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There are many safety factors involved in the construction and use of scaffolding constructs. There are also a number of regulations that must be met, which includes the requirement for the scaffolding company to apply for a scaffolding permit. Furthermore, anybody that works on scaffolding must adhere to specific regulations too. While it is obviously important that you choose a company according to budget, availability, and reputation, you must ensure that the organisation you do choose will stick to the rules, and has more than adequate insurance policies to cover any injury or damage. There are a number of basic constructs that are considered to be safe for use in scaffolding. Where these particular types of scaffolding assembly are used, it is not necessary to have the scaffolding designed by a professional. However, where these general constructs are not fit for purpose, and even where the required design deviates by just a small amount, it is imperative that you use a qualified and skilled scaffold designer to ensure a safe and useful construction. For any constructs that do not conform to the basic structures, it is necessary for the scaffold designer to describe the methods that will be used in order to erect and dismantle the structure. While it is the responsibility of your scaffolding company to ensure that this happens, scaffolding manufacturer guidelines and documents can be used in order to provide this information to the relevant groups and authorities. It is the responsibility of the scaffolding company to acquire appropriate permits where scaffolding will be placed on the highways, which includes pavements. However, as the client, it is your responsibility to ensure that these permits are in place, and also that the company has the required insurance to be able to complete any scaffolding projects. It is a legal requirement that all scaffolding be inspected for safety prior to construction work beginning, once every seven days while it is in place, and after any alterations or damage repair has been made. Most scaffolding structures are meant only as a temporary construct, and this necessitates the routine checking of the constructs to be sure that they remain safe and secure. The ground on which scaffolding is to be constructed should be checked. It needs to be firm and secure, and it should be level. Your construction company, or scaffolding company, should ensure that this is the case before they can confirm whether or not they will be able to provide the scaffolding that you require. If they do not check the ground, then they cannot be certain that it will be possible to use a standard scaffolding tower. The National Access and Scaffolding Federation is the largest scaffolding association in the UK, and by choosing a company that is registered with this group, you can be certain of a number of factors. They must have £5 million public liability insurance, and £10m employer’s liability cover. They must also have suitable training in the erection, management, inspection, and use of scaffolding, while adhering to a strict set of standards that have been set up and are maintained by NASC. Choosing the best scaffolding company is important. They will be responsible for the construction of any scaffolding that you, or your contractors use. They will also be responsible for making sure that the scaffolding is safe, and remains safe through its use. They will check it following any extreme or adverse weather, and will continue to check the construct every week until it is taken down again. By using an appropriately accredited company, you will be able to enjoy total peace of mind.

Choosing a good scaffolding company means finding one that can provide the services you require while offering a professional service. They should turn up on time and at the right location, they should have appropriately qualified and skilled scaffolders to complete your project, and they should have all of the necessary permits and other requirements to ensure that you enjoy the best service. There are many occasions and applications that might require scaffolding, and this means that there is a varied selection of scaffolding construct types available. From static to mobile, and from basic structures to complex ones, having the right construct will make your job a lot easier in the long run. Scaffolding Material Most scaffolding constructs are made from aluminium or steel. Steel is heavier, but is also less expensive, and this is why it remains a popular choice. Aluminium, on the other hand, is lighter and therefore easier to work with, but it may need to be reinforced for larger constructions. Wood is typically used as the surface for walking on, and this provides a stable and level surface that is ideal for almost any use. Barriers should be put up around the edge of the scaffold unit, and these will normally be made from the same material as the scaffolding tubes. Discuss your requirements with your scaffolding company and they will help you to determine the most effective material to use. Basic Scaffolding There are a number of construction types that are considered standard, when it comes to the construction of scaffolding units. Where it is possible to use these types of unit, it is generally considered best to do so. They do not have the same requirements for completing risk assessments and drawing up scaffolding designs as more complex designs do. Basic scaffolding units are typically tower shaped with ladders to provide access to the levels of the scaffolding. Several towers may be combined in order to make a longer construction, and some other basic designs include manufacturer designs, which can be used during the design and scaffolding permit application process. Complex Scaffolding Constructs Some uses of scaffolding have very specific requirements. Especially tall buildings, or where a construction may be required to bypass difficult terrain, will often have very specific scaffolding requirements.  These types of scaffolding unit will often need to incorporate a unique design, or will deviate from what is considered a standard construction. Designs, plans, and assessments will need to be provided for these scaffolds. Suspended Scaffolding Where the ground is in poor condition, or where you want to access upper levels of tall buildings, constructing scaffolding from the ground up may not be an option. Suspended scaffolding enables you to still use scaffolding even in these circumstances. Suspended scaffolding is most often seen in use by window cleaners that are looking to reach upper levels of buildings. These may be powered by a lever and pully, along with a switch, and will be left in place permanently, in order that they can be used time and time again. Aerial Lifts Scaffolding is not only required to hold construction workers and service providers that need to work at height, but also to hold the equipment and items that they will use. Carrying such items up and down ladders can prove time consuming and potentially dangerous, and in some cases it simply may not be possible. Aerial lifts can be raised and lowered, enabling you to load the lift with the items you need, and then to raise the lift to the desired height and level.

