The Access Industry Forum (AIF), as part of its commitment to ensuring safe work at height, has released five new videos for the popular Video Toolbox Talks (VTT) series. Given by a range of the Forum’s member organisations, the talks offer expert advice on using a wide variety of work at height equipment.
Toolbox Talks are can be viewed for free online at www.accessindustryforum.org.uk/vtt.htm, and take the form of videos which run for around ten minutes and include an online test to ensure that viewers have understood their content. These tests have been useful for authenticating knowledge, as a “pass” can be printed out when they are successfully completed.
The new videos were created to address topical issues in key areas, outlining subjects in need of improvement and responding to calls for information from within the industry. They focus on the following subjects:
* IPAF – Planning an emergency rescue using MEWPS
* IPAF – Preventing entrapment using a MEWP
* The Ladder Association – How to inspect your ladder
* ATLAS – Steeplejacks: Best practice guidance
* FASET – Safety nets: Maintenance and test requirements
Neil Tomlinson, Director of the AIF, said: “These talks come from industry-specific experts, with every member organisation well versed in the issues relating to their fields. Previous Toolbox Talks have proven particularly effective in allowing contractors and clients to keep up to date with the latest industry developments, and these videos are useful to anyone who works at height.”
15 Toolbox Talks are now available on the AIF website. Through these VTTs and the rest of the AIF’s Knowledge Base videos, which now number almost 100, the forum has reached over 75,000 people with work at height guidance.
In releasing these free talks online the AIF is continuing its efforts to employ technology and social media as a platform for promoting the latest work at height news and information. Further major work at height industry updates will be delivered at events the AIF is attending in the coming months – particularly the new roofing industry show Roofex on May 1st-2nd, and this year’s Safety & Health Expo on May 14th-16th. New Toolbox Talks from the AIF provide up-to-date work at height guidance
The Access Industry Forum (AIF), as part of its commitment to ensuring safe work at height, has released five new videos for the popular Video Toolbox Talks (VTT) series. Given by a range of the Forum’s member organisations, the talks offer expert advice on using a wide variety of work at height equipment.
Toolbox Talks are can be viewed for free online at www.accessindustryforum.org.uk/vtt.htm, and take the form of videos which run for around ten minutes and include an online test to ensure that viewers have understood their content. These tests have been useful for authenticating knowledge, as a “pass” can be printed out when they are successfully completed.
The new videos were created to address topical issues in key areas, outlining subjects in need of improvement and responding to calls for information from within the industry. They focus on the following subjects:
* IPAF – Planning an emergency rescue using MEWPS
* IPAF – Preventing entrapment using a MEWP
* The Ladder Association – How to inspect your ladder
* ATLAS – Steeplejacks: Best practice guidance
* FASET – Safety nets: Maintenance and test requirements
Neil Tomlinson, Director of the AIF, said: “These talks come from industry-specific experts, with every member organisation well versed in the issues relating to their fields. Previous Toolbox Talks have proven particularly effective in allowing contractors and clients to keep up to date with the latest industry developments, and these videos are useful to anyone who works at height.”
15 Toolbox Talks are now available on the AIF website. Through these VTTs and the rest of the AIF’s Knowledge Base videos, which now number almost 100, the forum has reached over 75,000 people with work at height guidance.
In releasing these free talks online the AIF is continuing its efforts to employ technology and social media as a platform for promoting the latest work at height news and information. Further major work at height industry updates will be delivered at events the AIF is attending in the coming months – particularly the new roofing industry show Roofex on May 1st-2nd, and this year’s Safety & Health Expo on May 14th-16th. Scaffolding Alarms Provider Wins NSI Gold Medal
Panthera Group Ltd, specialists in the provision of scaffolding alarms and site security, were presented today with an NSI Gold medal from the Inspectorate’s Chief Executive, Jeff Little OBE, at NSI Headquarters in Maidenhead.
Panthera are the first UK scaffolding alarms provider to comply with NSI’s new Code of Practice for the Design, Installation & Maintenance of Scaffolding Alarm Systems (NCP 115) under its premier NACOSS Gold Scheme.
