No matter how experienced you think you are when it comes to working at height or how many times you may have used a safety harness, you should always check their suitability before using one. There have been many instances all over the world of experienced workers falling to their deaths or becoming severely injured as a result of faulty safety equipment.

As with all personal protective equipment, safety harnesses must be examined at least every 12-months and should also be subject to pre-use checks, detailed periodic inspections and interim inspections. To make things a little easier for you, below we outline the steps on how to carry out a pre-use check to ensure your harness is safe to use, along with a number of often-missed checkpoints.

Safety Harness Inspection - Visual and Tactile Inspections

• Label – Ensure the label of your safety harness includes the serial number, date of manufacturing and relevant standards.
• Webbing – Check webbing for any signs of damage such as warn or badly pulled webbing, cracks or fraying as well as loose stitching or fading which may indicate the structure of the fibres has been compromised.
• D-Rings – Inspect for signs of distortion, rust or fatigue and make sure the ring pivots freely.
• Buckles – Ensure all rivets are tight and buckles aren’t bent, chipped or have sharp edges sticking out and that all stitching is intact.
• Straps and rope – Check straps for signs of fraying or broken fibres. Inspect clips on straps and check for loose stitching.
• Plastic loops – Look out for cracked, damaged or broken loops.

Once all of these safety harness inspections are completed and you are satisfied with the condition of each part, your safety harness should be good to go. However, as we mentioned above, there are several checks that are often missed which may lead to potential accidents. We outline these below:

Additional Safety Harness Checks

1. Ultraviolet damage – One of the factors that impact the effectiveness of a safety harness is its exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. Visually identifying degradation caused by UV rays can be difficult, but signs of flaking on the surface of the harness or any colour discolouration may be an easy sign to look out for. Other signs of chemical damage such as bur and fibred with a glazed appearance also have the ability to weaken the strength of the webbing.

2. Contamination – The level of dirt generated by the work area determined how contaminated a safety harness can be, resulting in excessive internal or external abrasion. Debris, sand or grit underneath the dorsal D-ring can lead to severe problems that workers at height often cannot see. Ensure that the harness, lanyards and other parts of a fall arrest system are properly cleaned and stored safety to easily maintain equipment integrity.

3. Worker competency – The competency of the individual carrying out work at height is one of the most important factors of any task, but is often one of the most neglected. No matter how good the condition of a safety harness is in if the person wearing it isn’t competent enough in the job, the chances of an accident occurring are always going to be high. Workers at height should develop the habit of applying their training when inspecting and using their safety harness and lanyard to ensure they are in the best position to conduct work.

By following the safety harness inspection steps above, you will no doubt reduce the likelihood of accidents occurring when working at height.

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Here at SLG, we strive to make working conditions as safe as possible by providing the highest quality safety equipment available. Our range of safety harnesses includes a variety of specialist types, suitable for a selection of tasks performed at height. These include rescue harnesses, fall arrest harnesses and multipurpose harnesses. All of which offer select features and abilities that aim to increase your safety and the safety of people around you. Regardless of the type of harness you choose to use for your specific task, you should still conduct a thorough check to ensure your safety and the safety of the people around you is not put into jeopardy.

If you work at height often and require new, quality equipment that will ensure your safety, then why not take a look at our collection of safety harnesses? We have a harness to suit every task and any budget, available for hire as well as full purchase. So, whether you need a harness for a one-off job or are looking to update your arsenal, SafetyLiftinGear is the place for you.

Browse Our Safety Harnesses >

If you would like more information on our range of safety harnesses, any individual product or how to check a safety harness before use, then please do not hesitate to contact a member of our team today!

We have reduced the prices of our 2.6mtr, 3.2mtr and 3.8mtr telescopic ladder by up to 15%!

You can now purchase our best-selling telescopic ladder for £46.78, £58.78 and £69.58 respectively when purchased online – amazing prices for a ladder suited to a variety of jobs and applications.

Our aluminium telescopic ladder is made from high-quality aluminium alloy, providing a strong, reliable product that is also lightweight and easy to transport. Perfect for a range of tasks in a variety of environments. Our telescopic ladder:

• Is ideal for contractors & riggers as well as around the home and office.
• Can be easily stored retracted and stored thank to its compact design.
• Has Velcro strap wraps around steps for extra security when closed.
• Has a maximum weight capacity of 150kg
• Complies with EN131 CE

Order Your Telescopic Ladder >

You can take a closer look at our aluminium telescopic ladder in action below:

For more information on our new reduced prices on our telescopic ladder, contact a member of the SLG team today by calling 0117 9381 600 or emailing sales@safetyliftingear.com.

