In a groundbreaking move, Safety Respect, a leading global manufacturer of edge protection products, has announced a significant investment in the UK’s construction market.
Following the success of the initial Swedish intervention in the UK temporary edge protection sector in the early 2000s, the firm is set to redefine safety standards in the industry.
After creating a new team and heavily investing in a UK logistics centre, Safety Respect is ready to meet the rising demand for high-quality edge protection products in the UK.
The company, which manufactures over 100,000 barriers globally each year, aims to deliver record-breaking stock levels and unmatched delivery speeds from its advanced European plants.
Safety Respect UK is now poised to offer an unprecedented range of products and services at every stage of the Work At Height Hierarchy. The company, established initially in Ostersund, Sweden, in 2007, has ambitious growth plans across various markets, with the UK singled out as a primary focus.
To aid its entry into the UK market, Safety Respect has acquired Vivatec UK and appointed former Vivatec boss Oliver Gwinnell to lead the venture. Gwinnell, an industry veteran with nearly two decades of experience, was part of the Swedish firm’s product sales team, instrumental in reshaping the UK’s temporary edge protection industry.
Reflecting on this new chapter, Gwinnell said, “We have huge aspirations in the UK, and we think now is the perfect time to launch here and offer something different. Safety Respect UK isn’t going to be another ‘me-too’ company. We can truly design bespoke solutions and because of our size we have the capability and control to deliver products fast.”
Highlighting their dedication to innovation, Gwinnell hinted at upcoming technology-driven solutions to improve efficiency and safety. Combining an experienced team and an eager group of innovators makes Safety Respect well-positioned to revolutionise the industry again.
Echoing Gwinnell’s optimism, Safety Respect CEO Per Ramberger said, “There is much opportunity in the UK, and we are excited by this announcement. The UK is a mature, sophisticated market, wanting clever products and solutions. Our production capabilities are substantial, and we have invested heavily in technology creating smarter ways of working.”
Ramberger’s aspirations are clearly rooted in his Swedish heritage, as he noted that striving for excellence and innovation are integral parts of their culture. These values have undoubtedly contributed to Safety Respect’s rapid ascent to becoming the world’s biggest manufacturer of temporary edge protection products.
In addition to its core offerings, Safety Respect UK will provide a wide range of safety equipment and certified training courses to ensure on-site competence. These offerings will encompass all steps of the Work At Height Hierarchy, aiming to make the UK construction industry safer than ever.
In a landmark move towards promoting sustainable practices in the construction industry, Construction College Midlands (CCM) has officially launched a state-of-the-art £1M scaffolding training facility and an innovative suite of green skills courses.This significant investment is coupled with the introduction of several pioneering ‘green courses’, marking the college’s commitment to sustainable practices in the construction industry.Located in Birmingham, CCM a branch of Walsall College, has seen a threefold increase in the delivery of scaffolding, groundworks, and roofing-based training since it acquired the Kings Norton site in December 2020. The college’s new facility, part-funded by the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership’s (GBSLEP) Growing Places Fund, is set to fuel this growth further.The upgraded facility enables the college to provide additional apprenticeships and industry-recognised qualifications within the Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS). Comprehensive courses will be available for trainees, supervisors, and those seeking to renew their scaffolder labour cards.“With this newly established facility, we can accelerate the pace for employers to access the skilled workers so urgently needed by this sector,” said Jatinder Sharma CBE DL, Principal and Chief Executive of Walsall College.The facility caters to current professionals and aims to attract the next generation of construction workers. Sharma added, “By replicating a ‘real-world’ scaffolding and building work environment, we are better equipped to nurture and grow a pipeline of talent.”The new facility has received an investment of £300,000 from GBSLEP’s Growing Places Fund. Henriette Breukelaar, Chief Executive of GBSLEP, emphasised the project’s lasting impact: “Our investment will make a difference for generations to come – it’s a lasting legacy of the partnership work we have done with education leaders, local authorities, and businesses.”The launch of the new facility was accompanied by the unveiling of the college’s Green Skills Sustainability Centre. This centre aims to assist businesses in reducing their carbon footprint by providing courses in green roofing, sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS), external wall insulation (EWI), permeable paving, retrofit courses, solar panel training, and greywater harvesting.Sharma expressed his enthusiasm for the college’s sustainability initiative: “It has long been our ambition to grow our training provision in line with industry needs while supporting employers in delivering eco-friendly practices…We are delighted our values along the green sustainability agenda now fully align with those of the industry.”This landmark development from Construction College Midlands represents a significant step towards a greener and more sustainable future for the construction industry. The industry eagerly awaits the impact of these groundbreaking programs and the promise they hold for a more sustainable future.
