NASC Launches Long-Awaited SG4:22

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NASC Launches Long-Awaited SG4:22
The NASC has launched SG4:22: Preventing Falls in Scaffolding Operations. This long-awaited, core NASC safety guidance document provides industry best practice for fall prevention when erecting tube & fitting and now also includes system scaffolding. SG4:22 features 60 pages of detailed scaffolding sector analysis and safety guidance, with 95 key figures and illustrations, to bring it to life. Initially the document is available to download as a PDF from the NASC ePortal, but handy A6 SG4 user guide booklets are in the pipeline. For now, the NASC states that current SG4:15YOU booklets can still be issued to scaffolders – alongside a briefing on the main changes to SG4 – until SG4:22 booklets become available in early 2023. The key changes to SG4:22 are:
  • The removal of obsolete technology.
  • The inclusion of case studies highlighting accident and enforcement learning.
  • The embracing of new technology (e.g., drones and 3D modelling).
  • Updates to reflect changes brought in with TG20:21 (such a TG20 loading bays).
  • The inclusion of modular system scaffolding as well as traditional tube and fitting.
  • Additional safety guidance on working on beams.
  • Hazards, risks and control measures required when working on fragile roofs.
  • Improved Safe System of Work (SSOW) for temporary roofs and the prevention of falls.
Speaking about the launch of SG4:22, Acting NASC Managing Director, Dave Mosley said: “SG4 has long been one of the most important documents in the access industry, as such it is imperative that it receives a thorough review every 5 years. Since its introduction it has went a very long way in helping make our industry a safer place – for NASC members and non-members alike. It is a must-have document for anyone involved in working at height, scaffolding and access.”    SG4:22 Technical Author and Simian Managing Director, Simon Hughes added: “Having been involved with NASC for over 25 years, I am proud to be associated with NASC and particularly in the development of their flagship safety guidance. “Since the first edition of SG4, which was published well over two decades ago, the scaffolding industry and the standards that support it have seen significant development, as they seek to reflect technological advancements, modern working practices, and the lessons learned by industry. “NASC’s publications are widely respected as industry best practice the world over, and I am pleased to have had the opportunity to be involved in the review and production of this edition, which will hopefully to yield improved standards of safety.” Suzannah Nichol MBE, Chief Executive Build UK provided the following foreword to the newly released  SG4:22, which says: “The application of consistently high standards is key to both safety and productivity on construction projects. Scaffolding professionals provide temporary working platforms and other structures that are used throughout the construction sector and they often face significant risks in establishing safe temporary access and work environments for other workers. Specialist construction trades, such as scaffolders, perform a vital role in our supply-chain and we all rely upon current industry guidance to establish, and maintain, safe working practices that have become the benchmark for our members’ projects. “Written by NASC and industry experts, over the years this guidance has challenged industry practices and has clearly demonstrated an impact in saving lives and preventing serious injury. All scaffolding operatives should hold a current CISRS card and be trained to SG4:22 Preventing Falls in Scaffolding Operations which sets the standard across the UK.” SG4:22 Management Guide is available to download as a PDF from the NASC e-Portal now. Contact the NASC office for more details: Phone (+44) 20 7822 7400 or email [email protected].

HSE on Cold Weather Working

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HSE on Cold Weather Working

The HSE is reminding employers of their responsibilities to keep workers safe as cold weather continues to affect large parts of the country.

Great Britain’s workplace regulator, the Health and Safety Executive, is stressing the importance of protecting workers during the cold weather. It comes as the Met Office has issued a level three cold weather alert until Thursday 15 December for large areas of the UK. John Rowe, Head of Operational Strategy, said: “We’re calling on all employers to take a sensible approach during the cold weather we are experiencing. There are lots of jobs that will be more difficult in the current conditions. Most employers will recognise this and make appropriate accommodations for their staff. That is the right thing to do. “It’s also important employers ensure staff are working in a reasonable temperature. People working in uncomfortably cold environments are less likely to perform well and more likely to behave unsafely because their ability to make good decisions deteriorates.” Temperatures in indoor workplaces are covered by the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, which place a legal obligation on employers to provide a “reasonable” temperature in the workplace. All employers are expected to ensure indoor workplaces are kept at a reasonable temperature. The Approved Code of Practice suggests the minimum temperature should normally be at least 16 degrees Celsius. If the work involves rigorous physical effort, the temperature should be at least 13 degrees Celsius. John Rowe added: “Complying with the code of practice is the right thing for an employer to do. By maintaining a reasonable temperature, employers are likely to maintain the morale and productivity of their staff as well as improving health and safety.”

