Harsco specialises in providing access, formwork, shoring and site support products and services for construction and industrial maintenance applications and the new website gives an introduction to each of these areas.
Three long-established Harsco group companies were brought together to create Harsco Infrastructure – SGB and Hünnebeck in Europe and the Middle and Far East, and Patent in North, Central and South America.
The website reflects the tremendous pool of expertise which this created and underlines Harsco’s ability to use that engineering and applications knowledge to provide cost-effective and proven solutions which meet the safety, programming and budgetary criteria of any project.
Many different types of products and services are referenced on the new website.
For construction projects these range from access equipment, roofing, forming and shoring through to safety equipment, training and logistics, while access, insulation, blasting, painting, fireproofing and encapsulation services are detailed for industrial projects.
The website provides a valuable reference to this unique multi-product offering and these details are complemented by a range of international project case studies which showcase the scope of Harsco’s abilities.
While the company’s various product ranges are outlined on the site, Harsco’s innovative approach to developing bespoke solutions for individual customers is also highlighted.
The site also offers links to other Harsco websites which serve the European and American markets.
For more details please visit www.harsco-i.co.uk U.K. Edition
On Tuesday 11 April 2006, just after noon, an independent tied perimeter scaffold collapsed at McAleer & Rushe construction site in Milton Keynes.
The collapse started on the West Elevation (facing Witan Gate), with a partial collapse of the North Elevation (facing Midsummer Boulevard). The scaffold collapse was contained within the Jury’s Inn site boundary. Three workers who were on the scaffold sustained multiple injuries. Sadly, one worker, John Robinson, died 3 days later in hospital.
In 2006 the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) issued a safety alert to the construction industry following this incident. The warning aims to alert those working on similar projects to the importance of their arrangements to provide and maintain stable scaffolds. HSE recommends that those arrangements are reviewed regularly.
Two construction firms involved in the major scaffolding collapse at Milton were ordered to pay £126,000 for their role in the incident which left one man dead and two others seriously injured.
John Robinson, and his son Mark, were working on the Jury’s Inn site in Witan Gate, Milton Keynes alongside Ivan Penkov. All three men were on the 40-metre-high scaffolding when it collapsed.
They fell to the ground and were trapped under rubble until rescue workers could reach them.
Father of three, John Robinson, 49, was taken to hospital suffering from serious injuries to his left leg. Three days later he died from a pulmonary embolism, as a result of the damage to his leg.
John’s son Mark Robinson suffered a punctured lung, broken vertebra and ribs and significant cuts and bruising in the fall. He was unable to work for a period after the incident.
Ivan Penkov suffered serious fractures to his legs and arms and spent a month in hospital recovering. He has undergone a number of operations and has had to re-train as a draftsman.
In Huntingdon Crown Court, the principal contractor on the Jury’s Inn site, McAleer & Rushe Limited of Cookstown, N.Ireland was fined £90,000 and ordered to pay costs of £42,000. The cladder on the site, Lee Smith Carpentry Limited of Romsey, Hampshire was fined £36,000 and ordered to pay costs of £28,000.
The court heard that a combination of failures led to the scaffolding collapse. The scaffolding was not strong or stable enough for the work being carried out. Inspection of the scaffold was also inadequate, despite specific instructions from HSE and McAleer’s health and safety manager.
HSE Principal Inspector Stephen Hartley said:
“John Robinson lost his life in this incident and two others have had their lives changed forever as a result. It’s a wonder that more people weren’t hurt.
“It is totally unacceptable for companies to disregard the safety of their workers. If the scaffolding had been designed, erected and managed properly, this incident would never have happened.”
McAleer & Rushe Limited had earlier pleaded guilty to breaching section 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety At Work etc Act 1974. Lee Smith Carpentry Limited had admitted four breaches of health and safety regulations.
John Robinson’s widow, Christine Robinson, said: “John was a kind, caring man who lived for his family. My children and I have not come to terms with his death; we don’t understand why it had to happen.
“This incident should never have happened if both companies had ensured the safety of those working for them. Every day I miss John so much – my best friend, my soul mate and my future.”
James Elliott allowed the farm to be constructed in underground tunnels at his premises at Walcot Fen, near Billinghay, aiming to make £1,500 a week for himself.
When detectives raided the site in January last year, they discovered 138 cannabis plants growing in underground chambers.
The sophisticated system, designed to grow cannabis on a commercial basis, was using 61 transformers and 80 halogen bulbs.
Mark Watson, prosecuting, said “The value of the cannabis plants seized was £23,000. The potential from this enterprise was 21.6kg per year which, if sold, would amount to £75,600 a year.”
