Chris Sedgeman Scaffolding Ltd are currently working on a major conservation project on one of the most familiar features of the Cornish skyline.
Scaffolding is being erected on the headgear at South Crofty Mine, near Camborne, Cornwall as part of the refurbishment of the landmark. South Crofty’s symbolic headgear, which ended its productive life when the mine ceased production in 1998, is being surveyed, repaired, shot-blasted and painted.
Using the Plettac scaffolding System, the scaffolders from Chris Sedgeman Scaffolding Ltd erecting the structure have already used 8,000 scaffold boards, 20,000 fittings and 3,300 scaffolding tubes and is still not complete.
Project manager Mark Hughes told a local newspaper: “The operation was being led by Cornwall Council, with the preparatory work carried out by Chris Sedgeman Scaffolding Ltd of Penzance.
“It’s a major undertaking,” said Mr Hughes. “That’s an awful lot of scaffold tube and boards. I don’t envy the men up there today because it’s very exposed and there is a very cold wind coming straight off the Atlantic.
“The whole thing had to be erected independently of the frame, which made it even trickier. The plan is to replace any sections that are too corroded to repair and then shot blast and paint it. It’s going to look really impressive when it’s done.”
Cormac Contracting and specialist sub-contractors expect to complete the project by July. Stephen Rushworth, Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for economy and regeneration, said: “I look forward to joining the local community to celebrate the successful completion in the summer.”
Construction workers could be left without hard hats on sites after life-saving laws were scrapped last week.
This is the warning from leaders of the union UCATT who are concerned that the end of head protection regulations could lead to construction firms skimping on safety equipment.
The head protection laws were scrapped from last Saturday (6th April) after the Lofstedt Review which recommended their deletion.
Ucatt argued against the deletion of the regulations and said the previous law had seen the average number of construction workers dying as a result of a head injury fall from 48 a year to 14 a year.
Steve Murphy, General Secretary of UCATT said: “Construction workers are being placed in danger by the scrapping of these regulations.“Many construction companies will use the scrapping of the regulations as an excuse not to provide life-saving protective equipment.”
But the HSE insisted the change would not jeopardise site safety standards.
Contractors will still need to comply with the Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 1992 which have been amended so that they cover the provision and use of head protection on construction sites.
The HSE said: “These changes do not compromise essential health and safety protections. The aim is to make the legislative framework simpler and clearer.“HSE is taking action to raise awareness of the changes.“This includes working with the construction industry (particularly small contractors) to ensure that it understands the continuing need for employers to provide hard hats and ensure they are worn on construction sites.“Hard hats remain vital in protecting construction workers from head injuries.
But Murphy added: “It is highly distressing that the HSE is failing to take proactive measures to ensure that workers are not placed in danger.“Hoping that the construction industry will send out a message is a complete abdication of the HSE’s responsibilities.“Workers who are being placed in danger need to be told whether this is a result of HSE policy, as a result of a lack of resources or because of Government intervention.”
CISRS has launched a new, free, revised version of the CAP 609 ‘General Information’ booklet – offering up-to-date facts on the Scaffolding Operative Schemes for both tube & fitting and system scaffolds.
The 60+ page booklet includes information on the scope of the scheme and full detail on the scaffolding operatives schemes, scaffolding management/supervisory training, scaffold inspection training, vocational training, record cards, grant aid, training funding and also includes some highly useful appendices.
The revised booklet is available free of charge from CISRS. To obtain a free copy contact CISRS on 0207 8227407 or at [email protected] or alternatively you can download a (6Mb) PDF version of the booklet at: www.cisrs.org.uk/general-information
CISRS Training Manager, David Mosley said: “The revised booklet is a fresh, all-encompassing guide to the expanding, evolving, constantly improving CISRS scheme. We continue to work hard to provide the best possible scaffolding training in the world – aiming to reduce the risk of accidents and uphold the best possible work standards, keeping the UK at the forefront of the global scaffolding world. The new CAP 609 booklet is a very useful tool in this process – containing all the information a company or potential scaffolding trainee should need.”
For further details about the CISRS and information and dates on courses available, please visit www.cisrs.org.uk or email [email protected].
Safety & Access have today announced the ability to offer CISRS SSPTS training course in the HAKI Universal System delivered at our purpose-built training centres in the Midlands and Humberside including a network of locations across the UK.
