Astra Access Safety Training completes contract in Africa

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Astra Access Safety Training completes contract in Africa
A training company which began in a house in the Huddersfield has moved into the international market with contracts in Africa. Now Astra Access Safety Training Ltd – which was set up in 2008 by director Mick Aston in his spare room at home in Honley with the help of a £2,000 grant – is aiming to further expand its business overseas Astra has just completed a month-long project in Uganda and Cameroon after being asked to deliver training in use of scaffolding and working at heights at the two locations in the African oilfields. Mr Aston said: ” Our name had been given to the HR department at the London office of the oil company.”When they asked if we would be interested in the training, I presumed it would be in the UK or offshore, but when the girl said it was in Africa, it was a bit of a shock.”We sorted out the logistics of flights, accommodation and transport whilst in Africa, then the next thing we were there delivering the training courses.” Said Mr Aston: “Although the training was in Africa, the UK health, safety and scaffolding criteria was followed as it is highly regarded as the benchmark throughout the world.” This year has also seen Astra delivering overseas training in France, Ireland and on a barge in the North Sea that is installing wind turbines. Another trip to Africa looks likely and training in Dubai, America and Europe are in the pipeline. Back in Yorkshire the company has invested £100,000 at its 18-metre high, 50,000sq ft workspace in Wakefield by creating a full-size four-bedroom house and 10-metre high steel-frame structure, both for demonstration and scaffold training purposes. The firm has also put in a suite of classrooms and will incorporate new offices soon. Said Mr Aston: “The huge base means we can improve and expand our comprehensive package of health and safety consultancy and training services – all designed to support workers operating at height, whether that is on scaffolding, mobile towers, elevating work platforms such as cherry pickers and scissor lifts, or simply on ladders and steps.” Astra has worked with clients in the construction, utilities, cleaning and other industries for the last four years. Their services are targeted at any business where people get their feet off the ground. Story Via: examiner.co.uk Images Via: astratraining.co.uk

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Cape Abu Dhabi achieves 40 million man hours without a lost time incident

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Cape Abu Dhabi achieves 40 million man hours without a lost time incident

Cape plc is pleased to announce that our Abu Dhabi operations have received an HSE award from Abu Dhabi Gas Liquefaction Company Ltd (ADGAS) in recognition of Cape’s contribution towards 40 million man-hours without a Lost Time Incident during the years 2009 to 2012 on ADGAS Projects. ADGAS is a pioneer of the gas liquefaction industry operating throughout the Middle East and is part of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) Group of Companies. Cape performs a broad range of services on the ADGAS Annual Turnaround including common user scaffolding access and platforms, surface preparation and industrial painting, internal lining of vessels, cryogenic insulation and refractory works. The award was received by Thomas Mathew, Contracts Manager Access division and Chandra Mouli, QHSE Manager on 15th October 2012 from Mr. Fahim Kazim, General Manager, ADGAS at a ceremony held on Das Island. Gary McLean, Operations Director for Cape’s Southern Gulf region, said: “Cape Abu Dhabi is delighted to receive this prestigious award from our long-standing partner ADGAS for having contributed towards the outstanding HSE performance in 2012. This exceptional achievement is testament to our team’s commitment, dedication and attention to detail during the safety performance in recent years. Cape Abu Dhabi Operations will continue to uphold the group’s reputation for delivering high quality essential support services safely and on time.” Tim Callahan, Divisional Managing Director, said: “My thanks and congratulations to the Abu Dhabi Operations team for this remarkable achievement. This type of long term excellence in HSE performance enhances the safety of our people and also enhances our standing in the eyes of a very important long term client.” Via: Cape

Refuse truck brings down scaffolding on busy street

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Refuse truck brings down scaffolding on busy street
scaffolding collapse henley
Image via: the henley standard
News sources have reported that a refuse truck had stuck the scaffolding this morning bringing the structure crashing down onto a busy Henley street. A Biffa tipper truck hit the scaffolding outside a shop in Bell Street in the town early this morning (Thursday), knocking it into the historic pub opposite. Nobody was injured in the collapse but the landlord in the pub opposite was trapped as the scaffold fell against the building. Police closed the street to traffic at 6.20am and called out a structural engineer.

