AccessPoint Issue 26

ISSUE 26 AUTUMN 2023

P14

SMASHING SUCCESS

COMPLICATED SCHEME TO ENABLE DIFFICULT DECONSTRUCTION PROJECT

P8

WELLBEING The four pillars of wellbeing

P10

LEGAL Payment in the construction industry

P18

HEALTH & SAFETY Creating a stress-free scaffolding site

WELCOME ROLL CALL FOR NEW SCAFFOLDING ASSOCIATION MEMBERS SCAFFOLD CONTRACTOR

SCAFFOLD CONTRACTOR

SCAFFOLD CONTRACTOR

SERVICE PROVIDER

Access 4 U (Scaffolding) Ltd www.access4uscaffolding.co.uk 01246 456109

Dynamic Scaffolding Services Ltd www.dynamicscaffoldingservices. co.uk07587 981684

Footprint WFM Ltd https://footprintwfm.com 02890 767002

ASC (Leeds) Limited www.ascleeds.com 07979 013432

Hammac Scaffolding Ltd www.hammacscaffolding.co.uk 01606 77241

Skyla Scaffolding Limited https://myeasywebsite.co.uk/ skylascaffolding.co.uk 07470 179674

Atlas Scaffolding (UK) Ltd www.atlasscaffolding.co.uk 020 8427 2221

Intercity Midlands Limited https://www.intercitymidlandsltd. com/ 01564 773177

Brogan Scaffolding Limited www.brogan-scaffolding.com 0800 772 3873 Brothers UK Scaffolding Limited www.brothersukscaffolding.co.uk 01268 987870 Construct Scaffolding Services Limited www.constructscaffolding.com 07984 916137 DB Scaffolding 07850 426968

Smart Access Scaffolding Ltd www.smartaccessscaffolding.co.uk 07557 046808

MOR1X Business Consultancy www.mor1x.co.uk 07555 800700

Topline Construction Services Ltd www.toplineltd.net 020 7096 1821

Scafom-Rux United Kingdom Limited www.scafom-rux.com 07711 317366

Safe Access Scaffold Ltd www.safeaccessscaffold.co.uk 07909 430149

Texo Scaffolding (London) Ltd www.texoscaffolding.co.uk 01621 861350

MEMBER SUPPLIER

Safe Access Scaffolding Limited www.sascaffolding.com 0333 123 4500

Union Contractors (Sussex) Ltd www.unionscaffolding.co.uk 0800 907 0171

Forefront Scaffolding Hire & Sales Limited www.forefrontscaffolding.com 07397 089161

Shore Scaffolding Limited www.shorescaffold.co.uk 01268 562999

WCT Access Solutions www.wctscaffold.co.uk 07934 422187

Tube Industries Limited https://tubeindustries.uk/ 07771 822822

Silver Star Services Limited 0161 665 0828

CONTACT US

Editorial Enquiries: Alison Hurman T: 0300 124 0470 E: alison@scaffolding-association.org Advertising Enquiries: Trish Meyer T: 0300 124 0470 E: trish@scaffolding-association.org Scaffolding Association T: 0300 124 0470 www.scaffolding-association.org E: info@scaffolding-association.org

Subscriptions AccessPoint is distributed to members of the Scaffolding Association and other selected access and scaffolding businesses.

If you wish to receive a copy of AccessPoint or would like to amend or cancel your subscription, please call 0300 124 0470 or email info@scaffolding-association.org

AccessPoint is published on behalf of the Scaffolding Association. The views expressed in this journal are not necessarily those held by the Scaffolding Association. The Scaffolding Association shall not be under any liability in respect of the contents of the contributed articles.

The Editor reserves the right to edit, abridge or alter articles for publication.

ISNN: 2055-2033 (Print)

© All editorial contents AccessPoint 2023

Printed by Tewkesbury Printing Company Designed by Gladstone Design

Cover / Inside front images: RDG Engineering Limited

AUTUMN 2023

CONTENTS NEWS

P3-5 Stories from the sector

COMMENT

P6 Robert Candy, CEO of the Scaffolding Association discusses Working at Height – the most significant health and safety challenge facing our industry

WELLBEING

P8-9 Ian Pickard discusses wellbeing in construction

LEGAL

P10 Holmes and Hills Solicitors: Payment in the construction industry

TRANSPORT

P11 Road Haulage Association: Are you addressing the challenges of drug driving at work?

PROJECTS

P14-15 London Office Deconstruction P17 Tiverton School

HEALTH & SAFETY

P18 Citation: How to create a stress-free scaffolding site P20 CITB to launch new fire safety eCourse P21 Alto Access: Why climb when you could walk?

PRODUCT NEWS

P22 Alto Access: Universal Scaffold Stair Units

P22 Advanté: EcoLogic Solar welfare units

P23 G-DECK: No-ties Temporary Scaffold Staircase Surround P23 Panthera: CraneSAFE™

NEWS Safety & Access successfully gain CISRS accreditation at new London centre CISRS have recently carried out a successful accreditation audit with established training provider Safety & Access at their new facility in Earlsfield, South London.

Safety & Access are very well known within the sector delivering a wide range of CISRS courses at their centres in Nottingham and Immingham and have a proven track record in delivering top quality training.

The new London centre has gained accreditation to deliver CISRS COTS,

Basic & Advanced Scaffold Inspection, Scaffolding Awareness and Scaffolder Refresher/CPD. The centre also has excellent transport links with Earlsfield station being just one stop from Clapham Junction station and direct from Waterloo.

Those interested in further course information should contact Safety & Access by emailing safe@safetyaccess.co.uk or phone on 0115 9794523.

More: www.safetyaccess.co.uk

UCS Scaffolding faces regulatory action for compliance breaches UCS Scaffolding and Safety Systems Ltd (UCS) is under regulatory scrutiny after a string of compliance failures.

The company’s restricted goods vehicle operator’s license has been revoked due to serious breaches, including insufficient vehicle inspections and a suspected case of “fronting,” where one individual fronts for another in regulatory matters.

A DVSA roadside encounter revealed numerous offenses, including driving hour violations and outdated tachograph data, while a subsequent investigation found a lack of compliance management systems.

The Traffic Commissioner also uncovered that one director controlled the company while another played a minimal role, raising concerns of deceptive practices.

In response, the Traffic Commissioner took action, revoking UCS’s license and disqualifying a director from obtaining an operator’s license for three years.

The decision underscores the critical need for robust compliance systems within the industry.

Scan to read full report:

UKSSH helps Anglian Demolition hit heights for charity at Royal Norfolk Show The Royal Norfolk Show is the largest twoday agricultural show in the country, with 80,000 visitors attending the show.

For this year’s show Anglian Demolition and Asbestos approached UK System Scaffold Hire (UKSSH) for their help in building a 10-metre-high viewing platform as the centre piece of Anglian’s stand.

The stand was also used as a means of raising money for their chosen charity, Priscilla Bacon Lodge as they are part of their 500 Club, meaning they have committed to raising £10,000 before the end of 2023 to help the charity complete their all-new purpose-built hospice that will replace their current 40-year-old building.

The whole construction took four men a total of three days to erect, but their hard work paid off with over 6,000 guests making the trip to the top of the tower to see the show.

More: www.ukssh.co.uk www.angliandemo.co.uk

ACCESS POINT

Good news comes in threes for Shaun Hanney Ltd

CASS win again!

CASS were recently awarded the CN Specialist Award for Excellence in Social Value. After submitting their entry earlier this year, Tom Gent, CASS Managing Director and Clair Thomas-Poulton, CASS Head of Sales and Marketing then had to present to the judging panel in London.

Each year CASS selects an annual charity and supports any events by getting the whole team involved in various tasks throughout the year. This year the chosen charity is Action for Children and to date, CASS have donated nearly £13,000 to this worthy charity.

CASS is also involved with the Green Task Force Wales which Tom is a director, which supports and offers veterans who suffer from PTSD and other debilitating conditions, employment through naturebased training. Last year CASS planted 1000 trees at a site in Newport and this year so far have planted 2000 trees at two sites in Abergavenny. These sites were chosen as CASS was working on projects in both areas.

Shaun Hanney Ltd, who are Assessed Members of the Scaffolding Association, are celebrating a trio of good news.

The judge’s comments following the award win were: “It was clear that social value was embedded thoroughly in the company’s culture. It was evident that CASS was making a conscious effort to use its social value activities to change the perception of scaffolding within the industry; ultimately leading to a positive legacy. Every aspect of social value is represented in their actions and approach. Keep going with the good work!”

More: www.cassuk.com

SIMIAN announce new appointment SIMIAN have announced the appointment Jamie’s extensive experience in Health & of Jamie Lyons as Consultancy Manager Safety consultancy at SIMIAN makes him and Senior Health & Safety Advisor. well-suited for this role, ensuring topnotch service delivery to both new and In his new role, Jamie will spearhead existing clients. Beyond management, SIMIAN’s consultancy division, focusing on he is dedicated to nurturing growth and alignment with the company’s client relationships strategic objectives. Notably, SIMIAN is and enhancing sharpening its focus on its core expertise safety standards. in scaffolding and work at height, underlining its commitment to safety.

Scan to find out more:

Tata Steel UK Ltd fined £120K In a recent court hearing, Tata Steel UK Ltd has been fined £1.4 million after a tragic incident that left a worker with permanent brain damage. The unfortunate accident occurred in December 2021 at the company’s steelworks plant in Port Talbot.

The court was informed that the worker had been operating an overhead crane when a steel plate weighing nearly three tonnes slipped from its chains, striking him. The impact caused severe injuries, including permanent brain damage.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigators found that Tata Steel UK Ltd had failed to implement adequate safety measures to prevent such incidents. They discovered that there was no safe system of work in place, 04

NEWS

and employees had not received proper training on the use of cranes.

The judge expressed concerns over the lack of safety procedures and emphasised the importance of prioritising worker safety in high-risk environments like steelworks.

Tata Steel UK Ltd was found guilty of breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act and ordered to pay the fine of £120,000 and costs of£14,138.06 highlighting the significance of enforcing stringent safety standards to protect workers from harm.

Scan to find out more.

First they were awarded the Best Scaffolding & Construction Company 2023 at the SME News UK Enterprise Awards.

Closely followed by Kimberly Howard, Compliance Manager at Shaun Hanney, winning an Influential Businesswoman Award for Most Impactful Scaffolding Business Leader 2023.

Kimberley commented: “I am grateful to our Shaun Hanney Ltd team for allowing me to be me in what can sometimes be a tough industry to navigate and for the support and guidance I receive from them which, I know a lot of women may not be as fortunate to get within the construction industry, so I truly am grateful.”

In addition to winning awards, the Shaun Hanney team have recently moved into a new office. With the team going from having just three in the office and a handful of scaffolders, to an office of eight, a dedicated yard team of six, four Contracts Supervisors and over thirty scaffolders ranging from charge hands to apprentices, more space to operate was required.

More: www.shaunhanneylimited.com

AFG announce two new divisions to support SMEs Milton Keynes-based asset finance brokerage, Approved Finance Group (AFG) has announced the launch of two new divisions designed to support SMEs with their expansion plans and business growth opportunities.

AFG has announced the launch of Approved Tax Limited, their new specialist tax advisory ‘division which’ focuses on incentives and original funding for areas such as Research & Development Tax Relief, Stamp Duty Land Tax, Capital Allowances and Land Remediation Relief.

Whereas their new specialist property division, Approved Property Finance, has been designed to support businesses looking to expand existing premises or launch new sites.

More: www.approvedbusinessfinance.co.uk

accesspoint.org.uk

ACCESS POINT

Scaffolder overturns fines from ULEZ scheme

Karl DeGroot appointed fellow of the IIRSM

Noel Willcox, a scaffolder from Hertfordshire based Elevation Access Scaffolding, has had fines he incurred from entering a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in London overturned by claiming that the signage did not meet regulations.

