ScaffMag The Scaffolding Magazine Issue 9

scaffmag

ISSUE 9, 2020 SCAFFMAG.COM SCAFFOLDER’S QUARTERLY

THE SCAFFOLDING MAGAZINE

HOW COVID-19 IS CHANGING THE SCAFFOLDING INDUSTRY The greatest crisis Britain has faced since World War 2

PLUS

CISRS Card changeover proves an uphill battle

Attracting a new generation to the sector

Coventry Scaffolding: A phoenix from the city’s ashes

SETTING THE STANDARD FOR SCAFFOLDING The NASC is the national trade body for access and scaffolding in the UK and has been setting the industry benchmark for nearly 80 years. Our full contracting members are among the best in the business, accounting for the vast majority of the UK’s scaffolding spend – with a total annual turnover in excess of £2 billion – and are independently audited every year.

For demonstrably safe, skilled and compliant contractors it has to be NASC.

www.nasc.org.uk

STAY ON SITE WITH SCAFFOLDER CPD

CISRS Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is a mandatory requirement prior to the renewal of all CISRS Scaffolder / Advanced cards. Operatives whose cards expire in the next six months should look to book a course now to ensure they do not lapse.

For more information visit www.cisrs.org.uk 2 | SCAFFMAG.COM

Contents

52

33

29 REGULARS

6

NEWS ROUNDUP The latest industry news including scaffolders being laid

off, NASC calling for contractor protection, a new digital age for TG20:21 plus Interlink Scaffolding’s new major contract.

FEATURES

33

TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT We look at how the card changeover has proved an

uphill battle for CISRS and the NOCN; career development from the NASC plus we look at how agency workers are often accused of being unskilled, unlike those in

14

NEWS: COVID-19

19

OPINION

The impact coronavirus is having on the industry, what

you need to know and are entitled to and how to claim.

Des Moore shares his opinion on how to get the

balance right between putting our health first and keeping our businesses running.

permanent employment.

42

MENTAL HEALTH Grahame Anderson discovers a company

breaking new ground in restoring mental health among employees plus insight from SJ Rose of The Ansell Rose Partnership.

48

PRODUCTS

22

BUSINESS: SPOTLIGHT

Director, Perry Hanifan.

hands-free bungee cord.

26

BUSINESS

52

A fascinating interview with Coventry Scaffolding

Sam Tracey, Regional SHEQ Advisor at Actavo Direct

tells us how scaffolding businesses can play their part in the climate crisis.

29

The latest product from the X-Pro series with new

features including illuminated vials, stronger magnets and a

PROJECTS We focus on three recent major scaffold projects

including the Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, and how MR Scaffolding Services has coped at the UK’s largest Design and Build project at London’s One Portsoken Street. Plus

TECHNICAL

UKSSH helps keep rail redevelopment on track at Leeds

The importance of installing and checking scaffold ties.

railway station.

SCAFFMAG.COM | 3

scaffmag THE SCAFFOLDING MAGAZINE

ISSUE 8, 2020 SCAFFMAG.COM SCAFFOLDER’S QUARTERLY

WELLINGTON MONUMENT Apex tops out on the world’s tallest triangular obelisk

PLUS

Tech trends that will reshape the future of construction

Business Spotlight: Enigma Industrial Services

Lynn Way: The first female President of the NASC

scaffmag

ISSUE 9, 2020 SCAFFMAG.COM SCAFFOLDER’S QUARTERLY

THE SCAFFOLDING MAGAZINE

HOW COVID-19 IS CHANGING THE SCAFFOLDING INDUSTRY The greatest crisis Britain has faced since World War 2

PLUS

CISRS Card changeover proves an uphill battle

Attracting a new generation to the sector

Coventry Scaffolding: A phoenix from the city’s ashes

The best read quarterly magazine in scaffolding At the very heart of the scaffolding and access industry, ScaffMag has been serving the industry since 2009 by championing best practice, raising awareness of safety issues on-site and promoting business excellence.

ScaffMag delivers its mixture of news, views, trends and product updates through digital channels and in print.

ScaffMag gives businesses and brands an unrivaled opportunity to advertise their products or services 24 hours a day 7 days a week to a highly targeted audience.

To find out more about advertising, contact Jessica Norton on 01472 476024 or email jess@scaffmag.com

4 | SCAFFMAG.COM

Welcome As I write this from a make-do home office, the past few weeks have been impossible to imagine since our last issue back in January. Just as the Brexit saga had been finally laid to rest the coronavirus has swept the world killing thousands in its wake and has literally changed everything, maybe forever.

As you will know the pandemic forced the government’s hand to place us all on lockdown and ordered businesses and construction sites unless ‘essential’ to shut down in a bid to reduce the spread of the disease.

However, with much criticism of seemingly putting wealth before health, principle contractors on projects that are deemed ‘essential’ that can also adhere to the sketchy health guidelines have continued to push on regardless. This in turn has left those in our industry who have to work on these sites feeling like cannon fodder. They have to make the terrible choice of either providing for their families and risk picking up the virus or alternatively not going to work and risk being made redundant. These really are unprecedented times, to say the least!

The coronavirus crisis and its impact on our industry continues to feature heavily over the coming pages. A recent ScaffMag COVID-19 survey has revealed that 28% within our industry have been laid off, but why? (see p6). We also look at the longterm impact of the virus on both the scaffolding and construction industries (see p14).

Meanwhile, our main features in this issue cover the training and recruitment sectors. Our man Richard Trenchard speaks with Dave Mosley about the ongoing uphill battle of the CISRS card change over (see p33).

And we look to the NASC to find out how they are attracting new blood into the industry to tackle the skills shortage (see p36).

Elsewhere in this issue, we shine the spotlight on three impressive projects where scaffold firms, Ainscaff, MR Scaffolding Services and UK System Scaffold Hire, showed their technical expertise and provided a world class service.

Happy reading, and stay safe!

EDITORIAL Editor Daniel Norton T 01472 476024 M 07776 218831 E dan@scaffmag.com @ScaffMagDan Features writers Grahame Anderson Richard Trenchard Design Demot Rushe Dermotrushe.co.uk

CONTRIBUTERS Des Moore Sam Tracey Jonathan Craig SJ Rose

ADVERTISING Manager Jessica Norton T 01472 476024 M 07776 218831 E jess@scaffmag.com

PUBLISHED BY ScaffMag, 4 Town Hall St, Grimsby, North East Lincs, DN311HN

facebook.com/scaffolders twitter.com/ScaffoldingNews Cover illustration: Patrick George – Debutart.com

Daniel Norton - Editor dan@scaffmag.com SCAFFMAG.COM | 5

News

LAYING OFF – A SCAFFOLDING DISASTER A recent survey has revealed one third of UK firms could lay off 75-100% of staff because of economic concerns over the coronavirus crisis. This follows on from our own survey, showing 72% of scaffolding employees had been furloughed with the remainder laid off. So why, in the light of the government scheme, have so many chosen to take a different route as the virus reaches its peak?

Grahame Anderson has more

6 | S CAFFMAG.COM

GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION

❖ The Chancellor Rishi Sunak has stated that the government is happy to pay 80% of the wages of furloughed staff, up to £2,500 each month, while the crisis continues. This relatively generous offer was warmly welcomed by many, though it seems there has been a problem getting that cash to those on the ground quickly. And of course, we should also remember some construction sites have so far remained open for business despite social distancing fears.

Indeed, the Health and Safety Executive has warned employers that if they don't stick to the social distancing guidelines, they could have sites suspended and face fines.

North of the border, the Scottish Government stated in a guidance note that the construction sector and its supply chain is “considered a non-essential business sector”, except when supporting essential types of work.

SAFEGUARDING THE FUTURE

Construction company Mace Group has already furloughed 800 staff - Chief Executive Mark Reynolds said: “What the furlough scheme has enabled us to do is keep the capacity and capability within our business so that when we come through this, we can then re-deploy our people immediately so we can go back to work.”

A major benefit of the furlough scheme is employees have the assurance and security of knowing they have jobs to come back to. When it comes to experienced workers, much like those in the scaffolding industry, this can also reduce hiring needs going forward. In fact, some firms use this type of plan on a regular basis.

WHY LAY OFF?

So why choose to lay people off? Perhaps the biggest reason lies in the fact some firms simply can't wait for the money to come through. Cash-flow is all important with some companies in the industry and there are a number of firms with less than a month's cash-flow in reserve. Given this, it seems a number of organisations have opted to try and save money by laying off staff in the hope they can recruit again when the market turns. However, this in itself could have serious long-term repercussions. While it makes sense, given the government's scheme to utilise the help already available, there is always the site safety issue to consider.

In light of all this, a new phrase has been doing the rounds in the scaffolding industry as Robert Candy, Chief Executive of the Scaffolding Association, explains: “People before profit is a phrase we are hearing more and more regularly as the effects of COVID-19 tear through our industry. This

shouldn’t be something we have to advocate, it shouldn’t even be a consideration, we should be ensuring that we protect our people. The people that our industry will need in the future when the time comes for us to operate without the current measures we are having to adhere to.”

National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) Managing Director Robert James added: “We have made considerable efforts to speak with scaffolding contractors of all shapes and sizes to better understand the challenges they are currently facing.”

The Health and Safety Executive have said: “Firms that can safely stay open and support livelihoods should not be forced to close by misunderstandings about government guidance.”

NEWS IN BRIEF ❖ HSE SUSPENDS ROUTINE INSPECTIONS The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has stopped all routine inspections amid safety fears over the coronavirus outbreak.

It’s understood the HSE will continue to respond to serious issues but it has limited contact between individuals to ensure it is following government advice. It has also halted work that cannot be completed from home, aside from essential tasks.

An HSE spokesperson said: “In line with government guidance to cease all but essential work that cannot be done outside of the home

EXTENDED LOAN SCHEME

and minimising contact between

The good news is the government has extended the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme introduced in March of this year. It means all viable small businesses, including those in the scaffolding industry affected by COVID-19, will be eligible should they need financial help to keep operating during the current crisis.

