Pilosio, a leading Italian manufacturer of scaffolding and suspended access solutions, held a successful Open Demo Day on July 11th and 12th, revealing its innovative Flydeck system.
The event attracted attendees from major Oil&Gas and Civil companies, offering them an opportunity to witness the simplicity, flexibility, and efficiency of the Flydeck – a new solution for under-deck operations.
Flydeck: The Future of Suspended Access Solutions
The Flydeck system is a modular and temporary suspended structure constructed using a Flyrail Guide, which enables the assembly of beams both longitudinally and transversely.
The Flydeck system ensures operator safety, as work is always conducted above a suspended platform. The system’s simplicity and flexibility make it an efficient, safe, and cost-effective solution for under-deck work.
The Flydeck system includes several key components: beams, decks, suspension chains, and a Flyrail Guide for easy and secure set-up and dismantling. Beams, available in steel or aluminium, come in various lengths up to 6 meters and heights of 25 cm or 45 cm, catering to diverse needs.
A unique connection system employing spigots and exclusive elastic pins makes assembly swift and uncomplicated. The standard load capacity is impressive, reaching up to 3.0 kN/m2 with chains every 4 m2, or 1.5 kN/m2 with chains every 6 m2.
Flyrail Guide
The Flyrail Guide, an integral part of the system, can be moved either manually or with a 220V electric hoist and comes in three length versions: 1.66m x 3, 2.50m x 2, and 5.00m x 1. It allows the Flydeck surface to be set up both longitudinally and transversely.
Flydeck beams have seven different sizes: from 1 to 6 meters in length and two heights: 0.25m and 0.45m. They also feature two types of connections to the decks – the “U” connection and the “O” connection (reversible and 48.3 mm in diameter).
The system allows the choice of decks based on specific needs, with different width and length options and capacities ranging from 300 to 600 kg/sqm.
Upcoming Training Courses
Following the Open Demo Day, Pilosio will be offering two-day training courses starting at the end of July 2023 in Aberdeen. These courses will allow participants to explore all the features and strengths of the Flydeck system.
For further information or to book a demonstration, contact Mrs Francesca Fuser, UK Business Development Manager, at [email protected] or +39 351 292 2236.
Pilosio: Quality, Innovation, and Tradition
With over six decades of experience, Pilosio has built a formidable reputation for producing high-quality scaffolding and suspended access solutions. Their commitment to in-house production has guaranteed operational flexibility and exceptional quality, offering cutting-edge solutions that reshape the construction landscape.
The Flydeck system, a testament to Pilosio’s innovative prowess, sets new industry standards for suspended access solutions.
In response to the concerning skills shortage, the UK government has officially added several construction trades to its shortage occupation list (SOL) while significantly relaxing immigration rules for these roles.
This move is seen as a pivotal step to invite more overseas construction workers to Britain, a recommendation issued by the government’s Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) back in March.
The four occupation codes now formally appended to the SOL encompass a range of construction-related roles. These include:
5312: Bricklayers and masons – all jobs
5313: Roofers, roof tilers and slaters – all jobs
5315: Carpenters and joiners – all jobs
5319: Construction and building trades not elsewhere classified – all jobs.
Being on the SOL implies that individuals in these roles now qualify to apply for work permits in the UK, potentially offering a solution to the ongoing skills shortage within the construction industry.
The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) had previously submitted a 61-page document to the MAC in May, arguing for nine other occupation classifications to be added.
This list included roles such as road construction operatives, mobile machine drivers and operatives, steel erectors, welding trades, and plasterers. However, these occupations did not make the cut this time around.
The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has warmly received this announcement. Eddie Tuttle, the CIOB’s External Affairs Director, expressed his relief and delight, stating, “We very much welcome this announcement which in our view is long overdue. The addition of these roles to the shortage occupation list is something we have called for through the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) and we’re glad the industry’s voice has been heard as the construction sector directly plays a vital role in the UK economy and is an enabler to so many others.”
