Tim Walker, NSG UK general manager, said: “The North East is a thriving centre for industry, manufacturing and engineering, and we felt the time was right to develop a site presence in the region. There is significant investment planned for the Teeside area which already has important industrial market and we are keen to capitalise on our longstanding relationships in the region and to play a part in its development.”
“This expansion is another sign of our commitment to growth and the aim of becoming the UK’s leading scaffolding and industrial services provider.”
NSG is owned by Montpelier, France, based Altrad. NSG Opens New Location
UK scaffold company NSG UK has opened a new office at the Wilton Centre on Teeside in northeast England. Operations in the region will be managed by Steve Raby.
Tim Walker, NSG UK general manager, said: “The North East is a thriving centre for industry, manufacturing and engineering, and we felt the time was right to develop a site presence in the region. There is significant investment planned for the Teeside area which already has important industrial market and we are keen to capitalise on our longstanding relationships in the region and to play a part in its development.”
“This expansion is another sign of our commitment to growth and the aim of becoming the UK’s leading scaffolding and industrial services provider.”
NSG is owned by Montpelier, France, based Altrad.
Tim Walker, NSG UK general manager, said: “The North East is a thriving centre for industry, manufacturing and engineering, and we felt the time was right to develop a site presence in the region. There is significant investment planned for the Teeside area which already has important industrial market and we are keen to capitalise on our longstanding relationships in the region and to play a part in its development.”
“This expansion is another sign of our commitment to growth and the aim of becoming the UK’s leading scaffolding and industrial services provider.”
NSG is owned by Montpelier, France, based Altrad. Jason Gibbs “York Way, Kings Cross, London Staircase” Video Pt 3
Jason Gibbs
Advanced Scaffolder Jason Gibbs has set up a You Tube Channel in the hope of sharing to the world his day to day experiences of working as a scaffolder.
The series of videos gives you a first hand look into the world of a working scaffolder. Over the coming months you will see some of the great places he has worked and the sights he has seen from some of the tallest buildings in London.
httpv://youtu.be/mH7Ti6zXElo
Jason’s Comments: With the Beamwork done, we started taking the lump up – mostly 2 handed, its been hard going, but we’re upto the 4th floor… with another to be based later in the week on the same site thats 260ft high – which could be one of, if not the biggest Tube and Fitting Staircase in the world.
Follow and subscribe to Jason’s You Tube Channel for more great videos.
Altrad Buys Two More Scaffold Firms
French scaffolding group Altrad has stepped up its expansion in the UK and added two more businesses to its collection of access firms.
The latest round of deals sees the group take on nationwide access specialist Generation Hire & Sales and Midlands-based MTD Scaffolding.
Generation Hire turns over around £40m and employs 220 staff, operating across 14 locations.
It sells and rents non mechanical access equipment, scaffolding, system scaffolding, fencing and some light access products.
Mark Clifford, managing director, and Alan Wilkinson, commercial and financial director, will continue with the business.
To date Altrad has bought up BarOmix, Belle Group, Beaver 84 and NSG.
MTD was acquired through NSG business to strengthen its offering to the social housing sector.
The Deeside firms recently spent £500,000 on the Altrad Plettac Contur System Scaffolding, considered to be one of the most advanced in the UK.
Ray Neilson, managing director of Altrad subsidiary Altrad Belle UK, said: “This generation Hire acquisition forms part of the bigger plan to provide the UK market with products and services from Altrad, which specialises in the manufacturing and sales of scaffolding, cement mixers and wheelbarrows, together with providing additional services in the access sector.”
Altrad now has over 60 companies with the majority being located in Europe and several outside of Europe across the world.
Neilson added that Altrad was keen to hear from product and service related companies that are interested in joining the group.
Via: constructionenquirer.com
The latest round of deals sees the group take on nationwide access specialist Generation Hire & Sales and Midlands-based MTD Scaffolding.
