Cape plc has been awarded a new offshore Clair Ridge contract with BP worth £9.8M securing 170 Jobs.
Cape plc, a leader in the supply of critical industrial services to the energy and natural resources sectors, continues it’s current relationship with BP after being awarded a new Clair Ridge contract worth £9.8m, with further future phases added over the next 18 months.
Clair Ridge, 75km west of Shetland, is the second phase of development within the Clair field – the largest undeveloped hydrocarbon resource on the UKCS. The contract is in support of the hook-up and commissioning of BP’s two new bridge-linked Clair Ridge platforms. Effective from July 2015, the contract will secure around 170 jobs for Cape employees through the provision of core services including access, insulation, coating, passive fire protection and platform services for the Clair Ridge hook-up work.
Joe Oatley, Chief Executive, Cape plc said: “We are delighted to be awarded this further contract by BP. Cape has a longstanding relationship with BP and we look forward to continuing to work with this important client to deliver our critical industrial services to this prestigious project”.
The NASC announce update for its Code of Practice (CoP).
The CoP product compliance list, documents compliant scaffolding products currently supplied by audited NASC hire/sale members.
The National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) originally introduced the CoP in 2007 for system scaffolds. The scope of the CoP has since been expanded to incorporate EN39 tube, EN74-1 couplers, BS2482 timber board and aluminium beams.
TG20 compliant unit transoms and high tensile 3.2mm tube will be added in 2016.
Audits are carried out by a third party consultancy company QSI Ltd at NASC member company UK sites and in the majority of cases at manufacturing sites worldwide. The audit is specific to new product at point of entry to the UK.
The confederation have produced a list that can be viewed here of compliant system scaffolding products currently supplied by audited NASC hire/sale members. In some instances compliant products are also supplied by other NASC hire/sale members.
NASC MD, Robin James said: “The rationale behind the NASC CoP audit was to introduce a level of compliance that supplier members should adhere to, with the audit covering Quality Systems & Procedures, Product Testing, Raw Material & Components and Process Control. Where appropriate relevant BS, EN & ISO Standards are utilised.“We are confident that the scaffolding industry and the wider construction sector will find the NASC CoP compliant product list a very useful document.”
Hull based Burflex Scaffolding Ltd beats the recession and continues to expand after investing £750,000 purchasing 47 new vans.
The major investment comes after the family owned business has shown impressive solid growth over the last four years growing it’s turnover from £2M in 2011 to almost £10M in 2015.
The firm was established 12 years ago by Steve Cox and his wife Tracy and two staff, the husband and wife team now employs 147 people.
Speaking to the Hull Daily Mail, Managing Director, Steve Cox said:
“We’ve steadily grown through the recession.“The company has been developing the right management structure to make it possible for us to grow.“It was tough through the recession but we’re a proactive bunch.”
Mr Cox said his firm survived through a focus on keeping existing customers and careful management.
He said: “I think the main reason we’ve been successful in the recession is repeat custom.“There are a lot of people we’ve worked for prior to the recession who’ve kept us in work.“We’re now certainly one of the largest family-owned scaffolding firms in Yorkshire, and possibly beyond.”
The business is now rumoured to be setting its sights to expand further by breaking into the Petrochemical and heavy industry.
48.3 announce the launch of a new Northern regional office and the appointment of a new team member.
One of the UK’s leading design firms 48.3 Scaffold Design has today announced the launch of their new Northern Regional Office based in Leeds, Yorkshire. The launch comes after the company’s services, headquartered in the South has been in huge demand nationwide in recent years.
48.3 have also announced the appointment of Ivik Masek to head up the new regional office and joins the firm’s Board of Directors.
48.3 new Northern region office
Ben Beaumont, Managing Director at 48.3 commented: “Opening our second regional office is a huge milestone for the company and geographically Leeds is the perfect location to allow us to do this. Being able to personally service our central and northern UK clients and expand our reach is really exciting for us as team and we are delighted to we welcome aboard Ivik Masek to help us do this”.
New team member Ivik Masek
New team member Ivik Masek has a wealth of experience in Design Engineering. Having been lucky enough to work for Alwyn Richards for the past ten years, Ivik has had the opportunity to work on a diverse range of projects including power stations, new builds and shopping centres plus the well documented £8 million refurbishment of Selby Swing Bridge and Lincoln Cathedral. This experience has allowed him to develop expertise in specialised fields including Network Rail and Historical Listed Buildings.
Ivik is also a professionally qualified Engineering Technician and is a active member of the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE). In recent years he has also become a ICE Reviewer, assessing candidates who want to become professional members and encouraging high standards in the industry.
