A Queensland coroner has called for mandatory additional controls on freestanding tower scaffolds in public places after finding that the industry’s accepted height-to-base rule of thumb was not enough to protect against strong winds.

A Guardian column has brought wider attention to recruitment pressures already affecting scaffolding contractors.

PERI UK has appointed Craig McDonnell as engineering director, with responsibility for its nationwide engineering teams and the design of scaffolding, formwork and temporary works solutions.

The latest episode of The Brace Yourself Podcast puts the question every scaffolder has asked to two guests who made the move into design: Buckley Design Solutions founder Lee Buckley and Altrad Denmark Technical Authority Tony Nicolaisen.