While Tuttle acknowledged the need for the industry to work harder to attract homegrown talent, he also stressed the immediate skills shortage that needed addressing.
He commented, “Without a good supply of skilled workers from abroad, as well as homegrown talent, projects large and small including the likes of schools, hospitals, new homes and key infrastructure simply won’t happen.”
This news signals a critical turning point in the UK’s construction industry and how it addresses its acute shortage of skilled workers. While the impact of this decision remains to be seen, it undoubtedly offers a ray of hope to an industry that has been grappling with a significant skills shortage.
Operations at the Stanlow oil refinery, owned by Essar Oil UK, are experiencing significant disruption as a major strike over pay grievances commences this week.
At the heart of this industrial action, approximately 450 employees, including a vital force of scaffolders, have begun a walkout backed by the UK’s largest union, Unite.
The workers involved span a variety of professions, with scaffolders playing a crucial role in the ongoing operations of the refinery. Over the years, these workers, along with electricians, crane drivers, welders, pipe fitters, riggers, and steel erectors, have seen a steady decrease in their real-term hourly wages, set by the National Agreement for the Engineering Construction Industry (NAECI).
The crux of the discontent lies in the employers’ refusal to increase bonus payments. This comes amidst Essar Oil UK recording robust operating profits of £253 million during the first half of the 2023 financial year.
Despite these gains, the bonus rate for workers, including scaffolders, remains a mere 80p per hour.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham expressed solidarity with the workers, stating, “Essar is absolutely awash with cash, and its contractors at the refinery are on extremely lucrative contracts. It is completely unacceptable that these workers, who play such a crucial role, are being refused a reasonable bonus rate. Unite defends our members’ jobs, pay and conditions to the hilt and Stanlow’s workers have their union’s total backing in taking strike action.”
To combat the pay disparity, a continuous overtime ban that includes call-outs and standbys began today (17 July). The first two-day strike action starts on 18 July, with more strikes scheduled for 25, 26 July, and 1, 2, 8, and 9 August. The industrial action will intensify if the dispute remains unresolved, Unite said.
The strike is anticipated to severely impact the Stanlow refinery, the UK’s second-largest, which supplies 16% of the nation’s road fuels and is a significant producer of aviation fuel.
Unite regional officer Lee Brennan emphasised the urgency of the matter, saying, “Over the last five years, our members’ wages, have not kept pace with the cost of living. The NAECI pay award for this year has resulted in a substantial real terms pay cut for the highly skilled and essential workforce. The employers and Essar can absolutely afford to pay a fair bonus rate, and that is what needs to happen.”
Scaffolders and other employees are represented by contractors, including Altrad, Babcock, Bilfinger, Hutchinson Engineering, Pump Supply & Repair Group, Sarens, and Wood Group.
High winds that swept across southern England on Saturday have led to a serious accident in Hackney, East London, where a woman was injured after strong winds caused scaffolding to fall onto her car.
According to the BBC, Emergency services, including the Metropolitan Police, London Fire Brigade, and paramedics, quickly arrived at the scene.
The injured woman, whose identity remains undisclosed, was found inside the damaged vehicle. Medical personnel provided immediate on-site treatment before transporting her to a nearby hospital. Her current condition remains unknown.
The incident followed a wind warning issued for London, which was in effect until midnight on Saturday. In response to the severe weather conditions, all Royal Parks in the city had preemptively closed their playgrounds as a safety measure.
Tom Morgan, a meteorologist with the Met Office, reported that gusts of wind reached speeds of up to 55mph in some parts of southern England, contributing to potentially hazardous conditions.
An investigation into the incident is ongoing as officials work to understand the precise circumstances that led to the scaffolding’s collapse.
JR Scaffold Services, one of Scotland’s leading scaffolding providers and a JR Group division has secured an initial two-year tender with Home Fix Scotland.
As part of the River Clyde Homes Group, Home Fix Scotland looks after the maintenance of around 6,000 homes across Inverclyde with the newly acquired support of JR Scaffold Services’ expertise.
