AccessPoint Issue 27

ISSUE 27 WINTER 2023

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ANCIENT INSPIRATION INNER CITY SCAFFOLDING DELIVER ‘THE TROJAN’

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EVENTS A round up of the Scaffolding Conference 2023

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PROJECT Trio take on triad of city centre project

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COMMERCIAL CITB: Collaboration key to modernising construction

WELCOME ROLL CALL FOR NEW SCAFFOLDING ASSOCIATION MEMBERS SCAFFOLD CONTRACTOR

SCAFFOLD CONTRACTOR

SCAFFOLD CONTRACTOR

SCAFFOLD CONTRACTOR

Agile Scaffolding Contractors Ltd www.agilescaffolding.com 01494 714705

DNA Access Ltd www.dnaaccess.co.uk 07882 906838

Sure Scaff Hire And Sales Ltd https://surescaffgroup.co.uk 01242 800688

Any Day Scaffolding Limited 07375 549437

Globe Essex Ltd https://theglobegroup.co.uk 01223 890727

Maldon Scaffolding Services Limited www.maldonscaffoldingservices. co.uk 07909 505 606

Beacon Scaffolding Limited www.beaconscaffolding.com 0800 955 2477 Bland Scaffolding Limited www.blandscaffolding.co.uk 01226 744675 Capital Service Group Ltd 07766 735791 Clarke Brothers Scaffolding Limited www.clarkebros.com 0117 938 2439 Dan Smarts Access Solutions Ltd https://dansmartsaccess.com 07540 452853 Delta Scaffold Ltd https://deltascaffold.co.uk 0114 279 9111

I & J Scaffolding Limited www.iandjscaffolding.com 01707 229055 J R Scaffolding (Hitchin) Ltd www.jr-scaffolding.co.uk 01462 733340 J&B Pro Access Ltd www.jbproaccess.co.uk 01277 355333 KOPA Scaffolding Ltd www.kopascaffolding.co.uk 07520 246810 Macob Scaffolding Contracts Limited www.acobscaffoldingcontractsltd. co.uk 01656 667330

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

MR Safe Deck (Anglia) Limited www.mrsafedeck.co.uk 01603 211050 Multi Task Operatives Limited T/A Multitask Scaffolding www.multitaskscaffolding.com 0191 584 7966 OPUS (Midlands) Limited https://opus-midlands.co.uk 07483 404935 Rule One Scaffolding Limited https://ruleonescaffolding.co.uk 07391 501241 Stag Safety and System Scaffold Ltd http://staggroup.co.uk 01543 672734

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

Trident Access Scaffolding Limited 07793 082951 Wickersley Scaffolding Services Limited www.wss-ltd.co.uk 07540 014019 Williams Scaffolding Services Limited http://williams-scaffolding.co.uk 01707 877722 Wyedean Scaffolding Ltd www.scaffoldingforestofdean.co.uk 01594 829062

SERVICE PROVIDER Goldmills Recruitment Limited www.goldmills.co.uk 020 3934 6621

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 image: Inner City Ltd Inside front image: PSD/Alltask/BAM

WINTER 2023

CONTENTS NEWS

P3-5 Stories from the sector

COMMENT

P6 Robert Candy, CEO of the Scaffolding Association discusses ESG principles

TECHNICAL

P8 Time for more clarity in debris netting fire safety

HEALTH & SAFETY

P9 Citation: The must-knows of getting ready for winter

LEGAL

P10 Holmes & Hills: Recap on payment notices and the unusual ‘automated’ approach

EVENTS

P12-13 A round up of the Scaffolding Conference 2023

PROJECTS

P14-17 PSD/Alltask/BAM: Trio take on triad of city centre projects P18-19 Inner City Scaffolding: Delivering innovative project “The Trojan”

HEALTH & SAFETY

P20 D.tec International Limited: How exposed are scaffolding businesses to the rising challenge of drink and drugs?

TRANSPORT

P21 RHA: Cybercrime – don’t be a victim

COMMERCIAL

P22 CITB: Collaboration key to modernising construction

PRODUCT NEWS P23 The latest industry product news

NEWS Access Point received a prestigious award at the Association Excellence Awards 2023 We are pleased to announce that we have been awarded with the esteemed title of “Best Association Newsletter or Magazine (Circulation up to 6k)” at the Association Excellence Awards 2023.

The prestigious event took place at the Connaught Rooms in London, where industry leaders gathered to recognise outstanding achievements in the association sector.

Access Point, the official magazine of the Scaffolding Association, stood out among the entries, impressing the judges, they commented: “This entry demonstrates how far Access Point has come since its inception. The first printed magazine to serve the UK access and scaffolding sector, it has helped raise the profile of the sector through its content and focus on best practice, excellence and professionalism.

Great testimonials – well done.”

Access Point Magazine acknowledged as the best in its category, highlighting the dedication and hard work of the editorial team and contributors.

Robert Candy, CEO at the Scaffolding Association, said: “The Scaffolding Association is honoured to receive this prestigious award for Access Point Magazine. We are committed to delivering relevant and valuable content to our members and the wider industry. This recognition is a testament to the passion and expertise of our team, as well as the support and contributions of our members.”

Winning in the “Best Association Newsletter or Magazine (Circulation up to 6k)” category reflects the Scaffolding Association’s dedication to excellence and its ongoing efforts to provide valuable resources to its members.

The Association Excellence Awards, renowned for celebrating excellence and innovation in the association community, attracted a diverse range of entries from associations across various sectors. The Scaffolding Association is proud to have

Scaffolding Association announces partnership with Fuelmate The Scaffolding Association formally announces partnership with Fuelmate Limited – the UK’s most trusted fuel card provider.

Fuelmate will offer Scaffolding Association Members competitive fleet fuel card packages that feature the biggest brands and utilise the top fuel networks in the UK. This allows Fuelmate to create a bespoke fleet fuel card package tailored to your needs.

Fuelmate fuel saver cards offer in-depth data profiles so you can plan routes, keep track of your vehicles and save on both administration and fuel costs.