Elliott later told police that, at the time, his scaffolding business was in financial difficulties and he saw the chance to make some money.
He said he was approached by two people who set up the system, and he was expecting an income of £1,500 to £2,000 a week.
Elliott, 48, of Cherry Gates, Walcot Fen, near Billinghay, admitted unlawful production of cannabis.
Judge Sean Morris told him: “This was a professionally built, hidden subterranean factory that would have turned out £75,000 of skunk cannabis a year on to the streets, creating more crime and costing the country more money.
“You were clearly a manager and organiser. Professional, organised drug producers get proper sentences.”
Richard Marshall, defending, said: “He runs a small scaffolding company. At the end of 2009, things were very difficult. He was approached by another party, a man he had known from school.
“Mr Elliott was targeted because he owns a relatively remote house which happens to have a barn attached.
“He knew nothing about cannabis or cannabis growing. He played very little part in the operation other than visiting the plants two or three times a week.”
Mr Marshall said that, at the time of the police raid, the plants had yet to yield a harvest of cannabis.
He said: “Ironically his business has since turned the corner and things are looking a lot brighter than they were 18 months ago.”
Mr Marshall said both Elliott’s wife and son were employed by his business and would lose their jobs if he were jailed.
Via: www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk 
The incident occurred in the Mianshan Mountain area, a scenic spot near Jiexiu City at around 8:30 a.m. Thursday, when the scaffolding collapsed on a bus station under construction, killing six workers at the site, Jiexiu city government said in a statement.
Three other workers injured have been admitted to hospital, it said.
An investigation into the cause of the accident is underway. 
His wagon flattened part of the South Tyneside Homes HQ in Jarrow when it ploughed into the entrance.
Mr Robertson, 44, claims he smashed into the building where dozens work after his contract was terminated by the housing company which, he said, led to his scaffolding firm going under.
Upset at losing his business, Mr Robertson said he drove into the grounds of Strathmore House at Viking Industrial Park and rammed into a company car.
He said he then reversed his 22ft company wagon into the entrance and did not stop until the whole vehicle was submerged.
The dad-of-four allegedly waited outside for the police to arrive so he could explain why he caused the damage.
Mr Robertson, from Jarrow, said: “I know what I did was wrong, but I did it anyway. They destroyed my business.
“I only had one customer, which was them, and we had an agreement that I had the exclusive rights to do all of their scaffolding work. I used to turn away business so I could dedicate myself to them.
“Then, one day, they called me up and said they weren’t going to use me anymore. Well, that was it for my company. I had to let all 20 workers go.”
Mr Robertson claims STH agreed a five-year contract with his Hebburn-based company, Robertson Scaffolding LTD, in 2008. He added STH terminated the contract in November last year.
Mr Robertson drove one of his wagons to the housing headquarters in Rolling Mill Road, which oversees housing repairs and maintenance across South Tyneside, including the Decent Homes programme.
After crashing into the building he was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage but has not yet been charged with any offences.
He is due to answer police bail later this month.
Mr Robertson, who lives with wife Susan in York Avenue, added: “When I drove over there I just wanted to leave my wagon in front of the entrance so they could see it in the morning.
“But then I saw an electric company car, so I smashed into it. After that looked at the entrance and decided to reverse into that as well.
“I waited outside and smoked two cigarettes until the police showed up.
“I had no intention of running away.
“I wanted to tell them what I did and why I did it.
“I told them everything in my police interview.”
Workers were drafted in on the morning after the accident to repair the damaged entrance.
A police spokeswoman said: “A 44-year-old man from Jarrow has been questioned and bailed after a vehicle was driven into Strathmoor House on March 20.
“He was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.”
A spokesman for STH refused to comment on claims the company terminated Mr Robertson’s contract, but chief executive Isobel Riley said: “We are currently assisting the police with their investigation into the incident.”
Some contractors have struggled to unravel what is classified as a “basic” scaffold and what is deemed more complicated requiring more detailed design work under the new standard.
The standard TG20:08 details how tube and fitting scaffolding can be erected to comply with the European standard BS EN 12811-1, which supersedes BS 5973.
It has been in force since the start of the year, but much of the industry is still in a muddle about the details that define how the design should be classified to comply with the new regulations.
The new guide has been issued by the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation in an effort to educate the wider industry and demystify TG20.
The interactive programme provides a 3D picture which can be edited, adapted and customised.
Once inputted scaffold managers and estimators can determine whether a scaffold passes or fails the criteria for a ‘basic scaffold’.
If it does not meet the criteria of a ‘basic scaffold’ the check clearly identifies where a scaffold does and does not meet the requirements allowing users to modify the design until compliant.
It can be directly ordered from the NASC by visiting