Harsco highlights its “Insight Onsite” philosophy at 2013 show

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Harsco highlights its “Insight Onsite” philosophy at 2013 show
Harsco Infrastructure, the specialist global provider of construction and industrial maintenance solutions, is delighted to welcome visitors to stand E60 at the UK Concrete Show 2013, where it will be showcasing the benefits generated by its unique ‘Insight onsite™’ philosophy. Harsco Concrete exhibitionHarsco has almost 100 years of history to its credit in the construction sector, where it provides an extensive range of formwork, shoring and access solutions for walls, slabs, tunnelling and bridges. These are combined with the company’s high-productivity edge-protection systems and perimeter climbing screens, and used for a wide range of residential, commercial, industrial and civil engineering projects. Supporting this extensive product portfolio with an innovative, full-service approach allows Harsco to provide integrated formwork, shoring and access solutions that are specifically tailored to meet individual requirements. Lee Davidson, Sales Director for Harsco Infrastructure’s Formwork business, explains: “Customers rely on us to work with them and understand their specific requirements, so we need to have a high level of understanding of their sector. No matter whether it’s a civils, infrastructure, energy or utility project we can demonstrate a good track record of success where we’ve been able to support the customer at every stage of the process. “Even on the most complex, large-scale formwork and shoring project we have the knowledge, expertise and products that are required. That enables us to create a bespoke solution and handle the whole process right from system design and erection through to project completion and dismantling, and as a result we have developed some very long-standing relationships with clients.” This approach stems from Harsco’s ‘Insight onsite.™’ philosophy, which focuses on working closely with clients to develop appropriate work packages, as well as transferring knowledge and expertise from one location to the next. In order to ensure health and safety processes are rigorous, all work is completed to a high standard and customers are kept fully informed on site, so that safe working practices are maintained while work is carried out. Safety is a priority for any industry as Davidson explains: “There are obvious dangers involved with the types of projects we are asked to support. However, safety is always right at the top of our list of priorities and is the major consideration at every stage, right from initial planning through to final completion. Harsco works in 32 different countries, so we can identify best-practice safety procedures from around the world and provide them to clients in all our locations.” In addition to its construction industry activities, Harsco Infrastructure also provides encapsulation, insulation, cladding, painting, coating, blasting and cleaning services for industrial facility maintenance projects. It is part of the global Harsco Corporation, a NYSE listed company which provides industrial solutions to major companies in the infrastructure, steel and metals, construction, railway and energy sectors. For more details please visit Harsco Infrastructure at stand E60 at the UK Concrete Show 2013, email [email protected] or visit www.harsco-i.com

Scaffolder gives up the drinking to help Cancer Research UK

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Scaffolder gives up the drinking to help Cancer Research UK
bathscaffolder A Bath scaffolder has kicked off a charity fundraising campaign encouraging people to banish the booze throughout January. Thisisbath.co.uk reported that Nathan Robson, 29, from Larkhall, has pledged to swap pint glasses for teacups to raise money for Cancer Research UK. The charity’s latest fundraising campaign, Dryathlon, challenges people to get sponsored to give up drink for January. Nathan is receiving support from his workmates at Bulldog Scaffolding Services, who have each pledged £20 towards his teetotal challenge. He said: “I’m hoping that dropping the drink might improve my fitness and especially help with work.”The Dryathlon is going to be a massive challenge as I really enjoy a few drinks with the lads after work. But it’s for such a worthwhile cause so I’m determined to stay committed throughout the whole of January. Nathan added: “My family have been touched by cancer, sadly losing someone we love, and the lads at work all know someone so this was the least we could do to help support Cancer Research UK’s life-saving research.” Karen Davis, the charity’s spokeswoman for Bath, said: “We’re thrilled that the guys are teaming up with the charity for our Dryathlon campaign. “Nathan is going to need plenty of resolve to make it through January, especially in the face of the light-hearted ribbing he’s anticipating from his mates. “We’ll be supporting our Dryathletes the whole way, by providing lots of motivational tips via our website and social media channels.”It may be tricky for some to stay on the wagon but we have faith in the Bath public and believe they have what it takes to succeed.” To sign up to Dryathlon visit www.cruk.org/dryathlon. Source: thisisbath.co.uk

Scaffold firm SCA Group bid to re-train local people for wind farm work

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Scaffold firm SCA Group bid to re-train local people for wind farm work
scagroup
Sandie Wilson, Environment and Planning Manager and Steve King, Managing Director of the SCA Group

SCA Group Seek Other Local Companies to Help Meet Training Requirements in One of the UK’s Worst Unemployment Areas