Andrew Smith, Director at Fuelmate commented:

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Trish and the team at The Scaffolding Association to further strengthen their member proposition. It is our aim to deliver cost effective, sustainable fuel and fleet solutions to meet the immediate and on-going demands of their members.”

Trish Meyer, Head of Partnerships at the Scaffolding Association, says: “We are really pleased to be working with Fuelmate. No matter if your business is large or small, Fuelmate have the perfect business fuel card solution to help your business save time and money!”

Scaffolding Association members can contact Trish for more information by emailing trish@scaffolding-association.org

NEWS 03

ACCESS POINT

JMAC Group spearheads safety decking standard

SIMIAN celebrate 18 years

JMAC Group, a Teesside-based company renowned for its expertise in access and multi-discipline industrial services, is raising the bar for safety standards within the industry through its FASET approved training courses.

SIMIAN have celebrated 18 years of successful trading – a significant milestone in the ever-evolving landscape of the construction training and support services.

FASET, recognised as a lead body in the temporary safety systems sector, reinforces training, assessment, and competence through CSCS-issued cards, emphasising the importance of continuous skill development. It’s a training course that major housebuilder, Persimmon Group,

have made mandatory for all platform decking installers, as of January 2024.

This directive comes from a surge in construction industry incidents that have taken place over the last couple of years.

According to HSE statistics, falls from heights continue to be the primary cause of workplace fatalities.

As an approved FASET training provider, JMAC Group is fully equipped to respond to the industry-wide imperative.

More: www.jmacgroupltd.co.uk

Ian Pickard wins Professional Champion Award IDP Safety Services Ltd were delighted to announce that their Managing Director, Ian Pickard, won the Professional Champion Award at the Eastbourne Business Awards in a tough category.

It was a very well-deserved win not only for over 21 years in business but for the work Ian does with men’s mental-health support groups Mankind and SWAG. Ian commented: “It was great to receive this award after 21 years in business in Eastbourne, it’s fantastic to be nominated by some number of companies in the Eastbourne area that I have worked with closely over the last two decades. Thank you to all my clients, some of them have been with me for the last 21 years.

is still by my side in the business, doing what she normally does and that is steering the ship through some rocky times in the industry.

Behind every great man there is a greater woman and there are not enough awards and recognition for the women in your industry.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank her for all the work behind the scenes that she carries out even while she is unwell.”

More: www.idpsafety.co.uk

He, along with the Masters of 110 other Livery Companies, will be tasked with aiding the Lord Mayor of London, 04

NEWS

“Over the years, we have supported over 150,000 learners, and very many commercial customers. We’re also extremely pleased that some of our first customers from 18 years ago, including Allied Scaffolding and the ALTRAD Group, are still using SIMIAN services today! That’s something to celebrate!

The future looks bright as we continue to grow and develop other opportunities to expand into other disciplines and industries.

Happy birthday to us!

Here’s to the next 18!”

West Bromwich based, Star Scaffolding Ltd, are celebrating 20 years of trading.

Chairman of Admiral becomes master of the Worshipful Company of Constructors

“It is with great pride that we saw our Chairman, Terry Withers, installed as the 46th Master of the Worshipful Company of Constructors, at St Lawrence Jewry Church on the 12th October.

Simon Hughes, Managing Director at SIMIAN, stated:

Star celebrate 20 years

Even though she is going through cancer treatment at the moment, she

Admiral stated:

In 2007 the SIMIAN headquarters and Warrington training centre was opened.

To date SIMIAN employs over 80 team members, across 3 dedicated training centres and field-based advisors and coaches in the UK.

Scan to find out more:

This award is not just for my work within the community but there is another member of the IDP safety team, and she is my rock and best friend, my wife.

The Chairman of Admiral Scaffolding, Terry Withers, has become master of the Worshipful Company of Constructors.

Founded in November 2005 by Simon Hughes and Ian Fyall, SIMIAN was born from a desire to revolutionise the safety consultancy market by creating a support service that concentrated on providing specialist advice to the scaffolding industry.

Michael Mainelli, achieve his visions for the City of London over the next year.

Since starting two decades ago in 2003, Star has grown exponentially, Lydia Stanton, Business Development Manager at Star Scaffolding reflected on their humble beginnings: “The name STAR originated from our company directors’ names, the ST of Steve and the AR of Mark. Our first contract was for only £280, and the three directors worked 15-hour days, 7 days a week.

The Liveries are an institution that dates back to the 12th Century and, although the world has changed a lot since those times, the principles still remain.

Last year over £75 million pounds was donated to charity plus immeasurable hours of pro-bono time. Apprenticeships are supported and the traditions of fellowship and faith prevail.”

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has been a part of our incredible journey - our dedicated workforce, our loyal clients, and our dependable suppliers. You’ve played a pivotal role in making Star Scaffolding a shining star in the industry.”

More: www.admiral-scaffolding.co.uk

More: www.star-scaffolding.co.uk

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ACCESS POINT

New CISRS System Inspection Course now available for Plettac Metrix The Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS) is very pleased to announce the addition of a Plettac Metrix to its suite of System Scaffold Product Inspection courses.

As the use of systems scaffolding continues to grow in the UK, CISRS has worked closely with several scaffolding manufacturers and suppliers to broaden the range of courses offered, whilst maintaining a standardised approach to systems inspection training.

This has resulted in bespoke 1-day inspection courses for Haki, Layher, Peri Up and now, Plettac Metrix.

both a written theory test as well as a practical inspection exam and written report. Successful completion of all elements is required to pass the course.

The CISRS System Inspection courses are open to those holding a CISRS Basic (BSI) or Advanced Scaffolding Inspection (ASI) card. CISRS Scaffolders or Advanced Scaffolders that have had their card renewed via CPD and are holding an inspection endorsement are also eligible to attend.

Scan to find out more:

The System Scaffold Product Inspection courses provide delegates with system specific technical information and include

Scaffold company disqualified from operator’s licence Lancaster Scaffolding Ltd has held an operator’s licence since 7 December 2022, which authorised the use of one vehicle.

