U.K. Edition
NSG UK secures three years work worth £3 million
Video of the day: Buckinghamshire Scaffolding Specialists
httpv://youtu.be/XdzqFQUUde8
A very nice promotional video from BSS (Buckinghamshire Scaffolding Specialists). They offer a diverse range of scaffolding services from a small tower on a house to installing camera towers for international golf events to art installations at galleries and festivals.
I am currently writing an article on BSS so watch this space for further information on this great company.
Video of the day: Scaffolding Collapse London
httpv://youtu.be/xnCiV2GEbxw
This video was shot just after a huge scaffold collapsed in Warriner Gardens, London, SW11 in 2008
Scaff Step Survey [Results]
![Scaff Step Survey [Results]](https://scaffmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/sccr.jpg "Scaff Step Survey [Results]")
Back in May we reported that the SCCR (Scaffolders Confederation for Consultation Rights) conducted a survey for the Scaff Step. Below are the results to this survey that was posted on the SCCR website.
The Survey was a breakdown of replies from members of the SCCR, Scaffolder forum and readers of ScaffMag. Compiled from around 110 replies of which 15% were management.
The Survey
1. Does your employer or their customers insist on the scaff step being the only method used on their sites? 43.3% Use the step 33.3% Don’t work to SG4:10 23.3% Work in offshore or industrial using other more suitable methods for their environment. The answers below are only from scaffolders that use the step on a daily basis. The ones that use the step 54% said yes 46% said no 2. What other methods of advanced guard rails do you or your company use and what is your opinion on them? 53.3% said no other A.G.R. used 13.3% use a dummy lift but time and cost is an issue. 13.3% use a sliding tube. 6.7% use Fast Guard 6.7% use Haki Wand 6.7% use double lanyard and Wrappa Anchor 3. If you use a scaff step what type is it, does it sit on the guard rail or on the standard, does it have a ladder to the platform or not? All have steps going to the platform 93% sit on the guardrail 7% attach to the standard 4. If you use a scaff step do you feel safe using it, do you hemp while standing on the step? 71.4% feel unsafe using the step 28.6% do not feel unsafe using the step Also 64.3% hemp from the step 35.7% refuse to hemp from the step 5. Do you think that the scaff step causes extra strain and fatigue to the body? 71.5% say yes 28.5% say no One is more concerned about gin wheels 6. Are you happy with hemping over the guard rail, do you consider this dangerous. 71.4% are unhappy with hemping over guardrails 28.6% are not Also 85.8% consider it dangerous 14.2% do not 7. Do you use the scaff step on base lifts, if so how do you manage with uneven ground conditions? 50% use the step on base lifts and erect a foot lift if necessary 50% do not use it on base lifts 8. How are the scaff steps transported from site to site? 71.4% are transported by company vehicles 21.4% are transported in scaffolders own cars 7.2% are left on site 9. Do you consider them dangerous in wet or muddy conditions? 92.9% said yes 7.1% said no 10. Have you or have you witnessed an accident or near miss due to the use of the scaff step or hemping over the guard rail? 78.6% said they had ranging from trips because of the step cluttering lifts to broken bones losing footing on the step and dropped hemps which could have caused a fatality. 21.4% said no but 50% of them expect to see one soon. 11. Do you feel that your job is at risk if you complain about using something you consider unsafe or puts extra strain on your body? 71% said yes 29% said no 12. Do you think the SG4:05 traversing rule was adequate? 78.4% said yes although many admit it was flawed and easily abused 21.6% said noWhat do you think of the Scaff Step ? Let us know in the comments.
Video of the day: Q Scaffolding Time Lapse
httpv://youtu.be/TymM5klDEoU
Great little time lapse video of scaffolding being erected to music in Regent Street London at night by the lads at Q Scaffolding. Thumbs up from me.
Firm fined after woman is struck on the head with scaffold tube
A Worthing scaffolding company has been fined after a grandmother suffered serious head injuries, after being struck by a falling scaffolding tube.
The Worthing Herald is reporting that Carroll Taylor, suffered head and facial injuries after the five foot long tube hit her as she waited for her husband to park the car, in the nearby Union Place car park.
She told the newspaper that she felt ‘lucky to be alive’, after the pole “gouged flesh” from her head and left her needing hospital treatment.
Sussex based Ashacre Scaffolding Limited, the company responsible for the structure, was fined £15,000 at Worthing Magistrates’ Court and ordered to pay costs totalling £5,936.83.
The court was told that Ashacre Scaffolding had erected the scaffolding to allow the Connaught Theatre’s guttering to be cleaned.
But an inspector from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) informed the court that when it was time for the scaffolding to be dismantled the correct safety procedures, such as restricting public access to the work area had not been adhered to.
A spokesperson from the legal team defending Ashacre Scaffolding stated that the company would have to close if they had to pay the fine and costs involved.
The Worthing Herald is reporting that Carroll Taylor, suffered head and facial injuries after the five foot long tube hit her as she waited for her husband to park the car, in the nearby Union Place car park.
She told the newspaper that she felt ‘lucky to be alive’, after the pole “gouged flesh” from her head and left her needing hospital treatment.
Sussex based Ashacre Scaffolding Limited, the company responsible for the structure, was fined £15,000 at Worthing Magistrates’ Court and ordered to pay costs totalling £5,936.83.