The scheme offers support to small and medium-sized businesses with an annual turnover of up to £45 million. It includes access loans, overdrafts, invoice finance and asset finance of up to £5 million for up to six years.

Those unfortunate enough to be laid off with no guarantee of returning to a job can apply for universal credit – but is this the right way to treat employees at a crucial time for the industry?

individuals, HSE has paused all proactive inspections at this time to reduce any risk posed to our own staff and to members of the public.”

SCAFFOLDING ASSOCIATION REACHES 400 MEMBER MILESTONE The largest UK scaffolding trade body based in Worcestershire has announced its membership growth has continued steadily so far this year and now stands at just over 400. Its membership is represented by scaffolding contractors, suppliers, service providers and designers.

The trade body has seen particular growth amongst contractors, with the number of its Assessed and Audited members increasing.

STAYING STRONG

Even at the time of writing, the situation for some is changing by the day – the industry can only hope laying off workers has reached its plateau, as more and more firms make use of government help. In general terms the recovery of the economy once these dark days are over will still be a slow and often painful process. The scaffolding industry needs to ensure its highly skilled workers are protected as much as possible.

SCAFFMAG.COM | 7

// News

It’s also expected that all future sets of guidance over the coming years from the NASC will be published in this new ‘portal’.

Being an online app the deployment will allow the TG20:21 suite to be accessible on any Windows, Mac, iOS or Android device with a modern web browser.

It’s unknown at this time how its members and non-members will be able to access this new web and mobile portal, although it’s assumed some form of subscription service will be active.

WHAT TO EXPECT WITH THE NEW TG20:21

TG20:21 A NEW DIGITAL AGE ❖ The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) and CADS are working on the next version of TG20 which is set to be released in February 2021.

Experts from the NASC are again working with scaffolding software boffins from CADS to produce the very latest version of TG20.

CADS, who are the makers of SMART Scaffolder software, created the original groundbreaking TG20:13 eGuide. It was one of the biggest changes within the UK scaffolding industry in recent times when it was officially launched in February 2014.

The fast and user-friendly eGuide

8 | SCAFFMAG.COM

software was specifically designed to reduce the amount of bespoke engineering design work needed to show a scaffold structure was compliant and up to standard.

The new suite of Technical Guidance, which will be aptly named TG20:21, will be very different from previous versions.

According to the trade body, no books will be published in mass, opting instead for a totally digital offering.

WEB PORTAL

TG20:21 Operational Guide and the Design Guide will be published via a new web and mobile ‘portal’ with a range of new apps including a brand new eGuide.

It’s still early days with the development but sources suggest the range of standard designs are set to be extended to include several more scaffold types.

Compliance sheets are also set for an overhaul. In TG20:21, all compliance sheets will be double-sided with a more representative illustration of the scaffold to be built.

In a recent article about TG20:21 within NASC’s Scaffolding Matters magazine, CADS International Sales and Marketing Director, Ian Chambers wrote: ‘Principal compliance criteria will be on the front of the new compliance sheets while detailed compliance criteria will be on the reverse in landscape format.’

Additionally, Chambers highlighted the number of boarded lifts in the new guidance can be specified with the optional ladder landings. Cantilever fans can be placed at a specified lift and a new screen within the eGuide is provided to configure tie patterns.

A spokesperson for the NASC said: “The NASC is acutely concerned that it should deliver the best possible value for money for its members, and as a matter of principle wishes to refresh its technical and safety guidance on a regular basis.

“Feedback from software specialists, CADS, also reinforced the view that the current eGuide was getting a bit ‘long in the tooth’ and the TG20 revamp was a timely opportunity for a technology refresh.”

❖ The NASC is calling on main contractors to refrain from placing unreasonable pressure on scaffolding contractors to continue working on sites.

The National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has said it recognises that the Government’s latest COVID-19 restrictions do not put a stop to construction industry activities but they believe that no contractor should feel obliged, through fear of delay penalties or otherwise, to send operatives to sites that they deem unsafe.

The comments were published in a statement on the trade body’s website.

It comes after the NASC advised scaffolding contractors to make risk-based assessments of every project they are currently undertaking and take note of the Site Operating Procedures – Protecting Your Workforce document issued by the Construction Leadership Council in conjunction with Build UK. NASC Managing Director Robin James said: “We have made considerable efforts to speak with scaffolding

DON’T PUT PRESSURE ON SCAFFOLDING CONTRACTORS, SAYS NASC contractors of all shapes and sizes to better understand the challenges they are currently facing.

“Through this engagement it has become apparent that many contractors are being unduly pressurised to continue

working on sites. The NASC believes that employee health and safety should be prioritised at all times and that scaffolding contractors that choose to withdraw operatives from site should not be punished for doing so.”

CITB sells Bircham Newton the CITB pulled out of direct training as part of its reform programme, Vision 2020.

The sale will see the CITB and West

NCC and the local area.”

Dr Nikos Savvas, Principal of West Suffolk College, added: “West Suffolk College is delighted to be working with

Suffolk College enter a period of due

CITB on the acquisition of the National

diligence with a view to transferring

Construction College – Bircham Newton.

the ownership of the National

We have a long history of working with

Construction College.

employers to upskill and retrain their

In a joint statement CITB chief

staff across a number of campuses and

executive, Sarah Beale, said: “The

firmly believe that we can maintain,

agreements mean that CITB and West

develop and build upon the industry-

❖ The CITB has confirmed that it has

Suffolk College will be working to secure

wide reputation of NCC as the home of

sold its Bircham Newton National

the continuity of training provision for

construction training in the UK. We want

Construction College in Norfolk.

the construction industry in relation to

to build on the experience and

both quality and quantity. They also

knowledge of the NCC team to make

Board (CITB) is set to sign terms of

mean that the north west Norfolk area

Bircham Newton a Centre of Excellence

agreement with West Suffolk College

would continue to host a major British

in the UK.”

based in Bury St Edmunds.

training college. We are looking forward

The Construction Industry Training

Up until 2018 it was the must-go-to

Up until the coronavirus crisis hit, the

to working together to build and grow

National Construction College remained

campus for thousands of budding

the training at Bircham Newton, which

open for business and was taking

scaffolders for more than 50 years until

will benefit the construction industry,

bookings throughout 2020.

SCAFFMAG.COM | 9

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// News

North East scaffolder’s contract success Interlink Scaffolding (ISL) has been working on a major contract worth £5 million involving the world's biggest waste energy plant currently under construction ❖ The Atlantic Project Company were looking for a scaffolding contractor to complete the works on the boilerfurnace, and all the associated tasks surrounding the biomass project, at the MGT site on Teesside.

North East based ISL had already been appointed in 2018 to work on both internal and external parts of the 16 silos storing the biomass. ISL said they used a complex design utilising the Layher Allround system scaffold to offer a

12 | S CAFFMAG.COM

working platform on the inside of the silos, with the scaffolding material for the project being purchased directly from Layher.

The firm worked alongside both PHB and Technicas Redundas from Spain on this phase of the job.

Later, a meeting was arranged with main contractors to discuss the possibility of ISL pricing works for the rest of the scheme. In fact, ScaffMag understands that 10 companies were

asked to tender for the package so the Tyne and Wear scaffolders found themselves up against some big names within the industry. With five then being withdrawn, ISL selected the final two in a due diligence meeting.

ISL Managing Director Darren Maratty, who is also Vice Chairman of the NASC Northern and North Wales Region, told us: “A few people were a little sceptical of a predominantly 'street work company' tackling this type of

project. We showcased some of our past engineering and offshore projects alongside our recent Project of the Year success. We also had a slight advantage over our competitors given our knowledge of the local workforce, and also our strong presence in the northeast. In the end, this probably contributed to ISL eventually winning the contract back in October 2019.

“We have shown in the last few months that we can achieve the deadlines and programmes tasked to our management and scaffolding teams.

These together are a mix of long term ISL employees from within the north-east area and new employees mainly from the Teesside area. This takes our total workforce to 236 employees.

“The increase in workload should also work nicely with our planned new purpose-built £1.2m office and training complex currently submitted for planning permission, with building work expected to start this summer and completion date to be arranged.”

In terms of the project, ISL has said 1,800 tonnes of scaffolding materials have been used to date. Wrapping scaffold around the main furnace proved complex, with the furnace hanging from the 57m level and scaffold needed at most of the joints where the pipework met the boiler, alongside other areas where pipe joints were located. However, it was nothing the Birtley based setup couldn't handle.

ISL is capable of providing access scaffolding and temporary works to almost any market sector including housing, commercial building, civil engineering, industrial sites and rail infrastructure.

They have been pursuing the heavy industrial and engineering sectors for the past few years, winning some impressive contracts along the way. But this is the largest to date with an approximate value of £5 million.

Darren added: “I personally think this will take us to the next level with offshore and now heavy industry in our

back catalogue. It's also another feather in our cap. This will increase ISL’s turnover by 50 percent taking us to well over £10m turnover this year. We will be looking to capitalise on this and probably double our turnover in 2021.

"This contract win has also shown that Interlink Scaffolding can compete at the highest level and we will now be actively pursuing the bigger projects within the engineering sector in the UK and worldwide.”

THIS WILL TAKE US TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH OFFSHORE AND NOW HEAVY INDUSTRY IN OUR BACK CATALOGUE. IT WILL INCREASE ISL’S TURNOVER BY 50 PERCENT TAKING US TO WELL OVER £10M TURNOVER THIS YEAR

SCAFFMAG.COM | 13

// News: Covid-19

CORONAVIRUS INDUSTRY IMPACT

14 | SCAFFMAG.COM

The coronavirus represents the greatest crisis Britain has suffered since the Second World War. But what are the long-term effects on both the scaffolding and construction industries? ❖ The government, while taking a host of other essential measures, has no current plans to close construction sites. Their decision continues to garner criticism from some medical professionals, politicians and members of the public.

The list includes the outgoing Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, Scottish First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon and Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.

ARRIVAL

The Coronavirus crisis arrived at a time when the UK construction industry had begun to recover from a nine-month lull.