Last week, the third annual international scaffolding championship, held in the Lithuanian capital, truly soared above expectations. The event attracted over 400 people from across the globe and was live-streamed to thousands more, creating an inspiring atmosphere of camaraderie and competition. The championship, that’s now dubbed ScaffChamp, not only celebrated the high-level skills within the scaffolding industry but also reinforced the global sense of community amongst its professionals.The international scaffolding industry came together in a grand spectacle at the annual ScaffChamp 23. This event, hosted last week in Vilnius, Lithuania, by the Baltic Scaffolding Association (BSA) and Layher Baltic, celebrated its third successful year, continuing to grow in size and significance globally.
From its humble beginnings in 2019 to the present, the championship has seen an impressive surge in growth and popularity. This year, it drew a diverse audience of over 400 attendees worldwide, demonstrating its expanding influence in the scaffolding industry.
Again, The competition was live-streamed, which captivated a diverse global audience with skilled commentary by professionals from the USA and Germany who delivered insightful commentary throughout the event.
The event’s key highlight was the intense competition among fifteen international teams. Their challenge: erect and dismantle a specifically designed Layher Allround scaffold structure as swiftly and safely as possible, turning the event into an exciting race against the clock.
The Swedish team, Kaefer AB, emerged victorious, setting a new record with a time of 59 minutes and 1 second. Lithuanian teams, Globalita and defending champions Hotrema secured the second and third positions, respectively, demonstrating their strong scaffolding prowess.
Swedish team, Kaefer AB
Oleg Abramov, Project and Marketing Manager at Layher Baltic, reflected on the successful execution of ScaffChamp 23. In an interview with ScaffMag, Abramov highlighted the event’s growth from its planning stage in October 2022 to its grand culmination, calling it an “exhilarating adventure filled with determination, collaboration, and the pursuit of excellence.”
One of the most heartwarming moments Abramov noted was the participation of the Mongolian team, NBIK Hawks. “Watching the Mongolian team who travelled a 16-hour flight to Lithuania to take part was my best moment during the event,” said Abramov. Their dedication underscored the sense of global community fostered by this event.Mongolian team, NBIK Hawks in action
Mark Parkin, Business Development Manager at Richter from the UK, was one of the invited referees at the event. Speaking about the assessment criteria during the competition, he said, “While refereeing, we looked at a number of different things. In the UK we work to SG4 but the rest of the world doesn’t and as this is an international event we looked at the teams walking on ledgers and how many boards they were working from and marked them up or down accordingly.”Mark Parkin
Parkin reminisced about the inception of ScaffChamp, “I remember talking to Victor when he had the idea for ScaffChamp; he was worried that only a couple of teams would attend. But look at it now,” he said. “15 teams from around the world with the possibility of 20 plus teams attending next year. It’s been an incredible event.”
Speaking after the event, Abramov extended his gratitude towards the event’s sponsors, KEWAZO, ScaffPlan, and Layher Baltic, UAB. He also emphasised the importance of fostering networking opportunities and building a robust scaffolding community. He lauded the team effort behind the event, thanking referees, broadcast commentators, and influencers for their pivotal roles in ScaffChamp’s success.
