The Scaffolding Association Opens it’s Doors for Membership

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The Scaffolding Association Opens it’s Doors for Membership

scaffacc

The Scaffolding Association is a not-for profit organisation which has been founded to improve the understanding, safety and standards of scaffolding across the construction industry, and will be opening its doors for membership today (9th of August 2013).

Membership is open to all companies within the scaffolding industry. The initial level of membership available will be Associate Membership. There are no entry requirements or assessment process for this level of membership.

This is to ensure all companies within the scaffolding industry have access to an organisation which will provide them with guidance and support, irrespective of levels of competence or development. Associate Membership gives entitlement to all the available membership benefits of The Scaffolding Association.

Various membership groups are available at Associate level, including; Scaffold Erection Companies, Scaffold Designers, Training Providers, Health & Safety Advisors, Scaffold Inspectors, Manufacturing Companies, Product Companies, Service Providers and Construction Professionals.

It is the association’s intention to offer assessed levels of membership which will conform to current procurement, and current accredited assessment criteria. Further to this, Individual Membership will be available within some of the membership groups.

If you would like to be a part of an association looking to unite the scaffolding industry and would like more information please visit their website: www.scaffolding-association.org

Do you think the Scaffolding Association could be a viable alternative to the NASC ? let us know in the comments below.

Demanding Project Highlights Harsco’s Customer Service Abilities

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Demanding Project Highlights Harsco’s Customer Service Abilities
H145 Uppingham College A college refurbishment project in Rutland has thrown the spotlight onto the outstanding levels of customer service for which Harsco Infrastructure is widely recognised, and earned the company high praise from its client. Despite the presence of asbestos and the need for frequent changes during the life of the project, Harsco was able to provide a CUPLOK® scaffolding system which allowed the windows at Uppingham Community College to be replaced in-line with an extremely demanding schedule. “This was certainly a project which provided its fair share of difficulties, but the Erection and Dismantle team at our Birmingham branch in Tamworth was more than equal to the challenge“ explains Harsco’s Branch Manager Steve Bollans. “The scaffolding system itself was straightforward enough, but there were many other factors which made the job difficult.” These included the fact that the school was live during the project, which required Harsco to schedule all deliveries to site outside of school hours. Limited road access also meant that delivery vehicles were halted some 70 yards away from the school. The Harsco equipment was then unloaded and transferred to site, past an adjacent nursery school, using lorry-mounted forklift trucks. “We could only do this when there were no children in the nursery,” adds Steve. “Similarly, when we were installing the scaffolding we had to stop work every time pupils from the main school came outside at break times”  Despite this, and the fact that the decision was taken part way through to extend the project to cover the school’s second storey windows, Harsco was able to help the project meet its very demanding 10-week schedule. “From the outset the Harsco team were extremely professional, pro-active and advisory, managing an extremely short mobilisation period with ease,” says Chris Cuthbert, Project Manager for the main contractor, Kier. “We had regular site meetings to make sure any design changes were dealt with in a timely fashion. Unfortunately one of the three main sub-contractors under-performed drastically which put a lot of pressure on the Harsco team due to late changes. With this in mind, and with the Harsco people being so pro-active and reactive, the project finished on time. Without this support I’m sure the project would have overrun.” The fact that asbestos was being removed from the building as the windows were replaced meant that Harsco’s scaffolding design had to allow the proper protective sheeting to be installed all round the areas which were being worked on. This also involved Harsco being asked to make frequent changes to the scaffolding as the project progressed, and often at a moment’s notice.

CUPLOK®

cuplok

Harsco’s CUPLOK® is a multi-purpose steel scaffold system which is ideal for general access, shoring and vertical load support duties. A unique node point design allows up to four components to be connected in one fastening action, making CUPLOK® quick and simple to erect and strike. The fully galvanised, high grade tube is 20% lighter than conventional alternatives, has high resistance to damage and is compatible with up to 3 kN/m² platform loadings, making it strong enough for use in the most demanding applications.  

New Instructors Appointed At Safety & Access

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New Instructors Appointed At Safety & Access
2013-08-02 13.42.32 Safety & Access have appointed new scaffolding instructors to meet industry demands within the UK and Overseas. The Nottingham and Humberside based training firm has appointed Terry Sennett, Steve Gregory and John Hall, all of whom have a wealth of experience and knowledge within the industry and bring with them skills within management, practical application and health and safety. Safety & Access was the first UK training provider to be delivering CISRS Training over three continents from centres at Nottingham and Humberside and the recently opened facilities within the United Arab Emirates and South Korea. The company has also stated that they have plans to develop new training courses around Scaffold Awareness, Work at height Rescue and System Scaffold Inspection as well as the new CISRS Operative and Supervisor refresher courses.