Given the economic picture, it was soon clear Boris Johnson was keen to keep building on this. And of course, some work is essential in the light of health and safety. There are still fears, however, that the all important supply chain could yet place many contracts on hold.

RESULTS OF THE CRISIS

In terms of scaffolders it’s estimated 80% of employees will be unable to work during the expected peak of the outbreak. At the time of writing, 65% percent of the UK’s construction work by value has closed down as a result of the coronavirus. This of course has a knock-on effect in terms of scaffolding and associated services.

The Federation of Master Builders chief executive Brian Berry has said: “Most FMB members have already taken the lead and ceased the majority of their work. It is almost impossible to follow Public Health England’s social distancing advice on many sites, and it would therefore be safer to close them.”

DEFENDING THE STANCE

In a Daily Telegraph column, construction minister Nadhim Zahawi sprung to the defence of those contractors choosing to keep their sites open.

He wrote: “There will always be some work that cannot be done from home, whether it is construction or packing boxes in an Amazon warehouse – but we still need houses built and for deliveries to be made.”

“Should the scientific view change, and this work becomes “too high a risk”, the government will update its advice.”

Recent evidence has shown the COVID-19 virus is already present within the following industry after EDF revealed one of its workers on Hinkley Point C, where two nuclear reactors are being built, had contracted coronavirus. In fact, employers are not required to inform staff if there is a suspected case of coronavirus in their workplace. Numerous concerns have also been raised that employers are not fully listening to workers’ concerns about social distancing.

SAFE GUIDELINES

The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) quickly offered up a set of guidelines for sites to follow to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This included social distancing during meetings and a ban on visitors deemed to be non-essential. They also said if sites are unable to meet these instructions, they should shut down.

Interlink Scaffolding based in the North East have stated on their website: “In line with Government and construction industry guidance, ISL are continuing work on sites for as long as reasonably practical, but taking measures to minimise possible infection.”

BCM Scaffolding Services based in London have said: “The well-being of our customers and staff is our highest priority and we would like to reassure you that we are adhering to the advice provided by the UK Government, NHS and the World Health Organisation.

“All our employees are being kept fully

informed of current requirements and are undertaking strict health and safety measures to ensure the highest possible standards are maintained throughout all aspects of our daily work.”

If workers suddenly display symptoms of coronavirus, involving a high temperature and a persistent cough, they should self-isolate for 14 days. On-site work must not take place at all if it is nonessential, requiring close contact or skin-to-skin contact between employees.

HIGHLIGHTED CONCERNS

Business secretary, Alok Sharma, met with senior ministers as March came to a close to discuss the concerns of the construction and scaffolding industries. In a paper produced by BEIS, ministers and representatives from devolved administrations asked everyone to agree an “initial list of critical construction works needing to continue, even if further restrictions are imposed”.

The paper revealed if sites were to close across the UK there would be a “significant impact on the entire supply chain, resulting in financial difficulties for firms within days or weeks.”

TELLING SURVEY

A survey carried out by The Construction Leadership Council demonstrated 46% of companies in the sector will struggle to stay viable as a business if the market remains stagnant for the next three months.

GOVERNMENT REQUEST

Those leading the industry are asking for all retentions by governing bodies to be released. They are are also calling for the suspension of both PAYE and the Construction Industry Scheme CIS, for at least two months to help safeguard the industry.

SCAFFMAG.COM | 15

// News: Covid-19

Coronavirus – what you’re entitled to and how to claim ❖ To help protect our NHS and save lives during this pandemic the UK has been placed on a virtual lockdown.

Controversially, some construction sites have remained open to much public opposition, although the majority have downed tools and closed their gates. Now many workers and their families are increasingly concerned about where their income is going to come from over the coming weeks and possibly months.

With help from The Money Advice Service, we have put together an easily digestible list of information and resources to help you and your family to financially survive the coronavirus crisis.

HEALTH OVER WEALTH

First and foremost the health of you and your family should be your number one priority right now. If you have any symptoms of coronavirus such as a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath, it is important you follow the NHS guidelines to protect yourself and prevent the spread of the virus.

If you have a persistent cough, fever or flu-like symptoms you and your family members must self-isolate for fourteen days. You must also isolate yourself from your family as much as possible.

IF YOU’RE EMPLOYED

The government has announced it will pay your wages through the coronavirus job retention scheme if the business you work for is forced to temporarily close because of coronavirus.

The scheme is available to anyone who is PAYE. Your employer will need to contact HMRC to apply. In order for you to qualify, your employer will have to re-assign your employment status as a ‘furloughed worker’.

16 | SCAFFMAG.COM

The scheme will pay 80 percent of retained workers’ salaries, up to £2,500 a month, but your employer can top up your salary to more than this if they choose to. Wages under the scheme will be backdated to 1st March and the scheme will be open for at least three months. There is no limit on the amount of funding, and the government will pay grants to support as many jobs as necessary.

The first of the grants are hoped to be paid before the end of April so it could take a few weeks to get your money.

BUT I HAVE ALREADY BEEN LAID OFF!

If your boss has already informed you that your job is gone, you should contact them to see if they are now willing to take you back and reassign you as a furloughed worker.

If you have already received a redundancy payment but your employer is now able to take you back, speak to your employer or the ACAS helpline for advice on what to do.

I AM NOT RISKING IT, I DON’T WANT TO WORK BECAUSE OF THE VIRUS

If you don’t want to travel or go into work because you’re worried about catching coronavirus, unfortunately, you’re between a rock and a hard place as your rights are more limited.

Your boss is required to listen to your concerns and try and find a way to work around them. You may also be able to take the time off as holiday or unpaid leave.

WHAT ABOUT SICK PAY?

Your rights to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) depend on your employment status and earnings.

If you earn at least £118 a week (£120

from 6 April 2020), you will be able to claim £94.25 per week (£95.85 from 6 April 2020) for up to 28 weeks. The government has announced SSP will be paid from the first day you are off sick if it is related to coronavirus.

SSP covers you both if you’re ill and if you need to self isolate because you have been in direct contact with the virus.

You will still need to provide a sick note or fit note but you no longer have to go to a doctor to receive one, you can apply for a sick note or fit note by calling NHS 111.

Some employers have more generous contractual sick pay schemes. It is worth checking your contract, staff handbook or with your employer. The government has said that it will bear the costs of SSP for smaller employers, so claiming it should not be a problem. If you do have a problem, contact the HM Revenue and Customs statutory payment dispute team on 03000 560 630.

If you’re employed but your earnings are too low to claim SSP - you earn less than £118 a week - you may be able to claim Universal Credit. You can do this online.

Don’t delay making a claim for benefits, even if you think you might have been affected by coronavirus.

However, if you are already getting benefits being replaced by Universal Credit, including housing benefit, tax credits, income support or employment and support allowance, and need to make a claim because of coronavirus, check with the Citizens Advice Help to Claim service as soon as possible to find out how they might be affected and to get advice about your situation. If you’re in Scotland, visit the Citizens Advice Scotland website.

IF YOU’RE SELF-EMPLOYED

The government recently launched the self-employed income support scheme.

To be eligible, you must earn more than half your income from self-employment, have submitted a tax return for 2018/19 and have: • A trading profit of less than £50,000 for 2018/19, or • An average trading profit of less than £50,000 for the tax year 2016/17, 2017/18 and 2018/19.

If you qualify the government will pay you a grant for 80 per cent of your monthly profits, up to £2,500 a month for three months. You will get a lump sum payment and it is understood these will start at the beginning of June.

Payments will be backdated to the start of March and cover a three-month period to the end of May, but the government has said the scheme might be extended.

HMRC will use your average trading profits from 2016/17, 2017/18 and 2018/19 to work out the size of your grant.

It is a taxable grant, so you will have to declare it on your Self Assessment tax return and might have to pay income tax and National Insurance on it. If you have earned a self-employed income during the 2018/19 tax year, but have not submitted a Self Assessment tax return yet, you have until 23rd April 2020 to do so.

This scheme is open to sole traders and members of partnerships. If you pay yourself a salary and dividends through a company, you will not be eligible, but might be helped by the coronavirus job retention scheme if you’re earning through PAYE. If you’ve become self-employed since April 2019, you will not be eligible.

If you are not eligible for this grant, you will still be able access other government support, including benefits and business support grants.

HOW CAN I CLAIM THIS GRANT?

You do not need to contact HMRC. HMRC will check eligibility against existing information and will contact you about making an online application. It is

unclear when this process will start. The Money Advice Service says if you’re self-employed you should have already received an email from HMRC explaining the scheme and telling you there is no reason to contact HMRC about this.

LOOK OUT FOR SCAMS

This scheme is likely to be targeted by scammers claiming to be from HMRC. If you are contacted by email, phone or text by someone claiming to be from HMRC at this time offering you the income support grant, tax refund or any other financial help, this is a scam!

HELPLINES AND WEBSITES

Citizens advice: 0800 144 8 444 HMRC helpline: 0800 024 1222 NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/ conditions/coronavirus-covid-19 GOV: https://www.gov.uk/ coronavirus ACAS: https://www.acas.org.uk

SCAFFMAG.COM | 17

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// Opinion

Coronavirus and the scaffolding supply chain Getting the balance right between putting our health first and keeping our businesses running is vital, says Des Moore, TRAD UK CEO

T

he severe restrictions on business as a result of the Coronavirus outbreak have caused many worries for those of us working in the scaffolding and construction industries.

We are all putting the health and welfare of our employees and those connected to our business first – many people at TRAD are working from home, whilst others are working wherever it is practical for them to do so, and we have set up clear and helpful ways to make sure that people can work as normally as possible. Where people do have to come into the office or work on site there are clear rules in place, in line with government advice, to protect them.

But we have a responsibility to protect those same people in other ways too, by ensuring we can pay them and that there is a business to come back to that is as strong as possible.

For companies like those in the TRAD Group, that means making sure that our supply chains are as strong as possible, so that we can continue working and supplying equipment for as long as it is needed.

