£100,000 worth of scaffolding stolen from Hull building site

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£100,000 worth of scaffolding stolen from Hull building site
The Hull Daily Mail reported that thieves stole £100,000 worth of scaffolding from a Keepmoat’s housing development in the city. The theft took place some time over the weekend the thieves used the onsite forklift and loaded five pallets of scaffolding onto their getaway vehicle and also siphon diesel from other vehicles on site. A spokesman for Keepmoat said: “The site does have a security presence at all times. Someone is there 24/7. “But it is a large site. We are having a look at the security arrangements in light of what has happened. “Although it has been an inconvenience, this theft will not affect the building program.” The development will see 140 homes being built in the first phase, with 600 in total for the site. Police are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information should call Humberside police on 0845 6060222

Scaffold firm fined £20k after bus crashes into scaffolding

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Scaffold firm fined £20k after bus crashes into scaffolding
A Louth joiner broke his leg after falling 4 m from scaffolding after a passing bus collided with the structure in Louth town center in Lincolnshire. The scaffolding was erected by local firm Panther Scaffolding on the Helal Restaurant on Mercer Row in Louth on 9th November 2009. The scaffold beams that was in the structure overhung the road way which was struck by the bus throwing the joiner off the scaffold to the ground below. Andrew Judge, trading as Panther Scaffolding, was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive for failing to ensure that the workers, who erected the scaffolding the day before, worked in a safe way and that the finished scaffolding was a safe structure for its user and vehicles moving through the town. HSE inspector Martin Giles said: “The scaffolding should have been erected in a safe manner, and the finished scaffold should not have jutted out over the road at a height where it could be a danger to passing traffic. The failure to provide adequate scaffolding was caused by inadequate planning before work started and a failure to check that the finished scaffold was safe before handing it over. “Work at height remains a major cause of injury and fatalities in the workplace and for this reason it is important that, where such work is undertaken, then appropriate planning, supervision and safety measures are essential. This becomes even more critical when a job involves work in places like the centre of Louth which expose the public to the risks from scaffolding work.” Mr Judge, 44, of Old Main Road, Scamblesby, Louth, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1)(c) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005, and Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 at Skegness Magistrates’ Court today. He was fined £15,000 and ordered to pay £3,739 costs.  

Video of the day: Hong Kong Bamboo Scaffolding

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Video of the day: Hong Kong Bamboo Scaffolding

httpv://youtu.be/pzBVf5u3T50

Now here is a great insight into the world of bamboo scaffolding the video is well made and shows the process of using the material and compares bamboo to other systems from around the world. But if you were to ask me what I would prefer working off, it would be steel all the way.

Video of the day: Crazy scaffold bombing

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Video of the day: Crazy scaffold bombing

Video of the day

Now here is a fine example of how not to dismantle scaffolding, I don’t think these guys could break anymore rules. httpv://youtu.be/wyjUoMq3dOc We have suspicion that the video was filmed in New Zealand but obviously it does not matter where it was filmed just don’t try this at home !

Ex-Scaffolders family plea to help spinal unit

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Ex-Scaffolders family plea to help spinal unit
THE family of a scaffolder left paralysed after a horrific fall is appealing for the community to back a charity night to boost the specialist unit caring for him. Former scaffolder Doug Newman worked at heights for years, yet a simple but life-changing fall downstairs at his family home in South Tyneside has left him unable to walk or feed himself. Father and grandfather Mr Newman, 67, has battled pneumonia and suffered weight loss since he wrecked his spine and broke his shoulder when he fell backwards down the stairs in Fieldway, Hedworth, Jarrow, earlier this year. Doctors have told him he will never walk again, and spinal damage means he cannot use his hands to feed himself. Now his family is asking for support for a charity event in aid of the spinal unit at The James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, where Mr Newman is a patient. His wife, Anne, 63, said: “When Doug fell down the stairs, the doctors say his spinal cord was wrapped around the wrong way. “The damage was so bad because he fell down backwards, after losing his step. He came down 13 stairs the wrong way and lost consciousness. “Doug worked as a scaffolder for years, at all sorts of places and heights, but then he falls down the stairs at home and this happens. “Doctors say he won’t be able to walk again and his hands have become like claws, so he has to be fed as well. He has some feeling in his legs and hands, but that’s all. “Doug’s in the James Cook hospital, and we hope to have him out for Christmas, but he will have to go back in after that.” The couple’s daughters, Lesley and Karen, have organised a charity night for the Teesside spinal unit, which will be held at the Boldon Lad pub in Hedworth Lane, Jarrow, on Saturday, November 12, at 7pm. Mrs Newman added: “We just want to raise as much money as possible for the spinal unit caring for Doug and would love to see as many people at the event as possible. “There will be a karaoke, a buffet and refreshments and everyone is welcome.” Mrs and Mrs Newman, who also have three grandchildren, have been married for 39 years, and have lived at their Jarrow home for more than 30 years. Via: www.shieldsgazette.com [email protected]  

