This week in Scaffolding: Seven posts you may of missed

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This week in Scaffolding: Seven posts you may of missed
This Week-Calendar This Week In Scaffolding… Cape secures 3 year extension to SABIC Contract at Teeside sites Cape plc, the international provider of essential, non-mechanical support services to the energy and mineral resources sectors, announces the award of an extension to the existing multi-disciplinary site services contract for SABIC Petrochemicals at its Teesside sites.

Social Reach-  0: Facebook Likes 3: Tweets

Billy Gavin the singing scaffolder: [Video] If you have been freezing your nuts off today maybe this little video will cheer you up. The video was uploaded to YouTube by a co-worker Matthew Oneill and shows  Billy Gavin singing his own scaffolder song he wrote himself wrote this himself

Social Reach-  80: Facebook Likes 5: Tweets

Safway Group Purchases Assets of Swing Staging, Inc. & Related Companies In a move to enhance its position in the New York metro area and expand its expertise and offerings in motorized access solutions, Safway Group is announcing the acquisition of the assets of Swing Staging, Inc.

Social Reach-  22: Facebook Likes 5: Tweets

VIDEO: Horrific aftermath of helicopter clipping crane in London You probably have already heard or read about the horrific accident that happened this morning in London our thoughts are with the families of the people that were killed and the people injured. I thought I would post this video showing the scene just seconds after the helicopter crashed to ground.. A scary scene to say the least.

Social Reach-  8: Facebook Likes 3: Tweets

BTS Group acquires OBO Scaffolding firm Suffolk-based overhead power line services contractor BTS Group has broadened its scope with the acquisition of OBO Scaffolding firm. BTS, which is based at Needham Market, provides engineering and tree management support to electricity distribution network operators, being responsible for about 24,000 miles of power lines around the country..

Social Reach-  2: Facebook Likes 5: Tweets

Offshore Scaffolding Safety Alert Issued In Australia The NOPSEMA (National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority) issued a safety alert after the investigation found a list of failures after a major scaffolding incident on-board an offshore platform in Australia.

Social Reach-  Facebook likes: 90 Tweets: 6

48.3 Scaffold Design launch new “Scaffolding Insights” project 48.3 Scaffold Design company have launched an interesting project called “Scaffolding Insights” that aims to provide a ‘real-time’ review of the scaffolding industry today. 48.3 have compiled a short list of questions and asked industry professionals from all sectors to answer them  – Scaffolders, Health & Safety Advisor’s, Design Engineers, Contracts Managers and Business Owners.

Social Reach-  Facebook likes: 12 Tweets: 13

 

Cape secures 3 year extension to SABIC Contract at Teeside sites

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Cape secures 3 year extension to SABIC Contract at Teeside sites
SABIC Petrochemicals Teesside
SABIC Petrochemicals Teesside
Cape plc, the international provider of essential, non-mechanical support services to the energy and mineral resources sectors, announces the award of an extension to the existing multi-disciplinary site services contract for SABIC Petrochemicals at its Teesside sites. The contract extension covers the three year period, 2013 to 2015 on a fixed term basis. Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) ranks among the world’s top petrochemical companies and is among the world’s market leaders in the production of polyethylene, polypropylene and other advanced thermoplastics, glycols, methanol and fertilisers. Steve Connolly, Managing Director of Cape UK, Europe and CIS commented:“We are delighted to be awarded this extension to Cape’s existing maintenance contract in recognition of our commitment to continue to deliver value to SABIC’s facility through our focus on HSEQ performance, efficiency and sustainability. Through this landmark contract, delivered within an integrated alliance we are pleased to continue our successful relationship with SABIC Petrochemicals.”

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. 

Billy Gavin the singing scaffolder: [Video]

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Billy Gavin the singing scaffolder: [Video]

httpv://youtu.be/UjZ7_5TSEMA

The singing scaffolder..

If you have been freezing your nuts off today maybe this little video will cheer you up. The video was uploaded to YouTube by a co-worker Matthew Oneill and shows  Billy Gavin singing his own scaffolder song he wrote himself wrote this himself. As always let us know what you think in the comments below.