The course will provide all companies using HAKI on site with product awareness training over 2 days to ensure that all their operatives are accredited to use the equipment.
HAKI’s MD Chris Stokes said in a press release, ‘HAKI is committed to maintaining high standards in safety. Safety and Access are a leading CISRS training provider and will deliver first class training to our customers across the UK.’
Safety & Access Joint MD Rick Statham said, “We are extremely pleased that we have been able to form a relationship with HAKI that enables us to provide product awareness training to contractors in the UK. We have been providing training on the excellent stair system and loading bay system for several years and to take it to the next level is a very exciting prospect for us”
For the formal launch of the partnership and during recent training at the Safety & Access CATCH Training facility, employees of Lyndon Scaffolding are seen above erecting the Haki System under tuition.
HAKI® is a global supplier of system scaffold and weather protection solutions. HAKI® temporary work-places ensure the highest standard in safety whilst increasing productivity. Its unique hook-on design makes HAKI® adaptable in even the most challenging environments.Head quartered in Sweden, HAKI® is part of the Midway Holding Group whose shares are traded on Nasdaq OMX Stockholm AB Small Cap exchange. HAKI® has branches across the globe providing temporary access for the power generation, process, offshore and construction sectors for over 50 years.Safety & Access are a leading CISRS Scaffolding training and Work at Height training and consultancy provider offering a wide range of professional support services to a broad range of industry sectors in the UK and overseas.With a nationwide and worldwide delivery capability the company operates from three key centres at Nottingham, Immingham and Dubai.
A Formal Launch of the HAKI System and presentation on the 9th May 2013 starting at 09.30am for more information please contact Sarah Cockell on 0115 9794523 or email [email protected]
One in four of the construction sites visited in London during a month-long inspection initiative failed health and safety checks, according to results released today (4 April).
More than 400 sites were visited by Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Inspectors as part of a national HSE clampdown aimed at reducing death, injury and ill health. The building sector features consistently in the top three high-risk industries for deaths and injuries.
A total of 93 of the 401 sites failed to meet the minimum legal standards for health and safety. Specific work activities on some of the sites were deemed to be so dangerous that immediate Prohibition Notices were served by Inspectors, halting further work until standards had been raised.
As well as 114 Prohibition Notices, Inspectors also served 22 Improvement Notices, which required particular improvements to be made to working practices.
The inspectors visited sites where refurbishment or repair work was taking place, to support a drive to improve standards in one of Britain’s most dangerous industries.
They made unannounced visits to ensure companies are managing high-risk activity, such as working at height. They are also checked for general good order, assessed welfare facilities and checked whether personal protective equipment, such as head protection, was being used appropriately.
During 2011/12, four workers were killed while working at construction sites in London and a further 471 were seriously injured. Nationally, there were 49 deaths and more than 2,800 major injuries.
The purpose of the initiative is to remind those working in the industry that poor standards are unacceptable and could result in enforcement action.
Of the total visits, 110 were to look specifically at the construction of domestic basements in three target boroughs – Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, and Hammersmith & Fulham. Fifty Prohibition Notices were served stopping work activities across 34 sites, the majority concerning work at height but a significant number citing poor excavation or structural support.
Andy Beal, a Principal Inspector for Construction in London, who co-ordinated the construction initiative, said:
“It’s good news that the majority of the construction sites we visited were obeying the law but sadly a sizeable minority sites are letting down the rest of the industry.
“Failures to properly protect workers during construction activities at height, inadequate site management, exposure to dangerous types of dust and inadequate washing facilities were among the dangers and low standards we found on some sites.
“The whole purpose of carrying out these spot checks is to raise awareness of the dangers and reduce the number of construction workers being killed or seriously injured at work.”
NASC member, Deborah Services Ltd. has been awarded a highly regarded major contractor accolade for safety in the 2013 Engineering Construction Industry Association’s (ECIA) ‘Recognising Initiative in Safety Excellence’ (RISE) scheme, with an innovative design for a locking twin retractable lanyard.The locking twin retractable lanyard, Available from all good height safety suppliers
The ECIA’s RISE program aims to share best safety practice industry examples – giving members a chance to showcase their achievements publicly – and rewards “outstanding achievement” annually. The expert judges look for innovation, teamwork, leadership, health and safety planning in advance of works commencing, development of people skills and “substantially more than mere compliance”.