Under this agreement, the Paisley-based JR Scaffold Services will provide comprehensive scaffolding services, from supply and erection to dismantling.
The services will be offered as and when required by Home Fix Scotland, ensuring a swift and efficient response to any project needs.
A noteworthy aspect of this tender is the inclusion of both the Cuplok and Light Access divisions of JR Scaffold Services, thereby offering Home Fix Scotland a range of flexible options to suit their specific project requirements.
“We were thrilled to hear that we have been awarded the opportunity to work alongside Home Fix Scotland in providing our expertise, skill and experience of all things scaffolding to their properties and projects,” said Evan Horne, a representative from JR Scaffold Services.
With the initial contract spanning two years, there’s also potential for an extended partnership. The agreement stipulates the option of three additional 12-month extensions, suggesting the possibility of a long-lasting business relationship between the two entities.
Horner further added, “We hope this is the beginning of a long-lasting relationship with the team at Home Fix Scotland, assisting them with further projects in Inverclyde, which is just 15 to 20 minutes away from our base of operations.”
AIS Survivex is hosting a captivating photography competition that showcases the thrill and beauty of working in high-risk industries. The ‘Selfie at Work’ competition encourages professionals in the oil and gas, wind, marine, utility, and construction sectors to capture their daily experiences using the hashtag #PicturePerfectWorkface.AIS Survivex, a subsidiary of 3t Energy Group, trains thousands of workers in the energy sector each year, equipping them with vital skills such as rigging and lifting, rope access, offshore survival, and emergency response. The training covers a range of roles, including wind turbine technicians, mariners, scaffolders, non-destructive testing (NDT) technicians, and blaster-sprayers engaged in offshore oil rig-based work. These industries often involve working in high-risk and remote environments, where comprehensive training and safety protocols are paramount.Aside from celebrating the dedicated professionals working on the frontlines of the energy sector, the competition also aims to demonstrate the diversity of roles and the exciting locations that industry training can lead to. Participants have the opportunity to capture eye-catching selfies against breathtaking backdrops such as vertigo-inducing heights, expansive ocean vistas, colossal oil rigs, and picturesque North Sea sunsets.The prize at stake is nothing short of impressive, as four lucky winners will be offered a training course or package of their choice, potentially worth thousands of pounds each. With a wide range of courses available, the victors can utilize their winnings to enhance their skills, update their knowledge, or even venture into multiple sectors, all without incurring any costs.Linzi Ryan, Head of Marketing at AIS Survivex, expressed the inspiration behind the competition, saying, “Last June, we ran a similar photography competition called ‘Picture Perfect Workplace,’ and we were astounded by the exceptional quality of the hundreds of entries we received. This year, we wanted to make it more personal, aiming to see and celebrate the faces of those working in the oil and gas, wind, marine, and utility and construction sectors.”Ryan continued, “We genuinely want to gain insights into the working lives of our delegates and the incredible places their training has taken them. Whether they are at the top of a wind turbine, on an oil platform in the midst of the ocean, or underground, laying cables, we want to showcase their experiences. The competition is open to anyone employed in these sectors, and the winning selfies will be shared across all our social media platforms.”With an unbeatable prize offering comprehensive training potentially worth thousands of pounds, the competition is undoubtedly worth entering. AIS Survivex urges participants to capture their work environments and send their captivating images via email to [email protected], along with their name, contact details, and the sector they work in, before the closing date of July 19th. The winners will be notified by August 1st, 2023.To learn more about the competition and review the terms and conditions, please visit the official AIS Survivex website at https://www.survivex.com/news/celebrating-national-selfie-day-with-our-biggest-ever-training-giveaway/.
JDC Scaffolding Ltd, RDG Engineering and Russell Cawberry Ltd. have come together to create an engineering masterpiece to restore the iconic landmark that is The Queen’s Tower, Daniel Norton reports.
The Queen’s Tower, the last remaining structure of the Imperial Institute, stands as a testament to history in the heart of Imperial College, South Kensington, London. As the 287-foot iconic tower undergoes extensive restoration, Hertfordshire-based JDC Scaffolding Ltd has been entrusted with providing complex, safe and efficient scaffolding solutions for the project in collaboration with Russell Cawberry Ltd, the main contractor.
