Scaffolding Matters - Spring 2020 by NASC

SPRING EDITION | 2020 NATIONAL ACCESS AND SCAFFOLDING CONFEDERATION

SCAFFOLDING MATTERS

CONTENTS Reports from the Regions..................... 4 Technical........................ 6 Health and Safety........... 7 Current Affairs................ 8

8 Hire, Sales & Manufacturing............. 9 Contracts.......................10 Marketing......................11

President’s Welcome Welcome to the second edition of the NASC Scaffolding Matters magazine.

11 Audit & Membership......12 ASITO................................ 13

STAY ON SITE WITH SCAFFOLDER CPD THE CISRS CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CPD) COURSE IS A MANDATORY REQUIREMENT PRIOR TO THE RENEWAL OF ALL CISRS SCAFFOLDER / ADVANCED CARDS. OPERATIVES WHOSE CARDS EXPIRE IN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS SHOULD LOOK TO BOOK A COURSE NOW TO ENSURE THEY DO NOT LAPSE. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.CISRS.ORG.UK

Any Other Business.......... 14

19 NASC Guidance Index....... 22

Following feedback from members and various standing committees, this issue is slightly different from the launch issue, published in Autumn 2019. The original goal remains; to give NASC members a deeper understanding of the work the confederation and its committees are undertaking on their behalf with a particular emphasis on how this benefits their businesses. But we’ve made a few changes to the contents. We’ve kept the Reports from the Regions round-up and also retained the dedicated NASC committees pages. By condensing the committee pages down from double page spreads to single pages we’ve freed up a number of pages to focus on other scaffoldingrelated news and views.

These include an update on TG20:21, an NASC awards round up, a warning regarding off payroll working and much more besides. We hope you like this new-look Scaffolding Matters magazine and continue to share it with your colleagues – both in the office and out on site. Additional hard copies are available upon request. Email NASC Marketing Manager Simon Robinson – simon.robinson@nasc.org.uk. A digital copy can be downloaded via the NASC website. As always, feedback on this magazine and how we can improve it for the Autumn 2020 edition will be gratefully received.

Lynn Way NASC President

Front cover image credit: JEM Scaffolding Ltd, Devonport Towers in Plymouth.

REPORTS FROM THE REGIONS SCOTLAND & N. IRELAND

NORTHERN & N. WALES

MIDLANDS

Kevin Fitzpatrick Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services UK Ltd T/A Lyndon SGB

Wayne Connolly Connolly Scaffolding Ltd

Phil Heffernan Scaffold Erection Services Ltd

Decision made, majority government in place, Brexit well on the way but what does it mean for us up north? Well, on the surface the construction industry seems buoyant with Manchester and Liverpool awash with tower cranes and projects, and as I am a regular visitor to Newcastle and Leeds those cities seem to have major building projects underway too.

Whether we individually agree or not, HS2 could have an enormous impact on our businesses throughout the coming decade so here is the latest update on HS2 from the Midlands which is intended as an information piece only without any bias from the NASC Midlands Chair.

With the current forecast of rising house prices in Scotland (19.9% over the next 5 years), there has been a noticeable upturn in site activity. Combined with the Scottish Government’s commitment to rapidly increase the supply of affordable and social housing, a little more stability can be expected in our industry for the near future. This is particularly noticeable in the Aberdeen area and the Central Belt where newbuild completions rose by 18% through 2019 and is forecast to rise further through the next two years. Construction activity in all major cities is also rising for commercial and government customers, with a commensurate increase in hotel construction for both the tourist and business user. The result of the recent General Election is also expected to assist business stability and certain campaign promises, if fulfilled, should also result in an expanding commercial and infrastructure workload. The return of power sharing in Northern Ireland is welcomed as this will, over time, allow the Region’s construction industry to catch up on much needed infrastructure improvements and repair and maintenance activities in the public sector. One final thing from me, I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate Ronnie Charters, HSQE Manager at Network Scaffolding Ltd, upon his appointment as Scotland and Northern Ireland Region Vice Chair.

However a real caution is in the air, as some Main Contractors are shaky. Bardsley Construction entered administration the week before Christmas, a real surprise, and with other key players going in 2019, who is safe to work for? Payments are slow especially at this time of year, so maybe the new Government white paper on late payments will make a difference if it gets passed? Here’s hoping. In other news, Manchester’s clean air policy, which seems to be the benchmark for other cities to adopt, is under review and might get delayed. So all eyes will be on Manchester in 2021 and how they are going to police the scheme. Lastly, reverse charge VAT is coming in October. Members should make sure their cashflow is capable of withstanding paying HRMC the amounts we have always held in arrears as well as not collecting VAT on sales going forward. This is a very real, substantial change and needs thinking about now.

More than 120 business leaders from across the Midlands and North have signed a letter urging Prime Minister Boris Johnson to build HS2. The letter warns the Prime Minister: “The potential to redraw the economic performance of the whole country is in your hands. “We urge you not to squander this golden opportunity to create a fairer, balanced UK economy that works for everyone.” Among those to sign it are Paul Thandi, Chief Executive of the NEC Group in Solihull, which will be near to one of the stops on phase one of the route. Also lending their name to the letter are the chief executives of Birmingham, Manchester and LeedsBradford airports, Newcastle-based Virgin Money and senior managers at companies such as Siemens, Colliers International, Yorkshire Building Society and Hitachi Rail. It was also signed by the chief executives or presidents of chambers of commerce in the West and East Midlands, North West, Yorkshire and the North East alongside vicechancellors and chief executives of firms across the North and Midlands. The letter reflects concern that the continuing negative publicity about

MIDLANDS CONTINUED...

SOUTH WEST & S. WALES

HS2, based largely on selective leaking of sections of the forthcoming Douglas Oakervee review, is threatening planned investment that is expected to create thousands of jobs.

David Anderson Allen & Foxworthy Ltd

The letter added: “We as business leaders urge you to make one of your first major policy commitments – to deliver HS2 all the way, in full as it recommends, to the Midlands and the North of England. “HS2 will provide urgently needed capacity on the rail network, open up new labour markets and integrate with two other major projects to improve connectivity - Midlands Engine Rail and Northern Powerhouse Rail, creating a network that is fit for the 21st century and unlocking major growth in the regional economy. “It will create more than 500,000 jobs. The plans for both of these schemes are fully integrated with HS2 and will transform commuting and leisure travel throughout the UK.”

Historic opportunities - scaffolding has been a fundamental requirement to assist in repair works to historical and ancient Monuments in Great Britain. This is because our nation is steeped in history and has thousands of listed buildings and national treasures to repair and maintain regularly. Bodies such as English Heritage, National Trust and CADW along with loads of specialist conservation contractors need responsible and passionate scaffolding contractors to give access solutions to some very old and awkward structures in remote areas of our countryside. 2020 is shaping up to be a very promising year with lots of tenders and some exciting projects planned going forward. Have a look in your area for historical buildings and see what works are coming up with planned maintenance. You will be surprised how fruitful these enquires may become. Wales in Focus - The Welsh construction sector finished the last quarter of 2019 with workloads rising and activity growing at a faster rate than in the UK as a whole. A lack of certainty beyond Brexit probably means an uncertain 2020 but it is hopeful that next year construction output will increase. Like other cities, Cardiff is proposing to introduce a congestion charge. This could affect scaffolding costs in the area. HGVs and LGVs that do not meet the Euro VI/6 (Diesel) and Euro IV/4 (Petrol) emission standards could see a charge of £50 for HGVs and £10 for LGVs.

Separately, the chairs of local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) across the North of England and the Midlands have also written to the Prime Minister.