Karl DeGroot, Managing Director of 360 Degrees Consultancy, achieves the prestigious title of Fellow of the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM). This notable recognition highlights DeGroot’s expertise in the field of risk and safety management.

Wilcox had amassed £11,500 in fines for driving a company vehicle in a LEZ that imposes a charge of up to £300 per day on high-polluting vehicles. During the tribunal he claimed that the signage

didn’t meet regulations requiring clear notification of charges to motorists.

The adjudicator, Graeme Wallington, agreed, stating that: “No charge or penalty is payable if the signs are not authorized and do not provide adequate charging scheme information.”

Transport for London (TfL) are likely to appeal the decision.

Major national strategy to reduce number of tragic suicides Government pledge to reduce England’s suicide rate within 2 and a half years with launch of new national suicide prevention strategy.

• Action to aid specific groups at risk of suicide, including children and young people, middle-aged men, autistic people, pregnant women, and new mothers •M ore than 100 measures being taken including a national alert system to combat emerging methods of suicide and refreshed guidance for first responders The suicide prevention strategy for England: 2023 to 2028 delivers a firm

commitment to see the number of suicides in England decrease within 2 and a half years at the very latest.

The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan sets out an ambition to grow the mental health workforce by 73% by 2036 to 2037, and the workforce already continues to grow to help cut waiting lists - one of this government’s top 5 priorities. In March 2023, there were almost 9,300 more mental health staff working than the previous year.

Scan to find out more:

360 Degrees Consultancy is a leading consultancy firm specialising in risk management and safety solutions, DeGroot has consistently demonstrated an unwavering dedication to ensuring the wellbeing of organisations and their employees. His extensive knowledge and experience have enabled businesses across diverse sectors to identify potential risks, implement effective risk management strategies, and establish robust safety protocols.

Expressing his delight at receiving this prestigious distinction, Karl DeGroot stated: “I am truly honoured and humbled to be appointed as a Fellow of the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management.

This recognition underscores the value of our efforts towards creating safer work environments and reducing potential hazards.

Professional recognition plays a pivotal role in driving excellence within our industry, and I firmly believe it is vital in fostering continuous improvement and inspiring others to prioritise risk management and safety.”

Contact: Karl DeGroot karl@360degreesconsultancy.co.uk

Five Star Projects successfully launch the Galactic stage Five Star Projects have launched their new, improved and bigger, Galactic Stage!

twice the rigging capacity of their original stage.

Back in our Spring edition we showcased how Five Star Projects strategically moved away from traditional steel truss staging by designing and investing in modular Layher Keder roofing systems.

The Galactic also has the addition of fully integrated audio/visual ‘wings’ that are made of Layher components, so are the cantilever PA points which utilise Layher’s new Twix Beams.

Since then, Five Star Projects have been working closely with Layher to Design and Engineer the Galactic Stage, which at 23m is almost double the size and has over

The Galactic is a domed stage roof system and has been very well received within the

accesspoint.org.uk

industry, with its first two outings (one at Docklands in London and the other for the opening of the Edinburgh International Festival) both being huge successes.

There are many benefits of utilising bespoke system scaffolding over the traditional heavy steel truss approach to event staging, you can read all about these in Five Star Projects’ feature in the Spring edition of Access Point here:

NEWS 05

ACCESS POINT

Comment

The theme for this edition of AccessPoint is Health, Safety and Wellbeing, so it’s fitting for me to talk about Working at Height – the most significant health and safety challenge facing our industry.

Earlier this year, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), published the latest workplace fatality figures which show that there were 135 workers killed in work-related incidents in Great Britain from April 2022 – March 2023.

The number is higher than the previous year which recorded 123 deaths and is creeping back towards pre-pandemic levels of 145 deaths which were recorded for 2020 / 21.

According to the latest release, the industry with the highest number of workplace fatalities is perhaps unsurprisingly construction which accounted for 45 deaths and the three most common causes of fatal injuries from across all business sectors were reported as falls from height (40), being struck by a moving object (29), and being struck by a moving vehicle (20).

In 2003 – the year immediately prior to the introduction of Working at Height Regulations (WAHR), there were 67 workplace fatalities resulting from falls from height.

This number has gradually fallen over time, so the criticality of these regulations is unquestionable. However, 20 years on, there are still lessons to learn. Afterall, any number of lives lost in the workplace is one too many.

The fact that most of these lives consistently relate to falls from height, makes our industry one of the most at-risk of them all.

I guess that’s not surprising given the nature of our work, but none-the-less, it’s a very real risk that our employees face each and every time they come to work.

With this in mind, I was horrified to learn towards the end of 2022, that WAHR were at risk of being weakened or compromised as a result of a significant number of EU-era laws, which at the time, were on track to expire at the end 2023.

The press dubbed it ‘the post-Brexit bonfire’. I, as I’m sure many of our readers will resonate with, considered it farcical - that our government would allow such important regulations to simply fall away.

Over the proceeding months the association worked tirelessly to ensure that ministers understood their significance and the consequences of their removal..

I am grateful to the vast number of members who supported our efforts by writing to their MP’s who in turn echoed concern. The trade press also got behind us – namely Scaffmag and Construction News.

It worked – in May, the government indicated its intention to abandon plans to scrap thousands of EU-era laws including WAHR. Common sense prevailed – I now sleep easier knowing that these vitally important regulations are to be retained – at least for now.

We will need to keep a watchful eye to ensure that the problem doesn’t resurface.

The current political landscape is the most unpredictable it’s been for decades.

We need to make sure that WAHR doesn’t inadvertently get caught up in any bonfires as they were close to doing earlier this year.

ROBERT CANDY CHIEF EXECUTIVE, SCAFFOLDING ASSOCIATION

06

COMMENT

According to the latest release, the industry with the highest number of workplace fatalities is perhaps unsurprisingly construction. accesspoint.org.uk

accesspoint.org.uk

OPINION

07

ACCESS POINT

Wellbeing in construction

1

In this article Ian Pickard discusses the four pillars of wellbeing

Wellbeing in construction is a very important topic, but what is wellbeing?

