Latest info in the industry for Safety Lifting Equipment

07Dec2016

Do 'Safe' Construction Sites Exist? A Reflection on the Risks of Heavy Lifting

mike health & safety

Last week, a headline published in the Northen Echo captured our attention, as it was announced that a construction firm had been ordered to pay £45,000, as a result of an on-site injury. Initially, this struck us as the same neglectful safety story that we've grown used to reading about, whereby a firm or supervisor is found to have been using unsafe working practices, or unsuitable equipment, and is punished accordingly. This story, however, was distinctly different from previous cases that we have examined, as it lacked the obvious signs of neglect often present in cases such as these. As a result, this got us thinking about the way in which we discuss health and safety in construction, and how, at times, we may be guilty of forgetting the grey areas that surround workplace safety measures.

In the case mentioned, project manager Paul Powton was injured whilst working on a spa expansion for Walter Thompson Ltd, a family-run firm of contractors. Whilst laying two concrete slabs, Mr Powton was injured as the crow bar he was using to lever the slabs into place flew up and hit him in the face, after the top slab fell from the chain block being used to lift it. On inspection, it was found that this incident occurred due to poor planning, time pressure, and a lack of proper risk assessment procedures, with blame falling primarily on the firm, but also on Mr Powton himself.

Just two week prior to the incident, the site had passed its monthly health and safety audit, and during proceedings the company was praised for their 'exemplary' health and safety record. In addition, this was also the company's first prosecution in almost a 100 years of working in the industry. This illustrates the true scale of health and safety risks in the construction industry, by showing that heavy lifting incidents can easily occur, even in the most safety-conscious workplaces. Health and safety cannot be maintained on a monthly or even weekly basis, but must be properly assessed and executed as part of daily working practices.

In order to avoid these incidents, companies and employees should:

Plan ahead with plenty of time, to properly asses each element of the job at hand.
Use the correct lifting and handling equipment, which has been safety checked and approved.
Double check the equipment, and run through safety measures before going ahead with the work.
Clearly communicate health and safety procedures throughout the work force, for a unified approach to safety.
If incidents do occur, the situation should be properly scrutinised in order to ensure that a repeat in never allowed to occur.

For more health and safety news and advice, click here!

02Dec2016

Tree Surgeon Equipment: Stay Safe at Height

mike products

Working at height can be very dangerous, and if there's one profession that guarantees a steady stream of high-up work, it's tree surgery. Tree surgeons (also known as arborists) are required to ascend tall trees on a daily basis, and it's important for these workers and their employers to do everything possible to minimise the risk of a fall.

We at SafetyLiftinGear.com consider ourselves specialists in the field of height safety, and sure enough, we sell a range of height safety products that are especially perfect for tree surgeons and the work they do.

Our selection of tree surgeon equipment is designed to help arborists climb trees and go about their work safely. Here's a quick look at some of the products currently available to buy or hire from SafetyLiftinGear.com:

Safety Harnesses

A strong safety harness is perhaps the most important item for anyone who works at height. To help prevent you / your workers from falling to the ground during a job, we offer an assortment of different harnesses that are ideally suited to tree surgery.

Climbing Accessories

We also stock a variety of ascenders, descenders, and pulley products to help you get up and down trees with minimal difficulty.

Tool Lanyards & Hooks

These products are designed to prevent tools and other items from falling to the ground while you're busy working. A tool dropped from height can cause serious injuries to anyone who might be standing beneath you, so it's a good idea to use hooks and lanyards to keep everything attached to your person.

Click here to browse and buy our arborist equipment >

29Nov2016

We Are Moving! New Distribution Centre in Bristol Will Create Local Jobs

jodie general news

A new year is just around the corner, and big changes are afoot here at SafetyLifitnGear! Early in January 2017, we will be moving our Bristol operations to brand new premises in Avonmouth. We'll be gaining an addition 28,000 square feet when we move into the new building, which will serve as both our head office and our distribution centre.

Here's what our new home looks like from the outside:

Aside from all the extra space we'll have, the most exciting thing about this move is the number of jobs it will create. We will be taking on a new wave of staff as part of the transition, and we hope that this will be a huge boon to the community in Avonmouth and the surrounding area.

SafetyLiftinGear is a leading supplier of lifting/handling equipment and height safety gear. We have 7 depots across the UK - click here to find your nearest location. And don't worry if you don't live near any of our depots, because you can also order online via our website!

