at the end of its lifespan also shows great innovation. Ticking every box, it was of no surprise that F-Board has won this category at the 2014 National Recycling Awards, and F-Board would like to thank the judges and the recycling community for this prestigious award. For more information about F Board please visit our Website www.fboard.co.uk or call 0121 505 2360.  

Advanced Guard Easy Fit System Is Reaching New Heights

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Advanced Guard Easy Fit System Is Reaching New Heights

Advanced Guard, Project Scaffolding

Advanced Guard has successfully piloted its advanced guardrail system with Middlesbrough scaffolding firm Project Scaffolding.

We originally brought Advanced Guard to your attention back in November 2012  with our innovations article. Speaking to a local paper the firm is now hoping its innovative SG4:10 compliant guardrail system can be rolled out on construction sites across the UK. Advanced Guard’s Easy-Fit system now takes 14 minutes to install compared to around three hours for traditional system. The brainchild behind the system is Health and Safety adviser Keith Alexander who has designed the system. Keith said:
“I first came up with the idea about four years ago. I’m a health and safety adviser and been in construction for 14 years but didn’t do anything with it for a while. “Legislation on fall prevention changed in 2010, and they said scaffolding should be put up from underneath; that’s when I started production.”
advancedg1 Advanced Guard have said that several companies are already using the system but it has now caught the attention of a larger firm. Project Scaffolding based in Middlesbrough has 178 employees and a turnover of around £9M a year has began testing the advanced guard rail system on real construction projects. Mark Jeavens of Project Scaffolding said: 
 “This is a far quicker method. We are impressed with it. “There’s no need for the scaffolder to climb up and expose himself to the risk of a fall. “Other methods take a lot longer, and the guys don’t like doing it.”

Technical Design Draughtsman Required At 48.3

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Technical Design Draughtsman Required At 48.3

43 48.3 Scaffold Design Office Reigate1

48.3 are Recruiting… Again!

48.3 Scaffold Design are experts in providing specialist scaffolding and temporary works design.

Formed in 2010 by Managing Director and Principal Engineer Ben Beaumont, 48.3 have gone from strength to strength becoming the UK’s leading Scaffold Design Company. Providing designs for projects for Network Rail, London Underground, The Olympic Games, Thameslink, Crossrail, Gatwick Airport re-development, Heathrow Terminal 2B, English Heritage, Thames Water, National Grid and many other commercial and industrial sites.

48.3 are a young and vibrant company offering a great environment in which to work. They have continued to grow each year since forming in 2010 and have a fantastic team dedicated to providing the best service our industry has to offer.

48.3 are looking for TWO permanent full-time, Technical Design Draughtsmen to join their dedicated team of Scaffold Design Engineers. This is a unique opportunity, as previous experience in design or engineering isn’t necessarily needed.  48.3 offer a tailored and structured training and development program, however to be successful, you must meet the basic academic requirements and have the dedication and motivation to study part-time to attain the required qualifications.

Most importantly the successful candidate will have a fantastic attitude, a willingness to learn and a personal desire, motivation and commitment to their career.

You think you have what it takes?

If you want to find out more details and see the full job specification please visit the 48.3 website www.483scaffolddesign.com/join us

All applicants must send in their CV, a covering letter and a brief statement (less than 250 words) outlining their suitability for the position to [email protected]

Cambridge Training Provider Receives CISRS Accreditation

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Cambridge Training Provider Receives CISRS Accreditation

wata

West Anglia Training Association (WATA) of Huntingdon, Cambridge has become the latest training provider to gain Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS) accreditation.

Following successful completion of their CISRS accreditation audit which took place in early June, WATA can now offer the following courses: CISRS Part 1 Scaffolding, CISRS Operative Training Scheme (COTS), Basic Scaffold Inspection Training Scheme (SITS), and they are also looking to offer several System product courses in the near future.

A brand new purpose built practical training area has been erected at their site at Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. It is fitted out to the highest specification using what the experienced staff at WATA feel are the most effective and efficient ideas for layout, training structures etc. that they had witnessed whilst visiting or working at other approved training providers.

Dave Mosley CISRS Scheme Manager said:

“WATA’s commitment to the CISRS scheme is reflected in the investment and drive they put into producing this high quality facility. Only six months ago on my first visit to the proposed site it was just a field with a few rabbits running around, in the very short time since that visit they now have an excellent centre in which to deliver CISRS training.”

The other facilities within the campus are of equally high quality, the classrooms, on site canteen and welfare provision will all make for a very conducive atmosphere for learning.

WATA will also offer Scaffolding Apprenticeships, which will be welcomed by the industry as there has been very high demand for apprentice places of late.

The Centre has managed to secure some additional funding and as such are currently able to offer CISRS training at a subsided rate. For more details on this you should contact the centre directly tel. 01480 435544 or email [email protected]

Chief Executive Officer Nigel Donohue said:

“We are delighted to have gained our initial CISRS accreditation at WATA, we have a great facility here and very experienced staff and it is our intention to add to the suite of CISRS courses we offer with Part 2 and Advanced Scaffolding as soon as the scheme rules allow.”

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