Wellbeing is a state of being comfortable, healthy, and happy, and includes a combination of physical, mental, financial, and social ‘pillars’.

When working long hours and traveling long distances, it can be difficult to keep all four pillars above spinning. Some people are more resilient than others and they may struggle with two out of the four pillars falling over before feeling such symptoms like stress, depression, or struggle to the point that they may have dark suicidal thoughts.

Physical health

3

Social health

Social health refers to the state of one’s relationships with others and how they affect one’s sense of belonging and support.

Social health can be enhanced by factors such as communication, trust, respect, and cooperation. For construction workers, social health is beneficial for building teamwork, networking, and learning from others.

However, social health can also be harmed by the isolation and loneliness of their work, which can make them feel disconnected from their family, friends, and community.

Therefore, it is important for construction workers to take care of their social health by maintaining and strengthening their social ties. For example, they could spend time with their loved ones, join a club or a group, volunteer for a cause, or seek mentorship or guidance from others.

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WELLBEING

Physical health refers to the condition of the body and its ability to function properly. Physical health can be affected by factors such as diet, exercise, sleep, hygiene, and exposure to hazards. For construction workers, physical health is crucial for performing their tasks safely and efficiently. However, physical health can also be compromised by the nature of their work, which often involves heavy lifting, repetitive movements, long hours, extreme weather conditions, and exposure to noise, dust, or chemicals.

Therefore, it is important for construction workers to take care of their physical health by following some simple steps.

For example, they could walk 20 minutes per day, walk the dog every evening, play golf or football, go to the gym or just generally keep themselves fit. They could also eat a balanced diet, drink enough water, avoid smoking and alcohol, wear protective equipment, and get enough rest.

accesspoint.org.uk

ACCESS POINT

2 4 Mental health

Mental health refers to the state of mind and emotions and how they affect one’s behaviour and outlook on life. Mental health can be influenced by factors such as stress, trauma, relationships, self-esteem, and coping skills. For construction workers, mental health is essential for maintaining their motivation, concentration, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. However, mental health can also be challenged by the demands and pressures of their work, which can cause anxiety, depression, burnout, or even suicidal thoughts.

Therefore, it is important for construction workers to take care of their mental health by taking breaks from work and doing things that make them happy. If they are feeling hopeless or depressed, it is important to seek help from a professional.

3

Social health

Social health refers to the state of one’s relationships with others and how they affect one’s sense of belonging and support. Social health can be enhanced by factors such as communication, trust, respect, and cooperation. For construction workers, social health is beneficial for building teamwork, networking, and learning from others. However, social health can also be harmed by the isolation and loneliness of their work, which can make them feel disconnected from their family, friends, and community.

Therefore, it is important for construction workers to take care of their social health by maintaining and strengthening their social ties. For example, they could spend time with their loved ones, join a club or a group, volunteer for a cause, or seek mentorship or guidance from others.

accesspoint.org.uk

Financial health

Financial health refers to the state of one’s personal finances and how they affect one’s quality of life. Financial health can be measured by factors such as income, expenses, savings, debts, and investments.

For construction workers, financial health is vital for meeting their basic needs and achieving their goals. However, financial health can also be threatened by the

instability and uncertainty of their work, which often depends on contracts, projects, and market conditions. Therefore, it is important for construction workers to take care of their financial health by managing their money wisely. For example, they could create a budget, track their spending, save for emergencies, pay off their debts, and invest for their future.

In conclusion, construction wellbeing is a very important topic that affects many people in the industry. It is a combination of physical, mental, financial, and social well-being. When working long hours and possibly traveling long distances, it can be difficult to keep all four pillars above spinning. However, it is possible to improve one’s wellbeing by taking care of each pillar and seeking help when needed. By doing so, construction workers can not only enhance their personal and professional lives, but also contribute to the success and sustainability of the construction sector.

Ian Pickard CMIOSH, FIIRSM, RSP, OSHCR, MInstLM IDP Safety Services Ltd Managing Director and Health & Safety Consultant www.idpsafety.co.uk MHFA England Mental Health First Aid Instructor www.mhfaengland.org SWAG (Sussex Wellness Action Group) Co-Founder www.facebook.com/sussexwellnessactiongroup

WELLBEING 09

Payment in the construction industry and the stress of getting it wrong We all know that the construction industry is wonderful, diverse, and of course exciting. But we also know that unlike other industries, cash is king beyond what people could imagine. So, it is important to understand what key terms mean in construction contracts because failing to do so, could well lead to you losing out! In this article Holmes & Hills Solicitors dissect a few hot topics.

The battle of the forms – whose terms apply?

Ultimately you can have free reign on deciding your payment terms and they can be as onerous as you wish, but that does not mean they will apply.

In principle, the last party who has put their terms and conditions forward which were not rejected by the other side, will be the terms that govern the contract. Please do not get hung up on ‘we never signed anything’. This is known as “he who fires the last shot”. Therefore, it is imperative that your terms and conditions are drafted in your favour as it could be you who fires the last shot.

Often we hear members say “what is the point my terms won’t ever apply” but did you know in 2023 we have undertaken three adjudication with major developers who forgot to issue a Purchase Order and/ or Terms and Conditions.

What should you look out for?

The most important thing to recognise when entering into a construction contract are key terms and condition precedent clauses.

Condition precedents are clauses which state, ‘if you don’t do X, you won’t be entitled to Y’ and construction contracts are notorious for these types of clauses. They often crop up in relation to variations, extensions of time, loss and expense claims and payment mechanisms.

Whilst these are often seen as unfair they are fully enforceable. A good example would be “if you fail to notify of a delay with 2 days of becoming aware, you lose your entitlement to an extension of time” the outcome – the project overruns by 10 weeks, everyone knows why, but… the developer relies on this clause to say you are not entitled to an EOT and they will be claiming liquidated damages.

Goodbye profit!

Payment applications If you are entitled to interim payments, you must ensure that your payment applications are valid (the contract may specify an exact format) but roughly means they should include: • Submitting your payment application on time.

