Ladder Association launches 2012 Ladder Exchange
For three months starting 1 September 2012, anyone who buys, uses or has responsibility for supervising the use of ladders, can take advantage of this year’s Ladder Exchange – the annual campaign that enables ‘dodgy’ ladders to be replaced for brand new ones, at a discounted price, at any one of the Ladder Exchange’s official partners. Please see www.ladderexchange.org.uk
Now run and managed by the Ladder Association who plan to grow and develop the campaign in future years, the Ladder Exchange has already removed over 10,000 broken, bent and damaged ladders from the workplace, with the message: Don’t let a dodgy ladder shatter your life.“Right now is the ideal time for firms to be checking their ladder stocks,” says Cameron Clow, Chairman of the Ladder Association. “Dodgy ladders are dangerous and need to be removed from service. The Ladder Exchange provides the perfect incentive to do just that and replace them with safe, brand new ones at a discounted price.“Falls from height remain the most common cause of death and injury in the workplace, so this campaign has a particularly important role to play in helping to reduce these consistently worrying statistics.”
It is important to maintain ladders and stepladders in good working order by carrying out pre-use checks, detailed inspections and routine maintenance. Pre-use checks are intended to quickly establish whether a ladder is safe to use there and then. Detailed inspections, as required by the Work at Height Regulations, are more in-depth and need to be carried out by a competent person.
This year’s Ladder Exchange is supported by an impressive line-up of campaign partners across the UK, whose details can be found on the website. It also contains a wealth of information about ladder safety, including free online videos.
About the Ladder Association The Ladder Association is the trade body responsible for advancing safety and best practice in the ladder industry, and oversees the delivery of national training. Formed in 1947 by leading ladder manufacturers, the Ladder Association has since expanded to welcome members from every part of the access industry, playing an integral role in promoting the highest standards of ladder design and manufacture, and advancing best practice in ladder use. With its focus on training, and its recent move to take over the Health & Safety Executive’s Ladder Exchange scheme, the Association is a vibrant, forward-looking organisation determined to look after the best interests of its increasingly diverse membership base and, of course, the industry at large.www.ladderexchange.org.uk
A view from inside UTN Scaffold Training CenterScaffMag is hearing reports that UTN training in Wakefield has been acquired by AFI Uplift and Scaffold training at the site will stop.
UTN based in Wakefield has been in operation for the past 16 years delivering a wide range of Scaffolding and safety related courses. Posted on the AFI uplift website a press release has appeared confirming that AFI has acquired the trade and the assets of UTN Training.
The press release continues to report that the business will continue to operate from the same premises and will retain the UTN Training name. Although the press release mentions courses that will continue at the site there is no mention of the continuation of any Scaffold Training.
This is the second training business in a matter of months that AFI has acquired.
We will bring you more information on this story as we get it
Vanguard class submarine via: Military-today.com
Industrial support group Pyeroy has won a £1.1m contract to support the multi-million- pound refit of the Royal Navy’s Trident ballistic missile submarine HMS Vengeance.
HMS Vengeance is the fourth and last of the Vanguard class submarines to undergo an overhaul which will take around three and a half years and involve over 2,000 personnel.
Pyeroy will help the process by putting up scaffolding and containment contract.
The work, at Babcock’s Devonport Royal Dockyard facility, will involve operatives providing access scaffolding and containment systems around the vessel to enable the refit work to be undertaken.
Jack Hayton, director of Pyeroy’s marine division, said: “Scaffolding for access to the vessel’s hull is under way and this is another major contract for Babcock that showcases the skills and workmanship of our workforce.”
The latest contract win follows an earlier £400,000 contract to support the refit of the Royal Navy’s Trafalgar- class submarine HMS Torbay at Devonport.
Pyeroy also undertakes work for Babcock at Rosyth and is supporting work on the Queen Elizabeth aircraft carriers under construction around the country.
Pyeroy employs 1,350 people at its headquarters and eight operating centres in the UK.
It works in the industrial, construction and marine sectors, providing services including scaffolding and equipment hire, surface preparation and application of marine/industrial protective coatings, insulation, civil engineering and building works and environmental management services such as asbestos removal.
Via: nebusiness.co.uk
Let us know your thoughts on this story in the comments below
A RETIRED scaffolder died at home in Cheshunt from mesothelioma after he was exposed to asbestos dust some 50 years ago, the Hertfordshire coroner said today (Tuesday August 14).Image of asbestos dust
Brendan Swaine, of Wood Green Way, died on July 7 after being diagnosed with mesothelioma last year after developing a persistent cough and losing weight. He underwent chemotherapy after he was diagnosed.
The 66-year-old began working as a scaffolder in 1963 and his job involved working with pipes and boards that were covered in dust and debris. He worked in close proximity to laggers who were spraying asbestos foam onto the steel frames of buildings.
After a stint owning his own mini-cab firm, Mr Swaine returned to scaffolding, before retiring in November 2010.
