Review: Dickies Crawford Safety Boot
Dickies Crawford Safety Boot – £65 dickiesstore.co.uk
When working in harsh conditions ‘day in day out’ like us scaffolders do, choosing the right safety boot is critical as fatigue can soon set in if you made the wrong decision. The Dickies Crawford work boot was a new addition to the range for 2014, Dickies have worked hard to improve their safety footwear range and the Crawford is a great example of a highly technical, comfortable and practical boot at an affordable price.
The Crawford boots performed exceedingly well during my week long review period, they ticked all the boxes for my preferred wants in a safety boot and were surprisingly comfy. The boots are of a Goodyear welt construction for heavy duty performance and to maximise the sole’s water-resistance. As standard The Dickies Crawford safety boots have Steel toe-caps and midsole and comprises of a Breathable Cambrelle lining for added comfort. Crazy horse leather uppers finish off the exterior of the Crawford boot with a smart toe cap protector.
All in all, Dickies have stepped up to the mark with the Crawford boot that easily competes with more premium brands like Timberlands and Dewalt for build quality and more importantly affordability.
Best price £65, vat free @ www.dickiesstore.co.uk
Scaffold boss fined for dangerous scaffolding
The owner of a small construction firm in Portsmouth has been fined after he erected a series of scaffolds in and around the town over several months in late 2013 that were riddled with dangerous faults.
Graham Pedaltey, trading as Graham’s Scaffolds, put workers lives at risk by putting up scaffolds several metres high for them to work on but with potentially lethal defects that could have seen builders fall from unguarded platforms or through rotting wooden boards. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted Mr Pedalty (6 Jan) at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court for safety breaches after investigating a particularly hazardous scaffold that he was responsible for in North End Avenue last year. HSE attended as a result of a complaint made by a member of the public. The court heard that the scaffold, erected on 18 October, had numerous faults: • It was not tied to the building so was insecure and more liable to collapse • It lacked baseplates on many uprights, meaning that the scaffold could have sunk into the ground or ‘punched through’ any drains or cavities it was erected on • There were few, if any, guardrails on the lifts – or working platforms – to prevent falls from height • There was no bracing on the middle scaffold on the middle working platform giving rise to serious stability issues • Many of the boards were rotten and damaged and could have broken under workers’ feet, sending them falling to the ground below. Despite remedial work requested by HSE being carried out on the scaffold by Mr Pedaltey, there were still defects. The court was told that Mr Pedaltey had received previous advice from HSE on poor scaffolding twice during the previous month of September 2013. Graham Pedaltey, trading as Graham’s Scaffolds, of Queens Road, Portsmouth, was fined a total of £1,600 and ordered to pay £600 in costs after admitting breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and the Work at Height Regulations. After the hearing, HSE inspector Peter Snelgrove said:“Mr Pedaltey not only erected numerous unsafe scaffolds, but also relied on his knowledge from training delivered in 1979 – more than 30 years earlier. He has now been prohibited from erecting scaffolds until he has completed further training to acquaint himself with up-to-date safety legislation and scaffolding standards. “His failings created a risk of death or serious personal injury. Scaffolds are temporary structures and their integrity and safety must be ensured to, in turn, safeguard the workers and passers-by.”Source via: HSE
Cape awarded five year contract extension with EDF Energy
Cape plc has announced that it has been awarded an extension to its contract with EDF Energy for the supply of access, insulation and associated services in support of EDF Energy’s fleet of eight nuclear power stations in the UK.
EDF Energy is one of the largest energy companies in the UK, supplying around 6 million residential and business accounts gas and is the biggest supplier of electricity by volume in Great Britain. EDF Energy produces around one fifth of the nation’s supply from eight nuclear power stations, two coal fired power stations, a combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power station and a number of wind farms. This substantial contract, which extends Cape’s long standing relationship with EDF Energy, encompasses the supply of specialist access and thermal insulation services for an additional five years to 2021 in support of the fleet’s maintenance, projects and statutory outage programmes, where the requirement for safety, reliability and innovation is paramount. Joe Oatley, Chief Executive Officer of Cape plc, commented:We are delighted to extend our relationship with EDF Energy. This award is a recognition of both Cape’s and EDF’s hard work and investment in creating a partnership that delivers value to all stakeholders. We look forward to continuing to deliver an outstanding service to EDF Energy throughout the life of the UK fleet of nuclear power stations.