CISRS approved training providers AIS can offer CPD refresher, COTS and SITS courses. Alpha Safety can offer COTS and SITS. Simian Risk, over the bridge in Weston-Super-Mare, are the closest providers who can offer a full range of scaffolding training. Work is still ongoing at the CWIC centre, therefore training for scaffolders remains unavailable on Welsh turf for now.

LONDON & SOUTH EAST

is economic risk, working with an NASC audited member reduces business, programme and safety risk on projects.

Lee Rowswell GKR Scaffolding Ltd There is growing optimism within the region after December’s General Election. This was seen in the market’s response to shares in housebuilders, and we hope the Conservative manifesto pledge to build more homes, create more apprenticeships and crackdown on late payments will be followed through. However, we are realistic that there are a couple of difficult years ahead as we will still see some post-Brexit instability. We are entering unknown territory for the industry. It is therefore even more important that as specialist contractors we are able to reassure our clients that we have stable businesses working to the highest quality and safety standards. In a climate where there

We need to persuade more principal contractors to sign the Safe Scaffolding Charter to endorse this. There are a growing number who understand and stipulate that labour should be employed, not subcontracted, and there will be greater scrutiny of payroll during the auditing process to ensure this. Additionally, more contractors in the region are calling for environmental and sustainability commitments from their supply chain. We have all felt the impact of Euro 6 compliance on our transport if working in London, with so many businesses feeling unprepared for this. We need to stay ahead of increasing market demand to support the environment and prove that our sector is more proactive on

sustainability issues. There are also more pressing demands by clients on increasing apprenticeships and job opportunities for those from difficult backgrounds. These social value commitments can be up to 25% of a contractor’s bid for winning work in some London Boroughs. We need to keep in line with this demand for NASC members to qualify and be appointed onto these projects. However, with challenges in the availability of training, as well as huge inflation in training costs, we need to do more to attract people into the industry and give them the skills they need. In a volatile market, the strongest survive. The challenge for NASC members in this region will be to keep in line with these increasing demands, help to mitigate risk and prove that NASC member businesses are fit for the future needs of our industry.

TECHNICAL COMMITTEE LATEST TECHNICAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS Chair: James Attridge (JFE Attridge Scaffolding Services Co Ltd) Ivik Masek (48.3 Scaffold Design Ltd) Steve Prower (Actavo (UK) Ltd) Jason Black (Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services UK Ltd T/A SGB) Colin Murphy (Cape Industrial Services Ltd) Martin Nicholas (Chris Sedgeman Scaffolding Ltd) Tony Jenkins (EA Scaffolding & Systems Ltd) Matt Shore (Forgeco Ltd) Wayne Lovelock (Formula Scaffolding Ltd) Ricky Mair (Highland Temporary Works) Sarah Holmes (HSE) Nick Geddes (Layher Ltd) Matthew Brewin (Lindway Scaffolding Ltd) Ian Nicoll (NRA Consulting Engineers) Russell Marlow (Optima Scaffold Designs LLP) Charles Stratford (PERI Ltd)

We would like to express our sincere thanks to Ken Johnson, who will shortly be retiring from his position as Technical Support to the NASC. Ken has provided vital backing for both Technical and Health and Safety committees, as well as delivering an enormous amount of technical information and guidance to NASC members and the industry as a whole. He has also been involved with numerous UK and international bodies and trade associations, including BSI, CEN, AIF, TWF and UEG. We would like to thank Ken for all his endeavours and invaluable contributions to the Confederation over the last 8 years and wish him all the very best for a very happy retirement.

HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE LATEST TOOLBOX TALKS AND LATEST GUIDANCE The Health and Safety Committee has been working on a comprehensive suite of safety focused toolbox talks, which will soon be available for download for free to members from the NASC website.

The Technical Committee is currently working to produce or update a number of guidance notes which include:TG1

‘Temporary Edge Protection for Sloping and Flat Roofs’. This document aims to provide standard solutions based on the requirements of BS 13347. Whilst designs have been formalised for class A scenarios, testing is currently being carried out for barriers on class B roofs.

The plan is for this resource to be updated every April using the incident data published in the annual NASC Safety Report. In terms of safety guidance, here’s the latest update:

TG21 ‘Guide to Commissioning Scaffold Designs’ is a new document designed to assist contractors in selecting and appointing a scaffold designer and also provides guidance on information to be supplied to engineers for the production of bespoke designs. TG23 ‘Lacing and Bracing of Beams’ is now almost complete and ready for printing. TG24 ‘Ancillary scaffolding components not covered by British Standards’ is another new guidance document intended to provide members and others with relevant information to purchase proprietary scaffold components, for which there is currently no current BS EN specification. Discussions are currently being held with the Hire and Sales Committee to agree ‘common ground’. The following documents are also due for comment and review during 2020:TG7

Scaffold Board Nail Plates.

TG8

Fire Damage.

Ray Kellard (Scaffold Designs Ltd)

TG11 Stress Corrosion.

Stuart Salmon (TR Scaffolding (Bristol) Ltd)

TG16 Anchoring to the Ground. TG17 Identification of EN74 Couplers. A review of matters being discussed at BSI/CEN, TWF and UEG include the review of BS5975 ‘Code of practice for temporary works procedures and the permissible stress design of falsework’. This is probably the most significant standard currently under review. It is controversial like most significant standards and still requires work to please all parties. We have a new standard BS EN17293 that relates to manufacturing methods. It is an amalgamation of existing codes, all in one place, that now has to be integrated/referenced into our other scaffolding standards. A five year project with potential for high testing costs.

Chair: Alan Harris (Pro-Fix Access Ltd) | David Anderson (Allen & Foxworthy Ltd) | Peter Booth (Benchmark Scaffolding Ltd)

Mr Dennis Braithwaite has joined the company in the position of Technical Advisor to take over Ken’s role and to provide support to James Attridge and the technical team. Steve Prower is now to take on the BSI, CEN, TWF and UEG work. All of this adds great strength to the functions with skills and enthusiasm for the roles.

Ken Barber (Purbeck Design Services Ltd)

Chris Wilshere (Wilshere Consultants BSI)

HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE MEMBERS

REACHING OUT The NASC Health and Safety Committee has reached out to other industry trade bodies and organisations, to build a working relationship and share knowledge and good practices. National Federation of Roofing Contractor (NFDC) – The NFRC are leading on the Wellbeing in Construction project involving NASC and a number of other organisations including the Samaritans, CITB and Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity. National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NFRC) – Committee chairman Alan Harris has met with the President and the MD of the NFDC following three recent demolition incidents that involved scaffolding (which was not the cause of any of the collapses). The positive outcome of this meeting was that the NASC would assist with the revising of the NFDC Demolish Guidance on matters relating to access and scaffolding, starting this year. Civil Engineering Contracting Association (CECA) – Alan Harris met with the CEO of CECA to see if there was an opportunity to work collaboratively in 2020.

• S G4:15 Preventing Falls in Scaffolding Operations – a working group was set up in September 2019 to review the current guidance. SG4:20 will be available later this year. • S G25:19 Access and Egress from Scaffolds via Ladders & Stair Towers etc – this is currently being updated. It will provide guidance on the NASC’s position on the recently revised BS EN131 ladders standards. Further communication will be circulated to all members and interested parties at a later date. • G uide to Appointing a Scaffold Contractor – also currently being updated. • T emporary (Tin) Roofs – A working group, assisted by the HSE and representatives from the Technical Committee and CISRS, has been developing a safe working methodology in erecting and dismantling of temporary tin roofs. The next stage is to test the safe working methodology. • E dge Protection – Has been drafted and is currently being reviewed. The purpose of this new guidance is to combine TG1 Temporary Edge Protection for Sloping and Flat Roofs and SG27 Temporary Edge Protection on Open Steelwork into one document with drawings.