We recently featured in an article that appeared in Construction Forum Magazine – details at www.constructionforum.org – featuring our work with Miller Construction at Purley Memorial Hospital. You can download the article itself here.

Well Formark has never been afraid of punching above its weight – now it’s time to see whether we can mix it in the boxing ring and help Leon McKenzie land a KO. Yep, fight night is getting close for our boxing protege. The fight is the first of a two fight sponsorship deal Formark has landed with Leon – yes, the very same Leon who proudly wore the Crystal Palace FC strip between 1995 and 2000 and went on to play for Peterborough and Norwich. Remember the wonder goal he scored for the Canaries to beat Manchester United in 2005. And the very same Leon whose uncle Duke McKenzie was three time world champion and whose father Clinton McKenzie was European Champion. Not much of a hard act to follow there! After following in the family footsteps the future champ has won his first two super middleweight fights and on Saturday squares up to Darren McKenna at York Hall Bethnal Green to win his third – can’t wait. We are very proud to be able to support Leon and it does my bragging rights no harm to see the Formark logo on his boxing kit – fingers crossed I won’t be looking at it kissing the canvass! Good luck Leon – see you ringside.

Formark Scaffolding is running an appeal for old mobile phones to help raise £50,000 for the UK’s leading hospital radio station. Radio Marsden’s mascot turned up at our main yard in Surrey along with the station’s Chairman Jason Reynolds to launch the appeal along with Formark’s Managing Director Mark Coote and Finance Director Mark Endersby. The charity run radio station has broadcast to patients at the world-renowned Royal Marsden cancer hospitals in London and Surrey for more than 40-years, but unless it replaces ageing studio equipment the station will go off-air permanently. So to help mark our 21st anniversary as an independent scaffolding contractor we are encouraging construction companies and contractors throughout London and the south-east to put up a poster, provide a collection box and send the phones on to us so that we can recycle them to raise cash for the charity. When you experience or hear about the fantastic work the radio station does at the Royal Marsden and the support it gives to cancer sufferers, their families and friends, it’s unthinkable that such a well-loved and well-known charity should be in financial difficulty. But although it broadcasts to patients and on-line 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the station does not receive any grants or funding from the hospital, the NHS or the Government, so relies entirely on donations and fund-raising to run the service. For a poster or further information call Formark Marketing on 07753 374628 or email karren.foster@formarkscaffolding.co.uk And thanks to ScaffMag for supporting our initiative – see http://scaffmag.com/2013/10/scaffolding-company-launches-charity-initiative/

Formark backed boxer Leon McKenzie extended his unbeaten professional record to four fights when he stopped Nikola Varbanov at York Hall, Bethnal Green. The former Premier League footballer looked relaxed and totally in control as he dominated Varbanov and left the Bulgarian on the canvas after just 46 seconds of the second round. Known to his fans as Big McK, Leon is following in the footsteps of his father Clinton McKenzie (British and European Light Welterweight Champion) and his uncle Duke (three-weight World Champion) – both now training the super-middleweight boxer. Literally fighting back from experiencing the highs of Premier League football to the lows of prison, with an attempt at suicide in between, Leon is a committed and talented sportsman who has gone through some tough times and all of us at Formark are very proud to be supporting him as he attempts to make a name for himself in the boxing ring. For a full report on Leon’s latest fight click here.

Supporting our beloved Crystal Palace FC is not ever easy – but after a rocky first half of the season the lads have climbed the Premiership table under manager Alan Pardew. To celebrate such ‘over the moon’ success we’ve been rolling up at recent events to help the Eagles enjoy the safety of a mid-table finish and the 25th anniversary of the 1990 FA Cup Final against Manchester United. First up was a glorious day at Lingfield Park Racecourse for the Crystal Palace Race Day with 1XI regulars Julian Speroni & Dwight Gayle (pictured right). Formark MD Mark Coote then rubbed shoulders with the miracle man himself, Alan Pardew, (pictured left) at a dinner to celebrate the 3-3 draw (after extra-time) with Manchester United in the FA Cup Final – United lifted the trophy after winning 1-0 in the replay.

The 2014-15 football season is almost over but the Formark Scaffolding players are hanging up their boots on a high. The team wrapped up a memorable unbeaten season by lifting the inaugural 48.3 Scaffolder’s Champions League. On a wet, windswept astro pitch the testosterone was pumping as teams from Anglewest, GKR, Lyndon, Millcroft, Trad and Formark took each other on in a one-off league, from which there could only be one winner. It was a highly enjoyable tournament and there was some great football played by all the teams. We would like to thank Phil and Ben for organising the event and 48.3 for sponsoring it. If you would like to challenge the Formark team – we have a great home astro pitch at Whyteleafe FC – then get in touch mpcoote@formark.co