Guidance: scaffolding in saltwater environments

Galvanic corrosion is an electrochemical process where one metal corrodes at a faster rate when in contact with a dissimilar metal in the presence of an electrolyte (saltwater). Scaffold contractors working in saltwater environments need to be aware of the consequences.

In 1761, The Royal Navy experimented with copper plating fixed to the hull of HMS Alarm with iron nails. On return from a long voyage, the copper plating was in good condition but had become detached from the hull. Many iron nails had dissolved, freeing the copper plating, but the nails that had been isolated from the copper by water-resistant brown paper trapped under the nail heads were in good condition. The Admiralty issued a report stating that iron should not have direct contact with copper in seawater.

The UKCS has produced Offshore Specific Scaffold Guidance which covers this issue. The main concern is the periodic inspection of scaffold fittings attached to aluminium beams and spigot pins used for joining the beams. The guidance stipulates that to retain structural integrity, scaffolds erected under deck should be dismantled every six to 12 months.

Mr Beck has developed aluminium spigot pins to overcome the problems caused by steel pins corroding and expanding, splitting the aluminium beams from within. He has tried various coatings on the beams and fittings to reduce the effects of corrosion and has successfully installed beams that have been in situ for over two years with little degradation.

On the topic of life expectancy and inspection procedures, Mr Herbert suggests using sacrificial droppers and fittings. If a scaffold was expected to be in service for two years, he suggests putting 48 fittings onto a beam and removing two a month for inspection, giving a good indication of the structural integrity of the installed components. This reduces the need to dismantle/ re-erect the scaffold installation and the sacrificial droppers can be raised and inspected without operatives working at height. www.accesspoint.org.uk

Welcome To New Scaffolding Association Members

Scaffold Erection

A & G Scaffolding Team Limited www.agscaffoldingteam.co.uk

ADK Scaffolding Limited www.adkscaffolding.co.uk

Albany Brent Group Limited www.albanybrent.co.uk

Amp Scaffolding Limited www.ampscaffold.co.uk

Atlantic Scaffold www.atlanticscaffold.com

D & B Scaffolding Limited www.dbscaffolding.co.uk

D & B Scaffolding (Northern) Limited www.dbscaffolding.co.uk

Elevation Yorkshire Limited

07716 076231

Freeman & Hook Scaffolding Contractors Limited

01908 262633

L & C Scaffolding Limited

07920 855887

Phaze Scaffolding Limited www.phazescaffolding.co.uk

Pro Scaffolding (South West) Limited www.proscaffolding.co.uk

PVF Scaffolding Limited www.pvfscaffolding.com

SMD Decorators Limited

01708 540148

We Tube Scaffolding Limited www.wetubeltd.co.uk

Products And Services

Gaydon Henderson www.gaydonhenderson.com

Association members to benefit from new SMAS Worksafe partnership

The Scaffolding Association and SMAS Worksafe (Safety Management Advisory Service) have formally joined in a professional partnership to benefit members of both organisations. The partnership began in May 2019.

With the Scaffolding Association selecting SMAS Worksafe as its SSIP scheme of choice, Association members can now benefit from a 20 per cent discount off the SMAS Worksafe full assessment (applicable to firstyear applicants only) as well as a Health and Safety helpline and increased visibility to the SMAS Worksafe client base, which includes over 45 of the biggest house builders in the UK as well as many other organisations in construction.

For more information, contact stacey@ scaffolding-association.org

FIND OUT MORE www.scaffolding-association.org

Scaffolding Association hosts panel discussion at Safety & Health Expo

The Scaffolding Association exhibited at the Safety & Health Expo (SHExpo) at Excel from 18 to 20 June.

Association chief executive Rob Candy hosted an industry panel discussion focusing on the roles and responsibilities of duty holders when undertaking and commissioning working at height.

The three-day industry event provided an opportunity for the Scaffolding Association to share best practice in raising health and safety standards while meeting members and networking across the sector.

FIND OUT MORE www.safety-health-expo.co.uk

CASS projects across London

Keep

18–20 June 2019

Safety & Health Expo, ExCeL, London

Citation seminars on ‘Good Work Plan’

26 June 2019 – Hampden Park

Stadium, Glasgow

3 July 2019 – Allianz Park, London

16 July 2019 – Edgbaston Cricket

Ground, Birmingham

2 July 2019

Scaffolding Association exhibiting at SMAS Worksafe event

Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol

12 July 2019

London Work at Height Seminar (LWAHS)

The Guildhall, London

12 September 2019

Scaffolding Association AGM

Union Jack Club, London

The contract, which began in November, is for client Formation Design & Build.

Over in east London, CASS recently completed the scaffolding works on the Queen Mary University Mathematical Sciences Building, working with Graham Construction.

The £18 million building includes high-quality teaching rooms, private and group study areas and new social hub.

