Bid to break world scaffolding record
Bosses at Turner Access are organising a scaffold competition in a bid to beat a world record which has stood for nearly 20 years.
Two scaffolders from the Glasgow-based firm erected a 100m² scaffold in less than 26 minutes in 1995 which was listed as an official Guinness World Record.
Although this was perfectly acceptable practice then, the method used would not fully meet statutory regulations or industry guidance today.
Therefore Turner Access has decided to arrange another competition to record the fastest time adopting practice that meets the up to date health and safety requirements.
Ian Wilson, Turner Access Managing Director, said: “The previous world record was established before 1996 when UK statutory regulations changed – the scaffolding industry introduced double guardrails and began to consider method in relation to use of harnesses.
“Further changes to statutory regulations introduced in 2005 (Work at Height Regulations) and the introduction of the new European product standards raised the bar much higher in terms of compliant practice.
“The rules governing the Turner Access competition adopt this as best practice by maximising work activity on the ground and strictly adopting fall prevention method when not.”
Wilson’s predecessor, Gary Gallagher, who arranged the first competition said: “The very best scaffolders are highly trained athletes, on a par with top sports people.
“They perform professionally most days of their life and they therefore continually develop strength, stamina, balance, technique and method.
“The last element mentioned requires their employers to make training and equipment available to them to enable the scaffolder to achieve the safest method.
“This is a competition which is open to all qualified scaffolders and to facilitate this, Turner Access will also make available all necessary equipment and indeed training.
“The competition is also open to companies wishing to sponsor and enter their best squad but entrants must meet a qualifying time to compete.”
The Turner Access Scaffolder Competition will be held next year.
Bosses at Turner Access are organising a scaffold competition in a bid to beat a world record which has stood for nearly 20 years.
Two scaffolders from the Glasgow-based firm erected a 100m² scaffold in less than 26 minutes in 1995 which was listed as an official Guinness World Record.
Although this was perfectly acceptable practice then, the method used would not fully meet statutory regulations or industry guidance today.
Therefore Turner Access has decided to arrange another competition to record the fastest time adopting practice that meets the up to date health and safety requirements.
Ian Wilson, Turner Access Managing Director, said: “The previous world record was established before 1996 when UK statutory regulations changed – the scaffolding industry introduced double guardrails and began to consider method in relation to use of harnesses.
“Further changes to statutory regulations introduced in 2005 (Work at Height Regulations) and the introduction of the new European product standards raised the bar much higher in terms of compliant practice.
“The rules governing the Turner Access competition adopt this as best practice by maximising work activity on the ground and strictly adopting fall prevention method when not.”
Wilson’s predecessor, Gary Gallagher, who arranged the first competition said: “The very best scaffolders are highly trained athletes, on a par with top sports people.
“They perform professionally most days of their life and they therefore continually develop strength, stamina, balance, technique and method.
“The last element mentioned requires their employers to make training and equipment available to them to enable the scaffolder to achieve the safest method.
“This is a competition which is open to all qualified scaffolders and to facilitate this, Turner Access will also make available all necessary equipment and indeed training.
“The competition is also open to companies wishing to sponsor and enter their best squad but entrants must meet a qualifying time to compete.”
The Turner Access Scaffolder Competition will be held next year.