HIRE, SALES & MANUFACTURING COMMITTEE LATEST

CURRENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEMBERS Chair: Sarah Klieve (High Peak Scaffolding Ltd) | Catherine Brown (Actavo (UK) ltd) | Gary Coote (CCS Scaffolding) | Leanne Webb (Independent Access Inspections Ltd) | Phil Hinch (Lyndon SGB) | Chris Wyatt (Neal Stoneman Scaffolding) | Chris Hilton (Vision Scaffolding Solutions Ltd)

CURRENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE LATEST SECURITY GUIDANCE TO BE REVISED The Current Affairs Committee has agreed to update the NASCÕs three Security Guidance notes - making them fit-forpurpose and useful. The current titles – Reporting of Theft to the Police, Stock Control and Vehicle Theft – will be merged into a single document and also converted into a toolbox talk. The Theft Report Form contained within SecG2:07 will remain and members will continue to be encouraged to share reports of thefts to the NASC so that this information can be shared with all members.

NASC CODE OF PRACTICE DRAFT GUIDANCE ON ANCILLARY HIRE, SALES & MANUFACTURING PRODUCT AUDIT 2020 PRODUCTS (TG24) COMMITTEE MEMBERS The NASC Code of Practice Product A working group has been assisting Chair: Sean Pike (Layher Ltd) Vice Chair: Sarah Wilson (Gilray Plant Ltd) Paul Norris (Actavo [UK) Ltd) Martin Husebo (Alustar AS UK) Richard L’Herroux (AT-PAC Ltd) Tom Daly (Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services UK Ltd T/A SGB)

RHA AND FLEET ISSUES The NASC has met with representatives of the Road Haulage Association (RHA) to discuss ways in which relevant fleet information can be disseminated to NASC members. We expect to be in a position to tell members about this partnership very soon. In the meantime, the Current Affairs committee has agreed to produce a series of simple guidance notes on a range of fleet issues. These will include driver training courses and licences, vehicle checks and much more besides. The NASC recognises that vehicles represent a significant proportion of expenditure to all NASC members and is committed to providing up-to-date practical support in this area.

Lalit Premchandani (Brisko Scaffolding Ltd) Sean Harris (Combisafe International Ltd) Alan Scott (Enigma Industrial Services Ltd) Matt Shore (Forgeco ltd) Matt Perry (Generation (UK) Ltd) Mark Frost (George Roberts (NW) Ltd) Steve Coshall (HAKI Ltd) PhiI Marks (PcP Gratings Ltd) Wayne Curtis (Peri ltd)

MENTORING

The committee is currently working on a guidance on mentoring aimed at giving members a framework to support the delivery of on-site scaffolder training in their organisations. Under the CISRS scheme there is a clear and structured pathway for employees to take, starting as a Labourer and moving on to their Part 1 and then Part 2 qualifications. The scheme requires employees to gain the necessary scaffolding skills and safe working practices over time to pass scheduled assessments. The Current Affairs Committee would like to help members add more structure to this practical training. The new mentoring guidance will include general advice on how to support learners on site but also provide a list of the specific skills needed for each assessment. By making this information available to both the learners and their mentors, the hope is that this will help give more focus to the training delivered on site. More on this to come shortly

Tom Steele (PSB Sales Ltd) Grant Norfolk (Rotamead Ltd) Gordon Pilling (St Helens Plant Ltd) John Ackers (TRAD Hire & Sales)

Audit continues to go from strength to strength, with pre-fabricated structural transom units (PST) included from 2020. In order to ensure a level playing field for supplier members of the NASC Hire, Sales and Manufacturing Committee, member suppliers must declare all product, and all suppliers of that product, where an NASC CoP product audit exists for that product. This mirrors the requirement for NASC full contracting members to ensure that product complies with requirements set out in the NASC CoP Product Audit forms, at time of contracting member audit. Updated audit forms for core NASC Code of Practice (CoP) products are available on the NASC website, together with compliant product listings correct as of 2 January 2020. The product listings will be further enhanced by the inclusion of a compliance list for pre-fabricated structural transom units (PST) from 2 April 2020. The NASC CoP Product Audit applies to new product entering the UK market.

with the preparation of new guidance on ancillary products, such as Girder Couplers, Band and Plate, Board Clamps, Joint Pins and Roofing Couplers. This guidance will be intended to provide an overview of recommended values and test methods for these widely-used products, many of which are not covered by British or European standards.

The guidance was initially drafted by the NASC Technical Committee, but it was considered that it would be beneficial for members of the NASC Hire, Sales and Manufacturing Committee, as supplier representatives, to provide input. The committee has proposed various modifications to the guidance, also the inclusion of images of ancillary products covered in the guidance. As with the committee’s suite of NASC product purchasing guidelines, which is comprised of six titles covering core scaffolding products, all images will be prepared in line drawing format. The draft guidance has now been passed back to the NASC Technical Committee for consideration and review prior to publication.

Amy Hocknull (Trademagic Ltd) Knud Pedersen (Turner Access Ltd) Richard Holmes (UK System Scaffold Hire)

DEBRIS NETTING WORKING GROUP The Committee has also formed a working group to develop guidance on debris netting. Debris netting is widely-used in the scaffolding industry, however there is little guidance regarding its requirements. Thickness, size of aperture, and weight, are all factors which need to be considered when the guidance is drafted, as permutations of these can affect the performance of debris netting, and will ultimately have cost implications. The focus of the working group’s discussion has been on how to devise a product test in accordance with the requirement of BS 7955. Work on this item will continue. The working group will also be looking at the fire-retardance properties of debris netting, to ensure that minimum requirements are met by suppliers.

CONTRACTS COMMITTEE MEMBERS Chair: Matthew Cousins (Apex Scaffolding (Exeter) Ltd) | Trevor Clarke (Amber Scaffolding Ltd) | David Lang (Brand Energy

MARKETING COMMITTEE LATEST

CONTRACTS COMMITTEE LATEST 2019 was another busy year for the small but dynamic Contracts Committee, which I was delighted to be asked to be Chair at the AGM in November. This group appears to be a good source of personnel for the NASC, with both the current President and Vice President being former committee members. I would like to extend the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s congratulations to Lynn Way and David Brown and wish them both the best for their tenures in the role. Whilst they are still on the committee, we have acknowledged this may be too much of a drain on their time. To this end we have been recruiting and we are

delighted to have welcomed Simon Christopher to the table. Simon is the Commercial Director at Scaffold Services Ltd (Leicester) and has been in the scaffolding industry for 25 years, so brings exactly the sort of experience we are looking for. Another way we are trying to reduce the impact for our committee members, is to take the meetings out to the regions, and we held the Autumn meeting in Newquay, Cornwall, which was well received by the members from the South West. Also, in Spring 2020, we will be trialling a virtual committee meeting, which, if successful, will reduce the need for members to travel, helping reduce the impact on the environment, and their businesses.

NEW AND UPCOMING GUIDANCE CG6:20 Scaffolding Design. To be read in conjunction with TG21, this guidance will provide help and advice on the commercial implications of commissioning scaffold designs CG15:20 NEC3. A guidance note to provide members with details of what the NEC3 contract contains and description of its terminology. CG20:20 A Guide to Monitoring and Chasing Debt. Providing advice on how to manage the chasing of debtors, with legal guidance and templates of letters and notices for member companies to use.

REVERSE CHARGE VAT DELAYED

Despite these being issued, there is still a lot of work to be done in the rest of the year. CG21 Eligibility to Work in the UK has been put on hold for a short while, but CG24 Staff Handbooks will be ready by the end of the year. This guidance will assist member companies to ensure their staff handbooks are compliant with current regulations and contain the right type of policies and information to suit their individual needs. During 2020 the Contracts Committee will be commandeering the NASC Social Media feeds, to hopefully engage in some dialogue about common contract terminology, which can often be misconstrued or misunderstood.

