First International Scaffolding Championships

Scaffolders have competed in the first-ever international scaffolding championships held at RESTA the country’s largest trade fair in Vilnius, Lithuania.

In a bid to promote a professional scaffolding trade – whilst showcasing the improved safety standards within the Baltic region – nine teams from some of the leading scaffolding contractors within Lithuania, Poland, Estonia and Russia took part in the exciting, unique competition.

The international event was organised by the recently established Baltic Scaffolding Association (BSA) – a nonprofit organisation that unites scaffold production, hire and sales companies and scaffold contractors in Northern Europe.

The fundamental aim of the BSA is to promote the safe use of scaffolding and provide qualified training for scaffold installers in the region.

It is not surprising (if deeply shocking) to learn that many workers in Lithuania and its bordering countries are killed while working at height.

Last year the country recorded the deaths of six workers and the serious injures of 17 operatives working at height. The BSA is taking the first steps to tackle these terrible statistics by working closely with the Lithuanian State Labour Inspectorate to help improve their situation.

“We as an association think that scaffolders must get proper training before beginning to work. To show and prove that scaffolding can be completed efficiently and safely we decided to organise the International Scaffolding Championships,” said Žaneta Baltrnien Head of Training at the BSA.

“Being a young association we have the ambition to grow and represent all scaffolders rights in all levels – first of all – to be trained before work.

“Safety first” is the slogan of the association - so many young men die or get injured every year at work while working on scaffolding.”

The Competing Teams

Adelante Tellingud - Estonia Arad - Poland Globalita - Lithuania ITCC - Lithuania Lesavik - Russia Litana - Lithuania Pastolinis - Lithuania Storent - Latvia

The Main Event

The championship was divided into three rounds with each team of five scaffolders having a total of two hours to erect and dismantle a designed free standing system scaffold, which is commonly used in Lithuania and its neighbouring countries.

Each competing team was against the clock and under the scrutiny of industry expert referees who would impose time penalties for any safety breaches or construction inaccuracies. The teams had to complete to the construction as quickly as possible and raise their flag, the timing was stopped once completed. Referees then walked the scaffolds to check for assembly correctness. The clock was then restarted when the dismantling process got underway.

The Champion of Champions

Skilled scaffolders from the international firm HOTrema headquartered in Lithuania were awarded the 1st place accolade. Established in 2012 the company has many projects in a number of European countries. Judges and referees deemed the team’s safe erection and dismantling procedure was the fastest on the day.

HOTrema Project Manager Robertas Gedutis said: “It’s a huge honour to be nominated as a champions in this competition. Our guys are proud to be on the top in the first international championship, especially keeping in mind, that such experienced teams from Poland, Estonia, Russia, Latvia and Lithuania left behind.

“We received many greetings from all over the Europe, from our clients, partners, competitors, our ex-colleagues and friends, and every time it reminds and obligates us, as a scaffolding company, to keep scaffolding safety and quality as our top goal. We see a big interest in this championship, and we believe, that next year we will meet even more teams and organizers will surprise us with new challenging exercises.”

Speaking after the event Žaneta Baltrnien told me: “The championship was a big challenge. To have nine teams from five different neighbouring countries and to make everything run smooth was not easy. We are proud to host such event for the first time in Baltic states.

“The popularity of the championship was big. Just a day before the event one team wanted to take part in the championship. We are happy that teams showed a good proficiency and demonstrated good safety skills. What is more, people who visited the exhibition for the day and had a chance to see how the scaffolders work, how physically demanding the work is, and how the scaffolders needed good team work and strategic skills as well.

“For the teams it was a good chance to check their strengths and weaknesses and maybe for the future – to improve them. The aim of the championship was fulfilled – to show that scaffolders can work not just efficiently but also safely,”

With the completion of the inaugural international scaffolding championships in the Balkan state, the proud organisers hope it will be an annual event, with more countries involved next year, as do we.