Scaffolders Confederation for Consultation Rights the S.C.C.R are a industry body formed by scaffolders for scaffolders in order to give a voice. The SCCR is a non profit making organisation run by scaffolders for scaffolders it has a democratically elected committee with yearly elections. The SCCR are constantly evolving, listening to the issues that concern scaffolders. The committee members are all currently working within the Scaffolding Industry with first hand experience, ranging from scaffolders on the tools to management. There aim for 2011 is to unite the Industry & get the skills back. Scaffolding is a skilled trade and the SCCR feels it needs to recognised for that.
Why Was The S.C.C.R Formed ?
The SCCR was formed by a group of regular contributors to a online forum for scaffolders as the forum evolved and the membership grew, a common theme began to appear. The major stake holder in the access industry the “scaffolder” had no cohesive voice within the various industry bodies. Members of this online forum decided to form a confederation to voice the working man as well as the small to medium companies. They felt important industry initiatives in training and health and safety were being implemented without any input from the scaffolders having to work in complacence with the initiatives.
What’s The Aim Of The S.C.C.R ?
The aim of the SCCR is to work with Industry bodies offering input and feedback on the latest ACOPs. One major issue which helped spark the formation of the SCCR was the planned withdraw of the ECITB scaffolders registration scheme at the end of 2010, without any contingencies in place to fast track ECITB scaffolders into the CISRS scheme at a level appropriate to the individuals skill and industry experience.
To date after representations to the UNITE union and the ECITB by the SCCR a meeting was held on the 7th 0f October 2010 , in attendance were representatives of the CISRS, ECITB, UNITE and the National Committee for Construction. Without the pressure from the SCCR this meeting would never have taken place. It was agreed by all parties that the ECITB scaffolders registration scheme will now be extended until December 2011.
The SCCR have also arranged a meeting with the CISRS, at which the withdrawal of the ECITB scaffolders register will top the agenda for early 2011.
The SCCR also feels that the CISRS scheme needs an overhaul. The skills are being lost from the Industry, tickets being given out with little or no experience in the industry sectors. The SCCR feel scaffolding should be viewed as four sectors with training reflecting this.
· Domestic
· Industrial
· Specialist
· Offshore
Another issue of concern to the SCCR membership is the recent implementation of SG4:10, in particular the “scaff step” and the associated hazards arising from daily use, At a recent meeting with the HSE arranged by the SCCR concerns where raised and noted by the HSE also in attendance was a member of the NASC SG4: Working Party, it was agreed by all in attendance to monitor and review “scaff step” use at future planned meetings. The SCCR are also looking into new technology in relation to the power spanner & advanced tunnelling rails. They are also along with an industry supplier trialling new technology in ties & fixings In a short space of time the SCCR has opened lines of communication to the HSE, NASC, CISRS, ECITB , CITB , and UNITE the union , as there membership continues to steadily grow the access industry policy makers are now starting to take the SCCR seriously and valuing the input from the SCCR committee & its members on issues that directly affect scaffolders . They welcome individuals, companies & suppliers to the scaffolding Industry as members. Check them out today and join the SCCR the “scaffolders voice” www.thesccr.org.uk
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Industrial services company Harsco Corp. said Friday it has two new orders worth $9 million to provide insulation services and scaffolding for a new refinery under construction in the Netherlands.
Harsco said the services are for the new Shell refinery located near Pernis, Netherlands.
The new plant, designed to produce ultra-low-sulfur fuel, is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
The new order furthers Harsco’s ongoing role at the plant, where Harsco has been providing onsite scaffolding, insulation and painting services for the past several decades.
Shell Pernis will be the largest refinery in Europe and one of the world’s largest.
Harsco said it also has orders to supply scaffolding and insulation services for the construction of 15 new commercial storage tanks this year at the Vopak terminal in Vlaardingen, Netherlands. The facility handles and stores oleochemicals and vegetable oils, a key component in the making of biofuels and other uses.
Harsco shares fell 28 cents to $31.69 in afternoon trading.
Source: Bloomberg 
A man who allegedly attacked and injured three people with a Samurai sword has appeared in court.
Scaffolder Paul Qualey was arrested after an incident near the Sheerness clocktower early on New Year’s Day.