“The tower represents a significant part of Imperial College’s history, and we are honoured to be a part of this prestigious project,” said Phil Welham, Business Development Director at JDC Scaffolding. “Our design process began in late 2020, with ongoing collaboration with Imperial College and RDG Engineering to provide a safe and innovative scaffolding system for the restoration works.”
The initial design included a 2-tonne Passenger/Goods Hoist, a full-height Haki Staircase, and a suspended access scaffold that followed the profile of the copper dome that tops the tower. However, due to concerns about the tower’s fragility, RDG Engineering was tasked with creating a freestanding structure, an external “Exoskeleton” scaffold, to surround the tower.
“Developing the exoskeleton was a unique challenge,” explained Welham. “It needed to be designed to minimise the impact on the tower itself and provide the necessary support for the independent scaffold, hoist, and staircase.”
The exoskeleton includes triple standards to the 30.00m level, double standards to the 50.00m level and single standards to the 87.00m level. Every pair of standards is ledger braced, each horizontal bay plan braced, and every vertical bay sway braced to both the internal and external faces.
Credit: Gary Britton Photography Ltd
The design and planning process included a series of collaborative Teams meetings with Imperial College’s independent consulting engineer, RDG Engineering, and JDC Scaffolding to ensure all stakeholders were aligned in their understanding of the project’s complexities and requirements.
After several iterations, the final design incorporated a temporary circular roof, back propping in the vaults, and a full-height hoist run-off with staggered exits. The scaffold’s required equipment amounted to an incredible 300,000 feet of tube and around 92,000 fittings.
Russell Cawberry Ltd, who have worked with the Imperial College across all their campus and sites for over twenty years, were awarded the Queen’s Tower contract in August 2022. Having never worked with JDC Scaffolding Ltd before, Russell Cawberry Ltd were convinced of JDC’s expertise and experience after a series of negotiations, due diligence, and their long-standing knowledge of the project.
The project has had its fair share of challenges, including protecting the York Stone steps surrounding the tower and navigating the complexities of working on a live college campus. “Our priority is to maintain the highest standards of safety and minimise disruption to the college community,” said Welham. “Prior to commencement, there were discussions about basing the scaffold on the existing York Stone steps. One option was to take up the paving, this option was dismissed, and we were asked to cover the steps completely with a protection system made up of Dow Floormate 700 sandwiched between two layers of ply.”Credit: Gary Britton Photography Ltd
As the scaffold erection progresses, JDC Scaffolding have been working closely with Russell Cawberry Ltd and Imperial College to address any unforeseen challenges and to ensure smooth communication between all parties involved. This collaborative approach has proven to be a key factor in the project’s success thus far.
The team at JDC Scaffolding are now looking forward to tackling the challenges associated with restoring the copper dome that tops the tower and providing temporary roof protection. The back propping works in the basement, which were carried out under confined space restrictions, have been successfully completed, paving the way for the scaffold’s continued erection.
Upon completion, the revitalised Queen’s Tower will stand as a beacon of Imperial College’s illustrious history, exemplifying progress, innovation, and the unyielding pursuit of knowledge. With the combined expertise of JDC Scaffolding, RDG Engineering and Russell Cawberry Ltd, this ambitious project promises to breathe new life into a cherished landmark, ensuring that it continues to inspire future generations of scholars and visitors alike.
And as the restoration journey unfolds, the collaborative efforts of all parties involved will stand as a testament to the power of teamwork, engineering prowess, and a shared commitment to preserving our rich cultural heritage.
This article was originally published in Issue 19 of the ScaffMag magazine.
From a tiny portakabin to towering success, the Berry brothers’ Creator Scaffold Designs has defied the odds and carved a niche for itself in the world of scaffolding and temporary works. As they celebrate a decade of triumphs, Scaffmag explores the remarkable journey of two visionary siblings whose unwavering dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence transformed their bootstrap start-up into a leading national player.