Different types of work require different safety measures. Therefore, it is vital that when working at height, you are properly equipped to complete the specific task-at-hand. However, with so many different working environments, operations and equipment, it can be a challenge to know exactly what type of equipment is needed for what task. Here, we break down the features of working at height, what is required when doing so and the several different working conditions, providing the necessary equipment needed to carry out work in the safest possible way.

Working at Height

Managing work at height follows a hierarchy of controls – avoid, prevent, restrain, arrest, which begins with the question “can the work be done safely from the ground?” Fall arrest equipment should only be considered as a last resort if other safety equipment cannot be used. For situations where work cannot be completed from the ground collective protection equipment such as nets and railings must be considered first.

A common solution is utilising scaffolding or mobile platform (MEWP) that provide easy and safe access at height. If none of the above methods can be implemented, individual fall protection equipment safeguarding from falls must be used. i.e. restraint equipment.

The basic features of individual fall protection equipment protecting against a fall from height are:

RESTRAINT:

1. Using fixed length equipment to position the user ensuring it isn't possible to reach a position from which he/she may fall from a height.

FALL ARREST:

2. If a fall occurs, the equipment must minimise the distance and consequences of a fall.

Components of Fall Protection Equipment

All fall protection systems must comprise three basic components:

• An anchor point – Anchor points are the first and most important element of an individual fall protection system. They connect to the workplace and work to fasten the connecting safeguarding component to a support structure. Anchor points may be permanent such as horizontal safety line systems with a steel rope or mobile such as safety tripods. All anchor points must conform to the requirements of EN795:2012 and be installed and tested in accordance with BS7883.

• Energy-absorbing components – This part of the fall protection system connects the safety harness to the anchor point. In the case of a fall, the energy-absorbing component must arrest the fall and absorb the energy generated. The component absorbs kinetic energy and limits the impact force to 6kN or less, which reduces the risk of further injury by suddenly stopping the fall. Typical equipment used with this function are energy-absorbing lanyards or a fall arrest blocks.

• Full body harness – The main purpose of a full-body harness is to keep an individual’s body supported while falling and ensure secure distribution of dynamic forces produced while arresting the fall.

Types of Work

As mentioned, different work conditions consist of different height safety requirements and procedures as a result of the environment they occur in and the dangers involved. Here we take a look and break down the safety requirements for working on a roof, fragile surfaces, ladders and scaffolds and the correct equipment that is needed to carry out work safely.

Roof Work

All work on roofs is highly dangerous, even a job that can take only minutes to complete consist of potentially fatal risks. Therefore, proper precautions are needed to control all the risks that are involved. The individuals managing and conducting the work need to be properly trained, competent and must fully plan the work to be completed in relation to the main risks, causes of accidents and equipment required.

Falls from roofs, either through fragile surfaces and openings or from roof edges can occur on both commercial and domestic projects as well as new build and refurbishment jobs. Many deaths happen every year involving smaller buildings working on the roof of domestic dwellings, which tend to fall under two types:

• Slopings roofs – These roofs require scaffolding to prevent workers and materials from falling from the edge. You must also fit edge protection to the eaves of any roof and on terraced properties to the rear as well as the front. Where work is of short duration, properly secured ladders to access the roof, such as roof ladders, may be used.

• Flat roofs – Falls from flat roof edges can be prevented by simple edge protection arrangments – a secure double guardrail and toeboard around the edge.

Work on a fragile surface roof requires a combination of stagings, guard rails, fall arrest and safety nets slung beneath and close to the roof. All roofs should be treated as fragile until they have been confirmed as not. Fragile rooflights are also a hazard as some may be difficult to spot in certain light conditions or maybe hidden by paint. These areas must be protected by using either barriers or covers that are secured and labelled with a warning. Here at SLG, we provide a number of products that ensure when working on sloping and flat roofs, you are completely protected against falls. You can view our best products for working on flat roofs below.

Fall Arrest Harness >      Fall Arrest Block >

Ladders

Every time a ladder is used to carry out work at height, a pre-use check needs to be conducted to ensure that it is safe for use. This should be carried out by:

• The user
• Before using the ladder
• After the ladder has been dropped or moved from a dirty area to a clean area (conditions of feet need to be looked over)

The benefit of carrying out pre-use checks is to identify any immediate or serious defects that can cause an accident. The areas of most concern are the ladder’s stiles, feet and rungs. Once this has been completed and you are satisfied that the ladder is in good working condition, you must then ensure that all of the required safety precautions to carry out work whilst on the ladder are in place, including wearing the right equipment. At SafetyLiftinGear, we provide a range of secure ladder safety equipment that ensures your safety whilst working at height, including quality fall protection kits.