Following the granting of the licence, the directors were invited to attend DVSA New Operator Seminars, and despite three invitations being sent, they did not attend.

Consequently, the DVSA arranged a Maintenance Investigation Visit on 14 June

2023, during which the Vehicle Examiner’s report recorded several unsatisfactory findings, prompting a Public Inquiry. On the 2nd October 2023 Gerallt Evans, Traffic Commissioner for the North West of England, disqualified the operator and its director for 12 months.

Scan to find out more:

Scaffolding van driver sentenced to four years for fatally injuring 11-year-old boy Eastbourne based Russell Le Beau, 34, failed to secure scaffolding boards correctly on his vehicle resulting in a loose board striking the windscreen of a car which left 11-year-old Harry Dennis with fatal injuries in December 2022.

Investigators from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the wooden boards were only clamped down by a metal pole at one end, at the very rear of the van, with no ratchet straps, net or tarpaulin securing them.

They also found there were no straps, net or tarpaulin bag being carried anywhere in the vehicle.

This meant there was nothing to prevent one of the scaffolding boards from swinging out across the carriageway.

The HSE report concluded that load security on the vehicle was “grossly inadequate” and Le Beau had not followed the safe loading of scaffolding guidance.

Le Beau pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving before he was sentenced to four years in prison and was disqualified from driving for seven years.

PERI celebrates 25 years of Rugby headquarters Formwork and scaffolding specialist PERI, established the first of its six UK sites in Dartford in 1989 to support work on the cable-stayed bridge crossing the Thames, the company’s first project in the UK. Recognising the growing demand for its comprehensive range of formwork and scaffolding services, the business wanted a more central location for its second depot and UK headquarters. Rugby proved the ideal location, and PERI opened its depot

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in Rugby in 1998, offering good access to the road network and a talented local workforce from which to recruit.

PERI UK Managing Director, Ian Hayes commented: “It’s incredible that the Rugby depot has been supporting customers throughout the UK for 25 years. In that time, not only has the range of products manufactured by PERI grown, but the

services offered has expanded to meet demand too.

What is gratifying, is the number of employees in Rugby who have been with PERI from the start, measuring their careers in decades, not years.

We pride ourselves on our supportive working environment and the training offered to ensure everyone can progress their career at their own rate.”

More: www.peri.com/en

NEWS 05

ACCESS POINT

Comment

Construction is at a crossroads – prioritise profits over people and the planet or embrace the growing demand for more sustainable and socially responsible projects?

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles will enable the transition and help to maintain a completely new way of doing things for many. But what exactly do they mean, and how can the construction sector integrate them?

A construction business can manage its environmental impact in a variety of ways, including implementing waste management plans, using energy-efficient equipment and practices, utilising sustainable materials and offsetting carbon emissions to name a few.

The requirement for construction companies to consider the environmental impact of their projects and implement measures to minimise their impact as much as possible, is becoming more and more onerous.

As is the requirement for construction businesses to consider their social impact such as ensuring fair and safe labour practices to promoting diversity and inclusion and creating accessible and inclusive spaces.

Businesses must consider how their projects will affect society and take action to minimise impacts and maximise beneficial contributions to individuals and communities.

The governance approach of a construction business refers to the systems and processes in place to ensure ethical behaviour, transparency, and effective risk management.

Some examples of how a company can demonstrate its approach to governance include the use of clear ethical guidelines such as developing an employee code of conduct to establishing procedures for reporting unethical behaviour. Further, good governance might mean being more transparent in business practices such as disclosing information about the company’s operations and financial performance and providing regular updates on company activities to stakeholders.

A construction company can increase stakeholder trust and lower the chance of corrupt activities or other undesirable events by implementing and maintaining a solid approach to governance.

There are several ways in which ESG can benefit a business. Improved reputation, increased efficiency, access to new markets, improved risk management and a positive impact on society are some of the benefits you might expect to see over time.

Like most things, implementing ESG will not be without its challenges. These commonly include cost, relevant knowledge and expertise within businesses, resistance to change, lack of information and limited resources.

It is important to recognise that each company’s situation is unique, and the balance of benefits and challenges will vary depending on various factors. Some may find that the benefits of implementing ESG practices outweigh the challenges, whereas others may face more significant challenges that make justifying the investment more difficult.

Concluding – the construction industry significantly impacts society and the environment and so it’s vital that businesses within the sector produce more environmentally friendly and socially responsible projects by reducing their environmental impact, interacting with people, and supporting moral and open business practices. Those who choose to ignore ESG, are most likely to be putting themselves at a disadvantage to their competitors who have chosen to embrace the challenge.

The requirement for construction companies to consider the environmental impact of their projects and implement measures to minimise their impact as much as possible, is becoming more and more onerous.

ROBERT CANDY CHIEF EXECUTIVE, SCAFFOLDING ASSOCIATION

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COMMENT

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The UK’s largest Trade Association for the access and scaffolding industry Membership of the Scaffolding Association is an assurance of competence and quality recognised throughout the construction industry – it demonstrates an ability to carry out safe design, installation and commissioning of scaffolding systems.

By using a Scaffolding Association member, clients can be confident that they are pre-qualifying and awarding work to contractors who have undertaken a rigorous assessment of their experience and capabilities.

Member companies vary in size, with a range of specialisms and capabilities – there’s a Scaffolding Association member for every project.

Partnership commitment…

Promoting high safety standards within industry

Companies cover the whole of the UK and Ireland

Robust member Code of Conduct

Operating within current legislative and best practice guidelines

Providing access to work opportunities

Annual independent audit exceeding PAS91 standards

620+ Company members

0300 124 0470 scaffolding-association.org

ACCESS POINT

Time for more clarity in debris netting fire safety In this article Marc van der Voort, Managing Director at ITP Ltd, advocates more clarity in the way we provide evidence of fire safety compliance in debris netting.