Ivik added: “I am really excited to be taking on the challenge of running and developing the 48.3 Northern Regional Office. I have known Ben Beaumont for over ten years so when the opportunity came about to work with him and the team it was one I couldn’t turn down. We both have very similar mindsets and both strive to continuously improve the industry, there are endless opportunities for 48.3 to explore and it’s a very exciting time for both the company and myself”.
Altrad NSG helps to secure up to 165 jobs after securing multi-million pound contract renewals with two of the UK’s leading chemicals firms.
The scaffolding and industrial services company based in Deeside, which operates across the whole of the UK has today announced the firm has renewed contracts with INOVYN ChlorVinyls and Tata Chemicals to provide access solutions, repair and maintenance services across several sites in the North West.
The three-year contracts have a combined value of up to £16.5m, enabling the firm to continue its existing work at INOVYN ChlorVinyls’ chlorine production site in Runcorn, providing services including insulation, surface preparation, blasting and painting.
Altrad NSG will also deliver full access, repair and maintenance services to Tata Chemicals at the British Salt site in Middlewich, as well as its production plants in Winnington and Lostock.
Mike Carr, Managing Director at Altrad NSG, said: “These contracts are a fantastic boost and fill us with confidence that our unique approach to client needs puts us in a strong position to continue our expansion and create further jobs.“Our collaborative approach, experience and expertise has allowed us to develop excellent long-term relationships with INOVYN ChlorVinyls and Tata Chemicals, evidenced by the fact we’ve been working with INOVYN ChlorVinyls in Runcorn for more than 20 years now.“By working in partnership with our clients we can meet project goals safely, on time and within budget.”
Back in June the firm announced that it had been awarded its first major offshore contract after securing a five-year agreement with oil and gas exploration and production company Centrica Energy.
The HSE have issued a safety alert for Extendable Scaffolding Loading Bay Gates for the use of cable ties to secure loose mesh and unsafe means of operation.
The Health and Safety Executive yesterday raised the alarm after becoming aware that a number of manufacturers/suppliers are marketing an extendable scaffold loading bay gate that the HSE state does not satisfy legal requirements or applicable standards when in some configurations.
When extended the loading bay gate, which forms part of the edge protection on a scaffold, is not robust enough to fulfil this function and is therefore not suitable and sufficient to comply with the Work at Height Regulations 2005. This safety notice applies to all similar types of loading bay gate as described below.
The Safety Alert issued by the HSE is as follows:
The loading bay gates subject to this safety notice originate from a variety of manufacturers/suppliers and comprise two panels made up of tube and mesh (see photo 1). One panel section is fixed length and the other is telescopic and can be adjusted to the required width of the loading bay. This allows a width adjustment from approximately 2300mm to approximately 3900mm. The mesh infill spans the full width and height of each panel. There is no horizontal mid rail. This loading bay gate design is reported to be available in steel and in aluminium.
The mesh infill is typically 3 mm gauge on a 50 mm square pattern and each edge is welded to the fixed length panel. To allow the telescopic panel to slide during adjustment the mesh on this section is loose. Supplier instructions seen suggest the loose mesh should be fixed to the gate perimeter using plastic cable ties after this panel has been telescoped to a width suitable for the loading bay.
Photo 2: Loose mesh panel not secured to extending frame
This type of gate has been found on a number of construction sites where the mesh was loose and able to detach when pushed (see photo 2) so would not be able to resist a person leaning or in particular falling against it, and would also allow loose materials to fall from the platform.
The gates in question open by rotating upwards around a pivot fitting mounted approximately 500mm inboard of the gate (see photo 3). Because this type of gate has very short rear levers it is usually opened by lifting the handles on top of the gate, placing a worker right at the edge of the platform with a gap beneath the gate that can exceed 1.5 metres high. When fully open there is a gap beneath the gate of approximately 1 metre height although this is about 1 metre inboard of the open edge of the loading bay (see photo 3).
Photo 3: Gate in open position folded up and over to rest on fixed edge protection.
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 Schedule 2 requires edge protection used for construction purposes to be of suitable strength and rigidity and to comprise the equivalent of a top rail, a mid-rail and a toe board. Where no mid rail is present any mesh panels or similar must be able to achieve an equivalent level of containment.
This safety alert does not apply to designs of upward rotating loading bay gate that are robust and are operated from the rear of the loading bay and which close off access to the loading bay when the gate is open. These should already comply with BS EN 12811-1:2003 ‘Scaffolds – Performance requirements and general design’ which sets out the standards expected for loading bay gates.
Action Required:
For gates of the type described in this safety alert stainless steel cable ties will be accepted as an interim measure for securing the mesh panel, and should be installed to the gate supplier’s instructions. Typically this will be one cable tie per 300mm. Unless the gate manufacturer/supplier allows a lighter duty cable tie, ties rated at minimum 75kg loop tensile strength should be used. Note that most cable ties are not designed to be suitable for reuse following loosening or removal. Alternatively, this aspect of the safety alert can be complied with by installing the extendible gate in the fully closed (narrowest) configuration thereby not requiring the use of cable ties.