• The value of the works on the date specified in the contract.

• A detailed breakdown of the works for that period and the percentage of overall works completed.

• The sum you consider to be due and the calculation of that sum.

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LEGAL

However, your contract might contain a condition precedent which says that the payment application needs to be submitted on pink paper or you lose your entitlement to payment that month (yes it can be that ridiculous and still be a valid condition precedent clause).

The due date is when the final date for payment is due… right?

The term “due date” is probably the most deceiving of all the terms in construction contracts. Crucially, it is not the date when payment is due, but a point to calculate the key dates from.

We wrote an article in the Winter 2022 edition of Access Point that explained payment terms in detail, scan the QR code to read this: The final account Did you know you may not be entitled to your final account payment for years after practical completion? Again, this is dependent on what your contract states but often you will find clauses that state “the sub-contractor may issue an application for payment x months after practical completion, the developer shall then have x months to value the works and payment of the Final Account (if any) shall be made 6 months after the completion of the Main Contract Works” – not ideal when the main contract works are 4 years long!

Conclusion Ultimately, knowledge is power, and much of the stresses caused in the industry are simply due to being reactive, not proactive.

Holmes & Hills will be key speakers at the Scaffolding Conference on 12th October 2023 addressing ‘gaining the advantage’ when entering a construction contract, and we want to help you be in the best position possible when doing so.

We hope to see you there!

Tickets available at www.scaffoldconference.co.uk

accesspoint.org.uk

ACCESS POINT

Are you addressing the challenges of drug driving at work?

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) is the only UK trade body with sole responsibility for the operators of commercial vehicles – trucks, coaches and vans. In this article the RHA discusses the issue of drug driving.

In 2015, the drug driving law changed to make it easier for the police to catch and convict drug drivers.

It is now an offence to drive with any of 17 controlled drugs above a specified level in your blood – this includes illegal and medical drugs.

The limits set for each drug are different, and for illegal drugs the limits set are extremely low but have been set at a level to rule out any accidental exposure (for example, through passive smoking).

Officers can test for cannabis and cocaine at the roadside, and screen for other drugs, including ecstasy, LSD, ketamine, and heroin at the police station. Even drivers that pass the roadside check can be arrested if the police suspect that your driving is impaired by drugs.

The maximum penalty for causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drugs or drink is life in prison, with a minimum driving ban of five years.

Are you addressing the challenges of drug driving at work?

Drug driving is now more prevalent than drink driving according to a new police report – how exposed are commercial vehicle operators to the rising challenge of drugs in the workplace?

An official report, published by the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC), tells us that there are now substantially more drug drivers on our roads than drink drivers. The report presents the findings from a nationwide crackdown on drink and drug driving known as Operation Limit, which saw all 43 UK police forces increase efforts to catch offenders from last November through to this January.

It was the largest ever co-ordinated campaign of its kind and saw an 18% rise in arrests with 6,130 drivers caught compared with 5,186 during the same period in 2021.

Whilst drug driving laws have also existed for decades, it wasn’t until March 2015 when it became illegal to drive with specified levels of certain drugs, including legal medication.

In 2021,

28,000

individuals were prosecuted for drug driving. accesspoint.org.uk

In its latest campaign, Operation Limit, the NPCC report that drug driving has overtaken drink driving with findings showing an average of 80 motorists per day are caught unfit to drive through drugs. Operators of company cars, vans, HGVs, and coaches are particularly at risk because in some parts of the UK, over half of those being caught drug driving are driving to work or for work. There is no hiding from the fact that this is a very sensitive and emotive subject for operators to tackle. However, with drug taking having become so prevalent within our society, addressing the challenge now surely outweighs the risks of ignoring it.

Do you have the right policies, procedures, and protections in place? You perhaps won’t know if you don’t know what to look for. That’s why the RHA has partnered with D.tec International, who provide an unrivalled Drug and Alcohol Safety Service supported by experts who understand the challenges in protecting your business from the potential consequences for not addressing this sensitive subject.

More: www.dtecinternational.com/RHA

TRANSPORT

11

National Scaffolding Week

Nominate your Scaffolding Star

It brings us great pleasure to announce the next National Scaffolding Week (NSW) will take place between the 9th and the 13th of October 2023. NSW is a one of its kind event – bringing a much-needed platform to the scaffolding and access industry for the first time to help raise the profile of careers and achievements within the sector.

There are some incredibly inspiring, resilient and dedicated people in the scaffolding and access industry, if you know of someone who deserves to be recognised for their efforts, show them your appreciation with a nomination in our Scaffolding Star awards.

NSW provides the opportunity to shine a light on the diverse and wide range of career options and skills training available within the sector and inspire a new generation, or those looking for a new challenge, to take up a role within the scaffolding industry.

Not only will NSW promote scaffolding as a viable and rewarding career option for those from all walks of life, but it will also provide a platform on which to highlight some of the great achievements of the organisations and individuals already operating within the sector and showcase best practice, innovation and determination.

Get involved There are plenty of ways you can get involved with NSW whether you’re currently working within the sector, are looking to change careers or are just about to embark on your first role after leaving school – there’s something for everyone.

During the course of the week, NSW will be bringing you awards, competitions, access to a wide range of educational resources and a first-hand look at what it’s like to work within the industry.

To keep updated with everything that’s happening during NSW, sign up to the newsletter: www.nationalscaffoldingweek.com

We’re looking for the absolute stars of the scaffolding industry, those that have gone over and above in their roles to exceed expectations, break down barriers and help raise the profile of the industry while still continuing to carry out their day to day job.

9th-13th OCTOBER 2023

Join the conversation NSW wouldn’t be possible without you. We’ love to see everything you get up to during NSW on social media, by using the hashtag #ScaffWeek, you can join in the conversation and we’ll be able to engage and share directly with your content.

9th-13th October

Don’t forget!

One last thing – don’t forget to sign up for the newsletter! We’ll send regular updates up until NSW to keep you updated with all the latest news and events planned for the week.

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By tagging us on the relevant social channel we can share your posts and engage directly with you.