Weymouth & Portland have the highest unemployment rate in Dorset with 3.8% of working age residents claiming benefits (September 2011). Many professionals living in the District commute out of the area and even out of the county to get to their place of work, and yet many trades, including engineering, remain in short supply of trained and qualified staff. The SCA Group, working with Weymouth College, intend to help bridge these skills gaps, while at the same time re-train existing staff at SCA and other local companies, and also local jobseekers. SCA, a local company providing access solutions to the maritime industry, supported by Weymouth College, are leading a bid for £1m of funding from the UK Commission for Education and Skills. If funding is secured, this will mean Weymouth College can train the workforce needed to build and maintain a new offshore wind farm proposed locally but also meet the needs of a whole host of other local industrial and engineering positions. Steve King (Managing Director SCA Group) said “We are very proud to be working with Weymouth College, re-skilling our workforce and the local community. With skills shortages in various engineering roles in the renewable market, the SCA Group are delighted to play a part in re-training local people.” It is expected that thousands of jobs will be created during construction of the proposed wind farm project, with several hundred permanent positions becoming available once operational. SCA and Weymouth College, subject to securing this available funding, will help keep the labour force local, vital to Dorset in times of high unemployment and in keeping with a wind farm’s positive environmental impact. Kate McGoey, Employer Engagement Lead from The Renewables Training Network, a wholly owned subsidiary of the UK’s leading trade association RenewableUK said “This is great news for upskilling Dorset’s workforce. The UK is leading the way in renewable energy with the creation of 1000s of jobs expected in the wind, wave and tidal industries over the next 10 years, both directly and across the wider supply chain. With a number of wind farms planned for Dorset and the surrounding counties, many specialist trades will be needed over the coming years” Both the Local Enterprise Partnership and Portland Ports have a similar take. Dr Ross Kay (Dorset LEP’s Employment and Skills Board) said “This couldn’t come at a better time to help support Dorset’s unemployed and local businesses that are still suffering following the recession, and marine engineering and renewables are one of the key priorities for the Local Enterprise Partnership.”  Sandie Wilson, Portland Port’s Environment and Planning Manager said “Marine renewables like wind, wave and tidal are most certainly the next big thing to watch out for with the environment off Dorset and the South West coast offering a globally significant energy resource.  The local area is very much in need of highly skilled and well paid jobs on an all year round basis, and we need to do everything we can to take this opportunity that the renewable industry has to offer. It is great to have something positive to look forward to that not only provides jobs but has environmental benefits too.” Rob Jones, Vice Principal Enterprise and Employability at Weymouth College commented “The College is excited to be working on a project that could have such a positive impact on jobs in Dorset.  We’re confident that by working closely with SCA, we will be able to provide people with the skills to gain meaningful employment.”

Scaffold firm boss aims to run 30 marathons in 30 days

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Scaffold firm boss aims to run 30 marathons in 30 days
After completing 100 marathons in 100 days back in April last year, Mr Loddy, from Kings Langley is keen to get on to his next endurance challenge for the New Year and has decided to complete a marathon month.
Scaffold firm boss Mathew Loddy
Scaffold firm boss Mathew Loddy
The scaffolding firm boss of Watford Road will run across England and Wales in 30 days, visiting Teenager Cancer Trust units along the way in memory of his former colleague Phil Latham, who died of stomach cancer in 2010, aged just 36. He hopes to raise £100,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust and St Francis Hospice in Berkhamsted. Mr Loddy said: “This is all about raising money, and running across England and Wales will hopefully raise awareness of the teenage cancer trust. “I was keen to keep my running up and haven’t completed consecutive runs since June, so it has been quite tough but I am planning to just take it steadily. “I had my first blast of running on Christmas day and ran 27 miles, and having trained all this week it is a reminder of just how hard it is. “I am looking forward to enjoying the journey.” The 47-year-old will set out on his long distance endurance on March 23 from Edinburgh and will cross the finishing line at the London marathon on April 21 to mark the end of his 30 days. Along the way Mr Loddy will visit Glasgow, Newcastle, Hull, Leeds, Liverpool, Warrington, Manchester, Sheffield, Nottingham, Leicester, Birmingham, Cambridge, Cardiff, Croydon, Brighton, Southampton, Bristol, Cardiff and University College Hospital London. He will be joined by his father, Tom Loddy and friends who will join him in parts of the run. Despite his last feat of running more than 2,600 miles from the Algarve, Portugal to the finish line on The Mall in 100 days, Mr Loddy insists this new challenge although less miles ‘will be just as hard, if not harder’. He said: “A few people have asked me why I have decided to do less this time round but I think this challenge is going to be harder because I know what to expect, which is daunting. I also think it is important to visit all the teenager cancer trust units. “I think this challenge is going to be harder because I know what to expect, which is daunting. “I plan to take one step at a time and one marathon at a time.” Mr Loddy reached the finishing line of the London Marathon last year in three hours nine minutes and this year hopes to beat his record in less than three hours. Again waiting for him at the finish line will be his wife Karen, 47, and daughters India, 21, and Jemima, 17. This year, Mr Loddy is also encouraging people to join him in parts of the run, in ‘Run a mile with Matthew’. To book a slot contact Jan Maddern on 01442 289999 and to donate visit www.frameworkfoundation.co.uk. Source: www.watfordobserver.co.uk

Worker dies in Shanghai scaffold collapse

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Worker dies in Shanghai scaffold collapse
shanghi One worker was killed and eight others injured when scaffolding collapsed at a Metro Line 12 construction site in the Pudong New Area yesterday, Shanghai government officials said. Three of the injured suffered severe injuries and a search was under way for others believed buried underneath the fallen debris. The accident happened about 9pm in Pudong’s Jinqiao area. The workers were buried under falling scaffolding at the site where a subway train parking space was being built, officials said. It was not clear just how many workers were still buried late last night. The site was undergoing concreting work when the accident happened, according to a witness. The parking place lies close to the terminal of Line 12 at its northeast end. Line 12 is expected to be in operation by 2014 from the city’s northeast to its southwest, with 30-plus stations and 40 kilometers of track. The Shanghai government summoned work safety authorities to a meeting just days ago to emphasize the importance of strengthening safety checks before the holiday to eliminate potential dangers. By the end of last year, at least 454 people had died in work-related accidents in and around Shanghai. That was a decrease but the situation was still serious, officials said.
Source: Shanghai Daily
 

Merry Christmas from Scaffmag.com

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Merry Christmas from Scaffmag.com

snow scaffolding

Well we are here again, yet another year gone.. but before the Christmas doo hangovers set in I wish you all have a very Merry Christmas and a very productive 2013. I Also would like to take this opportunity to thank the many thousands of loyal readers and subscribers to the site that have stuck with us and let us fill your inbox or news feed with up-to date scaffolding information and goodness. But none of this would be possible without our great sponsors: Active-workwear.com , Bettertax.org , Scaff-online.co.uk , Modus-access.co.uk , Loughtonscaffolding.com , Bedsforbuilders.co.uk , skaftray.co.uk , 4safetytraining.com. We will be back on the 3rd January continuing our mission in bringing you all the goings on within our great scaffolding industry. Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year. Dan.

Vantage Delivers An Olympic Service At London 2012

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Vantage Delivers An Olympic Service At London 2012
Olympic Stadium The first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896 consisted of nine sporting events: athletics, cycling, fencing, gymnastics, shooting, swimming, tennis, weightlifting and wrestling.  2012 saw Vantage Event and Media Structures complete their very own Olympic feat of scaffolding services across nine Olympics venues, achieving a personal best in all disciplines. On winning a major sub-contract tender for London 2012 in the face of some stiff competition, Vantage provided a vast range of scaffolding structures for sporting events at The Royal Artillery Barracks, Greenwich Park, the Olympic Village in Stratford, Weymouth, Portland, Hyde Park, Wembley Arena, Hadleigh Farm and Eton Dorney. Forty scaffolders and five carpenters were deployed across the country and worked seven days a week from March 2012, completing work on time and within budget a week before the opening ceremony in July. Our scaffolding teams for such a stratospheric project were selected carefully with utter flexibility and excellence in mind. Across the country we constructed scaffolding ramps for disabled access, scaffold staircases for marquees and temporary buildings, over 25,000 metres squared of marquee sub-structures to enable erections on uneven ground, temporary fire exit staircases for multi-storey marquees, bespoke scaffold platforms for athlete rest areas and hundreds of metres of handrails for site operative edge protection. Further to this, our team of carpenters laid anti-slip membranes on all decking for the safety of workers, athletes and spectators. Needless to say, our Olympic and Paralympic performance has since become our flagship project for showcasing our diverse event products and services. Like all Olympic quests, ours wasn’t without some golden moments: one such scenario was the discovery of a badgers’ set bang in the middle of a plot destined for a scaffolding sub-structure. Contrary to popular belief, scaffolders are big softies at heart, and this wildlife conundrum caused almost two days of delays and a slight relocation of the structure in the end. Meeting Freddie Flintoff was another notable moment on our Olympic journey, but the real reward for us was the privilege of playing an integral part in what has been called the greatest show on earth. There is no better accolade. On the back of our London 2012 success we hope to deliver our bespoke services to similar sporting events in the future. The opportunity to reprocess approximately 80% of the wood purchased for the Olympic contract ensures that our services for similar events in the future will be environmentally sustainable and economically attractive, given that financial savings on these purchases will be passed onto the client. Via: Press Release