Video of the day: Blackpool Tower Spidermen

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Video of the day: Blackpool Tower Spidermen

Video of the day

Welcome to yet another new section of our beloved Scaffmag “Video of the day” each day we will be showcasing some of the best scaffolding and construction videos on the net. Some of the videos will be humorous some will be serious but all will be noteworthy.

httpv://youtu.be/HogOzrvzyd0

This video is showing scaffolders working on the Blackpool Tower, UK,  during major repairs in January of this year.

Harsco makes a pre-tax loss of 26.7m

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Harsco makes a pre-tax loss of 26.7m
Harsco Infrastructure Services has posted a pre-tax loss of £26.7m in its latest results for the year to 31 December 2010. The performance is considerably worse than in 2009, when the access specialist was in the red to the tune of £10.7. Turnover was down to £107.5 from £122.4m. Harsco, known as SGB until 2009, is owned by US industrial services giant Harsco Corporation. The split of turnover across the Harsco UK business during 2010 was:
  • Sales: £27.1m (2009: £34.4m)
  • Equipment hire: £27.2m (£35.2m)
  • Contracts: £53.3m (£52.8m)
During the fourth quarter of 2010, Harsco undertook a “large scale restructuring programme” to reduce the cost base of the business, which resulted in £8.5m of exceptional costs. The firm paid out £2.7m in redundancy. In June 2011, Harsco disposed of its “non-core” accommodation and event services businesses to Wernick Group to concentrate on “blue chip construction and industrial customers”. The value of its assets, chiefly plant and machinery, fell during 2010 from £158.9m to £113.8m. Four directors resigned during 2010 – M.H. Cubitt, K Mouatt, J.W. Barrett, and A Maxwell – while a fifth director, G.D.H. Butler, retired. “The company’s result in 2010 was a direct result of the continuing poor market conditions in the UK construction sector,” said director Christopher McGalpine. “The difficulties faced… resulted in significant reductions in margins as pricing became highly competitive. “In the light of these circumstances, the directors have considered the going concern position of the company. Harsco Infrastructure Group, one of the company’s immediate parents, has indicated that the necessary finance will continue to be available to enable the company to continue to trade for the foreseeable future.” Via: The Construction Index

WIN a pair of Apache Vibram Sports Boots

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WIN a pair of Apache Vibram Sports Boots

Its Competition time..

To reward our loyal readers we are giving you the chance to win a brand new pair of Apache Sports Boots that came top in our recent Safety boot review . To win this great prize is simple, all you need to do is Subscribe to the site AND simply make a comment below about why you like reading Scaffmag. Boots supplied by Active Workwear The competition will be open until 1st November 2011 then one lucky winner will be picked at random. Have fun and good luck, Dan.

Safety Footwear – which boots are best ?

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Safety Footwear – which boots are best ?
Welcome to our new reviews section,we will be reviewing work wear products over the coming months. Thinking of buying some new safety boots? With winter on it’s way you’re going to need some hard wearing top quality footwear. We as scaffolders all know that picking the correct safety boots is crucial to you’re working day, this is why I have put together a high to low priced comprehensive review of three different pairs of footwear all available from Active Workwear. Each pair of boots was worn by me for 1 week while scaffolding in areas ranging from construction sites to petrochemical industrial areas.