24Nov2016

Winter PPE: The Jacket Safety Harness

Admin products

As any outdoor worker will know, the winter elements bring a whole new set of health and safety challenges to the work site. Wind, rain and frosty spells combine to make the task of maintaining safe conditions even more challenging, which means that additional measures must be taken in order to keep employees safe and well.

One of the most vulnerable and exposed groups during this time, are those who work at height, who have to manage the existing risks and challenges of their operations, with additional inconveniences from the poor conditions. For this reason, we stock specialised jacket safety harnesses with this exact problem in mind, providing workers with the same level of reliable fall protection, while also keeping them warm and dry.

High Visibility Jacket Safety Harness

This water and windproof jacket provides practical yet stylish protection from the elements, and is ideal for staying seen, even during the dark winter hours, when visibility may be poor. See it in action, and find out more here:

More Wet & Cold Gear More Height Safety Products

22Nov2016

Electric Powered Stair Climbers for Safe & Easy Transportation

mike products

(Electric Powered Stair Climber)

When it comes to moving heavy items and loads, one of the biggest challenges can be a flight of stairs, which are not only dangerous, but highly awkward to navigate! For this reason, we supply a range of fantastic electric powered stair climbers which allows you to transport deliveries and equipment with ease!

(powered stair climber)

Supported by a durable steel frame, the electric powered stair climber is designed to aid stair lifting and manoeuvring operations, by supporting its load in the most suitable position, and facilitating a fast and smooth transition from step to step.

Some of the stair climber's benefits include:

An automatic breaking system

Convenient folding handle and frame

Lifts at a rate of 8-9 steps per minute

Easy-access push buttons on the right handles

Sliding clutch (to prevent mechanical overload)

To choose from a greater selection of material handling equipment, why not visit our sister site, PalleTrucks-Trolleys.com? Not only is it specifically aimed at material handling and load-moving industries, it also includes an enhanced range of stair climbing lifts to suit a variety of operational demands.

17Nov2016

Lifting Shackles: Buy or Hire from SafetyLiftinGear

mike products

We consider ourselves the lifting equipment specialists here at SafetyLiftinGear, and in order to uphold that reputation, we strive to stock a truly comprehensive range of robust and reliable lifting products. Among our most commonly-ordered products are our various lifting shackles, which come in a range of different strengths and configurations.

Our shackles can be used in conjunction with a variety of lifting slings (e.g. our heavy-duty wire rope slings) to lift all kinds of different loads. We supply shackles to cope with weights ranging from 0.5 to 85 tonnes - please be sure to check the weight load limit (WLL) of your shackles before placing an order, as exceeding the maximum capacity of your lifting shackles may cause them to fail.

Three different types of lifting shackle are available from SafetyLiftinGear - here's a quick run-down of what we have to offer:

Screw Pin Shackles

Weight load limits range from 0.5 to 85 tonnes

The screw pin shackle is our standard lifting shackle, and we have a range range of different options available, all of which are cost-effective and totally fit for purpose. As the name suggests, these shackles are secured by simply screwing in the pin provided.

Safety Pin Shackles

Weight load limits range from 1 to 55 tonnes

Safety pin shackles have an extra-secure locking mechanism to give you a little extra peace of mind. To secure the shackle, thread the bolt through the holes, place the nut on the end and tighten. Then, insert the safety pin to provide an extra layer of defence.

Long Body Piling Shackles

Weight load limits range from 1 to 5 tonnes

Finally, we come to our long body shackles, which are ideal for if you need a longer space to house the end of your lifting sling.

Our ultra-strong 85 tonne alloy bow shackles were recently used in the construction of a new railway line in Manchester - read more about this project here, or visit our main Lifting Equipment page to browse our full range of lifting products.

15Nov2016

SafetyLiftinGear's Man Basket in Use

mike products

Mostostal Pulway - a large Polish construction company - recently acquired a SafetyLiftinGear man basket to use on their latest construction site. They were really impressed with the quality of the man basket, and they are so happy with the service they were supplied, they've already placed a second order with us for some lifting equipment.

This man basket has been designed with safety in mind - boasting overhead protection, a 150mm solid wall surround, an internal hand rail and a close mesh rear. It's a very versatile piece of site equipment as it can be used with either a forklift or a crane. It's truly the number one choice for contractors who are looking for easy, efficient and safe high level access.

If you're interested in purchasing or hiring a man basket, please click here.

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