Please make contact if you need any help or advice. It will dramatically affect the way you run your business!

Chair: Steve Fellows (Malvern Scaffolding Ltd) Lynn Way (Chris Sedgeman Scaffolding Ltd) Helen Gawor (GKR Scaffolding Ltd) Lisa Butler (TRAD Group) Fiona Gallagher (Turner Access Ltd)

MEMBER SURVEY The NASC will be conducting a series of in-depth surveys to ascertain how effective its recent communications and marketing efforts have been and also identify what its objectives should be for 2020 and beyond.

By the time this magazine is printed, the new NASC website should be live... all things being well! It has taken a great deal of time and effort to get the new site up and running but we hope NASC members will soon benefit from our endeavours in a number of ways. The new site has been designed to make information much easier to find, both in terms of general NASC details as well as member-related resources, which can be found in the members area.

Members now have the ability to add their own users within their organisations and assign areas of interest to them. i.e. John Smith, NASC Audit contact. Members are encouraged to make use of this capability as it will help the NASC ensure that member communications are better targeted. Coming back to the new site as a whole, the Find a Member section has been improved to make it much easier for visitors to locate members in their area. We hope this will increase the number of enquires members receive as a result of landing on the NASC website.

On the subject of the members area, members now have full control of their member listings. I would encourage all members to ensure that their profiles are fully populated. Each listing can include the company name, logo, brief biog, addresses and contact details.

The survey will be made up of a series of open questions, encouraging members to provide detailed answers.

Once again the most recent meeting of the Contracts Committee was dominated by the impassioned pleas of Liz Bridge (Joint Taxation Committee) for all members of the NASC, and the whole industry, to ensure they are in the process of preparing for Reverse Charge VAT. The NASC will be publishing a series of online tutorials and videos to help companies work through the processes required to prepare for the new regulations.

CG22:20 Early Payment Schemes. A lot of main contractors are now introducing these schemes, and this paper will provide members with some information as to how they work, hopefully allowing companies to choose if they are worthwhile signing up to.

MARKETING COMMITTEE MEMBERS

NEW NASC WEBSITE

We would like your input. We want to know what is working, whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not, and what you would like the NASC to do more of in the future. This survey will be complemented by similar surveys seeking to establish how non-NASC members view the confederation. This includes main contractors and non-NASC scaffolding contractors. More on this in due course.

TEMPORARY WORKS SEMINARS The NASC will hold two Temporary Works Seminars, once again in conjunction with the Temporary Works Forum, this year. The plan is for these free half-day events to be held in Scotland in April and somewhere within the North East region in October. The NASC has held four seminars to date and they have proven to be well attended and well received by the wider construction industry. They give us the opportunity to get face to face with key decision makers up and down the country, helping to raise the profile of the NASC and its members. Members are encouraged to attend but also to assist with the promotion of these seminars. Please feel free to invite anyone you think might be interested in learning more about temporary works issues. More details will be shared in the coming weeks.

AUDIT COMMITTEE MEMBERS Chair: MeI Archer (Archway Services Ltd) | David Anderson (Allen & Foxworthy Ltd) | Colin Stevens (Auditor) | Craig

ASITO COMMITTEE LATEST

Attendees

AUDIT COMMITTEE LATEST NEW AUDITORS We welcome the appointment of two new NASC auditors; Mark Davenport from Davenport Safety Services and Paul Turner from Turner Safety Solutions Ltd. Mark and Paul both have significant experience of completing the NASC audit process from a members point of view, which will stand them in good stead now they are on the other side of the fence conducting the audits.

Paul Turner Paul Turner began his career as a scaffolder and then moved into management within the scaffolding industry and held positions such as Contracts Supervisor and Project Manager for one the largest scaffolding contractors in the UK. Paul said “I’m looking forward to seeing how the NASC works with the scaffolding industry to improve standards on site and hope to be able to help pass on some of the knowledge I have obtained after a long career in the industry to whoever needs it.”

Chair: Mike Burr (LTC Specialist Scaffolding Ltd) Andy Gaynor (Allied Scaffolding Ltd)

SSIP

Mark Davenport Mark is highly qualified and brings a wealth of knowledge and over 26 years of scaffolding experience to the role. Upon joining he said “I am extremely proud to be part of the audit team and hold the role in high esteem. Having worked with and for NASC member companies and assisted them through audits I understand the value of what the NASC does for the industry. The audits are imperative to ensure that members are at the benchmark standard expected by the industry and for the clients who use their services, and my values coincide with the NASC and their audit processes. I am looking forward to ensuring that the highly regarded standards of the NASC are being upheld and that the member companies are adhering to these standards.”

NASC continues to review its team of auditors and will look to grow this number over time in various locations

ASITO COMMITTEE MEMBERS

The take up in members completing their SSIP assessment through NASCÕs recognised SSIP scheme is growing but is still considerably lower than we expect. NASC members are encouraged to take up this opportunity as it is a free benefit to full members. By completing this free assessment, full members are then able to apply for other schemes under the SSIP umbrella, such as Achilles, CHAS & SMAS which will save the company potentially hundreds of pounds per year. Not only that but members will also save time by avoiding duplication of information as completing PQQs can be an onerous task. By completing SSIP assessment through the NASC a special NASC/SSIP certificate will be provided for 12 months. This will then enable members to qualify for all the basic schemes under the SSIP umbrella via the ‘Deem to Satisfy” route. Some SSIP schemes such as CHAS have additional products; such as CHAS Premium Plus which your clients may request you to obtain. Your NASC SSIP certificate is not an equivalent but it does mean you don’t have to start the Premium Plus accreditation process from the very start and again saves the company money.

James Lewis (Brogan Group Ltd) Matthew Oates (Cape Industrial Services Ltd) Lynn Way (Chris Sedgeman Scaffolding Ltd) Carl Licorish (CITB) Lester Brown (HAKI Ltd) Sean Pike (Layher Ltd) Phil Hinch (Lyndon Ltd) Dave Mosley (NASC/CISRS) Lynn Robb (Palmers Scaffolding UK Ltd) Ben Ramsey (Q.F.S Scaffolding Ltd) Jim Grant (Safeway Scaffolding Ltd) Meurig Thomas (Unite the Union)

Co opted members David Adams (AIS Ltd) Jonathan Gaunt (Altrad UK Training Services) Eamonn Murphy (CITB NI) Martin Carr (Excel Training) Tony Barry (NCC Midlands) Brian Ward (NETA) Bob Whincap (Orchard Consultancy) Rob Nicholls (Safety and Access) Steve Odger (Simian Skill) Eddy Rule (T2000)

NEW CISRS CARDS CISRS cards are being brought into the 21st Century thanks to a new partnership between CISRS and NOCN Job Cards. In the near future, anyone making a CISRS card application will receive a Smart plastic card. This card has their details loaded onto it, which they can access via any smart phone or device. NOCN Job Cards has experienced a number of teething problems, leading to a backlog of applications. However, they have taken on additional members of staff and extended working hours, so are heading in the right direction. Processed CISRS applications can be found on the online card checker which is now available on the NOCN website – www.nocnjobcards.org/ card-checker. To make a valid search, you must enter two items of information, one of which must be Individual ID/ Registration Number or National Insurance Number. For example: Surname & Card Number, Surname & NI Number, DOB & Card Number, or DOB and NI Number. Any individuals awaiting cards and having trouble accessing sites should email enquiries@jobcards.org using the title “CISRS confirmation of application” to receive confirmation that a complete application has been received and that the card will be issued in due course.

