Deborah Services employee wins Pride of Britain Awards

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Deborah Services employee wins Pride of Britain Awards
Deborah Services Ltd (DSL) employee and national hero, Matt Adams, a member of the Hartlepool Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), has won the Daybreak’s Emergency Services Award at the Daily Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards held last night at Grosvenor House on London’s Park Lane. He has been with the company for 18 years, based in the Hartlepool office. Matt born in Hartlepool is a volunteer crew member of the Hartlepool RNLI and Coastguard Rescue Team who saved a teenager from drowning on 30th September 2011. The volunteers had a race against time to save Peterlee teenager Neil Robson, who was trapped in sand with the tide coming in quickly. The 17-year-old had become stuck on Seaton Carew beach while trying to rescue his little brother, who escaped unharmed. Speaking ahead of the awards, Matt said, “I’m honoured to receive the Daybreak Emergency Services Award with the volunteer crew from Hartlepool RNLI. This rescue was a fantastic team effort that managed to save a boy’s life, and I’m thankful I was there on the day to help free Neil and bring him to safety.” Steve Flounders, Managing Director of Deborah Services said, “We are so proud to pay tribute to Matt and his team whose bravery saved Neil’s life. Matt is a national hero, and a committed employee at DSL who is dedicated to helping others through his role as a volunteer with the Hartlepool RNLI. We sincerely congratulate him for this outstanding achievement.” The RNLI crew was first on scene in an inshore lifeboat under the command of helm Clare Gibbin. Other volunteers from Hartlepool lifeboat station travelled to the beach by car. Despite the risk of being trapped in the sand themselves, five RNLI crew members entered the water to help free Neil. With sand and water levels reaching their chests, RNLI crew Liam Dunnett and Mark Barker fought to keep Neil’s head above water while Darren Killick, Rob Archer and Matt Adams dug sand away from Neil’s legs. During the rescue operation they had to remove their lifejackets to enable them to work under the surface of the water. Coastguard Rescue Officers Colin Lodge and Chris Hornsey also arrived to help dig Neil free from the sand. The ordeal lasted 75 minutes and with just moments to spare, he was freed from the sand with the help of a high-pressure hose supplied by the fire service. Neil, who escaped with mild hypothermia, cuts and bruises, said: ‘‘The RNLI and Coastguard did an amazing job. I’m very grateful for what they did for me under terrifying circumstances.’’  

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Harsco closes scaffolding business in Jersey

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Harsco closes scaffolding business in Jersey

Harsco Scaffolding

Harsco Infrastructure have today announced the the company will be closing its Jersey scaffolding division with the loss of 17 jobs.  The BBC have reported that the company is closing its Jersey scaffolding department because the firm needed to “refocus its activities”. Jon Herbert from Harsco Infrastructure said:  “The 17 redundancies will be made on a phased basis as current ongoing contracts draw to a close”. He also added the scaffolding firms equipment hire and sales business in the Channel Islands would trade as normal. Jon said:  “We are proud to have a long term presence on the Channel Islands and the business is committed to supporting this market in the future.”

By Daniel Norton

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Man dies and two injured in London scaffolding collapse

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Man dies and two injured in London scaffolding collapse
 

Image via: thisislocallondon.co.uk

A sub-contractor has died and two other men been injured after an incident at a building site.

It is believed he fell from the fifth floor of the Langham Square development, in Upper Richmond Road, Putney, at about 10.15am. A statement from the police said it is thought the man fell from a scaffolding platform and made contact with two other men as he fell. Three ambulance crews, London air ambulance, police and thirty firefighters were at the scene. The sub-contractor was treated by paramedics, but was pronounced dead at the scene at 11am.A second man was taken to hospital with chest and abdominal injuries, while a third man suffered minor injuries. Police have launched an investigation alongside the Health and Safety Executive. A spokesperson for the police said: “Enquiries continue into the circumstances of the incident in liaison with the Health and Safety Executive. “At this early stage it is believed to have occurred after a man fell from a scaffolding platform at the site and subsequently made contact with the other two men.” It is not known yet what caused the accident at the eight-storey office building formerly occupied by Capsticks law firm, which is being developed into flats and shops by St James. A spokesperson for St James said: “This morning we were alerted to an incident at St James’ Langham Square Development. “It is with great sadness that we learned that a sub-contractor had been fatally injured. “We are investigating this incident as a matter of urgency. Our sympathies are with the family of the contractor at this time.” Via: thisislocallondon.co.uk