Ladder Safety Kit Level 1 >           Ladder Safety Kit Level 2 >

Scaffolds

Tower scaffolds are one method used to prevent a fall when working at height on a sloped roof. The type of scaffold selected needs to be suitable for the work and erected and dismantled by people who have been trained and are competent to do so. However, despite scaffolds existing to prevent a fall, dangers still exist once the scaffold has been set up, with many people injured each year as a result of falling from them. Incidents with scaffolds often occur as a result of dangerous methods of erection or dismantling, defects in the erected scaffold or the scaffold being misused. To ensure maximum safety whilst working on a scaffold, it is recommended that all workers wear appropriate protective equipment, such as specialist scaffold harnesses. You can view ours below!

Scaffold Harness Kit >

Mobile Elevated Working Platforms (MEWPS)

When using mobile elevated work platforms such as cherry pickers and access platforms, there are a number of safety precautions that need to be implemented in order to avoid and prevent falls from occurring. Such as:

• Wearing a suitable harness
• Only using the platform on level, firm ground
• Working with a trained operator at ground level
• Only using equipment with outriggers and stabilisers
• Keeping the platform within safe working limits and radius, taking account of wind speeds, beams, hanging obstructions and power cables

If all of these things are adhered to, then the likelihood of a fall or serious consequences as a result of a fall occurring is dramatically decreased. You can find our best-selling access platform harness below!

Safety Harness Kit For Access Platform >

In order to avoid potentially fatal falls when working at height, it’s vitally important that you understand the specific requirements of every task you carry out. The working environment needs to be assessed by competent and qualified people, who can identify dangers and hazards before they cause a real accident. When the work is actually being carried out, the importance of wearing the correct equipment as well as setting up the necessary safety precautions cannot be understated. As well as the above products, we supply a whole range of height safety equipment, perfect for a variety of operations at height. You can browse our extensive collection below.

Browse Height Safety Equipment >

If you have any questions regarding our range of height safety equipment or any of the listed products, please do not hesitate to contact us today.

Modular spreader beams are an essential piece of equipment when you need to lift and transport extremely heavy loads!

Typically, slings are the go-to solution to lift loads and equipment. However, when doing so, additional horizontal forces are placed on the sling because its angles are less than 90-degrees. These added forced place stress to the weight that’s being lifted and therefore requires a larger lifting force to safely lift and transport the load.

Modular spreader beams are an excellent bit of kit, as they completely eliminate these horizontal forces by creating a mainly compressive force which is distributed across the lugs that are attached to the load. This allows the spreader beam to carry a great deal of weight compared to its size.

Here are at SafetyLiftinGear, we stock a wide range of modular spreader beams that can lift loads of up to 70 tonnes and are adjustable in length, making them an extremely versatile piece of equipment that can be used for a variety of lifting applications.

Browse our Modular Spreader Beams >

Our spreader beams in action 

SLG Helps Lift a Dunkirk Little Ship >

SLG Lifts a McGee Digger in London >

Spreader beams available to rent

Now, we know that purchasing a spreader beam for a lifting job can be a huge investment and as a result, not a viable option for many. Therefore, in order for our range of spreader beams to be more accessible, we offer an easy-to-use rental service that allows organisations and individuals to hire any of our spreader beams for any desired amount of time. So, whether you need a spreader beam for a one-off job or can’t commit to a full purchase, our hire service is the perfect thing for you.

To begin your rental enquiry, follow these simple steps:

• Head to our spreader beam range above
• Find and click on your desired product
• Select the ‘Hire Me’ option on the right to add the product to your hire basket
• Head to your hire basket to submit your rental enquiry and receive a quote

Yes, it’s really that simple! A member of our sales team will shortly contact you once your enquiry has been received to provide a quote for your rental period. We offer extremely competitive hire rates to ensure a cost-effective means for your business.

For more information on our modular spreader beam hire service, be sure to get in touch with a member of our sales team today by calling 0117 9381 600 or emailing sales@safetyliftingear.com, we’d be more than happy to help.

Ladders, ladders and more ladders. SafetyLiftinGear are exciting to announce our brand-new collection of premium Little Giant Ladders!

Little Giant Ladder Systems is one of the biggest online ladder suppliers in the world, having created and provided the very best ladder products and exceptional customer service to consumers for more than 10 years. In the 1970s, Harold ‘Hal’ Wing developed what we now know as the strongest, safest and most versatile ladder in the world – the Little Giant Ladder System. The professional-grade, multi-use ladder system was able to be set up in 24 different positions, quickly becoming the most famous ladder in the world. Since then, more ladders have been produced, serving a variety of purposed and functions to allow a range of tasks and applications to be completed efficiently and safely. And now, you can buy one of these outstanding ladder products right here at SafetyLiftinGear – expanding our already extensive range of ladders that are available.