The success of ScaffChamp 23 underlines the growing recognition of scaffolding as a skilled profession and its central role in global construction. As the event continues to grow each year, it not only elevates the level of competition but also cements the bonds of this unique international community.
In Abramov’s words, “I invite you all to join in celebrating the success of this incredible journey.”
The CEO moves on after 30 years at TRAD, including time as President of the NASC
Des Moore, who has been CEO of TRAD since the business was acquired by Altrad in 2013 has announced that he has moved on from the business to pursue new career opportunities.
Des, who left school at 15, and has built his career in access products, construction and allied trades, is starting his own consultancy business.
He will be sharing his considerable management experience with businesses who are working towards sale or acquisition, need advice on preparing growth strategies or are looking for support with organisational change that delivers increased profitability. Access products construction and allied trades.
He will also be available for mentoring roles, and as a public speaker, concentrating on mental health issues, diversity and equality, women in construction and authentic leadership.
“I’m very excited about this next phase in my career,” he told Scaffmag.
“Over the years, I have built up a huge amount of knowledge, experience and proven success. My new consultancy, MOR1X, gives me the opportunity to use those skills to help other businesses – in scaffolding, construction or indeed any sector – to succeed.”
The company has won awards for product innovation and its charity fundraising
TRAD UK is celebrating two prestigious wins as part of Altrad’s annual meeting. The company won a President’s Award for product innovation with its All-in-one EdgeGuard system, and a second award for raising £33,000 for Anthony Nolan Trust in memory of past director, John Paterson.
The Patent-Pending All-in-one-EdgeGuard system is a unique modular edge protection system which is flexible enough to adapt for temporary use, but is also built to last for permanent use. So, it delivers a safe and smart solution for builders and building management teams.
Traditional edge protection systems can be responsible for trip hazards – in fact they are one of the most common trip hazards found on roofs – which is not necessarily a desirable feature for edge protection! When developing the product, TRAD used its team’s experience of working on these projects, and its in-depth awareness of UK Health and Safety regulations to ensure the new product minimises this problematic feature, while also being extremely easy to use, safe to install and robust enough to last.
“We were delighted to win the President’s Award for product innovation,” says Colin Dobson, MD at TRAD UK. “We are rightly proud of our track record in product innovation – especially where that applies to safety on site, and the ability to manage projects easily and cost-effectively. It was a real honour to have the All-in-one EdgeGuard showcased in this way.”
The CSR award is equally important to the business. ‘£22k for 2022’ was TRAD’s tagline for its 2022 fundraising campaign, which focused on raising money for Anthony Nolan Trust – a charity that supported past director John Paterson and his family when he was ill.
L-R: Ros Howe, Colin Dobson and Heidi Taylor with there CSR Award
Putting together a full calendar of charity-raising events, the company surpassed its target by £11,000, raising £33,000 overall. The fundraising had considerable support not just from within TRAD, but from suppliers, clients and industry bodies – something really appreciated by Jane Paterson, John’s widow, who made a video specially for the Altrad Award presentation.
“It was incredibly important for us to mark John’s contribution to TRAD and to all his colleagues by raising money in his memory,” says Ros Howe, HR Director. “It was amazing for us to see how motivated people were to take part in events so that they could help to make a difference. It is fantastic to have this effort recognised by the Altrad President’s Award.”
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.
Ramberger’s aspirations are clearly rooted in his Swedish heritage, as he noted that striving for excellence and innovation are integral parts of their culture. These values have undoubtedly contributed to Safety Respect’s rapid ascent to becoming the world’s biggest manufacturer of temporary edge protection products.
In addition to its core offerings, Safety Respect UK will provide a wide range of safety equipment and certified training courses to ensure on-site competence. These offerings will encompass all steps of the Work At Height Hierarchy, aiming to make the UK construction industry safer than ever. 