Scaffolding partially collapses in Exeter

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Scaffolding partially collapses in Exeter
A section of scaffolding on a building in Exeter city centre has partially collapsed after being hit by a lorry on Saturday. Police and fire crews were called to the three storey building near the Harlequin Centre at 10:35 BST after the accident. Queen Street and Paul Street were closed after the scaffolding was deemed unsafe. Police said scaffolders had been called in to make the remaining section safe. There were no reports of any injuries. Via: bbc.co.uk

Turner Access launches Scaffolding Olympics

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Turner Access launches Scaffolding Olympics
UK firm Turner Access Ltd is to hold a scaffolding competition in 2013 which it claims will not only showcase the fastest scaffolding teams in the country but will also highlight best practice and statutory regulations. In 1995, two scaffolders from Turner Access entered into the Guinness World Record book for erecting a 100m² scaffold in less than 26 minutes. While the assembly was speedy, by today’s standards it may not have met health and safety guidelines. Bearing this in mind, Turner is to hold another scaffolding competition next year, to measure speed against today’s statutory regulations. “The previous world record was established before 1996 when UK statutory regulations changed; the scaffolding industry introduced double guardrails and began to consider method in relation to use of harnesses,” explained Ian Wilson, managing director, Turner Access. Further work at height regulations were introduced in 2005. Today’s regulations require that everyone working at height prevent the risk of fall, and maximise work activity on the ground. The competition will be open to all qualified scaffolders. Turner Access will make available all necessary equipment and training to scaffolders wishing to compete. The dates of the competition are to be announced. “Britain performed exceptionally well in London 2012 and it was a fantastic celebration of competition and achievement. The top medals this time are for scaffolders and we look forward to recognising the very best in our business,” said Mr Wilson. Story Via: khl.com / Image: 

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Astra Access Safety Training completes contract in Africa

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Astra Access Safety Training completes contract in Africa
A training company which began in a house in the Huddersfield has moved into the international market with contracts in Africa. Now Astra Access Safety Training Ltd – which was set up in 2008 by director Mick Aston in his spare room at home in Honley with the help of a £2,000 grant – is aiming to further expand its business overseas Astra has just completed a month-long project in Uganda and Cameroon after being asked to deliver training in use of scaffolding and working at heights at the two locations in the African oilfields. Mr Aston said: ” Our name had been given to the HR department at the London office of the oil company.”When they asked if we would be interested in the training, I presumed it would be in the UK or offshore, but when the girl said it was in Africa, it was a bit of a shock.”We sorted out the logistics of flights, accommodation and transport whilst in Africa, then the next thing we were there delivering the training courses.” Said Mr Aston: “Although the training was in Africa, the UK health, safety and scaffolding criteria was followed as it is highly regarded as the benchmark throughout the world.” This year has also seen Astra delivering overseas training in France, Ireland and on a barge in the North Sea that is installing wind turbines. Another trip to Africa looks likely and training in Dubai, America and Europe are in the pipeline. Back in Yorkshire the company has invested £100,000 at its 18-metre high, 50,000sq ft workspace in Wakefield by creating a full-size four-bedroom house and 10-metre high steel-frame structure, both for demonstration and scaffold training purposes. The firm has also put in a suite of classrooms and will incorporate new offices soon. Said Mr Aston: “The huge base means we can improve and expand our comprehensive package of health and safety consultancy and training services – all designed to support workers operating at height, whether that is on scaffolding, mobile towers, elevating work platforms such as cherry pickers and scissor lifts, or simply on ladders and steps.” Astra has worked with clients in the construction, utilities, cleaning and other industries for the last four years. Their services are targeted at any business where people get their feet off the ground. Story Via: examiner.co.uk Images Via: astratraining.co.uk

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Cape Abu Dhabi achieves 40 million man hours without a lost time incident

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Cape Abu Dhabi achieves 40 million man hours without a lost time incident