There has long been confusion in the industry surrounding fire safety standards for debris netting. Much of it stems from misunderstandings about testing, marking and certification.

As a result, operators responsible for the sourcing and installation of scaffold solutions are at risk of using non-compliant netting under the misapprehension that the products are compliant with fire regulations.

Debris netting must be fully certified as fire retardant for use in the construction and refurbishment of high-rise buildings. Debris netting also needs full certification for developments which are valued over £2.5m or part of a larger project valued over £20 million. Failure to use debris netting that meets this standard potentially causes the ceasing or withdrawal of insurance in relation to the Joint Code of Practice on the Protection from Fire of Construction Sites and Buildings Undergoing Renovation (JCC).

Given the risk which mistakes pose to safety and insurance, the fire retardancy marking for debris netting is worryingly inconsistent and often misleading. Many debris netting products are marked with between one and three red stripes to indicate that they are fire retardant once the packaging has been removed. This is often interpreted as fully compliant with the terms of the JCC, but closer scrutiny often reveals this not to be the case.

Products are often supplied with red bands and claim compliance without explaining that the loose definition of compliance is based on a one-off test.

This is not the same as full certification for TS 62 (external use) or TS 63 (internal use), which needs to be carried out through an approved testing regime by one of two organisations in the UK: Exova Warringtonfire and BRE Global/Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB).

Products that are subject to one-off tests are not suitable for the construction and refurbishment of high-rise buildings or the requirements of the JCC: Exova Warringtonfire or LPCB certification is the only guarantee of compliance. This is a critical distinction which would benefit from the introduction of a universally recognised system of product marking.

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TECHNICAL

debris netting which is fully certified to TS 62 or TS 63. If this became a standard requirement within the industry, it would enable HSE inspectors, contractors, developers and scaffold specialists to choose products with complete confidence and peace of mind.

ITP recently launched a debris netting product which is certified for any colour to confirm TS 62 certification. The product includes a red band, but more importantly it also includes a marking at the end of each roll showing the certificate number which stays on the material. We believe that this type of identification should be essential for any

With the arrival of the new Building Safety Regulator, the construction industry is now subject to stricter oversight driven by more robust data and evidence. It has become more important than ever to ensure that fire safety compliance is easy for everyone to understand and identify.

More: Read more on page 23 or visit www.itpltd.com

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ACCESS POINT

Getting ready for winter: the must-knows

Winter is an especially challenging time for employers from a Health & Safety perspective – particularly when it comes to scaffolding. Things like cold conditions, slippery surfaces, dark nights, low temperatures, and potential site shutdowns are likely to become problems.

In this article partners of the Scaffolding Association, Citation, who are Health & safety and HR experts, discuss how you can take extra care during the winter to ensure everyone stays safe and your business can continue running.

The main risks you need to be aware of…

•L ow temperatures can play havoc with your heating systems – so make sure you check they’re left on when it’s safe to do so •C older temperatures can also be a real risk to health, so you need to make sure everyone has adequate warm clothing (PPE) and access to hot drinks and proper welfare facilities when needed •C hanging weather can mean changing surface conditions, so you’ll need to regularly monitor surfaces and carry out a thorough risk assessment to prevent slips, trips and falls

• If you’re shutting down a site due to the weather, make sure you’ve got a solid plan in place to carry out the same regular inspections on things like fire detection and site security

You also need to consider…

• Adverse weather can affect and damage scaffolding or temporary structures if they’re not properly inspected before, immediately after and every seven days from the first inspection – as a minimum

• Risk assessments and method statements should take into account changing workplace temperature

• Dark nights mean you should reconsider personal security, so make sure individuals have clear lines of communication and a safe route home.

It’s also worth installing extra lights to make sure your site is well lit into the evenings and at night • Road conditions can be poor and result in added traffic or vehicles becoming stranded, so make sure checks are completed before leaving and on a regular basis • Don’t wait for things to happen or get better – if conditions are too wet, cold or indeed dangerous, STOP before something happens.

• The minimum indoor workplace temperature should be at least 16°C or 13°C for those doing physically rigorous work

• A system for more breaks to keep warm, hydrate with hot drinks and rest • Suitable training on safe ways of working in cold conditions • Can the work be avoided, delayed or done in a way where individuals are not exposed to cold weather?

• Have a suitable provision of PPE like gloves, scarves, fleeces and coats.

Want more information?

That’s where Citation come in. From helping you draft the right policies and complete the correct risk assessments, to helping you train your people and get your questions answered with their 24/7 advice line, Citation take the stress of Health & Safety compliance away.

To get a taste of the support Citatoin offer, just scan the QR code to see the rest of our resources for businesses getting ready for winter!

In addition, Scaffolding Association members benefit from preferential rates on Citation’s services.

So, if you’re not already a Citation client, simply call 0345 844 1111 and have your Scaffolding Association membership number ready to access your exclusive member benefits.

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HEALTH & SAFETY

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ACCESS POINT

Holmes & Hills: recap on Payment Notices and the unusual ‘automated’ approach In this article, the Scaffolding Association’s legal partners, Holmes & Hills Solicitors, dissect Payment Notices.

Section 111(1) of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 (as amended) (“The Act”) provides for the paying party to pay the “notified sum” on or before the final date for payment.

What is ascertained to be the “notified sum” is determined through either the Payment Notice or Pay Less Notice. If the paying party wishes to pay less than the figure in the interim application or Payment Notice, they must issue a compliant Pay Less Notice under section 111(3) of The Act. Section 111(4) states that the Pay Less Notice must specify: - The sum that the paying party considers as due (this can be nil); and - The basis on which it has been calculated.

Grove Developments Ltd v S&T (UK) Ltd set out the content of a Pay Less Notice. In this case Grove’s Payment Notice was issued out of date, therefore the Pay Less Notice was relied upon. However, S&T argued that as the Pay Less Notice didn’t specifically detail the sums due and instead referred to a detailed calculation on an attachment, it was invalid. The court ruled in this case that if a Pay Less Notice is sent with a detailed calculation, providing it “would have permitted a reasonable recipient to understand [it] precisely”, then the Pay Less Notice is valid.

