There are many things you’ll be considering if you’re starting a new construction project, but is the environment one of them? If not, then you might be interested to learn that the construction sector contributes significantly to air and water pollution, is responsible for a huge amount of landfill waste, and is a leading contributor to climate change. At Network Scaffold Services, we’re aware of the toll that our work, and that of the construction industry in general, can take on our planet. With this in mind, we’re committed to trying to reduce the negative impact that our work has on the environment. Our environmental impact commitment At Network Scaffold Services we are committed to utilising any resources required for our work as efficiently as possible. We do this by promoting recycling and waste management, and encouraging energy conservation wherever possible. We also aim to reduce the waste, pollution, and other negative emissions that result from our work, and ensure that we strictly adhere to all relevant environmental legislative practices and regulations. As an additional layer of our environmental commitment, we also ensure that all of our staff are trained in line with our environmental policy, to ensure that it’s completely understood, and complied with at all times. Our promise to you Our goal is to strike the perfect balance between fulfilling our client’s requirements, to the utmost standards of safety, and ensuring that we minimise the effect of our work on the environment. We are committed to the upkeep and development of these goals, and we pride ourselves on providing cost-effective, high-quality solutions to our clients, combined with our environmental policy, to deliver an all-round package. Contact us for more information If you require any scaffolding services, or have any questions about our work to reduce our environmental impact, please don’t hesitate to contact us and speak to a member of our fantastic team...
Read Moreabout Reducing the Environmental Impact of our Work
2021 has already brought with it a whole range of unsavoury weather conditions! But what does this mean for working with scaffolding? The risks of working at a height in bad weather should not be understated, and working in improper weather conditions can be extremely hazardous. However, there are ways that you can ensure that your employees stay safe during periods of bad weather. Introduce extra safety checks for scaffolding As a requirement of the Working at Height Regulations 2005, scaffolding should be checked after every incident of bad weather. It’s important to ensure that planks are not slippery, particularly after rain or snow, or if there has been a risk of ice. Take precautions If you know you will be using scaffolding during a predicted period of bad weather, it’s worth considering this in advance. That way you can take extra precautions and steps to weatherproof your scaffolding as much as possible. For example, temporary roofs can assist in protecting scaffolding from extreme weather conditions. In addition, ensuring that workers wear harnesses and any other safety equipment and footwear, is of the utmost importance, particularly during inclement weather. So it’s important to ensure that your site is fully supplied with this equipment and that you implement checks to ensure your staff are following proper procedures. Prioritise the safety of your staff When your employees are working in difficult weather conditions, it’s extremely important to prioritise their safety. It’s important to stay abreast of weather forecasts, and call off work in advance if extreme weather is predicted. Additionally, ensuring proper, more regular breaks are taken by your staff is extremely important, working in cold conditions can impact the wellbeing of your staff, and increase the likelihood of them making mistakes. Ensure that your staff have plenty of hot drinks, and access to a warm place to take their breaks. Contact us for more information If you require any scaffolding services from Network Scaffold or are concerned about weather conditions, please don’t hesitate to contact us and speak to a member of our fantastic team...
Read Moreabout Using Scaffolding in Bad Weather
As we begin the second month of lockdown, at Network Scaffold Services we are still operating, and providing a range of professional scaffolding services to clients throughout the Midlands. The current lockdown restrictions allow for individuals to leave home for work purposes- when working from home is not possible, including those who work within the construction industry. At Network Scaffold Services our services are considered essential, and as such we are able to remain operating, and providing our fantastic scaffolding services, while strictly adhering to social distancing guidelines to ensure the safety of our staff and customers. Our Scaffolding Services No matter your requirements, you can rely on us to provide the perfect scaffolding solution. We offer services to private individuals, local authorities, industrial and commercial sectors, and house building construction applications. Access scaffold erecting We specialise in erecting and dismantling access scaffold structures, we can provide access scaffolding that is custom built to meet your individual needs. Edge protection Our edge protection systems include mesh barrier systems, counterweight systems, tubular guardrail solutions and screen protection systems. Alloy Towers All of our staff are trained in accordance with the 2005 Working at Height regulations, and with our years of experience in the scaffolding industry, you won’t find a safer provider of alloy towers. Scaffold design Our team will work with you to ensure that your scaffold structure is designed to the required standard, using bespoke calculations. Safety decking Our safety decking provides an innovative fall prevention system, plus a light-duty access platform. Plastic hoarding We offer plastic hoarding services for anyone requiring a site boundary to be hoarded off securely. Contact us for more information If you require any scaffolding services, please don’t hesitate to contact us and speak to a member of our fantastic team today! If you have any questions, visit our FAQ section to find the answers to our most frequently asked...
