TRAD Group – Going for Growth

SM Newsdesk
-
0
TRAD Group – Going for Growth
Since joining the ALTRAD Group of Companies in September 2013 the TRAD Group has received substantial investments totaling £10 million from ALTRAD Holding, this has enabled growth in this two year period of almost 70%. This obviously significant fund injection only made possible by becoming part of the Group combined with minor organisational restructuring, “a key objective of the ALTRAD Group bespoke Management Charter “Pathways to the Future” resulted in the TRAD Group joining the ranks of the top five Scaffolding Groups in the UK today, with further organic growth yet to come. Des Moore – TRAD Group Managing Director said: “I would like to personally Thank, Mohed Altrad, Louis Heutz, the ALTRAD Holding Team, our Chairman Hayden Smith and above all the TRAD Group Management Team and our entire workforce for their huge efforts in helping to make this happen, along with exciting new plans for further growth, we look forward to increasing our market share into 2016 and beyond.”

New TRAD Commercial Vehicle Fleet – Protecting People and the Environment and enhancing service levels.

Trad Group

TRAD is proud to announce the completed purchase of 15 new Scania HGV units complete with 1.5 Ton Fassi Cranes at a cost of £1.7 million. These modern high quality vehicles are fully Euro 6 compliant helping us to protect the environment by reducing emissions, particularly in London where TRAD Co mainly operates, this is part of our continuous drive to reduce our carbon footprint and improve our Environmental Management System accredited through BSI to ISO 14001.

Moreover, as part of our continuing focus on improving safety for our Employees and the General Public, all 15 vehicles have been fitted with top of the range cameras. These enhancements help protect Cyclists and Pedestrians by substantially reducing blind spots in the Driver’s field of sight. TRAD currently holds Bronze FORS Accreditation and this purchase of the new Scania HGV units solidifies our commitment to achieving the FORS Silver standard early next year.

Trad Group

Furthermore, these new Lorry Loader Cranes enable a much safer working environment with a major advancement in remote controlled Lifting Operations. All TRAD’s HGV drivers have received certificated Training, allowing them to control every aspect of the lifting process from any position around the truck, thus resulting in increased visibility of all operations improving safety and enabling us to give a better quality service to our customers.

New Trucks – New Livery

The new trucks have been liveried with distinctive new paintworkTrad Group and visuals, helping them to stand out and promote the TRAD and ALTRAD brands. Featuring striking graphics and the ground-breaking use of “chrome” film, the vehicles promote our new ‘Metrix’ scaffolding system, as well as the five key safety behaviours that form our Behavioural Management of Safety Programme, Play it Safe. They also celebrate our parent company the ALTRAD Groups affiliation with the Montpelier Rugby Club, which is personally owned by Mohed Altrad.

The trucks have been transformed into a highly effective form of mobile messaging, promoting continual awareness of our Behavioral Management Programme ‘Play it Safe’ as well as promoting both the TRAD Group and ALTRAD Group Brands.

NASC shortlisted for Pride of Construction Award

SM Newsdesk
-
0
NASC shortlisted for Pride of Construction Award

The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC), has been shortlisted for a top award for its outstanding commitment to supporting apprentices.

NASC is in the running for a prestigious Pride of Construction Award at the annual industry prize-giving run by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). The awards celebrate all of the best people, companies and partners in the construction industry. This year’s ceremony, which takes place on 25 November at the Natural History Museum in London, arrives at an exciting time for the construction industry, with 10,000 jobs forecast to be created in Greater London alone over the next five years. The NASC has been nominated in the Outstanding Strategic Partner category in recognition of its best practice initiatives such as its commitment to apprenticeships, and its promotion of the scaffolding industry training scheme (CISRS). NASC Director of Training, Dave Mosley commented: “We are very pleased to be nominated and shortlisted for this Pride of Construction award. As the UK’s scaffolding and access trade body (NASC) we work closely with CITB to make the construction industry a safer place in which to work. “It’s gratifying to receive recognition from CITB for our role in achieving this; and indeed to be recognised for our work as a CITB strategic partner. We have a long and proud history of working with CITB, helping to raise the profile of industry training in the construction sector.”  

Workers jump for their lives as scaffold collapses

SM Newsdesk
-
1
Workers jump for their lives as scaffold collapses

Three firms have been prosecuted by the HSE after workers had to literally jump for their lives when a huge scaffold collapsed into the River Brain in Essex.

