Kent County Council discussed and agreed the new charges on Wednesday to the dismay of local businesses who say this is nothing more than a way of generating more cash.
The Managing director of a local scaffolding firm said:
“We could do without any cost increases at the moment. It’s really tough out there and really tough keeping people employed.”
While he welcomed the introduction of charges for site inspections in principle, he believed it would unfairly target companies that played by the rules, while the “fly by nights” would continue to flout them.
“Reputable companies are hauled over the coals and less legitimate organisations seem to be able to ride roughshod over the system,” he said.
“Rather than go after reputable companies I feel a bit more time driving out the others would make everybody’s life a lot safer.”
Managing director of the NASC (National Access and Scaffolding Federation), Robin James, said: “This looks like an attempt to recoup costs, possibly due to Government subsidy cutbacks.
“Are the price rises justifiable in the current climate? Obviously not, but whether it’s the principal contractor paying or the subcontractor, the cost will simply be passed down the line.”
Have you noticed an increase in charges for pavement permits in your area ? Let us know in the comments below.
We have all seen them and worn them and by far the best gloves for all scaffolding tasks. i got at least 3 to 4 days work out of the gloves before holes started appearing.
Overall very comfortable to wear and retained grip even when wet.
Price: £1.10 each
ScaffMag Rating: 
The Swedish firm Blaklader have created a comfortable pair of gloves that provide a decent amount of protection. The gloves are made from synthetic leather and are a slip on design.
But like the Snickers gloves they fell short when used for erecting and dismantling scaffolding.
Price: £13.68 each
ScaffMag Rating: 
Another well known brand giant Dewalt provides a well rounded protective glove but comes with a huge price tag. The glove provides a gel palm with Toughgrip Reinforced palm and fingers and comes with Velcro straps around the wrists.
When i first wore the gloves they felt like what i call “riggers gloves” but performed well during everyday scaffolding tasks and lasted well over the review period. Saying this I can not ignore the fact that these gloves cost a small fortune and why I can only give them a 4 star rating.
Price: £25.38 each
ScaffMag Rating: 
The air ambulance landed at Sandown Park racecourse on Thursday, June 14, after a call that Network Rail workers had fallen about 15ft from scaffolding on a bridge they were working on.
The men, aged 49 and 52, were taken to St George’s Hospital in Tooting.
One had minor head injuries and the other sustained serious chest injuries, according to a spokesman for Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance.
Surrey Police closed the road for several hours as a result of the accident.
A spokesman for Network Rail said: “At about 10am on Thursday, two contractors working on behalf of Network Rail Infrastructure Projects fell from scaffolding being used on a rail bridge at Lower Green Road, Esher.
“Both men were taken to hospital. Network Rail will fully assist the contractor and the Health and Safety Executive in any subsequent investigation and wishes both men a speedy recovery.”
The Health and Safety Executive confirmed it was aware of the incident and had launched an investigation.
Via: 
Apex Scaffolding Services (Sussex) was fined £3,000 for safety failings after Joe Murphy, 31, fell to his death in Washington Avenue, St Leonards on Sea.
Director Michael Walsh, from Hastings, and Leslie Hustwayte, a supervisor from St Leonards, were fined £1,500 and £2,000 respectively.
Hastings magistrates ordered them to pay £2,500 costs each, and Apex £5,000.
The court heard the company, based at Court House, Hooe, Battle, had been in trouble over unsafe working practices even before Mr Murphy’s death in August 2009.
In December 2008 the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) issued a Prohibition Notice against the firm and some employees relating to safety breaches on scaffolding.
‘Missing’ hand rails
Such a notice requires work to stop until the issue has been resolved.
But the executive said poor attitude to safety in the organisation had continued.
HSE representatives told Hastings magistrates that Mr Murphy had been constructing a scaffold “over-roof” at the property in St Leonards when he had fallen.
The executive was not able to establish how far he had fallen, but it said an investigation had identified “a number of defects” with the scaffolding at the site, including missing hand rails and incomplete scaffold platforms.
The charges against Apex and Walsh related to a failure to ensure the safety of workers at height and inadequate supervision.
Hustwayte was also prosecuted for failing to use adequate safety equipment.
The company and individuals had pleaded guilty to all charges at a previous hearing.
HSE inspector Melvyn Stancliffe said after the hearing: “HSE and the scaffolding industry have worked together to produce easy-to-follow guidance to help contractors ensure their scaffolding is safe.
“So there is no excuse for compromising safety, as was clearly the case here.”
Via:
