BIGBEN, an industry-leading supplier, has officially launched its latest innovation – ScaffOil, a revolutionary, eco-friendly lubricant exclusively designed for the Scaffolding and Construction industries. This new product has already stirred excitement in the market due to its environmentally conscious formulation, unmatched efficacy, and remarkable versatility.ScaffOil aims to redefine the industry standard for lubricants by ensuring the smooth operation of scaffolding systems, specifically in the effortless release of scaffold fittings and brackets. It also provides durable lubrication to prevent rust and corrosion, further improving the life and reliability of the equipment.“We have been diligently working with our customers to create an eco-friendly, long-lasting lubricant that is fit for any industry. We are extremely proud of ScaffOil and its ability to deliver a premium performance at a very affordable and competitive price,” a spokesperson for BIGBEN announced.One of the standout features of ScaffOil is its capacity to withstand even the harshest weather conditions, making it a game-changer in the industry. This level of resilience enables construction workers to leave scaffolding clips in place without compromising stability, offering unprecedented convenience and assurance.But the true value of ScaffOil is its exceptional penetrating power. This breakthrough lubricant can reach even the most intricate corners, effortlessly permeating crevices that conventional products fail to reach. This feature gives new life to “dead” fittings and brackets, quickly enhancing the efficiency of scaffolding systems.For those in the industry eager to experience the transformative capabilities of ScaffOil, it is now readily available through trusted supplier Leach’s. The product is offered in various sizes to suit different needs, including practical 210-litre drums, 25-litre drums, and 5-litre tubs.
In the wake of disturbing data concerning suicide rates in the UK’s workforce, Unite, the country’s leading Union, demands that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) be granted the authority to investigate all work-related suicides.The call was sparked by an article in the British Medical Journal urging HSE investigations for all teacher suicides. However, Unite believes extending the HSE’s powers is crucial for all industries, particularly those witnessing many suicides, such as the construction sector.Latest figures show an alarming trend; suicide rates in construction have risen, boasting the highest death rate of any sector, at 33.82 per 100,000. In 2021, the industry saw 507 construction workers tragically taking their own lives.“Working conditions are often a direct factor contributing to the excessive number of construction worker suicides,” Unite stated. They highlighted the precarious nature of employment in the sector, characterised by short-term assignments, long work hours, and many workers operating away from home.The coping mechanisms adopted by the predominantly male workforce, including alcohol, gambling, and substance misuse, are believed to worsen mental health issues.Sharon Graham, General Secretary of Unite, commented on the matter, stating, “The failure to fully investigate the reasons why workers in all sectors are taking their own lives is a scandal. Until all aspects of why workers commit suicide are investigated, the necessary reforms needed to save lives cannot be implemented.”Unite National Officer for Construction Jason Poulter also added, “Construction suicide rates are increasing dramatically and the critical issues that are causing workers to commit suicide are not being addressed. The vast majority of construction employers do not take the mental wellbeing of their workforce seriously, and until the HSE is given the powers and the resources to investigate these tragedies properly, that will continue to be the case.”
Staff from across the company’s depots took part in a national Swimathon for Cancer Research and Marie Curie Cancer Care
Staff from TRAD UK have launched this year’s charity fundraising by diving in at the deep end for their first big challenge.
Swimathon is a national fundraising event for both Cancer Research and Marie Curie Cancer Care, and involves swimmers signing up to swim anything from one length to 5k over the course of a single weekend. Swimmers could get together as teams, or swim for individual goals.
Marie Curie Cancer Care and Cancer Research are two of TRAD’s chosen charities for this year, alongside Anthony Nolan. The company has a range of activities planned, and the Swimathon was the first big event of the year.
“We were delighted that swimmers from across our depots chose to take part in this event,” says Ros Howe, HR Director at TRAD UK. “We’d particularly like to congratulate Maria Swiec from our Finance department, who completed three sets of 5k in under 24 hours – one on Friday and two on Saturday!”
TRAD has two more keystone events in the charity calendar for this year, including a golf day at The Belfry PGA Championship golf course, and a bike ride that is currently in the planning stages. Around these events, the depots are running their own ongoing fundraising to keep boosting the company’s total for the year.
“Fundraising is a really important part of our culture at TRAD UK,” says Colin Dobson, Managing Director at the company. “We’re really proud of the money we’ve raised over the past years, and we’re looking forward to pushing ourselves – and having fun doing it – for the rest of 2023.”