The installation of scaffold alarms is a growing market, but to date has never been the subject of any form of self regulation or industry-specific standards. The Code of Practice NCP 115, introduced by NSI in January this year, provides an industry benchmark to which scaffold alarm systems providers can now aspire and adhere. The specification of NCP 115 will undoubtedly help to mitigate risk – protecting buildings as well as the assets within. The new code also aims to eliminate malpractice and raise the standards in the industry, opening up a new market for electronic security installers.
Awareness of NCP 115 has been gaining momentum, particularly amongst insurers and specifiers where it has been evidenced that the Code is now being specified. NSI has also received an influx of enquires from electronic security providers interested in this new NSI scope of approval.
NSI Chief Executive, Jeff Little, OBE, commented “NCP 115 tackles an entirely new area in a sector that previously had no set Standards or best practice. I heartily congratulate Panthera Group for leading the way in this niche security sector. Their NACOSS Gold approval with NSI is very well deserved and presenting them with their Gold medal has really commemorated the achievement today. I wish Panthera every success in the future.”
Neal James, Managing Director of Panthera Group commented “Today has been a real celebration of our NACOSS Gold Approval. The framed medal will take pride of place in our offices, highlighting our significant achievement in becoming the UK’s first NSI approved Scaffold Alarm Installer”.
James continues “Now that NSI has written a Code of Practice, paired with our own commitment to raising the standards within our industry, we are confident that it sets a precedent for others to follow. The Code provides surveyors, contractors, home owners and commercial organisations with the reassurance that their scaffold alarm systems have been designed, installed and certificated to a high standard, ultimately helping to mitigate their risk and liability.”
Panthera are the first UK scaffolding alarms provider to comply with NSI’s new Code of Practice for the Design, Installation & Maintenance of Scaffolding Alarm Systems (NCP 115) under its premier NACOSS Gold Scheme.
The installation of scaffold alarms is a growing market, but to date has never been the subject of any form of self regulation or industry-specific standards. The Code of Practice NCP 115, introduced by NSI in January this year, provides an industry benchmark to which scaffold alarm systems providers can now aspire and adhere. The specification of NCP 115 will undoubtedly help to mitigate risk – protecting buildings as well as the assets within. The new code also aims to eliminate malpractice and raise the standards in the industry, opening up a new market for electronic security installers.
Awareness of NCP 115 has been gaining momentum, particularly amongst insurers and specifiers where it has been evidenced that the Code is now being specified. NSI has also received an influx of enquires from electronic security providers interested in this new NSI scope of approval.
NSI Chief Executive, Jeff Little, OBE, commented “NCP 115 tackles an entirely new area in a sector that previously had no set Standards or best practice. I heartily congratulate Panthera Group for leading the way in this niche security sector. Their NACOSS Gold approval with NSI is very well deserved and presenting them with their Gold medal has really commemorated the achievement today. I wish Panthera every success in the future.”
Neal James, Managing Director of Panthera Group commented “Today has been a real celebration of our NACOSS Gold Approval. The framed medal will take pride of place in our offices, highlighting our significant achievement in becoming the UK’s first NSI approved Scaffold Alarm Installer”.
James continues “Now that NSI has written a Code of Practice, paired with our own commitment to raising the standards within our industry, we are confident that it sets a precedent for others to follow. The Code provides surveyors, contractors, home owners and commercial organisations with the reassurance that their scaffold alarm systems have been designed, installed and certificated to a high standard, ultimately helping to mitigate their risk and liability.” Safety & Access Secures More Funding For Scaffolding Training
Safety & Access Ltd have successfully secured more funding upto the 31st July 2013, to help employers qualify their Workforce within Scaffolding.
Work Place Learning is a Government funded programme to help employers train and qualify their workforce.
The training helps your employees improve their skills and gives them the opportunity to establish their vocational competence by gaining a nationally recognised NVQ level 2 & 3.
Who Can Apply?
