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During high-risk activity reviews; the contractor identified and organised for a trial of a piece of equipment called a Roborigger, there are on two available in the UK. The device sets a load orientation and enables a load to be rotated in a controlled manner whilst suspended for a crane hook. When used here it prevented oversail of their 30m…
A small electronic system is fixed to each sign throughout this project. When a sign goes down or has tipped due to wind an alert with the location of the sign is sent via SMS to a response crew. The response crew is then able to respond within 20 minutes to address the issue, and a notification is then sent…
This contractor has introduced the CTL702-32 cranes to their fleet, this is a 32-tonne capacity crane, with an extended 70 metre jib. Safety considerations were engineered into the crane’s design from the outset, with a particular focus on enhancing joint connections. High-risk components such as keeper plates and loose pins were removed to reduce the risk of falling objects. To…
The British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) Height Safety Group have created a webinar on the new BS 8681:2024 personal fall protection equipment standard. This new British Standard, BS 8681, published in 2024, marks a significant step forward and sets out clear guidelines for the industry, emphasising competence and safety across all aspects of fall protection systems. Many of the members…
Working with their supply partner, this contractor has undertaken over a year of trials to remove operative from within the danger zone when utilising Tremi Concrete Skips to pour concrete on works. This initiative helps to remove the need for personnel to stand below a suspended load in order to operate the equipment, this is the last lifting operation in…
Dropped objects are a leading cause of death and injury in the workplace. C360 have been looking into ways to make the work environments safer and more productive by reducing incidents that result in personal injury, equipment damage and tool loss. CSJV and their subcontractors have been trialing the quick wrap self-fusing tape. This tape makes it possible to tether…
This contractor frequently stores some lightweight materials externally at height. These can be disrupted by high winds and in extreme cases, be blown over site boundaries if not properly restrained. Traditionally, in common with the rest of the industry, they used ineffective methods as there was no industry guidance on this. They recognised this as unacceptable given the risk posed…
A huge number of construction related injuries and accidents occur when operatives are working at height. Sites should provide equipment and tools, as well as risk information and safety processes to follow, to prevent falls occurring on site. Below is an example of how one site lowered the risk of falling from heights right from the start of the project: A GRP…
Following a VolkerHighways safety bulletin concerning an accident involving a stack of concrete paving slabs toppling over and injuring a passing operative’s ankle, the Hackney Highways Term Maintenance team decided that it was time to stop – Slab Stop. Open packs of paving slabs are notorious for becoming unstable and for many years sites have practiced the same method for…
Working at heights is one of the highest risk activities on construction sites. In keeping with the Code of Considerate Practice, safety is paramount on all Midgard sites and our ‘Plan Safe, Work Safe’ approach has enabled us to come up with a safe system for working at heights, which was implemented at our site in East Croydon. Instead of…
This contractor is using a lightweight, retractable concertina deck which can be quickly and easily deployed across floor joists to create a temporary working platform for operatives. Whilst lightweight, it has a safe working load of over 150kg. The platform can be installed from the floor below to prevent any operative working on a leading edge. This deck allowed safe…
This contractor is using Inspect 7 which is a digital scaffolding inspection system. This uses a visible NFC tagging system to supplement scaffolding inspection reports. The system is a useful way of ensuring those who need access to the scaffold and temporary work know that it has been inspected correctly and is therefore safe to use. To find out more,…
This contractor have implemented a piece of equipment to utilise during construction that will ease filling and installations around below ground drainage. This prevents falls and trip hazards into manholes and the yellow colour highlights the hazard but removes the risk. This also prevents materials falling into drains and chambers. This product reduces the need for the replacement of costly…
Working on tall buildings can be a dangerous activity. Contractors must consider the safety of their workforce and adjust working methods accordingly. Many such sites use a Common Tower – a temporary structure that is tied to the main building and is used in conjunction with rack and pinion construction hoists to provide access into the building under construction. See the…
Rail projects can be particularly dangerous for construction workers, with a number of additional safety hazards to consider. One such risk is rolling stock access. See the examples below to see how one site addressed this: The site originally used standard ladders, which were unsecured and had no handrails thus posing a safety risk. If there were no ladders available…