GATESHEAD, UK – Heerema Fabrication Group is using Pyeroy scaffolding during the fabrication of the Ensign platform in Hartlepool, UK. The 700 metric ton (772 ton) jacket and 550 metric ton (606 ton) topside module are for Centrica.
The Seaharvester-type platform will go 80 km off the Norfolk coast to Ensign gas field, and is scheduled to come onstream in the second half of this year.
Scaffolder Dean Marden died back in March (View our past report on this) while erecting scaffolding in Ryde, Isle of Wight.The investigation by the Health & Safety Executive is still under way.
Deans mother Molly, is supporting and urging other scaffolders and tradesmen on the Island to attend a series of Health & Safety workshops.
She said “Losing Dean has been a total tragedy for our family and friends. He has left a hole in our lives that we will never be able to fill. We would encourage other scaffolders and builders to do anything to avoid becoming a victim of this kind of accident, and support the training events organised on the Island. We urge people to attend.”
The Health and Safety Executive is organising the free events, taking place on 20 and 21 July on the Island.
The HSE are concerned that Island tradesman aren’t being responsible ,and said “The gut feeling is that the overall standards on the Isle of Wight for safety in construction are probably lower than on the mainland.
“If they don’t turn up to the event, the people who really suffer are themselves and their families because accidents will come.”
To confirm attendance, please email [email protected] by 15 July 2011. For more information, please call Nicola on 01983 535 208.
Related Stories: Man in serious condition after 35ft Scaffolding fall , Man dies after falling 35ft from scaffolding
Since the Work at Height Regulations 2005 came into force the industry have seen rapid growth of innovative safety products that are collectively improving safety standards.
Over the coming months I will highlight some of these innovations in a series of featured posts.
ScaffGap ‘The Scaffold Platform Gap Bridging System’
When a scaffold is erected with inside boards you always have that ‘age-old’ problem with the gaps between the standards. The measures previously to combat this hazard were strips of plywood cut down and nailed to scaffold boards which intern causing a trip hazard…not anymore!
ScaffGap solves this ‘age old’ problem using there simple but effective Scaffold Platform Gap Bridging System. The product which is made from 100% PVC-U is strong lightweight, reusable and recyclable.
ScaffGap’s conception was born out of the requirement to address the serious inherent risks on working platforms. It has taken two years of research and development to reach their final production of ScaffGap.
ScaffGap has an international patent pending and design copyright.
ScaffGap limited was founded in July 2009, The two directors and shareholders have over 30 years experience in the scaffolding industry and are both practising health and safety professionals. ScaffGap was also a finalist in the SHP IOSH awards 2009
ScaffGap’s ultimate aim is to incorporate the product into a working platform as an every day integral component, as is toe-boards and guard-rails.
There product will provide a safe solution to the millions of people who use scaffold platforms as a daily place of work, thereby reduce the risk of injury.
The product is already being widely used and recognized by some of the largest and leading UK scaffold companies which include: Cape Industrial Services, Hertel, NSG UK Ltd, Palmers Scaffolding, Trad Scaffolding and Benchmark Scaffolding to name but a few.
For more information on ScaffGap please visit there website: www.ScaffGap.com
George Roberts NW Ltd is the sole distributor of ScaffGap please visits there website for prices: www.scaffoldingsales.co.uk
Written By Daniel Norton
Do you have a Scaffold Innovation you think we would be interested in featuring ?
Eddie Fowler,28,was killed when a scaffold board blew off scaffolding in high winds causing massive head injures.Charlestown Centre where Eddie Fowler died on the site
G & T Crampton was fined €100,000 for the man’s death
Dublin Criminal Court heard that the accident happened during the construction of Charlestown Center in Finglas in January 2007. Mr Fowler was on his way to his tea break when he was struck on the head by the flying scaffold board.
On the day of the incident record high winds were recorded and severe weather warning were issued.
A Health and Safety inspector said workers should not of been allowed into that section of the site.
It was only after Mr Fowler was struck by the scaffold board that the decision to evacuate the site was taken.