Fully Funded CISRS Part 2 Scaffolding Training Including NVQ level 2
Funding is available for anyone who:
- Has held a CISRS Part 1 Scaffolding Training Certificate for a minimum of 6 months
- lives and works in England
- is aged 19 – 23
- has a contract of employment or is self-employed.
- Does not hold a NVQ Level 2 or equivalent or above
- Has held a CISRS Part 1 Scaffolding Training Certificate for a minimum of 6 months
- lives and works in England
- is aged 24 or over
- has a contract of employment or is self-employed.
- Employer must only employ less than 250 people
- Does not hold a NVQ Level 2 or equivalent or above
- Has held a CISRS Scaffolders Card for a minimum of 12 months
- lives and works in England
- is aged 19 – 24
- has a contract of employment or is self-employed.
- Does not hold a NVQ Level 3 or equivalent or above
- £400 for each Level 2 and 3 achievement
- Off-the-job training
- On Site Assessment and Training (OSAT)
- Experienced Worker Practical Assessment (EWPA) route.
Harsco Chooses Cuplok For Major Refurbishment Project
A project to refurbish a highly distinctive office building in Woking has underlined the versatility of the scaffolding services supplied by Harsco Infrastructure, who provided access to the entire building using its Cuplok scaffold system. This provided safe, effective access for the various trades who needed to work on the building’s exterior facades, giving wide, clear work decks free from obstructions and trip-hazards.
The building presented a number of challenges including a long, curved elevation adjacent to water and lightweight exterior walls that required the scaffolding to be self-supporting. “The Cuplok system was ideal for this project,” comments Harsco’s Site Services Manager, Sean Byles. “Despite the fact that the building has a sweeping curve to its main elevation, Cuplok allowed us to build a structure that followed the profile of the building precisely and provided excellent access.” The systemfeatures aunique node point which allows up to four horizontal components to be connected at any angle in one simple fastening action. This allowed the scaffolding to accommodate the curve and still be erected considerably faster than traditional scaffolding.
The building’s two end elevations also presented their own challenges, as Sean explains. “These facades have steel louvered screens which stand beyond the glazed wall. Although these are actually fixed in position, they were not robust enough to tie the scaffolding into. We therefore erected the scaffolding on both sides of the louvers and linked the structures together to create the required degree of stability and safety.”
In other areas where the scaffolding could not be tied to the building, the CUPLOK structures were braced by tower assemblies incorporating counter-weight kentledge to provide stability. The perimeter scaffold also incorporated a large access staircase, a mechanical hoist and rubbish removal towers.
The 6-storey building sits on the bank of a large lake – a factor which influenced the system design that Harsco created. “Fortunately the lakeside timber decking and its steelwork support structure had been recently replaced,” adds Sean. “This meant that we had a firm base on which to build, but space was still at a premium, and the presence of the water meant that safety was, as ever, a vital consideration.”
Safety is a key characteristic of Harsco’s Cuplok system, which features advanced guardrails and steel boards that provide maximum protection on site. This helps create fully integrated, systemised access solutions, and Harsco continues to add new components to the system to expand the versatility it offers.
Introducing The Max One-piece Plastic Brickguard
Say hello to this innovative and unique product from Max Scaffold Products, The One-piece Plastic Brickguard.
This is the first of the Max product line, The Max One-piece Plastic Brickguard, became available in September 2012 and was an immediate success with many scaffolding contractors due to its unique design which removed the issues associated with similar products then available.
As with any product from Max, close attention was paid to current legislation, standards and requirements through all stages of development ensuring that the Max brickguard was compliant and fit for the purpose of intended use.
[wpsgallery]
Max listened to comments from the industry, both good and bad relating to existing products to come up with a design that makes Max brickguards completely unique.
No hooks to attach count or lose! – Complete one-piece construction with no separate parts.
No additional fixings required. – Built in toe board clip prevents movement, even in high winds.
No more creasing, fracturing or hooks falling off. – High grade impact modified polypropylene for durability and flexibility.