Leicester scaffolding firm goes under – 35 jobs lost

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Leicester scaffolding firm goes under – 35 jobs lost

BLscaffolding

 About 35 jobs have been axed after a scaffolding firm ceased trading. BL Scaffolding, in Queen Street, Leicester city centre, has been forced to close after being left with crippling debts following the collapse of a major customer. The company was owed £96,000 by Hallam Contracts, of Oadby, which ceased trading last month. BL bosses announced the closure of the 30-year-old firm to workers yesterday(5th December). No one from the company, which is set to go into voluntary liquidation, was available for comment last night. Neil Money, of CBA Insolvency, of Leicester, who will oversee BL’s liquidation, said: “The company is unlikely to get back any of the money owed by Hallam for some time, which for a company of its size has left it crippled.” It is believed the 300 sub-contractors and suppliers owed £4 million by Hallam are likely to get back just a quarter to a half of the debt. Hallam’s administrators have warned that a number of those creditors have been left close to collapse.

The NASC implements the use of black & yellow hazard tape change

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The NASC implements the use of black & yellow hazard tape change
The NASC is implementing the use of black and yellow hazard tape on scaffolding in areas open to pedestrian traffic. The National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) yesterday released a statement regarding  implementing the use of black and yellow hazard tape on scaffolding in areas open to pedestrian traffic – following safety advice from the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB). The move comes after the NASC’s Health & Safety Committee – working closely in partnership with theUK Contractors Group (UKCG) and Health & Safety Executive (HSE) – received data from the RNIB clearly stating it is much easier for visually impaired people to see black & yellow tape, rather than the commonly used red & white tape. Following the release of the RNIB data, the NASC, UKCG and HSE are suggesting all members should switch to using black and yellow hazard tape – as the standard in areas open to pedestrians – as soon as possible. And, as part of an education and awareness program, the NASC has also made The Highways Authorities aware of this information and asked for their co-operation in order to facilitate an efficient, orderly change over. NASC’s Health & Safety Committee Chairman, Adrian Rooney, said: “We are very pleased to be given such clear data from the RNIB, making our decision to switch to a safer, more visible hazard tape clear and simple. Safety of the public is of paramount importance to the NASC and our members. In addition to being more visible to those with impaired vision, black and yellow tape is also less associated with danger (unlike the current red and white tape), and is more associated with a hazard. We are confident the move will reduce the risk of accidents. Naturally, the NASC recognises the time scale for current red and white stocks to expire and suppliers to restock with the new black and yellow will delay implementation. But we would ask members to make this change as soon as possible and encourage the development of this practice throughout the Construction Industry.”

China wants to slash scaffolding use by half

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China wants to slash scaffolding use by half
Access International have today reported that China plans to half the use of scaffolding in the country by the end of 2015 – the final year of the current five year plan – by dramatically increasing the use of mechanised access, including aerial work platforms and mast climbing platforms. The policy was described by Mr Li Shoulin, a research fellow at the China Academy of Building Research, during the most recent meeting of the Work Safety Committee, the organisation created by US equipment manufacturers Terex and Oshkosh alongside the American Chamber of Commerce in China (AmCham). The committee is lobbying for improved work safety practices in working at height and mining. The latest Work Safety Committee meeting was held during the bauma china exhibition and attended by western and Chinese manufacturers including Terex, Oshkosh, Snorkel, Haulotte, Sinoboom and Dingli, as well as IPAF. CEOs from Terex AWP, Haulotte and JLG were in attendance. Mr Li described how scaffolding collapses and falls from height are the cause of 62% of all work-related accidents in China. As part of the country’s 12th Five Year Plan (2011-2015), the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development has set itself the target of reducing scaffold use by more than 50%. Around 400 million tonnes of steel scaffolding are in use in China today, according to Mr Li. Mr Li said China has already taken major steps towards this goal by developing, over the past five years, domestic manufacturing capacity in powered access for machines including self-propelled booms, underbridge inspection platforms, mast climbers, atrium lifts and building maintenance units (BMUs). These ‘centres of excellence’ for powered access include Beijing Jingcheng Heavy Industry (self-propelled booms), CABR Construction Machinery Technology (underbridge inspection units), Hangzhou Sivge Aerial Work Machinery (vertical mast platforms for low level building access) and Hebei Pufeng Construction Machinery (mast climbing work platforms). Terex AWP said during its press conference at bauma china that it expected the aerial work platform market to grow at an annual rate of between 25% and 50% in the years up to 2015, driven both by the growth of the equipment rental sector in the country and by Chinese government drives to improve worker safety, of which the scaffolding replacement programme is one example. Via: Access International
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