The 25-year-old appeared at Sittingbourne Magistrates’ Court today charged with affray and possessing an offensive weapon.
He withheld his plea and will next appear before the bench on March 9 for committal proceedings to crown court.
Presiding magistrate Shelagh L’hermette set him a new curfew time, lasting from 10pm till 5am.
He will be electronically tagged.
The court heard he is accused of attacking three people – one a woman – with a short Samurai sword.
Paramedics called to the scene about at 2.50am treated them for injuries which included cuts to their hands.
Prosecuting counsel said one of the victims also had “serious cuts to his foot”.
Defending, Pat Cuffe asked the magistrates to enter a change of address for Qualey, whose home was initially given as Wood Street, Sheerness, where he had been staying until recently.
He has since been reunited with his partner and is living with her in nearby Beach Street.
Mrs L’hermette accepted the new change of address while imposing the new curfew restrictions which will allow Qualey more flexibility with his work commitments.
Mr Cuffe told magistrates: “Mr Qualey is highly thought of by his company.”
He added: “We don’t accept the police version of events at all.”
Source: Kent online 
The initial incident took place on 20 March 2007 at Bizspace Investment Ltd’s facility at the Craven Court industrial estate at Winwick Quay. A caretaker at the site was cleaning guttering on the roof when he fell through a fragile skylight, and suffered multiple broken ribs.
Following the incident, one of his colleagues, having been sent to take photos of the scene, fell through a different skylight. He landed feet-first on a mezzanine floor and escaped without injury.
The firm hired Anthony Massey, trading as Massey Roofing and Building Contractors, to repair the skylights. On 10 April 2007, one of Massey’s employees was carrying out the work without safety equipment when he, too, fell through a skylight. He sustained serious spinal injuries, which has left him paralysed from the waist down.
HSE inspector Martin Heywood described his astonishment that three similar incidents were allowed to happen on three separate occasions. He said: “A man was sent on to a roof without safety equipment, despite two caretakers falling through skylights less than a month earlier.
“As a result, the worker is likely to need to use a wheelchair for the rest of his life. If the project had been properly planned, using appropriate equipment for work at height, then all three workers would have remained uninjured.”
Bizspace appeared at Warrington Crown Court on 7 January and pleaded guilty to s2(1) of the HSWA 1974. It was fined £5000 and ordered to pay £9000 in costs.
Anthony Massey appeared at the same hearing and pleaded guilty to breaching s3(1) of the same Act. As he had been declared bankrupt, Massey received a 12-month conditional discharge.
Following the hearing a spokesman from Bizspace told SHP: “The conviction of Bizspace only related to the falls of their two employees, not that of the specialist roofing contractor, which was clearly the most serious of the three.
“Judge Hales accepted that neither employee was instructed by the company to go onto the roof and indeed, that there was no necessity for them to be there. This was reflected in the low level of fine imposed.”
Inspector Heywood added: “More workplace deaths are caused by falls from height than anything else but companies continue to allow workers to balance dangerously on roofs. It is vital lessons are learnt from this tragic case.
Source: HSE 
Scaffolder Grant Hurlbert, 26, went out drinking with friends after an argument with his girlfriend, Gabrielle Delo, and returned to the flat later after drinking several pints of Stella lager.
Stella Williams, prosecuting, told Medway Magistrates Court on Monday his behaviour was “strange”.
“He was naked and rolling around on the floor” she said, before describing how Hurlburt went into the kitchen and picked up the kitten, which had been given to him by his girlfriend as a present.
Gabrielle’s brother Kristopher Delo went into the kitchen and saw Hurlbert “hold the kitten above his head with both hands and throw it hard on the floor”.
The kitten, which later died, was seen to be twitching on the floor.
Hurlbert then assaulted Gabrielle’s father, Laurent Allswoth, as he forced him out of the house – then wiped mucus on a police officer before trying to kick out the window of a police van. He was also found to be in possession of cannabis.
Hurlbert pleaded guilty to two counts of assault, possessing cannabis and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal at an earlier hearing.
Judge Michael Kelly said drunkenness was no excuse for what was an act of “wanton cruelty”.
Hurlbert was also banned from owning any animal for the rest of his life.
Source: Kentonline.co.uk