By signing up to the newsletter you’ll also be amongst the first to hear about the competition criteria as well as details and deadlines for nominating your Scaffolding Star.

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ACCESS POINT

A smashing success

on difficult deconstruction project Associate Members of the Scaffolding Association, RDG Engineering Limited, were contracted to design a complicated scheme to enable the deconstruction of two link bridges connecting two office buildings in central London.

The link bridges spanned 16m and were located at the north and south ends of the two buildings, extending from ground level to the roof.

Factors including the nature and location of the building meant the demolition process was going to require some careful consideration, David Milward, Technical Director at RDG explained: “The land occupied a heritage site with part of the London Wall beneath, this created loading constraints with a maximum reaction force of 10kN point load or 10kN per square metre. The site was bound by high security which meant full hoarding protection was required to ensure that the site was not visible from the outside.

In addition, site access for materials was limited due to a highly controlled service road on the north side and a pedestrian shopping area on the south side. The skips needed to be positioned on the north side, meaning materials from the south side were going to have to be transferred via a tracking system.”

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PROJECT

The deconstruction required craneage facilities above each link bridge with a capacity of 10t safe working load, split between two 5t hoists. With the challenges of the brief laid out, RDG set to work to come up with an innovative and concise solution. David explained: “The steel column within the building was utilised as a strong point, transferring the crane loads into the foundations of the building and avoiding physical contact with the building fabric, as requested by the client.”

Due to the 16m span between the two buildings and the constraints of access on site, the conventional crane facilities that run on steel was not a viable option, meaning RDG had to think outside the traditional box, David commented:

ACCESS POINT

“The land occupied a heritage site with part of the London Wall beneath, this created loading constraints with a maximum reaction force of 10kN point load or 10kN

“The solution we came up with was to design a series of aluminium lattice beams to create a lattice girder. Then a tubular tracking system was placed on top of the aluminium lattice beams, this meant the maximum length of each crane section was 2.7m, resulting in a splice joint in the middle.”

The access scaffold to facilitate the removal of the link bridge windows also required some consideration David continued: “The scaffold could not be freestanding due to the 10kN point load constraints and could not be tied to the building fabric. A birdcage scaffold was designed to fill the void between the two link bridges to transfer the loading from the external access scaffold into a support frame. The birdcage allowed all horizontal and lateral loads to dissipate to ensure that the 10kN point load was not exceeded.”

One of the final challenges that RDG had to overcome was also due to the site access limitations, not only did they have to be careful getting kit on/off site due to the service road on the north side and the pedestrian shopping area on the south, which meant that the materials

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per square metre.”

David Milward, Technical Director at RDG Engineering Limited

being manoeuvred had to be in small pieces, but the location of the skips also caused challenges, David commented: “The materials that needed moving from the south side to the skips which had to be positioned on the north side had to be moved via a tracking system, however the materials being manoeuvred weighed considerably more than the permissible 10kN load, so we designed a transfer trolley system to distribute the load into the ground so that the 10kN constraints were not exceeded.”

RDG overcame all the challenges presented to them and the project was a huge success.

More: www.rdgengineering.co.uk

PROJECT

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SMS keep momentum rolling for school roof conversion project South Molton Scaffolding Limited (SMS), who are Assessed Members of the Scaffolding Association, have been providing access and protection for a complete conversion of a roof at Tiverton school.

Principle contractor, Pearce Construction, were tasked with rebuilding the roof at Tiverton school with an increase of about 1 metre in height.

SMS worked closely with designers, Raptor Scaffold Design & Consultancy Limited, and suppliers, Altrad, to develop the perfect working solution, Dom explained:

The works was a 40-week programme that was split into 5 phases. This was to ensure that the school could accommodate its pupils and remain operational during the works. Dominic Stoneman, Director at SMS, commented on how they influenced how the project was undertaken:

“We created a 32x30m roof that rolled along the 100m building on a base scaffold. The scaffold footprint was wider than standard with a base dimension of 5m, there was one elevation that included a lot of flat roofs that we had to span by design.”

Tiverton School project in numbers: •U ni System Room •2 2 double upped 780mm Apollo Beams •R olling Roof tracking • 1 50 drill ties into the building • 1 80 tonnes of water weight in IBCs “We were asked to tender for a 100m long traditional temporary roof, however we decided to propose a rolling roof system as we believed this would be much better suited to the task. After we had explained our reasoning our clients understood the benefits and agreed this would be the better approach.”

One of the key advantages of using a rolling roof was the elimination of weeks typically lost to the erection, dismantle and reassemble of the roof for each of the 5 phases, this streamlined the project and saved approximately 4/5 weeks of build time.

In addition, the rolling roof greatly reduced the number of required crane lifts, instead of having to build the roof on the ground then needing a crane to lift it into place, then back off for each of the 5 phases, this process was only needed to be done once, bringing down working hours and costs.

Importantly, it also minimised the disruption to the school’s playground.

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Dom explained an additional positive to utilising a rolling roof: “The roof had sky lights running all along the apex, these had to be lifted out and stored before being installed on the new roof, which was around a metre higher than the original. This would have been much harder to achieve with a traditional temporary room, however with the rolling roof, we simply moved it to expose the necessary skylights before returning the roof over the space to provide the weather protection needed.”

There were a few challenges that SMS had to overcome, Dom commented: “As always, there were times when it didn’t all go to plan, one in particular was a delivery being wrong, however we went back to the design and got it sorted out fairly quickly.

We also had to do a lot of weekend and holiday work to get it completed when the school was not in use, which wasn’t

too much of a problem, it just took a bit of forward planning.”

The project was an overwhelming success, Dom concluded: “We delivered it on time, on budget and it exceeded all expectations. The roof takes minutes to be moved and everyone is really happy with it, it is quick and easy to simply adjust the roof around the contractors needs rather than having to erect/dismantle/ re-erect in phases. We are really pleased with how it turned out. I would like to say thanks to our onsite supervisor, Jack Taylor, who worked effortlessly throughout the project with his planning and communication, and thanks to the client and the school for such a smooth-running project with the team of Harry Kingdon and Geroge Pacey. And lastly I would like to thank everyone involved from SMS as many others played a part in helping on various shifts.”