In Downs Road Development LLP v Laxmanbhai Construction (UK) Ltd the Contractor issued a Payment Notice for the sum of £1 (NET £0.97) as a placeholding exercise. In this case the courts clarified that where a Payment Notice or Pay Less Notice is concerned, the paying party must hold a genuine belief as to what sum is due. In this instance there was no calculation that justified a £1 payment notice, as there wasn’t a genuine belief as to the basis on which the calculation was due, therefore complying with the requirements of Section 110A(2) (a) of The Act. As a result, Downs Road Development was held to pay the further £103,000 found to be the Notified Sum. This case highlights the significance of setting out in detail how the Notified Sum figure is reached and explanations for those sums being certified or not.

With the rise of payment disputes and “smash and grab” adjudications, it is critical to ensure that you can both issue a valid Payment / Pay Less Notice and know how to spot those notices that are invalid! As above, simply submitting a Pay Less Notice does not render it valid. It must in the main satisfy the following: 1. Be on time – keep a close eye on the payment cycle deadlines; and 2. Specify the amount owed and the basis on which that sum is calculated at the day of that notice.

It is worth noting that some contracts will allow a Payment Notice to double up as a Pay Less Notice, and even if it is not labelled as such it may still be valid.

If you believe that either a Payment Notice or Pay Less Notice has been issued incorrectly or would like advice on how to check your Company’s are valid, do get in touch with the Construction Division at Holmes & Hills who will be able to assist.

More: www.holmes-hills.co.uk

The Courts further explained that when disputing a Pay Less Notice, it is deemed inappropriate to apply a “fine textual analysis” over its contents– e.g., highlighting minute and contrived arguments as to why a Pay Less Notice is invalid. The courts confirmed in Thomas Vale Construction Plc v Brookside Syston Ltd that the courts will only take a practical approach in determining the validity of a Pay Less Notice. This case reaffirmed the need to ensure that a Payment Notice / Pay Less Notice is evidently compliant and does not need to fall back on engineered arguments as to why it is valid.

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The magazine for access and scaffolding industry professionals Print | Email | Online Access Point is published on behalf of the Scaffolding Association – the voice of access and scaffolding specialists.

The printed magazine, monthly email and website provide excellent promotion opportunities, offering unrivalled routes to market for manufactures, distributors and service providers active in the access, scaffolding and temporary works sectors.

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ACCESS POINT

Scaffolding Conference 2023: Gaining the advantage in a dynamic industry landscape On the 12th of October, scaffolding professionals, contractors, designers, business owners, and service providers converged at the Heart of England Conference and Events Centre for the Scaffolding Conference 2023.

This highly anticipated event brought together key players in the industry to share insights, discuss emerging trends, and explore innovative solutions. With a focus on ‘Gaining the Advantage’ and staying competitive in the current market, the conference provided a platform for learning, networking, and discovering the latest advancements in the sector.

One of the highlights of the conference was the presence of exhibitors, who displayed a variety of innovative products and services. These offerings were designed to empower delegates and provide them with a competitive edge in today’s dynamic market. From advanced scaffolding materials to state-of-theart safety equipment, the exhibition area buzzed with activity as attendees explored the latest trends transforming the industry.

The Scaffolding Conference 2023 featured keynote speeches from prominent organisations, including the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), the National Federation of Builders, and the Road Haulage Association. These addresses provided valuable insights into training funding, regulatory updates, and how to achieve inclusivity in the workplace.

Throughout the day, delegates had the opportunity to hear from a lineup of insightful speakers. One notable presentation was delivered by Lee Callaghan from Brand Elect. Callaghan emphasised the critical role of branding in the scaffolding sector, stating, “It’s not about you, it’s about them - placing your client in your brand.” This thoughtprovoking perspective encouraged attendees to reflect on how their brand influences the perception and experience of their clients.

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EVENTS

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ACCESS POINT

Organised by The Scaffolding Association, their CEO Robert Candy, commented:

Callaghan urged delegates to consider the emotional impact of their brand on customers, highlighting the importance of creating a brand that resonates with the target audience. By understanding the emotional connection between a brand and its clients, scaffolding professionals can build trust, loyalty, and a positive reputation in the market.

As the conference came to a close, participants left with a wealth of knowledge, new connections, and a fresh perspective on the future of scaffolding.

The Scaffolding Conference 2023 succeeded in its mission to bring together the brightest minds in the industry, offering a forum for the exchange of ideas and the exploration of innovative solutions.

As the scaffolding sector continues to evolve, events like these play a crucial role in shaping the trajectory of the industry and ensuring its continued success.

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Our theme, ‘Gaining the Advantage’, isn’t just a catchphrase; it’s a mantra for success.

It’s about staying ahead in a world of constant change and competition.

From discussions on construction law to developing your brand, we explored the strategies that help scaffold businesses rise above the rest.

Our speakers shared invaluable insights with delegates that they could take home and apply within their business. We’re incredibly grateful to our fantastic speakers, exhibitors and delegates for making ScaffCon 2023 a resounding success.

EVENTS

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ACCESS POINT

Trio take on triad of city centre projects

The dynamic trio of BAM Nuttall Ltd, Prime Scaffold & Structural Designs Limited (PSD) and Alltask Ltd have successfully completed a triad of projects in the busy centre of London. Initially BAM were engaged

by Network Rail to undertake a project at Clink Street with discussions progressing to take on the further projects over Borough Market and Railway Approach.

Colin MacCombe, Project Manager at BAM commented: “Due to the high footfall in all three areas, the scaffold was designed from the off to be hung from the existing structure. We worked closely with Alltask, PSD and local stakeholders to develop a scaffold which offered up sufficient working space within the structure, sufficient protection to prevent dust and debris, whilst maintaining a scaffold structure that had visually looked tidy and acceptable from the ground level.”