Read Moreabout We Are Still Operating
Between 2007 and 2008 34 construction workers in the UK died after a fall from a height, and every year over 4,000 major injuries are reported by the UK construction industry, with over half of these injuries resulting from a fall. Working at height can be extremely challenging and dangerous, no matter the size of the job. So it’s important that construction workers have the correct equipment and protection, to ensure that they can complete their work quickly and safely. Scaffolding is an extremely important component in the protection of construction workers, but sometimes it can be difficult to decide whether a job actually requires it or not. So how do you know if you need scaffolding? Accessibility If elements of your job involve workers accessing hard to reach areas, scaffolding will definitely be a requirement in order for the job to be completed safely. Even seemingly straightforward jobs like painting a building can require scaffold structures, if external areas of the building are difficult, or impossible to reach with ladders. An extensive scaffolding job When you’re undertaking a big job, you’ll most likely require scaffolding. The likelihood of a job requiring scaffold structures increases with the number of people who will be working at a height simultaneously. In addition, if the job is likely to take a decent amount of time to complete, it would be advisable to erect scaffold. Using scaffolding means that your safety equipment can stay erect 24/7, saving set up time in the mornings, while scaffolding can also help to protect work sites from the elements, which is helpful during bad spells of weather. If your job involves an extensive amount of work then the use of scaffolding is almost always advisable. Does the ground need protection? Scaffolding is designed to protect not only the workers at height, but also workers, and any other passers-by, on the ground. If your job involves many tools and materials being used at a height, then there is a chance that they could be dropped or knocked to the ground, and potentially cause a life-threatening injury. In this case, scaffolding with edge protection is essential, regardless of the nature of the actual job itself. Contact us for more...
Read Moreabout When do you Need Scaffolding?
Safety decking from Network Scaffold Services, are often utilised indoors to undertake repairs and redecorating work at ceiling height. These systems are almost always constructed on the inside of the new build properties so tasks such as installing floor joists, plaster boarding and painting ceilings can be completed safely and securely. Because they are internal deck scaffolds, safety decking is usually a lighter duty structure which means they can be built and dismantled quite quickly. Although there should still be full consideration for health and safety regulations. Trade contractors such as painters and joiners need to be assured of a safe working environment just as much as builders working on an open construction site. It is important to remember, this type of decking system needs to be built by qualified scaffolders. What Does Safety Decking Look Like? Safety decking needs to be tied or braced to the scaffolding to make sure that the top boards are stable. This system needs to be tested before it is used to ensure that it does not sway or list to the side. For a safety deck to be safe, close attention needs to be paid to the top work platform which should be built with no gaps. It is advisable that appropriate protective measures like toe guards or rails are included. This structure must offer an enclosed working area for contractors, avoiding any risk of falling through any gaps to meet industry standards. Talk to the Scaffolding Specialists If you are looking for the complete scaffolding system, include safety decks, get in touch with Network Scaffold Services today. We are the leading scaffolding company for clients across Derby and Nottingham, servicing both the domestic and commercial sectors. Network Scaffold has also recently started providing plastic hoarding, which is ideal to protect your construction...
Read Moreabout The Diverse Uses of Safety Decking
Plastic hoarding can be seen every single day, whether to cover up building works or keep us safe from construction sites. Network Scaffold has recently expanded its services to provide both hoarding and safety decking for our established clients plus new ones. For this blog, we will share some of the ways plastic hoarding can be used in different settings. The Many Uses of Plastic Hoarding Typically a hoarding tends to serve two common purposes – to promote and for health and safety, however, there are a few more to consider – Advertising and Marketing – Hoarding is often used for advertising and marketing by companies or organisations to promote a product where there is high public footfall. Historically these hoardings are cheaper to place than a similar-sized billboard. Entice Customers – Hoardings can also attract business to a company, creating curiosity for development or attraction that is coming soon. The nature of hiding a site behind a hoarding naturally piques people’s interest and with the correct messaging can leave them awaiting the big reveal. Construction Site Hoarding – Health and safety is the main reason for having a building site employ hoarding. Separating the general public from a construction site prevents unauthorised access and improves site security. Additionally, having secure fencing along your perimeter means you can have controlled access to the site for contractors. Plastic hoarding can also be used to communicate health and safety information, providing warnings about potential hazards. This is essential to comply with on-site regulations. Get in Touch to Place Your Order If you would be interested in ordering hoarding, safety decking or scaffolding, please contact Network Scaffold Services today. We offer all of the aforementioned services to customers across Derby, Nottingham and the surrounding areas. Despite the recently announced third UK lockdown, we are classed as an essential business and will remain open and able to serve our...
Read Moreabout The Purpose of Plastic Hoarding