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How to create a stress-free scaffolding site

ACCESS POINT

0.9 million workers suffered from work-related stress, depression or anxiety in 2021/22, making up 51% of all new cases of work-related ill health. Year after year, this figure keeps increasing. In this article Health & Safety and HR experts, Citation, share advice on tackling stress on site, because it is up to employers/managers to create a work environment that’s safe – and that includes managing the risk of stress.

Give them options for support

Your secret weapon: the stress risk assessment

From appointing a Wellbeing Champion to having an Employee Assistance Programme, showing you care goes a long way. And let’s not forget how flexible hours can be a lifesaver—especially for the parents juggling school runs and shifts.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is increasingly checking that employers have completed stress risk assessments.

To build your stress risk assessment, you should focus on the HSE’s six Management Standards: Demands, Control, Support, Relationships, Role, and Change.

Make it a way of life

It’s good to talk People often feel more comfortable sticking to banter than real, personal conversations on things like mental health.

That’s why it’s a good idea to set the tone yourself –try and be open so they know your door is always open. One-to-one catch-ups or group chats—whatever gets people talking.

Stress management is not a one-off thing, just like you regularly check scaffolding for safety, keep tabs on stress levels too.

Communication, workload management, goal setting, and looking out for your people, to help ensure a less stressed and more productive team.

Actions speak louder than words Once you have done the assessment, spotted some stressors and come up with controls to eliminate or reduce them - you must then stick to your word and keep checking in and making those adjustments to suit the ebb and flow of the work. Remember, a supported team is a team that works best.

Start with your stress risk assessment

Be realistic Let’s cut to the chase—overloaded work schedules are a recipe for employee stress.

Be real with deadlines and how much one person can take on.

Clear goals Set your team tasks that are clear. If they’re scratching their heads about what needs doing, that’s only going to stress them out.

Whether you use a task management tool or just an old-fashioned chat, make sure everyone’s clued in. Regular training is another great way to keep everyone on the same page, boost their confidence and tick off your legal obligations.

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PROJECT& SAFETY WELLBEING HEALTH

Get started with your stress risk assessments by scanning this QR Code for Citation’s free beginner’s guide to help you tick all the right boxes.

Citation offers affordable 24/7 Health & Safety and HR packages, can get you ISO 45003 certified in as little as 45 days and set you up with our Employee Assistance Programme, provided by Bupa, to give your people the support they need. For more information call Citation on 0345 844 1111 or visit www.citation.co.uk Citation also offers preferential rates for Scaffolding Association members, so make sure you have your membership number ready to access these benefits.

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12th October 2023 Heart of England Conference Centre #SCAFFCON23

LAST TICKETS AVAILABLE Book your place www.scaffoldconference.co.uk

It was a fantastic event and I really got a lot of value from it. I am really looking forward to the next one. The key speakers were of great relevance and I have made some good connections too.

Claire Bradshaw - Force Scaffolding Limited

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CITB to launch new fire safety eCourse this Autumn

ACCESS POINT

In this article Tim Balcon, Chief Executive of the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), discusses their new fire safety eCourse.

Maximising the safety of construction workers will always be one of CITB’s major aims.

Safety is embedded in our culture and our purpose which is: “To support the construction industry in developing and maintaining a safe, skilled, and competent workforce.”

This Autumn sees the launch of our new fire safety eCourse: Fire Safety in Buildings.

The eCourse has been created in collaboration with WG2 (the occupation and maintenance working group Dame Judith created), Build UK, the Fire Protection Association, Association for Specialist Fire Protection, and the Fire Service College and is designed to improve an individual’s knowledge of fire safety measures in buildings.

The course is suitable for anyone working in the design, construction, or maintenance of buildings, with a specific focus on installers.

Fire safety is one of the biggest safety issues in construction. Here I will briefly take you through CITB’s upcoming and recent work on this challenge.

One word explains why modern fire safety skills are more vital than ever for every UK construction worker: Grenfell.

Grenfell In the foreword to her interim report on the tragedy, Dame Judith Hackitt wrote: “The mindset of doing things as cheaply as possible and passing on responsibility for problems and shortcomings to others must stop.”

One of Dame Judith’s key findings was that UK building regulations were “not fit for purpose.” She recommended action to improve the lack of basic fire safety awareness in the construction and buildings maintenance workforce.

Content: Grenfell | Materials | Fire protection | Competence | Installation.

The course will take 30-40 minutes to complete.

Following the completion of all modules a certificate can be downloaded.

Please scan QR code for more details

In response to that recommendation CITB produced a fire safety eCourse, Fire Safety Awareness in construction and the built environment. Its aim was to create general awareness of fire safety.

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HEALTH & SAFETY

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Alto Access: Why climb when you could walk?

In this article Scaffolding Association member, Alto Access, discuss the safety case for stairs on scaffolding.

One of the areas where the ladder has continued to be widely used in construction has been as access to scaffolding. It is easy to see why – they are quick to use and cheap to buy. However, regulation and guidance has caught up with the scaffold ladder and anyone allowing them to be used on their site had better have a good reason in the event of an incident or inspection.

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Firstly, let us consider some practical points:

less severe. I would suggest that you are talking about a metre or less from platform to ground. Given that a “normal” scaffold lift would be 2 metres and even a bricklayers type lift is usually 1.5 metres, for scaffolding, it is hard to see how a ladder can be justified as being low risk.

Users of ladders need to have both their hands free for climbing up or down the ladder and should maintain three points of contact with the ladder at all times. This means that carrying any tools or materials up or down the structure is ruled out unless the user can strap them to their body in a tool belt or similar.

If your project involves the use of scaffolding, you might consider insisting on the use of temporary access stairways instead of ladder access. As well as improving health and safety standards and site working conditions, stairways deliver productivity, financial and technical benefits.

