As a considerate employer and scaffold provider Network Scaffold, always ensure all of our staff are supported through any mental health issues. In our latest blog, we are going to discuss a new initiative from the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation to support scaffolders. World Mental Health Day supports Scaffolders The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation recently announced, as part of World Mental Health Day on 10th October 2019, that they will be offering free guidance and advice on mental health. The aim of this campaign is to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and raising awareness of the different support services available to workers in the scaffolding industry. This has been one of the key objectives of the NASC’s Head for Heights campaign, which started last year. One of the key achievements of the campaign to date has been the production of SG38:19, dedicated health and wellbeing policy guidance. This document is designed to help employers adopt a clear approach to provision and includes resources, advice and contact details of other organisations who can provide support. Another resource from the NASC is the mental health toolbox talk, which has been circulated to over 300 members and is a short presentation that instructs employers how to start conversations with their employees about their mental health. Safe and Secure Scaffolding from Network Scaffold Here at Network Scaffold, we understand the disciplines of health and safety, are integral to providing the best scaffolding for your project. If you’d like to know more about our health and safety procedures, please read our Health & Safety Policy. Want to Work with a Leading Scaffolding Provider? Get in Touch! We regularly work on a mix of domestic and commercial projects right across the East Midlands in areas such as Derby, Nottingham, Burton on Trent and Loughborough plus we branch out to Staffordshire. Our company is continually looking to improve our working practices, which is why we are accredited to BS OHSAS 18001:2007, meaning all of our work meets industry and our customers standards. If you’ve got a project that needs scaffolding in Nottingham, get in touch...
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A high-quality scaffold erecting from Network Scaffold gives you a safe and secure platform to work at elevated levels on numerous types of buildings. We often work with construction firms on new build sites or on revamping the look of buildings that may have seen better days. Our access scaffolding gives you easy access (excuse the pun) to ceilings plus building facades. But what happens when it’s time to remove the scaffolding from the building? Have a read below at how our team will safely dismantle your scaffolding. Your Five-Step Guide to Dismantling Scaffolding 1. First, we will clear a space nearby to set the dismantled pieces of scaffolding down. Once the scaffold is dismantled, we will set it aside for inspection later. In this space for the dismantled parts, we will need enough room for truck access to transport the parts to a loading area. 2. Now we will examine the entire scaffold structure. This begins with the base, making sure the structure is sound and there are no visible hazards. Any ties that have previously been removed must now be put back in place. Next, we check each individual platform to make sure the wood hasn’t been damaged during your project. If the wood has been damaged, then we will remove it and replace it. 3. The dismantling of the scaffold starts at the top, removing the guardrail and posts initially using the necessary tools. We will then pass the components down from person to person and will clear this area to prevent any pieces falling on members of your team. 4. The remainder of the platform will be removed from the section below. The ties which hold the structure to the building will only be removed once the entire platform they support is removed. Dismantling scaffolding works exactly the same as its construction – only in reverse. 5. Finally, we will examine all of the scaffolding components now they have been removed. Parts that are beyond repair will be set aside for disposal later. Network Scaffold are extremely safety conscious scaffold providers and would not supply any parts that could lead to any injuries. All of the undamaged and repairable pieces will then be transported from...
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Construction sites can be dangerous if health and safety regulations aren’t followed by workers. Here at Network Scaffold, we understand this, and this is the reason we have such a strict health and safety policy. When working on scaffolding in Tamworth, you need to make sure your workers are safe at all times plus the general public if you are working in populated areas. Common Sense and the Rules of a Construction Site A recent study from a provider of industry workwear has revealed some of the most ludicrous health and safety rules from different firms. Here are some of the most bizarre rules they discovered – • Banning Short Sleeves – Given the recent heatwave across the country, this policy seems quite strange. The poll revealed 31% of participants were banned from wearing short sleeve shirts on site. A growing trend in the industry is for more and more companies employing a ‘long-sleeve PPE’ policy when working on their sites. • Hard Hats Aren’t Compulsory – Across the construction industry, around 3% of workers polled sustained a work-related head injury with 11% of these coming from being struck by an object. Whilst it isn’t 100% compulsory by law to wear a safety helmet it’s expected of workers and anyone entering the site to lower the risk of head injuries. • No Ban on Heavy Lifting – According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) handling, lifting and carrying heavy items make up 20% of non-fatal injuries to employees. These factors can cause immediate damage to muscles and tendons such as sprains and pains – leading to longer-term or recurrent problems. Domestic and Commercial Scaffolding in Tamworth For both domestic and commercial scaffolding in Tamworth, there’s only one choice – Network Scaffold Services! With a rich vein of experience, we have been providing an excellent standard of workmanship for decades to customers right across the Midlands. Here are some projects or operations you can use scaffolding – • Roofing maintenance and repair • New Builds • Shoring for unstable structures whilst property redevelopment takes place Plus Network Scaffold are a BS OHSAS 18001:2007 accredited contractor and a member of a Scaffolding Association; giving you assurance of our quality. Talk...
