Scaffolding Championships Goes Global

The third Scaffolding Championships is now set to be a global event after more teams from around the world including the UK sign up to compete. The growing scaffolding event which is held in the city of Vilnius in Lithuania each year has so far attracted 13 teams of scaffolders from around the world to compete in next year’s competition. Registration for the 2023 Scaffolding Championship is still currently open but the event organisers The Baltic Scaffolding Association have revealed that teams from Australia, Mongolia and now the UK have registered and are also set to attend. Previous years have seen mostly European teams go head-to-head in a series of timed system scaffolding build-offs using the Layher Allround system. This year’s event which saw defending champions Hotrema retain its champion status proved popular with those attending and those watching online. The organisers said that more than 120,000 people from around the world tuned in to the event’s live steam on YouTube and its social media networks. Next year’s Scaffolding Championships will be held on 26 – 27th May 2023. Teams of scaffolders from countries currently registered are Lithuania, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Ireland, Poland, Mongolia, Australia, Bulgaria and the UK. A spokesperson for The Baltic Scaffolding Association said “Although this year’s Championship was very popular, we didn’t expect so much interest for our event next year. Its grown so much that we have had to expand it to allow the registration for 3 extra teams to a total of 15. Our 2023 Championship will again be live-streamed with translation for those that cannot attend but this time we are expecting to make it more interesting and interactive for viewers.” If you are interested in competing in the event next year you can register at https://scaffchamp.com/

New ONS figures shows suicide in construction on the rise

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Shocking new data from the ONS reveals that workers in construction are now nearly FOUR times more likely to take their own lives compared to other sectors in 2021. The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity has been the first to share what these figures mean for our construction community and what is being done to help address these shocking figures. Since the Stevenson/Farmer report in 2017, the charity has been working with Professor Billy Hare at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) to analyse the number of suicides in construction occupations so they have a better understanding where to focus preventative measures to support the industry. The number of suicides attributed to construction occupations in 2021 was 507, most of which are male (503). This figure constitutes a rise of 24 from the previous year and 25 more than the previous five year average and equates to 34 per 100,000 in employment. This is the highest rate since analysis of this data began at GCU. The research identified that the number of suicides in construction rose from 26 to 34 per 100,000 in the seven years to 2021. It is often quoted that suicides within construction are three times that of the national industry average. Unfortunately, that figure is now nearer four times, meaning that workers in construction are nearly four times more likely to take their own lives compared to other sectors in 2021. Professor Billy Hare of GCU said “Whilst it is unwise to react to a single year’s figures, the long-term rate of suicides is regrettably on an upward trajectory for those working in the construction industry, despite all the good work being done in recent years. This means we need to dig deeper to find and address the true root causes, and take collective action sooner rather than later.”  The summary table below shows the findings between occupational groups. In summary, every category has shown a significant increase since 2015. Bill Hill, CEO of the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity said, “Over 87% of our construction workforce are male and over 50% of the sector is made up of self employed, agency staff or zero hour contract workers. Financial insecurity is a major factor for poor wellbeing in our workforce and the pandemic added greater anxiety and emotional burden. The industry and charities like ours have made huge strides in recognising and delivering programmes to improve wellbeing but the results from 2021 simply galvanise our resolve to do more. Our messages of support are not reaching the boots on the ground. We all have a moral responsibility and an economic imperative to work together to improve the wellbeing and welfare or our workers.” The industry is doing more than ever to recognise and address this major issue and the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has asked the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity and Mates In Mind Charity to work together to co-chair a major project to improve wellbeing and welfare within construction along with initiatives to accelerate universal culture change to reduce stigma, break down barriers and increase awareness of support services. This major initiative called Make It Visible will look to unite the CITB, HSE, Supply Chain School, trade and professional bodies, clients and contractors to formulate and execute a plan of action with key deliverables and measurement to drive the change necessary to improve the wellbeing of our workforce and ultimately reduce the suicides in our industry. In January 2023 the industry will be invited to a presentation of a study conducted by GCU looking at all the research and industry best practice on wellbeing over the last two years. The participants will be asked to vote on the priorities for the Make It Visible initiative to work on. Sarah Meek, Managing Director of Mates in Mind said “These latest statistics demonstrate that we need to do more as an industry to prevent people reaching the point of crisis, by addressing the causes that negatively impact on one’s mental health and thereby reduce the need for safety nets.  There is much that we can do around prevention and employers should be encouraged to view their responsibility around this across their total workforce including their supply chain who, from our research earlier this year, have shown to be working with severe levels of anxiety.  With positive moves already beginning which sees mental health starting to feature in frameworks, we must continue building on this and encourage conversations around how contracts are both procured and awarded to address some of the factors that can have such a detrimental effect.” The full report can be downloaded here : Construction project risk & value management | Glasgow Caledonian University | Scotland, UK (gcu.ac.uk)