Ramberger’s aspirations are clearly rooted in his Swedish heritage, as he noted that striving for excellence and innovation are integral parts of their culture. These values have undoubtedly contributed to Safety Respect’s rapid ascent to becoming the world’s biggest manufacturer of temporary edge protection products.
In addition to its core offerings, Safety Respect UK will provide a wide range of safety equipment and certified training courses to ensure on-site competence. These offerings will encompass all steps of the Work At Height Hierarchy, aiming to make the UK construction industry safer than ever. 
Comprehensive courses will be available for trainees, supervisors, and those seeking to renew their scaffolder labour cards.
“With this newly established facility, we can accelerate the pace for employers to access the skilled workers so urgently needed by this sector,” said Jatinder Sharma CBE DL, Principal and Chief Executive of Walsall College.
The facility caters to current professionals and aims to attract the next generation of construction workers.
Sharma added, “By replicating a ‘real-world’ scaffolding and building work environment, we are better equipped to nurture and grow a pipeline of talent.”
The new facility has received an investment of £300,000 from GBSLEP’s Growing Places Fund. Henriette Breukelaar, Chief Executive of GBSLEP, emphasised the project’s lasting impact: “Our investment will make a difference for generations to come – it’s a lasting legacy of the partnership work we have done with education leaders, local authorities, and businesses.”
The launch of the new facility was accompanied by the unveiling of the college’s Green Skills Sustainability Centre. This centre aims to assist businesses in reducing their carbon footprint by providing courses in green roofing, sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS), external wall insulation (EWI), permeable paving, retrofit courses, solar panel training, and greywater harvesting.
Sharma expressed his enthusiasm for the college’s sustainability initiative: “It has long been our ambition to grow our training provision in line with industry needs while supporting employers in delivering eco-friendly practices…We are delighted our values along the green sustainability agenda now fully align with those of the industry.”
This landmark development from Construction College Midlands represents a significant step towards a greener and more sustainable future for the construction industry. The industry eagerly awaits the impact of these groundbreaking programs and the promise they hold for a more sustainable future. 
Comprehensive courses will be available for trainees, supervisors, and those seeking to renew their scaffolder labour cards.
“With this newly established facility, we can accelerate the pace for employers to access the skilled workers so urgently needed by this sector,” said Jatinder Sharma CBE DL, Principal and Chief Executive of Walsall College.
The facility caters to current professionals and aims to attract the next generation of construction workers.
Sharma added, “By replicating a ‘real-world’ scaffolding and building work environment, we are better equipped to nurture and grow a pipeline of talent.”
The new facility has received an investment of £300,000 from GBSLEP’s Growing Places Fund. Henriette Breukelaar, Chief Executive of GBSLEP, emphasised the project’s lasting impact: “Our investment will make a difference for generations to come – it’s a lasting legacy of the partnership work we have done with education leaders, local authorities, and businesses.”
The launch of the new facility was accompanied by the unveiling of the college’s Green Skills Sustainability Centre. This centre aims to assist businesses in reducing their carbon footprint by providing courses in green roofing, sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS), external wall insulation (EWI), permeable paving, retrofit courses, solar panel training, and greywater harvesting.
Sharma expressed his enthusiasm for the college’s sustainability initiative: “It has long been our ambition to grow our training provision in line with industry needs while supporting employers in delivering eco-friendly practices…We are delighted our values along the green sustainability agenda now fully align with those of the industry.”
This landmark development from Construction College Midlands represents a significant step towards a greener and more sustainable future for the construction industry. The industry eagerly awaits the impact of these groundbreaking programs and the promise they hold for a more sustainable future. 
The success of ScaffChamp 23 underlines the growing recognition of scaffolding as a skilled profession and its central role in global construction. As the event continues to grow each year, it not only elevates the level of competition but also cements the bonds of this unique international community.
In Abramov’s words, “I invite you all to join in celebrating the success of this incredible journey.” 
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. 