The court was told that Ashacre Scaffolding had erected the scaffolding to allow the Connaught Theatre’s guttering to be cleaned.
But an inspector from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) informed the court that when it was time for the scaffolding to be dismantled the correct safety procedures, such as restricting public access to the work area had not been adhered to.
A spokesperson from the legal team defending Ashacre Scaffolding stated that the company would have to close if they had to pay the fine and costs involved. Inquest into welders fatal 10m scaffold fall
A JURY has returned a verdict of accidental death at an inquest of a welder who died after falling off some scaffolding in Ledbury.
Gordon Docherty, from Bristol, landed on his head after he fell from about ten metres at Universal Beverages Ltd (UBL) in October, 2009.
Mr Docherty was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
The inquest at Hereford Town Hall today heard that the scaffolding had only been inspected at ground level for about ten minutes prior to the fall, when in fact it should have taken about an hour an a half to ensure that it was fully safe for people to use.
An investigation was immediately launched following Mr Docherty’s death, which found that there were a number of defects in the scaffolding, including gaps “large enough to fall through.”
Via: www.herefordtimes.com
Gordon Docherty, from Bristol, landed on his head after he fell from about ten metres at Universal Beverages Ltd (UBL) in October, 2009.
Mr Docherty was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
The inquest at Hereford Town Hall today heard that the scaffolding had only been inspected at ground level for about ten minutes prior to the fall, when in fact it should have taken about an hour an a half to ensure that it was fully safe for people to use.
An investigation was immediately launched following Mr Docherty’s death, which found that there were a number of defects in the scaffolding, including gaps “large enough to fall through.”
Via: www.herefordtimes.com Video of the day: The Most Scariest Job At 1,768 Feet
httpv://youtu.be/a411J1PoD5g
This video shows us the heart in your mouth moments of transmission tower climbing at an eye watering 1,768 ft “what ever you do just don’t look down “!
£100,000 worth of scaffolding stolen from Hull building site
The Hull Daily Mail reported that thieves stole £100,000 worth of scaffolding from a Keepmoat’s housing development in the city.
The theft took place some time over the weekend the thieves used the onsite forklift and loaded five pallets of scaffolding onto their getaway vehicle and also siphon diesel from other vehicles on site.
A spokesman for Keepmoat said:
“The site does have a security presence at all times. Someone is there 24/7. “But it is a large site. We are having a look at the security arrangements in light of what has happened. “Although it has been an inconvenience, this theft will not affect the building program.”
The development will see 140 homes being built in the first phase, with 600 in total for the site.
Police are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information should call Humberside police on 0845 6060222 Scaffold firm fined £20k after bus crashes into scaffolding
A Louth joiner broke his leg after falling 4 m from scaffolding after a passing bus collided with the structure in Louth town center in Lincolnshire.
The scaffolding was erected by local firm Panther Scaffolding on the Helal Restaurant on Mercer Row in Louth on 9th November 2009. The scaffold beams that was in the structure overhung the road way which was struck by the bus throwing the joiner off the scaffold to the ground below.
Andrew Judge, trading as Panther Scaffolding, was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive for failing to ensure that the workers, who erected the scaffolding the day before, worked in a safe way and that the finished scaffolding was a safe structure for its user and vehicles moving through the town.
HSE inspector Martin Giles said:
“The scaffolding should have been erected in a safe manner, and the finished scaffold should not have jutted out over the road at a height where it could be a danger to passing traffic. The failure to provide adequate scaffolding was caused by inadequate planning before work started and a failure to check that the finished scaffold was safe before handing it over.
“Work at height remains a major cause of injury and fatalities in the workplace and for this reason it is important that, where such work is undertaken, then appropriate planning, supervision and safety measures are essential. This becomes even more critical when a job involves work in places like the centre of Louth which expose the public to the risks from scaffolding work.”
Mr Judge, 44, of Old Main Road, Scamblesby, Louth, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1)(c) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005, and Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 at Skegness Magistrates’ Court today. He was fined £15,000 and ordered to pay £3,739 costs.
The scaffolding was erected by local firm Panther Scaffolding on the Helal Restaurant on Mercer Row in Louth on 9th November 2009. The scaffold beams that was in the structure overhung the road way which was struck by the bus throwing the joiner off the scaffold to the ground below.
Andrew Judge, trading as Panther Scaffolding, was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive for failing to ensure that the workers, who erected the scaffolding the day before, worked in a safe way and that the finished scaffolding was a safe structure for its user and vehicles moving through the town.
HSE inspector Martin Giles said:
“The scaffolding should have been erected in a safe manner, and the finished scaffold should not have jutted out over the road at a height where it could be a danger to passing traffic. The failure to provide adequate scaffolding was caused by inadequate planning before work started and a failure to check that the finished scaffold was safe before handing it over.
“Work at height remains a major cause of injury and fatalities in the workplace and for this reason it is important that, where such work is undertaken, then appropriate planning, supervision and safety measures are essential. This becomes even more critical when a job involves work in places like the centre of Louth which expose the public to the risks from scaffolding work.”
Mr Judge, 44, of Old Main Road, Scamblesby, Louth, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1)(c) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005, and Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 at Skegness Magistrates’ Court today. He was fined £15,000 and ordered to pay £3,739 costs.