U.K. Edition
Fatal Scaffolding Collapse Kills Two At Abu Dhabi Site
Two workers died and a third was seriously injured when they’re scaffolding collapsed from the seventh level of a building under construction opposite Al Maraya Cinema in the city.
The cause of the accident is yet unknown and the police said they have started their investigation. However, an eyewitness reported that the workers were standing on the scaffolding, which was level with the seventh floor, to load heavy equipment when it broke, plunging the workers to their death.
“The three workers fell from 40 metres high. The scaffolding was erected on an elevator ditch at the side which went three levels below the surface of the site,” said A.K. from the site, who only gave his initials.
“One of the victims died instantly from severe head injuries as he fell on steel bars at the ground level. Emergency workers had difficulty identifying the man due to severe facial injuries,” he said.
According to A.K., another worker was pronounced dead 30 minutes after the accident at the hospital where he was transported by emergency ambulance. He had fractures and severe internal injuries.
Cause not known yet
A worker at the site, who requested to remain anonymous, said the cause was unknown but added the heavy equipment which was supposed to be fixed by the workers was not the reason behind the scaffolding’s collapse.
He confirmed that the scaffolding broke and fell from the seventh floor into the elevator ditch. However, he said only one workers died at the site and two were taken to Shaikh Khalifa Hospital.
“The accident happened shortly before 2:00pm, after the workers had completed their lunch break.
“A call from the hospital confirmed the death on arrival of the second worker. I think the third will survive as he sustained injuries that were not so major. The three workers were from the subcontinent region,” he said.
The hospital refused to comment on the condition of the injured worker. A source from the hospital said police has started their investigations and the hospital was not authorised to give any information to the press.
Via: GulfNews
Combisafe Protects The Home Of The Kings Of France
Renovations of Louis XIV’s magnificent yet fragile Palais de Versailles are always a daunting undertaking and the latest is no exception.
With its 700 rooms, 67 staircases, 2,153 windows and 27 acres of roofing, the sprawling 17th Century Palace outside Paris sets the international standard for a challenging restoration programme.
Forming one part of the massive seventeen year, €390 million restoration project, the UBIX® temporary roof system from Combisafe has been integral in providing protection to the exposed elements of this fragile building during the renovation of the King’s private apartments.
The palace has been in a state of restoration for much of the last four centuries, however the latest masterplan ‘Great Versailles’ is the largest in history. Launched in 2003 by President Chirac, the entire estate is to be restored to its former glory by 2020 through a combination of public funding and support from businesses and individuals.
Until June 2012 a huge artistic canvas will hide scaffolding and building works in the Palais de Versailles’ Royal Courtyard as the roof and main building undergo restoration. To provide weather protection to both the building and workers while the delicate gold leaf is being replaced on the roof of the King’s private apartments, the fast application of the lightweight and robust UBIX temporary roofing system proved ideal.
Specialist scaffolding contractor Ulma specified the UBIX system to cover an area of 800m². With superior strength and durability, UBIX was easily adaptable with Ulma’s multidirectional scaffolding whilst offering the protection the building and contractors required.
Designed with safety as the top priority, UBIX is the lightest and most economical temporary roofing system on the market. With a choice of bay widths – 2.07m, 2.57m and 3.07m – and two beam depths of 45cm and 78cm, UBIX allows for totally bespoke solutions to meet cost and span requirements. Due to its innovative structure and engineered approach, UBIX has the ability to create very large spans of up to 40 metres and more.
By choosing the UBIX system the working at height risk is removed, and the scaffolders were able to benefit from its quick and easy handling and simple erection. Requiring no specialist tools or lifting gear, it can also be managed at height by a relatively small team, and with the boltless fixings and loose components eliminated, all parts snap together for a rapid assembly process.
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Versailles is France’s most visited historical monument. While there is some way to go before this glittering palace is restored to all its baroque glory, Combisafe has ensured the building and workers can remain unaffected by the weather, further enhancing the company’s reputation for providing cutting edge temporary roof systems.