STANDARDISATION PARTY UPDATE The Standardisation Party has a packed 2020 agenda, which includes: • The introduction of a Standardised Supervisor Course, which is currently being piloted. This revised course includes a number of content updates such as new sections on temporary works supervision and mental health awareness. • F ollowing standardisation of the BASE course, the SSPTS and System Part 1 and Part 2 courses will be reviewed. The committee will continue to work with the system scaffold manufacturers to roll out System Scaffold Inspection courses. • Following introduction of the Scaffold Awareness Course last year, the Basic and Advanced Inspection courses will be reviewed. This process will take into account the upcoming revision of TG20. The committee is also looking into the possibility of enhancing the learning experience through incorporating digital technology and virtual reality.

TRAINING FUND REMINDER Members are reminded that applications for CPD and COTS course funding are still being welcomed by the NASC.

With the transfer onto NOCN every individual will receive a new CISRS/ NOCN identification number. This will appear on your card when you apply, renew etc. You will be able to check your records by using your current CISRS ID number.

The funding pots provide members with the opportunity to claim £125 per operative – up to a maximum of 10 operatives – upon completion of a CISRS Operative Training Scheme (COTS) or Continuing Professional Development (CPD) course.

We appreciate the current situation is very frustrating to all concerned and we are doing everything we can to get the process up to full speed. We thank you for your continued patience and understanding.

Applications can be made via the members area of the NASC website. For more on the various NASC funding pots that are currently live please turn to page 14.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS MEMBERS ENCOURAGED TO MAKE USE OF FUNDING POTS Retention (noun): an amount of money that is owed to someone for doing work but that is not paid until the work has been completed in a satisfactory way.

NASC SAFE SCAFFOLDING CHARTER GAINING MOMENTUM The NASC«s total subsidised training fund now stands at £280,000. Financial support to help full members cover the cost of COTS and CPD training is still available. These funding pots, worth £50,000 and £30,000 respectively, have recently been added to with the creation of a £150,000 Armed Forces Fund and a £30,000 Mental Health First Aid Fund. The larger pot is dedicated to the training and upskilling of former Armed Forces personnel. Through this fund, NASC members can claim up to £1,000 towards the training of an ex-forces employee or employees. This can be to cover the cost or partial cost of one course or several shorter duration courses and can be used in full on one individual or smaller payments on several individuals. All CISRS courses are eligible. Applications for non CISRS courses that are still relevant and have currency in the scaffolding sector e.g. IOSH, NEBOSH, first aid, SSSTS/ SMSTS, estimating, design, HGV and so on would also be considered. NASC President Lynn Way said: “We recognise the skill sets of exservicemen and women, which is why we’ve created this funding pot to provide an extra incentive to consider a career in scaffolding.

“We believe this fund will help them transition as seamlessly as possible from the Forces to the scaffolding industry, providing many individuals with a long-term career and the UK scaffolding industry with the workforce it needs to continue to thrive.” The second newly-created funding pot gives NASC members the ability to claim up to £125 towards the cost of completing a mental health first aid course. The fund was set up as part of the NASC’s Head for Heights campaign, which is focused on breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health and promoting the importance of focusing on employee wellbeing in the workplace. There are currently eight mental health first aid training course providers covered by the £30,000 funding pot. These are offered by MHFA England, St John Ambulance, 3B Training, Modal Training, LTC Training Services, the British Safety Council, ProTrainings and St Andrew’s First Aid.

There are currently five companies that have signed up to the NASC Safe Scaffolding Charter and at least a dozen more have expressed an interest in following suit. The signatories, which include Multiplex, DE Group and Amey, have all placed a commitment to go ‘NASC-only’ at the heart of their scaffolding procurement policies. To reward these companies for doing so, the NASC displays their logos on the NASC’s dedicated Charter webpage. The NASC and its members also benefit as we can use these signatories as examples of best practice to encourage more organisations to follow their lead. The Charter is free to sign. All we ask is that companies either specify NASC-only or have an established commercial relationship with a full NASC member.

Courses overseen by accredited MHFA England training instructors are also eligible for funding.

Members are asked to put forward suggestions for eligible signatories for NASC Marketing Manager Simon Robinson to pursue.

Other mental health first aid courses may also be covered by the funding pot. Please contact the NASC with the course details prior to submitting an application to ensure the course qualifies for financial support.

The more organisations we have on board, the more likely we are to convince companies that don’t currently use NASC-only or NASC at all to change their ways.

RULING OUT RETENTION Scaffolding companies have always resisted retention. After all, the principle of withholding money to check for any defects has always been at loggerheads with the principal of temporary works. BuildUK and its members agree. In 2018 they published a roadmap which sets out their wish to abolish retention in the construction industry by 2025. Part of this was to issue drafting amendments to both the JCT Design & Build (D&B) 2016 Contract and Sub-Contract and the NEC4 Engineering and Construction Contract (ECC). The Minimum Standards policy, which came from the roadmap states that “Retention is only to be deducted from permanent works, as security from defects that become apparent following completion”. The risk of defects in temporary/preliminary works such as scaffolding, and demolition is considered low enough not to require any security by way of retention. They also advise that contracts which relate to works which are exclusively temporary should exclude retention completely. For the avoidance of doubt in circumstances such as these, the NASC, with assistance from the Contractors Legal Group (CLG) which include the National Federation of Builders and the Scottish Building Federation, has produced a formal ‘Scaffolding Contract 2018’ document. This covers all the required clauses from the above contracts, but without those superfluous to temporary works. This contract is available to both scaffolding contractors and main contractors on the CIP website. If this is not an option, then there are a few steps that can be taken to ensure that retention is not applied to scaffolding works.

Matthew Cousins, Contracts Committee chair • I n the T&C of the quotation, specify that retention is not accepted on scaffolding. • U nless the main contractor specifies otherwise, acceptance of a quotation forms a contract, with the T&Cs included within. See CG8:18 for further guidance. • D uring the Pre-Contract meeting discuss retention, and again, reiterate that it is not applicable. • M ost Main Contractors have a proforma for their prelet meetings, and this will contain a section relating to retention. Make sure this is crossed out or set to zero at the meeting, on both copies and both parties sign to acknowledge the change. See CG14:18 for further guidance. • S trike though any clauses in the main contract which relate to retention. • C ross out, initial and date any clauses which you don’t feel are applicable, and make sure you highlight these to the main contractor. This should be done before you sign and return. See CG15:20 for further guidance on the NEC3. By carrying out the above, and by making sure that good and amicable communication is paramount, then retention should not become an issue. However, it is vital to ensure that any agreements are made in writing. Often personnel who deal with contracts at tender stage may change, and payments could be made and authorised by people who weren’t made aware that retention is not applicable to scaffolding.

EMPLOYMENT AFFAIRS – LOOK AHEAD FOR 2020 By Gray Rigge, G & E Services (UK) Ltd

Brexit will not give rise to any immediate changes in UK employment law or employment rights as many of the EU derived aspects have become enshrined in UK legislation. What may change in the longer term is an open question. Closer to home there are already employment reforms on the way for this year arising from the previous Governments ‘Good Work Plan’ which resulted from an earlier ‘Review of Modern Working Practices’ and a subsequent consultation exercise. The Review looked to achieve a position where ‘all work was fair and decent’ and addressed a wider workforce than just those directly employed.