NASC boss becomes VP of European Scaffolding Confederation

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Dave Mosley, Acting Managing Director of the NASC has been voted in as Vice President of the European Scaffolding Confederation (UEG). The Union of European Scaffolding Companies (UEG) represents the interests of scaffolding across Europe. Its members made the important vote at its Annual General assembly Meeting held in Cologne last week. Members of the UEG include national scaffolding associations from Germany, UK, Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, Norway, Finland, Sweden, France and Luxembourg. The union is also currently in discussion with several other national federations aiming to join. It was founded in 2008, with NASC joining in 2009 represented by former NASC MD Robin James and Dave Mosley. UEG also has a range of producers, manufacturers and industry experts as associate members who bring their support and knowledge, representing the wider group’s best interests via their roles on several European Standard setting bodies. Over the years, Dave has attended regular meetings and taken part in several working groups. There are a number of working parties looking to raise scaffolding standards and set minimum requirements for the European sector. Dave Mosley said: “ I am very proud to have been appointed as Vice President of UEG and would like to thank the members for voting for me. NASC has been involved with the federation almost from the beginning, it is essential that our voice is heard during the discussions that take place in Europe, as they could have serious consequences upon standards regarding materials, labour, training and other aspects of the scaffolding industry back in the UK. Over the years, we have met some incredibly knowledgeable and experienced industry representatives via UEG and made some great friends and allies. Not every member will have the same opinion on a particular subject but through discussion we can usually reach a consensus, which will help to move us collectively in the right direction.”

G-DECK continues to see growth with launch of new product

G-DECK continues to push forward after the launch of its long-awaited lighter-weight 1m deck panel. After trials and certification, the Leicester-based manufacturer has added a lighter-weight 1m deck option to both their STANDARD and scaffold DUAL systems. The new 1m deck panel only weighs 10.4kg so has been reduced by 3.5kg to its normal 1m deck and now gives anyone the option of having a deck panel if required which is now as light as any alternatives, however, the loading which they are known for is still an impressive 5kN (500kg) per m2 which means the decks can still be loaded and used in a variety of uses. A G-DECK spokesperson said: “Our in-house development team has proven yet again that we can create ground-breaking advancements in our products and this is a testament to what we achieve year after year to push our systems and products forward.” Its existing customers can now choose between G-DECK’s normal and lighter deck panels as the new deck panels work with both its Standard and Dual systems simultaneously. But this also will enable any business that was interested in upgrading to G-DECK to make the switch due to the lighter deck being less manual handling on installs and dismantles. “2022 has seen yet again growth in the demand for our systems and products with still plenty of developments planned on our road map for 2023,” G-DECK said.

HSE statistics show workplace stress, depression and anxiety on the rise

Statistics published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show improvement in some areas but also show concerning trends in workplace stress, depression and anxiety.

The latest statistics published by the HSE which include work-related ill health and non-fatal workplace injuries, show that 1.8 million workers suffered from a work-related illness in the period 2021-2022, up from 1.7 million the previous year. Over fifty percent of these cases are related to stress, depression, or anxiety.

Data shows that there were 123 workers killed in the same period and that 565,00 workers sustained a non-fatal injury up from 441,000 the previous year.

The construction industry has the highest level of fatalities of any sector – 30 in total.