KEEPING YOUR SUPPLY CHAIN MOVING

Like many businesses in the industry, some of our supplies come direct from China and other countries around the world. The effect of the virus on all these places means that supply chains

SCAFFMAG.COM | 19

// Opinion

As an industry we must avoid standing still and move forward by keeping the lines of communication open with our suppliers

20 | S CAFFMAG.COM

could be interrupted for an uncertain amount of time. That’s why one of the first things we did was to contact all our suppliers and get a clear visibility on what we can expect to come into the business over the next few months.

Whilst China was affected at the start of the outbreak before Christmas and over the Chinese New Year, the timing of it meant that suppliers ordering from Chinese manufacturers had already ordered supplies in advance or in greater quantity – this is standard practice for the time of year and means that supplies are not as interrupted as they may have been at another time of year. In addition, several of our suppliers can dualsource, so they have back up options for some of our products in other countries.

Depending on where factories are based in China, some have been shut down and some avoided any problems and were able to keep working – this is a matter of luck, but for those factories that were shut down, operations have now resumed and are working at near-to-full or full production.

However, many companies source from UK or European businesses and that’s where our supply chain is likely to be more vulnerable in the near future. Many European countries are on complete lockdown, and although UK businesses are still able to operate, they may also source stock or components from other countries that are already under severe movement restrictions or are likely to have them imposed imminently.

This brings more uncertainty into the UK scaffolding supply chain with our local suppliers finding it difficult to forecast future supply, even when they are working within the bounds of their own business continuity plans. In fact, some of the panic buying that we have seen in the food retail sector could extend to the supply sector and we have heard reports of containers of stock being sold by resellers before they have even arrived in the UK. OTHER SUPPLY CHAIN FACTORS TO CONSIDER

• Reduction in port, customs and office staff – whilst goods may be arriving, the lockdowns in the country of supply and the isolation-in-case-of-infection restrictions in the UK means a reduced workforce dealing with imports and associated paperwork. This in turn is likely to introduce delay into the supply chain.

• New outbreaks – countries are seeing outbreaks happening at different times, so a country that appears to be managing now may well see a peak in infection in several months and need to implement measures accordingly. This could affect the supply

chain down the line, as could any re-emergence of the virus in countries that feel they have come out of peak infection time, like China.

• Restrictions on transportation – any restrictions in shipping, flights and road transport will automatically affect supply coming into the UK direct to scaffolding businesses or to our suppliers, regardless of whether the goods are being produced at full capacity in the country of origin.

WHAT CAN WE DO?

From speaking to our suppliers, it’s clear that we need to keep lines of communication open. Businesses should keep an eye on their projects and run forecasts for the next three to six months based on what we believe we will be doing during that period. That gives us information we can share with our suppliers, allowing us to plan ahead for stock and for forward orders where we can.

If stock is available now and you have the cash and the storage space, consider buying additional stock so you are ready to get back on existing projects and take on new work as soon as you can. You should also revisit your business interruption plan so that you know exactly what you need to do should your projects be halted for a time. This includes making contact with your suppliers and with your insurers, and having a communications plan ready so that you can let your people, your customers and your stakeholders know exactly what’s happening and why.

Bear in mind that it’s more important than ever to keep in touch with your suppliers. Indications are that suppliers in China are now starting to fear their own downturn in business as demand from customers in the west decreases whilst they fight the virus and work slows down. Keeping your suppliers up-to-date with how your business is working will give them some confidence and help their planning wherever possible.

BUSINESSES SHOULD KEEP AN EYE ON THEIR PROJECTS AND RUN FORECASTS FOR THE NEXT THREE TO SIX MONTHS BASED ON WHAT WE BELIEVE WE WILL BE DOING DURING THAT PERIOD

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// Business spotlight

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COVENTRY SCAFFOLDING: A PHOENIX FROM THE CITY’S ASHES Modernity rules in Coventry’s architecture today, save for a few corners spared the devastation of a World War II blitz that flattened the heart of this cathedral city

T

hat scarred scene inspired Coventry Scaffolding. The company may have been born in London in the immediate aftermath of the conflict, a time when everything had to be rebuilt, but its name was chosen in solidarity with another region torn apart by bombs.

Established in 1950 by former Royal Navy serviceman Patrick Hanifan, 2020 marks 70 years for the firm. Plenty has changed since the first jobs were created at the original HQ, a bombed-out church on Monck Street in Westminster, London. But the principles of delivering innovative and rapid solutions to major construction briefs have remained.

“With the City of Coventry being so heavily bombed during WW2, there was huge public sympathy toward the Midland City,” explains Perry Hanifan, Director of Coventry Scaffolding. The second generation of family owners, he knows the company’s founding story well. “For Pat, naming the company Coventry Scaffolding was therefore a natural choice, not only to associate the company with an area in great need of the service but also to show solidarity with the city.”

ABOVE: Perry Hanifan, Director of Coventry Scaffolding; OPPOSITE: A snapshot of Coventry’s past projects including Buckingham Palace, Whitehall in winter and Perry’s father, Patrick at work.

Between then and now the firm has grown.

Slowly at first, moving to a new home on Regency Street, and then with increased speed, resulting in relocation to a larger site in East Dulwich from 1968.

Before that, and relatively soon after launching, the company’s first major scaffolding jobs got underway, the De Havilland Factory in Leavesden being one early example. The Ministry of Technology also approached the firm to test power cradles in Scotland, with such success leading to Coventry Scaffolding’s Power Access Division eventually being created.

That reputation was cemented further by Operation Winter Working during the 1960s, which saw the Ministry of Public Buildings and Works in London’s Whitehall draped in plastic sheeting, allowing heaters to be installed at ground level so painters and decorators could continue with duties during cold weather. Now a commonplace sight, it was a revolutionary idea back then. This decade also saw Nelson’s Column become a Coventry Scaffolding project, ensuring the monument could be cleaned completely for the first time since its erection in 1844.

“The 1970s was a time of great political unrest.

Tensions in Northern Ireland meant terrorist bombings on Mainland UK and in particular in London. This caused a lot of damage to some of the city’s highest profile buildings,” says Hanifan, of the years that would follow his company being established as an industry leader.

“Inevitably, when called upon, Coventry proved

SCAFFMAG.COM | 23

// Business spotlight BELOW: The Post Office Tower was one of the iconic buildings the Coventry team helped to repair; OPPOSITE: Nelson’s Column in London was given a thorough clean.

to be adept at quickly providing scaffolding to keep structures safe during this period, prompting the company to be referred to as ‘the 24-Hour emergency scaffolders.”

One example of this in action involved urgent repairs following the Post Office Tower bombing (now BT Tower) in an alleged 1971 IRA terror attack. One member of Coventry’s team, cradle-hand Benny Watts, was awarded a British Empire Medal for his efforts.

Twenty years on, the firm would again be called to help following an explosion, this time at The Baltic Exchange. Elsewhere, work to allow the external facade of Big Ben’s clock face to be filmed, and the SLV3 Indian Rocket to be exhibited at The Science Museum, are all proud moments.

Harrods, Unilever House, the British Museum and Queen Victoria Memorial are also on the list of major projects completed, with the crowning glory Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Royal Warrant, granted in 2005 after almost 40 years work at Buckingham Palace.

“In 2018 we partnered with world-renowned artist Christo in his first major work in Britain. The majestic ‘Mastaba’ was floating on the Serpentine in London’s Hyde Park for three months as the

24 | SCAFFMAG.COM

THE COMPANY HAS GROWN BEYOND ALL RECOGNITION SINCE INCEPTION IN 1950

centrepiece of his exhibition. The enormous structure, formed of 7,506 horizontally stacked barrels, required the expertise of Coventry to deliver an infallible solution,” Hanifan explains, when asked about recent undertakings.

This project won Coventry Scaffolding Project of the Year at the NASC Awards 2018. Endeavours such as East Ham Town Hall, the German Embassy and Methodist Hall near Westminster Abbey were also mentioned. Current work includes Theatre Royal, external refurbishment at a top secret government building, known as ‘Project Chromaffin’, and Bromley Town Hall.

“The company has grown beyond all recognition since inception in 1950,” says Hanifan, before moving to the future of a firm in a sector that’s always changing.

“It is impossible to guess what will happen in the next few decades but in keeping with its heritage, Coventry Scaffolding is committed to expanding organically in a sensible, sustainable way… A big challenge in the future will come from congestion and climate change and in particular, access for heavy vehicles into London and whether it is feasible to carry out night-time deliveries like many stores do now”

ABOVE: The majestic ‘Mastaba’ in Hyde Park, London created by the world-renowed artist, Christo; OPPOSITE: The impressive East Ham Town Hall.

SCAFFMAG.COM | 25

// Business

GOING GREEN Sam Tracey, Regional SHEQ Advisor at Actavo Direct tells us how scaffolding businesses can play their part in the climate crisis

T

he building and construction industries are among the worst offenders for global pollution, contributing 39 percent of the world’s carbon emissions (28 percent from operational emissions, 11 percent embodied or upfront carbon from materials and construction processes).

Construction companies and industry leaders have a responsibility to play their part in tackling the climate crisis. And in today’s eco-conscious society, those able to increase their green credentials will reap the rewards of increased brand reputation.

Actavo Direct’s Sam Tracey explains how the scaffolding industry can contribute.

THE MATERIAL THINGS

Often, simple changes to the materials you’re using can make a big impact on your carbon footprint.

For example, galvanized steel scaffolding has a longer lifespan than regular steel tubes, requiring less maintenance and repair. This is because the

THE FLEET OF THE FUTURE

While managing a fleet of vehicles will always pose a sustainability challenge, there are many ways to make your fleet greener.

Consider investing in longer trailers. If possible, transporting more materials in longer trailers saves on making multiple trips, with each vehicle guzzling fuel.

Look at using more sustainable fuel sources.

New alternative fuels are becoming available for trucks that could drastically cut emissions when used on scale across large fleets.

Telematics is also key to making more economical trips. And for those with large fleets, this small device can make a big impact. Not only does GPS data help you manage long-distance journeys, using real-time data to make each trip as economical as possible, but telematics also tracks driving data so you know when employees are driving wastefully.