SCA Group Acquire Access Scaffolding IOW
The SCA Group become the largest provider of contract scaffolding on the Isle of Wight after the acquisition of Access Scaffolding IOW
The Multi-Discipline and Facilities Management company SCA Group, have recently completed the acquisition of Access Scaffolding IOW, and have formed a single division for our Isle of Wight operations that will become the largest provider of contract scaffolding on the island. Access Scaffolding IOW will exist as a wholly owned subsidiary of the SCA Group, with the existing owner, Ashley Palmer, excited to commit his future to the new venture. Announced on the SCA Group’s website the article read:Ashley Palmer’s scaffolding business, Access Scaffolding, has been a presence on the Isle of Wight for many years, the business has undergone substantial growth under Ashley’s stewardship, forging some great partnerships and working relationships along the way. SCA recognises the potential in Ashley’s business, and the hard work that has gone into creating such a fantastic company, and coupled with our resources, reputation and enhanced service provisions, we believe that we can further improve the offering to the Isle of Wight, and build upon some well laid foundations. SCA also has vast experience of working on the Isle of Wight with local people and local businesses, and we can further establish the reputation of ‘SCA Access IOW’ through our accreditations and memberships, not to mention our network of contacts and customers. As full members of the National Access & Scaffolding Confederation, or the NASC (as one such example), we can demonstrate our dedication to high standards of workmanship, attention to detail, and ability to work to the highest levels of health and safety, something that can only bring additional benefits to the service we can provide. Ashley’s focus in the past has been on delivering a high quality, access scaffolding service to his clients, which has served the market well. With SCA’s influence, we can expand on these capabilities, and offer a wider package including Rope Access and Industrial Painting as well, and we look forward to exploring these possibilities with Ashley on board. With the formation of a single division now complete, it is essential to us that ongoing activities remain uninterrupted, and with this at the forefront of our minds, all existing customer contracts of Access Scaffolding will be fulfilled as scheduled as we look to not only maintain existing relationships, but build and strengthen them as well.
Terry Sennett – Funeral Details Announced
The family of the late Terry Sennett who tragically died in Dubai on the 20 December have announced funeral arrangements for the well known industry leader.
Terry was a true leader in the access industry, a hugely respected and highly knowledgeable industry champion, that dedicated his life to the UK and worldwide scaffolding Industry.
The funeral arrangements are as follows:
Tuesday 20 January 2015 – 12.30pm
East Chapel
Southampton Crematorium
Bassett Green Road
Southampton
Hampshire
SO16 3QB
Bright colours are to be worn in celebration of Terry’s life, everybody is welcome !
Terry Sennett 1966 – 2014
Terry Sennett 1966 – 2014
Terry Sennett, a hugely respected scaffolding industry leader has died suddenly aged 48.
Its with tremendous personal sadness I have to inform our readers of the tragic news that Terry Sennett passed away on Saturday 20th December after a very short illness at his home in Dubai.
‘There are leaders and there are those that lead’….Terry was a true leader in the access industry, a hugely respected and highly knowledgeable industry champion, that dedicated his life to the UK and worldwide scaffolding Industry. His infectious passion and inspirational character will be so greatly missed by myself, and everyone else who had the pleasure in working with him.
Terry Sennett 1966– 2014
Embarking into a career in scaffolding Terry started out as a trainee scaffolder in 1987 for Dixion Scaffolding Ltd until 1989 when he ventured offshore with Aberdeen Scaffolding Ltd. Here he was in his own words “taken to school” while working on various platforms in the North Sea gaining valuable scaffolding knowledge from two Glaswegian scaffolders.
After two years working offshore Terry decided to establish his first successful company in Southampton, Finest Scaffolding & Access Ltd in 1991. Twenty two successful years passed and Terry moved on to founding his next scaffolding venture, Modus Access UK Ltd in 2010. Modus Access used only Layher system scaffolding, and he created his own “systems thinking” mindset and management approach. He demonstrated time and time again what was possible with system scaffolding, challenging convention and creating a new standard of compliant and cost effective scaffolding – something which has yet to be matched.