NASC’s Managing Director, Robin James said: “With the NASC’s focus and dedication to safety and best practice in the scaffold and access industry – it comes as no surprise one of our members has won this coveted award.“We’d like to wish Deborah Services Ltd. many congratulations in obtaining this fine industry achievement in the face of stiff competition and we’d also like to thank the company for representing the scaffolding and access safety aims of the NASC so well within the construction industry as a whole. It’s our aim to encourage the best possible safety practices from all our members to reduce the risk of accidents inherent in the industry. The NASC ensures these standards are adhered to, with a strict auditing process. Only companies with the best possible safety record and practices become – and remain – NASC members.”
Steve Flounders, Managing Director of Deborah Services Ltd. (DSL) said: “I am absolutely delighted we have been successful in winning the prestigious 2013 ECIA RISE award for a Major or Managing Contractor – this is a major achievement for DSL. The award has been achieved through the concept, design and implementation of a twin retractable lanyard, which when force is applied locks instantly – therefore reducing the distance fallen, and as a consequence should limit any potential injuries.“This safety initiative implemented by DSL and developed in partnership with Spanset was chosen as the best example of a safety initiative by the ECIA. DSL is justifiably proud of this award and it clearly demonstrates our commitment to monitor, control and improve our Health and Safety systems not only in DSL, but across the construction industry, creating a safer working environment for everyone.“I would like to personally thank our Health and Safety team led by Neill Moffat who have made a major contribution in promoting a safe behaviour at work throughout the business as this is a critical and important component to the DSL business.“DSL is an active member of the NASC (National Access & Scaffolding Confederation) and the majority of our clients recognise that the NASC is the leading body for setting standards for scaffolding within the UK. Being an NASC member provides DSL (and the wider construction industry) with invaluable best practice guidance and standards which ensure delivery of a competent scaffolding workforce.”
Find out more about NASC members, Deborah Services Ltd. at www.deborahservices.co.uk, discover more about the ECIA awards at www.ecia.co.uk and for further details about becoming a member of the NASC, please visit www.nasc.org.uk or email: [email protected].
TG20:13 receives a positive response from a batch of regional NASC meetings..
The new TG20:13 guidance document was recently unveiled with a presentation at a batch of NASC (National Access & Scaffolding Confederation) regional meetings for its members. The new guidance and eGuide received an overwhelming positive response from key personnel from within the UK scaffolding industry.
The eGuide that complements the main TG20:13 document has been designed and developed by CADS who are the makers of the world leading scaffolding software SMART Scaffolder.
The guidance will see some major changes to previous versions of the document one such change being all standard scaffolds in TG20:13 will be fully proven by design and calculations.
This will undeniably remove some of the burden for design currently experienced which in-turn will give more power to the scaffolder rather then the scaffold designer which we see in the current TG20:08 guidance.
Knock on effect?
After TG20:13 is released later on this year, there will no-doubt be a decline in scaffolds needing a design, but could this have a knock on effect within the scaffolding design industry with its workload and business revenue ?
We asked one of the most prevalent scaffold design company’s in the UK 48.3 Scaffold Design Ltd for a comment on the new TG20:13 document and eGuide and how it will effect the industry.
Managing Director, Ben Beaumont from 48.3 Scaffold Design Ltd said:
“The new revision of TG20 looks like a considerable improvement, the hard work CADS and the NASC working group have put in will be of benefit to everyone in the industry and will no doubt turn into a worldwide benchmark for scaffolding with tube & fittings.48.3 Scaffold Design Ltd are in full support of this new document – a document of this scope is overdue and desperately needed within our industry. The new range of standard designs will ease the burden on scaffolding design engineers in the UK. Most busy design engineers are not spending their time designing loading bays, short bridging sections or towers. Yes, we all design them, but generally as part of bigger schemes and projects. When these items are the only aspect of scaffolding that should be designed on a smaller site they often go undesigned! TG20:13 will now provide a solution to this problem, the standard designs will mean the scaffolds that often ‘slip through the net’ can be erected by a competent scaffolder to the compliant TG20:13 design.The new ‘e-guide’ looks like it will be a really useful tool for scaffolding contractors. It provides a quick scaffold selection process which results in a concise and effective document to demonstrate the suitability of the scaffold and list key erection criteria.”
A wider impact ?
