Top stories

Health & Safety

Belfast scaffolding firm fined after driver killed by falling board

HSENI found inadequate exclusion zone controls after Samuel Magill was struck by a falling metal scaffold board during dismantling work in Belfast.
Health & Safety

Two workers hospitalised after partial collapse at Banbury construction site

Two workers were taken to hospital after a partial collapse at a Banbury construction site on 21 October. HSE says it is making enquiries, according to Construction Enquirer.
UK

PHD Access announces €37.7m investment for European expansion

PHD Access has announced a €37.7m investment from MML Ireland and Goodbody to support European growth and acquisitions, subject to regulatory approval.
Business

HAKI scaffolding earnings fall as UK demand stays weak

HAKI Safety reports lower Q3 scaffolding earnings as UK demand stays soft, delayed orders affect sales and Combisafe integration weighs on the group.

Latest news

UK

Storm Boelo brings weekend wind warnings to northern UK

Storm Boelo brings wind warnings for 24–25 October across northern UK, as the Met Office brings forward Storm Austen’s amber warning.
Global News

New York installs new sidewalk shed designs as numbers fall

New York installs PAU's Baseline and Speed Shed designs, with rules enabling wider use expected before year-end.
Health & Safety

Storm Austen brings amber wind warning for south-west England

An amber wind warning runs from 01:00 to 10:00 BST on Friday 23 October, with gusts around 80mph possible on exposed headlands.
Health & Safety

Hong Kong fire inquiry delivers report as safety reforms loom

The inquiry into the Wang Fuk Court fire, which killed 168 people, has submitted its report. Findings remain unpublished while Hong Kong considers the impact on criminal proceedings.
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Around the world

Global News

New York installs new sidewalk shed designs as numbers fall

New York installs PAU's Baseline and Speed Shed designs, with rules enabling wider use expected before year-end.
Health & Safety

Hong Kong fire inquiry delivers report as safety reforms loom

The inquiry into the Wang Fuk Court fire, which killed 168 people, has submitted its report. Findings remain unpublished while Hong Kong considers the impact on criminal proceedings.
Australia & New Zealand

Australia records 28 fatal workplace falls in 2025

New national figures show falls from height were Australia's second most common cause of workplace deaths, while construction recorded 41 fatalities. The figures do not identify scaffold-related cases.
Global News

AFIX Group steps up expansion across Asia, Middle East and Africa

Scaffolding manufacturer AFIX Group is expanding its presence across Asia, the Middle East and Africa as it looks to strengthen its distribution network and secure larger industrial and infrastructure projects.
Asia

Worker dies in fall as campaigners count 21 Hong Kong construction deaths this year

A 34-year-old worker has died in a fall at a Tung Chung public housing site, the 21st construction death in Hong Kong this year according to a victims' rights group.
Australia & New Zealand

SAA backs scaffold safety education after Queensland coroner’s findings

SAA supports education following any changes to Queensland’s scaffolding code and calls for stability assessments to account for wind exposure and public safety.
Europe

86m Layher scaffold completed at Giotto’s Bell Tower

An 86-metre scaffold erected in just over four months will support a five-year restoration of the Florence landmark while keeping it open to visitors.
Europe

HAKI Safety appoints Tomas Hilmarsson as CEO

HAKI Safety has appointed CFO Tomas Hilmarsson as CEO and president from 1 November, succeeding Sverker Lindberg.
Europe

86m Layher scaffold completed at Giotto’s Bell Tower

An 86-metre scaffold erected in just over four months will support a five-year restoration of the Florence landmark while keeping it open to visitors.
Europe

HAKI Safety appoints Tomas Hilmarsson as CEO

HAKI Safety has appointed CFO Tomas Hilmarsson as CEO and president from 1 November, succeeding Sverker Lindberg.

Upcoming events

Upcoming events

26–28OCT
Association meeting · USA
ASC A92 Annual Meeting 2026Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld, Orlando, USA
28–29OCT
Awards · USA
IPAF Working at Height Conference & Awards 2026DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld, Orlando, USA
3NOV
Association meeting · UK
NASC Northern Ireland & Ireland Regional Meetingvoco Belfast, Belfast
20NOV
Conference · Rest of world
IPAF Elevando Show Mexico 2026Hotel Hacienda Jurica, Querétaro, Mexico
See the full events calendar
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Columnists

Regular comment from the people shaping the scaffolding and access industry.

All columns →
Sophia Gowland
Marketing & Brand Columnist

Your work speaks for itself… or does it?

12 October 2026
Brian Webb
AI & Technology Columnist

Everyone has the same AI tools. No one else has your best work.

