Workers and managers using Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs) to install and remove seasonal decorations and lights are being urged to download use IPAF’s a comprehensive new technical guidance booklet that can help to avoid safety issues and to mitigate risks involved in work at height in public areas and alongside roads.

The Safe Use of MEWPs in Public Areas guidance document is a 24-page digital booklet developed and published earlier this year by the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF). It is free to view or download via www.ipaf.org/resources and is also available in a professional print-ready format that can be co-branded with issuer’s company logo and shared with end users and contractors.

Brian Parker, IPAF’s Head of Safety & Technical, comments: “As we all know, installing or taking down seasonal decorations and lights can quickly turn into a festive hangover if those tasked with the work do not know how to select the correct type of machine, or overlook the need to use professionally trained operators and supervisors.

“At this time of year, there is often undue pressure placed on operators to try to save time and money by omitting to do a site assessment or disregarding safe-use practices. IPAF is keen to remind users of powered access to carry out temporary work at height that they should ensure that all operatives are trained, supervised and act in accordance with industry-recognised safe practices, particularly when working alongside roads and in public places.

“This year, as minds begin to turn towards the holiday season, we know many companies and municipal authorities will already be well underway with planning this work, and that we will start to see high streets in towns and cities, village squares, public buildings and shopping precincts adorned with lighting and festive decorations over the next weeks and months.

“This work is often carried out during the hours of darkness or inclement weather, and often operatives feel time pressured to keep up with demand and in order to meet their own festive commitments with family and friends. However, there is no shortcut to safety, so we urge all those planning and undertaking such operations to view the new document, which contains information on the key risks involved and the recommended ways to minimise, mitigate and manage these.”

Peter Douglas, CEO & MD of IPAF, comments: “We hope that the IPAF Safe Use of MEWPs in Public Areas document might help to prevent serious injuries or fatalities from occurring. We have made the document available in multiple languages and free of charge for all to view or download, in order that all those involved in putting up or taking down decorations this season do so as safely as possible.”

The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity has partnered with CITB and The Samaritans to create a wellbeing support tool, as part of the industry wide initiative Make It Visible.

Make It Visible aims to make welfare and wellbeing support visible on every construction site, helping to reduce the stigma around the subject and increase awareness of the support pathways available. Having secured over £400,000 in funding from CITB, a free website portal (External link – Opens in a new tab or window) was created earlier this year to support the initiative.

The portal provides a wide range of resources, covering themes of emotional, physical, and financial wellbeing. It aims to help individuals recognise when they’re struggling and how to cope with the challenges they’re facing. For each area, there is an extensive list of organisations that can provide further in-depth advice and support.

Research from the Lighthouse Club shows that stress, depression, or anxiety accounts for 27% of all work-related illness in construction. Tragically, it also reveals that two construction workers in the UK take their own lives each day. The charity’s mission is to ensure that no construction worker or their family feels alone in a crisis, and that they get the support they need before it’s too late.

The Make It Visible campaign also has a taskforce of people who are dedicated to visiting construction companies, builders’ merchants, hire centres, and sites across the UK and Ireland to get the conversation started and raise awareness of the free resources. The team has spoken to almost 30,000 people and visited more than 340 sites since the campaign’s launch in May, earlier this year.

The portal is currently referring visitors to the world’s biggest mental health check-in, One Million Lives. This free tool has been developed by mental health professionals to help users assess their current state of mind and better understand the complexities of mental health. One Million Lives aims to create a global ripple effect by encouraging users to share the tool with friends and family.

Bill Hill, Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity CEO, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the support from our industry to take on the challenge of improving workforce welfare and wellbeing as a unified force. This new portal curates all the amazing free services from various charities in the UK and Ireland and simplifies access for anyone seeking emotional, physical or financial help. The CITB has been instrumental in making this happen. There is much more to do but this is a great step forward.”

Tim Balcon, CITB Chief Executive, said: “We know that there is a huge mental health crisis in the construction industry, and we must do more to support workers and their families. The statistics presented by the Lighthouse Charity’s research are truly devastating, and with World Mental Health Day upon us, I urge anyone who is struggling right now to reach out to the charity’s helpline.

