Strong winds cause Crewe’s indoor market to shut up shop after falling scaffold boards

CREWE’S indoor market was forced to close over safety fears due to the strong winds. The decision was taken today (Monday, February 7) after two short wooden boards from scaffolding on the roof of the adjoining Municipal Buildings blew off onto the roof of the market shortly before 11am. Although there were no injuries and the roof was not damaged, a decision was quickly taken by Cheshire East Council to close the market on the grounds of safety to traders and the public. The market will remain closed until this risk has been removed and the wind has died down sufficiently A spokesman for Cheshire East Council said: “Four workers from subcontractors responsible for the scaffolding are currently on site ensuring all scaffolding is secure. “They will remain there to monitor and maintain safety throughout the day. “Council staff are also on hand to explain the situation to the public and keep them away from the market.” Via: www.crewechronicle.co.uk

Bromley High Street cordon removed after high winds on scaffolding works

EMERGENCY services were called to deal with unsafe scaffolding at a charity shop in Bromley High Street. The police cordoned off one side of the street from Starbucks up to the Alliance & Leicester just after midday after they received a call to say the structure at Barnado’s looked dangerous. Fire crews worked on the scaffolding and then declared it safe at around 1pm. The cordon was then removed. Via: www.newsshopper.co.uk

Premier Security Glazing Ltd fined £5k for worker’s scaffold fall

A GLAZING firm from Yorkshire has been fined more than £5,000 after an employee broke his wrist while working on a York house. Philip Pears fell about ten feet from a scaffolding tower outside a house in York in June 2009, while working for Premier Security Glazing Ltd, based in Sheffield. York Magistrates’ Court heard two tower scaffolds had been erected ten feet apart, with wooden boards creating a makeshift platform between them. Mr Pears, then 20, climbed a ladder on to the platform which slipped, and he fell three-and-a-half metres, breaking his wrist and bruising his back on the pavement below. Sarah Lee, from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), said: “The dangers of working from poorly-erected tower scaffolds are well known and are responsible for many injuries each year. “Had the company followed widely-available guidance from HSE, the manufacturer’s instructions, or the findings of the company’s own safety audit then this incident could have been easily prevented.” The court heard the company had employed a risk adviser some months before the incident, and received a health and safety audit on its systems of work, including recommendations for safe working at height and the correct use of tower scaffolds, but had not implemented these recommendations. The firm, of Marriot Road, Swinton, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974 by failing to ensure the safety of their employees and was fined £2,500 with £2,644.90 costs. Via: www.yorkpress.co.uk

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Scaffolder’s fatal fall ‘a tragic accident’

The death of a Highland scaffolder who fell 130ft from an oil rig was an “unforeseeable tragedy” that could not have been prevented with extra safety regulations, a sheriff has ruled. Lewis MacDonald, 35, died after falling from the Ocean Princess rig, which was docked at Invergordon harbour on the Cromarty Firth, on November 28, 2008. A fatal accident inquiry at Tain Sheriff Court last July heard evidence from colleagues who were working with him on the revamp and maintenance of the semi-submersible rig when he fell to his death. The inquiry was told that Mr MacDonald, of 39 Milnafua, Alness, fell to the sea below after stepping on a corroded metal grating on the deck of the rig, owned by Diamond Offshore Drilling. A scaffolding barrier was set up around the unsafe grating, while wooden planks were placed on most of the exposed patch. As Mr MacDonald was adjusting the scaffolding, he stepped on to an uncovered part of the grating, which gave way under his weight. In his official judgment, published yesterday, Sheriff David Sutherland called the death of the “skilled and experienced scaffolder”, who worked for Invergordon-based McDonald Scaffolding Services, a “tragic accident”. He said: “We will never know why Mr MacDonald chose to climb over the barrier rather than simply walk round about 30ft to the other side of the enclosed area. “Whatever the reason for his actions, they would appear to have been completely unforeseen and, I consider, unforeseeable in all the circumstances. “Given the evidence before me, I do not consider that either McDonald Scaffolding Services or Diamond Offshore Drilling should have taken any other prec- autions to avoid an accident.” A spokesman for Diamond Offshore Drilling said yesterday: “Our sympathies go out to the man’s family but we feel it would not be appropriate to make any further comment at this time.” No one from McDonald Scaffolding Services was available for comment last night. Via: www.pressandjournal.co.uk

Rolling roof underlines the versatility of Harsco’s comprehensive solution for Dutch university