Plus, you can use telematics to track vehicle performance data, so you can address any faults quickly, keeping trucks running efficiently year-round.

MINIMISING PAPER WASTE

LEFT: Protecting wildlife is essential on any building site; OPPOSITE: Bamboo scaffolding can be a sustainable option for certain projects due to its strength-to-weight ratio and durability.

26 | S CAFFMAG.COM

galvanized metal is fully sealed, protecting it against corrosion and rust, lasting longer so it doesn’t need to be replaced as often.

Similarly, opting for lightweight scaffolding tubes means you can fit more in the truck and make fewer trips – and fewer trips mean using less fuel.

Consider using bamboo scaffolding for some projects. The durable material has an impressive strength-to-weight ratio, creating stable, durable structures. Plus, it’s sustainably sourced.

Managing a scaffolding business covers more than just on-site activity. Projects require planning, communication, sales and marketing and more. And each activity brings opportunities to be more sustainable.

Switching to data management systems alleviates reliance on paper, reduces time spent on tedious admin tasks and increases productivity, with multiple teams and employees able to access and edit documents simultaneously.

It’s also important to create a culture of sustainability, encouraging every employee to play their part in the cause.

Make green choices part of your business’ identity. This may include promoting recycling schemes and discouraging employees from printing documents by providing them with the digital tools

to save, edit and share documents online and offering ongoing support.

GIVING BACK

Projects will often take place near residential areas or those that are home to wildlife. And even if your project has been given the go-ahead by the government, it doesn’t mean there aren’t additional steps you can take to make projects as eco-friendly as possible.

Consider how your materials are affecting the area around you. Dust and debris can contain potentially harmful substances for local wildlife, which can be a choking hazard or even poisonous.

Use dust sheets to catch loose materials and prevent the site from becoming littered with excess material waste. Also, demand more regular cleaning to help remove all general and project litter from the site.

IT’S ALSO IMPORTANT TO CREATE A CULTURE OF SUSTAINABILITY, ENCOURAGING EVERY EMPLOYEE TO PLAY THEIR PART IN THE CAUSE

It’s also important to consider noise pollution.

The noise caused on site has an impact on those in the surrounding area, including the local wildlife.

It’s up to responsible businesses to play their part in minimizing excessive noise. This might include reducing drop heights and using materials like rubber or foam to reduce the sound of metal on metal. Where possible, enclose loud machinery to limit noise and use absorbent materials like foam underneath or around loud machinery to stop noise from travelling.

Another key consideration is soil management (if relevant to the site), as construction work can damage or erode fertile soil. First, complete a soil review, so you can mark out the areas that need to be avoided by construction work and traffic routes.

Then remove and safely store any topsoil to be evenly spread over the site once work is finished.

SCAFFMAG.COM | 27

HAKI. ULT IM ATE E F FI C I EN C Y A ND SA F ET Y. // Interview

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Training

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// Technical

TIED UP

The recent high winds from storm Ciara and Dennis have highlighted the potential damage and destruction that can be caused by improper scaffold installation.

Jonathan Craig from Hydrajaws guides us on the importance of installing and checking scaffold ties

SCAFFMAG.COM | 29

// Technical

SCAFFOLD TIES

A scaffold tie is the important connection that fastens the scaffolding to a solid building or body to prevent it from collapse. When installed properly in a system they enable a resistance to forces trying to pull the scaffold away from the structure, such as high winds. From the initial design of the scaffold structure, the predictable loads of the scaffold on the main structure will be identified.

WHY TEST ANCHOR TIES?

There are a variety of anchor ties that a scaffold designer can specify. Each has their strengths and weaknesses, either in terms of achievable loads or suitability of base materials. The designer of the scaffold may initially specify the required anchor ties to be used to ensure that the scaffolding does not collapse away from the main structure. However, if the anchor ties are installed incorrectly, or even installed correctly into a weak material, they will be compromised and potentially fail. That is why testing on-site in actual working conditions is so important.

BS 8539:2012, CODE OF PRACTICE

In BS 8539:2012, Code of Practice for the selection and installation of post-installed anchors in concrete and masonry, there are two types of site testing to be considered with scaffolding - preliminary tests and proof tests.

PRELIMINARY TESTS

As the name would suggest, preliminary tests are performed on anchors before the scaffold is erected at a site. This is normally required when tying into masonry or other base materials when the anchor manufacturer cannot provide characteristic load data. This generally involves installing anchors into the masonry and pull-testing the anchors to a

30 | S CAFFMAG.COM

required load. A minimum of five tests per base material is required. It is strongly suggested to avoid pull-testing these anchors to failure, as this is likely to cause unwanted damage to the building.

When preliminary tests are carried out at site, it is important that the results of these tests are communicated effectively to the scaffolding designer. At this point, the scaffolding designer may wish to increase the number of anchor ties, or use a different anchor tie. It is important to note that should a different anchor tie be used, preliminary testing of the new tie is performed.

PROOF TESTS

On all jobs, proof tests of scaffold ties are required. These proof tests are not designed to be a check on the manufacturer's load test data, but a check that the anchors have been installed correctly (to the manufacturer's recommendations) and that the substrate is capable of taking 1.25 times the working load of each anchor. Proof testing to 1.25 times the working load rather than just the working load gives a 'safety factor' to the installation of the anchor tie in the substrate.

IF THE ANCHOR TIES ARE INSTALLED INCORRECTLY, OR EVEN INSTALLED CORRECTLY INTO A WEAK MATERIAL, THEY WILL BE COMPROMISED AND POTENTIALLY FAIL

A minimum of three anchors or 5% of the anchors installed (whichever is the greater number) are to be tested per scaffold. It is best practice to spread these tests around the scaffold, in particular if different anchors have been used in different sections or if these anchors have been installed by different teams. Should a scaffold tie fail a pull-test, then the frequency of anchor testing doubles.

The frequency doubles again should a second anchor fail. Should more than two anchors fail, then 100% of the anchors require proof testing. It is advisable that the anchor used and the installation method are re-visited. Should this be required, then it is important to use a reputable anchor company with a strong technical department.

THE IMPORTANCE OF RECORDING THE TEST DATA

In line with BS 8539, the results of the pull-tests need to be formally recorded and retained with the site documentation relating to the scaffold structure.

Traditionally, these results were recorded manually, noting down the load achieved.

As with many aspects of inspections and testing, a recent development means there is now a digital way to record the results of these tests. This digital method enables whoever performs the pull-tests to show that they have complied with the testing element of BS 8539, not only in the load applied, but that the load is held for the specified length of time and the data is collated into a site test report. These records are to be retained for the lifetime of the scaffold, not just the erection phase.

Keeping full records for on-site tie testing for the lifetime of the scaffold as part of a Technical File on-site is not only good practice, but demonstrates that you, the scaffold company, are professional, methodical and take safety very seriously.

SCAFFMAG.COM | 31

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// Training & recruitment

and o data a t s e h IT glitc es, and now From u n virus cal iss techni a-generatio ISRS and C nonce-i ic to add to Trenchard m d pande oes, Richar er, Dave g w NOCN CISRS mana ys s probe on the dela , y Mosle

R E V O E G N A E H B C O D CAR PROVES T ATTLE B L L I H P U AN

SCAFFMAG.COM | 33

// Training & recruitment

W

hen the announcement hit late 2019 that CISRS was bringing cards for construction workers ‘into the 21st Century’ via a new deal with NOCN Job Cards, many professionals welcomed the news. With so much of the world being digitised, and data far easier to collect as a result, switching to a dual plastic and virtual format seemed logical. Modernisation wasn’t the only catalyst; CITB withdrawing provision of its card scheme administration services meant a gap urgently needed filling.

But as the new deal came into practice, migration from the old system proved difficult, leading to 1000s of scaffolders being forced to wait months

34 | SCAFFMAG.COM

for replacement cards, in turn having a huge impact on their ability to work, and timeframes for project completion.

“As part of CITB’s 2020 Vision Review, they decided they would make several changes to services offered to industry. This included withdrawal from training delivery and also the administration of the CISRS and other card schemes,” says Dave Mosley, managing Director of CISRS, who is tasked with overall responsibility for the CISRS Scheme.

“We were informed by CITB that industry supported these changes, however this was definitely not the case for the scaffolding sector. CISRS, ASITO and NASC all made it very clear they wanted CITB to continue to provide Scaffolding Training and Scheme administrative support.

“CISRS didn’t feel that bringing the card scheme administration in-house was a viable option, due to IT costs, additional staff requirements, and opening new premises. As such we had no choice but to look for

alternative provision,” Mosley says of the forced decision to find a new method of provision.

When asked about factors that have led to delays, Mosley is candid in detailing a number of issues. Despite comprehensive testing, problems became apparent after system go-live; a common situation with any new software and procedure. As glitches were dealt with, others materialised.

“One of the major problems was obtaining data for the Health & Safety test. As a third party, NOCN is not allowed direct access to the H&S test data. There were also delays in actual smart card production,” he continues.

“The knock-on effects of these issues have greatly reduced the progress with the new systems. Experienced card scheme staff were taken away from application processing in order to try and rectify issues, meaning processing reduced, less people were getting a card, and there were more calls and emails asking where cards were, again leading to less processing taking place.”

Mosley is also quick to point out steps taken to mitigate the hold up.

Additional staff have been recruited, and non-smart cards have been issued as an interim measure - replacements will be delivered to scaffolders and construction workers free of charge once the system is fully operational.

At the time of writing, more than 5,000 cards have been issued under the new process.

“It is very disappointing for CISRS that the changeover of card administration and the introduction of the smart card has been hampered by issues that are largely out of our control. However, ultimately the card scheme is our responsibility and so we would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank everyone for their continued patience and understanding.”

With this interview conducted before the UK government took major and economically-devastating steps to combat the spread of the COVID-19 disease, it’s important to understand

IT IS VERY DISAPPOINTING THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF THE SMART CARD HAS BEEN HAMPERED BY ISSUES THAT ARE LARGELY OUT OF OUR CONTROL delays are now likely to be severely compounded.