The court heard that T & G Crampton was aware of problems with scaffold boards blowing off in lesser winds and would of been aware of the severe weather warnings issued.
T & G Crampton apologised and expressed its ‘profound regret’ for the death of Mr Fowler.
Judge Martin Nolan said “This was a very sad case and added that the company had made the wrong judgement on the day to allow workers on the site while knowing the risks of scaffold boards being lifted by the extreme weather on the day.”
Mr Fowler’s mother and his widow said the company had ‘walked away’. The fine amounted to two years’ salary for a worker, they said, asking if that was the price put on a life.
Scaffolding manufacturer Layher reported a turnover last year that almost matched the company’s peak year.Managing director Dr Helmut Kreller toldAccess International that Layher’s family ownership allowed it to maintain investment through the crisis and make a quick recovery.
At the start of the crisis Layher was deciding to build a new factory. “It is because all our shareholders are close to the business that we can make long term decisions,” said Dr Kreller.
The new factory now houses the wood and aluminium part of Layher’s production while the steel scaffolding continues at the original plant, very close by, with its modern, environmentally sensitive, dip galvanising facility.
Although unwilling to divulge exact figures Layher’s turnover for the year ending 31 March 2011 is somewhere between €400 and €500 million. During the crisis its domestic German market grew, but now Dr Kreller says that exports are again starting to rise, accounting for 60% of the company’s turnover.
Committed to continuing to manufacturing in Germany, Dr Kreller was prepared to acknowledge that Layher had considered manufacturing elsewhere, but should that decision be made sometime in the future it would only be to serve those external markets.
A construction worker died instantly after falling from a scaffolding in the city centre of Vienna at the weekend.
The 39-year-old was already dead when paramedics arrived at the scene on Saturday afternoon, police in the capital explained today (Mon).
The worker sustained injuries to his head as well as internal injuries in the incident.
A Poole construction company has been sentenced after a carpenter was seriously injured when he fell three metres off scaffolding while working on a house extension.Michael McCarthy, 60, from Verwood, was contracted by P O Sharps Landscapes Ltd to construct the roof of the extension at a property in Radipole Road in the town.
The extension was being built above an existing garage which protruded out beyond the face of the main building causing a step in the scaffold at roof level of the garage.
On 20 September 2008, Mr McCarthy descended the ladder and stepped backwards over the open edge, falling three metres and fracturing his spine and ankles.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuting at Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court, found the platform had no guardrails, and a ladder used to access the working platform above was positioned outward, forcing anybody using the ladder to stand backward at the unguarded edge.
P O Sharps Landscapes pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005, and was fined £4,000 and ordered to pay costs of £4,000.
After the hearing HSE inspector Frank Flannery commented:
“Falls from height can cause significant and life-changing injuries and duty holders must take steps to prevent falls wherever possible.
“Mr McCarthy’s injuries are serious and permanent: he has a steel rod in his back, steel pins in his right ankle, and left foot/heel. He suffers with chronic pain and has no prospect of working again. This incident could easily have been prevented by erecting guardrails along the platform.”
In 2008/2009 more than 4,000 major injuries were caused by falls from height at work. More information about working at height can be found on the HSE website at:http://www.hse.gov.uk/falls/index.htm
A SCAFFOLDER was taken to hospital with a head injury after he was in collision with a bus in Sheffield.The man was walking along a street in Walkley carrying scaffolding tubes on his shoulder when he turned and one of the tubes clipped a number 52 bus, causing him to fall and hit his head.
The incident happened at 9.22am yesterday on South Road, near the junction with Walkley Bank Road.
A South Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said the man, in his 20s, was taken to hospital.
She said: “The collision occurred on Walkley Road near the junction of South Road. The injured man was working at the location and was carrying some scaffolding. As he turned around the scaffolding clipped the top corner of the bus, causing him to fall to the ground and bang his head on the pavement.”
A spokesman for First said: “A workman was carrying some scaffolding poles on his shoulder when he turned and they stuck out into the road striking a bus.”