“CITB has been making improvements to ensure employees get the wellbeing support they need, and I feel very passionately about carrying this through to industry. The work we are doing with the Lighthouse Club will help drive long term culture change and promote fairness, inclusion, and respect across workforces.

“There is a great selection of resources online, and I hope that this will make support more accessible to the wider industry. When all workers can access support, without fear of stigma, lives will be saved and attracting new entrants will be easier.”

Two companies have been fined £46,000 in total after a labourer from Runcorn fractured his skull.

The man had been working on a new build house when he fell through a stairwell on 3 March 2021.

He was working for Total Brickwork (UK) Ltd at a construction site run by Challenger Building Services Ltd on Okell Street, Runcorn. The two companies had been working on the construction of four new semi-detached and five terraced houses at the site.

The 46-year-old, who was 43 at the time, was on the first floor in one of the new terraced properties after being instructed by the director of Total Brickwork to clear up debris and mortar that had been left behind by bricklayers.

He had climbed up the first floor using a ladder at the stairwell opening, which had been covered with temporary boards. The boards were slid apart to allow access to the first floor.

Intending to sweep the debris down the stairwell opening, the man lifted up one of the temporary boards and stepped forward as he was going to lean it against a wall.

However, he fell through the stairwell opening onto the ground floor below as there were no floorboards underneath the temporary boards.

He fractured his skull, sustained multiple broken ribs and needed a plate to be inserted into his collarbone.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the principal contractor Challenger Building Services Limited and Total Brickwork (UK) Ltd, the contractor in control of the work activity, had failed to plan, manage and monitor work at the site to ensure it could be carried out safely. Any worker accessing the first floor was at risk of injury due to a lack of appropriate measures for preventing falls from height.

Challenger Building Services Ltd, of Lee Lane, Horwich, Bolton, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 13(1) of the Construction (Design & Management) Regulation 2015. The company was fined £30,000 and ordered to pay £1,991.32 in costs at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on 23 October 2023.

Total Brickwork UK Ltd, of Weston Road, Runcorn, Cheshire, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 15(2) of the Construction (Design & Management) Regulation 2015. The company was fined £16,000 and ordered to pay £1,991.32 in costs at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on 23 October 2023.

HSE inspector David Brassington said: “This incident could so easily have been avoided had the risks associated with working on the upper floors been adequately assessed and measures been taken to protect the stairwell openings.

A man from St Helens has been given a suspended prison sentence for carrying out illegal gas work in Cheshire.

Richard Goldthorpe, 37, installed various gas appliances at an address in Sandbach in April and May 2022 despite not being registered with the Gas Safe Register.

The homeowner contacted the police after noticing Mr Goldthorpe had not carried out the work properly. They were then made aware of Mr Goldthorpe’s previous chequered history.

 

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) had previously served Goldthorpe with a Prohibition Notice (in 2014), banning him from carrying out gas work. However, in 2020, he was prosecuted for carrying out more illegal gas work and given a 16-month prison sentence as a result.

Goldthorpe has also been exposed for his illegal gas work on BBC’s Rogue Traders TV programme.

 

An investigation by HSE found that Mr Goldthorpe carried out the installation of gas appliances despite not being Gas Safe Registered.

Richard Goldthorpe, of St Georges Road, St Helens, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 3(3) and Regulations 3(7) of the Gas Safety (Installation & Use) 1998 act and to breaching a HSE Prohibition Notice. He was sentenced to a total of 32 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, and was ordered to pay £1,000 costs at Chester Magistrates on 6 November 2023.

 

HSE inspector Rose Leese-Weller said: “Richard Goldthorpe brazenly undertook gas work which he knew he was not registered to do.

“All gas work must be done by registered Gas Safe engineers to ensure the highest standards are met to prevent injury and loss of life. Such offenders will be prosecuted.

 

“Goldthorpe has been previously prosecuted for the same offences and had even been warned on national television that he was breaking the law. The work he did was unsafe, it is only a matter of chance that no one was seriously harmed.