Easy to stack. Easy to separate. Anti-tangle guaranteed! – Vertical stacking design with four way stay-fast alignment.
Great for storage, delivery and movement around site! – Interlocking features maximise stability.
Make every job stand out from the competition! – Wide range of colours in stock and pantone colour matching available.
Max Unique hook design! – Reduces accidental displacement.
Company branding and security! – The option to have your company name or logo on the hook face.
Caring for the environment! – Choose from our recycled range of colours.
With Max one-piece plastic brickguards there are no hidden costs or additional labour requirements when compared to using steel mesh brickguards.
For More Information About The Max One-piece Plastic Brickguard visit www.max-sp.co.uk or Tel: 08448 702420
Simian Risk Wins New Iraq Contract
Work at height safety specialist Simian Risk has won a new contract in the Middle East with oil giant Shell.
The UK based consultancy firm, which launched in 2005, has spent the past year working with Shell and the Southern Oil Company to provide on-site training and supervision in Iraq. Due to the success of the collaboration, Simian Risk has been appointed for a further 12 months to deliver ongoing scaffolding and work at height training at the Majnoon oil field site near Basra, Southern Iraq.
Simian Risk Operations Director Ian Fyall said the new contract was testament to the strong partnerships built up with Shell, the Southern Oil Company and the Iraqi companies working on-site.
“This is great news for Simian Risk and for our partners in Iraq, as we will be able to continue working together and building on the foundations laid over the past year. Our on-site supervisors Lee Standring and Dave Faulkner have been doing great work in training the local workforce with a strong focus on health and safety.
“They have engendered a culture of teamwork, collaboration, quality and safety, which is vital when working within an industrial environment. This is a huge project and we are proud to be playing a part in creating an ethos of self-sufficiency in Iraq. A whole infrastructure is being built up around the Majnoon oil field and therefore it is essential that those who work on the site operate within strict health and safety guidelines.
“The oil companies we are working with place a real emphasis on local employment and we have forged excellent relationships with Iraqi firm Ratbaa and Middle East scaffolding company AMS, who have both supplied workers for the Majnoon project.”
The Simian Risk team have been teaching local workers the basics of scaffolding, including Harness Training, correct anchor points to work from on a scaffold structure, manual handling techniques and housekeeping practices to provide a safe erect and dismantle of all scaffold procedures.
Lee Standring said: “The local workers are adapting to working in the construction environment very well and have achieved a good understanding of the requirements needed to work safely as a team. We have to thank the team of scaffolders that have worked very hard to keep to the standards that our industry requires. We would also like to thank our Shell management for their support in driving forward and believing in what we can achieve together, planning and executing work safely and to schedule.”
Simian Risk opened a training centre in Dubai in 2011 and also has offices in Abu Dhabi.
Mr Fyall added: “Companies in the Middle East are working hard to improve health and safety and we are determined to play a part in this drive by providing first rate work at height training programmes to help reduce the number of industrial accidents in the region and provide a safe working environment for all.
“The region’s petrochemical sector offers some great opportunities and this is a very niche market that we have been able to expand into. It is still within scaffolding and working at height, just with a more industry orientated focus rather than construction.”
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.
Simian Risk Operations Director Ian Fyall said the new contract was testament to the strong partnerships built up with Shell, the Southern Oil Company and the Iraqi companies working on-site.
“This is great news for Simian Risk and for our partners in Iraq, as we will be able to continue working together and building on the foundations laid over the past year. Our on-site supervisors Lee Standring and Dave Faulkner have been doing great work in training the local workforce with a strong focus on health and safety.
“They have engendered a culture of teamwork, collaboration, quality and safety, which is vital when working within an industrial environment. This is a huge project and we are proud to be playing a part in creating an ethos of self-sufficiency in Iraq. A whole infrastructure is being built up around the Majnoon oil field and therefore it is essential that those who work on the site operate within strict health and safety guidelines.
“The oil companies we are working with place a real emphasis on local employment and we have forged excellent relationships with Iraqi firm Ratbaa and Middle East scaffolding company AMS, who have both supplied workers for the Majnoon project.”