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The ability of Harsco Infrastructure to provide a genuinely comprehensive combination of products and services for the construction industry has been highlighted by a recent project at Utrecht University’s new Faculty of Science building. In addition to a fully comprehensive formwork, shoring, encapsulation, mast-climbing, suspended and powered access, scaffolding, staircase & edge protection package, Harsco also provided the largest rolling roof of its type ever to be used in the Netherlands. “Although the rolling roof played a central role in Harsco’s contribution, our ability to act as a single-source supplier brought significant benefits to this project,” comments Arie van Dijk, Sales Manager, Harsco Infrastructure Construction Services BV “By providing a fully integrated solution we were able to ensure that each aspect was managed as efficiently as possible and also help maintain the highest safety standards on site.” Harsco worked closely with the main contractor, Hurks van der Linden, and with roofing system provider HAKI to create the HAKITEC 750 rolling roof which shielded the site from the weather so that construction work could remain on schedule. The roof was designed to be opened and closed by the on-site scaffolding team during the construction work so that materials could be craned into the building. Towards the end of the project, Harsco and HAKI also raised the 1,446 sq m roof by an extra storey to create sufficient space for the final construction stage to take place. Harsco Infrastructure is an approved supplier of HAKI’s temporary roof systems and accompanying shelter product range. Martin Van Putten, Managing Director of Harsco Infrastructure Construction Services in Holland, commented, “The HAKITEC 750 temporary roofing system has an unrivalled reputation for safety, ease of erection and speed of installation and is the product of choice for Harsco Europe. Therefore it was the only system we would have considered for this project. “Teamwork on such a challenging application is essential so the total support HAKI UK gave us, from design right through to installation of the system, was crucial to the success of the project.” Designed by the Dutch Hertzberger architecture studio, the striking new Faculty of Science building will house various scientific disciplines together under a huge open atrium. The atrium will eventually be topped by a large glass structure to create a striking landmark. Via: www.theconstructionindex.co.uk

Settlement for scaffolders ends Oak Creek power plant lawsuit

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Eight scaffolding workers who were injured in a February 2009 explosion at We Energies‘ Oak Creek power plant will get $16 million in a lawsuit settlement. The workers were injured while erecting scaffolding inside of a coal dust collector at the power plant. Coal dust in the collector ignited, injuring the nine workers. Within 10 days of the incident, the eight workers had hired Habush Habush & Rottier SC, of Milwaukee, and sued Wisconsin Electric Power Co., U.S. Fire Protection Inc. and their insurance companies. U.S. Fire Protection was a contractor involved in the project at the coal dust collector. Attorneys from Habush on Thursday announced the defendants agreed to a $16 million settlement of the case, which was scheduled to go to jury trial in May Via: The Business Journal

Lightning bolt hits scaffolding on nuclear site

A lightning strike caused temporary damage to the Dounreay nuclear site in Caithness, it has emerged. No-one was hurt, but a number of electronic systems for carrying out measurements and monitoring were affected and had to be repaired. Lightning hit scaffolding in the fuel cycle area, a high security zone with facilities once used to handle and store nuclear material and waste. The incident came during an electrical storm on 15 January. Dounreay Site Restoration Limited (DSRL) said the plant’s fire and ambulance service stepped up patrols for a time following the lightning strike. Environmental and radioactivity monitoring systems were unaffected by the incident, DSRL said. However, a number of electronic access systems such as turnstiles and fire detection surveillance were. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII) have been informed. Buildings in the fuel cycle area were built during the 1950s. Via: www.bbc.co.uk

Mini Walsall industrial estate project will create new scaffolding jobs

A derelict showroom in the Black Country will be converted into a mini industrial estate creating dozens of jobs, it can be revealed today. Four companies could take over the former Indigo Easyfit conservatories site in Walsall, close to junction 9 of the M6. Newly-formed home improvement company 1st Choice is hoping to start trading there in March, while Central Scaffold Services has also confirmed it intends to open a distribution hub at the West Bromwich Road site. The scaffolding company, which has 80 employees based at Friar Park Road, Wednesbury, has been running for 20 years and hopes the move will help the business expand. Both companies are planning to create new jobs. Two other companies are already in negotiations. Wayne Bottomer, managing director of 1st Choice, which will open a showroom for kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms and conservatories, said his company would initially look for five employees with more to follow. About 30 sub-contractors would also be needed. Speaking on behalf of Central Scaffold Services, run by managing director John Dyke, he said some staff would be transferred from the Wednesbury site but more employees would be sought. Mr Bottomer, who formed his company last October, said: “The importance for companies moving to this site is so they can grow. “Some staff will transfer over but there will be about 30 new jobs created from the four companies. “I was in consultancy roles for a number of companies when John approached me and we discussed the feasibility of doing this. We are in negotiations with two companies at the moment.” Plans to change the use of the building, inserting a scaffolding refurbishment area and stone and granite masonry unit, and to install a roller shutter door, have been lodged with Walsall Council. Under the proposals there would be 37 car parking spaces, five less than now, but there would also be four additional spaces for bikes. Via: www.expressandstar.com

Scaffolder wanted by police

THIS man is wanted by police. Tony Cook, 28, of Westfield, has been released on police bail after being arrested on December 10 on suspicion of conspiracy to burgle. Part of his bail condition was to sign on at Hastings Police Station every Tuesday and Saturday between 10am and 6pm but he has so far failed to do so. Police are now eager to track him down. A spokesman for Hastings Police said that Cook, a scaffolder, is a regular in Westfield pubs and uses a gym in Hastings. Anyone who sees Cook or knows where he might be is urged to call Hastings Police on 0845 6070999. Via:www.hastingsobserver.co.uk