My Weekend at Scaffchamp Vilnius: An Unforgettable Experience
I have just returned after the weekend trip to Scaffchamp Vilnius powered by Layher, a great event.
This event was really well managed and focused a lot on teambuilding, I arrived a bit apprehensive as we had sponsored the Health and Safety Award and wanting to see teams working safely and I was impressed by the European and Overseas attitude to wanting to work safe and improve. The rules were clear with regards to PPE, SSOW and mainly a short lift system.
As the world of scaffold shrinks into ever deceasing circles everyone has someone in common, if I don’t know you we will both know someone in common for example the team from Mongolia have been taught to scaffold by a man from my town in England. Small world.
Day 1
It was around getting to know each other, and I connected with new people and old friends I had not seen for years. The arm wrestling, tug of war and assault course enabled teams to get to know each other and break the ice.
It was great to watch through a pair of Leach’s sunglasses as I had forgot mine. It was a good job I had a bag to put the baseball caps in I was offered. It was good to see the Kewazo Liftbot in action and see its potential.
Day 1 gave the 21 team captains the drawing and a safety brief including all RAMS for erection and dismantle on day 2. The rules were based around erection and dismantle but time penalties were in place for unsafe work or mistakes.
Day 2
Began with a parade then the first 7 companies got to work, you have to feel for the first 7 as the other 14 are studying them to see where they can be better, however all jobs went up and down without incident. Once you have completed you raise your flag, but some flags went up early I must say and observed by the referees.
Round 2 saw the eventual winners N Projects from Poland who became the overall winners of Scaff champ and the Health and Safety award, they were slick and safe I must say.
Round 3 was completed, and a UK team was involved in Round 1, 2 and 3. The UK teams worked to the UK and NASC standards for SG4 and a SSOW. Other countries were impressed and as discussed; our award wasn’t about the fastest team but the ones with safety involved.
The heavens opened for the last 20 minutes then everyone came into the tent area and the DJ ramped up the music during the judging,
it was like Eurovision with testosterone in the tent. All scaffolders and their supporters jumping round and singing. The awards were completed, and everyone started to leave thinking I’ll be back.
Congratulations to Victor and Oleg from Layher Lithuania for their vision, well done to the referees and thanks to Mark and Isaac for the help and guidance getting the Sponsorship in place.
Finally, all 21 teams that participated, no doubt we will see you in 2025.