Generation Hire turns over around £40m and employs 220 staff, operating across 14 locations.
It sells and rents non mechanical access equipment, scaffolding, system scaffolding, fencing and some light access products.
Mark Clifford, managing director, and Alan Wilkinson, commercial and financial director, will continue with the business.
To date Altrad has bought up BarOmix, Belle Group, Beaver 84 and NSG.
MTD was acquired through NSG business to strengthen its offering to the social housing sector.
The Deeside firms recently spent £500,000 on the Altrad Plettac Contur System Scaffolding, considered to be one of the most advanced in the UK.
Ray Neilson, managing director of Altrad subsidiary Altrad Belle UK, said: “This generation Hire acquisition forms part of the bigger plan to provide the UK market with products and services from Altrad, which specialises in the manufacturing and sales of scaffolding, cement mixers and wheelbarrows, together with providing additional services in the access sector.”
Altrad now has over 60 companies with the majority being located in Europe and several outside of Europe across the world.
Neilson added that Altrad was keen to hear from product and service related companies that are interested in joining the group.
Via: constructionenquirer.com Harsco Infrastructure Helps To Bridge The Gap
A comprehensive scaffolding access system provided by Harsco Infrastructure has enabled the refurbishment of an historic bridge at Mizen Head, on the Southern tip of Ireland.
The 50-metre long bridge spans a dramatic sea gorge 45-metres below, and connects the mainland of County Cork with Cloghan Island. The original reinforced concrete structure had been in place for 100 years, but its location and exposure to the elements had caused it to deteriorate, and it was in need of major refurbishment.
UKCG Adopt And Co-Brand NASC Scaffolding Guidance
The UK Contractors Group (UKCG) which represents some 30 leading construction contractors (representing over a third of the total UK output on construction turnover) have recently agreed to support the popular guidance produced by the NASC (National Access & Scaffolding Confederation), ‘Guide to Appointing and Managing Scaffolding Contractors’
The document which has had over 1200 requests since its launch in the summer of 2011 has been reviewed by the UKCG and they has agreed that the guidance (which is available free to all of industry) is appropriate for UKCG members to work to.
Stephen Ratcliffe, Director of UKCG states…
“UKCG’s aim is to aspire to world class standards of best practice for UK construction and we are pleased to co-brand this guidance from the NASC as it complements our objectives perfectly. We recognise that NASC sets the standards for scaffolding in the UK and this guidance makes sound logical sense for all construction contractors to adhere to. ”
The guidance is a free specification document intended to provide advice and instruction for all organisations (or individuals) who are responsible for appointing, monitoring or managing scaffolding contractors, the guidance is appropriate for all sizes of construction contractors.
Whether the user is a Client, Project/Site Manager, Surveyor, CDM Coordinator, Estimator, Planner or Designer the document provides advice on the current best practice for scaffolding. This document could also be used to accompany any Tender or Pre-Qualification document.
The risk of an accident or injury to either operatives or the general public can be greatly reduced by properly planning scaffolding and to do this it is important to know what to demand from your scaffolding contractor at every stage of the process.
Rob Lynch, NASC President states…
“The demand for this guidance is a signal that industry is increasingly prepared to take the risks associated with scaffolding seriously. The UKCG’s support of this guidance will accelerate the adoption of this best practice across the construction sector. The NASC membership have all signed up to this best practice, employing one of the 204 NASC contracting members will therefore provide a significant degree of comfort to any contractor or client.’
The 15 pages of criteria are intended to improve the quality of all scaffold structures erected on any site and in accordance with current legislation, guidance and protocol. The content includes…
The document which has had over 1200 requests since its launch in the summer of 2011 has been reviewed by the UKCG and they has agreed that the guidance (which is available free to all of industry) is appropriate for UKCG members to work to.
