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Hi Bryan, I don’t know much about scaffolding, but I know what I like. These pics are of the restoration work on a cathedral in central Melbourne. I’m no expert on scaffolding, but I reckon this must be a good example of “doing it right”. Below is a very busy city. Cheers, John Since John nor I are scaffolding experts I turned to my dear friend and scaffolding expert Phil Court at WORKSAFE Victoria. It turns out GREAT EYES see the same thing, as WORKSAFE had done a “Pat on the Back” special on this very same scaffolding in 2002. Here’s what the experts at WORKSAFE Victoria had to say about this scaffolding… When Cathedral Stone won the contract to refurbish the spires on one of Melbourne’s landmark buildings, St Paul’s Cathedral, the company turned to Concept Hiring Services Pty Ltd to solve its height access needs. According to Concept Hiring Services’ General Manager Sales & Contracts, Laurie Hartley, “in many respects, it was the hardest job we’ve ever done”. The age and condition of the spires meant that the scaffold had to be free-standing, so that no additional loads were placed on them. Once Concept Hiring Services completed the initial design work, it was assessed by an independent consulting engineer. Rigweld was chosen to erect the steel support grillage and Nomad Scaffolding was selected to erect the scaffold. Before starting the job, Laurie held meetings to brief all relevant parties, including the client, the architect, the steel erectors, the scaffolders, the the CFMEU’s OHS Unit and WorkSafe Victoria. Once the scaffold for the first spire was complete, Laurie held a debriefing meeting with the scaffolders at which the handover certificate was prepared. He also used this opportunity to document the lessons learned during the erection, to assist in the dismantling. When Melbourne experienced gale – force winds not long after the scaffold was complete, Laurie spent a sleepless night, but was re-assured the next morning to find that not even a single plank had blown off. Which goes to show that there is nothing you cannot achieve with a well-designed and well-constructed scaffold.Concept Hiring Services is a member of the Master Builders Association of Victoria and the Scaffold Association of Victoria. To find out more, go to the company’s website: www.concepthire.com.au My hats off to Laurie Hartley! Laurie is a true OHS professional who goes out of his way, time and again, to “give something back” to the construction industry — well above and beyond his role for his company. |
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