Scaffolding lorry driver fined after scaffold crane injures worker

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Scaffolding lorry driver fined after scaffold crane injures worker
News sources have reported that a worker unloading scaffolding from a flatbed lorry was thrown from the vehicle and hit by its load of boards and tubes when it overturned. Martin Sapec, 54, of Edwardsville, Treharris suffered a broken pelvis and ankle in the incident at Bryntirion, Mountain Ash, on 15 August 2011. Pontypridd Magistrates’ Court was told that Mr Sapec was helping delivery driver Wayne Ford to unload the scaffolding material while standing on the back of the lorry. The vehicle was fitted with a crane operated by Mr Ford, who failed to extend a stabilising outrigger from the vehicle designed to provide balance while the crane is in operation. Because the crane was used without the extended outrigger, the lorry became unstable and tipped over, throwing Mr Sapec off. As he landed, some of the scaffold boards and tubes from the lorry fell on top of him. Mr Sapec has been unable to work since the incident because of his injuries. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found Wayne Ford was responsible for the lorry, and was at fault for not using the crane and extending outrigger in the correct, safe manner. Ford, of Shingrig Road, Nelson, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 7(a) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. He was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £1,000 in costs by magistrates on October 12. After the hearing HSE Inspector David Kirkpatrick said: “Mr Sapec sustained serious injuries in this incident, and could easily have been crushed and killed by the lorry when it toppled over. “Operators of vehicle mounted cranes must ensure the safety of people they are working with by using the equipment in the proper manner. “Had the extending outriggers been use for their intended purpose then the incident could have been avoided. It was wholly preventable on that basis.” Source: caerphillyobserver.co.uk

Gemini Riteway falls into administration

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Gemini Riteway falls into administration

The Construction Enquirer has reported that leading south-east scaffolder Gemini Riteway has fallen into administration . The Enquirer understands that staff were told last week that the company was in the hands of administrators and many had their contracts terminated. But the company is believed to have restarted operations under the name of ANT Structures. Gemini Riteway’s former Guildford head office has closed but staff were answering the phones at the Horsham branch using the ANT Structures name. The Enquirer was also referred to the “new” head office in Guildford which had the same contact details as ANT Structures. No-one at Gemini or ANT was prepared to comment on last week’s events. Gemini built its reputation working on a series of commercial contracts across the southeast where the firm worked for a host of major contractors. Via: Construction Enquirer Let us know your thoughts about this story in the comments below.

New appointed Chairman for Deborah Services Limited (DSL)

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New appointed Chairman for Deborah Services Limited (DSL)
  Infrastructure and utilities support services group Siteserv has appointed the former chief executive of Cape PLC, Martin May, to its Board of Directors. Mr May has also been appointed as non-executive Chairman of Deborah Services Limited (DSL), a Siteserv subsidiary that is one of the UK’s leading industrial services and scaffolding supply companies. Commenting on his appointment, Brian Harvey, CEO of Siteserv said, “Martin’s appointment is a signal of the ambitious expansion plans we have for DSL and other Siteserv companies. His wealth of experience and industry relationships will support our business strategy to broaden our offering in the UK and internationally.” Martin May said: “I’m delighted to be joining Siteserv’s board and to be appointed non-executive Chairman of DSL. Both companies have a track record of success that will provide robust platform for the next phase in their evolution. I look forward to pursuing this new challenge, and helping to influence a strategy that will bring about significant growth.” Mr May worked for 10 years as CEO of Cape PLC, an international industrial services company catering to blue-chip clients in the energy and natural resources sectors. Under his leadership, Cape became a leader in its chosen markets and sectors, a constituent of the FTSE 250, and extended its footprint throughout the Middle East and Asia. In his new role as non-executive Chairman of DSL, Mr May will be responsible for overseeing the execution and delivery of a strategy to broaden the company’s international footprint and range of services. Services currently provided by DSL include access scaffolding, insulation services, asbestos removal, protective coatings, passive fire protection, and industrial painting. As Non-Executive Director at Siteserv, Mr May will also offer strategic insight to the other group businesses. Martin May is a Chartered Management Accountant (FCMA) and a founder member and Fellow of the Institute for Turnaround Practitioners. Let us know your thoughts about this story in the comments below.

Safety & Access secures training contracts across the globe

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Safety & Access secures training contracts across the globe

As one of the UK’s leading scaffold training providers, Safety & Access this week secured long term training contracts in the Caribbean, Far East and Africa. The training, which includes scaffolder skills training, scaffold inspection and supervisory courses will all be based upon existing UK delivery standards. This is indicative of much of the interest that is paid to the quality and recognition of UK competence for scaffolders. Joint Managing Director, Rick Statham said,
“The training we have secured this week represents a major “thumbs up” to the all of the British scaffolding industry and the mostly very high standards that are delivered in the UK”.
Safety & Access are also exploring the setting up of a dedicated major international partnership to deliver scaffolding skills and supervisory based training across the UAE and surrounding areas. For more information please see www.safetyaccess.co.uk 