In 2013 Terry decided to give something back to our industry by passing on his extensive scaffolding and technical knowledge by educating others. He worked as the Senior Layher Expert & Training Instructor/Assessor for Safety & Access Ltd in Nottingham & Immingham, UK until moving to the Middle East full time for Simian Skill as GCC Manager in 2014.
Just a few months ago I was fortunate to spend a week with Terry at his home in Dubai, UAE while covering an article on overseas scaffolding training. During my time in Terry’s company I couldn’t help but be inspired by his infectious personality and drive for educating others with his extensive and wide ranging scaffolding and technical knowledge. He had many pioneering and revolutionary training ideas that would make a fundamental change to training provision in the Middle East, which in-turn would inevitably save many scaffolders lives.
Terry was already implementing some of those pioneering ideas with the co-founding of 48.3 International Design & Technical Services in November 2014.
His close friend and co-founder at 48.3 International, Ben Beaumont said:
“This is desperately sad time for everyone. Terry was a true industry professional; knowledgeable, dedicated, highly skilled and unwavering in the pursuit of his goals. He viewed himself, and all scaffolders as ‘construction professionals’ and was known for saying to his team ‘just because we go to work with a tool belt and high-vis, doesn’t make us any less professional than the man in a suit’. He embodied modern working practices and was a role model for not just scaffolders, but all of us. Everyone will dearly miss him and our thoughts are with his family at this time.”
From the beginning, Terry had always believed in ScaffMag and what the website stood for, he believed in me, and our cause, always on hand night or day for advice and support. For me personally, Terry will always be remembered for his inspirational words of wisdom and his challenging the norm attitude. I will miss him so very dearly….
I send my heartfelt condolences to Terry’s wife, Fiona and the Sennett family and, of course, his many friends and colleagues worldwide.
The industry has lost a true legend….. RIP Terry Sennett.
SGB officially returns to the industry
SGB launches new website, firmly highlighting the return of a once legendary industry giant.
The launch of a new website has heralded the return of one of the scaffolding industry’s most recognisable names. After an absence of some 3 years, the website – www.sgb.co.uk – marks the return of the SGB name to the commercial scaffolding and access market. Established in 1919, SGB went on to become one of the industry’s best known and respected names within the access services field, before becoming part of Harsco Infrastructure in 2009. Following the subsequent merger of Harsco Infrastructure and Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services, the decision was taken to reintroduce the SGB name – a move which has re-focussed attention on the wealth of scaffolding and access expertise available from the company. “The new SGB website firmly reinforces that message,” says Kevin Fitzpatrick, UK Head of SGB. “It also highlights the tremendous emphasis that we place on safety by including details of the various safety organisations were are members of. These include the Construction Health and Safety Group, the British Standards Institute and the British Safety Council. “Visitors to the site can also find full details of the contracting, hire, sales and training services we offer. That includes information on our wide range of products, including our traditional tube and fitting scaffolding and our CUPLOK®modular system, plus details of our MastclimbersTM and light access solutions.” The wealth of industry expertise which lies behind the SGB name is another key focus of the website. “It explains how we can provide both general and technical guidance on such areas as access project planning and logistics,” adds Kevin. “This ensures that our customers not only benefit from the most effective solution for their project, but that they do so while complying with the latest guidelines, regulations and policies on such critical areas as health and safety.”Management reshuffle drives rapid growth for the TRAD Scaffolding Group
Following the acquisition of the TRAD Group in September 2013 by the International ALTRAD Group which has a 1 Billion Euros Turnover TRAD has experienced rapid growth across all three Companies in the TRAD Group resulting in a dynamic management re-structure becoming necessary.
Des Moore the Managing Director of TRAD Scaffolding for the past fifteen years is taking on the role of Group MD on a full time basis, this will enable Des to fully focus on orchestrating and managing the continued expansion of all three present Companies of the TRAD group being TRAD Hire & Sales Ltd, TRAD Safety Systems Ltd and TRAD Scaffolding Co Ltd over the coming years.