Stainless steel cable ties should be included as part of the 7 day scaffold inspection.
Options to allow the gates in question to be opened without workers being able to slip or trip and fall through the gap underneath the open gate or the large gap while opening the gate include remote opening using rope over a scaffold rail or pulley fixed above and inboard of the closed gate. Or moving the gate pivot further inboard and extending the operating levers – this may remove the need to fully rotate the gate during opening. Both these methods allow operation from the rear of the loading bay platform – ie at least 2m back from the open edge.
HSE has been informed that the supplier of one model of the gates in question is working on a design change to bring the gate to a standard that meets EN 12811-1 during operation and use. HSE expects manufacturers/suppliers of similar gates to do the same. These improvements will need to address the securing of the mesh infill panels; the risk of the gate opening due to a person or materials falling against it; and the level of fall protection provided when the gate is operated or open.
Cable ties are not a permanent solution, However it is appreciated that many of these gates are manufactured and shipped from overseas and that changes will take time to implement. HSE will accept the correct use of stainless steel cable ties as an interim measure until the end of December 2016. After that date Enforcement Notices will be considered on a case by case basis for inadequate gates and/or gate designs. During the interim period gate installations that do not meet the minimum standard set out in this document will be subject to appropriate enforcement action.
For more information please see the safety alert on the HSE website
Many scaffolders across the country are ditching the traditional scaffold spanner in favour for a never tiring Impact Wrench (battery depending) for the erection and dismantle of scaffolding.
Could this be the future for our industry? Will we all end up having one of these hanging from our belts? But seriously.. should we be using Impact Wrenches ?
The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has been busy behind the scenes performing vigorous tests tightening couplers with two popular types of impact wrenches and a wide range of drop forged couplers. The couplers were from different suppliers in various conditions, new, used, lubricated and unlubricated. Over 60 tests were completed.
No Concerns
Industry experts at the NASC analyzed the data and found no concerns or adverse effects to the couplers from the tests carried out with both impact wrenches and the traditional scaffold spanner. Subsequently the NASC has deemed the use of impact wrenches for scaffolding purposes acceptable.
However the confederation has released a statement highlighting several important recommendations to be considered by the employer before the use of impact wrenches by operatives:
The recommended force required to tighten a fitting is 50 N/mtr as stated in EN 74. Most wrenches have stated torque settings (N/mtr) in excess of this recommended figure. However during testing it was noted that settings published by the manufacturer can differ greatly from what is actually achieved. It is therefore recommended that any employer considering authorising the use of impact wrenches carries out testing to establish that the impact wrench which they intend to authorise for use by their employees is capable of applying the correct torque to scaffold fittings on a consistent and recurring basis. Further to completion of an adequate risk assessment by the employer the impact wrench may then be deemed fit for purpose for erection/dismantling and alterations to scaffolding by their employees.
It is recommended that prior to use of an impact wrench on site the employee should first undergo a suitable period of training, familiarisation and monitoring, to ensure that the impact wrench is being used in the correct manner at all times.
The NASC recognises that impact wrenches can offer certain benefits. However members and users of such equipment should be aware that there is potential for concern regarding use and operation. Employers should adequately assess the risk for their own particular situation and ensure that they put in place protocols to cover safe use. It is recommended that any assessment should also address noise and hand/arm vibration.
In addition to the initial training and familiarisation phases, it is recommended that employers should carry out regular toolbox talks refreshing operatives with company policy and rules for the safe use of impact wrenches.
In the event that a nut is stripped off the ‘T’ bolt it is recommended that the fitting should be returned to the employer’s yard where a new replacement ensemble (‘T’ bolt, nut & washer) can be fitted by the company’s maintenance team.
Impact wrenches are normally supplied with rechargeable lithium batteries that provide a more stable power pack. However the confederation recommends that all users follow manufacturer’s instructions and that battery life should be monitored.
This statement only applies to drop forged scaffold fittings. The NASC does not recommend the use of impact wrenches with ‘pressed’ type scaffold fittings.
The NASC has also developed a basic Form which users of impact wrenches may find useful.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
ScaffMag gains an insight into the production of graded timber scaffold boards at one of the largest UK manufacturers.
Nestled within the rolling hills of Lincolnshire lies one of the largest UK Scaffold Board manufacturers. Being one of the UK’s principal manufacturers, John Brash produces around 40,000 premier scaffold boards per week – all of which are of the highest British Standard.