Coroner Edward Thomas recorded a verdict that Mr Swaine had died of industrial disease, adding: “He suffered substantial exposure to asbestos which was the cause of his mesothelioma, the symptoms of which started to develop some 50 years from his first exposure.”
Via: hertfordshiremercury.co.uk
Do you worry about coming into contact with asbestos? let us know in the comments below
Image of the scaffold collapse via: KentOnline.co.ukA family is devastated after a man died in a scaffold collapse in Sittingbourne, Kent today.News sources have reported that the man in his 50s, is believed to have been painting the gable end of a house in the town when the scaffold collapsed.
The man suffered serious head injuries in the accident at a semi-detached house in Chalkwell Road of the town at just after 11am this morning.
Kentonline.co.uk reported: The road was closed by police until around 3pm. Fire crews were also at the scene – removing scaffolding to allow paramedics to treat the man.
An air ambulance had landed, but the paramedics left without taking the victim.
A witness at the scene said: “You can see the scaffolding tower that’s collapsed. You can see the top of it at a jaunty angle underneath the side wall of the house.
“There’s fresh paint at the apex of the roof. It looks as though the man has been painting the top of the house and for some reason the scaffolding tower has collapsed.
“I saw some completely distraught people on the pavement nearby in an absolute state of bewilderment and crying their eyes out. They were being consoled by the police.”
Leading scaffolding safety firm Simian Risk is continuing its expansion into the South of England with the appointment of Bournemouth based specialist Tristan Kelly.Simain Risk appoints Tristan Kelly as Senior Consultant
Tristan joins the firm as Senior Consultant and will oversee a range of projects, including a new contract to provide health and safety support for national media display and solutions company Blink Giant Media.
Blink Giant Media – which specialises in event displays, building wraps and scaffolding wraps and large-scale signage – has taken on Simian Risk to provide a full range of health and safety services for its work at height projects across the UK.
Tristan, who has twenty years experience in the scaffolding industry and eight years experience in the health and safety industry, said: “This is a fantastic new contract for us, as Blink Giant Media are a renowned name and real experts in their field, working with leading international advertising agencies as well as clients including the Royal Shakespeare Company and Air New Zealand.
“Blink Giant Media deliver projects at some of the UK’s biggest, busiest and most difficult to access locations. The business is really raising its game across all areas and they have prioritised health and safety as a key concern – we will work closely with the firm to ensure the safety of both their installation staff and members of the public.”
Tristan is also aiding in overseeing the scaffolding health and safety on the development of BAE Systems’ aircraft carrier at Portsmouth Naval Base, as well as a range of construction, infrastructure and utility projects with Cardiff based firm Lyndon Scaffolding.
He said: “Lyndon Scaffolding is a great client and they currently have a number of prestigious office developments across central London that we are overseeing scaffolding safety on, as well as construction projects for the Severn Bridge, Cardiff and Bristol Infirmaries and work on the National Grid overhead line. We are also helping BAE Systems in their push for a Gold Standard Safety Award.
“As well as site safety I will also be assisting in the business development side of things across the South of England and South Wales. Simian Risk is a fast growing company with projects across the UK and also the Middle East and it’s my aim to match the ambitions of the business by retaining clients and winning new ones.”
Simian Risk is the UK’s leading scaffolding and work at height safety and training specialist, with offices in Warrington, London, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The firm works across a range of sectors such as construction, infrastructure, oil and gas and petrochemical, with blue chip clients including Carillion, Wates, Shell and Balfour Beatty.
The firm was launched in Directors Ian Fyall and Simon Hughes launched Simian Risk Group in Warrington in 2005. With more than 40 years of experience within the scaffolding industry, the business specialises in providing health and safety consultancy for work at height.
In 2010 Ian and Simon split the company into two divisions – Simian Risk and Simian Skill, taking on two new directors, Dave Randles and David Abraham for the respective divisions. Dave Randles became a shareholder in 2011. Dave and David also have more than 40 years of experience to add to that of Ian and Simon.
For more information on Simian Risk visit www.simian-risk.com or call 0845 602 2418.
Harsco Infrastructure have today posted a insightful video showing how scaffolders provided access at Earls Court Station United Kingdom.
httpv://youtu.be/65vTmxbdgGM
In order to refurbish and reglaze the Victorian station roof, Harsco Infrastructure devised and constructed an access structure which spanned the four District Line platforms.
Using a carefully selected range of scaffolding, aluminium beams and heavy shoring components and erected during night time possessions, the completed structure allowed roof work to progress whilst the busy station operated normally below.
Our designers worked constantly with the client to ensure that the supporting structure had minimal impact on passenger flow and posed no hazard to station operation.
To find out more about Harsco Infrastructure, visit: www.harsco-i.com
Wates is holding a Meet the Buyer event next month for subcontractors looking for work on its Excellent Homes for Life housing project for Kirklees Council.Wates wants to meet local firms to offer the the chance of becoming part of its project to build 466 new Council homes for rent across the district.