Guest design article: How Do Ties Work ?

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Guest design article: How Do Ties Work ?
Image5Guest Technical Article By IDH, The Independent Design House IDH was incorporated in July 2011 and established to provide specialist Scaffold Design, Formwork Design & general Temporary Works Design consultancy serving Sub-Contractors, Main Contractors and Client developers.

How Do Ties Work ?

To stabilise a scaffold we tie it to the adjacent building as the scaffold is erected.  Conventionally this is done by means of an anchor fixing in to the façade and then a tie tube on doubles across both standards and all within 300mm of the ledger / standard interface.  This point being a node (point of NO DE-flection). Depending on a number of factors such as geographic location, netting, sheeting, height and load we determine in the design process what tie pattern to adopt and the frequency of ties. Ties however, undertake more than one function.  Firstly they prevent the scaffold from pulling away from the building – but if this is the case why not fix them at all standards, or for that matter at every 4 standards for instance. In addition to providing this pull restraint, they also stabilise the scaffold from swaying parallel to the building and contribute to the effective length of the standard in question. ties Sway stability parallel to the building is provided by a combination of the tie tube and the face brace.  By installing the correct sway bracing, the outside line is prevented from moving parallel to the building.  By securing the tie tube to the building façade and the outside line we now have a tube which is prevented from movement at both ends.  When the inside line is now secured to this tube (with doubles) the inside line is now also prevented from moving parallel to the building by the bending resistance of this tie tube.  This is why inside lines are not sway braced! In some designed circumstances it may be a requirement to tie to the inside line only or miss ties altogether.  When these scenarios occur the scaffold should be designed as we no longer have that sway restraint present and alternative measures need to be considered such as plan bracing or V-ties. For more explanation on this and other technical scaffold design subjects visit the IDH blog: http://www.idh-design.co.uk/blog/ Author: Tim Burt on Google+

Hertel retains major access and insulation framework contract

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Hertel retains major access and insulation framework contract
hertel Hertel, the Preston Brook-based multi-disciplinary construction and maintenance services company, has retained a contract to provide access and insulation services within the nuclear industry. Magnox Ltd, responsible for managing 10 of the UK’s first generation of nuclear power stations, has named Hertel to provide access requirements, including scaffolding rope access, asbestos removal, insulation maintenance and mechanical in a four-year framework contract, which can be extended to six. Hertel has worked with Magnox since 2005 and will provide these services at  Hunterston A, Berkeley,  Bradwell, Chapelcross, Dungeness A, Hinkley Point A and Trawsfynydd sites, which are currently being decommissioned; Oldbury and Sizewell A currently being defueled; and  Wylfa the only remaining Magnox site generating.  Paudie Somers, Hertel UK & Ireland Operations Director, says: “This is a significant achievement for Hertel.  An important part of our work with Magnox is our ability to work collaboratively with other contractors on site, which enables us to provide an efficient and effective service.” David Fitzsimons, Hertel UK & Ireland Managing Director, adds: “As the third major nuclear framework contract we have won in the last year, with the deplanting demolition and asbestos framework win at Magnox last year and the MDSW framework at Sellafield this year, the new contract reinforces our position as a leading provider of access and insulation services to the UK nuclear industry.”   Steven Lock, Magnox Project Support Services Category Manager, comments: “The Access and Insulation Framework provides a sustainable solution to all of the Magnox sites and is key in supporting the safe delivery of our work programme – ranging from generation right through the various stages of decommissioning as we approach Care and Maintenance.”        Hertel specialises in working at oil refineries, chemical plants, power stations and nuclear facilities. The company employs 2,500 nationally, of which more than 500 are in the North West working at sites such as Sellafield and the Stanlow Oil Refinery

Turner OCTO: System Scaffolding for the Future?

