Description
Issue 17 features the very latest news, projects, views and insight from the scaffolding industry.
Editors Note
As I write this, the news of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s death is only just sinking in. At the grand old age of 96, as a nation we all knew the time for the Queen to pass would come but for many it was still a terrible shock. For more than seven decades she dedicated her life to public service with dignity and devotion and inspired so many around the world. Tributes to the Queen have poured in following her death with many in our industry turning to social media to express their sorrow and offer condolence to the Royal Family.
As Britain’s longest-serving monarch, reigning for more than 70 years, the Queen visited hundreds of construction projects in her time as head of state. On many of those site visits she would have indirectly seen the positive impact and development of safety within construction and the scaffolding industry. Working at height still remains one of the biggest causes of fatalities and major injuries but the inception of SG4 by the NASC over twenty years ago really changed things for scaffolders. Over the years this flagship guidance note has progressively been adopted by scaffolding contractors across the board and possibly saved many lives.
Now to ensure this important guidance remains current and reflects the needs of the wider scaffolding industry SG4:15 has been updated to SG4:22. On (p47), we speak to Alan Harris chair of NASC’s Health and Safety Committee, and head of the working party tasked with the revision. He gives us an insight into the changes and what to expect to see in the new guidance before its launched in November.
Also, in this issue, we have looked to focus not only on scaffolding guidance but also on scaffolding materials. Brent Scaffold Boards are celebrating 30 years in business this year despite the setbacks such as recession, a pandemic, and the rapidly rising cost of materials the business continues to go from strength to strength. We find out more on (p54). Meanwhile On (p50) we discover the wonderful world of bamboo scaffolding and its years old traditions that are still used in Hong Kong today.
Elsewhere in this issue, as the shortage of labour and attracting new workers continues to be a key problem for many scaffolding contractors. On (p34) Summer Rowswell at GKR Scaffolding Ltd, explains how their company reached 70,000 young people with one post on social media and filled its apprenticeship programme quickly.
Happy reading, and stay safe!
Daniel Norton – Editor