The Scaffolding Association of Queensland (SAQ) has officially transitioned to the Scaffolding Association of Australia (SAA), effective immediately, marking a significant stride in national representation for scaffolding companies across Australia.This monumental change aims to cater to the escalating need for a national association that embraces the interests of the scaffolding industry at large. By stepping into the shoes of the SAQ, the SAA intends to keep the torch burning by continuing its commitment to champion its members and lend a strong voice in the construction sector.Erryn O’Brien, CEO of the SAA, shared her enthusiasm about the association’s evolution. “This national scaffolding association has been a long time coming. We’re thrilled to take off into the industry after having successfully represented our Queensland state-based members for many years,” she announced.She further revealed that the decision to transition from a state-based association to a national body was a unanimous resolution passed at their last General Meeting in November 2022. “The SAA is open to scaffolding companies of all sizes across Australia, inviting them to leverage the benefits and be a part of the unified industry voice we’re providing,” she added.On its journey to address industry-wide challenges, the SAA will offer an array of services, including advocacy, support, and networking opportunities. One of its primary goals is to confront the issue of scaffolding-related training in Australia – a key concern leading to the current skills shortage faced by the nation. Notoriously, scaffolding training has been underdeveloped, with basic scaffolding tickets issued after a mere 5-day course, which puts undertrained and underqualified personnel in a high-risk industry.Adding to its mission, the SAA plans to lobby government bodies to ensure that legislation impacting the scaffolding industry is reasonable and supportive of scaffolding companies’ diverse options.The metamorphosis of the SAQ into the SAA is hailed as an exciting development within the Australian scaffolding industry. As it takes off, the association commits to upholding the SAQ legacy and ceaselessly promoting safety, professionalism, and industry best practices.More information about the Scaffolding Association of Australia can be found on the association’s website at https://scaffolding-association.au/.
Acclaimed landscape designers Carolyn Hardern and Jon Jarvis are appealing for help from scaffolding companies to contribute towards their innovative project, ‘Constructing Minds’. This garden, set to be a centrepiece at this year’s Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Flower Show at Tatton Park in July, aims to raise awareness about the mental health crisis in the construction industry.Hardern and Jarvis, in association with the construction charity Band of Builders, have designed the Constructing Minds garden to physically represent the mental health issues plaguing the industry, which records the highest suicide rates of any sector.“The vision behind the Constructing Minds garden is to create a calming space that might offer support to those in suicidal crisis,” the design duo explained. “The garden is intended to promote the therapeutic potential of green spaces while sparking necessary conversations about mental health in the construction industry.”The garden, covering an area of 20m x 14m, will create a sense of refuge with over 40 trees and shrubs, 800 ferns, bamboo, and wildflower areas. In a tribute to the industry it seeks to help, the design will incorporate recycled materials from construction sites, including concrete and scaffold boards. Wheelchair accessibility and ample seating have been planned to ensure the space is welcoming to all visitors.Although they’ve received backing from leading landscaping solutions supplier, Talasey, and in-kind support from landscaping company Ashlea Ltd, where Jarvis serves as a contract manager, Hardern and Jarvis are appealing specifically to scaffolding companies for additional sponsorship and help to complete the project, which is estimated to cost £40,000 in total. They also invite volunteers to assist in the garden’s construction. Any surplus donations will be divided between construction industry charities Band of Builders and Mates in Mind.“Scaffolding companies are crucial contributors to the construction industry and therefore pivotal to our message,” Jarvis said. “Their involvement not only lends authenticity to the project but also helps elevate the dialogue about mental health within the very industry they serve.”For more information about the project or to offer sponsorship and support, please visit Constructing Minds or the GoFundMe page.
An investigation has been launched after a Norfolk Scaffolder died following a fall from a roof on a construction site.
Alan Nimmo, a 57-year-old from King’s Lynn, fell from a roof suffering multiple injuries, ultimately leading to his death at Addenbrooke’s Hospital.
According to local media, the inquest into Nimmo’s fatal accident commenced at the Norfolk Coroner’s Court on Monday. Despite being transferred to the specialist hospital in Cambridgeshire, Nimmo’s condition significantly deteriorated. He tragically passed away on May 10th.
A Health and Safety Executive investigation is underway into the circumstances of the accident.
Assistant coroner Samantha Goward said he had died as the result of multiple trauma injuries due to a fall from a roof.
Goward added that the coroner’s office had sought a statement from both the police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The outcome of this request is eagerly anticipated, as it will heavily influence the course of the inquest.
The coroner’s office has scheduled a pre-inquest review hearing for September 12th as they await further evidence.
