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Simian lends a hand to new scaffolding guidance

26th February 2019

Simian played host to a delegation of scaffolding industry experts at our new Waltham Forest centre, last week, as part of an NASC initiative to develop a safe system of work for the construction of temporary roof scaffolds. The move reflects a response to demand from both the Health and safety Executive (HSE) and the wider scaffolding industry.

scaffolding guidance

The workshop comprised both classroom and practical elements at the world-class Leytonstone facility and featured a mocked-up roof to facilitate the practical sessions.

During the classroom sessions, safety and scaffolding experts pooled their knowledge and experiences with the HSE’s representatives and considered all of the risks that Scaffolders are exposed to during temporary roof works and considered how best to control them. Supported at the event by height safety specialist Spanset, the group utilised several of the recent technological advancements made to Personal Fall Protection Equipment (PFPE), while considering the requirements health and safety legislation, in particular, the Work at Height Regulations 2005.

The practical sessions took place in one of the two scaffolding halls available at the centre and leaned on the expertise and experience of Steve Odger, Simian’s Compliance Manager and Antony Cowell, CISRS Advanced Instructor at Waltham Forest, both of whom are hugely experienced CISRS Advanced Scaffolders and both of whom have in depth knowledge of current arrangements and methods used for the teaching of temporary roof construction during CISRS Advanced Scaffolding courses.

Speaking after the workshop, Steve Odger said, “It was good to get my scaffolding belt and harness back on and play an integral role in the development of what will undoubtedly become another invaluable addition to the NASC’s suite of guidance documents. Trying some of the proposed methods first-hand gave the group an essential insight into the challenges faced by Scaffolders when they are involved in working on temporary roof structures.”

Simon Hughes, Simian’s Managing Director, who was also involved in the sessions, commented, ”It’s always our pleasure to be involved in such existing initiatives and to get the opportunity to showcase the excellent facilities we have on offer at our London centre.

The erection and dismantling of temporary scaffolding roof structures requires high levels of skill and are invariably high risk. During the sessions, we attempted to recreate almost all of the situations Scaffolders would face when carrying out work of this nature.

Hearing first-hand the opinions and concerns of the HSE’s construction and engineering experts, was invaluable and enabled the group to focus and what needs to be achieved to ensure that the industry remains progressive by continually adapting and modernising to make scaffolding activity as safe as it possibly can be.”

Simian clients needing advice on any scaffolding activity, are free to contact any of the team for advice, on their individual mobile numbers, or at head office on 0345 602 2148.