“The success of the schemes hinged on local stakeholders accepting that the scaffold design implemented will be visually as unintrusive as possible, with installation methodology accommodating out of hours installation and minimal disruption to members of the public, whilst maintaining high safety standards throughout the process. This has been evidenced by the strong and enduring relationships with stakeholders over multiple schemes.”

There was more than just the functionality of the scaffolding to take into consideration, Colin continued:

We spoke to David Rogerson, Technical Manager at PSD, who talked us through what each of these projects entailed:

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Project 1 | Borough Market The first project for the trio of teams to tackle was located at Borough Market, a very busy place in terms of pedestrians. This meant that the scaffolding, which was required to provide access and protection for steelwork repairs and re-painting works to the underside of the bridge, was proposed from the beginning to be suspended from the existing steel work.

The design covers the complete area of works in addition to giving access not just to the underside of the bridge soffit but to the side parapets as well.

Several co-ordination meetings and calculation reviews were needed as part of the bridge assessment. Scaffold layouts and loadings were changed on a few occasions to help the structural engineers ensure their checks passed with regard to the capacity of the existing bridge.

The design also incorporated live load, wind loads to the shrink wrap, dynamic train pressures to the rear trackside elevation, and crowd loadings onto the lower-level hoardings.

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PROJECT

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ACCESS POINT

Project 2 | Railway Approach The teams then moved their attention onto their second project, which was located on another busy street and pavement area outside London Bridge station, at the foot of the Shard, where bus routes also needed to be considered, meaning the design was a complex one from the outset.

The scaffold was required to enable the safe removal of internal asbestos followed by UHP blasting and precision paintwork.

The solution the PSD design team came up with was a spurred beam span configuration which was installed at high level, this enabled the lower boarded level to be installed level with the soffit of the bridge and therefore not reducing any existing road clearances. Importantly, it also meant the client did not lose any valuable working space, which beams if installed to the bottom of the scaffold would have done.

The scaffold itself spans an impressive 20 metres with a 3-lift suspended scaffold.

The scaffold design entails a combination of live loads to facilitate the construction work, wind loads exerted onto the shrinkwrap sheeting, and dynamic train pressures from the Network Rail infrastructure to the rear of the scaffold. The design, therefore, takes into account the multiple loads acting on the scaffold to ensure its stability and safety during the construction process.

PSD also worked with Alltask to ensure the design used equipment that Alltask had readily available for the installation. The Alltask team ensured it was erected to the highest standards and successfully wrapped up for their valued client BAM, as part of the CP6 framework.

Continued

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PROJECT

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ACCESS POINT Project 3 | Clink Street The final project for the trio to contend with was located on Clink Street, which is a quieter back street of London, however it is still a very busy tourist location and pedestrian access along with vehicular access was a requirement for the scaffold design.

A fully encapsulated access scaffolding was required to enable BAM to undertake blast, paint, and steel strengthening works.

Agreed positions of supporting towers with bridged beam work located at a high level to form all the required vertical clearances were specified.

A water splash screen was installed through the pedestrian tunnel area to ensure that water management was in place to direct water away from members of the public during the blasting works.

Again, the design incorporated live load, wind loads to the shrink wrap, dynamic pressures from passing trains to the rear trackside elevation, and crowd loadings onto the lower-level hoardings.

David Rogerson, Technical Manager at PSD concluded: “Over the course of many years, PSD has developed a strong working relationship with Alltask and BAM. Throughout this time, we have successfully completed numerous projects, these three sites are a testament to the hard work and dedication of all staff involved.

I would like to express my gratitude to Joao Abilio and Andrew Robertson from PSD for their invaluable contributions in delivering all three sites on time while maintaining our high standards of quality and service.“ Colin MacCombe, Project Manager at BAM, concluded: “The partnership between BAM/ Alltask/PSD has led to repeated work within the London Bridge area, with the scaffold on the Railway Approach structure being repurposed to allow for installation of a 20mx5m advertising scheme, and the structure at Borough Market proving sufficiently robust to allow the durations to be extended to undertake significant additional improvements to the bridge structure, with the market using the structure to erect Christmas decorations.“

Clark Coffield, Contracts Director at Alltask concluded: “We successfully carried out and completed these three complex structures for BAM as part of their overarching CP6 SMD framework (Kent & Sussex Route), whilst working closely with Dave and his team at PSD throughout, from inception right through to construction. We would like to say a big well done to everyone involved for their hard work and commitment on this challenging infrastructure project, and a big shout-out to our dedicated team for delivering an exceptional scaffold access and containment solution.”

More: www.psd.uk.com www.alltask.co.uk www.bamnuttall.co.uk

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PROJECT

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PROJECT

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ACCESS POINT

Inner City deliver innovative project “The Trojan” Assessed Members of the Scaffolding Association, Inner City Scaffolding Limited (ICS), have successfully delivered a large-scale recladding project at Parkside Court nicknamed “The Trojan” due to the look and dynamics of the scaffolding being compared to that of a Trojan Horse, earning the scheme its own class identity.

In March ICS, who are based in Essex, were tasked with an 18-month long project to reclad a live building that had many unique challenges to overcome.

ICS worked alongside their longstanding client to successfully create the unique engineered system solution.

Ben Ramsey, Director at ICS explained how the load characteristics of the building itself was the first element that needed some consideration:

“One of the first problems we had to overcome was the lack of available foundation support from the building, so we worked with the client and engineers to develop a scheme that transferred the loads to extremely limited areas, including the building steel frame.

This required an out of the box approach, with scaffolding dead weight and service loads transferred

onto engineered scaffolding beam work arrangements, with spans between some supports in excess of 25.00 metres, benched onto cross sectional scaffolding spine beams in turn distributing critical loads into purpose built steel shores, attached to the buildings core steel structure.”

It was not just the building itself, but also the location of it, that required some serious consideration, Ben continued: “In delivering this, we had to overcome the sheer magnitude of the works by hand and operational ingenuity, with no option for crane or plant assistance other than goods hoist. The works had to be erected turnkey with on time deliveries of 160,000.00KG of materials, whilst the building and surrounding areas remained live with residents, NHS Medical Centre, and fully operational traffic routes.”