Renovation work was underway at the Former Riverside Centre, Braintree when on the 1 July 2014 a forty meter run of independent five lifts high collapsed. Workers leapt through open windows to avoid falling with the huge scaffold. The HSE commenced a full investigation into the incident and charged three firms with various breaches of law. Principal contractor Parkland Developments Ltd, scaffolding contractor SC Cousins Scaffolding Ltd and CDM co-ordinator Haze and Safety Ltd all found themselves before Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court. The court heard HSE’s investigation found numerous failings on site;
  • The CDM co-ordinator had failed to provide suitable and sufficient advice to the client (Parkland Developments Ltd) or ensure that the arrangements were being implemented on site.
  • The principal contractor (Parkland Developments Ltd) failed to implement the construction phase plan or ensure that they planned and managed or monitored the scaffolding works.
  • The scaffolding contractor failed to plan the work or design the scaffold. They also failed to send trained and competent workers to site. In the weeks prior to the collapse, a scaffolding labourer was acting as the supervisor and overseeing trainee scaffolders in erecting, altering and inspecting the scaffold.
  • Not one of the duty holders had identified there was no design for the scaffold.
HSE served a Prohibition Notice following the collapse, stopping all further work until an adequate design had been drawn up. Following the collapse, SC Cousins Scaffolding continued to send untrained scaffolders to site and Parkland Developments allowed them to adapt the scaffold. Parkland also continued to allow site labourers to adapt scaffolding, even providing the tools to do so. the court was heard how Parkland Developments Ltd had received an inspection from HSE at the same site several months prior to the collapse where five enforcement notices were issued for other management failings. A Notification of Contravention was also issued on CDM co-ordinator Haze and Safety Ltd for failing to provide suitable and sufficient advice to the client. SC Cousins Scaffolding Ltd had also received an inspection from HSE at a different site five weeks before the collapse and had been informed of the design requirements for scaffolding. Parkland Developments Ltd of Witham Road, Black Notley pleaded guilty to safety breaches. They were fined £20,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,893. S C Cousins Scaffolding Ltd of Church St, Billericay pleaded guilty to breaching Work at Height Regulations. They were fined a total of £15,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1,981. Haze and Safety Ltd of Meadowside, Braintree pleaded guilty to breaching Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007. They were fined a total of £5,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1,981. After the hearing, HSE inspector Adam Hills said: “This collapse was entirely preventable and it is only by chance that multiple fatalities did not occur. It beggars belief that following the collapse, no lessons were learnt and untrained people were still allowed to adapt the scaffold. “This case highlights the importance of ensuring those who undertake construction work have the relevant skills, knowledge, training and experience to do so.”  

Cape awarded two year Australian contract

SM Newsdesk
-
3
Cape awarded two year Australian contract

Industrial services contractor Cape plc, has secured a two year contract with Woodside in Western Australia.

The new contract has been awarded to a 50/50 joint venture between Cape and UGL for services on the Woodside operated Karratha Gas Plant Life Extension Program. Services to be provided include the detailed planning and execution of access, fire protection application, blasting and painting, cladding and insulation, mechanical, pipe-spool equipment replacement and electrical services. The contract is for a two year period with work expected to commence on site at the beginning of 2016. Located 1,260 kilometres north of Perth, Western Australia and covering approximately 200 hectares, the Karratha Gas Plant includes five LNG processing trains, two domestic gas trains, six condensate stabilisation units, three LPG fractionation units as well as storage and loading facilities for LNG, LPG and condensate. The plant has the capacity to produce 12,000 tonnes of domestic gas per day. Joe Oatley, Chief Executive of Cape, said: “We are delighted to announce the award of this new contract with Woodside which was won through our innovative approach and combined service offering with our contract partner, UGL. Woodside is an important client and we look forward to working with them closely to deliver safe and efficient service on this extensive project.”

XERVON Palmers wins Rydon contract at prestigious Ealing Green Man Lane project

SM Newsdesk
-
0
XERVON Palmers wins Rydon contract at prestigious Ealing Green Man Lane project

XERVON Palmers bags scaffolding contract at the £155M Green Man Lane regeneration project in Ealing, London.