Outside this context, though, Mosley is confident the backlog will not exacerbate what some see as the biggest problem facing UK scaffolding - a lack of training capacity. In fact, he doesn’t actually agree this is an issue.

“There can of course be specific and regional availability issues at times, but I do not believe these are generally due to lack of capacity.

“Since CITB announced it was withdrawing from training delivery, some people assumed that centres were closing and capacity would be lost, however this was never going to

happen,” he continues, reassuringly.

“CITB has always stated they would continue to deliver until alternative provision was established and this has been the case. Dudley College/Simian has taken over NCC Waltham Forest; Walsall college will take over NCC Midlands in the next few weeks, while NCC Scotland, NCC South and NCC East are all in discussions with prospective new providers and are still fully operational in the interim.”

With some 2000 CISRS scaffolders qualifying annually, and around 600 involved in the apprenticeship scheme, this confidence seems understandable.

The sheer scale of development in cities such as London and Manchester would also support a theory that the sector can meet demand with workforce supply.

What happens as this drops off amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic is anyone’s guess of course, making the road to business as usual look significantly longer.

SCAFFMAG.COM | 35

// Training & recruitment

Building for the future Scaffolding careers development from the NASC

L

ike most roles within construction, scaffolding has always had challenges recruiting new blood.

Perhaps more so than most occupations, scaffolding has faced the additional challenge of popular misconceptions, such as that it is a dangerous role with limited opportunities that require more strength than skill. The reduction in the European workforce post-Brexit has created additional

36 | S CAFFMAG.COM

recruitment challenges, which are further compounded by an aging workforce.

Having long recognised these issues, the NASC and its membership have made attracting a new generation to the sector a priority. Led by the NASC Training Officer Henry Annafi, the membership agreed that concerted efforts and resources should be dedicated to developing a careers strategy for the sector.

Supported by the Director of CISRS, Dave Mosley, Henry consulted with NASC members and key stakeholders

such as CITB, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), school academy trusts, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Ministry of Justice (MOJ). Henry used these meetings to raise the profile of the industry and dispel the commonly accepted truths that often act as a deterrent against a scaffolding career.

As a result, the NASC has made great strides within the year that Henry has been working on this project. Focusing on four key areas – school engagement, working with the unemployed, recruiting ex-military personnel and working with prisons – the NASC has been involved in a variety of events, consultations, insight days and school assemblies.

The NASC started proactive school engagement in June 2019, where they supported APEX Scaffolding at the Big Bang event in Exeter, targeting STEM (Science Technology Engineering & Maths) students. With over 1,200 students visiting the scaffolding structure and participating in exercises with the Knex kits, the event was an immense success and valuable lessons were learned,

WHEN YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE INFORMATION ABOUT SCAFFOLDING, IT INFORMS THEIR CAREER CHOICES POSITIVELY

such as the benefit of creating resources for younger audiences.

With financial support from CITB and guidance and support of NASC members, marketing materials and resources were developed. This included its first scaffolding careers brochure, a promotional video featuring employees with a variety of roles and a 360 Virtual Reality (360VR) video that takes a drone flight through the Wentworth Woodhouse project in Yorkshire.

The 360VR video has been incredibly appealing to students and alongside the use of Knex kits to replicate the principles of scaffolding, has ensured that NASC attendance at events is always very popular. Building on the success of the Big Bang, the NASC partnered with HAKI in October 2019 to deliver an open day in which 30 students from the local construction college were invited to participate in interactive exercises and learn about the industry. At the close of the event, 28 students stated that they would consider scaffolding as a career despite the fact they were 2nd and 3rd

year students that had chosen their trades.

Knowing they were on the right track after further successful events at schools in Rochdale and Newcastle, in November 2019 the NASC hosted a stand at the largest annual careers fair in the country, Skills London. The event was a resounding success, resulting in dozens of applications for apprenticeships, 14 requests from schools to deliver assemblies/events and perhaps most excitingly, 16 students that attended on the Friday returned the following day with their parents. Each registered for apprenticeships and their parents were surprised and excited by the careers within scaffolding.

In January, Henry and Dave delivered an insight day at Haydon Bridge in Northumberland, offering an overview of the ranges of opportunities within the sector, computer-aided design, TG20 demonstrations and Knex practical sessions to youngsters ranging from 13 to 17 years old. The headteacher was effusive in his praise and remarked that due to the NASC event, an increase of 60 girls registered for

engineering when choosing their options.

These successes have been replicated in other places and it has been remarkable to witness the appetite shown by students for the multiple roles within the scaffolding industry. Henry identified very early on that scaffolding didn’t need to raise its profile, it needed to create one.

This is what the NASC have done in the last seven months and consequently revealed that when young people have information about scaffolding, it informs their career choices positively.

This is just the beginning. The NASC are developing a dedicated careers website and partnerships with the DWP and MOJ to create Pre-Employment Training schemes, the first of which started on 16th March and has resulted in work placements for four young people. The final word goes to Henry - “Our work benefits not just the NASC and its members, but the whole industry. Initially it can seem like a lot of work for relatively small returns but with our momentum, word is spreading that the scaffolding sector is a viable and rewarding career”.

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// Training & recruitment

Quality training and recruitment have a vital role to play right across the industry. Sadly, agency workers are often accused of being unskilled, unlike those in permanent employment. Scaffmag has been taking a closer look

AT THE FOREFRONT SCAFFMAG.COM | 39

// Training & recruitment

F

oreFront Scaffold Solutions, a unique supplier of labour-only services to the access industry, are now in their 10th year of trading.

They've firmly established themselves as an asset to both clients and workers and see themselves as an extension to their client’s current labour-arm, offering a noncontractual agreement to use their services on an as-and-when basis.

The need to utilise agency workers can depend on contract sizes, holiday and sick cover. Individual companies can benefit from the flexibility enabling them to either increase or decrease labour levels as and when required, without the drawbacks of taking on more PAYE staff or overmanning sites in order to keep staff busy. In fact, Scaffmag has discovered that the ability to manage staff and costs more efficiently has led to an uptake in contractors taking on more agency workers over directly employed operatives.

An FSS spokesperson told us: “Over the past decade we have seen labour levels differ year on year with company requirements increasing and decreasing depending on the specific contract and time of year. This trend was certainly visible in 2018.

With many large, prestigious projects being built/ refurbished, client demands were at an all-time high and labour resources stretched to full potential.

“As a comparison, 2019 was a different story.

With ‘Brexit’ causing uncertainty and many 2018 contracts complete, the knock-on effect was a slow start to the year and client’s needs were far lower than previously recorded.”

Given all of this, Scaffmag was keen to find out more about the labour supplied by ForeFront Scaffolding Solutions. They explained: “The labour we supply are all CISRS/COTS certified operatives as a minimum, all with a varied experience. Access

THE STIGMA OF ‘AGENCY’ WORKERS IS VERY REAL AND AN ONGOING ISSUE, WITH SOME SEEN AS LAZY AND UNDERSKILLED BEFORE EVEN TURNING A SPANNER ON SITE 40 | S CAFFMAG.COM

works differ from site to site and labour vetted to the specific role, for example; industrial shut-downs are completely different to new build/refurbishment works, and vetting a workforce is key to marrying up the right person with the right projects.”

There's little doubt the very term 'agency worker', continues to carry something of a stigma in both scaffolding and construction. With both 21st century technology and modern working practises making a huge difference to how the industry now works, it's perhaps surprising to find old attitudes still prevail in some quarters. So how does FFS feel about the stereotyping?

“The stigma of ‘agency’ workers is very real and an ongoing issue, with some seen as lazy and underskilled before even turning a spanner on site. On the flip side, some scaffolders fail to help themselves, with poor workmanship or not turning in. To further this the labour supply market has become increasingly overcrowded in the past two-three years with more and more labour-only suppliers on the market carrying limited experience or know-how of the industry. This serves to provide a negative service with the wrong operatives married to the wrong types of work. All it does is tarnish the reputation of long-standing suppliers, putting us in the bracket of ‘just another agency.”

In truth, what FSS offers is a bespoke, unique and methodical approach to the Access Industry, supplying labour on a variation of projects, including Industrial Services, Renewable Energy, Power Networks, New Build, Refurbishment, Heritage and Rail.

They added: “We'd like to thank everyone who has supported us over the past 10 years and may we be of service to you for years to come.”

It's clear that ForeFront has earned an enviable reputation in terms of both clients and workforce alike.

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// Mental health

IT’S OK TO NOT BE OK The subject of mental health is quite rightly trending at the moment, with measures in place to help those suffering in silence. Being out of balance can have serious repercussions in the construction industry, but as Grahame Anderson has been finding out, there’s a company breaking new ground in restoring the equilibrium of employees

T

he scaffolding industry is leading in so many ways, not least in the crucial area of mental health. And let’s be honest, working mainly at height can be a dangerous task if someone isn’t thinking straight. This was a point made by the inspirational Ian Hines of Lyndon SGB, a qualified mental health therapist and someone who knows what it’s like to feel rock bottom. A former homeless drug addict, his own life experience is proving priceless in his drive to come to the rescue of those needing help to restore their mental health balance.

“It’s a startling fact in the construction industry that two people take their own lives each day because of mental illness, he told me. “It’s also the world’s biggest killer, and one in four people will suffer from mental illness at some point in their lives.

“Given all of this, I’ve worked hard to tackle the stigma and discrimination within the scaffolding and construction industry. As long as men in the industry continue to feel they can’t talk about their mental health we will continue to lose those two men every day, someone’s father, brother or son.”

42 | SCAFFMAG.COM

PASSIONATELY DRIVEN

Passionately driven, Ian left school with no qualifications and battled with substance misuse, but went on to attend night school to gain his diploma in counselling which opened the door to university. Managing Director Rob Lynch gave him the opportunity to work at Lyndon SGB, where he was able to find both structure and support.

Starting as a labourer, Ian worked his way up through the ranks eventually becoming regional safety manager for the mechanical access arm of the business.