CITB Instructor Commission to Boost Scaffolding Instructor Numbers

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CITB Instructor Commission to Boost Scaffolding Instructor Numbers
In a bid to boost capacity and increase the number of new scaffolders, CISRS has been awarded a CITB commission to help fund the development and training of 16 new scaffolding instructors within England and Wales. CISRS hopes to make the job of a scaffolding instructor an attractive potential change of career for 16 qualified Scaffolders, to enable them to pass on their knowledge and experience to the next generation. In particular, the training body is seeking scaffolders in the following UK regions, which have been identified as being most in need of support:
  • Wales
  • Southwest
  • Northwest
  • Midlands
  • Northeast – (Humber/North Yorkshire)
  • South Central (Hampshire, IOW, Berkshire, West Sussex, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey)
The 16 new scaffolding instructors will undoubtedly help new NASC President David Brown’s mission to boost numbers and upskill operatives within the scaffolding sector. CISRS Scheme Manager and NASC Managing Director, David Mosley said: “CISRS will be making all efforts to ensure that these regions get the additional instructor numbers that they need. We have already met with several centres that are fully on board, looking to recruit, train and retain the potential new instructors. Qualifying a new scaffolding instructor can take a considerable time. We are very grateful to CITB for offering this support. CISRS will work closely with the providers to ensure that all relevant training, experience and assessment is given to new recruits to get them up to at least Part 1 approval status.” “Scaffolding instruction is a great career option for those who love their work in the industry but are considering a change of direction. You can continue to be involved within the sector by sharing skills and experience and maintaining high standards of training and skills to the upcoming workforce.” Interested scaffolding instructor applicants should, in the first instance contact CISRS by emailing [email protected] with details of where they are based and the regions, they would be interested in working in. Please note that all applicants need to have held a CISRS Advanced or Scaffolder card for 10+ years.

Scaffolder’s Fight for Cancer Research UK

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Scaffolder’s Fight for Cancer Research UK
Scaffolder and rising MMA star, Bradley Rice is raising funds for Cancer Research UK. The Teal Scaffold employee who works as a PASMA Scaffolding Operative at the company recently undertook an eight-week intensive MMA Bootcamp in preparation of Ultra MMA, a charity fundraiser. The event which takes places on Friday 16th December at Liverpool’s iconic Olympia is supporting Bradley in raising much-needed funds for Cancer Research UK. After competing in MMA competitions for over a decade, Bradley is set to take on one of his most challenging and important fights to date. “Cancer Research UK is a charity that is very close to my heart, so I wanted to raise funds for the cause. The work they do to support not just those who are affected by cancer but also their families is priceless,” Bradley said. Bradley’s Manager at Teal Scaffold, Kevin Williams added: “We are incredibly proud of Bradley. We have seen first-hand how hard he has worked in training in preparation for the big event and cause. The team at Teal Scaffold will be backing Bradley as he fights for a great cause. Good luck and well done to all those involved in the event.” You can follow Bradley’s fight on LinkedIn and Twitter. There’s still time to donate via the MMA stars Just Giving page or by purchasing a ticket for the fundraising event here.

London’s ULEZ set to expand in 2023

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London’s ULEZ set to expand in 2023
The London Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is set to be expanded to cover the whole of London from August 2023.  Many drivers in London will be charged an extra daily fee of £12.50 when new plans to expand the ULEZ come into force. In a bid to boost air quality for its residents, the zone will be expanded to cover the whole capital from August 29 2023. All vehicles entering London must meet the ULEZ standard (Euro VI/6 for diesel and Euro IV/4 for petrol) or pay the daily charge. HGVs over 3.5 tonnes have had to meet tougher London-wide Low Emission Zone standards since March 2021. The scheme, which operates every day apart from Christmas Day, is currently limited to the area within the North and South Circular roads but will soon cover all of Greater London. Transport for London (TfL) estimates that on an average day about 160,000 cars and 42,000 vans that use London’s roads would be liable for the £12.50 ULEZ fee. Officials hope the scheme will encourage tens of thousands of those drivers to switch to vehicles that comply with the minimum emissions standards or use other modes of getting around such as walking, cycling or public transport. To see if your vehicle meets the ULEZ emission standards, use the TfL vehicle checker.  

JDC start scaffolding works on Queens Tower

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JDC start scaffolding works on Queens Tower
Scaffolders at a Hertfordshire-based scaffolding firm have begun erecting a large free-standing scaffold that will soon encapsulate the Queens Tower at the Imperial College London. The scaffolders working for JDC Scaffolding are said to be proud to be working on such an iconic monument after the firm was contracted by Russell Cawberry Ltd to supply access and a temporary roof to the 287ft tower. Builders are set to refurbish the exterior of the stonework and make vital repairs to the copper roof covering. Opened in 1893 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee the tower is all that remains of the Imperial Institute. The Institute which was not a great success was partially demolished between 1957-1967. From 1966-1968 work was carried out to enable the tower to be a standalone structure. JDC will be erecting an 83.00m high free-standing scaffold formed of an inner access scaffold, an outer scaffold exoskeleton and a bespoke, circular temporary roof covering. The main external scaffolding will encapsulate a 2 Tonne passenger/goods hoist supplied by Sunbelt Rentals UK & Ireland and a full-height Haki staircase supplied by UK System Scaffold Hire Ltd. The scaffold has been designed by RDG Engineering.