Stephen Ratcliffe, Director of UKCG states…
“UKCG’s aim is to aspire to world class standards of best practice for UK construction and we are pleased to co-brand this guidance from the NASC as it complements our objectives perfectly. We recognise that NASC sets the standards for scaffolding in the UK and this guidance makes sound logical sense for all construction contractors to adhere to. ”
The guidance is a free specification document intended to provide advice and instruction for all organisations (or individuals) who are responsible for appointing, monitoring or managing scaffolding contractors, the guidance is appropriate for all sizes of construction contractors.
Whether the user is a Client, Project/Site Manager, Surveyor, CDM Coordinator, Estimator, Planner or Designer the document provides advice on the current best practice for scaffolding. This document could also be used to accompany any Tender or Pre-Qualification document.
The risk of an accident or injury to either operatives or the general public can be greatly reduced by properly planning scaffolding and to do this it is important to know what to demand from your scaffolding contractor at every stage of the process.
Rob Lynch, NASC President states…
“The demand for this guidance is a signal that industry is increasingly prepared to take the risks associated with scaffolding seriously. The UKCG’s support of this guidance will accelerate the adoption of this best practice across the construction sector. The NASC membership have all signed up to this best practice, employing one of the 204 NASC contracting members will therefore provide a significant degree of comfort to any contractor or client.’
The 15 pages of criteria are intended to improve the quality of all scaffold structures erected on any site and in accordance with current legislation, guidance and protocol. The content includes…
- Scaffold types
- Regulations, codes of practice and best practice
- Competence
- Scaffolders Safety and PPE
- Scaffolding design
- Minimum scaffold requirements
- Scaffold handover and statutory inspections
- Risk assessments and method statements
- Summary of Scaffolder cards
- Scaffold inspection reporting
Inquiry told man’s scaffolding fall death was a ‘tragic accident’
The death of a retired Dundee scaffolder after he fell while on a ”homer” last summer was a ”tragic accident,” a fatal accident inquiry has been told.
George Carr should have been wearing a harness while working on scaffolding which had no guard rail due to the method it was being dismantled, a Health and Safety Executive expert said.
But Isabelle Martin also stated that a criminal prosecution was not appropriate as neither Mr Carr nor his workmateDavid Duff was in charge of the work at a house inDundee’s Somerville Place when he fell four and a half metres on June 16.
Sheriff Tom Hughes heard that Mr Carr — who was 67 and lived in Fintry Drive — was declared dead in an ambulance despite the efforts of householder Stewart Clark and paramedics. The cause of Mr Carr’s death was later recorded as multiple injuries from the blunt force trauma of falling from height.
Ms Martin told the inquiry both men were equally experienced and there was ”no instruction from either of them to each other”.
She told the inquiry: ”Mr Carr should have known that a harness should be worn when erecting or dismantling scaffolding and he wasn’t wearing one.”
She said the scaffolding should have been taken down in a ”progressive” manner and a guard rail should have been in place.
The scaffolding had been dismantled from east to west instead of from top to bottom, she said, which resulted in there being no guard rail, while a harness could have prevented the fall.
She agreed with a suggestion from solicitor Gary McIlravey, for Mr Duff, that the scaffolding had been erected as a ”favour” and that in general terms with the people who did this type of work as homers ”safety guidelines are not always adhered to”.
She replied: ”They should be but there is evidence of that.”
Ms Martin also agreed that the two men had worked together for such a long time they ”just got on with it”.
Asked if she considered what happened as a ”tragic accident,” she replied: ”Yes.”
She also agreed that in her report she stated that Mr Duff was not solely responsible for the work and that both men knew equally well how to properly erect and dismantle the scaffolding.
Earlier the inquiry heard Mr Carr was ”fit and able” to complete the task.
Householder Mr Clark said friend and neighbour Michael Garty had suggested that he knew of someone who could help with scaffolding for roof repairs in May last year. That led to Mr Carr’s friend and workmate of 45 years Mr Duff erecting scaffolding at the front of Mr Clark’s home.