OFF PAYROLL WORKING Have you done anything about Off Payroll Working? If the answer is that you donÕt know what I am talking about and think it will not apply to your business just think for a moment. Do you remember in the last recession when firms had to reduce their payroll costs that there were lots of people who took early retirement or were made redundant but reappeared soon after as consultants? Do you remember when there was a flurry of offers from ‘intermediaries’ to reduce payroll costs by taking a whole manual workforce from an employer and supplying them back to that same employer for a fee, the operatives being engaged through their own limited companies or via chains of agencies? If you have people working in your business who are there regularly, you know their faces, their characters, they are workmates, colleagues but they are not on your PAYE system because they are paid via other routes, you must find out more and act because you may have a problem. It is true that NASC members will have less of a problem than many in the scaffolding industry because the NASC insists on the vast majority of workers being on your own PAYE roll. But look carefully at consultants and designers – and cheer yourselves up that less responsible firms will have far greater problems to handle.

The first thing to do is to establish a list of possible problem candidates then find out who pays them and how your business pays the intermediary. If they come through an agency and the agency pays a wage that runs through PAYE, the problem is solved. If they work for their own limited company and the agency – or your firm – pays the limited company, you are square in the target of the off-payroll rules that start in April this year. These rules effectively say that the firm using the labour is responsible for any unpaid PAYE however long the chain of intermediaries and agencies and personal service companies – if no PAYE is imposed and paid in the chain. The next thing to do with your list of suspects is to CEST test them. The CEST test can be found on the HMRC website by typing in CEST. A test can be done anonymously but if you test a worker and it shows that they are self-employed it is useful to log it with that person’s name and print a copy as evidence that you did the test. If the CEST test shows that the person is an employee you must notify the services company that they work for, or the agency or intermediary – and you must get their reassurance that PAYE will be applied to the payments. You need to be confident that you trust this reassurance because your firm is on the hook for any unpaid PAYE that HMRC discover later.

Therefore, there is a great deal of activity and many firms are bringing consultants back onto their own payroll. It is a difficult time for many because there is tax and NIC employers and employees to pay, which has previously been avoided. It is a costly exercise for the worker, who wants to retain the level of their take home pay, and the employer who does not want costs to rise. The CEST website has a lot of guidance about off payroll working and is the best place to read up about the issue. Not all accountants agree that the tests online are correctly weighted but remember that the test shows where HMRC have drawn their line. You could ignore a result and argue that a worker shown by the tests as employed was in law selfemployed, but you should be prepared to pay the accountancy and legal fees that would arise if HMRC challenged you (which they would if it came to their attention). Accountants can easily give ‘gung-ho‘ advice because they will be paid to defend you in a challenge. Take care and remember to keep the evidence of Off Payroll Checks you make so that you can demonstrate that you took proper care (even if you are ever found to be wrong). By Liz Bridge, Secretary of the Joint Taxation Committee

Regulations are in place for a number of changes to be effective from 6th April 2020. At present a Written Statement of main terms of service containing specified information about key aspects of the employment relationship must be issued to new starter employees within two months of their commencement. From 6th April such a Written Statement must be issued on or before day one of employment. Additionally the issue of such information will apply not only to employees but to the category of ‘workers’ as well, such ‘workers’ also to be issued with payslips as per direct employees. There are also changes to the specified information that must be supplied, for example clarification of any probationary period arrangements, benefits (not just pay), any paid leave for reasons apart from holiday, additional detail regarding when work is required and how that may be varied and details of training requirements to carry out the work and any training that will not be employer paid. Regarding the ongoing issue of correctly determining holiday pay in an industry where numerous pay structures are used, then from 6th April the reference period for calculating holiday pay as an average, (where variable remuneration applies), increases from 12 to 52 weeks in circumstances where the employment has been for 52 weeks or more. For new starters with less than 52 weeks employment the reference period becomes the number of weeks of employment. On more macro issues the threshold for employees requesting to activate the statutory provisions for information and consultation arrangements with their employer is reduced from 10% to 2% subject in small business to a minimum number of employees making the request, (15 employees). The deferred NI affecting termination payments finally takes effect from 6th April. The first £30,000 of any ex gratia payment, including any redundancy payment, continues to be tax and NI free, however any amount above that threshold attracts income tax and employers NI. For financial years ending from January 2020 larger business became subject to a new duty to include measures taken regarding ‘employee engagement’ in that years Directors Report. We can expect Government proposals shortly in respect of changes to immigration policy and thereafter take a view on how that may affect the supply of labour. For NASC Members additional information will be posted in the Members section of the website as further clarification or guidance is issued by Government or relevant organisations.

NEURODIVERSITY We may all be human beings, but we know weÕre all individuals with differences. Some differences are visible and some are on the inside and are hidden. The word neurodiversity is an attempt to describe that peopleÕs brains can be wired up differently leading to them having different skills and behaviours. Neurotypical is a word used to describe people as “normal” and it generally means that their skills and behaviour make them well suited to our system of education. They are good are reading, good enough with numbers, able to sit still and concentrate, and good at interacting with other people. Many people are not neurotypical. We’ve all heard of people who didn’t do well at school but become very successful as adults, maybe you are one of those people. Not being successful at school shouldn’t be the end. Many people who are not neurotypical have huge skills and can, with a bit of imagination, be very productive. Once you start thinking about it you find that there are unnecessary barriers which stop some people progressing. You may be able to identify colleagues who are not neurotypical. The extremely good supervisor who avoids giving toolbox talks that they would have to read out. A brilliant designer who doesn’t socialise. Someone who is always moving even when they are being given instructions. A bit of understanding of their neurodiversity can help them to do things which you, and they, didn’t think they could do. At the NASC we are beginning to look at what sort of support can enable more people to be more successful in the access and scaffolding industry. Whether it’s making the best of the colleagues you have or recruiting good staff which you might not have previously considered, the NASC is working to provide the guidance and challenge expectations. Watch this space.

TG20:21 HERALDS THE DAWN OF A NEW DIGITAL AGE FROM THE NASC Nearly seven years ago, the HSE, the UKCG (now Build UK) and the leading players in the UK construction and industrial services sectors looked to the NASC to regulate the scaffolding sector with the specific aim of bringing its guidance into compliance with relevant Eurocodes whilst also aiming to boost levels of safety and reducing the number of accidents, injuries and deaths from work at height. Enter TG20 eGuide developers, CADS – a leading international specialist in structural engineering design, who have been serving the global construction industry with marketleading software solutions for over four decades. Their software systems and Building Information Modelling (BIM) services have been adopted by more than 10,000 customers worldwide with 70,000+ copies of CADS software in use in more than 70 countries. Their solution was TG20:13; developed in close collaboration with an NASC

working group it was a radical step change in tube and fitting scaffold design, demystifying compliance to scaffolding regulations and making design a simpler, safer and swifter affair. Provide a TG20 compliance sheet, or a bespoke scaffold design… end of story. The TG20:13 books were complemented by a highly innovative and user-friendly eGuide software app that was widely adopted and has been a major factor in helping reduce work at height accidents, injuries and fatalities ever since. CADS have once again been chosen by the NASC to work with a task group of their own members to update, improve and radically overhaul the guidance for tube and fitting scaffolding. So, what can we expect with the new TG20:21 version? The NASC is going ‘online’ according to the President Lynn Way who set out her vision of a digital future for the NASC in her inaugural speech at the NASC AGM last November.

TG20:13 has been a success but there has been a lot of feedback and comment worthy of consideration. In addition to day to day requests from all kinds of users and observers much of it came from a consultation exercise held by the NASC in May 2016 in which it sought feedback from NASC members and non-member purchasers of TG20:13.

automatically for the selected site but using an improved topography factor calculation which test results indicate may result in a reduced wind factors. Further, the wind calculation now automatically detects if the site is in a town and, if so, its distance within the town in each wind direction, resulting in an automatic calculation of the exposure correction factor.

Top of the list was to include a representative illustration of the scaffolds in TG20 compliance sheets.