The well-known scaffolding and industrial services contractor has been appointed by successful southern-UK-based construction, development, maintenance and management group Rydon. XERVON Palmers operatives will be providing access solutions on Phase two of works commencing this Autumn – crucially utilising specialist Layher Scaffold system – facilitating the construction of 187 new homes within apartment blocks which are due for completion in early 2017. For the scaffolding and access, Palmers will be utilising circa 400 tons of the Layher all round system scaffolding to provide access to Blocks A, B G & H of the Green Man Lane regeneration. And there will be a typically eclectic picture of scaffold provided, including façade, birdcage, stairways, loading bays and cantilevered access. The four phase Green Man Lane project for Clients London Borough of Ealing is being delivered in a 50:50 joint venture partnership with A2Dominion and Rydon – aiming to regenerate the Green Man Lane estate in the West London borough. The project value is £155M and is expected to take nine years. The existing 464 flat local authority housing estate is being demolished – paving the way for 770 new homes (300 for open market sale and 400 for affordable rent and shared ownership homes for A2Dominion). Ian McFarlane, Director for Business & Project Development at XERVON Palmers said: “We are thrilled to be working with Rydon on the superb Green Man regeneration project – regenerating an important part of the capital. The contract confirms Palmers strategy to make a difference by offering our customers an alternative to traditional tube and fittings within the UK Market, with our system scaffold solutions. And one of the key factors in securing this contract was our ability to provide Layher scaffolding to the developer, as we also did recently at Aberthaw Power Station.” And Donald Morrison, CEO of XERVON Palmers added: “Congratulations to our regional team for securing this contract, which is our first major success with Rydon. We are very much looking forward to doing a great scaffold and access job, which will hopefully pave the way for a long-term future of quality work with the construction group in London and the South.”

Bilfinger strengthens relationship with Maersk Oil following contract award

SM Newsdesk
-
1
Bilfinger strengthens relationship with Maersk Oil following contract award

Bilfinger Salamis UK awarded five year contract with Maersk Oil North Sea for an undisclosed sum.

Following a period of competitive tender, industrial services company Bilfinger Salamis UK has been awarded a contract for the provision of fabric maintenance and associated services by Maersk Oil North Sea (Maersk Oil). The contract, which begins in November, is for a period of 5 years and includes coatings, access, specialist cleaning and shutdown support services on all Maersk Oil’s UK upstream assets. Bilfinger Salamis UK has worked with Maersk Oil since 2009, completing a number of successful fabric maintenance and ‘walk to work’ campaigns. Bilfinger Salamis UK managing director Graham Hayward commented: “This award is fantastic news as it enables us to build on our close working relationship with Maersk Oil, and allows us to demonstrate our commitment to delivering safe operations, while developing the scope of services we provide.”

CN Specialist Awards 2016 finalists announced

SM Newsdesk
-
1
CN Specialist Awards 2016 finalists announced

The Construction News Specialist Awards 2016 has announced it’s shortlisted finalists.

The eleventh Construction News Specialist Awards will take place on 24 February 2016 at the Hilton Park Lane, London. After stiff competition In the Access & Scaffolding Specialist of the Year category, judges have whittled down the entries to just eight companies.
  • AFI group
  • Chris Sedgeman Scaffolding
  • Everlast Scaffolding
  • GKR Scaffolding
  • SafeTime ®
  • St Helens Plant
  • TIGER Scaffolding
  • UK Platforms
Chris Sedgeman Scaffolding was also successful in being shortlisted for Project of the Year (subcontract up to £2m) category and Apprentice of the Year category. Lynn Way, Company Secretary & Financial Manager for Chris Sedgeman Scaffolding Ltd commented: “We are delighted to be selected as finalists for the Construction News Specialist Awards for three categories; ‘Access & Scaffolding Specialist of the Year’, ‘Project of the Year (subcontract up to £2m)’ and for the first time ‘Apprentice of the Year’. Everyone at the company are thrilled to be included in such a prestigious awards and eagerly look forward to presenting our company amongst some of the biggest and most respected in the industry.” A spokesperson at St Helens Plant added: “We are delighted to have been shortlisted in the Access and Scaffolding Specialists Awards 2016, and look forward to meeting the judging panel in December and have the opportunity to present projects and structures we have fabricated alongside the many B2B partnerships we have established.” Mark Parkin, MD at TIGER Scaffolding said: “To say we are delighted is an understatement, this is an huge achievement from everyone here at TIGER and we are so proud of them all.” Clint Hickmott at SafeTime said: “we are very pleased that we have been selected as a finalist in the Construction News Specialists Awards. We would like to wish all finalists the best of luck!” The judges will reconvene for the final stage of the judging process, where they will interview finalists face to face before weighing up their achievements and deciding on a winner.