CISRS Card Scheme Explained
CISRS publish two free tools for clients and contractors to better understand the CISRS card scheme
Scaffolding by its nature can be a high risk occupation if it is not carried out in accordance with the latest standards and in compliance with the correct skills. The only recognised training scheme for scaffolders is the CISRS (Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme), within this scheme there are currently 8 different cards that identify what the particular individual can (and cannot) do with regards to the construction/assembly of a scaffold structure. The 8 cards range from Labourer and Trainee through to Advanced Scaffolder and Scaffold Inspector.
In accordance with CDM (Construction Design Management) Regulations 2007 all clients and contractors must be legally satisfied with the “competence of those engaged” in any works, including scaffolding. To help inform clients and contractors on the scope of any of the 8 CISRS cards available in the UK today two new aids have been launched.
Free Site Poster
CISRS have launched an easily read and informative A2 poster that clearly explains the scope of work that any individual holding a CISRS card can carry out. Designed to be an ideal aide-memoire to any site the poster provides a simple to follow explanation ensuring that any individual’s card can be verified prior to any scaffolding works commencing.
The poster is available free (subject to stock availability) and can be requested directly by contacting CISRS at telephone number 0844 815 7223 or via email at [email protected]
Free On-Line Video Toolbox Talk
To explain in more detail the criteria for each CISRS card, a short but detailed online video presentation is available to watch from the CISRS website www.cisrs.org.uk. The video duration is approximately 15 minutes and details the course criteria and the scope of each CISRS qualification. To accompany the video a free online test is available to take after viewing the video to ensure that the user has fully understood the content.
David Mosley, CISRS Training Scheme Manager states: “The main reason why some scaffolds are seen erected unsafely is due to lack of training. Hopefully clients and contractors will use these two new tools to help them understand the CISRS scheme and enable them to prevent non-skilled scaffolders erecting dangerous scaffolds”
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HMS Belfast’s Scaffolding Gangway Collapses
The scaffold gangway to the London tourist attraction HMS Belfast has collapsed into the River Thames today injuring two and leaving 170 visitors stranded on the ship.
The gangway collapsed at around 12.47pm today injuring two contractors that was working on the gangway at the time of the collapse.
170 people including 30 school children had to be rescued from HMS Belfast with lifeboats deployed from Tower Lifeboat Station.
Scaffolding had been erected and work had apparently been carried out on the walkway leading to the ship for the past seven weeks.
HMS Belfast director Phil Reed said he was “flabbergasted” at the event. He said:
“As far as we know, the brow, where it joins the ship, sheared off and fell into the water. “The two contractors on the brow got the warning as things began to rattle and they ran off and sustained only minor injuries.”
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have been informed and will investigate what caused this collapse.
Gallery
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Work Trousers – The Review
Welcome to another installment of our reviews this month I have been reviewing quality work trousers all supplied by the great guys at Active Workwear. I have worn each of these trousers for one week in locations that each of us scaffolders face daily.
I hope you find these reviews helpful and informative please let us know in the comments below.
Apache Workwear Trousers
The apache brand seems to amaze me every time top quality gear at such a cheap price and these trousers did not disappoint.
First off great styling with different color stitching on the knee area with a simple but effective velcro pocket to place the knee pad in. The trousers have seven pockets including a handy mobile phone pocket.
Very comfortable to wear although not as lightweight as the snickers, the apache pair are made from Cordura Brand Fabric which guarantees hard wearing reliable durability.
Overall the best pair of work trousers for your hard earned money, unbelievable price for what you get.
Price £25.99
ScaffMag Rating:
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Snickers Ultimate Trousers
Probably the most well known brand of work trousers out there and quite rightly so. The Snickers trousers performed well during the review, they felt very comfortable and durable to wear.
The trousers are made from Cotton/Polyamide which make them incredibly lightweight. I also found the velcro pockets for the knee pads great for quick easy access to the pads.
Each pair comes with enough pockets to suit everybody including a handy mobile phone pocket for easy access.
