In the UK, we are accustomed to seeing steel scaffolding being erected with plastic safety decking littered throughout the construction. However, scaffolding has not always been like this and on top of this, scaffolding is very different in other countries at the moment. Being a premium supplier of scaffolding from Derbyshire, we can not speak to the expertise of other countries and their scaffolding but we can take a look at how their practices differ from ours. Scaffolding has been around for a very long time and since then there have been many variations. Some early records suggest that brass was used for scaffolding instead of steel or aluminium in countries such as Egypt. So let’s take a look at some of the different scaffolding that is used around the world and let’s see how it may vary from our format. Bamboo One of the most notable differences between different scaffolding around the world is the use Bamboo instead of aluminium or steel. Whilst aluminium is significantly more popular in Europe and the western hemisphere, bamboo is the material of choice for scaffolding in a lot of Asian countries such as China, Japan and India. Bamboo scaffolding has some surprising advantages. The material is extremely strong and resilient, making it very effective when it comes to scaffolding. This unique type of scaffolding is quoted as lasting for around 3-5 years. It’s not all so positive when it comes to Bamboo scaffolding however. For safety reasons bamboo can not be used on buildings over 6 stories tall. Additionally, Bamboo shrinks and expands when it gets wet. This can create many problems in more extreme weather conditions. Kwikstage Scaffolding Whilst this type of scaffolding is popular in Scotland, arguably it is most used in Australia. The non-slip platforms and double guard rails significantly improve the safety and reliability of the scaffolding; making it a great an ideal option for countries where the health and safety aspect of the scaffolding is at the forefront. Frame & Brace Scaffolding Frame and brace Scaffolding is particularly popular on residential and commercial projects in North America. This very light scaffolding is extremely popular in North America as it can be easily erected and dismantled. It...
Read Moreabout How is Scaffolding Different Around the World?
Here at Network Scaffold Services, we specialise in offering scaffolding services across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Loughborough, Staffordshire and the surrounding areas of the Midlands. With a vast array of services available that all adhere to the latest health and safety regulations, we’re well equipped to help with any queries that you may have. One of our FAQs is people asking what scaffolding they may need. In order to explore this in more depth, we’ve put together the following article. It’s extremely important to give scaffold services full consideration as cutting corners can often lead to potentially fatal results. 2019 saw scaffolding injuries fall to an all-time low according to the NASC with only 74 incidents reported throughout the year. Our commitment to keeping safe, from pedestrians to your workers, means that we’re aiming to continue bringing this number further and further down. Bespoke Scaffolding Required Due to the Work at Height Regulations 2005, it is required that your scaffolding is assembled to a generally recognised standard configuration. It must also be designed using bespoke calculation ensuring that adequate strength, rigidity and stability are guaranteed whilst it’s being erected, used and dismantled. Here at Network Scaffold Services Stafford, we understand that and work hard to ensure that any scaffold gets properly designed around your project’s specification. In order for us to be able to design your bespoke scaffolding across Derbyshire and the surrounding Midlands, we will need certain information to base our design upon. This includes a variety of information including anything from the location of the site to the maximum working loads to be imposed on the scaffold. To see the full list of information to include, you can take a look at our scaffold design page. What Bespoke Scaffold Design is Available? Here at Network Scaffold Services Stafford, we have provided scaffolding for a variety of sites across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Loughborough and Staffordshire. Therefore, you can trust us to cater for a wide variety of projects. In order to provide our clients with the ultimate experience, we also offer the following services: Access Scaffold Erecting Edge Protection Alloy Towers As a part of each of these services, our team can work alongside you to understand your needs and supply...
Read Moreabout What Scaffolding Do I Need?
Across the scaffolding industry, the number of accidents and injuries fell to an all-time low in 2019. This is according to the NASC, with just 74 incidents reported throughout the calendar year. Explaining the NASC Safety Report These figures were released in the NASC 2020 Safety Report, a document which analyses accident and injury stats for all members, which encompasses 17,000 scaffolding operatives in the UK. Another fantastic statistic revealed that 99% of NASC member-employed operatives went through the whole of 2019 injury-free. For the seventh year in a row, there was also no operative fatalities. The 74 incidents equate to one injury for every 230 operatives, a significant improvement on last year’s one injury for every 150 operatives. From the total incidents, 13 were recorded as major (meaning they required hospital treatment) with the rest recorded as over 7-days. Both of these figures were also the lowest on record. Slips, trips and falls accounted for the majority of reported incidents – 28 in total. This is now the 15th year in a row that slips, trips and falls have been the main cause of injury to operatives. This accounts for 21% of injuries in 2019. Lynn Way, NASC President commented, “The 2020 Safety Report demonstrates in no uncertain terms that NASC members are incredibly safe, and justifies the decision taken by an increasing number of main contractors to specify NASC-only for their scaffolding requirements.” The Safest Scaffolding in Derby Our first priority here at Network Scaffold is the safety of both our staff, on-site workers and members of the public – dependant on the type of job. This is why our Health and Safety Policy is so robust, encompassing – Compliance with the latest laws and regulations Effective communication relating to safety on-site Collaboration with customers and suppliers to ensure jobs are delivered safely Constant re-assessment of our procedures to adapt to new site practices We also support any worker who refuses to work on a site due to poor health and safety Network Scaffold is the leading provider of scaffolding in Derby; if you would like to know more about our services please contact us...
Read Moreabout Safe Scaffolding Means Less Accidents
Here at Network Scaffold, we understand the importance of having the right qualifications before starting a career in scaffolding. You can begin at entry level as a scaffolding labourer or trainee without formal qualifications, and through on-going training and industry recognised courses carve a career out within the industry. The UK scaffolding sector is made up of thousands of companies of all shapes and sizes. Network Scaffold understands the importance of developing younger staff, which is the reason we are part of the Scaffolding Association, which also helps us to constantly improve our practice to be the best in the industry. With safety in mind, we are also accredited by Safety Schemes in Procurement and recognised as a SMAS Worksafe Contractor. Training Tips for Budding Scaffolders If you are considering a career in scaffolding, here are some essential tips to help you succeed and reach your full potential. Choose the right course and training provider – When deciding which course to enrol onto, you need to make sure the training you will receive is of the highest standard and leads to recognised and relevant qualifications. Scaffolding apprenticeships aren’t age-restricted, meaning anyone can start a course if they choose to. Scaffolding places a large emphasis on English and Mathematics, so having existing qualifications in these areas is also beneficial. Hard Work Pays Off – Pay attention at all times during your training, turn up to training prepared and on time and always ask questions about things you don’t understand and always stay motivated. Combine Work Experience with Training – There is no substitute for real on-the-job experience, so being able to combine training qualifications with working experience will help you get a better understanding of what you are being taught and how it applies to different parts of the job. Leading Providers of Scaffolding in Derby Network Scaffold are the leading providers of scaffolding in Derby, with our experienced team boasting a wealth of experience on both domestic and commercial projects. If you’d like to know more about our services, please contact us today. We are based in Derby, but also offer support to nearby areas such as Staffordshire, Nottingham, Loughborough and...
Read Moreabout Your Guide to a Career in Scaffolding
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...
Read Moreabout Experts in Scaffold Erecting and Dismantling