HSE’s Chief Executive, Sarah Albon, said: “Stress and poor mental health is the number one cause of work-related ill health. The effects of stress, depression, and anxiety can have a significant impact on an employee’s life and on their ability to perform their best at work. “Britain is one of the safest places in the world to work but we need all employers to do more and take seriously their responsibilities to support good mental health at work. That’s why improving mental health in the workplace is a key priority in our 10-year strategy ‘Protecting People and Places’, and why we’re developing new partnerships across industry to help employers support their employees.”

Industry Reaction

Robert Candy, Chief Executive of the Scaffolding Association said; “Almost a quarter of all workplace fatalities occur as a result of falls from height, which remains the single largest contributing factor – 29 for the period 2021-2022 and 29 too many.

Further, with over 50% of work-related ill health cases being a result of stress, depression or anxiety indicates a rapidly growing trend that employers must get to grips with to ensure employees are being offered the support they need.

Statistics published by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) earlier this year suggest that in construction (a typically male dominated industry) that men are three times more likely to die by suicide than national average men. That equates to another 700 deaths every year in construction.”

To see the HSE statistics and statement in full see here.

Award winning success for JDC Scaffolding

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After three consecutive years of being NASC finalists, JDC Scaffolding have finally been awarded the accolade of Project of the Year (Medium) for its incredible work at the Annexe Building in London. Hertfordshire-based JDC Scaffolding is celebrating its success after its project at the Annexe Building, Smithfield Market was deemed the best in its category at the recent NASC Awards 2022. The national scaffolding trade body awarded JDC for its highly technical and design-intensive project that’s helping with the restoration of what’s been called the ‘last ruin in London’ and will ultimately be the new Museum of London. Built-in the late 1800s the Annexe Building compromises of two main buildings; the Red House which was one of the first cold stores in the world and the triangular Fish Market both of which had been left derelict since 1983. The whole building is constructed over a network of tunnels and basements, including two main Thameslink rail lines. Working for main contractors McLaughlin & Harvey, JDC deployed a series of complex designed scaffolding structures across the project to allow restoration works that included shoring, protection and general scaffolding access.   This allowed contractors to make the building safe, clean the external masonry, replace internal timbers, replace the roof coverings and alter the internal layout. The NASC said: “The project highlighted JDC’s design capabilities and the depth of its engineering knowledge. The design development was an intense process and carried out in difficult communication circumstances during a pandemic.” Sam Sufferin, SHEQ Advisor for McLaughlin & Harvey added: “JDC has demonstrated excellent standards of safety performance throughout their time on the COL Annexe project to date. On what is an extremely intricate site, they have designed, constructed and maintained complex scaffolding systems with H&S at the forefront.” Phil Welham, Business Development Director at JDC Scaffolding said: “JDC Scaffolding were proud to receive the Project of the Year (Medium) award at the NASC Awards. We were up against some unbelievably tough opposition, but the judges thought that our submission, for this technically challenging project, was worthy of the award.  Our very strong and loyal team have stuck together, with hard work and self-belief it is amazing what you can achieve.”

NASC Appoints Youngest Ever President

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NASC, the national trade body for scaffolding and access in the UK has appointed its youngest-ever president since it was established back in 1945. David Brown, Managing Director of IBN Scaffold Access Ltd has become NASC’s newest and youngest president. He takes over the helm from Lynn Way of Chris Sedgeman Scaffolding Ltd after three years’ service to the confederation. Aged just 36, the Barnsley-based MD is incredibly passionate about the NASC, its industry-leading guidance and its 450+ members. With his two-year term, he aims to debunk the stigma that some believe that the NASC is an ‘elite old boys club to wynd down the years before retirement,’ or that it’s just for medium to large scaffolding companies with huge profits. “The NASC has shown me that it doesn’t matter who you are, what member company you work for or what size company you represent, the NASC is open and accessible to all,” Brown said in his inaugural speech at the NASC’s recent AGM in London. His comments seemed to resonate with those NASC members attending the AGM as he outlined his core objectives as President at the Westminster Park Plaza hotel on Friday.
David Brown, Managing Director of IBN Scaffold Access Ltd has become NASC’s newest and youngest president.
David Brown addresses NASC members at its AGM on Friday.
Brown’s primary focus will be supporting NASC member companies through the labour and skills shortages the industry is currently facing. He aims to provide its members with massive training grants ‘on a scale that has not been offered before.’We must recruit new starters into the industry. We rely on new blood coming into Scaffolding to keep this amazing trade going.  As well as recruiting new starters it is vital that we address the skills shortages within the Industry and that NASC members continue to train and up-skill their workforce,” Brown said. The Environment is also something he is very passionate about; he intends to help the NASC fully support and guide the membership on reaching Carbon Net Zero by 2050. The NASC will be providing extensive guidance on this and access to further information before it becomes a core membership criteria in the future.
“Our members don’t just pay for a badge and then buy guidance from elsewhere. NASC members are the leaders in our Industry.”
NASC’s new President made some bold announcements