“Can’t believe that it’s ten years already” muses Ryan Berry, one of the directors/founders of Creator Scaffold Designs and Temporary Works Consultants. And no wonder it seems such a short time, so much has happened to the company in that brief decade. It has grown from a couple of brothers working in a cramped portakabin to a leading national player in the field, operating out of a spacious office with a team of 18 skilled professionals handling some of the most massively complex projects in the country.
It’s a hard-earned progression for the Berry brothers Ryan and Brad, who ten years ago, on the last day of October, decided to cut the employment strings and strike out on their own, applying the limit state design approach to scaffold design that Ryan had become a leading expert in. While confidence and a little genius are requisite to starting out in any field, their working conditions made sure that they kept one foot on the ground.
These days the popular image of a start-up is a state-of-the-art office full of vaping hipsters dividing themselves between the workstation and the table football tournament. The brothers’ tiny portakabin couldn’t fit them and a football table. It could just about fit them and the layers of overcoats that they had to wear in winter, although they did get some breathing space in the hot summers as the thermally challenged portakabin imposed the need to work in budgie smugglers and nothing else.
In those formative days they were geographically and personnel-wise constrained to getting work from the surrounding locality, but it was not very long at all that there was more work knocking on the door than they could deal with between them.
Anyone who has built a successful business knows only too well that exciting but daunting moment in their development when you have to make the decision to go full in. After all, up until then, it was just them that they had to look after, now they are involving other people and a lot of other peoples’ money.
So there effected the move to their two-storey headquarters in Rotherham and a blooming roster of staff. In the three years between 2014 and 2017, their workforce multiplied like a culture in a petri dish growing from 2 to 12. If this turned out to be a flash in the pan, then it was going to be devastating to more than just Ryan and Brad.
There was no reason to worry on that front, for by now, they had leapt almost overnight from miscellaneous local gigs to massive ongoing national projects such as the restoration of the Houses of Parliament, the restoration of St.Pauls’s cathedral and to the all intents and purposes, never-ending behemoth that is the Sellafield Nuclear Decommissions Project. One look at the acres of scaffolding on the Houses of Parliament gives you an idea of the breath-taking scale of these works. Not that they would ever consider any job is too small for them. They are proud of their record of taking on any job regardless of its size, location, or level of complexity. They are obsessed with providing customer satisfaction regardless of the project. It’s that dedication after all that has seen their burgeoning success.
It’s no wonder then that in no time at all that 12 became 18, and there’s no indication whatsoever that it will be stopping there. Oh, and not counting the 6 ‘production babies’ that have materialised on the way!
It’s a lot of growth and development from a bootstrap start packed into just ten years. Ten years of recurring profit from the off, an enviable record in any fledgling business. Even the Covid Lockdown didn’t cause a stumble. Far from it, because the building industry was one of the few industries still operating, they found themselves deluged with orders.
It’s no wonder Ryan can’t believe that it’s ten years already. They haven’t even stopped to take a breath yet. Perhaps they should. From the look of things, the next years might well be even busier.
This article was originally published in Issue 19 of the ScaffMag magazine.
Following a successful £208k commission from the CITB last November to train 16 new instructors, CISRS has reported being on track to fulfil its first-year objective.
With seven new trainee instructors already on board, CISRS is confident of reaching its target of having eight new instructors delivering CISRS Part 1 training before the end of 2023.
The CITB commission was specifically designed to boost training capacity and increase the number of personnel entering the scaffolding sector, a critical area for construction growth.
The 16 new scaffolding instructors will play a vital role in achieving new NASC President David Brown’s mission to boost workforce numbers and enhance skill levels within the sector.
Funding from the commission, available to core scheme CISRS training centres, will empower the development and training of new scaffolding instructors within England and Wales.
The initiative seeks to attract qualified Scaffolders to transition into instructor roles, enabling them to share their knowledge and experience with the next generation. The focus will particularly be on those UK regions identified as being most in need of support.