The TG20:21 eGuide also allows the number of boarded lifts to be specified with optional ladder landings which can be introduced at the unboarded lifts if an external stair tower or ladder-access tower are not provided. Part boarding will not in itself affect the maximum safe height of the scaffold but the number of boarded lifts will be considered in the leg load calculation resulting in less conservative designs than the TG20:13 eGuide.

Schedule 3 (Part 2) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 requires an “assembly, use and dismantling plan” and for many straightforward scaffolds the TG20:13 compliance sheets, together with a method statement, are often sufficient apart from a representative illustration. The type of drawing that can be produced by the eGuide will never replace the expertise of an Engineer using drawing or design software. The TG20:21 compliance sheet will be double-sided with the illustration and principal compliance criteria on the front side and the detailed compliance criteria listed on the reverse in landscape format. Like the TG20:13 compliance sheet, the signoff section states the contract details, site location, the person who created it and the checker. NASC members can include their membership number. If separated from the front then the back page is still, in effect, a selfcontained compliance sheet. The NASC intends to make the TG20:20 eGuide as simple to use as its TG20:13 predecessor so that anyone with a knowledge of scaffolding, not just designer engineers and technicians, can use it successfully. The resulting compliance sheet thus provides a sufficiently informative illustration that is sufficient for the typical, repetitive work for which a TG20 compliance sheet is ideal but supplemented with bespoke drawings produced by designers and technicians where required.

Cantilever fans can be placed at a specified lift and a new screen is provided to configure the desired tie pattern. A TG20 compliant bridge can be positioned within a scaffold elevation with further screens providing for other add-ons, including loading bays and ladderaccess towers for example. TG20 tie patterns displayed in the illustration will automatically adapt to the position of any add-ons. If the façade is permeable (i.e. with significant openings) the representation will be coloured differently. Façade, ledger, plan bracing and structural transoms will also be displayed in positions calculated automatically.

Being an online app the deployment and licensing models adopted will allow the TG20:21 eGuide to be accessed on any Windows, Mac, iOS or Android device with a modern web browser.

one set of guidance free of charge via free subscriptions and a discounted rate on subsequent licenses. But the NASC digital portal will be available to all – boosting scaffolding safety further still.

There will be no software to download and purchasers of the eGuide will access the service via a link from the NASC website using their unique serial number and login credentials. Crucially, the guidance displayed in the new TG20:21 eGuide will always be the latest, up-to-date version, with the apps auto-updating, without needing to re-install them, just like on your smart phone.

The NASC is acutely concerned that it should deliver the best possible value for money to its membership and as a matter of principle wishes to refresh its technical and safety guidance on a regular basis. Feedback from software specialists CADS also reinforced the view that the current eGuide was getting a bit ‘long in the tooth’ and that the TG20 revamp was also a timely opportunity for a technology refresh. All concerned are confident that TG20:21 will take the NASC’s scaffolding guidance to the next level.

The target publication date is February 2021 and the first launch of the NASC eGuide will include electronic copies of refreshed TG20:21 Operational, Design and User Guides. As with TG20:13, NASC members will receive

By Ian Chambers, International Sales & Marketing Director at CADS

Visual representations of the software only. Numbers may not be accurate.

The site location will again be selected from a map, with options available to search for an address and to automatically read the address for the given map marker location. Then the TG20 wind factor will be calculated

BEST IN SHOW

NASC PRESIDENT’S AWARD

The NASC Awards celebrate the experience, expertise and innovation of NASC members. More than 50 entries were submitted across seven categories for the 2019 Awards. The winners were unveiled at a sell-out awards ceremony held at Celtic Manor, Newport, in November 2019.

Crossway Scaffolding (Elland) Ltd won this award for their efforts in increasing the provision of mental health and wellbeing support they give to their employees.

EA Scaffolding & Systems Ltd was awarded the complicated and time sensitive Gade Valley Viaduct scaffolding contract to provide safe access and containment to each of the 11 spans and piers supporting the 480m stretch of M25 at Junction 20 at Kings Langley.

PROJECT OF THE YEAR – TURNOVER OVER £5 MILLION GKR Scaffolding Ltd: Battersea Power Station - External Scaffold Package GKR Scaffolding Ltd was contracted to provide scaffolding and access on Phase 2 works at Battersea, restoring and renovating the power station into commercial, retail and high-end residential space. GKR supplied full external scaffolding around the entire height and perimeter of the building. In total, there are 7.2 miles of lifts with 25 lifts on each of the four wash towers. If run end to end, the boards used would reach 43.2 miles. The scaffold is 60.8m at its highest point. GKR also installed complex hanging scaffolding on each of the wash towers to solve a fragile brickwork problem. With brickwork specialists PAYE concerned that pressure on the outer wall of the towers might cause a collapse, GKR engineers devised a hanging scaffold solution that only required two support points. Each section was constructed on the ground and craned into place within

a purpose-built frame, with access scaffold built up from the ground to meet the hanging scaffold. The scale of the project required GKR to address its business model, ensuring that taking on a project of this size, did not detrimentally impact other operations. To achieve this, GKR set up a separate business unit dedicated to servicing Battersea Power Station, with its own management, health & safety and commercial specialists, engineers as well as a team of 100 operatives and black hats.

The section of the Grand Union Canal situated within Kings Langley is considered to be one of the busiest stretches of the canal in Hertfordshire, a popular route, a steady daily flow of canal barges passes underneath the viaduct bridge, the adjacent towpath also provides a pleasant and picturesque walk for numerous sightseers and members of the local community throughout both the day and early evening. With no historic drawings of the canal, design of the scaffold structure commenced from scratch, this subsequently proved to be one of the most challenging design element of the entire project, along with consideration to ensure the founding ground was suitable to withstand the imposed loadings of scaffold structure, the design also had to factor and strategise a build method to accommodate a stipulated sensitive time constraint negotiated with the client and the Canal Trust.

From this conversation, Crossway’s commitment to tackling mental health and wellbeing in the workplace was born and quickly snowballed. Crossway began by raising money for Andy’s Man Club, a charity that helped the scaffolder in question and support men struggling with mental health issues across the UK.

PROJECT OF THE YEAR – TURNOVER UP TO £5 MILLION E A Scaffolding & Systems Ltd: Span No 3, Gade Valley Viaduct M25 Kings Langley

with depression by his GP – something he did despite fears of the stigma that sadly goes hand in hand with mental health.

These activities arose from a single Crossway scaffolder’s decision to talk to management about being diagnosed

The company has subsequently signed the Time to Change initiative and placed mental health at the heart of their working practices and policies.

APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR Edward Oldridge - High Peak Scaffolding Ltd Ed is becoming a great scaffolder, he has natural ability and understanding of the role and its requirements however it is his calm, understated but committed approach to work and outstanding work ethic that sets him apart. He takes on board instructions and is not afraid to ask for help if he doesn’t understand something. Equally, Ed is not afraid to make suggestions or provide alternative solutions.