A range of different trades will be required including those specialising in metal work, tiling and scaffolding.
The event will take place at the Textile Centre of Excellence in Huddersfield on Tuesday September 11.
Ahead of the event, interested firms need to complete and return an expression of interest form by this Friday which can be found here
Wates Living Space started the Excellent Homes for Life project at the start of the year and work is now underway on a number of the 27 sites across the district.
Wates is part of a consortium, alongside Regenter and Pinnacle PSG, contracted by Kirklees Council to design, build, manage and maintain the properties for new and existing council tenants.
Joanne Jamieson, Regional Managing Director for Wates Living Space said: “From the outset it has been our aim to utilise our presence on this project to truly benefit local trades and the local workforce.
“We are holding this event to therefore specifically target local businesses across Kirklees and integrate them into our supply chain. This will allow us to identify strengths in the market and deliver quality homes for Kirklees tenants.”
In the weeks following the event, SMEs will also have the chance to seek guidance from Wates’ Supply Chain Manager on contractor supply chains and gather advice on how to secure work for other projects for contractors across the district.
Cllr Peter McBride, Lead Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Kirklees Council, said: “Not only is Excellent Homes for Life delivering much needed housing in Kirklees, it is also providing opportunities for local businesses and our residents who work for them.
“I hope that businesses take this opportunity to benefit and play a part in delivering such a huge project for the district.”
News Via: constructionenquirer.com
The NASC has been asked to comment on the use of impact wrenches during the erection/dismantling of scaffold.The NASC would advise members as follows:
The recommended force needed to tighten a fitting is 50 N/mtr as stated in EN 74. Some wrenches have a minimum setting that is greater than this recommended figure. Therefore there is a risk that a fitting could be over tightened causing damage to the fitting if the wrench is used to its extreme.
Members should note that the use of impact wrenches should be the same as other items of plant and this should entail a period of training, familiarisation and monitoring, to ensure that the wrench is being used in the correct manner at all times.
It should also be noted that during the latter stages of battery life the wrenches may in some cases give insufficient force to adequately tighten fittings.
The NASC recognises that these wrenches do offer certain benefits, including speed and reduction of potential RSI problems but would advise members and users of such equipment that there is a potential for concern over the use and operation and as such each member should adequately access the risk for their own particular situation and ensure that they put in place protocols to cover and ensure safe use.
Assessment
Training
Familiarisation
Monitoring
The NASC will keep this matter open and issue more information as it becomes available.
Via: nasc.org.uk
![[Video] Harsco/SGB provides access structure at Earls Court Station UK](https://scaffmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/harscovid1.png "[Video] Harsco/SGB provides access structure at Earls Court Station UK")
Wates wants to meet local firms to offer the the chance of becoming part of its project to build 466 new Council homes for rent across the district.
A range of different trades will be required including those specialising in metal work, tiling and scaffolding.
The event will take place at the Textile Centre of Excellence in Huddersfield on Tuesday September 11.
Ahead of the event, interested firms need to complete and return an expression of interest form by this Friday which can be found here
Wates Living Space started the Excellent Homes for Life project at the start of the year and work is now underway on a number of the 27 sites across the district.
Wates is part of a consortium, alongside Regenter and Pinnacle PSG, contracted by Kirklees Council to design, build, manage and maintain the properties for new and existing council tenants.
Joanne Jamieson, Regional Managing Director for Wates Living Space said: “From the outset it has been our aim to utilise our presence on this project to truly benefit local trades and the local workforce.
“We are holding this event to therefore specifically target local businesses across Kirklees and integrate them into our supply chain. This will allow us to identify strengths in the market and deliver quality homes for Kirklees tenants.”
In the weeks following the event, SMEs will also have the chance to seek guidance from Wates’ Supply Chain Manager on contractor supply chains and gather advice on how to secure work for other projects for contractors across the district.
Cllr Peter McBride, Lead Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Kirklees Council, said: “Not only is Excellent Homes for Life delivering much needed housing in Kirklees, it is also providing opportunities for local businesses and our residents who work for them.
“I hope that businesses take this opportunity to benefit and play a part in delivering such a huge project for the district.”
News Via: constructionenquirer.com 
The NASC would advise members as follows:
The recommended force needed to tighten a fitting is 50 N/mtr as stated in EN 74. Some wrenches have a minimum setting that is greater than this recommended figure. Therefore there is a risk that a fitting could be over tightened causing damage to the fitting if the wrench is used to its extreme.
Members should note that the use of impact wrenches should be the same as other items of plant and this should entail a period of training, familiarisation and monitoring, to ensure that the wrench is being used in the correct manner at all times.
It should also be noted that during the latter stages of battery life the wrenches may in some cases give insufficient force to adequately tighten fittings.
The NASC recognises that these wrenches do offer certain benefits, including speed and reduction of potential RSI problems but would advise members and users of such equipment that there is a potential for concern over the use and operation and as such each member should adequately access the risk for their own particular situation and ensure that they put in place protocols to cover and ensure safe use.