In 2014 the firm prospered from the production and sale of over 2 million boards. Supplying a large majority of the well-known scaffold hire & sales depots nationwide and the major scaffold contractors on and offshore, you could say John Brash are kind of a big deal.
ScaffMag was invited to the John Brash scaffold board yard to witness first hand the journey a simple sustainably sourced piece of softwood takes to become a machine-graded kitemarked BSI scaffold board.
John Brash, Production Director, Brian Lancaster who has a passion for scaffold boards showed me the process on the shop floor.
Each board is visually graded to check for obvious defects by an accredited grader.
Production begins with a visual grade of each and every board by an accredited John Brash grader checking for obvious defects, like knots and the position of grain within the timber. The board then continues its journey passing through a sophisticated stress grading machine, furthermore checking the boards integrity by measuring it’s deflection under a load specified by the HSE.
boards continue through a sophisticated stress grading machine.
Once the board has passed through these stringent grading tests the board is then printed with a unique code which identifies the individual grader and as a genuine John Brash board.
Brian said: “At John Brash we are fully aware that a single piece of timber is all that stands between a scaffolder and the floor, that is why we go to such lengths to exceed the British Standards in terms of product strength, quality and safety. You can always depend upon a John Brash scaffold board.”
As well as supplying high quality scaffold boards, the firm benefits from being the first and only manufacturer of timber scaffold boards in Europe to install its own onsite fire retardant treatment facility. This enables John Brash to offer its clients fire retardant scaffold boards for the Oil & Gas industry and many other high-risk fire sensitive projects including the London Underground.
Company Chairman, Christian Brash, added: “Producing scaffold boards is a key part of our overall business – which also includes roofing battens, cedar shingles and decking – and it was a pleasure to welcome ScaffMag to see what we do and the scale of our operation.”
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has announced a fundamental shift in its approach that will affect all operators.
At a conference in Coventry back in May the DVSA’s head of enforcement transformation, Caroline Hicks, announced that DVSA has outlined a fundamental shift in its approach, which will see it move from a culture of enforcement towards a focus on compliance.
The proposed actions are to set up an operator recognition scheme where operators will be expected to demonstrate their compliance by providing data, including vehicle maintenance and tachograph/drivers working time data, on a regular basis which will be reviewed by the DVSA. At the same time it was confirmed that the fixed penalty fees will be increased and the DVSA plan to make non compliance too expensive to be an option.
Anyone who does not comply with their new scheme when it is launched can expect to be targeted for roadside inspections with aggressive fines until they either join the scheme or stop operating.
Please let us know what you think of the proposed changes in the comments below.
The HSE has today released its annual workplace fatalities report showing statistics that again confirm the UK to be one of the safest places to work in Europe.
Provisional annual data released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reveals 142 workers were fatally injured at work between April 2014 and March 2015 (a rate of 0.46 fatalities per 100,000 workers).
This compares to last year’s all-time low of 136 (0.45 fatalities per 100,000 workers). Fatal injuries at work are thankfully rare events and as a consequence, the annual figures are subject to chance variation.
The statistics again confirm the UK to be one of the safest places to work in Europe, having one of the lowest rates of fatal injuries to workers in leading industrial nations.
However, HSE’s Chair points out that every death is a tragedy. Judith Hackitt said: “It is disappointing last year’s performance on fatal injuries has not been matched, but the trend continues to be one of improvement. Our systems and our framework remain strong as demonstrated by our performance in comparison to other countries.“Every fatality is a tragic event and our commitment to preventing loss of life in the workplace remains unaltered. All workplace fatalities drive HSE to develop even more effective interventions to reduce death, injury and ill health.”
The new figures show the rate of fatal injuries in several key industrial sectors:
35 fatal injuries to construction workers were recorded – a rate of 1.62 deaths per 100,000 workers, compared to an average of 45 deaths in the past five years and a decrease from the 44 deaths recorded in 2013/14.
33 fatal injuries to agricultural workers were recorded – a rate 9.12 deaths per 100,000 workers, the same as the average of 33 deaths in the past five years and an increase from the 27 deaths recorded in 2013/14.
Five fatal injuries to waste and recycling workers were recorded – a rate of 4.31 deaths per 100,000 workers, compared to an average of six deaths in the past five years and an increase from the four deaths recorded in 2013/14.
As well as supplying high quality scaffold boards, the firm benefits from being the first and only manufacturer of timber scaffold boards in Europe to install its own onsite fire retardant treatment facility. This enables John Brash to offer its clients fire retardant scaffold boards for the Oil & Gas industry and many other high-risk fire sensitive projects including the London Underground.
Company Chairman, Christian Brash, added: “Producing scaffold boards is a key part of our overall business – which also includes roofing battens, cedar shingles and decking – and it was a pleasure to welcome ScaffMag to see what we do and the scale of our operation.” 