Cape plc is pleased to announce that our Abu Dhabi operations have received an HSE award from Abu Dhabi Gas Liquefaction Company Ltd (ADGAS) in recognition of Cape’s contribution towards 40 million man-hours without a Lost Time Incident during the years 2009 to 2012 on ADGAS Projects. ADGAS is a pioneer of the gas liquefaction industry operating throughout the Middle East and is part of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) Group of Companies. Cape performs a broad range of services on the ADGAS Annual Turnaround including common user scaffolding access and platforms, surface preparation and industrial painting, internal lining of vessels, cryogenic insulation and refractory works. The award was received by Thomas Mathew, Contracts Manager Access division and Chandra Mouli, QHSE Manager on 15th October 2012 from Mr. Fahim Kazim, General Manager, ADGAS at a ceremony held on Das Island. Gary McLean, Operations Director for Cape’s Southern Gulf region, said: “Cape Abu Dhabi is delighted to receive this prestigious award from our long-standing partner ADGAS for having contributed towards the outstanding HSE performance in 2012. This exceptional achievement is testament to our team’s commitment, dedication and attention to detail during the safety performance in recent years. Cape Abu Dhabi Operations will continue to uphold the group’s reputation for delivering high quality essential support services safely and on time.” Tim Callahan, Divisional Managing Director, said: “My thanks and congratulations to the Abu Dhabi Operations team for this remarkable achievement. This type of long term excellence in HSE performance enhances the safety of our people and also enhances our standing in the eyes of a very important long term client.” Via: Cape

Refuse truck brings down scaffolding on busy street

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Refuse truck brings down scaffolding on busy street
scaffolding collapse henley
Image via: the henley standard
News sources have reported that a refuse truck had stuck the scaffolding this morning bringing the structure crashing down onto a busy Henley street. A Biffa tipper truck hit the scaffolding outside a shop in Bell Street in the town early this morning (Thursday), knocking it into the historic pub opposite. Nobody was injured in the collapse but the landlord in the pub opposite was trapped as the scaffold fell against the building. Police closed the street to traffic at 6.20am and called out a structural engineer.

Scaffolding lorry driver fined after scaffold crane injures worker

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Scaffolding lorry driver fined after scaffold crane injures worker
News sources have reported that a worker unloading scaffolding from a flatbed lorry was thrown from the vehicle and hit by its load of boards and tubes when it overturned. Martin Sapec, 54, of Edwardsville, Treharris suffered a broken pelvis and ankle in the incident at Bryntirion, Mountain Ash, on 15 August 2011. Pontypridd Magistrates’ Court was told that Mr Sapec was helping delivery driver Wayne Ford to unload the scaffolding material while standing on the back of the lorry. The vehicle was fitted with a crane operated by Mr Ford, who failed to extend a stabilising outrigger from the vehicle designed to provide balance while the crane is in operation. Because the crane was used without the extended outrigger, the lorry became unstable and tipped over, throwing Mr Sapec off. As he landed, some of the scaffold boards and tubes from the lorry fell on top of him. Mr Sapec has been unable to work since the incident because of his injuries. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found Wayne Ford was responsible for the lorry, and was at fault for not using the crane and extending outrigger in the correct, safe manner. Ford, of Shingrig Road, Nelson, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 7(a) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. He was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £1,000 in costs by magistrates on October 12. After the hearing HSE Inspector David Kirkpatrick said: “Mr Sapec sustained serious injuries in this incident, and could easily have been crushed and killed by the lorry when it toppled over. “Operators of vehicle mounted cranes must ensure the safety of people they are working with by using the equipment in the proper manner. “Had the extending outriggers been use for their intended purpose then the incident could have been avoided. It was wholly preventable on that basis.” Source: caerphillyobserver.co.uk

Gemini Riteway falls into administration

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Gemini Riteway falls into administration

The Construction Enquirer has reported that leading south-east scaffolder Gemini Riteway has fallen into administration . The Enquirer understands that staff were told last week that the company was in the hands of administrators and many had their contracts terminated. But the company is believed to have restarted operations under the name of ANT Structures. Gemini Riteway’s former Guildford head office has closed but staff were answering the phones at the Horsham branch using the ANT Structures name. The Enquirer was also referred to the “new” head office in Guildford which had the same contact details as ANT Structures. No-one at Gemini or ANT was prepared to comment on last week’s events. Gemini built its reputation working on a series of commercial contracts across the southeast where the firm worked for a host of major contractors. Via: Construction Enquirer Let us know your thoughts about this story in the comments below.
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