Overall an amazing pair of work trousers but I cannot help but think you would be paying a premium just for the name.
Price £49.15
ScaffMag Rating:
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Blaklader Craftsman Trousers 1570
All the seams on the Blaklader Craftsman Trousers are triple stitched and guaranteed for life. The knee pad pockets are made from Cordura for extra durability with plenty of pockets to keep you happy but thats where the good news stops.
I think there is a few things lacking with the blaklader trousers, they seem to lack any kind of style at all also the knee pad pockets lacked velcro to keep the knee pad in position which was quite frustrating.
Overall if you are looking for a pair of work trousers in this price range I would say save your money and get your self a pair of Apache’s.
Price £41.00
ScaffMag Rating:
Click here for more information
Gallery
Reviews By Daniel Norton
Trousers Supplied By Active-Workwear.com with thanks.
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GSL scaffolders block Metrolink in protest
Scaffolders from the failed firm GSL Scaffolding made a protest yesterday morning by blocking the Metrolink at Salford Quays with six scaffold trucks.
The Greater Manchester services to Eccles and MediaCityUK were suspended while police negotiated with the scaffolders to move the trucks.
The protest was over the collapse of Grace Scaffolding Limited as previously reported here. Reports are that Metrolink allegedly owed the company money for work previously completed by the firm which may have led to the collapse.
15 workers and 6 trucks were involved in the protest one of the scaffolders said: “We’ve lost our jobs six weeks before christmas.”
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Scaffolding collapse in China kills two
A large scaffold and formwork collapsed killing two workers and leaving three missing on a construction site in east China Anhui province on Saturday.
The incident, between Sanbing port and Chaohu City, initially trapped nine construction workers under the rubble, of which four were pulled from the rubble alive, but injured along with the two fatalities.
As of this morning rescue workers are still searching through the wreckage to find the other three, the four injured men are being treated at a local hospital, but so far there has been non statement on their condition.
The the main contractor on the site is Fengyi Construction and Installation Engineering of Jiangsu province.
The cause of the accident is under investigation.
Via: Vertikal.net
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GSL Scaffolding collapses leaving 50 staff out of work
Grace Scaffolding Ltd. has been placed into administration leaving nearly 50 staff out of work.
The north west company was established over 10 years ago and employed around 48 staff that operated from its head office in Salford and its other branches in Preston, Wirrall and Blackpool.
GSL operated a fleet of 40 vehicles with a huge stock of wholly owned scaffolding equipment that concentrated it’s business in social housing, private new-builds, commercial and industrial sectors. The company had a large number of clients that included Bullock Ltd., Lovell, The Gleeson Group Ltd. and Villa Homes.
A shareholder disagreement at the company is understood to have meant the business could not pays its debts which lead to the collapse.
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Safway expands into Brazil with new agreement
In an effort to grow business internationally and expand in Brazil’s burgeoning market, Safway Services, LLC has announced an agreement with Mecan, the largest producer and renter of scaffold in Brazil.
Mecan will manufacture and distribute Safway’s QuikDeck® Suspended Access System in Brazil and in other parts of South America.
“Along with the potential for additional revenue, this new agreement gives Safway the ability to introduce the QuikDeck® product into the international market, with excellent distribution and support set up at the local level,” says Jerry Dolly, Safway’s Bridge Division manager. “Having been successfully used in a number of applications and in different markets, we expect QuikDeck® will be as versatile and efficient there as it is here.”
The newly signed agreement gives Safway access to Brazil’s rapidly developing offshore market, in addition to its commercial and industrial markets.
QuikDeck® is a modular platform system that is easy to install, safe for workers and more economical than traditional scaffold or access solutions in a variety of applications. With its versatility and ease-of-use, QuikDeck® can be assembled from just a few basic components and configured to fit almost any shape or size.
Mecan is one of 10 companies that is part of the Grupo Orguel Corporation, which services the commercial and industrial markets. Grupo Orguel has been in business for over 40 years, and the Mecan Company is involved in manufacturing, distribution, rental and installation of scaffold.
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