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Scaffolding in Staffordshire from Network Scaffold is one of the best ways to prevent accidents and injuries in the construction industry. Combining years of experience with a keen eye for continued developments of health and safety; you will not find better equipment in the Midlands. Government Support for Workplace Safety A recent report from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has revealed the number of workplace fatal injuries has increased in Great Britain during 2018/19. This has sparked support from the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Working at Height to improve worker safety. Alison Thewliss, MP for Glasgow Central and Chair of the APPG commented, “It’s imperative that the Government take forward the recommendations made in the report which have been devised with input from industry and key stakeholders. “We’ve already had a positive response from the Government and the HSE, but time is of the essence when it comes to safety in the workplace and we need to ensure these actions are taken forward as quickly as possible.” Despite this increase, the UK still has the lowest rate of workplace fatalities across the EU. Scaffolding in Staffordshire That Keeps You Safe Network Scaffold Services comply with all the latest Health and Safety and industry regulations ensuring your scaffolding provides another layer of security for your workers and the general public. Here’s some advice for erecting scaffolding safely and essential tips for use: • All of our scaffolds is equipped with guardrails, midrails and toeboards • Scaffold platforms are tightly planked with scaffold plank grade material or an equivalent • We recommend appointing a competent member of your team to check your scaffolding before work begins, intermittently throughout the project and before its disassembled • The synthetic and natural rope used in erecting the scaffolding is protected from heat-producing sources • We also recommend the scaffold is at least 10 feet away from electric power lines Get in Touch for Scaffolding in Staffordshire Network Scaffold Services supplies subcontract scaffold for private individuals, commercial scaffold applications, municipal and industrial for clients across the Midlands including Staffordshire and Tamworth. Our well-situated depot means we have easy access to all major routes such as the A50, A38 and M1 are easily accessible....
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Network Scaffold is proud to be part of the SMAS Worksafe Contractor Scheme, one of the most important accreditations in the construction industry. All of the scaffolding work we carry out for clients across Derbyshire, Nottingham, Tamworth and Staffordshire is completed to the strictest health and safety regulations. Here we are going to look at what it entails to be part of the SMAS scheme. Health and Safety Guaranteed with Network Scaffold This renowned Health and Safety certification are recognised by thousands of organisations around the country. Since the launch of Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSiP), many contractors now adopt this model as a working template for health and safety in the scaffold industry. Network Scaffold holding the SMAS accreditation clearly demonstrates our capability to meet core criteria and has given us a level of industry recognition. We are fully committed to continually improving and developing all of our staff which is why we also work to OHSAS 18001:2007 working standards. Being part of the Scaffolding Association helps us to have access to the latest training for staff, which is delivered to PAS91 standard which has been developed by the British Standards Institute (BSI). Environmentally Conscious Scaffolding in Tamworth Network Scaffold is fully aware that the construction industry has an impact on the environment we live in, which is why we aim to reduce the negative impacts of our operations where possible. We strike a perfect balance between our customer’s expectations, the safety of operatives and the public whilst protecting the environment. All of our scaffolding Tamworth works in line with our environmental policy plus its cost-effective for our customers. We offer access scaffolding and standard scaffolding for private individuals, local authorities, industrial and commercial sector plus house building construction applications. If you’d like to know more about working with Network Scaffold, please get in touch...
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The safety of workers and the general public is of paramount importance when working on sites with scaffolding in Staffordshire. Network Scaffold Services combine a wealth of experience with a meticulous approach towards health and safety. In our latest blog, we are going to look at how safety procedures and legislation have changed over the years to make sites safer. Accident-Free Scaffolding in Staffordshire For some perspective, back in 1977 the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) reported an astonishing 700 incidents in the UK! Fast forward 40 years to 2017 and this figure has plummeted 87% to 89, with greater emphasis on safety equipment, procedures and guidance. The NASC was founded back in 1945 and provides effective guidance for scaffolders including tips on working at height and has become the world’s reputed authority on all things scaffolding. Innovations in Scaffolding In the early 1900s scaffolding was constructed from wood or bamboo whereas today we use the more robust steel for the scaffold. When metal scaffolding was first used, rope was deemed ineffective which led to brothers Daniel and David Palmer-Jones creating fixings that could hold together both wood and metal scaffolding. They went on to create the Universal Coupler which is still used on construction sites today. The scaffolding industry today has increased guidance from industry bodies (such as NASC) plus the employment of effective training techniques by contractors such as Network Scaffold Services. Scaffolding in Staffordshire from Trusted Suppliers Network Scaffold provide the highest quality of scaffolding in Staffordshire and surrounding areas such as Derby and Nottingham. We believe the key to good business is having a Health and Safety policy that calls for continuous improvement of standards and site management. If you’d like a better idea about our commitment to health and safety download our Manual. Get in touch today for all of your scaffold requirements for commercial and domestic...
Read Moreabout The Changing Face of Safety for Scaffolding in Staffordshire