2015 TRAD Scaffolding workforce Seminar

SM Newsdesk
-
6
2015 TRAD Scaffolding workforce Seminar
On the 18th October 2015 TRAD Scaffolding held their annual Scaffolder’s Seminar in the excellent facilities America Square Conference Centre, conveniently located immediately behind Tower Hill tube station. This has become a popular event in the TRAD calendar and affords our Operational Management Team a platform on which to speak on a wide range of issues and topics useful to the Operational Team and their Scaffold Operatives, afterwards the MD and his staff discussed improvements, potential issues and suggestions with the Scaffolders in informal groups. The afternoon commenced with a presentation by Neil Garner – MD, who spoke on why they – our Scaffolders – are in reality our greatest asset, ranking alongside our many valued Clients. Neil also expressed that their continued dedication to erecting quality scaffolding across many diverse Industry Sectors was a major feature of why TRAD Scaffolding has continued to thrive for over 45 years. Neil also stressed the Career opportunities and training available for Scaffold operatives within the company, as well as recent incidents and trends within the Scaffolding industry and how everyone must consider and then implement TRAD’s Behavioural Management of Safety Programme Play it Safe and its 5 Key Safe Behaviours to improve safety for our People, our Client’s Operatives and the General Public. TRAD Scaffolding The presentation ended with an overview of TRAD’s key achievements throughout the past year, our success in securing many large Contracts in 2016 thus ensuring continual work for our workforce and Staff, avoiding any seasonal downturn and the Board of Directors commitment to recognising and rewarding safety and quality in the workplace. Recognising Achievement An important part of the seminar was to recognise our people’s achievements, with a special award for exemplary efforts in Health & Safety going to various Scaffolders across the three Operational Divisions headed by Divisional Directors, Chris Smith, Peter McShane and Tony Mileham. Chris, Peter, and Tony presented the prizes and awards, including those for “Divisional Scaffolder of the Year” and “Best Improved Scaffolder of the year”, for those who best exemplified and implemented our 5 Key Safe Behaviours (Excellent Segregation, Safe System of Work, PPE, Housekeeping and Quality). Winners were as follows: Chris Smith’s Division: Dean Lomiglio – Divisional Scaffolder of the Year Luke Faik – Best Improved Scaffolder of the Year Peter McShane’s Division Karl Clinton – Divisional Scaffolder of the Year Corey Belgrove – Best Improved Scaffolder of the Year Tony Mileham’s Division David Yates – Divisional Scaffolder of the Year Oliver Wheatley – Best Improved Scaffolder of the Year The final award presented was for Safe Employee of the Year – the criteria of which was based on our Clients’ recognition of our Scaffolders’ exemplary behaviour and their excellent control of our five Key Safe Behaviours on site. This year’s winner was John Gardner – for leading the Scaffolding team on the highly prestigious “One Tower Bridge” Project for Berkeley Homes and John was also commended for being an exemplary colleague and running this high profile Project to a very high standard. The afternoon finished with a Q&A session and opportunity for informal discussions with the Directors over refreshments in the function area. The Annual Seminar was once again considered a great success, by both the Staff and our Scaffolding workforce and the Company looks forward to a another mutually successful financial year and a continuation of this event in September 2016. DES MOORE – TRAD GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR commented: Following our recent organisational re-structure and Neil’s well-deserved appointment to the MD position of Trad Co. Neil, his Divisional Directors and Contracts Staff have continued to recognise that it is absolutely essential that we engage with our whole workforce on all matters, which in my view remains at the heart of TRAD Co’s resilience and continued growth over the past 45 years.

BM TRADA Scaffold Board Scheme promotes construction site safety

SM Newsdesk
-
0
BM TRADA Scaffold Board Scheme promotes construction site safety
Scaffold boards are used in their thousands on construction sites across the UK, enabling workers to operate safely at height. However, BM TRADA, part of the Exova Group, warns recent incidents have highlighted that the failure of a timber scaffold board can result in serious injury or even death and leave contractors facing prosecution and significant fines. With failures often the result of used scaffold boards being inadequately checked after DSCN2110having been stored or used inappropriately, BM TRADA has launched its Q Mark Used Timber Scaffold Board Inspection Scheme, to enable certified companies to demonstrate that their inspectors are competent to determine if boards should remain in use. While there is no legislative requirement for used timber scaffold boards to be regularly inspected, to ensure safety on site, scaffold boards should be checked and assessed on a regular basis when in use and each time they are re-issued or supplied  to site. It is also important that boards which have been checked are stored separately to those that have not. With major contractors recognising the dangers, they are starting to ask how scaffold board issuing companies can demonstrate the competency of those inspecting boards. The BM TRADA Q-Mark Used Timber Scaffold Board Inspection Scheme provides a means of verifying that inspectors are suitably qualified. While most scaffolding companies will ensure their employees complete a scaffolders’ training course, the BM TRADA Scheme provides added confidence to contractors, since the competence of board inspectors is regularly checked by an independent third party body.  This enables contractors to specify their hire with confidence and demonstrate due diligence if required. To achieve certification under the scheme, the scaffolding company must nominate individual employees who will be covered.  Each is required to demonstrate their competence to identify damage which is likely to reduce the strength of used timber scaffold boards. Every nominated inspector is required to complete scheme-specific training, pass an examination and complete a competence assessment at the company’s premises. BM TRADA will also undertake an initial audit of the company to ensure that a documented inspection process is in place. This process must demonstrate that only approved inspectors carry out inspections, only approved boards are released for use and all rejected boards are segregated. Companies who meet the scheme’s requirements will be issued with a certificate and certification marks to enable them to demonstrate and promote their certification. Certification is valid for two years and following this is maintained through a programme of annual surveillance audits, with a recertification audit required in the second year before the certification expires. In addition to offering confidence to contractors, the scheme enables certified companies to demonstrate their competence and highlight their commitment to quality. This offers them a competitive advantage when tendering and can increase repeat business as contractors increasingly recognise the benefit of specifying used timber scaffold boards which are regularly inspected by third party certified competent inspectors. For further information on the BM TRADA Q-Mark Used Timber Scaffold Board Inspection Scheme, visit www.bmtrada.com, email: [email protected]; or call: 01494 569821.