A BANKRUPT former scaffolding company boss who caused almost £160,000 damage after smashing his lorry into the headquarters of South Tyneside Homes, today vowed to rebuild his life after receiving a suspended prison sentence.John Robertson, 44, drove his 22ft lorry into Strathmore House, at Jarrow’s Viking Industrial Park, on March 20, demolishing much of the entrance to the building.
The offence followed a contract row between housing bosses and Robertson, who later filed for bankruptcy, with debts of about £1.3m.
But despite receiving a 40-week prison term, suspended for two years, at Newcastle Crown Court this week, Robertson today told the Gazette he was planning to relaunch his business career as a sole trader.
Robertson, of York Avenue, Jarrow, who admitted criminal damage, said: “I’m just so relieved, for myself and my family, that I didn’t go to jail – which was what I was expecting, if I’m honest.
“I cannot be in charge of a limited company again, because I’m bankrupt, but I can be a sole trader.
“I’m going to start right from the bottom and carry out work such as scaffolding inspection, roofing or whatever work I can find.
“I will never get back to where I was with my business, but at least I can work again, with the support of some good friends.”
Robertson, who was also ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid community service and made the subject of a one-year supervision order, recently saw his life and business crash around him, including bankruptcy and an impending divorce.
Until a few months ago, he employed 20 staff at Robertson Scaffolding at Wagonway Industrial Estate, Hebburn.
But his business has been dissolved and he admits his marriage is over.
Robertson said he “regrets” his actions against South Tyneside Homes, adding: “I have no bad feelings against the housing people and would even be willing to do business with them again.
“I think the judge must have taken all my problems into account when he sentenced me. Plus, there was no request for compensation, presumably because I’m bankrupt.”
While awaiting sentence, Robertson received 767 votes after standing as an Independent candidate for the Primrose ward in Jarrow at the May local elections, and plans to continue campaigning to become a South Tyneside councillor.
South Tyneside Homes today declined to comment.
Access Industry Forum has been supplying online video for free for over a year and now has almost 50 best practice video available to view, free. Almost 8000 people have now viewed the videos and recognise them as a successful method of remaining up to date on issues and topics surrounding the area of working at height.
The Knowledge Base is where best practice and latest developments are presented and discussed on all matters relating to working at height. Furthermore the Knowledge Base also introduces a new concept, that of stakeholder engagement via top table discussion forums to discuss broader (non-product specific) working at height issues. Participating organisations in the Knowledge Base include CIOB, RoSPA, UKCG, Association for Project Safety and IOSH.
All the Knowledge Base sessions are filmed and supplied by AIF online for free to enable practitioners and other industry stakeholders to review the content to ensure they remain up to date with objective and factual information on working at height issues.
The Knowledge Base is updated regularly. If you have a suggestion for a topic for the Knowledge Base please contact the AIF.
The investigation by the Health & Safety Executive is still under way.
Deans mother Molly, is supporting and urging other scaffolders and tradesmen on the Island to attend a series of Health & Safety workshops.
She said “Losing Dean has been a total tragedy for our family and friends. He has left a hole in our lives that we will never be able to fill. We would encourage other scaffolders and builders to do anything to avoid becoming a victim of this kind of accident, and support the training events organised on the Island. We urge people to attend.”
The Health and Safety Executive is organising the free events, taking place on 20 and 21 July on the Island.
The HSE are concerned that Island tradesman aren’t being responsible ,and said “The gut feeling is that the overall standards on the Isle of Wight for safety in construction are probably lower than on the mainland.
“If they don’t turn up to the event, the people who really suffer are themselves and their families because accidents will come.”
To confirm attendance, please email [email protected] by 15 July 2011. For more information, please call Nicola on 01983 535 208.
Related Stories: Man in serious condition after 35ft Scaffolding fall , Man dies after falling 35ft from scaffolding
When a scaffold is erected with inside boards you always have that ‘age-old’ problem with the gaps between the standards. The measures previously to combat this hazard were strips of plywood cut down and nailed to scaffold boards which intern causing a trip hazard…not anymore!
ScaffGap solves this ‘age old’ problem using there simple but effective Scaffold Platform Gap Bridging System. The product which is made from 100% PVC-U is strong lightweight, reusable and recyclable.