It was when Mr Clark asked Mr Duff to return to move the scaffolding to the rear of the property that Mr Carr’s fall took place.
Mr Garty said he had worked in the scaffolding industry for nearly 30 years and had some spare scaffolding which workers at his offshore engineering company used for training. He told the inquiry that it was this, modular scaffolding which had been lent to Mr Clark as a favour.
”Mr Duff and Mr Carr have been foremen on projects we have worked on,” Mr Garty said. ”George had continued working offshore when he was 66 and he could have continued on. He was an extremely fit and able man and he had no obvious health issues.”
The sheriff will issue his findings at a later date.
Via: thecourier.co.uk
George Carr should have been wearing a harness while working on scaffolding which had no guard rail due to the method it was being dismantled, a Health and Safety Executive expert said.
But Isabelle Martin also stated that a criminal prosecution was not appropriate as neither Mr Carr nor his workmateDavid Duff was in charge of the work at a house inDundee’s Somerville Place when he fell four and a half metres on June 16.
Sheriff Tom Hughes heard that Mr Carr — who was 67 and lived in Fintry Drive — was declared dead in an ambulance despite the efforts of householder Stewart Clark and paramedics. The cause of Mr Carr’s death was later recorded as multiple injuries from the blunt force trauma of falling from height.
Ms Martin told the inquiry both men were equally experienced and there was ”no instruction from either of them to each other”.
She told the inquiry: ”Mr Carr should have known that a harness should be worn when erecting or dismantling scaffolding and he wasn’t wearing one.”
She said the scaffolding should have been taken down in a ”progressive” manner and a guard rail should have been in place.
The scaffolding had been dismantled from east to west instead of from top to bottom, she said, which resulted in there being no guard rail, while a harness could have prevented the fall.
She agreed with a suggestion from solicitor Gary McIlravey, for Mr Duff, that the scaffolding had been erected as a ”favour” and that in general terms with the people who did this type of work as homers ”safety guidelines are not always adhered to”.
She replied: ”They should be but there is evidence of that.”
Ms Martin also agreed that the two men had worked together for such a long time they ”just got on with it”.
Asked if she considered what happened as a ”tragic accident,” she replied: ”Yes.”
She also agreed that in her report she stated that Mr Duff was not solely responsible for the work and that both men knew equally well how to properly erect and dismantle the scaffolding.
Earlier the inquiry heard Mr Carr was ”fit and able” to complete the task.
Householder Mr Clark said friend and neighbour Michael Garty had suggested that he knew of someone who could help with scaffolding for roof repairs in May last year. That led to Mr Carr’s friend and workmate of 45 years Mr Duff erecting scaffolding at the front of Mr Clark’s home.
It was when Mr Clark asked Mr Duff to return to move the scaffolding to the rear of the property that Mr Carr’s fall took place.
Mr Garty said he had worked in the scaffolding industry for nearly 30 years and had some spare scaffolding which workers at his offshore engineering company used for training. He told the inquiry that it was this, modular scaffolding which had been lent to Mr Clark as a favour.
”Mr Duff and Mr Carr have been foremen on projects we have worked on,” Mr Garty said. ”George had continued working offshore when he was 66 and he could have continued on. He was an extremely fit and able man and he had no obvious health issues.”
The sheriff will issue his findings at a later date.