The construction contractor sector may be growing in numbers, but shrinking revenue threatens the industry’s stability, warns RIFT Tax Refunds. The tax specialists have crunched the numbers, and their research paints a bittersweet picture for the sector in 2023.While the number of operating businesses in the industry is expected to rise, a marginal 1.3% reduction in total market size, translating to a fall in revenue, could darken the horizon. Despite an encouraging 1% year-on-year growth in operational businesses, increasing from 93,590 in 2022 to a projected 94,545 in 2023, the total market size is predicted to contract from £173.8bn in 2022 to £171.6bn in 2023.“The construction contractor sector has shown resilience in the face of a pandemic-plagued landscape, continuing its decade-long growth in operational businesses,” said Bradley Post, MD of RIFT Tax Refunds. “However, the pandemic has left its mark, creating an economic headwind that has led to fluctuations in total revenues generated.”The past years have seen a rollercoaster ride in revenue for the sector, with a sharp 18% contraction in 2021 followed by a strong 19% recovery in 2022. Nevertheless, the sector has yet to return to its pre-pandemic peak of £177.4bn in 2020.Post commented on the potential impact of the anticipated contraction on contractors, saying, “This could mean a reduction in earning opportunities, which adds to the pressure as contractors also face the rising cost of living crisis. Therefore, ensuring every penny counts is paramount.”Yet, he offers some hope to contractors, stating, “The good news is that construction contractors are one of the most likely to be owed a tax refund by HMRC due to expenses incurred due to travel, uniforms and more. Our data shows that the average refund owed is just over £2,000, having increased by 6.3% in the last year alone.”As the construction contractor sector stands at the crossroads of recovering from the pandemic and tackling an uncertain economy, it is hoped that the resilient nature of the industry will continue to bolster its growth while navigating the anticipated decline in revenue.
In the heart of Lithuania, the picturesque city of Vilnius is gearing up to host the 3rd annual Kewazo ScaffChamp 2023. With just over a week to go, Scaffmag delves into a preview of this year’s scaffolding competition, which is set to be the biggest, most diverse and most competitive yet…
Organised by the Baltic Scaffolding Association (BSA) Kewazo ScaffChamp is bringing together a global gathering of scaffolding professionals for a two-day event marked by competition, networking, and entertainment.
This year’s Kewazo ScaffChamp, held on the 26th and 27th of May, will see a significant expansion in the event and those participating. According to the BSA, fifteen teams have been confirmed to participate, up from six in the previous year.
Scaffolders from Lithuania, Slovakia, Sweden, Bulgaria, Mongolia, Finland, Poland, Ireland, Norway, and Denmark are among those competing for the prestigious ScaffChamp title.
The return of all teams from last year’s competition signals the growing significance of this highly anticipated international event.
However, as previously reported, teams from the UK and Australia have had to pull out of the competition due to work commitments. Despite their absence, the enthusiasm surrounding the event remains high, with an expectation of a thrilling competition.
Beyond the Competition
The Kewazo ScaffChamp 23 is set to serve as an international scaffolding industry conclave. More than 400 guests from over 20 countries are expected to attend, offering an unparalleled platform for industry professionals to explore new markets, forge partnerships, and discuss the future of the scaffolding trade.
Arm wrestling from ScaffChamp 22
While competition and professional networking form the event’s core, entertainment is also on the agenda. Attendees can look forward to a BBQ party, an OCR relay and even an arm-wrestling contest; oh, and not to mention a charity auction on the first day.
Event sponsors KEWAZO and ScaffPlan have also promised additional entertainment to keep the guests engaged.
For those unable to attend in person, the organisers have planned an interactive live broadcast for May 27th. The broadcast on Youtube and streamed on Scaffmag will feature a TV host and two commentators, aiming to make the event as engaging for remote viewers as for those on-site.
The BSA is preparing to offer a full-fledged event experience with a VIP tent, food zone, kids zone, bar, and entertainment zone set up for the attendees.
Our team at Scaffmag will be present at the event, offering in-depth coverage and exclusive updates to our readers. “We’re thrilled to be again covering the ScaffChamp this year,” says Scaffmag’s Editor, Daniel Norton. “Our readers can look forward to us covering all the action, gaining insights and the excitement from the ground.”
As Vilnius gears up to become the scaffolding capital of the world for these two days, stay tuned for all the action from the ground at Kewazo ScaffChamp 23.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched an HSE Inspection Campaign focusing on the lung health of construction workers in Great BritainThe campaign aims to tackle the unacceptable levels of preventable, life-threatening diseases caused by dust exposure at work.According to HSE, the construction industry sees thousands of preventable cases of irreversible lung disease resulting from dust exposure at work every year. Such diseases often drastically alter individuals’ lives and can lead to premature death.“Every year we see construction workers die from diseases caused or made worse by their work. This is unacceptable in the 21st century when occupational lung disease is preventable,” said Michael Thomas, HSE’s Chief Inspector of Construction. He emphasised the importance of taking necessary precautions to protect long-term lung health and urged employers and workers to prevent such devastating impacts actively.The inspections, part of the ‘HSE Inspection Campaign’, which commenced on May 15, 2023, and will continue through to July, are part of a respiratory health intervention initiative. The initiative’s primary focus is on dust control, emphasising ensuring employers and workers are aware of the risks, plan their work appropriately, and employ the proper controls.Inspectors will specifically check the control measures to prevent workers from inhaling harmful construction dust, including Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) and wood dust. They will also ensure that any asbestos-containing materials have been identified, removed, or managed appropriately to limit exposure.While the initiative’s primary goal is to protect workers’ health, inspectors will take necessary action to deal with safety risks or other areas of concern if they are identified.“Our inspectors will visit a range of construction sites to check businesses are taking the necessary action to ensure their workers’ long-term respiratory health is being protected,” Thomas continued. He stressed that effective measures, such as water suppression, extraction, and as a last resort, Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE), should be implemented in line with the hierarchy of control options.The initiative is backed by the HSE’s Dust Kills campaign, which offers free advice to businesses and workers on dust control measures. HSE has also partnered with various construction and occupational health organisations, including the Construction Industry Advisory Committee (CONIAC), Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA), Construction Leadership Council (CLC), Health in Construction Leadership Group (HCLG), and Construction Dust Partnership.