With a keen interest in mental health, Ian

was able to attend university one day a week and his determination gained him a postgraduate degree in psychotherapy. His achievements are all the more remarkable given his battle with dyslexia.

A TRUE SUCCESS STORY

But perhaps their greatest success story to date involves Matthew Hartil, who had worked on the tools for more than 12 years. A hard working member of the workforce, he’d gone through some tough times as mental illness took hold, which all culminated in Matthew suffering a deep depression. In fact, he wanted life to come

SCAFFMAG.COM | 43

// Mental health

RIGHT: Lyndon SGB training has been extremely well received by the scaffolders who attended.

to an end, as Ian explains. “He said he was done and had planned his suicide, however some of the people within our organisation had approached me with concerns about Matt which allowed me to approach him and have an open conversation.” Ian asked him, “Are you going to take your own life?” to which he replied “Yes”.

“This is not an easy question to ask, but through the training I had received I was able to help support Matt through this time.

“As a company we were able to construct a plan allowing Matt to take the time he needed to recover. We found him psychological support with a counsellor, and then began phasing him back into work with regular support.

“Matt eventually came back to work full time and continues to see a therapist at his own cost and decision, and now is an integral part of our mental health team as an instructor.

“This involves him holding qualifications in adult and youth mental health first aid, delivering the MHFA training within the company.

We have both trained in ASIST training (applied suicide intervention skills training) allowing us to train our staff in suicide intervention.

“Matt is a massive success story, and has been involved in actually intervening in and saving one of our guys from suicide by reaching him with the emergency services. This included rescuing him from a situation in which doctors said he would have been dead within 20 minutes.”

LEADING THE INDUSTRY

The company will continue to push this training in 2020, with a target to train 30 individuals to be able to spot the signs of people experiencing suicidal thoughts, and have the tools to intervene and support them. Lyndon has so far delivered

44 | SCAFFMAG.COM

IT’S A STARTLING FACT IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY THAT TWO PEOPLE TAKE THEIR OWN LIVES EACH DAY BECAUSE OF MENTAL ILLNESS

the MHFA England courses throughout the UK including in Manchester where Jon Cooke was instrumental at helping this scheme get off the ground. He still continues to support ongoing training within his area.

Both Ian and Matt regularly run men’s support groups allowing a safe space for men to talk about how they are feeling.

GETTING THE MESSAGE OUT

“Myself, Matt and Rob Lynch have worked hard to get the message out there that it’s OK to not be OK. Let’s tackle the stigma and have that open conversation about mental health, as each day we do nothing we are losing those two dads, brothers and sons within the construction industry.”

“The training has been extremely well received as both Matt and I bring a level of realness to everything. Being scaffolders ourselves we find it easy to

connect and deliver this important message with real experience rather than death by powerpoint.

“The feedback received has been amazing and we have now taken the training to some of our clients, delivering both adult and youth courses for Lendlease at the Manchester town hall project and Balfour Beatty at the Eastwick project. Here we delivered the adult course to small businesses within the Stratford area, which was very well received.

“I can’t thank our regional managers enough for the support we have had from Scotland, Leeds, Manchester, Cardiff and Ipswich, all of which have played a massive part in helping save lives we may never even know about.”

There’s little doubt Lyndon SGB have gone from strength to strength, working hard to bring awareness to the mental health issues within the construction industry.

Find this image upsetting? We do too.

But with two construction workers taking their own life EVERY single working day, we need to act now.

You and your business can change the life of a construction worker today by simply providing an annual company donation. You choose the amount that suits you, starting with a minimum of £250. Here’s what you’ll receive in return; A helpline pack of cards for you to distribute to your workforce and posters to display throughout your business and sites Discounted Mental Health First Aid courses A letter and certificate of thanks for participating in our Company supporters Programme Publicity of your logo on our website if you pledge a £1,000 or more per annum ‘ Thank you’ message on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn Publicity of your logo and link through to your website on our monthly E-Zine Bespoke graphics so you can promote our partnership to your customers and colleagues

Save the life of a construction worker today, Visit;

www.lighthouseclub.org/savealife SCAFFMAG.COM | 45

// Mental health

MINDING MENTAL MATTERS SJ Rose of The Ansell Rose Partnership, Mental Health First Aid and Construction NVQ Training Consultancy, reports

W

hat is mental health? We all have it, and we all struggle with it at different times in our life. Mental health, just like our physical health, needs to be looked after and kept healthy for us to function in everyday life. If we were in physical pain, we would get help, and yet mental pain is largely ignored. In this article, we will take a look at different aspects of mental health issues and illnesses and what can be done to help.

There are a lot of initiatives at the moment to champion mental health in the workplace, specifically in the construction industry. ScaffMag are champions of the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity, which I am a volunteer for, offering welfare, training and support for individuals and families from a construction background. The more openly we talk about mental health, our own and other’s, the stigma will be reduced. I start my courses by asking people to write a list of words we would use to describe mental health negatively

46 | SCAFFMAG.COM

and also positively. There are a lot more words to describe someone with bad mental health, crazy and crackers being two of the least detrimental.

They often struggle to come up with words for positive mental health, illustrating the view of society that is now under challenge.

Construction has one of the highest rates of suicide in the country. There are several factors behind this. As a predominantly male industry (which is rapidly changing), traditionally men find it more difficult to open up about their feelings and talk or ask for help. Also, they may feel more responsible for the family earning capacity in a challenging financial environment, when a day off sick is a day without pay. Construction workers are more likely to work away from home, which puts considerable strain on the one left at home, caring for a family without everyday support. Working away from home, whilst it brings in the money, can lead to other detrimental factors. The family becomes used to functioning without them. When they are at home, the family unit has to recalibrate and readjust once again. There is a strain for things to

BEING HEALTHY MENTALLY, IS DIFFERENT FROM HAVING A MENTAL ILLNESS WHICH NEEDS LONG TERM THERAPY AND/OR MEDICAL INTERVENTION

be good for the short time they are back, everyday grievances are buried and children asked to be on their best behaviour. Both parties may be lonely and trust issues arise. This is not then, real life.

The resentment builds and all of these factors can become detrimental to a couple and a family.

Working and living away from home is a transition in the beginning and transitions mean change, something many people struggle with. A change such as this is a type of bereavement. We tend to think

of bereavement in relation to a physical death, however we can grieve for many things such as: moving home, having a baby or the end of a relationship. We may see these things as positive, but we grieve for the ending of a way of life, which wobbles our mental health and takes adjustment over a period of time.

Being healthy mentally, is different from having a mental illness which needs long term therapy and/or medical intervention. Like physical health, our mental health changes constantly and can

be influenced by many things. When we are ill we go to a Doctor, so why do we not do the same and seek help if our mental health is suffering? Just because we cannot see it, we can still feel pain and upset and hurt. Eventually this can affect us physically. Talking about it is brave, opening up and letting the pain out is brave. Being kinder to ourselves is something we could all try, no one has to suffer in silence. There are people who can help, if not a professional, a Mental Health First Aider, a friend or a partner.

SCAFFMAG.COM | 47

// Products

POINT OF VIEW The latest product from the X-Pro series of scaffolders levels includes a number of new and beneficial features including illuminated vials, stronger magnets and a hands-free bungee cord

T

he new ProView Firefly scaffolders level manufactured by UK-based X-Pro Tools is the next evolution in the ongoing innovation of its series of high-end levels.

Its inventor and the owner of X-Pro Tools, Paul Sparrow, said the Firefly has been in development for the last three years based on feedback directly from its previous customers of the original 2014 Dragonfly level.

Sparrow, who is an ex-window fitter, designed the original Dragonfly after being nearly blinded by a nail in a wall while viewing the bubble on his standard spirit level. Subsequently, he came up with the idea of the ProView safety viewing feature that uses mirrors to view the bubble from a distance.

The latest Firefly scaffolders level, which has been dubbed the Swiss army knife of the level world, is filled with an array of other innovative features including: • ProView: Patented ‘ProView’ Vial Reading Systems, ‘EndView’, and ‘PlumbView’, which won the coveted ‘British Invention of the Year Diamond Award’.

48 | S CAFFMAG.COM

• Illuminated Vials: Levelling tubes in low light conditions is now a breeze with its optional Firefly Illumination Pack which screws inside the level.

• Stronger Magnets: Firefly comes with high strength N52 grade Neodymium V-grooved magnets. Videos show a single magnet was able to pick up a 4ft tube, and two magnets could pick up an 8ft tube.

• Hands-free Bungee Cord: For hands-free levelling of nonmagnetic surfaces like aluminium beams or aluminium scaffold tubes.

• Built-in spares/maintenance kit X-Pro Tools owner Paul Sparrow told ScaffMag: “I am pleased to be introducing the All-New ProView Firefly Die-Cast Professional Grade Torpedo Spirit Level from X-Pro Tools. It incorporates an awesome array of beneficial features, from illuminated vials, powerful Neodymium Rare-Earth V-grooved magnets, a built-in hands-free bungee-cord feature and our patented and award-winning ProView mirror system for those awkward jobs where you just can’t get a clear view of the bubble.”

Sparrow added: “The Firefly is user-configurable too, where the illumination pack can be swapped out for a second magnet.

Looking to the future, the Firefly is the first of a new range of levels coming from X-Pro Tools crossing pro, trade and DIY markets, and if all goes to plan we will be looking to introduce our new eXcalibur Series into the market within the next two years. They have the same set of features as the Firefly, but on a grander scale, and there are features never before seen in a Box Level.”

IT INCORPORATES AN AWESOME ARRAY OF BENEFICIAL FEATURES, FROM ILLUMINATED VIALS, POWERFUL NEODYMIUM RARE-EARTH V-GROOVED MAGNETS TO A BUILT-IN HANDS-FREE BUNGEE-CORD FEATURE “We pride ourselves on being the ‘innovators’ not the ‘imitators’! Of course, introducing any new range will rely heavily on the support we receive from our customers with this first product, which itself is a full redesign of the earlier Dragonfly product we initially launched in 2014. Building on the success and feedback from that product, we wanted to bring out the Firefly as quickly as possible to address the needs voiced from our customers, but not only to achieve what they wanted but to significantly surpass their expectations altogether.”