Via: thecourier.co.uk The New Scafftag Re-Designed For Scaffolding By Scaffolders
Simple to Use:
- Universal head to fit both tube and clip or system scaffolding
- Finger lift: Easier to remove the insert
- Compatible with existing Scafftag inserts
- Made from ‘Nylon 6’ material making the holder more flexible
- Temperature range -20°C to +80°C
- 2 repositioned lugs instead of 3 to increase holder flexibility
- Additional cable tie attachment option at the bottom of the holder for extra security
- Secure lug at the top to keep insert in place
- Hole to cable tie insert to holder
The Insert
Easier to Read:
- Clear to read
- Clear warnings
- Clear mandatory duties to follow
- Initial inspection record now visible on front of insert rather than the reverse
- Important information not hindered by lugs on the holder
More Space to Write:
- 12 inspection slots rather than 11
- More room to write information
- Can record drawing reference number on the insert
- Large area to include your own comments about the scaffold
More Secure:
- Cable tie hole to secure insert to holder
Jason Gibbs “York Way, Kings Cross, London Staircase” Video Pt 2
Jason Gibbs
Advanced Scaffolder Jason Gibbs has set up a You Tube Channel in the hope of sharing to the world his day to day experiences of working as a scaffolder.
The series of videos gives you a first hand look into the world of a working scaffolder. Over the coming months you will see some of the great places he has worked and the sights he has seen from some of the tallest buildings in London.
httpv://youtu.be/y6lsIMYgl8o
Jason’s Comments: Part 2 Finishing off the Beamwork for the start of a 140ft high Tube and Fitting Staircase, with the start of the first lift being erected also… with another to be based later in the week on the same site thats 260ft high – which could be one of, if not the biggest Tube and Fitting Staircase in the world.
Follow and subscribe to Jason’s You Tube Channel for more great videos.
PASMA allocates £150,000 to assist members and expand training
It is now almost twelve months since PASMA, the trade association representing the mobile access tower industry in the UK and Ireland, published its much anticipated review into the comparative technical, operational and safety aspects of Through the Trap (3T) and Advance Guardrail (AGR) methods for assembling and dismantling mobile access towers. It concluded that both systems provide an acceptable safe method of work.
Extraordinary General Meeting of Members
In that time the Association has acted promptly and decisively to implement the recommendations of the 20-page review, culminating in the decision this week at an Extraordinary General Meeting of Members to allocate £150,000 to assist approved training centres with the purchase of additional equipment.
In the wake of the review this will be used to meet the new requirement for enhanced AGR training to be delivered as an integral part of PASMA’s industry standard Towers for Users course. Following the review it is now mandatory for all PASMA approved training centres to provide practical, as well as theoretical, training in the use of both Advance Guardrail (AGR) and Through the Trap (3T) methods of assembling, altering and dismantling towers.
The decision to empower Council to make grants to members for the purchase of Advance Guardrail towers is the latest in a series of measures introduced by the Association following the publication of the review, which was carried out in collaboration with the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and carries a foreword by the regulator.
CPD Seminars
From the outset, PASMA was determined to explain the implications and make clear that when used in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions and guidance, both systems offered an acceptable safe method of work, with AGR systems providing comprehensive fall protection, and the 3T system using conventional components to minimise the risk of a fall.
It therefore arranged a nationwide series of CPD seminars – compulsory for all PASMA instructors – to ensure that its instructors fully understood both the content and consequences of the review. These seminars provided knowledge and information about the latest developments in Advance Guardrail towers, with the focus on the latest generation of integral AGR products.
Towers for Users Course
Next, the Association introduced into its industry standard Towers for Users course, a mandatory section, both theoretical and practical, devoted to AGR towers. Importantly, attendees are now marked on their understanding of Advance Guardrail towers in exactly the same way as 3T towers. Equal weight and content is given to both, and successful attendees leave with the skills and instruction necessary – and a certificate and photo card – to use the two methods safely and competently on site.
AGRs for Towers for Users
Finally, the Association has recently launched a new training module – available nationally through its approved training centres – intended to supplement, but not replace, the Towers for Users course. This stand alone module focuses entirely on safety and best practice when using Advance Guardrail mobile access towers. It is specifically geared towards tower owners and users wishing to acquire a more in-depth understanding of AGR systems and techniques.
Comments PASMA’s managing director, Peter Bennett: “All these initiatives have been universally welcomed as positive steps towards raising the standard and scope of PASMA training.