“All gas work must be done by registered Gas Safe engineers to ensure the highest standards are met to prevent injury and loss of life. The public should always ask to see the gas engineer’s identification and check the registration number online (www.gassaferegister.co.uk) or ring the Gas Safe Register customer helpline 0800 408 5500.”

This HSE prosecution was supported by HSE senior enforcement lawyer Nathan Cook and enforcement lawyer Gemma Zakrzewski.

A Woolwich labourer is ‘lucky to be alive’ after part of a Victorian building fell on him during demolition work in Kilburn, North West London.

MAC Demolition Ltd, the Middlesex firm contracted to carry out the works, has been fined £60,000 after Tommy Brooks was left with life changing injuries. The 57-year-old had been employed on the site as a labourer for three months before the incident.

The company had been contracted to carry out soft stripping works on the Victorian property on Willesden Lane as well as the demolition of its roof.

On the morning of 2 March 2022, Mr Brooks had been tasked with clearing bricks for reclamation. He was working at the corner of the building when a large piece of masonry fell from the unstable roof, landing on top of him.

He was left with significant long term injuries including a broken shoulder and 12 broken ribs, as well as spinal and internal injuries.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found MAC Demolition had failed to adequately assess the risk of falling objects during demolition and failed to implement and enforce adequate exclusion zones.

MAC Demolition Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 20 of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. They were fined £60,000 and ordered to pay £3,229 costs at a hearing at Willesden Magistrates Court on 2 November 2023.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Gordon Nixon said: “Tommy’s injuries were life changing and he is lucky to be alive.

“This serious incident and the devastation it caused could have been avoided if basic, industry standard control measures had been put in place.

“Companies need be aware that we will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”

On Saturday 30 September, CITB’s National Construction College, Bircham Newton, hosted the Plant Operator of the Year competition.

Almost 1,000 people attended to watch the 69 competitors battle it out to be crowned UK Plant Operator of the Year. After a day of demonstrating outstanding skill and knowledge, Gordon Durno from Currie Contractors, lifted the prize and was awarded a cheque for £10,000.

To gain a place in the final, competitors were required to participate in any four of nine challenges with the winner of each challenge going through to the final. The nine finalists then went head-to-head on two challenges.

As well as the competition, the event showcased the wide range of Plant training available at the National Construction College, Bircham Newton, and allowed attendees to test their skills on the college’s state of the art simulators.

Chris Blake, Curriculum Manager, Plant department at the CITB, was impressed with the expertise demonstrated by the plant operators competing: “What a great event! We were delighted to see so many people come along to watch some very talented plant operators fight it out to be crowned UK Plant Operator of the Year. Congratulations to Gordon – a true veteran and expert in his field.”

UK Plant Operators Magazine, the owners and organisers of the UK Plant Operator of the Year, said “We are delighted with the outcomes of this year’s event, now in its third year, the campaign just gets bigger and better.

“We would like to thank the 60 plus operators who entered, the standard this year was as high as ever. We would also like to thank the record crowd who attended and of course, our thanks go to our venue host, and headline sponsor, the CITB for their support and setting of the 2023 UK Plant Operator of the Year event. We are already looking forward to taking the event to the next level in 2024.”

Dangers of working at height near radio frequency (RF) antennas are the focus for the International Powered Access Federation at an upcoming conference.

IPAF representatives will be at the MATS Conference in Coventry on 27 September to promote new safety guidance created to educate workers on the risks of RF radiation and the signs and symptoms of exposure.

Organised by the Mast & Tower Safety Group, the conference promotes all aspects of safety and best practice when working at height and near broadcast and communications antennas.

IPAF’s Head of Safety & Technical Brian Parker said: “Antennas are often situated on masts, towers, rooftops, the sides of buildings and street furniture, and the height of installation generally prevents radiation exposure to members of the public.

“However, powered-access platform users can easily enter RF fields and become at risk once they start to ascend.

“This risk is increased by the fact that antennas are often hidden or disguised to blend into their surroundings, making identification difficult.

“High doses of RF radiation can be fatal, which is why it is so important to be aware of the risks and trained in how to stay safe.”