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As the HSE information sheet states “…. work at height should be carried out from a platform with suitable edge protection… ladders should only be used as a workplace for light work of short duration.” So, the mere presence of a ladder places the site manager in a potentially grey area. Neither light work nor short duration are defined – and quite how an operative is supposed to carry out any substantive task from a ladder whilst maintaining three points of contact has never been satisfactorily explained.

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he transition from an elevated T platform to a ladder is a point of significant risk of falling. The operative is essentially stepping into space onto a rung at a lower level whilst turning through 90 or 180 degrees. This is an action that is fraught with the potential for an error with consequences.

What does “correct” and “compliant” look like for all of these considerations? How does a responsible person ensure that it is always done correctly?

There are thousands of ladders around.

Do YOU know the difference between the various classes of ladder on sight? Or which can be used for any particular application?

Do all of your managers know?

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You can read more about Alto Access’ Universal Scaffold Stair Units on the next page or by visiting: www.altoaccess.com Then there is the matter of Regulation and Guidance. The very first part of Schedule 6 (Requirements for Ladders) of the Work at Heights Regulations 2005 says: “Every employer shall ensure that a ladder is used for work at height only if a risk assessment under regulation 3 of the Management Regulations has demonstrated that the use of more suitable work equipment is not justified because of the low risk and (a) the short duration of use; or (b) existing features on site which he cannot alter……..”

This is a pretty clear statement that ladders are equipment of last resort.

If the height involved is low – which I would suggest implies a level which a reasonable person would happily step or jump off without any expectation of adverse consequences – then perhaps you have an argument that the risk may be

HEALTH & SAFETY

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ACCESS POINT

Making access safer with the Alto Universal Scaffold Stair Units

Alto Access’s Alto Universal Scaffold Stair Units are a all-aluminium solution for safe, compliant access – each model covers a range of scaffolding lift heights that can fit in with the specific site application without the need for a separate stair tower.

Made of corrosion resistant, structural quality aluminium, extruded profiles for strength and reliability, the Alto Universal Scaffold Stair is light enough to be handled conveniently and is a simple and versatile solution to providing a self-levelling, compliant, safe stair access in any site specific scaffold.

handrails and get the job done right in a shorter time.

The Alto Universal Stair is designed to be effective and durable and is fully compliant with BS EN 12811 in all permissible configurations.

More: www.altoaccess.com

There are six models in the range covering lift heights from 0.5m to 3.4m making the Alto Universal Stair hugely versatile.

The units are quick to fit and adjust, and you can add tube and fitting handrails, or you can use the matching automatically compliant

Advanté’s award winning solar powered welfare units Advante’s EcoLogic Solar welfare units are completely self-contained, static cabins powered by Solar hybrid technology.

This technology can generate an impressive renewable electrical power supply all-year-round, reducing carbon and running costs even further.

Each welfare unit provides a site with office and/or canteen facilities, a 24/7 drying room (silent heating overnight) and two toilets.

The UK-based manufacturer is the Global Silver Winner for Innovation at the Green Apple World Awards 2023 for its EcoLogic Solar range.

As a result of winning the award, Advanté will be included in The Green Book, the leading international work of reference on best practice so that others around the world can follow their example and learn from their achievement.

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PRODUCT NEWS

To find out more about Advanté - Oasis® EcoLogic welfare units scan the QR code:

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ACCESS POINT

G-DECK’s new NO-TIES Temporary Scaffold Staircase Surround set to redefine safety and efficiency

G-DECK, a leading innovator of safety systems and products in the construction industry, has announced the launch of its latest breakthrough product - the NO-TIES G-DECK Temporary Scaffold Staircase Surround with Tower Security Gate and Quick Hook-On Panels.

This cutting-edge solution sets a new standard for securing temporary staircases, revolutionising on-site safety, and streamlining construction processes.

The NO-TIES G-DECK Temporary Scaffold Staircase Surround is now available for order.

Traditional methods of securing staircases have often been time-consuming, labourintensive, and sometimes inefficient, the NOTIES G-DECK Temporary Scaffold Staircase Surround has been meticulously designed to address these challenges and create a safer, more efficient work environment.

The integrated Tower Security Gate offers a robust access control system, ensuring that only authorised personnel have access to the staircase. This feature significantly reduces the risk of unauthorised entry, enhancing on-site safety.

G-DECK’s UK registered design quick hook-on latch and spigot connect system enables easy and secure assembly, eliminating the need for scaffold clamps or additional support. Installing and removing the surround is now a hasslefree process, saving valuable time and resources on construction sites.

Stability is paramount in temporary structures and the G-DECK Temporary Scaffold Staircase Surround is engineered to provide unparalleled stability, offering a reliable foundation for construction projects of all scales.

For more information or to request a quote, please visit www.gdecking.com or contact the G-DECK team on +44 (0)1162 510352 or office@gdecking.com

Panthera’s new CraneSAFE™ for safe and secure tower crane protection Panthera Group has announced its newest innovation, CraneSAFE™; a high security fence system designed primarily for the protection of tower cranes. It can also be used to protect hoists, Haki staircases and other vulnerable high risk access points.

The first system of its kind, it is purposedesigned to be independently supported from the tower crane by creating a gap between the fence line and the crane and offers optimal security while maintaining the independence of the crane itself. Its closed-loop, modular design improves sustainability and offers commercial, safety and operational benefits when compared to traditional plywood and standard mesh fence enclosures and, depending on site requirements, it can be specified as a complete kit or tailored to suit.

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Strong, durable and safe, the system offers multiple benefits: • One Day Installation – including all kit options and enhancements

• Modular & Reusable Design – quick to assemble, adapt and dismantle reducing both current and future labour and material costs • Temporary Works compliant - designed to meet all three UK wind zones

• Zero-to-Landfill – 100% reusable system • Health & Safety – mesh panels allow full visibility at the base of the crane and assembly process improves manual handling • Security – anti-tamper fixings, cranked security toppings and anti-climb 358 mesh

• Procurement Options - purchase with buy back option or contract hire.

For more information, please request a brochure via www.pantheragroup.com/contact

PRODUCT NEWS

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