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Turner OCTO: System Scaffolding for the Future?
turner Turner Access Ltd, specialists in access and scaffolding product and service provision, has recently added to its innovative range with Turner OCTO® System Scaffolding. Manufactured by sister company Turner Fabrication Ltd, Turner OCTO® should be described as the next generation in system scaffolding. Designed and manufactured with versatility, safety and productivity in mind, Turner OCTO® adopts the factors required in a scaffolding system for the future. Safe assembly, alteration and dismantling are achieved with OCTO® GuardAid®; a scaffold tool enabling advance guardrail methodology. Decks can be made tamper-resistant with the unique OCTO® Lock function. This removes the risk of unauthorised modification and reduces inspection time. Costs can be reduced through improved production output, thereby reducing labour and other operating costs. Environmental benefits are achieved by utilisation of longer life materials. System components are manufactured within a BS EN ISO 9001:2008 environment using state of the art technology to ensure the highest quality. Turner OCTO® System Scaffolding offers users a revolutionary access solution. Due to the design of the OCTO® cup, eight components can be fitted at one time, on the same level, allowing a greater versatility than other systems. A 360 degree rotation within the joint provides an almost limitless possibility in structure size and shape. A recent design for a 59m freestanding Turner OCTO® structure for an oil rig flare stack is testament to that. With over 25 years experience in the Access and Scaffolding Industry, Turner Access has the know-how and expertise to take this revolutionary product to market. Turner Access personnel have been involved in scaffold design, structure installation and specialist training for many years in numerous market sectors; from commercial contract jobs to industrial applications on-and-offshore. As a scaffold service provider, Turner Access can also provide site analysis and an evaluation of access solutions required for particular applications. Turner OCTO® is now widely used in the company’s Scaffold Contracts Division; enabling high profile contracts to be won as a result of the System’s safety, versatility and productivity benefits. Turner Access Contracts Manager states; “Turner OCTO® has opened doors for us with many local authorities. We have been awarded term contracts because the client knows our System will ensure the job is completed on schedule. The modular nature of the System allows us to assemble runs of scaffolding very quickly before other sub-contractors are on site. This type of work is very common in social housing projects where time is of the essence. Turner OCTO® is often the client’s choice because it is aesthetically pleasing, unlike some traditional types of scaffolding. This is a benefit for works on Government buildings, landmarks or areas in tourist hotspots.” Turner Access will be attending, along with other Turner Group companies, the SPE Offshore Europe conference and exhibition in Aberdeen from 3rd to 6th September 2013. For a chance to see the impressive Turner OCTO® System Scaffolding and to speak to an access solution expert, visit Stand 1C41. Alternatively, visit www.turner-OCTO®.com for further product information.

NASC has appointed three new regional chairmen

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NASC has appointed three new regional chairmen
From left to right: Stewart Savage of Rotor Scaffolding Services Ltd, Steve Gainey of SGS Ltd, Ian Wilson of Turner Access Ltd
From left to right: Stewart Savage of Rotor Scaffolding Services Ltd, Steve Gainey of SGS Ltd, Ian Wilson of Turner Access Ltd
At the NASC AGM (November 2012), the NASC appointed three new regional chairmen – Stewart Savage of Rotor Scaffolding Services Ltd became Chairman for the London and South East region, Steve Gainey of SGS Ltd was appointed to chair the Northern region and Ian Wilson of Turner Access Ltd took over the Chairmanship for the Scotland and Northern Ireland region. The appointments are responsible for heading-up two annual NASC regional meetings, attending National Council meetings and the organisation’s AGM. Each regional chairman is selected to best represent the scaffolding members of their region – bringing regional scaffold and access issues to light within the NASC and representing the opinions of the members of their given region – influencing NASC policy and guidance. And the chairmen also work on presenting important NASC committee reports from ASITO (the industry training organisation), Health & Safety, Technical, Hire & Sales, Contractual and Audit committees to the council and their regions. NASC’s Managing Director, Robin James said: “The regional chairmen play a vital role in communicating information about scaffolding from our 200+ members across the UK. It’s imperative to the success of the NASC and the implementation of our strictly audited guidelines that members in all regions are working to the same high standards, and the regional chairmen are important in facilitating this standard setting in the scaffolding industry. The primary role of these chairmen is to promote the high standards that NASC members have to achieve and maintain in order to keep their membership valid. We wish Ian, Steve and Stewart all the best in their roles for the NASC and look forward to working with them.” Ian Wilson, NASC Chairman for Scotland and Northern Ireland said: “I am delighted to represent the Scottish and Northern Ireland members of the NASC on the National Council and hope that these members, through me, will be active within the confederation as we try continually to raise the standards and make scaffolding one of the safest and most professional occupations within any industry.” Steve Gainey, Chairman for the NASC Northern region added: “It is a real privilege to be Northern Chairman of the NASC. I have been involved in the Industry for 40 years and am passionate about scaffolding and the NASC’s work continuously improving our systems of erecting scaffold structures, in the end product being safer, fitter for purpose, and having the knowledge that we are carrying out a truly professional service. Being a regional Chairman allows me to give the industry something back by assisting existing members and new member applications. The NASC has been of paramount importance over the last 13 years in promoting and supporting the changes and challenges in the scaffolding Industry and I am very happy to be a closer part of that.” Stewart Savage, NASC London and South East Regional Chairman said: “I am honoured to take over the role of Regional Chairman of London and SE region and thank Mel Archer for all his previous efforts in the role. I am especially proud to represent smaller members – as the NASC’s Council is now made up mainly of representatives from smaller scaffolding companies, which is a big mind-set change from 20 years ago. “The London regional meetings are always very lively and vigorous affairs, providing heated and heartfelt debate. As a region, we have unique issues and have a lot to offer the NASC as a whole. A visitor to London would think construction was doing fine by the number of tower cranes and amount of scaffolding, but with the continued very difficult trading terms… now more than ever ‘price is key.’ “I am looking forward to the release of the long-awaited TG20:13 during my period as Chairman. This revision to the 2008 guidance will be far more user-friendly, especially with the interactive e-guide. It means we will no longer have to waste time producing drawings for simple/standard structures and free up a lot of the designers’ time (already in short supply) and leave them to get on with the complex/complicated design structures where they are really needed.”

