Linda Clarke, Professor of European Industrial Relations at Westminster University, is calling for former or retired builders to contact her for the oral history project.
“The work of architects in the 50s and 60s is pretty well known”, said Professor Clarke.
“There are plenty of sound archives in the British Library about archi tects. But very little has been recorded about the builders. Yet they were equally proud of their achievements and concerned with the quality of their work.”
The history project has been funded by the Leverhulme Foundation and will record the lives of 50 or 60 workers.
Veteran construction worker Vic Heath, now in his 70s, has already been interviewed. He was a leading communist and was a scaffolder on the Barbican estate development who later became a shop steward with Camden Council’s Direct Labour force.
There were many disputes among the men working on the Barbican development. They held the first ever action over the handling by workers of deadly asbestos. They were not paid well compared to today and there were disputes over bonuses.
Professor Clarke added: “There was little in the way of the health and safety regime that we know today. That didn’t come in until 1974.”
Construction teams were often made up from sizeable pockets of Irish, Caribbean and Sikh labour. If you worked on the Barbican estate, South Bank arts centre, Stevenage New Town, Sizewell A power station, or the Northfleet power station, please email Professor Clarke at [email protected] or telephone her on 0207 911 5000 ext 3158.
Via: www.islingtontribune.com U.K. Edition
AN URGENT safety probe halted construction work on the £400 million revamp of New Street Station after scaffolding collapsed in high winds, it has been revealed.
Around 250 workers were laid off for two-and-a-half weeks to enable an investigation to take place after Network Rail ordered a suspension of all construction activity.
Contractors were warned that the safety measures surrounding the scaffolding which collapsed – on the south side of the station complex near Station Street – were “unacceptable.”
Ben Herbert, Communications Manager for Network Rail, said: “We stopped work on January 12. There were things we were not happy with, and rather than let them escalate, we wanted to take action immediately.
“There was an incident with some scaffolding which partly collapsed. It happened in the middle of the night in a non-public area and there was no injury.” 
RESIDENTS in Coltness, Wishaw, have raised concerns after what they feared was “unsafe” scaffolding had been erected around a block of flats.
The householders contacted the Wishaw Press regarding the scaffolding around a block in Coldstream Crescent at the weekend.
They claim the scaffolding poses a potential risk to children as it is easy for them to climb up.
They say the bottom rung is just two feet off the ground.
However, council bosses say the scaffolding complied with Health and Safety rules.
It was due to be taken down yesterday (Tuesday) as we went to press.
A resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “Last September a five-year-old boy was seriously injured after falling from similar scaffolding on another block nearby.
“He fractured his skull and also broke his wrist.
“I think this was because the scaffolding – like the latest set to be put up – was far too easy to access.
“I believe that the bottom rung should be at least six feet off the ground and accessible only with ladders and by the people who should be carrying out work.
“That way children – who through natural curiosity are drawn to construction sites – would be unable to climb up the scaffold and potential accidents would be avoided.”
The resident continued: “On the previous occasion the scaffold was erected for quite some time before any work was carried out.
“This latest lot was put up on Saturday and by late Monday afternoon I hadn’t witnessed anyone carrying out any work there.
“Hopefully, the work will be completed and the scaffolding taken away promptly.
“The last thing we want to see is another youngster getting seriously injured.”
A spokesperson for North Lanarkshire Council said: “The scaffolding was put up on Sunday and the work will be completed and the scaffolding removed by Tuesday (yesterday) afternoon.
“As with all other scaffolding work, it was erected in accordance with Health and Safety guidelines.” 
Richard Lascelles was sentenced to 175 hours community service after pleading guilty to a breach of the Companies Act and a breach of the Insolvency Act in the Christchurch District Court today.
The 39 year old continued to be involved in the management of Independent Scaffolding Supplies Limited, which traded as “Advanced Scaffolding” after October 2008, despite being prohibited from acting as a director in September 2008 and being judged a bankrupt in October the same year.
Graham Burke, president of SARNZ, today hit out at the “paltry” sentence given to Mr Lascelles, who he says cynically under-cut competitors in the industry.
“There is no place in the scaffolding industry for the likes of Mr Lascelles and we are disappointed at the light sentence handed down. The judge had the opportunity to send a message to those cowboys working in the industry that this practice would not be tolerated and it is frustrating that Mr Lascelles has been let off so lightly.
“He threatens our vision to ensure the highest professional standards in the industry. These standards are not just about doing a good job, but maintaining a reputation.”
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The Forum comprises the nine principal trade associations and federations committed to advancing safety, best practice and competency when working at height. At IOSH 11 it will promote its key message of ‘Work safely and competently at height using appropriate equipment with personnel professionally trained to industry-recognised standards’.
From its stand, F95, all 9 members will be on hand to provide advice and guidance on all matters relating to working at height.
On day 1 (15th March) through out the whole day the AIF will also present various topics relating to current working at height topical matters in Spotlight Theatre 2. At 3.30pm in the theatre the NASC will be detailing the changes to the recent guidance introduction SG4:10 and also reiterate the implications of TG20:08. The NASC will also be taking part in the “Ask the Experts” question and answer session at 12.30pm.
IOSH is the chartered body for health and safety professionals. With more than 35,000 members in 85 countries, it is the world’s biggest professional health and safety organisation. Founded in 1945, it is a registered charity with international NGO status and an independent not-for-profit organisation.
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