Simian Risk offer free scaffolding safety seminars

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Simian Risk offer free scaffolding safety seminars
Work at height safety specialist Simian Risk is hosting two free Scaffolding Safety seminars at its Warrington headquarters. The morning and afternoon courses on Friday, October 26, will focus on a variety of topics, including Management of Temporary Works and Scaffolding Rescue, with practical demonstrations in the firm’s 15,000sq ft training centre. There will also be an NASC update, including advice on the forthcoming TG20:13 Scaffolding Guidance. Simian Risk director Simon Hughes – widely recognised as one of the UK’s leading industry experts – said: “This is an excellent opportunity for people in the industry to get a free update on NASC Guidance, as well as advice and support on a range of issues.
 “The seminars are particularly targeted at scaffolding company owners, senior and middle managers at scaffolding contractors, HSE inspectors and any Health and Safety professionals working on construction and industry sites. “As well as presentations there will also be practical demonstrations which will give delegates a real-time perspective of how to deal with rescue situations. The TG20 Scaffolding Guidance manual is also undergoing a major rewrite in time for 2013, so we will be addressing some key issues which could be presented in the document.”
The seminars run from 9.30am to 12pm and 12.30pm to 3pm. Tea and coffee will be served on arrival, with a free Hog Roast lunch. Simian Risk is one of the UK’s leading work at height safety and training specialists, working across the UK, Middle East and Far East with a range of blue chip access, construction, oil and gas and petrochemical companies. The seminars will be held at Simian Risk’s HQ at Wallis House, Birchwood Park, Warrington. For more information or to reserve a place call 0845 602 2418 or email [email protected]

Hero scaffolder tackles mugger at cashpoint

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Hero scaffolder tackles mugger at cashpoint
Scaffolder Tommy Stapleton
A mugger was left bloodied and bruised at a high street cashpoint when an onlooker stepped in and gave him a ‘proper hiding’. Scaffolder Tommy Stapleton, 32, of Dangan Road in Wanstead, was enjoying a Saturday afternoon drink outside Bar Room Bar in the High Street, when he heard screaming and shouting outside the Santander Bank a few doors down. He said: “Funnily enough I was telling my friend how nice Wanstead was when I saw these guys mugging an old man. “One of them jumped in a white Nissan GTI and sped off, but the other fellow ran into the road.” Mr Stapleton dropped his drink and rushed from the bar to confront the remaining mugger. “I rugby tackled him in the middle of the road,” he said. “He squirmed away from me, so I just clumped him.” The struggle attracted the attention of diners at the Nice Croissant Café but, just as Mr Stapleton managed to get a grip on the mugger, a crowd of women rushed out and started screaming at him. Mr Stapleton said: “Some of them were shouting ‘It’s a racist attack!’ because the guy was Asian. “I had him pinned down and was screaming at the people in the bar to call the police, but with all these women shouting at me I lost my concentration and let him go.” The mugger ran off down the High Street toward Christ Church Green, leaving Mr Stapleton clutching his jacket and phone. He said: “I had some of his blood on my left arm from where I’d punched him and I was trying to explain what had happened to a customer who came out of the British Heart Foundation shop. “She told me I shouldn’t have got involved. I just said ‘Are you stupid?’ “I was scared of getting in trouble because I gave him a proper hiding, but people should step in if they see something like this happening.” The cashpoint mugging is the third on the high street in as many weeks which the Guardian has been made aware of. Mr Stapleton said: “I saw your story a couple of weeks back about the two pensioners getting mugged at cash machines on the High Street and I think it’s disgraceful. “The robbery squad told me nobody ever gets involved, and thanked me for getting his jacket and phone. They were also able to get some DNA off my arm. The victim was just delighted I helped out. “Hopefully this little runt has learnt his lesson.” Both muggers are described as Asian, between 18 and 20, and about 5ft 7in. • Anyone who saw the attack, which took place at about 2.20pm on September 15, should call Ilford CID on 020 8345 1626, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. Via: guardian-series.co.uk

Rising river water wipes out scaffolding on bridge

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Rising river water wipes out scaffolding on bridge
News sources have reported that scaffolding on the bridge in the centre of Milnsbridge, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire has partially collapsed as a result of rising river levels last night. The bridge over the River Colne has been undergoing strengthening works and a partial road closure has caused traffic chaos. The scaffold platform under the bridge has been made unsafe, though Kirklees Council says the damage is unlikely to cause delays to completion of the works. Story Via: www.examiner.co.uk

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