New mandatory CISRS training course introduced

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New mandatory CISRS training course introduced
CISRS “Change is on the cards”…CISRS has introduced a mandatory New Entrant Trainee and Scaffolding Labourer course into the scheme. The new must-have CISRS training makes it a requirement for any new entrant Scaffolding Trainee or Scaffolding Labourer to complete a CISRS one-day course before a card will be issued. This will go live from September 1st 2013. The new training courses will be carried out at CISRS-approved centres across the UK. Alternatively, the courses can be run ‘in-house’ by a suitably qualified member of staff – assuming the facilities exist to carry out the training. Any scaffolding company wishing to do ‘in-house’ training will be required to make an application to CISRS to deliver this course, and will have their eligibility assessed before being allowed to conduct the courses. To accompany the new courses, a training and assessment package will be available for applicants – including a Power Point presentation, Manual handling DVD, a bank of test questions, practical exercises, certificates and other material to assist with the training course. The CISRS New Entrant Labourer course will include:
  • Relevant Regulations and Codes of Practice
  • General Responsibilities
  • Basic Scaffold Terminology (Components & Application)
  • Servicing of Equipment, Tube, Fittings etc.
  • Boards & Stock – Quality Control
  • Health, Welfare, Hygiene & Housekeeping
  • Electrical Safety
  • Fire Prevention & Control
  • Noise & Vibration
  • Work at Height
  • Accident Prevention & Reporting
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • Site Transport Safety (Including Loading & Unloading)
  • Equipment & Tools
  • Manual Handling (Including a practical element)
  • Lifting Equipment Using a Rope & Wheel
  • Questions/Test Paper
Operatives wishing to apply for the New Entrant Trainee/Scaffolding Labourer card must also pass a CITB  – Construction Skills Health, Safety and Environment Test (or possess a recognised exemption). Applicants should apply for their card within two years of the test date or they will have to complete another test. CISRS scaffolding labourers will be required to repeat this course on a five yearly cycle – as refresher training prior to renewing their card. Existing CISRS Scaffolding Labourer cardholders will be required to complete the course upon expiry of their current card and prior to a new card being issued as part of a new ‘CISRS Scaffolding Labourer Refresher Training’ scheme. CISRS Training Manager, David Mosley said: “These new compulsory courses are a very welcome addition to the CISRS Scheme – teaching all new entrants and labourers the basics of the industry and how to keep safe when working with scaffolding and access solutions, whilst also making sure existing operatives are up to date. And prioritising safe practices at work can only be a positive move. This also helps the scaffolding sector meet the UKCG requirement that every operative must have received some formal training before being allowed onto their sites.”  Further information on the new courses will be available in the coming weeks at the CISRS website – www.cisrs.org.uk. And for further details about the new CISRS cards, information and dates on courses available or to find out about CISRS, please visit www.cisrs.org.uk or email [email protected].

Innovations: The Tube Monkey

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Innovations: The Tube Monkey
tubemonkey Introducing a new timesaving device for the laborious job of sheeting a scaffold.. Say hello to The Tube Monkey !   The Tube Monkey was conceived and designed by a scaffolder who recognised the inherent dangers and safety issues involved with the traditional methods of erecting scaffold sheeting. The Tube Monkey is created by a two-piece system that fits onto the outside of scaffolding structure using double coupler fittings. The device then allows a roll of plastic sheeting to be attached and then pulled across each lift from the inside The Tube Monkey is operated by only one operative from the inside of the lift. This ensures safety and simplicity. Safety to the public is also minimised further. Secondly, by only needing one person to install scaffold sheeting and being quicker than traditional methods, it decreases costs twofold; less labour is needed and less time is taken. The Tube Monkey is available to buy direct from the Developer at £295 inclusive of VAT and delivery but Affordable Facilities Ltd have promotional offers so if you want to try out The Tube Monkey for yourself visit: http://www.affordable-facilities.co.uk/The-Tube-Monkey or contact Anna Piechocki on 020 871 3145 to arrange purchase and delivery direct to your site. tubemonkey1  

Scaffolding firm fined after labourer’s death fall

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Scaffolding firm fined after labourer’s death fall
The skylight that Anthony Causby fell to his death through.
The skylight that Anthony Causby fell to his death through.
A scaffolding firm has been fined £75,000 after a 42 year-old scaffolders labourer fell 12 meters to his death. Father-of-one 42-year-old Anthony Causby, who worked for Atherton based S&S Scaffolding, was carrying materials from scaffolders dismantling scaffolding when he stepped onto a fragile skylight and fell 12 metres onto a concrete floor. The tragic death plunge occurred at the raw materials warehouse at the Walker Snack Foods, Skelmersdale on December 14, 2010. S & S Scaffolding Ltd, pleaded guilty to a Health and Safety offence involving failing to ensure the safety of its employees. Following a two day hearing Judge Graham Morrow, QC. said that the company had fallen “significantly” below the requisite safety standard. The leighjournal.co.uk reported that he described their control measures as “inadequate and poor” and said the extent of the danger risk had been under-estimated and a safety barrier should have been extended beyond the area of one of two skylights in the immediate vicinity. Liverpool Crown Court heard that the accident occurred after employees went back to work after lunch. Anthony Causby’s work colleague said:  “For some strange reason Tony walked in between the barrier scaffolding and the hand rail and stepped across the skylight as if to walk back towards the site where he was last working. “I was hardly six feet away and he stepped directly onto the skylight which immediately gave way and he fell through it.” Judge Morrow said unlike the scaffolders Mr Causby did not have to have his harness clipped on as his job involved constantly moving across with roof with scaffolding tubes. He said that possibly the victim chose the route he did either to pass Mr Ellis, who was putting his coat back on, or as a short cut. “The reasons why he made this fatal error are unclear,” said the judge, accepting that Mr Causby had had “tool box” safety talks both on the ground and on the roof and the skylights had been pointed out as a hazard and he was shown a designated route which would take him away from them. But Judge Morrow said: “The method adopted by placing a double hand rail in front of one of the skylights was wholly unsatisfactory. “The defendants accept they could have done more to protect him. They could have extended the barrier to make it more difficult to get round or could have covered the skylights. He said that S & S was a family company currently with 19 employees who were currently working short time. It had a good safety record and was well regarded in the construction industry. Since the tragedy it has spent extra on training and introduced new safety measures. “The company has learnt a lesson which needed to be learnt,” he added. Mr Causby’s partner, Debra Wyley, 44, said: “It is difficult to put into words how Tony’s death has affected our lives. I feel our son is missing out on so many things that his dad would have done with him, like football, rugby and taking him swimming. “I started having panic attacks and wouldn’t go out because I felt people were looking at me because of what had happened. I rarely go out to socialise and hate mixing with other families and attending family dos. “I miss Tony so much. He was such a big part of our lives and was very close to my family. He often did jobs for them – even my mum and dad who live in Spain.” Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Jacqueline Western said: “Mr Causby died because S&S Scaffolding didn’t do enough to protect him from the risks of working at height, despite being a specialist scaffolding firm and being fully aware of the dangers of falls. “It would have been relatively easy to cover the fragile skylights near to where the employees were working to prevent anyone from falling through if they accidently stepped on one. “Alternatively, netting or crash mats could have been provided under the skylights to reduce the chance of a worker being injured if they fell. “Sadly, none of these options were chosen by S&S Scaffolding and Mr Causby lost his life as a result.” Judge Morrow fined the company £75,000 plus £31,517 prosecution costs and ordered them to pay this at the rate of £5,000 per month.
   
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