Safway Group Purchases Assets of Swing Staging, Inc. & Related Companies

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Safway Group Purchases Assets of Swing Staging, Inc. & Related Companies
In a move to enhance its position in the New York metro area and expand its expertise and offerings in motorized access solutions, Safway Group is announcing the acquisition of the assets of Swing Staging, Inc. and related safwaycompanies – including Twin & Swing Scaffolding, Inc., Specialty Access Systems, LLC, Long Island City Trucking Corporation, and Scaffold King Inc. (collectively ‘Swing Staging’). The assets, including equipment, inventory and brand name of Swing Staging have been transferred to Swing Staging, LLC, a new Safway Group business entity. “By acquiring the leading provider of suspended access solutions in the New York metro area, we will enhance our presence in this critical market,” explained Bill Hayes, Safway Group president and CEO. “Swing Staging has built a strong reputation in the area as the ‘go-to’ provider for a wide range of suspended access solutions. For more than 50 years, they have been known for offering the most extensive, high-quality rental fleet, and delivering the right equipment in pristine condition – whenever and wherever customers need it. Swing Staging is a strong addition to the Safway Group and will help grow our motorized access business.” Swing Staging, Inc. was owned and operated by John Pantanelli, who had taken over the business from his father who founded it. Pantanelli will join Safway as vice president of Sales for Swing Staging, LLC. “Being a part of a larger company that is a major national player, like the Safway Group, is an opportunity for us to move Swing Staging to the next level of development,” said Pantanelli. “We are looking forward to leveraging our operational and management expertise in the suspended access business to a much broader market.” “We are excited about acquiring Swing Staging and having John join the team,” concluded Hayes. “This is a natural expansion of Safway’s motorized expertise and capabilities.” About Safway Group With more than 90 locations in the U.S. and Canada and a system of distributors across South America, Safway Group companies deliver efficient, high-performance multiservice solutions – The Smart Way™ – by collaborating, communicating and sharing resources. Offering experience and expertise in access, scaffolding, insulation, fireproofing, surface preparation and coatings, Safway Group companies include Redi Insulation; CL Coatings; Industrial Coatings & Fireproofing; Safway Atlantic; Safway Services; and Safway Services Canada. With the largest engineering staff, an exclusive project management system, award-winning safety excellence and a full line of products and services, Safway Group companies design and implement innovative, quality solutions at the lowest installed cost for projects of any size and scope. Safway has been an industry leader since 1936. Safway Group companies serve the petrochemical, oil and gas, power, refining, marine, manufacturing, transportation and commercial construction industries worldwide. For more information, visit www.safway.com.

BTS Group acquires OBO Scaffolding firm

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BTS Group acquires OBO Scaffolding firm
oboscaff Suffolk-based overhead power line services contractor BTS Group has broadened its scope with the acquisition of a scaffolding company. BTS, which is based at Needham Market, provides engineering and tree management support to electricity distribution network operators, being responsible for about 24,000 miles of power lines around the country. It has now acquired Ipswich-based OBO Scaffolding, which provides scaffolding services to trade, private and public sector customers across East Anglia. BTS managing director Halley McCallum, who founded the company in 1993, said scaffolding already featured regularly in the delivery of its services, for the safety of people working at height and to protect people and property below. “Bringing OBO into the BTS Group will enable us to operate more efficiently,” he said. “We can have scaffolding erected when and wherever we need it, and we will be able to pass on savings in time and money to our clients.” However, the acquisition was also seen as a commercial opportunity for BTS, said Mr McCallum, adding: “We’re excited by the chance to build on OBO’s commercial success and we’re planning to expand its reach to attract a range of new customers.” Gary Barker, formerly part owner of OBO, which was formed in 1976, and now its contract manager, said: “We are delighted to now be part of the BTS Group and we’re looking forward to contributing to an ambitious plan for the whole organisation.” Via: eadt.co.uk

Offshore Scaffolding Safety Alert Issued In Australia

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Offshore Scaffolding Safety Alert Issued In Australia

offshore

The NOPSEMA (National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority) has issued a safety alert after the investigation found a list of failures after a major scaffolding incident on-board an offshore platform in Australia

What Happened?

A scaffolder was dismantling a scaffold structure outboard of an offshore platform at a height of approximately 15 metres above the sea when a vertical scaffolding tube (a ‘dropper’) that was supporting him began to slowly slip.The tube was fixed in place with standard scaffold couplers and the tube was being pulled through these under the weight of the scaffolder. The scaffolder alerted other workers in the vicinity but they could not reach the connection in time to tighten the coupler. The tube continued to slip through the coupler until the scaffolder fell. Fortunately, the inertia reel harness he was wearing arrested his fall. The scaffolder managed to keep hold of the dropper so that it did not fall into the sea, and was suspended over water for approximately seven minutes. A hook from a rescue winch was swung over to the scaffolder, who attached it to the fall arrest harness, to allow the scaffolder to be pulled up to the platform’s walkway. The investigation found that the scaffolding coupler holding the dropper in place was loose and that there was no check coupler fitted above the dropper tube. It was also found that the rescue equipment used was not suitably rated for the weight of the scaffolder and the associated scaffolding. In addition, some of the certification for the equipment being used during the rescue activities was found to be out of date. During a subsequent inspection of the facility, a number of fall-protection devices were observed anchored to the bases of hand rail stanchions. The relevant standard on industrial fall-arrest systems and devices (AS/NZS 1891 series) specifies a minimum 15kN capacity for anchor points and it is considered poor practice in the wider industry to use hand rails or stanchions as anchor points.

What Could Go Wrong?

If not for the inertia reel harness arresting the scaffolder’s fall, the scaffolder could have fallen several metres to the sea along with other dropped objects, potentially leading to death or serious injury. In addition, deficiencies in equipment rating, certification and regular inspection could have contributed to further failures during rescue activities.