ScaffGap’s conception was born out of the requirement to address the serious inherent risks on working platforms. It has taken two years of research and development to reach their final production of ScaffGap.
ScaffGap has an international patent pending and design copyright.
Managing director Dr Helmut Kreller toldAccess International that Layher’s family ownership allowed it to maintain investment through the crisis and make a quick recovery.
At the start of the crisis Layher was deciding to build a new factory. “It is because all our shareholders are close to the business that we can make long term decisions,” said Dr Kreller.
The new factory now houses the wood and aluminium part of Layher’s production while the steel scaffolding continues at the original plant, very close by, with its modern, environmentally sensitive, dip galvanising facility.
Although unwilling to divulge exact figures Layher’s turnover for the year ending 31 March 2011 is somewhere between €400 and €500 million. During the crisis its domestic German market grew, but now Dr Kreller says that exports are again starting to rise, accounting for 60% of the company’s turnover.
Committed to continuing to manufacturing in Germany, Dr Kreller was prepared to acknowledge that Layher had considered manufacturing elsewhere, but should that decision be made sometime in the future it would only be to serve those external markets.
A construction worker died instantly after falling from a scaffolding in the city centre of Vienna at the weekend.
The 39-year-old was already dead when paramedics arrived at the scene on Saturday afternoon, police in the capital explained today (Mon).
The worker sustained injuries to his head as well as internal injuries in the incident.
John Robertson, 44, drove his 22ft lorry into Strathmore House, at Jarrow’s Viking Industrial Park, on March 20, demolishing much of the entrance to the building.
The offence followed a contract row between housing bosses and Robertson, who later filed for bankruptcy, with debts of about £1.3m.
But despite receiving a 40-week prison term, suspended for two years, at Newcastle Crown Court this week, Robertson today told the Gazette he was planning to relaunch his business career as a sole trader.
Robertson, of York Avenue, Jarrow, who admitted criminal damage, said: “I’m just so relieved, for myself and my family, that I didn’t go to jail – which was what I was expecting, if I’m honest.
“I cannot be in charge of a limited company again, because I’m bankrupt, but I can be a sole trader.
“I’m going to start right from the bottom and carry out work such as scaffolding inspection, roofing or whatever work I can find.
“I will never get back to where I was with my business, but at least I can work again, with the support of some good friends.”
Robertson, who was also ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid community service and made the subject of a one-year supervision order, recently saw his life and business crash around him, including bankruptcy and an impending divorce.
Until a few months ago, he employed 20 staff at Robertson Scaffolding at Wagonway Industrial Estate, Hebburn.
But his business has been dissolved and he admits his marriage is over.
Robertson said he “regrets” his actions against South Tyneside Homes, adding: “I have no bad feelings against the housing people and would even be willing to do business with them again.
“I think the judge must have taken all my problems into account when he sentenced me. Plus, there was no request for compensation, presumably because I’m bankrupt.”
While awaiting sentence, Robertson received 767 votes after standing as an Independent candidate for the Primrose ward in Jarrow at the May local elections, and plans to continue campaigning to become a South Tyneside councillor.
South Tyneside Homes today declined to comment.
Access Industry Forum has been supplying online video for free for over a year and now has almost 50 best practice video available to view, free. Almost 8000 people have now viewed the videos and recognise them as a successful method of remaining up to date on issues and topics surrounding the area of working at height.
The Knowledge Base is where best practice and latest developments are presented and discussed on all matters relating to working at height. Furthermore the Knowledge Base also introduces a new concept, that of stakeholder engagement via top table discussion forums to discuss broader (non-product specific) working at height issues. Participating organisations in the Knowledge Base include CIOB, RoSPA, UKCG, Association for Project Safety and IOSH.
All the Knowledge Base sessions are filmed and supplied by AIF online for free to enable practitioners and other industry stakeholders to review the content to ensure they remain up to date with objective and factual information on working at height issues.
The Knowledge Base is updated regularly. If you have a suggestion for a topic for the Knowledge Base please contact the AIF.