A common feeling amongst the industry is that TG20:13 will also be a really useful tool especially for main contractors. With the new ground breaking eGuide main contractors will be able to see a visual design on a computer screen of what they should be getting before the scaffolding work on site begins.
The release date for this eagerly awaited guidence was originally set for spring time. But as NASC and CADS want everything perfect before release this date has now changed to the summer.
What we do know is the eGuide comes with the main TG20:13 document as standard and is not sold separately. The price for the guidance is still to be confirmed but will be cheaper for NASC members.
Written By Daniel Norton.
Let us know your thoughts on the new guidance and how you think it will impact the industry in the comments below.
LABOUR’S political rivals are already making plans to contest the impending South Shields by-election.
A UK Independence Party (UKIP) spokeswoman has confirmed that it will be putting forward a candidate at the poll in May and it is committed that the chosen candidate will live in the town.
South Tyneside Council has one UKIP councillor – David Potts, who represents Cleadon and East Boldon.
But Coun Potts is in ill-health and unlikely to fight the seat himself.
A party spokeswoman said: “We have already been to the town, and are trying to find a campaign office there so we can get the ball running.“We will go through the normal selection procedures to find a candidate, but we are pretty sure that that person will be from the local area. It will be someone who knows the patch well.”
The first candidate to throw his hat into the ring to become the next MP for South Shields has emerged.
Former scaffolding boss John Robertson, 46, from Whitburn, says he will stand as an independent.
He said: “I intend to campaign on issues such as special educational needs and support for the elderly.”
Meanwhile, the borough’s Liberal Party is also considering putting forward a candidate.
That candidate could be Dave Wood, the party’s leader.
He said: “The question David Miliband has to answer is if he would have resigned if he’d won the Labour Party leadership.“I will be taking soundings before deciding whether I should stand. As a party we could also consider splitting the vote by supporting another party, as long as it is not from the right-wing lunatic fringe.“We could even support a suitable Labour candidate.”News Via: shieldsgazette.com
In this video you will see a novel way of unloading a massive load of bamboo scaffolding FAST… only in Asia eh !
About Bamboo Scaffolding
Bamboo has long been used as an assembly material in china, particularly Hong Kong, because of its versatility. one of the most interesting applications of the wood is its structural function for scaffolding. Extremely eco-friendly and cost-effective resource, it continues to be used for this purpose because it is durable enough to support the weight of builders, their equipment and materials, but is lightweight itself. unlike typical metal scaffolding,
Bamboo can also be cut and tailor-made to suit any contour of construction – it can be configured into a variety of shapes and follow irregular architectural features of a building, and takes very little time to build-up. it is light and easily transportable to other sites and no machinery is required to assemble the scaffold and put it in place. When one job draws to a close, bamboo can easily be recycled and used for another project.
A scaffolding company has been fined after an inexperienced 18-year-old apprentice broke his back when he fell more than three metres.
Kidderminster magistrates heard today that the trainee, who has asked not to be named, was working for Halesowen based Harris Scaffolding Limited on a construction site in Stourport on 16 November 2011.
The firm had been called back to the site to make modifications to the scaffold it had put up two months earlier.
The changes were needed to provide roofers with working platforms at each corner of the scaffold so they could install rainwater downpipes.
The teenage worker, who had signed up to a scaffolding apprentice programme just five weeks earlier, was carrying out the necessary alterations when he fell nearly three-and-a half metres to the ground below. He fractured two vertebrae and was off work and in a back brace for three months.
A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found the apprentice was allowed to work unsupervised in areas of scaffold with no boards or guardrails and without a harness.
At times he stood on single-width scaffold boards or directly on tubing and gained access to work areas from an unsuitable ladder and by climbing up the outside of the scaffold.
HSE said the work had not been adequately planned, supervised or carried out in a safe manner.
A more experienced colleague had been sent to work with him but he had not carried out any scaffold construction work for some 15 years and had not had any refresher training in that time.
The investigation also found that Harris Scaffolding Ltd had not followed its own risk assessment when it first built the scaffold by failing to work in accordance with industry-recognised best practice guidance.
No guardrail or supports were in place for use during modifications of the scaffold. Neither the apprentice nor the older colleague were given any specific instructions or drawings before going on to site and had not seen a risk assessment or method statement.