SGB provides unusual access solution at Dyrham Park project

SM Newsdesk
-
2
SGB provides unusual access solution at Dyrham Park project

One of the oldest names in the UK scaffolding industry has demonstrated its expertise in working on historic buildings with a new project for the National Trust.

SGB, (which is part of Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services) has provided a full scaffold and temporary roofing solution for a £3.8m project to repair the roof of Dyrham Park house, a 17th- Century mansion house in South Gloucestershire. Located in 270-acres of Dyrham Parkparkland, Dyrham Park house was in need of significant repair work to its roof structure. “As well as providing access to the roof for the repair teams, we were also asked to install a full temporary roof covering to protect the Main House and Orangery during the refurbishment,” says Chris Rogers, Northern Design Manager for SGB. Colette Cuddihy, the National Trust’s project manager said: “This is a major project for us – the roof is 150-years-old and we’d expect the new one to last at least as long. So it really is a once in a lifetime chance for visitors to be allowed up onto scaffolding and to see the extent of the work needed to take apart such a large and complex roof and make it weather tight and secure for the future. We have used 500 tonnes of scaffolding to clad the house – it was specially designed to include the new walkway which circles the whole roof with two viewing platforms, giving a view both inwards over the roof and out from the scaffolding across the park and gardens of Dyrham Park. It is fully accessible with a lift as well as stairs.” “Given the age of the building and its historic importance, we were able to design and construct a suitable solution which is completely independent of the Main House and Orangery. The whole structure is completely free-standing which removes the risk of any damage that might have been caused if we’d had to tie it into the building,” adds Chris. The scaffold reaches 27m at the ridge and is constructed from Cuplok®, which is SGB’s multi-purpose steel scaffold system designed for general access, shoring and vertical load support applications. Being a modular system, and featuring a unique node point which allows up to four components to be connected in one fastening action, Cuplok® made it both quick and easy to assemble on this project. The scaffold is fixed to the ground using Mini Screw Piles which are anchored at depths of 2 – 10 metres to accommodate differences in the subsoil around the building. The temporary roof covers an area of 47.5m long x 38.2m wide, and is constructed from nine roof modules. “This is also a modular system which again made it easy to assemble the sections on the ground and crane them into place,” adds Chris. “They combine to give a clear internal span of 33.4m, so there is plenty of room for the restoration crews to do their work while still being protected from the elements.” “Unusually for a project to of this nature, the scaffold incorporates a public viewing walkway on each of its four sides.” The walkway is 15 meters high and gives the public the chance to see the conservation team at work on the roof,” Chris adds. “This is something which the National Trust has advertised as an extra ‘visitor experience’. Fortunately, Cuplok® is such a strong system that we were able to accommodate this request without any problem. We’ve also installed a passenger hoist so that wheelchair users will also have full access to the walkway. “This is quite a different project for us. Erecting the scaffold and roof structure while the park remained completely open to visitors was certainly a challenge, and we are not usually asked to make a scaffolding structure accessible to the general public. Fortunately we have undertaken many other similarly complex projects in the past, so we were happy to accept the challenge!” SGB is part of Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services, was established through the merger of Harsco Infrastructure and Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services. The group currently has a turnover of $3bn (US), 22,000 employees, and branches in 30 different countries.
1...272273274...352Page 273 of 352