Charity Lunch Raises £224,000 for Construction Families

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Charity Lunch Raises £224,000 for Construction Families
The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity has raised a staggering £224,000 for families in construction at its annual Christmas lunch in London. Construction’s top networking event and lunch was once again a highlight in this year’s calendar and over 900 guests were welcomed through the doors of the Westminster Park Plaza on Friday 2nd December for the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity’s event in London. Radio and television presenter Pete Graves, was MC for the day and opened proceedings with a warm welcome and a hint of the excitement to come with the day’s special guests.  Then it was on to a hotly contested  ‘heads and tails’ competition to get everyone in the mood for the entertainment to come. Each year the Charity awards the ‘Peter Capel’ Cup to recognise outstanding achievement and contributions from organisations that support the charity. Competition for the coveted award is always fierce, but this year the judges were simply unable to select a clear winner. Three companies were announced as joint winners; Gallagher Group, Glencar Construction and Coinford, all of who received resounding cheers and applause from the appreciative audience. The award was in recognition of Gallagher Group and Glencar Construction for organising and sponsoring the charity’s ‘On Yer Bike’ challenge across Ireland in May, and to Gallagher Group and Coinford for organising the charity’s White Collar Boxing event. A special mention was also given to Logan Price from O’Halloran and O’Brien for his individual achievement, raising almost £15,000 scaling Mont Blanc and the UK and Ireland’s 4 highest peaks. All the winners of the lotto very generously donated their prize money straight back to the charity, so a special thank you goes to Dermot O’Grady from Ardent Tide, Kathy Marsden from MasterMac Surfacing, and James from J O’Doherty Haulage Ltd. Guests enjoyed a gourmet three-course meal and auctioneer Addison Gelpey, prompted some frantic bidding for some unique lots and opportunities. Top celebrities from the sporting world then graced the stage and football legends,  Glen Hoddle and Paul Merson, were joined by ex rugby player and presenter, David Flatman. Along with boxing hard hitter David Haye ‘the Hayemaker’ to form an all star line up, They all shared their own experiences with poor mental health, addiction, injury and near fatal heart attacks, with each adding plenty of humour to how these events had impacted on their lives and shaped how they dealt with the challenges of daily life. The audience were very appreciative of the remarkably candid and witty responses to some tricky questions and the celebrities received a standing ovation.. Bill Hill, CEO of the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity said, “We are always amazed at the generosity of our supporters, particularly during these difficult times. Thank you never seems enough, but that support means that we can literally change and save people’s lives and that is truly humbling. Next year we have big plans to ensure that everyone can reach out for support through our ‘Make it Visible’ campaign and our on site team will be visiting more locations to help spread the word about out vital services. Each year we do more and more for our community but that is only possible with the dedicated and unerring support we receive and I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the volunteers that helped on the day and our sponsors who make these events possible.” The afternoon was wrapped up by opera singers, Damian Carter and Alexander Wall who treated the audience to rousing renditions of Nessun dorma and Sweet Caroline,prompting synchronised swaying and napkin waving. The festivities continued well into the evening with guests embracing the Christmas spirit and making the most of the networking opportunities.

Government plans to scrap Working at Height Regs

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Government plans to scrap Working at Height Regs
The Government is planning to scrap the UK’s Work at Height Regulations at the end of 2023 unless ministers in Westminster can be convinced to rescue them. The Government is poised to scrap the Working at Height Regulations and over 2,400 other laws and regulations at the end of 2023 following the UK leaving the European Union. The Revocation and Reform Bill which is currently being passed through Parliament seeks to remove EU-derived laws that remain on the UK statute book following Brexit. The Bill proposes to remove many laws that are entwined with the EU and the Working at Height Regulations is just one of them. Others set for the chop include the Manual Handling Operations Regulations and Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations.