Sparrow concluded: “With nothing but positive praise for the Firefly from all parties so far, we can only venture into the future with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment, to provide exactly what our customers need from their tools.”

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The past, present and future of system scaffolding

// Projects

52 | S CAFFMAG.COM

PROJECTS St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin ● London’s One Portsoken Street ● Leeds Railway Station ●

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// Projects

This is a major project in every sense, not just because of its importance and specific structural characteristics, but also the amount of scaffolding and roof system material that has been used.

Simon Ainscough, Director at Ainscaff

54 | SCAFFMAG.COM

SCAFFMAG.COM | 55

// Projects

S

late roof repairs on the 800 year old St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin have called for a scaffold and weather protection system that takes full account of the historic importance of the building. Ireland’s oldest church, which dates back to 1220, is currently undergoing the replacement of 19th century roof slates and is benefitting from the combined scaffolding expertise of Ainscaff Scaffolding – working for main contractor Clancy Construction – and the performance of Layher Ltd’s Allround scaffolding and lightweight roof systems.

After a year in the planning, the installation above the nave features scaffolds either side of the cathedral to support a series of multiple beam clusters from which further scaffolding then rises to the temporary roof. Simon Ainscough, Director at Ainscaff, highlights the particular issues that have had to be addressed at the site.

“As so often occurs with buildings of this type, the key factors we have had to accommodate are restrictions on tying-in to the fabric and both the movement and positioning of equipment through often tight spaces and alongside very valuable and irreplaceable structures and artefacts, and the Layher equipment provides key gains in each case,” he says. By way of example, he points out that the celebrated organ alone is valued at some £2 million.

“Key benefits of the Layher system include optimised handling due to its lightweight construction and the fact that it requires markedly fewer components than, for example, a tube and fitting alternative,” he says. He adds that because Layher Allround features a built-in rosette connection system, the risk of clamps, for example, falling or being left at site is minimised.

At the heart of the installation, Layher’s, Ainscaff’s and Clancy’s design teams have developed a highly innovative scaffold and beam support structure to address the fact that tying-in was not possible.

“We created clusters, each of 11 Layher 750 beams, which were clamped to the walls before extending some eight metres externally through 14 windows along both sides of the building,” continues Simon Ainscough.

“These were then fixed to the external support scaffolds to provide a base from which further structural

56 | S CAFFMAG.COM

elements rise to support the temporary roof.”

The design effectively bridges, and therefore avoids loading onto, lower roof areas which run alongside the nave, while also helping to ensure an important door access area remains open. At the same time, the external support scaffold, which extends down to ground level, provides the optimum structure for the installation of a material loading bay and access stair system.

“The temporary roof itself features our Keder XL lightweight design, which not only minimises loads and optimises handling, but can also be built to reach fully

over the apex of the building without further support,” says Sean Pike, Layher Ireland’s Managing Director.

He points out that a total roof span of some 18 metres is achieved.

The bay-by-bay construction of the Layher temporary roof structure has meant that the limitations of only having one crane on site were sufficient for the installation. “We could only lift from one end of the cathedral so we built rails onto the top of the support scaffold upon which Layher’s mobile roof system wheels were then located,” continues Simon Ainscough. “As each bay was craned into position and sheeted, it was then rolled along and fixed to create space for the following frame.” The roof sheets were then pulled into position through the integrated roof beam top chord Keder tracks – the whole scaffold and roof installation being completed in just four months by 14 scaffolders including, significantly, five apprentices.

With fireproof steel decking throughout and, importantly, cross-bracing only required on the top lift as part of the means of securing the roof structure to the scaffold - allowing clear walkways for the movement of both men and materials - the Layher scaffold system brings clear gains to such an important and iconic

structure. The simplification of handling even helped the unloading of materials at site which had to be undertaken during the night to avoid traffic restrictions in the city centre location.

“This is a major project in every sense, not just because of its importance and specific structural characteristics, but also the amount of scaffolding and roof system material that has been used,” concludes Simon Ainscough. He points out that some 4.5 km of ledgers, 1.8 km of beams and 3.4 km of standards have all been deployed for what is only the first phase of the roof refurbishment programme. Now that the new roof over the nave is complete, using slate from the same quarry that supplied the cathedral 150 years ago, attention has moved onto phase two – repairs to the transept roof, with the final phase three to follow.

“It is a high quality installation that demonstrates the suitability of our equipment together with Ainscaff’s and Clancy’s skills in the field of conservation,” concludes Sean Pike. “The structure provides safe, clear access and also creates the ideal, naturally-lit working environment for the roofing trades, yet impacts as little as possible on the continuing function of St Patrick’s Cathedral below.”

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// Projects

58 | S CAFFMAG.COM

ONE DIRECTION MR Scaffolding Services has provided its clients with a ‘first class’ service at the UK’s largest Design and Build project at London’s One Portsoken Street

M

easuring over 230,000 sq ft, it’s the largest design and build project in the UK, according to the main contractors. While upgrading the building’s infrastructure, they amazingly managed to add 30,000 sq ft of floor space by re-optimising the interior.

In October 2019, Croydon based MR Scaffolding Services (MRSS) were initially asked to design and provide demolition access scaffold to the giant glass atrium extending to 47 meters high. Various chute support frames / heavy duty loading bays and bridged sections to steel floating walkways were also erected to further aid the gigantic demolition phase of works.

MRSS client’s Construction Director added: “It includes a detailed scaffold

design to aid the large scale demolition of the existing concrete panels and terraces to the atrium, complex piling within the atrium and the steel frame infill across all nine floors of the building to create 230,000 sq ft of prime commercial space.”

Based on the success of internal scaffold works, MRSS were then asked to provide a full public protection gantry, 3000KG lifting frame and bridged access scaffold to the entire extent of the structure to enable glass install and façade renovation, which was also erected to a staggering 47 meters high.

“Working closely with its client, logistics within the teams both on and off site were essential, meaning project milestones were met in good time,” said Jack Broadbent at MRSS. “Early engagement with its client and TFL allowed for operations to run smoothly and on time with considerate planning.”

OPPOSITE: The sheer size of the scaffold erected in London weighs in at a very impressive 203 tons.

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// Projects

Again, the external scaffold erection was 47 meters high with four elevations in total - Garden Side, Portsoken St, Mansell St and Goodmans yard elevations. “We began with the Goodmans yard Gantry. This was built concurrently, keeping both the pedestrian and cycle routes open whilst we built the Gantry above. This Gantry alone totalled 80m long, 9m high and 5m wide.” Broadbent added.

The external install challenges were met logistically, but MR’s team used their expertise and knowledge to provide innovative solutions. With the internal scaffold installed, they distributed scaffold materials manually within the Atrium and laid them out on the internal floors to the areas of work. It was then passed out of the windows as they progressively worked their way up this staggering structure.

Broadbent continued: “At our peak, we had just shy of 30 operatives on the project at one time

erecting different elevations. The sheer size of the scaffold erected is very impressive totalling 203 tons, which is further complemented by the complex tie configuration and bracing arrangement designed and installed to provide global stability.”

Group Health & Safety Director for its client said: “MR Scaffolding Services contribution on this project has been first class, the quality of the install is one of the best I’ve come across, the company’s proactive approach to health and safety is second to none in the scaffolding industry and its teams are a credit to the company. MRSS are a pleasure to work with, I hope this is the first of many projects we complete together.”

Broadbent concluded “We would like to extend our thanks to both our client and not forgetting all #TeamMR, who continuously contribute to our ongoing success – onwards and upwards!”

BELOW: The external scaffold erection has four elevations in total - Garden Side, Portsoken Street, Mansell Street and Goodmans Yard.

THE EXTERNAL SCAFFOLD ERECTION WAS 47 METERS HIGH, THE GOODMANS YARD GANTRY ALONE TOTALLED 80M LONG, 9M HIGH AND 5M WIDE

60 | SCAFFMAG.COM

THE SIZE OF THE PROJECT AND THE TIGHT TIMESCALES MAY HAVE DETERRED MANY SPECIALIST SCAFFOLDING CONTRACTORS, BUT J. GUNN WERE UP TO THE CHALLENGE

UKSSH HELPS KEEP RAIL REDEVELOPMENT ON TRACK

U

K System Scaffold Hire has collaborated with J. Gunn Scaffolding to help ensure that, despite one of the wettest summers in living memory, the major redevelopment of Leeds Railway Station stayed on track and the thousands of rail passengers who continued to use the station each day while the work progressed kept dry and experienced minimum disruption to their journey.

Together, J Gunn Scaffolding (which was working for the principal contractor

Colt Construction on behalf of their client Network Rail) and UKSSH constructed a massive temporary roof which, despite the torrential weather conditions, didn’t allow a drop of water to find a way through it. The size of the project and the tight timescales may have deterred many specialist scaffolding contractors, but J. Gunn Scaffolding in collaboration with UK System Scaffold Hire were up to the challenge.

Using the HAKI 750 Temporary Roof, UKSSH not only supplied the roof but also helped with its design, as well as providing ongoing technical and site support.

“It was a very impressive collaborative effort” explained John Gunn. As you would expect we had to operate to the very highest health and safety criteria - all of our scaffolders wore double harnesses for the project - so we had to be absolutely confident that any company that we worked with were totally compliant. The team at UKSSH has years of experience in working on Network Rail projects, so the commercial, technical and health and safety requirements were second nature to them – it’s part of their DNA. Their commitment to delivering on time and on budget was equally impressive; from the outset it was clear that UKSSH wanted to achieve the same goals as ourselves – it was a “one team” approach that paid dividends.

Despite the fact that all scaffold works had to be carried out at night, UKSSH’s response to requests for on-site support was always immediate and despite unseasonal and relentless rain during the project the roof didn’t develop a single leak.”

Constructed using the unique “roll-out” method, the HAKI 750 Temporary Roof was designed to rest on the existing railway arches and featured retractable sheeting to allow the old steel framework to be craned out and new steel framework to be craned in.

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