Neil Garner who previously held the position of Divisional Director of TRAD Scaffolding and who has risen through the ranks over the past twenty years has been promoted to Managing Director effective from the 1st of December 2014.
Peter McShane who has also risen through the ranks over the past twenty years with TRAD and previously held the position of Senior Contracts Manager has been promoted to the role of Divisional Director again effective from the 1st December. Peters Division is one of three Contracting Divisions in the TRAD Scaffolding Business the other two led by Chris Smith and Tony Mileham.
Hayden Smith Group Chairman and the founder of the TRAD Group commented:
“We have always believed in promoting from within our ranks and making the most of the talent we have, this allows us to retain continuity of performance and customer service and gives opportunity to people that want to push the boundaries to do even better.
With each TRAD Group Company outperforming their budgets the changes outlined in our restructure at TRAD Scaffolding allows Des to focus all of his four decades of experience in the Industry on managing the entire TRAD Group as opposed to just our scaffolding division, a role he has been actively performing very successfully for the past five years.
Des, Neil and Peter are all prime examples of the tight team that’s given TRAD the respect it now commands and I and the Board of Altrad wish them every success in their enhanced roles”.
PERI proves roaring success at UK’s largest zoo exhibit
Construction work on a £30 million project that will result in the UK’s largest indoor zoo exhibit is currently underway, with PERI Ltd playing a major role in supporting LOR with their in-situ concrete works on site.
Chester Zoo – the subject of a new BBC drama – is currently undergoing a major transformation with the creation of one of the most ambitious zoo developments in Europe. In 2015, the exotic islands project will result in the introduction of a truly unique environment that will house endangered species and introduce visitors to a sub-tropical climate in Cheshire. PERI, the world’s largest provider and manufacturer of formwork and scaffolding systems, has been involved in the project since November 2013. It has provided unique engineering solutions for contractor Laing O’Rourke, tackling the challenges of various complex enclosures, including specially crafted bridges and secure internal walls that will see the zoo’s estate extend by 12%. The new enclosure will cover six different South East Asian island habitats. Supporting Laing O’Rourke in their planning and approach, PERI was able to design unique platform supports to support the internal enclosure walls to the main Indonesian jungle house. Scaling heights ranging from 1.5 to 7.5 metres, as well as overcoming the difficulties of openings within the walls which had a variety of shapes and sizes, PERI combined its CB climbing formwork with the RUNDFLEX circular wall formwork to ensure secure, safe and reliable support that could adapt to the varying curved wall structures. For the straight walls, PERI TRIO was used, providing those on site with a universal formwork system. The system’s minimal components results in faster formwork and can cope with the demands of the contrasting geometry of the structure. Other equipment from the PERI range currently being used on site at Chester Zoo includes: PERI UP scaffolding to construct 70 linear metres of brickwork; the CB climbing systems to support large-sized wall construction; the MULTIPROP shoring system, as a high-strength lightweight prop and cost-effective shoring tower. Ian Higginbottom, Sales Manger at PERI said: “We always relish the challenge of being involved in the most ambitious projects. The Chester Zoo islands exhibit has presented many technical challenges including ensuring that the correct sequencing of PERI equipment was used. We have also been able to demonstrate our design capabilities with our teams in Leeds and Birmingham tailoring the CB platforms with both TRIO and RUNDFLEX formwork. “We have a fantastic relationship with Laing O’Rourke and this project has allowed us to support the construction team by visiting the site and demonstrating to them how to use our equipment efficiently and effectively. This in turn has ensured that on-site safety has been maintained to the highest level, standards of construction have remained high and the various stages of construction have met their deadlines thanks to the support our systems provide and the high quality of the Laing O’Rourke team.” The Island will be the largest indoor zoo exhibit in the UK and will be the home of Sumatran orang-utans, Sulawesi macaques and the sunda gavial crocodile, a new species for the zoo. Expected to bring an extra 150,000 visitors a year, the project is set to be completed in the spring of 2015.VIDEO: Innovative hanging scaffolding helps transform the Olympic Stadium