Repeal Campaign

Today the Access Industry Forum (AIF) is urging all in the industry to join its campaign to help save the Work at Height Regulations. The AIF said: “No one was calling for the repeal of the Work at Height Regulations. There was no campaign for reform; no one saying it’s unfit for purpose or burdensome. In fact, guidance has been simplified over the years. There has been no consultation, no parliamentary scrutiny. The issue is simply that they originated from an EU directive, so are being swept up in this mass clear out of regulations – despite extensive UK stakeholder consultation taking place before they were created and being an established UK law for almost two decades. If the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill passes, the whole lot will automatically be axed on 31 December 2023 unless the government takes action to save individual regulations.” AIF has submitted written evidence to the House of Commons Public Bill Committee, which is now considering the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill. It also has united the ten principal trade associations and federations involved in work at height: ATLAS, EPF, FASET, IPAF, IRATA, Ladder Association, NASC, PASMA, SAEMA and WAHSA.

Support the Campaign

The AIF is asking many in our sector to urgently write to their MP to ask them to push for the Work at Height Regulations to be assimilated into UK law and excluded from ‘sunset clauses’ within the EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill. Chair of the AIF, Peter Bennett OBE said: “Employers don’t want falls from height in their workplaces. They want their workers to be safe and free from harm. They also want to avoid the investigations, negative publicity, delays, increased insurance premiums and upheaval of responding to an accident. The Work at Height Regulations is a compact piece of legislation that creates a useful framework for employers to manage the risks and avoid falls from height. The rules are straightforward and practical, they’re embedded in existing policies, procedures and training, and although they’re not perfect, the most important thing is that they work. I’m in no doubt that the Work at Height Regulations have saved lives and if this legislation cannot be rescued from the scrapheap, it’s workers who will pay the highest price of all.” For more information please visit the AIF website.

Scaffolding firm brings Christmas magic to Blackpool

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Scaffolding firm brings Christmas magic to Blackpool
Teal Scaffold has joined forces this festive season with charity, HiS Church to provide Christmas donations. The duo collaboratively provided hundreds of Christmas advent calendars to the much-loved, Grange Youth Community Hub. North-West-based Teal Scaffold was delighted to support the local community they’ve been working in this Christmas through the support of their latest donation. The donation has provided much-needed Christmas cheer as families this winter face the looming cost-of-living crisis. Teal Scaffold will continue to provide high-quality services over the coming weeks for their clients at Blackpool Victoria Hospital. Head of Operations at Teal Scaffold, Dan McGregor said: “We are committed to creating opportunities and changing lives in the communities we serve. While not a huge expense to some, an advent calendar may be considered a luxury item for families in financial difficulty and struggling to pay their bills. As prices continue to rise, households across the North West are unfortunately preparing for a challenging festive period. It’s my hope that by our donation and working with local charities in Blackpool, we are able to restore some festive cheer.” Groundwork CLM Development Manager, Cath Powell MBE added: “We are absolutely delighted to receive these wonderful Advent Calendars which will be distributed to the families of Grange Park by Father Christmas at our special Christmas Event where every child gets to visit Father Christmas in his beautiful grotto for free. This added gift for the families will make their visit very special”. The scaffolding firm, proudly part of The Sovini Group, made all this festive cheer possible thanks to donations from HiS Chuch Charity and The Grange Youth Community Hub.”

Training gap filled with over £10M of free courses

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Training gap filled with over £10M of free courses
CITB has awarded contracts to the value of £10.5m, to four UK-wide training organisations which will provide 10,500 free ILM leadership and management courses to all sectors of the construction industry. The industry has called for management and leadership skills to support them with the existing and future challenges, and this is backed by research undertaken by CITB which has highlighted gaps being faced in the industry. This has included insight that shows management training and supervisory training has been in decline since 2017. The contracts have been awarded to companies in England, Scotland and Wales. The OM Group Corporation Ltd will provide training across Scotland, Wales and the South of England. The South of England contract is shared with Danny Sullivan and Sons Ltd and MKC Training Services Ltd. The North of England provision will also be shared by the National Construction College and The OM Group Corporation Ltd. Tim Balcon, CITB Chief Executive, said: “Providing these training opportunities is in direct response to feedback from industry that their workforce isn’t equipped with the essential Leadership & Management skills they need. The problem is worsened by the lack of financial investment in these essential skills to develop their workforces for the here and now and for the future.  “This investment is regionally focused as we look at localising support and solutions right across Britain. There is no one size fits all approach. “We are also developing the capacity and capability of construction training provision by making it easier to access training which will support SME’s who may not have the resource to spend time researching a crowded training market for the right courses for their needs.” The Leadership & Management Direct delivery commission will provide free of charge training to front-line managers, Site Supervisors and Site Managers. This will be in the form of 5 ILM modules leading to an ILM level 3 award or certificate in Leadership and Management Practice for the Construction and Built Environment Sector. In accordance with UK government procurement regulations this commission will address social value. It will tackle workforce inequalities, increase supply chain resilience and capacity, and support educational attainments to address skills gaps and provide recognised qualifications.
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