The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has released its 2023 Safety Report, revealing the lowest Accident Incident Rate (AIR) and Accident Frequency Rate (AFR) since the organisation began tracking data in 1975. According to the scaffolding trade body, its latest report underscores the effectiveness of regulated NASC membership in ensuring safe scaffolding and access operations.In 2022, NASC’s 240+ contracting member firms saw a 26% reduction in Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) accident rate, falling from 90 incidents in 2021 to 67 incidents. This reduction was most notable in the 16-20 age bracket, where incidents decreased by 63%. These improvements were achieved despite a 10% increase in the scaffolding workforce, which grew to 17,315 operatives.The 2023 Safety Report shows an AIR of 3.87 and an AFR of 0.20, the lowest figures recorded since 1975. This achievement translates to more NASC member company employees working without incident or harm.David Brown, the new NASC President from IBN Scaffold Access Ltd, praised the members for their proactive approach to health and safety. “Our figures for 2022 speak for themselves,” Brown said. “Our members are proactive in their approach to improving health and safety for their employees and also for the wider construction industry who use our scaffolds on a daily basis.”He further emphasised the importance of early training for younger workers, noting the 63% reduction in injuries in the 16-20 age bracket. The president also mentioned the upcoming SG6 Manual handling guidance suite, which should further reduce accidents.NASC Managing Director, Dave Mosley, pointed to the report as evidence of the commitment to safety by NASC members, who are “strictly audited, highly regulated, well trained and proactive.”Steve Kearney, NASC Health and Safety Manager added: “We can all be very proud of the work that the NASC and its contracting members are doing to make this inherently dangerous industry safer, day by day.”This year’s report, which comprehensively analyses accident and injury statistics of its members, is publicly accessible on the NASC website.
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Although they’ve received backing from leading landscaping solutions supplier, Talasey, and in-kind support from landscaping company Ashlea Ltd, where Jarvis serves as a contract manager, Hardern and Jarvis are appealing specifically to scaffolding companies for additional sponsorship and help to complete the project, which is estimated to cost £40,000 in total.
They also invite volunteers to assist in the garden’s construction. Any surplus donations will be divided between construction industry charities Band of Builders and Mates in Mind.
“Scaffolding companies are crucial contributors to the construction industry and therefore pivotal to our message,” Jarvis said. “Their involvement not only lends authenticity to the project but also helps elevate the dialogue about mental health within the very industry they serve.”
For more information about the project or to offer sponsorship and support, please visit Constructing Minds or the GoFundMe page. 
Although they’ve received backing from leading landscaping solutions supplier, Talasey, and in-kind support from landscaping company Ashlea Ltd, where Jarvis serves as a contract manager, Hardern and Jarvis are appealing specifically to scaffolding companies for additional sponsorship and help to complete the project, which is estimated to cost £40,000 in total.
They also invite volunteers to assist in the garden’s construction. Any surplus donations will be divided between construction industry charities Band of Builders and Mates in Mind.
“Scaffolding companies are crucial contributors to the construction industry and therefore pivotal to our message,” Jarvis said. “Their involvement not only lends authenticity to the project but also helps elevate the dialogue about mental health within the very industry they serve.”
For more information about the project or to offer sponsorship and support, please visit Constructing Minds or the GoFundMe page. 
The BSA is preparing to offer a full-fledged event experience with a VIP tent, food zone, kids zone, bar, and entertainment zone set up for the attendees.
Our team at Scaffmag will be present at the event, offering in-depth coverage and exclusive updates to our readers. “We’re thrilled to be again covering the ScaffChamp this year,” says Scaffmag’s Editor, Daniel Norton. “Our readers can look forward to us covering all the action, gaining insights and the excitement from the ground.”
As Vilnius gears up to become the scaffolding capital of the world for these two days, stay tuned for all the action from the ground at Kewazo ScaffChamp 23. 