This month IPAF published a new training resource, ‘Radio Frequency (RF) risks to MEWP operators and platform occupants’. The leaflet was developed to accompany a ‘toolbox talk’ training resource focused on safety near radio antennas.

Toolbox talks are short, structured discussion sessions created by IPAF to help teams to explore risks and safety issues specific to their work sites. Sessions are designed to be held regularly to reinforce training and gain worker buy-in.

Radio waves – found in a wide range of technology including microwave ovens, radar, medical equipment and telecommunications – present a health risk because they cause molecules to vibrate, which generates heat.

Symptoms of exposure include extensive sweating, increased heart rate, nausea and headaches, as well as burns and tissue breakdown in severe cases.

Anyone who works on or near rooftops, sides of buildings or other locations where antennas are located could be in danger of exposure.

Additional risks associated with working near antennas include electric shocks and interruptions to work platform electrical systems.

Attending the MATS Conference is an excellent opportunity for IPAF to spread the word about these new training resources and help to reduce injuries caused by exposure to radio waves.

The new training resource ‘Radio Frequency (RF) risks to MEWP operators and platform occupants’ is available in English on the IPAF website.

Time is running out for high-rise residential buildings to be registered with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR).

The new watchdog will better protect people who live in high-rise buildings. It was set up as part of the Government’s response to the Grenfell fire.

If anyone lives in a building in England that is 18 metres tall or higher, or at least seven storeys tall, it must be registered with BSR. So far more than 10,080 registrations have started.

It will be a criminal offence for any qualifying building not to be registered with the new regulator after 1 October 2023. Registration opened in April 2023.

Those responsible for high-rise buildings not registered by the deadline could face significant sanctions, including prosecution.

Chris Griffin-McTiernan, Deputy Chief Inspector of Buildings at BSR, said: “I would encourage any organisation that has not registered their high-rise building, to do so now. There is guidance available to help you comply with the law.

“The creation of this register is a major step forward in terms of building safety in England. Residents themselves will soon have access to the register. This new transparency will shift power towards those who live in these buildings. Residents deserve the better oversight we will be able to provide with the register.”

BSR has been running a major marketing and engagement campaign since April this year to encourage registrations. This includes a programme of over thirty stakeholder events to help people with the process.

A Norfolk woodworking company has been fined £25,000 for failing to control its employees’ exposure to wood dust.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspection of The Joinery Yard Limited at Sweet Briar Road industrial estate, Norwich in November 2019 identified failings in the company’s control measures to prevent exposure of their employees to wood dust. As a result, enforcement action was taken.

Wood dust is a respiratory sensitiser that can cause long term health effects including occupational asthma.

A subsequent inspection in July 2022 showed that the company had failed to maintain standards and enforcement action was taken again. This inspection identified ongoing failings in the company’s control measures and found that they had failed to take appropriate precautions to ensure the safety of workers exposed to wood dust.

HSE has guidance on working in the woodworking industry and is running the Dust Kills: Wood Dust campaign page.

At a hearing at Norwich Magistrates’ Court on 4 October, The Joinery Yard Ltd of Aylsham Road, Norwich, Norfolk pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Section 2 (1). They were fined £25,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2681.77.

After the hearing, HSE Inspector Natalie Prince said “The fine imposed on The Joinery Yard Limited should underline to everyone in the woodworking industry that the courts, and HSE, take a failure to follow the regulations extremely seriously.

“Wood dust can cause serious health problems and all businesses need to protect their workers’ respiratory health.

“We will not hesitate to take action against companies which do not do all that they should to keep people safe.”

A prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is being brought against Falcon Tower Crane Services Limited after a crane collapsed in Crewe, Cheshire and three men lost their lives.

Rhys Barker, 18, from Castleford, David Newall, 36, from Bradford, and David Webb, 43, from Northampton, died following the incident at a construction site on Dunwoody Way on 21 June 2017.

Falcon Tower Crane Services Limited is accused of breaching Section 2(1) and Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

The charges follow a long and complex investigation by HSE. A Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing is due to take place at Chester Crown Court on 6 October 2023.