Bold Words

Besides Brown’s Net Zero goals for members and tackling the industry’s labour shortages, he is extremely passionate about main contractors insisting on only using NASC member companies. And he made a bold announcement at the AGM that some in the wider industry may find controversial. During his term as President, he is going to fully support the confederation in promoting ‘NASC only’ to all main contractors, clients, local authorities and even the Government. “Over recent years the criteria from main contractors have changed. ‘NASC Member Companies Only’ used to be the criteria on PQQ documents issued. During my term as President, we need to get back to this”, he said. “My message to main contractors is simple… “Do you want to employ scaffolding contractors who help produce the industry guidance and set the standard for the scaffolding industry?  Do you want to employ the scaffolding contractors who year after year and reducing their accident statistics and improving the industry? Do you want safe and compliant companies working on your projects? Do you want scaffolding companies who are fully audited and who are using materials fully in accordance with NASC product purchasing guidelines? “Only by employing a NASC member company do you get this as a minimum.” 

Fawley oil refinery scaffolders strike over pay

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Scaffolders and other workers at Fawley oil refinery have walked out on a two-week strike over poor pay.
Workers at the UK’s biggest oil refinery in Southampton had hoped for a last-minute deal to prevent industrial action. Members of Unite and the GMB union that include scaffolders, welders, pipefitters, boilermakers and mechanical fitters working on the site are taking part in the strike.

The union said the refinery’s employers had not formally given an offer it could put to its members.

Bryan Hulley, GMB organiser said to the BBC that Altrad, Bilfinger and their client ExxonMobil were “solely responsible for this walkout”.

“Despite the promises that they will make an offer to our members, we are yet to get a formal offer on the table,” he continued.

An ExxonMobil spokesperson said: ”This action involves trade union members employed by contracting companies operating onsite. Operations at Fawley are unaffected and we do not anticipate any impact on fuel supplies to customers.”

The spokesperson for the oil and gas company added that “industrial action is not in anyone’s interest” and urged the trade unions and employers to work together to reach a resolution.

Bilfinger said in a statement it understood the company was one of a group of contractors with employees taking part in the industrial action. “We are working closely with our employees and the unions to resolve this as soon as possible.”

The union says it has also issued notice of a further two weeks of action to follow.