INNOVATION AWARD Layher Ltd (FlexBeam) Suspended, cantilevered and gantry scaffold construction has been simplified and enhanced with the introduction of the Layher FlexBeam design. Providing 40% higher bending load capacity – when compared to the company’s established Lattice Beam 450 – and yet without the need for compression chord bracing the design also enables lower construction heights to be achieved and increases the range of locations that can benefit. A U-shaped section is at the heart of the product’s design which allows the direct suspension of system decks, while installations can still be connected directly to Layher’s Allround

Ed’s overall attitude and approach to work results in him being helpful to others on a daily basis. He is 100% punctual and reliable. Nothing is ever too much trouble for him – this means he is frequently one of the first name suggested by the Planning Manager and also frequently requested by all the Sales Managers, Contracts managers and Site Supervisors to work on their projects. scaffolding system. The company has also introduced additional fittings with the FlexBeam to extend its suitability to a wider range of application environments – these include lift-off protectors, tie-rod connectors and concrete anchors, while a spigot simplifies connection between individual beam sections. With a choice of lengths available, Layher FlexBeam has been proven in both conventional scaffold installations and those that require installation on curved structures such as bridges

HEALTH AND SAFETY AWARD – 67+ EMPLOYEES GKR Scaffolding Ltd GKR«s focus in 2019 was to implement a cultural change to drive continuous improvement in safety and also introduce a company-wide commitment to wellbeing and mental health. Through its new ‘Share, Learn, Improve’ initiative, GKR operatives were encouraged to report near misses, suggestions and positive observations on site, rather than fearing a ‘blamegame’ if they raised any issues. Every month a project team is selected to receive a reward based on quality or volume of suggestions. Since its introduction, the scheme has led to a rise in near-miss reporting but also a decrease in incidents, indicating that sharing and learning from near misses reduces incidents. In terms of mental health, GKR has signed the Building Mental Health Charter and trained 25 mental health first aiders to date. Wellbeing topics and mental health toolbox talks are now included in all company inductions.

HEALTH AND SAFETY AWARD – 1-66 EMPLOYEES Apex Scaffolding (Exeter) Ltd Apex has implemented a number of initiatives that demonstrated the company’s commitment towards health and safety excellence. These range from keeping their workforce involved and informed of H&S matters through weekly contract team meetings and toolbox talks, the employment of a full-time Scaffold Inspector and the nomination of a scaffolders’ health and safety representative. Apex has also raised the bar in terms of on-site safety through the introduction of CE certified and serial numbered tool tethers, the use of digital inspection software and reducing the risks posed from dropped objects by installing mini catch fans.

NASC GUIDANCE INDEX Technical Guidance

(UR) = currently under review

Guidance No.

Publication Date

TG1

TBC

Temporary Edge Protection for Sloping and Flat Roofs (UR)

TG2

N/A

No longer used

TG3 TG4 TG5

Erection, Use and Dismantling of Temporary Rubbish Chutes on Scaffolding

Anchorage Systems for Scaffolding

Timber scaffold boards – An introduction to the revised standard BS2482:2009 (UR)

TG6

Care and Maintenance of Scaffold Boards

TG7

Scaffold Board Nailplates (UR)

TG8

Fire Damage (UR)

TG9

TG10

Contractual Guidance

(UR) = currently under review

Publication Date

Title

SG1

Control of Substance Hazardous to Health in Scaffolding (COSHH) (UR)

SG20

Consultation with the Workforce

SG21

Entry into Confined Spaces

SG22

Induction Training

Pavement Licences

SG3

N/A

Document incorporated into SG5

SG23

N/A

Document not in system

CG2

Set-Off Programmes

Preventing Falls in Scaffolding Operations (UR)

N/A

SG24

CG3

SG4

Document now incorporated in SG7

CG4

N/A

Document not in system

SG5

Overhead Power Sources and Earthing of Scaffold Structures

SG25

Access and Egress from Scaffolds (UR)

CG5

Contractual Issues Relating to Hiring of Hoists

SG6

Manual Handling in the Scaffolding Industry

SG26

Scaffolding & Hoists (UR)

CG6

March 20

SG7

SG27

Temporary Edge Protection on Open Steelwork (UR)

CG7

Risk Assessments & Method Statements

SG8

Reporting of Accidents Procedure and RIDDOR

SG28

Use, Inspection and Maintenance of Lifting Equipment […] in the Scaffolding Industry (UR)

Safe System of Work for Scaffolding Associated with Timber Frame Building Construction

SG29

Internal Edge Protection on Scaffold Platforms

SG10

Requirements for the Use of Brickguards

SG30

Management of Road Haulage for the Scaffolding Contractor

SG11

Noise (UR)

SG31

Management of Slips, Trips and Falls

SG12

N/A

SG32

SG13

Provision of Extended and Telescopic Transoms and Board Brackets

SG33

Guide to the Construction of Scaffold Loading Bays and Loadbearing Platforms (UR)

Scaffolding Design Late Payment of Commercial Debts

CG8

Preparation of Quotations

CG9

Payment Under the Construction Act

CG10

Adjudication – Its use by the Sub-contractor

Preparation of Schedule of Rates Contract Clauses

CG13

Flame Retardant Treatments for Timber Scaffold Boards and Battens (UR)

Pre-Tender Information from client

CG14

CG15

Feb 20

TG13

Guidance No.

CG1

Title

CG12

TG12

Publication Date

SG2

Guide to the Design and Construction of Temporary Roofs and Buildings

Stress Corrosion Cracking in High Tensile and Alloy Steels (UR)

Guidance No.

Title

Publication Date

(UR) = currently under review

Asbestos Licences and Ancillary Work Involving the Scaffolding Contractor (UR)

Guidance No.

CG11

TG11

Pre-Contract Meetings

SG9

NEC3

Document not in system Health Surveillance in Scaffolding Document not in system – for information about Safety Nets refer to FASET

CG16

Employment Contracts

SG14

N/A

Tying Down of Scaffold Boards

CG17

Commercial Pitfalls for the Scaffolding Contractor (UR)

SG15

Drugs and Alcohol at Work

SG34

Non-Standard Boarded Platform

Guidance on Protection of the Public

CG18

Daywork (UR)

Management of Fall Protection Equipment (UR)

SG35

CG19

Liquidated and Ascertained Damages

SG16

TG14

Supplementary Couplers and Check Couplers (UR)

Handover of Scaffold Structures (UR)

SG17

N/A

Document incorporated in SG16

TG15

N/A

SG18

Welfare Facilities for the Scaffolding Contractor (UR)

SG36

Unauthorised Modifications to Scaffolds

SG37

Effective Supervision

A Guide to Formulating a Rescue Plan

SG38

Guidance on Mental Health & Wellbeing

TG16

Title

Safety Guidance

No longer used Anchoring to the Ground (UR) Identification of BS EN74 Scaffold Fittings (UR)

CG20

Feb 20

CG21

TBC

CG22

Feb 20

A Guide to Monitoring and Chasing Debt Eligibility to Work

TG17

TG18

N/A

No longer used

CG23

TG19

N/A

No longer used

CG24

TBC

Guide to Staff Handbook

TG20

Guide to Good Practice for Tube and Fitting Scaffolding (UR)

CG25

TBC

Common Contract Terminology

TG21

TBC

A Guide to Commissioning Scaffold Designs

TG22

TBC

Design of Part Boarded and Other Scaffolds (Not Referred to Elsewhere)

TG23

TBC

Lacing and Bracing of Beams

TG24

TBC

Scaffold Products not Covered by Standards

Security Guidance

Early Payment Schemes

SG19

Training Costs Agreements

(UR) = currently under review

Product Guidance Guidance No.

Publication Date

PG1

Purchasing Guidelines for EN 39_2001 Tube (4.0mm)

PG2

Purchasing Guidelines for EN 10219-1_2006 High Tensile Tube (3.2mm)

PG3

Purchasing Guidelines for BS 2482_2009 Timber Boards

Title

Guidance No.

Publication Date

Title

SecG2

Reporting of Theft to the Police (UR)

PG4

Purchasing Guidelines for EN 74-1 Couplers

SecG4

Stock Control (UR)

PG5

Purchasing Guidelines for Aluminium Beams

SecG5

Vehicle Theft (UR)

PG6

Purchasing Guidelines for EN 12810_11 System Scaffold

NASC T: 020 7822 7400 W: www.nasc.org.uk E: enquiries@nasc.org.uk 4th Floor 12 Bridewell Place London EC4V 6AP