The Simian Risk team have been teaching local workers the basics of scaffolding, including Harness Training, correct anchor points to work from on a scaffold structure, manual handling techniques and housekeeping practices to provide a safe erect and dismantle of all scaffold procedures.
Lee Standring said: “The local workers are adapting to working in the construction environment very well and have achieved a good understanding of the requirements needed to work safely as a team. We have to thank the team of scaffolders that have worked very hard to keep to the standards that our industry requires. We would also like to thank our Shell management for their support in driving forward and believing in what we can achieve together, planning and executing work safely and to schedule.”
Simian Risk opened a training centre in Dubai in 2011 and also has offices in Abu Dhabi.
Mr Fyall added: “Companies in the Middle East are working hard to improve health and safety and we are determined to play a part in this drive by providing first rate work at height training programmes to help reduce the number of industrial accidents in the region and provide a safe working environment for all.
“The region’s petrochemical sector offers some great opportunities and this is a very niche market that we have been able to expand into. It is still within scaffolding and working at height, just with a more industry orientated focus rather than construction.”
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.
Training Centre Pilots New E-Portfolio For Scaffolding
Safety & Access are piloting a new digital portfolio system at it’s Nottingham and Humberside centres.
Candidates will be able to complete their e-portfolios by uploading work based evidence which counts towards a scaffolding qualification.
As from the 1 March 2013 all Safety & Access learners that need to complete a VQ Level 2 & 3 qualification to comply with the CISRS Scheme rules to obtain a CISRS Scaffolder or Advanced Card. They will all be registered to 
use the SKILLFILE system.
What is an e-portfolio?
An e-portfolio is electronic storage of your learners portfolio, traditionally a paper-based collection of your learner’s information and their evidence and learning outcomes for their qualification.
Skillsfile enables you to view portfolios, assess evidence and verify assessment decisions anywhere you have internet access.
Who can use Skillsfile?
Skillsfile is available to any Cskills Awards approved centre like Safety & Access Ltd.
Skillsfile provides a number of different user types, to support the variety of different activities within our centre. These include:
use the SKILLFILE system.
What is an e-portfolio?
An e-portfolio is electronic storage of your learners portfolio, traditionally a paper-based collection of your learner’s information and their evidence and learning outcomes for their qualification.
Skillsfile enables you to view portfolios, assess evidence and verify assessment decisions anywhere you have internet access.
Who can use Skillsfile?
Skillsfile is available to any Cskills Awards approved centre like Safety & Access Ltd.
Skillsfile provides a number of different user types, to support the variety of different activities within our centre. These include:
- system administrators (superusers)
- centre managers
- centre administrators
- internal verifiers
- assessors
- work-based recorders
- employers
- learners
- external verifiers for non-Cskills Awards qualifications.
- photographs
- movies
- diaries
- commentary against every piece of evidence
- test results
- reports
- drawings
- letters
- interviews.
UPDATE: Buckinghamshire Scaffolding Will Be Featured On The BBC One Show
After some initial confusion about who was being featured on the BBC One Show on Monday 4 March, I can now confirm after personally talking to the producers Buckinghamshire Scaffolding Specialists will appear on the show.
The firm will appear on the show as part of a feature entitled “The Maths of Scaffolding”. Unconfirmed reports suggest two teams from Buckinghamshire Scaffolding will be building two system towers outside the BBC up to the window of the One Show.
Company Director Matthew Bowler said: ‘It’s thrilling to have been invited by the BBC to take part in this. The team are looking forward to the challenge – it’s a great opportunity to raise the profile of the scaffolding industry, whilst demonstrating the safe and speedy service we deliver at BSS.’
Tune into the show on Monday 4 March, BBC1 7pm, to see them in action.
Will you be watching ? let us know in the comments below.
Scaffolder Airlifted After Factory Roof Fall
£21M Pay Out After Birdcage Scaffolding Deemed The Cause Of Massive Fire