Nick Carey, senior contract manager for CASS, said: “This was another interesting project for CASS. The team worked endlessly to ensure that the scaffolding schedule was met – the outcome is an incredible building.”

FIND OUT MORE www.cassuk.com

Scaffolding Association joins Temporary Works Forum

The Scaffolding Association has become a member of the Temporary Works Forum (TWF) as part of its continuing strategy to improve the standards of scaffolding and access within the construction industry.

The TWF is a not-for-profit organisation that aims to promote best practice and encourage open discussion on matters related to temporary works. It is viewed by the Scaffolding Association as a valuable platform from which to influence future practices within the industry and represent its members to key industry stakeholders.

Robert Candy, chief executive at the Scaffolding Association, said: “One of our key aims is to ensure that industry standards are continually being raised, and the Temporary Works Forum seeks to promote best practices and improve standards.

“There is a synergy between the organisations and we look forward to being active members of the TWF.”

FIND OUT MORE www.scaffolding-association.org

Mental health pledge from Absolute Scaffolding Wales (ASW)

Neath-based Absolute Scaffolding Wales (ASW) has pledged its commitment to Time to Change Wales, a social movement that aims to improve attitudes and change behaviour towards mental health in society in Wales.

At the event to mark the occasion, with guests including Wales and Ospreys rugby player Paul James and representatives from Hafal and Mind Cymru, the two mental health charities behind the campaign, ASW’s managing director, Carl Hendy, signed his pledge on behalf of the company.

Mr Hendy said: “I am proud to make our pledge to Time to Change Wales. At ASW, we regard good mental health just as important as good physical health, and so without prejudice or discrimination, we encourage openness and make it clear that help is available.”

FIND OUT MORE www.absolute-scaffolding-wales.co.uk

Caspian relaunches as Caspian Group

Caspian Access and Plant Hire has announced that its new company name is Caspian Group.

For over 30 years, Caspian has supplied scaffolding boards and related services to a national and international client base. In line with expansion, the company has relaunched as Caspian Group and acquired an additional Scunthorpe based threeacre site, which becomes the fifth site within its operations.

Neil Garrison, Caspian’s managing director, said: “The change of name to Caspian Group highlights our business development ambitions at what is a very exciting time for the company.”

FIND OUT MORE www.caspiangroup.co.uk

New MD at Marshall Construction

Marshall Construction has appointed Brian McDermott as its new managing director.

Mr McDermott has been promoted from operations director of the General Building Division, bringing significant leadership experience and a deep understanding of the company to the role. He will be responsible for driving growth across the company and strengthening its position within the Scottish construction market.

Commenting on the new role, Mr McDermott said: “I will continue the company’s delivery of high-quality projects coupled with outstanding workmanship. Our reputation for delivering exceptional work in partnership with our customers underpins our commercial success and I will build on this along with enhancing our reputation.”

FIND OUT MORE www.marshallconstruction.co.uk

I-Scaff completes Philippines shutdown project

Fife-based I-Scaff has completed a contract to shut down a coal-fired power station in Mariveles in the province of Bataan, the Philippines.

The recommendation for I-Scaff came from the power station’s site manager who had director Ross Brown’s details following a previous shutdown project in Saudi Arabia.

Shutting down this power station in the Philippines came with its challenges, one being convincing the client that the works could be achieved with less manpower and in a faster time than a project of this nature would typically require.

Secondly, to ensure quality standards, I-Scaff sent its Middle East and Asia manager, Douglas Stuart, to China to audit three scaffolding manufacturing plants and source Turnlok scaffold system and scaffold tube and fittings that met the BS EN requirements.

The on-site team consisted of three British advanced scaffolder/supervisors and Mr Stuart, who has 25 years’ experience in the region. I-Scaff was keen to recruit Bataan locals and contracted 40 scaffolders from a large database of experienced nationals.

Including training time, I-Scaff completed the shutdown in nine weeks – six weeks faster than a previous year’s shutdown and with a team that was 60 per cent smaller – and with zero incidents or accidents.

John Pritchard, former maintenance manager at the power station, said: “We were immediately impressed by I-Scaff’s professional approach along with the equipment they used. We witnessed first-hand how well they trained the local staff ahead of commencing the works.”

FIND OUT MORE www.i-scaff.com

Godiva training boosted by Skills 4 Growth funding

Godiva Access & Scaffolding is benefiting from Skills 4 Growth funding that has helped its management team develop new skills and raise standards. And Godiva is already reaping the rewards with 2018 sales surging past the £5-million mark.

Karl Degroot, Godiva’s managing director, said: “Godiva prides itself on being able to drive a strong and successful team by continually offering a plan to help them build new skills and improve their performance and productivity.”

Godiva teamed up with Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber Training to put in place a detailed skills and training development plan for all staff with a commitment to create a sustainable workforce and futureproof its requirement for management, supervisors and skilled scaffolders.

The people investment made by Godiva has been supported with external funding from the Skills 4 Growth fund.