Harris Scaffolding Limited, of Coombs Wood Court, Steel Park Road, Halesowen, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and was fined a total of £10,000 and ordered to pay costs of £6,156.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Luke Messenger said: “This was an avoidable incident and a young man was fortunate not to suffer more serious life-changing or even fatal injuries.
“Work at height is the biggest single cause of fatal and serious injury in the construction industry, and for scaffolding companies working at height on a daily basis the controls required should be second nature.”
He added: “In this case the company fell well below accepted standards and a trainee scaffolder was badly injured as a result. It was lucky his career wasn’t ended before it had properly begun.”
News Story Via: www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk
Chris Sedgeman Scaffolding Ltd are currently working on a major conservation project on one of the most familiar features of the Cornish skyline.
Scaffolding is being erected on the headgear at South Crofty Mine, near Camborne, Cornwall as part of the refurbishment of the landmark. South Crofty’s symbolic headgear, which ended its productive life when the mine ceased production in 1998, is being surveyed, repaired, shot-blasted and painted.
Using the Plettac scaffolding System, the scaffolders from Chris Sedgeman Scaffolding Ltd erecting the structure have already used 8,000 scaffold boards, 20,000 fittings and 3,300 scaffolding tubes and is still not complete.
Project manager Mark Hughes told a local newspaper: “The operation was being led by Cornwall Council, with the preparatory work carried out by Chris Sedgeman Scaffolding Ltd of Penzance.
“It’s a major undertaking,” said Mr Hughes. “That’s an awful lot of scaffold tube and boards. I don’t envy the men up there today because it’s very exposed and there is a very cold wind coming straight off the Atlantic.
“The whole thing had to be erected independently of the frame, which made it even trickier. The plan is to replace any sections that are too corroded to repair and then shot blast and paint it. It’s going to look really impressive when it’s done.”
Cormac Contracting and specialist sub-contractors expect to complete the project by July. Stephen Rushworth, Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for economy and regeneration, said: “I look forward to joining the local community to celebrate the successful completion in the summer.”
The head protection laws were scrapped from last Saturday (6th April) after the Lofstedt Review which recommended their deletion.
Ucatt argued against the deletion of the regulations and said the previous law had seen the average number of construction workers dying as a result of a head injury fall from 48 a year to 14 a year.
Steve Murphy, General Secretary of UCATT said: “Construction workers are being placed in danger by the scrapping of these regulations.
“Many construction companies will use the scrapping of the regulations as an excuse not to provide life-saving protective equipment.”
But the HSE insisted the change would not jeopardise site safety standards.
Contractors will still need to comply with the Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 1992 which have been amended so that they cover the provision and use of head protection on construction sites.
The HSE said: “These changes do not compromise essential health and safety protections. The aim is to make the legislative framework simpler and clearer.
“HSE is taking action to raise awareness of the changes.
“This includes working with the construction industry (particularly small contractors) to ensure that it understands the continuing need for employers to provide hard hats and ensure they are worn on construction sites.
“Hard hats remain vital in protecting construction workers from head injuries.
But Murphy added: “It is highly distressing that the HSE is failing to take proactive measures to ensure that workers are not placed in danger.
“Hoping that the construction industry will send out a message is a complete abdication of the HSE’s responsibilities.
“Workers who are being placed in danger need to be told whether this is a result of HSE policy, as a result of a lack of resources or because of Government intervention.”
The 60+ page booklet includes information on the scope of the scheme and full detail on the scaffolding operatives schemes, scaffolding management/supervisory training, scaffold inspection training, vocational training, record cards, grant aid, training funding and also includes some highly useful appendices.
The revised booklet is available free of charge from CISRS. To obtain a free copy contact CISRS on 0207 8227407 or at [email protected] or alternatively you can download a (6Mb) PDF version of the booklet at: www.cisrs.org.uk/general-information
CISRS Training Manager, David Mosley said: “The revised booklet is a fresh, all-encompassing guide to the expanding, evolving, constantly improving CISRS scheme. We continue to work hard to provide the best possible scaffolding training in the world – aiming to reduce the risk of accidents and uphold the best possible work standards, keeping the UK at the forefront of the global scaffolding world. The new CAP 609 booklet is a very useful tool in this process – containing all the information a company or potential scaffolding trainee should need.”
For further details about the CISRS and information and dates on courses available, please visit www.cisrs.org.uk or email [email protected].