The Review

Dewalt Challenger 2 Black Goretex safety boot I have had some top quality boot’s in the past, Timberland,Caterpillar to name but a few but my first impression of the Dewalt Challenger was that these were in the same league or maybe better. They look stylish and expensive although a little chunky they feel quite light on the feet, and when you first wear the boots you can certainly feel the cushioned gel bag that is inside the sole while walking over rough terrain. Normally with boots I have had in the past the first thing to go wrong is snapping the laces or the sole starting to split but with the Dewalt Challenger I don’t think you would have that problem as the laces feel very strong and the sole being attached to the boot via injection. I think the only downside to the Dewalt Challenger is the price tag at a whopping £85 quid there not cheap! Overall Performance: Price: £84.99 Click here to find out more information at Active Workwear Apache Vibram Sports Boots S1,P AP320SM After wearing the Dewalt boots for a week i was eager to try out the Apache pair. The Apache boots are the lightest out of all being reviewed and I could certainly feel they felt different, they just felt right. With the boots feeling so light on the feet you felt as if you could walk and carry gear for hours in them, which I did. The Apache gives you great support to the foot and supported the ankle well. The grip on the soles gives you a sense of support when climbing. The only downside I could find with the boots was the laces they seem a little thin for a work boot. Overall a fantastic pair of boots that don’t actually feel like work boots. Overall Performance: Price: £ 59.99 Click here to find out more information at Active Workwear    Black Leather Dealer Safety Boot I know the saying goes you should never judge a book by its cover but I just couldn’t help it when I first set eyes on them I thought they looked like the sort of boots a young apprentice would be made to wear on his first day. But after wearing them for a few days I realised they were comfortable and just good for just slipping on and off with no worries of having to tie the laces all the time. The boots are made of leather with a steel mid-sole and petrol and chemical resistant so they are built to last. If you are looking for some cheap no nonsense, does what it says on the tin kind of boots then these leather dealer boots are for you. Overall Performance:   Price:  £ 27.99 Click here to find out more information at Active Workwear  Gallery :             Reviews By Daniel Norton Boots Supplied By Active Workwear with thanks.  

How to become a Scaffold Designer

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How to become a Scaffold Designer

The guys at 48.3 Scaffold Design have written this great Q & A  on how to make the big step from being a Scaffolder to Scaffold Designer.. Enjoy.

People in the scaffolding industry often ask us “how do you get into scaffold design?” and some are interested in making the change themselves. It is not an easy transition to make, as Andrew Kitley from the 48.3 Scaffold Design team explains in this Q & A. Andrew began the transition from scaffolder to scaffold designer in 2008 and has now gained experience of a wide range of design work, as well as providing valuable practical insights through his first-hand knowledge of scaffold erection. Here Andrew explains how he started in the scaffolding industry, followed by the trials, tribulations and triumphs of his personal journey so far from scaffolder to scaffold design engineer. How long were you a scaffolder for, and what level did you reach? I first started scaffolding in 2000 when one of my friends asked me to help out at his Dad’s company for a week. I loved the laughs I had on site that week and decided to take it up full-time. I progressed through the ranks overs the years as most do, from labourer, to second-hand, charge-hand and, finally, supervisor. What made you want to become a design engineer and when did you make that decision? In 2008 I decided that I should try to find a career that has more longevity and not put my body under the continuous physical strains that scaffolding does. What was the first step in your transition from scaffolder to scaffold designer? I was in a very fortunate position where the person who taught me how to scaffold had recently started the transition to a design engineer himself. We discussed different routes I could try in order to get a job within a company that could train me, and in a lucky twist of fate the company where he was working was looking for trainee designers. How long have you been designing scaffolding and has design work made you think differently about scaffolds?  I have now been designing scaffolding for three and a half years, but it has not been without its struggles. When I started designing I found it frustrating that the people around me were telling me how to draw scaffolding, when I had been erecting it successfully for years. In my opinion you have to forget what you think you know because your ‘say-so’ or experience doesn’t actually mean anything if the scaffold cannot be proven (in calculation). What qualifications have you gained and what do you plan to achieve in the future? This summer will see me attain my HNC in Civil Engineering and I am looking forward to continuing on the degree course at Southbank University. Engineering is an amazing subject to learn and I find it really enjoyable. How has your previous experience in scaffolding helped you? I try to use my knowledge of erection procedures (i.e. how I would safely carry out the work) in my designs and the rest of the team will tell you I am not shy when it comes to details on drawings. What has been the hardest part of becoming a designer? The hardest stepping stone for me has been continuing education. I have struggled at university; this is not to do with the work but with managing my time correctly around my studies. The first day of university was the first time I had written anything other than my name and address in over 8 years. To study the correct amount you need three evenings a week and probably most of your weekend. From start to finish it will take me a minimum of six years to attain a degree in engineering. What is the most enjoyable thing about being a scaffold designer? There are many rewarding aspects of designing scaffolding: not hating your job throughout the whole of winter; solving problems theoretically and then being able to see it work in practice; and the one I enjoy the most is the respect you receive from everyone for your knowledge. Finally, do you have any advice for anyone who would like to make the switch from scaffolder to scaffold designer? For anyone wishing to become a design engineer, I would say you must consider that you will take a considerable pay cut, depending on you ability as a scaffolder it could be up to 50%. To reach a proficient engineering level you will need to work towards a degree, this will mean studying and if you have children or even a very active social life/long work hours you will find this difficult.

With Thanks to 48.3 Scaffold Design, visit their site for more information

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