“Having said that, it has meant that PASMA training centres have been compelled to invest in additional equipment in order to comply with the new directives. Following the EGM, Council is now empowered to make grants to PASMA training centres to help mitigate the cost of upgrading tower equipment used for training. “
“In the current economic climate Council felt it was right and proper to assist members in this proactive, practical way. Trading conditions are demanding and this is a tangible way in which the Association can help and support its members to ensure that both systems are properly and equally represented in all aspects of the Association’s work.”
Via: Press Release
In that time the Association has acted promptly and decisively to implement the recommendations of the 20-page review, culminating in the decision this week at an Extraordinary General Meeting of Members to allocate £150,000 to assist approved training centres with the purchase of additional equipment.
In the wake of the review this will be used to meet the new requirement for enhanced AGR training to be delivered as an integral part of PASMA’s industry standard Towers for Users course. Following the review it is now mandatory for all PASMA approved training centres to provide practical, as well as theoretical, training in the use of both Advance Guardrail (AGR) and Through the Trap (3T) methods of assembling, altering and dismantling towers.
The decision to empower Council to make grants to members for the purchase of Advance Guardrail towers is the latest in a series of measures introduced by the Association following the publication of the review, which was carried out in collaboration with the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and carries a foreword by the regulator.
CPD Seminars
From the outset, PASMA was determined to explain the implications and make clear that when used in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions and guidance, both systems offered an acceptable safe method of work, with AGR systems providing comprehensive fall protection, and the 3T system using conventional components to minimise the risk of a fall.
It therefore arranged a nationwide series of CPD seminars – compulsory for all PASMA instructors – to ensure that its instructors fully understood both the content and consequences of the review. These seminars provided knowledge and information about the latest developments in Advance Guardrail towers, with the focus on the latest generation of integral AGR products.
Towers for Users Course
Next, the Association introduced into its industry standard Towers for Users course, a mandatory section, both theoretical and practical, devoted to AGR towers. Importantly, attendees are now marked on their understanding of Advance Guardrail towers in exactly the same way as 3T towers. Equal weight and content is given to both, and successful attendees leave with the skills and instruction necessary – and a certificate and photo card – to use the two methods safely and competently on site.
AGRs for Towers for Users
Finally, the Association has recently launched a new training module – available nationally through its approved training centres – intended to supplement, but not replace, the Towers for Users course. This stand alone module focuses entirely on safety and best practice when using Advance Guardrail mobile access towers. It is specifically geared towards tower owners and users wishing to acquire a more in-depth understanding of AGR systems and techniques.
Comments PASMA’s managing director, Peter Bennett: “All these initiatives have been universally welcomed as positive steps towards raising the standard and scope of PASMA training.
“Having said that, it has meant that PASMA training centres have been compelled to invest in additional equipment in order to comply with the new directives. Following the EGM, Council is now empowered to make grants to PASMA training centres to help mitigate the cost of upgrading tower equipment used for training. “
“In the current economic climate Council felt it was right and proper to assist members in this proactive, practical way. Trading conditions are demanding and this is a tangible way in which the Association can help and support its members to ensure that both systems are properly and equally represented in all aspects of the Association’s work.”
Via: Press Release Jason Gibbs “York Way, Kings Cross, London Staircase” Video
Jason Gibbs
Advanced Scaffolder Jason Gibbs has set up a You Tube Channel in the hope of sharing to the world his day to day experiences of working as a scaffolder.
The series of videos gives you a first hand look into the world of a working scaffolder. Over the coming months you will see some of the great places he has worked and the sights he has seen from some of the tallest buildings in London.
httpv://youtu.be/JvHOKA8Vkz4
Jason’s Comments: Basing out and putting in the Beamwork for the start of a 140ft high Tube and Fitting Staircase… with another to be based later in the week on the same site thats 260ft high – which could be one of, if not the biggest Tube and Fitting Staircase in the world.
Follow and subscribe to Jason’s You Tube Channel for more great videos.