Scaffolder football fan shaves chest and back for World Cup

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A football-mad scaffolder has shaved his chest and back to show support for England in the World Cup while raising awareness for a mental health charity. Scaffolder and West Ham fan Alfie Callagher-Roberts, 25, shaved his chest hair into the shape of the St George’s cross and dyed it red ahead of England’s first game on Monday where the Three Lions thrashed Iran 6 – 2. The PDC Scaffolding Ltd employee aims to visit pubs during the World Cup with his man-sculpted flag proudly on display. There is however a serious side to his antics. Alfie is hoping to raise awareness of the charity Construction Sport, which aims to tackle the spiralling suicide rates within the industry by using exercise as a vehicle to get men to open up about their feelings.
Credit: guardian-series.co.uk
  Speaking to the Guardian Alfie said: “Football’s definitely coming home. But if it doesn’t, we’re going to have a good time hoping it does. It started out as a joke before and it is a bit of fun, but I am hoping to raise awareness of mental health issues in construction.” His boss Paul Casey, who owns Essex-based PDC Scaffolding, is a major sponsor of the charity and they often take each other on in five-a-side football matches. The charity was set up by groundworker Steve Kerslake, who wants to change the way the industry deals with the mental health of its workers. Government figures show there is a higher rate of suicide among men working in construction than any other industry – at an alarming rate of almost two suicides per working day. “I want to raise awareness that there are charities out there that people can talk to and encourage people to take up the sport, Alfie said. Steve found that by introducing a football to a group of construction workers it immediately created a common ground where a conversation could start. Alfie added: “In scaffolding, we’re in the van together for a long time, we’re all on first-name terms, we know each other, it’s a bit easier to open up. “On construction sites with 50 other blokes, it’s not as easy. Steve’s doing a really good thing to try to change that and I’m trying to help spread that message. “I’ll be watching the games with my top off and going around with Three Lions blaring out of my van as world cup fever starts to take grip. “If someone comes and sees me in the pub with my top off, they might ask what that’s all about and I can tell them. It’s about creating that conversation, like what Steve is doing.” You can follow Alfie’s World Cup antics at www.tiktok.com/@thefurryfootballfan. Visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/world-cup-antics-fund? to donate to his cause.  

Winners unveiled at NASC Awards 2022

Some of the best, and most respected scaffolding firms and members of the scaffolding and access community came together to celebrate in London on Friday for the NASC Annual Ball & Awards 2022. The highly anticipated event was to date the largest-ever annual black-tie Awards and Ball for the national scaffolding trade body. More than 740 guests converged in the capital at the Westminster Bridge Park Plaza Hotel to celebrate the very best the UK scaffolding and access industry has to offer. A drinks reception awaited guests on arrival to this year’s event which focused on its core event theme of ‘Think Sustainability’ in line with one of the NASC’s objectives under newly appointed NASC President David Brown. Drinks were followed by a fine-dining three-course meal and live music. Those in attendance were thoroughly entertained by online viral sensation, Troy Hawke who took up the Master of Ceremonies duty for the evening. However, guests were bowled over and amazed by the surprise appearance of TV megastar and award-winning children’s novelist, David Walliams who hosted the Awards.

NASC Award Winners & Runners-up

Apprentice of the Year 1 Louie Peebles – JMAC Scaffolding Ltd (Winner) 2 Trenai Munnings – Lyndon SGB by BrandSafway (UK) (Runner-up) Health & Safety (Small) 1 Shield Services Group (Winner) 2 MR Scaffolding Services Ltd (Runner-up) Health & Safety (Large) 1 KAEFER UK & Ireland Ltd (Winner) 2 Connect Scaffolding Ltd (Runner-up) Innovation of the Year 1 Layher Ltd (UK) – TwixBeam (Winner) 2 PERI – EVOTOP (Runner-up) President’s Award 1 GKR Scaffolding Ltd (Winner) 2 JFE Attridge Scaffolding Services Co Ltd (Runner-up) Project of the Year (Small) 1 INFRASTRUCTURE SITE SERVICES LIMITED – Swaith Viaduct Refurbishment, Barnsley 2 Shield Services Group – Prince Charles Hospital, Merthyr Tydfil Project of the Year (Medium) 1 JDC Scaffolding – Annexe Building, Smithfield 2 Chris Sedgeman Scaffolding Limited – Geevor Tin Mine, Pendeen Project of the Year (Large) 1 PHD Access – HMS Victory, Portsmouth 2 Enigma Industrial Services Ltd – Cameron House Restoration, Loch Lomond Acting NASC Managing Director, Dave Mosley, said: “It’s been another fantastic NASC Ball and Awards. The event grows year on year and has been established as a real highlight in the scaffolding and access industry calendar. A big thanks to all those involved in organising this event, with a special mention to event organiser (& NASC Membership Manager), Jamie McGuire who has had to oversee each aspect of this very special occasion. “Congratulations to the winners, runners-up and indeed all those nominated for an award this year, the standard as always was incredibly high – which is what the NASC is all about of course. It’s an excellent way of giving recognition to everybody’s hard work, it is something to be proud of and can only enhance their reputations and credibility with the wider industry.”