A complex problem, requires a complex solution, and that is just what ICS came up with, Ben explained: “We delivered a large-scale complex engineered HAKI System scaffolding to the main building, based from ground level up to 40.00m roof level, with extensive triple bank 1300mm HD Spine Beams and steel shore integration, bridging podium areas.”

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PROJECT

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Project in Numbers:

4,000m2

(approx.) FR Netted external facade scaffolding

600

No. individual support legs

1,000

linear metres of HD Asterix Beams, X-Beams, and Ladder Beams

110

Bespoke Scaffolding Designs, plus Building Integration Designs with Calculations during the evolution of the project

There were many other facets to this project that required solutions, Ben continued: “The lower-level podium building is being delivered with a traditional tube, fitting and beam approach for remedial upgrade works.

As for the logistics package, it consists of HAKI site staircases and integrated goods hoists, with bespoke gated solution for the system scaffolding, along with material chutes for fabric removal.”

There was one final piece of nonstructural solution that was required, Ben commented: “To maintain the safe erection, with use and tie in of the scaffolding to the steel core, lightning protection to the scaffolding and hoist were required due to the buildings topographical location.”

ICS’s hard work and out of the box thinking has paid off, with the scaffold now being utilised to carry out the required recladding works, Ben reflected on the job: “From the beginning we appreciated the complexity and sheer volume of the project, with the scheme evolution becoming more complex, the additional work required to achieve the successful delivery of the project has been noted, with some likening the change look and dynamics of the scaffolding to that of a Trojan Horse, a fitting identity.”

More: www.innercityscaffolding.co.uk

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PROJECT

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ACCESS POINT

How exposed are scaffolding businesses

to the rising challenge of drink and drugs?

There is no getting away from it – drink and drugs are not subjects that are going away any time soon, especially in the workplace. In this article D.tec International Limited, discusses this very emotive subject.

In a study of more than 1,300 construction industry workers carried out by the Considerate Constructors Scheme, 35% of responders said they had previously noticed a colleague(s) under the influence of drink or drugs whilst at work.

Further, a recent Complete Construction Survey showed that 40% of construction contractors and suppliers believe that more needs to be done to help those struggling with drug or alcohol addiction.

As for a typical scaffolding business, most employees will be working at height, and some will be driving companyowned heavy goods vehicles and light commercial vehicles to and from site.

What is more concerning, is that in some parts of the UK, over half of those caught drug driving were driving to work or for work.

It’s not just about the festive period though, the risks exist all year round.

The likelihood of someone on your workforce being unfit to drive or work through drink or drugs, or worse still both, whatever the time of year, is higher than you might think.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are taking notice. Towards the end of 2021, HSE published updated guidance for employers and workers.

Some statistics suggest that as many as 15% of construction workers have admitted to using drugs and 18% have admitted to heavy consumption of alcohol, so it stands to reason why HSE would align their guidance with the challenges we have in industry.

Of course, this step alone will by no means solve the problem, but it does formalise a growing interest from regulators in this area, something businesses need to be aware of.

Drink, and much more so drug taking, has become common place in society but that doesn’t mean it is acceptable in the workplace - especially your workplace.

D.tec International are providers of drug and alcohol screening solutions to all 43 police forces in England, Wales and Scotland, as well as hundreds of corporate clients – including many from the construction industry.

D.tec’s objective is a simple one, to ensure that employers have access to the information they need to understand the implications of drugs and alcohol in the workplace and what steps they need to take to implement effective policies, procedures and protections to safeguard their business.

For more information visit: www.dtecinternational.com

So, in an industry which already poses a significant number of safety risks to employees and the general public, making sure that your employees are fit to undertake their duties should be a priority. The consequences for ignoring them are unthinkable.

As we approach the festive period, and police forces from across the UK once again increase their focus on catching drink and drug drivers, it’s the ideal time to consider whether your business has the right policies, procedures and protections in place.

Last year, the Christmas campaign, known as Operation Limit, saw an 18% rise in arrests with 6,130 drivers caught compared with 5,186 during the same period in 2021.

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HEALTH & SAFETY

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ACCESS POINT

Cybercrime – don’t be a victim

In recent years, Cybercrime has become an ever-increasing problem, and as supply chains become more sophisticated, cyberattacks have become more complex and can target a vast array of areas of your business. In this article, the Road Haulage Association (RHA) discusses how to mitigate your risk of attacks.

Are you familiar with the cybercriminal’s methods? Some of the major cyber risks that have affected the transportation and logistics sector include: ransomware, phishing, and sensor and industrial technology intercepts. Today’s cybercriminals are now so sophisticated that no single safety measure will be enough to stop them.

It is essential that employees learn how to identify specific threats, such as phishing emails, and then flag them to the appropriate person. Your office staff are usually the first target when cyber attackers are trying to infiltrate a company’s network, making them the first line of defence against a potential attack.

Ransomware is a malware (any software intentionally designed to cause disruption, leak private information, or unauthorised access to a computer, server, or network) that prevents users from accessing their system until a ransom is paid. It’s one of the fastest growing types of cybercrime and is expected to attack a business, consumer, or device every two seconds by 2031.

Companies need to draw up a plan. A protocol process as to how they should respond if a breach occurs or if they detect a weakness or flaw in any part of their IT systems. This cannot be regarded as a ‘one off’ exercise, as cybercriminals become more sophisticated, your security protocols must be reviewed on a regular basis.

If you share data or sensitive information with third parties, it’s crucial that they provide confirmation that they have undergone an appropriate penetration test and review.

Also, having a simple way to communicate with your suppliers and customers is critical if an incident happens.

Phishing involves cybercriminals contacting target organisations by email (phishing), telephone (vishing), or text message (SMSishing), and posing as a legitimate person or organisation. The aim of the attack is to lure the recipient into giving up sensitive data and passwords to illicitly access data for financial gain.