Key lessons

  • It is considered good practice to install check couplers above the suspension scaffolding coupler as described in AS/NZS 4576 Guidelines for scaffolding.
  • The scaffold should be visually inspected by the work party prior to using the scaffold.
  • Scaffolds should be inspected regularly by a competent person.
  • Only equipment within its certification period should be used.
  • Safety equipment should be suitably rated for the personnel using it.
  • Fall arrest equipment should be anchored at a suitably rated anchor point.
  • The rescue plan should reflect the hazards the job presents rather than using a generic rescue plan for all scaffold jobs.
Via: www.therisktoolboxshop.com Original tweeted by: @AIFworkatheight

let us know your thoughts in the comments

48.3 Scaffold Design launch new “Scaffolding Insights” project

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48.3 Scaffold Design launch new “Scaffolding Insights” project

48.3insites

48.3 Scaffold Design company have launched an interesting project called “Scaffolding Insights” that aims to provide a ‘real-time’ review of the scaffolding industry today. 48.3 have compiled a short list of questions and asked industry professionals from all sectors to answer them  – Scaffolders, Health & Safety Advisors, Design Engineers, Contracts Managers and Business Owners. The short list of questions consist of  three individual questions and two industry questions that include:
  • What are the main challenges facing the scaffolding and access industry in the next 1-2 years?
  • In what ways do you think the planning, procurement, budgeting, managing, understanding etc. of scaffolding (and temporary works in general) could be improved by main contractors / clients / procurers? Can you give any particular examples of good (or bad) practice in this regard?
If you would like to contribute to the short list of question with you own personal opinions please contact 48.3 Scaffold Design Here Read the current insights @ www.483scaffolddesign.com/insights

Let us know what you think in the comments below

The NASC release a taster of the forthcoming TG20:13 guidance

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The NASC release a taster of the forthcoming TG20:13 guidance

NASC FB

Earlyer today The NASC (National Access & Scaffolding Confederation) released a little taster of what to expect from its forthcoming guidance this spring.  The news hit the interweb 3 hours ago on the NASC official facebook page with a few highlights below one being the most surprising is the new guidance will be available as a downloadable App for your phone. TG20:13 will be the latest update in guidance on tube and fitting scaffolding from the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation. Highlights of the new guidance  include:
  • All standard scaffolds in TG20:13 are fully proven by design and calculation and as such no additional design work will be required.
  •  TG20:13 will adopt a more user-friendly approach than its predecessor and will be more pictorial then previous versions – a common complaint about the last revision was that it was difficult to follow.
  •  TG20:13 will be available electronically and to download as an App for mobile devices, and will include more scaffold types as standard designs. This guide will also demonstrate through a computer software system if a scaffolding system needs any additional design or not.
  • Following feedback from TG20:08 saying it benefitted designers, the revised TG20:13 guidance will put the power back in scaffolders hands, not the engineers and will remove some of the burden for design currently experienced.
  • Designs included will be: Basic Birdcages, Towers, Basic Fans, Loading Bays, Unit Transoms, 3M lift heights, Hop-Up Brackets, Basic Bridges & Basic Splays.
The NASC also believe the new guidelines will be user-friendly, helpful and aid in taking the UK scaffolding industry further forward as world leaders.

Written By Daniel Norton

Let us know what you think of these highlights in the comments section below.

Profits are trebled at Glasgow firm AS Scaffolding

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Profits are trebled at Glasgow firm AS Scaffolding
AS Scaffolding, the Glasgow-based group seen as Scotland’s biggest independent, more than trebled its pre-tax profits last year to £460,973, according to accounts just lodged at Companies House, as higher turnover boosted margins.
as scaffolding The group is owned by Labour Party supporter Andrew Smillie, 60. Mr Smillie donated £1200 to the party in the year to March 31, as well as £2250 to charities.
The accounts show turnover rose by 16% to £6.57 million, with a direct impact on the bottom line, where pre-tax profit jumped from £149,621 to £460,973. Writing in the report, the directors said gross profit rose by 27% and the advance was down to the company’s “long-established and reliable reputation together with the consistent hard work by the company as a whole”. They are “confident it will continue to trade profitably during these difficult times”. The group, based in Glenpark Street, and operating across Scotland, employs “more than 100”, according to its website, though the accounts record the average number of monthly employees last year as 57, down from 59. Its capital expenditure was constant at around £193,000, and it ended the year with net cash up 25% at £1.14m. Via: heraldscotland.com

Scaffolding collapse caught on video in West London

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Scaffolding collapse caught on video in West London

httpv://youtu.be/vIvi5gnBU3k

Yesterday (9th January 2013) scaffolding collapsed from a high rise building narrowly missing pedestrians in the street below. Luckily a motorcyclist was filming at the time and caught the terrifying incident on film. The location of this mystery collapse is unknown to ScaffMag other than somewhere in West London.  

Do you know what happened or where this was filmed ? please let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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