To maximise the impact of the commission, CISRS is working in close collaboration with CITB and training centres. CISRS Managing Director, David Mosley, expressed optimism about the project’s future.
“CISRS is making all efforts to ensure that the commission is a complete success. We are confident that this hard work will bolster scaffolding instructor numbers in England and Wales and ultimately help to increase a qualified scaffolding workforce,” he stated.
CISRS’ progress in this project comes at a crucial time, highlighting the potential for targeted investments to address critical labour market needs, as the industry continues to grow post-pandemic.
Tata Steel UK has been fined £120,000 following a tragic accident that resulted in an employee suffering permanent brain damage. The incident, which occurred at the company’s site in Port Talbot, Wales, in 2017, was investigated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), who found Tata Steel UK responsible for several health and safety breaches.Gavin Rowlands, an employee of Monolithic Refractories Limited, was struck in the face by a scaffold tube used to force open a jammed paddle mixer door. The impact of the tube caused him to fall backwards, hitting his head and losing consciousness. The injuries sustained were so severe that they resulted in a broken jaw and permanent brain damage for Mr Rowlands.The HSE investigation highlighted that Tata Steel UK had failed to provide a safeguarded mixer for use by Monolithic’s employees and that the door of the mixer was prone to jamming. The investigation also found that, due to the lack of a protective guard on the mixer, workers were compelled to adopt an unsafe practice of using a scaffold tube to open the jammed door – a procedure that led to Mr Rowlands’ injuries. The company was also found to be at fault for not adequately supervising the workers using the mixer at its site.Tata Steel UK Limited, headquartered in Grosvenor Place, London, pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. In addition to the £120,000 fine, the company was ordered to pay £14,138.06 in costs at Swansea Crown Court on 5 July 2023.HSE inspector Gethyn Jones emphasised that the incident could have been easily avoided had suitable control measures and safe working practices been implemented. He warned companies of the fundamental requirement for safe working systems and adequate supervision, underlining that the HSE would not hesitate to take enforcement action against those that fall short of required safety standards.
In those formative days they were geographically and personnel-wise constrained to getting work from the surrounding locality, but it was not very long at all that there was more work knocking on the door than they could deal with between them.
Anyone who has built a successful business knows only too well that exciting but daunting moment in their development when you have to make the decision to go full in. After all, up until then, it was just them that they had to look after, now they are involving other people and a lot of other peoples’ money.
So there effected the move to their two-storey headquarters in Rotherham and a blooming roster of staff. In the three years between 2014 and 2017, their workforce multiplied like a culture in a petri dish growing from 2 to 12. If this turned out to be a flash in the pan, then it was going to be devastating to more than just Ryan and Brad.
There was no reason to worry on that front, for by now, they had leapt almost overnight from miscellaneous local gigs to massive ongoing national projects such as the restoration of the Houses of Parliament, the restoration of St.Pauls’s cathedral and to the all intents and purposes, never-ending behemoth that is the Sellafield Nuclear Decommissions Project. One look at the acres of scaffolding on the Houses of Parliament gives you an idea of the breath-taking scale of these works. Not that they would ever consider any job is too small for them. They are proud of their record of taking on any job regardless of its size, location, or level of complexity. They are obsessed with providing customer satisfaction regardless of the project. It’s that dedication after all that has seen their burgeoning success.
It’s no wonder then that in no time at all that 12 became 18, and there’s no indication whatsoever that it will be stopping there. Oh, and not counting the 6 ‘production babies’ that have materialised on the way!
It’s a lot of growth and development from a bootstrap start packed into just ten years. Ten years of recurring profit from the off, an enviable record in any fledgling business. Even the Covid Lockdown didn’t cause a stumble. Far from it, because the building industry was one of the few industries still operating, they found themselves deluged with orders.
It’s no wonder Ryan can’t believe that it’s ten years already. They haven’t even stopped to take a breath yet. Perhaps they should. From the look of things, the next years might well be even busier.
This article was originally published in Issue 19 of the ScaffMag magazine.