This article barely scratches the surface of the cybercrime issue. But the key point to remember is that if there’s the slightest flaw in your systems, the chance of it happening to you increases.

Good advice is to keep up to date with the latest advice and always be prepared.

Don’t become a victim of ‘what if’ and ‘if only’.

More: www.rha.uk.net

Regularly update company devices (this includes mobile phones) and software. This ensures that devices and applications are not only better protected from attacks but are operating efficiently. Using an outdated device and/or software application can easily create a breach is what is usually considered to be a ‘safe’ system allowing potential threats to slip through and potentially compromise an entire network system.

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TRANSPORT

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ACCESS POINT

Collaboration key to

modernising construction

Modernisation is at the root of UK construction’s biggest challenges, writes CITB Chief Executive, Tim Balcon.

A modernised construction industry will have multiple benefits not just for our industry but across society. It will attract new entrants, reduce the skills gap and benefit communities and the economy. This makes construction one of the most exciting industries to be part of; its potential, in so many areas, is huge.

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CITB has a significant part to play in supporting the modernisation of UK construction.

In this article Tim discusses CITB funding and research to help industry modernise and the potential impact of the much-discussed Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Funding In 2017 CITB commissioned a report called, A new reality: Immersive learning in construction.

The report explored how construction can modernise its training methods.

It offered £1.5m funding to employers who could demonstrate how immersive learning could enhance their training.

The report featured case studies from market leaders on the benefits of immersive learning. These included:

• Dudley College’s work to develop a training suite dedicated to emerging skills.

•G AIA Technologies work in providing Liverpool John Moores University and Coleg Llandrillo Cymru with a “mockedup” construction site which saw students interact with surroundings.

• London College of Design and Engineering UTC’s links with industry and technology companies. They used Oculus rift headsets, robotics labs, Autodesk and Adobe suites as training tools.

The report’s case studies and recommendations showed technologies’ potential for enhancing learning and training methods in construction.

Focus

A good example of our work on helping industry modernise is L Lynch Plant Hire & Haulage Ltd. In February 2018, Lynch’s Training Division decided to open a bespoke training centre in Cambridge to train their operators in the use of GPS technology. GPS stands for Global Positioning System.

It is a radio navigation system which improves productivity and is a requirement for large infrastructure projects. Lynch’s centre in Cambridge started small, with one machine. Today, with the help of our Medium Company Skills and Training Fund, the centre has two machines, two classrooms, a lounge area, revision area, and a canteen.

Over a hundred operators have received training at the centre.

Modernisation

Our 2019 report: A Challenge and an Opportunity: Artificial Intelligence and Automation in the Construction Industry, showed that construction can reap major rewards from digital skills and technology, but only if it takes decisive action.

Embracing innovative skills can address challenges like wafer-thin profit margins; the need to recruit, upskill and retain the future workforce as well as improving health, safety and mental wellbeing. For this to happen the right conditions need to be in place. These include: • Building a shared definition of what digital construction means and the skills it requires.

• Sharing best practice much more widely.

• Liberating leaders and managers to take calculated risks and drive new approaches.

Opportunity

AI has featured prominently in the news this year. I think it will transform UK construction by improving site safety and addressing the related issue of productivity.

AI will also spread best practice across the sector. It will be able to monitor for issues and ensure tradespeople are working efficiently. One of the biggest on-site challenges is making sure the right tradespeople are working at the right time. Too often, decorators are waiting for plasterers, or roofers are waiting for bricklayers. AI can help with the allocation of resources and so reduce the amount of wasted time. This will dramatically improve productivity, seeing projects delivered on time and to budget.

Collaboration There is, of course, much more to modernisation than using the latest technology.

For construction to thrive, the negative perception of industry, along with recruitment, training and our culture, must improve. In terms of the latter, increasing diversity and improving construction’s dismal record on mental health must change for the better as soon as possible. Our Business Plan 202324 shows how we are working, with partners, on these themes. The incentives for modernisation are clearly great, but we all have a huge amount of work to do.

Collaboration is key, so let’s work together on modernisation, let’s partner for skills and let’s strive to improve people’s lives in multiple ways.

More: www.citb.co.uk

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COMMERCIAL

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ACCESS POINT

ITP launches new debris netting which is unique to the market

Construction site protection specialists, ITP Ltd, have launched a new product representing the only debris netting on the market which is independently certified to meet T62 flame retardancy standards in any colour.

Suitable for all tube and fitting and modular scaffold systems, Powerclad Flame Retardant Debris Netting is supplied with unique identification to confirm full certification from Exova Warringtonfire, one of two organisations in the UK authorised to carry out independent testing. Debris netting must be fully certified to be compliant for use in the construction or refurbishment of high-rise buildings and developments which are valued over £2.5m or part of a larger project valued over £20 million.

As well as providing robust and effective containment, the product’s knitted netting provides high air permeability to negate the force of high winds in exposed locations.

More: www.itpltd.com

Powerclad Flame Retardant Debris Netting is available in white, blue, green, red and black as standard, with other colours available on request.

‘The Klasp’ – a groundbreaking scaffold fitting

Barnsley based Julian Bland from JJB Products LTD has introduced the next generation of Health and Safety scaffolding product, The Klasp.

With over 30 years’ experience in the scaffolding industry, Julian knows there are many costly areas that his newly designed safety fitting will save scaffolding companies time and money, along with bringing Health and Safety up to the highest standard.

The advantages of the Klasp are numerous: • Safer erection process

• Reverse engineered hidden bolts

The Klasp will transform every scaffold it goes on!

• Double on double

Any interested parties are invited to contact Julian on 07917 877688 or julian.bland@hotmail.co.uk

• Temporary roof work

More: www.jjbproducts.co.uk

• Erection of standards tight up to wall • Increased sheeting lifespan

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The Klasp is set to be competitively priced in line with similar fittings.

But this will be determined by the potential partner or owner of the Klasp as Julian intends from this point to find the right company ready to move this revolutionary fitting to market correctly in order to get its full potential.

PRODUCT NEWS

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