EPISODE · Aug 20, 2025 · 1H 23M
Grenfell Tower: Behind the Scaffold | John Houlihan
from Construction Sport Podcast
DISCLAIMER:Viewers may find some topics and themes discussed in this podcast distressing.This recording has been shared for informational and educational purposes only. We do not intend to cause any harm or offence.If you or anyone you know has been affected by issues raised in this podcast, please reach out to the following for help & support:Samaritans - Call 116 123 (24/7, free) or visit https://www.samaritans.org/Thank you.Episode #042 | John HoulihanHealth & Safety Manager John Houlihan worked for the main scaffolding contractor on Grenfell immediately after the disaster of June 2017.In this impactful & poignant episode of the Construction Sport Podcast, he shares his first-hand perspective on the treatment of construction workers & mental health struggles, the immense logistics of the scaffold, and the politics of accountability.This isn’t just a story about scaffolding. It's a rare insight into one of the most sensitive projects UK construction has ever faced, told by someone who was there day by day.📝Citations/Reports:- https://drive.google.com/file/d/19iWqn-oIoLI9uS77kOuap0OIjVgFqWR6/view?usp=sharing- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wCfeVKzSFW82FJz5yivFH8vO_OuPm4WX/view?usp=sharing- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YfJXjyLwP7orEov8_a7_AJjMlvgZY8Bv/view?usp=sharing🔗Connect with John on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-houlihan-cmiosh-57149b19/Watch On YouTube - https://youtu.be/TrcexNQZKqUListen On Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/0JiUC4o0UejAyOPNrDhdBY?si=uV_8Q5fcTO6u58wMPDEvCAListen On Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grenfell-tower-behind-the-scaffold-john-houlihan/id1778487912?i=1000722792601----------------------------------------------------------⏲TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Intro! John’s Irish Background, & SUPER TROWEL + Ice Skip Recap!09:03 John’s Story of Heading up the Scaffold for Grenfell Tower.21:42 Why working on Grenfell was unfair & worse for Scaffolders (Mental Health)27:43 In-depth Logistics of how & why Scaffolding was Erected + Monitored33:00 How Construction Workers were treated vs All other teams on Grenfell39:45 More Post-Disaster Logistics & Scaffold Dismantling + Staff Turnover43:25 Lack of Health Support for workers + Why John got Exiled from the job…51:59 Scaffold Politics + How & When will Grenfell’s Scaffolding be taken down?56:41 Accountability, Government, & HSE. Enforcing Legislation? + Health & Safety01:02:13 How the Industry was affected + Grenfell Today & Scaffolder Stereotypes01:09:47 John’s Invention: ScaffGap & His Consulting Work + Supporting Construction Sport01:22:45 Outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What this episode covers
DISCLAIMER:Viewers may find some topics and themes discussed in this podcast distressing.This recording has been shared for informational and educational purposes only. We do not intend to cause any harm or offence.If you or anyone you know has been affected by issues raised in this podcast, please reach out to the following for help & support:Samaritans - Call 116 123 (24/7, free) or visit https://www.samaritans.org/Thank you.Episode #042 | John HoulihanHealth & Safety Manager John Houlihan worked for the main scaffolding contractor on Grenfell immediately after the disaster of June 2017.In this impactful & poignant episode of the Construction Sport Podcast, he shares his first-hand perspective on the treatment of construction workers & mental health struggles, the immense logistics of the scaffold, and the politics of accountability.This isn’t just a story about scaffolding. It's a rare insight into one of the most sensitive projects UK construction has ever faced, told by someone who was there day by day.📝Citations/Reports:- https://drive.google.com/file/d/19iWqn-oIoLI9uS77kOuap0OIjVgFqWR6/view?usp=sharing- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wCfeVKzSFW82FJz5yivFH8vO_OuPm4WX/view?usp=sharing- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YfJXjyLwP7orEov8_a7_AJjMlvgZY8Bv/view?usp=sharing🔗Connect with John on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-houlihan-cmiosh-57149b19/Watch On YouTube - https://youtu.be/TrcexNQZKqUListen On Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/0JiUC4o0UejAyOPNrDhdBY?si=uV_8Q5fcTO6u58wMPDEvCAListen On Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grenfell-tower-behind-the-scaffold-john-houlihan/id1778487912?i=1000722792601----------------------------------------------------------⏲TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Intro! John’s Irish Background, & SUPER TROWEL + Ice Skip Recap!09:03 John’s Story of Heading up the Scaffold for Grenfell Tower.21:42 Why working on Grenfell was unfair & worse for Scaffolders (Mental Health)27:43 In-depth Logistics of how & why Scaffolding was Erected + Monitored33:00 How Construction Workers were treated vs All other teams on Grenfell39:45 More Post-Disaster Logistics & Scaffold Dismantling + Staff Turnover43:25 Lack of Health Support for workers + Why John got Exiled from the job…51:59 Scaffold Politics + How & When will Grenfell’s Scaffolding be taken down?56:41 Accountability, Government, & HSE. Enforcing Legislation? + Health & Safety01:02:13 How the Industry was affected + Grenfell Today & Scaffolder Stereotypes01:09:47 John’s Invention: ScaffGap & His Consulting Work + Supporting Construction Sport01:22:45 Outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Grenfell Tower: Behind the Scaffold | John Houlihan
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