3 September 2026
Des Moore
Business & Leadership Columnist

Don’t rely on digital tools to solve your problems – a strong management approach is critical

13 March 2026

Training & Skills

UK

Scaffolding boss urges first aid training after saving colleague

Ascent Access Scaffolding MD Nathan Huband is calling for more first aid training after using CPR to help save colleague Raj Soni at the firm’s Netherton yard.
Training & Skills

MoJ awards £56,000 prison scaffolding training contract

Platinum Rail Services will deliver courses at Holme House and Low Newton, with links to employers offering paid vacancies.
Training & Skills

Free scaffolding pilot gives school pupils hands-on experience

Five XP Gateshead pupils tried practical scaffolding in a free two-day pilot delivered by W@H Safety Solutions and Dave Mosley Associates.
UK

ECITB launches PPE fit training for workers and employers

Two short e-learning modules cover wearing and managing PPE, with access initially limited to ECITB in-scope employers.
UK

CISRS postpones October webinar as CSCS licence talks continue

The 8 October session has been put back until late October or early November, with a revised FAQ due later this week.
Training & Skills

Band of Builders launches kit bursary for young construction workers

Band of Builders has launched a year-round bursary to help young construction entrants and apprentices with tools, PPE, workwear and essential equipment.
UK

CISRS says CSCS notice was served to negotiate “from a stronger position”

NASC president Sarah Klieve says CISRS served CSCS notice to negotiate from a stronger position, as Build UK says the card rules don’t block other sectors.
UK

Adrian Chiles puts scaffolding skills shortage in national spotlight

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

86m Layher scaffold completed at Giotto’s Bell Tower

An 86-metre scaffold erected in just over four months will support a five-year restoration of the Florence landmark while keeping it open to visitors.
Europe

HAKI Safety appoints Tomas Hilmarsson as CEO

HAKI Safety has appointed CFO Tomas Hilmarsson as CEO and president from 1 November, succeeding Sverker Lindberg.

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Technology & Innovation

Columns

Everyone has the same AI tools. No one else has your best work.

Brian Webb explains how scaffold businesses can get better results from ChatGPT by using their own covering letters, method statements and client communications as examples.
Technology

Robot inspection removes need for scaffold access on 70m Cemex kiln

A wall-climbing robot has completed ultrasonic testing across a 70m rotary kiln at Cemex’s Rugby cement plant, removing the need for personnel to work at height and avoiding a conventional scaffold or rope-access operation.
Technology

SMART Scaffolder to unveil AI-powered voice reporting at ScaffEx26

SMART Scaffolder will use ScaffEx26 to introduce a new AI-powered reporting system that allows scaffolders to complete digital forms using natural speech.
Technology

ScaffPlan sets sights on US market after Nashville platform launch

ScaffPlan has outlined plans for a major push into the North American scaffolding market after giving contractors their first...
News

Avontus unveils AI platform linking scaffold design, inventory and business data

Avontus has unveiled a new artificial intelligence platform designed to connect scaffold design, inventory, project management and wider business...
Technology

Researchers test two-drone system for autonomous bricklaying

Researchers have demonstrated an autonomous drone system capable of placing bricks and applying adhesive in mid-air, in a development...
News

NASC updates TG30 with new birdcage system scaffold guidance

NASC has updated its TG30 system scaffolding guidance to include a new range of birdcage configurations for cup, wedge...
Technology

Baton opens early adopter programme for scaffolding contractors

Baton has opened applications for its Early Adopter Programme, giving scaffolding contractors early access to a software platform designed...
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Industry Podcasts Picks

A selection of noteworthy industry podcasts

Project Spotlight

UK

Tyne Bridge to close for overhead scaffold deck installation

Advanced scaffolders will work around the clock during an October half-term closure to install a protection deck ahead of main arch restoration in early 2027.
Europe

86m Layher scaffold completed at Giotto’s Bell Tower

An 86-metre scaffold erected in just over four months will support a five-year restoration of the Florence landmark while keeping it open to visitors.
North America

Golden Gate Bridge prepares temporary access platforms for seismic works

Night-time lane closures will allow crews to lower access platforms beneath the roadway as work progresses on the bridge’s final seismic retrofit phase.
UK

PERI scaffolding supports major HS2 Birmingham dive-under works

PERI UK has supplied access scaffolding, formwork and engineering support for a 400m-long concrete dive-under being built as part of HS2’s Delta Junction near Birmingham.
Middle East

Saudi firm breaks 27-year-old scaffolding world record

Saudi scaffolding firm Manar Al Omran has set a new Guinness World Record after building a 67.40m free-standing scaffold in Dammam.
Industrial

URTIM supplies scaffolding and formwork for $2bn Ceyhan petrochemical project

Turkish formwork and scaffolding manufacturer URTIM is supplying engineered temporary works systems for the major Ceyhan PDH/PP petrochemical development in southern Türkiye.
Projects

AT-PAC and partners deliver major weather protection scheme in Sweden

Around 700 tonnes of AT-PAC Ringlock scaffolding has been installed to support a major temporary weather protection system over...
Projects

JR Scaffold Services leads access project at Glasgow Royal Infirmary

JR Scaffold Services has completed a specialist scaffold and temporary roof project at the B-listed Walton Building at Glasgow...
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Interviews

Interviews

Des Moore: “The next five years are critical” for scaffolding

As Des Moore approaches his 70th birthday, he is not interested in nostalgia. After more than 50 years in...
Interviews

Second chances and scaffolding: the man giving ex-offenders a route back into work

When Aaron King talks about turning points, he does not hesitate. "It was when my kids had to come and...
Interviews

Breaking Barriers: Francesca Fuser on Innovation, Leadership, and Pilosio’s UK Ambitions

When Francesca Fuser sent her CV to Pilosio, she wasn't just looking for another job. She was looking for...
Features

AT-PAC names new UK MD as ScaffEx25 showcases national ambitions

After unveiling a wave of new systems at Bauma 2025, AT-PAC used ScaffEx25 in Manchester to shift focus closer...
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