Here is a selection of the Little Giant Ladders that you can purchase with us today:

Little Giant Safety Steps

These Little Giant Safety Steps offer users a unique combination of strength and simplicity – featuring fantastic slip-resistant steps that provide unrivalled comfort and stability. These safety steps have been manufactured with superior, lightweight aerospace-grade aluminium, providing easy transportation and outstanding longevity. Its slim storage depth of just 12cm allows you to store these steps just about anywhere, perfect for loading in the van to take to your next job or keeping in the cupboard ready for when you need them. Engineered for professional and industrial use, the Safety Step can withstand up to 150kg on each step, demonstrating its robustness.

Order Your Little Giant Safety Steps >

Little Giant Velocity Multi-Purpose Ladder

These Little Giant Velocity Multi-Purpose Ladders incorporates the latest advances in ladder technology, making them lighter, faster and much easier to use, all without sacrificing the strength, stability and versatility that consumers have come to know and love with the original Little Giant Classic Ladder. Thanks to the new spring-assisted Rapid Lock adjustments, you are now able to set up and adjust the Velocity ladder in seconds! Simply twist the lock to release, adjust the ladder into your desired position then twist the lock back to secure. The patented double-lock hinge and telescoping sides make this a truly multi-use ladder that can be used in a variety of unique combinations!

Order Your Little Giant Velocity Ladder >

Little Giant Extension Ladder

Little Giant Ladder’s HyperLite™ SumoStance® is the only extension ladder in the world with Little Giant’s patented SumoStance levelling outrigger system, which more than doubles the ladder’s base width and increases side-tip stability. This extension ladder’s intuitive safety features enable a safe, stable set up for a variety of operations on almost any surface. As a result of their premium manufacture, these extension ladders are lighter than any other manufacturer’s lightest extension ladders, allow easy transportation.

Order Your Little Giant Extension Ladder >

View more Little Giant Ladders >

A roofing company boss has been sentenced to jail after one of his builders fell 30ft to his death whilst working on a £7 million home in Kensington.

The owner of G&L Scaffolding and Roofing, Kevin Leathers, 41, had “flagrantly ignored” safety warnings when father-of-five Jon Currie, 36, was not wearing a harness when he fell, leading to “catastrophic brain damage” and ultimately his death in July 2017.

The experienced scaffolder lost his footing while taking down a temporary roof of corrugated iron panels. Leather pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees and was eventually jailed for eight months, having been previously warned about his employees working in dangerous conditions.

Prosecutors stated that Leathers had been sent a letter reminding him of strict health and safety requirements and that his working practices were “unsafe” when his crew were spotted working without safety harnesses. When Mr Currie fell, he and another worker were again not wearing safety harnesses and no risk assessment had been carried out to identify potential dangers. Curries was also not qualified for the job that he was doing that day. Prosecutor stated that Leathers “failed to exercise his duty of care and as a result, Jon Currie died while working for him. Leathers intentionally breached or flagrantly ignored the law.”

Passing sentence, Judge Joanna QC said “after the letter in April, Leather could not have been warned in clearer terms about the dangers of the activities undertaken. He failed to take appropriate steps. If death results from such failures you must expect to receive an immediate prisons sentence.”

Leather was charged with manslaughter by gross negligence after Curries fell working on an extension to a double-storey basement.

This is another example of the extreme dangers faced when work is carried without the required equipment. Here at SafetyLiftinGear, we provide quality, effective height safety equipment including harnesses, lanyard and fall arrest blocks that assure your safety when working at all heights. You can browse our range below!

Our Height Safety Equipment >

For more information on our height safety equipment or to speak to one of our experts about any of our products, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us today by calling 0117 9381 600 or emailing sales@safetyliftingear.com.

Types & Uses

Industrial lifting clamps are used by many organisations across a variety of industries such as construction, engineering and shipping for a range of different applications. The type of lifting clamp used, however, will depend entirely on the nature and needs of the lifting operation. Here, we take a look at the different types of industrial lifting clamps available at SafetyLiftinGear and where you are likely to use them.

Beam Clamps

• These clamps are mostly used for the lifting and suspending of heavy items such as steel beams
• Beam clamps provide very high strength levels and can be attached to a variety of beams and similar objects
• You will find beam clamps used most often in an industrial setting such as garages and factories
• They are extremely useful in any setting that required heavy beam-type objects to be lifted safely

Girder Clamps

• Girder clamps also attach to steel girders and beams
• These are only used for vertical lifting and not horizontal type side loading
• Girder clamps are typically found within heavy-duty industrial settings to clamp onto girders and similar items
• The majority of models are fully adjustable and can be attached to girders of different sizes
• Girder clamps are very easy to fit, do not require any specialist tools and low-maintenance

Plate Lifting Clamps

• Plate lifting clamps allow both vertical and horizontal lifting
• Ideal for lifting, moving and transferring metal plates and sheets
• The clamp to metal plates through a biting motion and are often used in pairs for extra security
• These are often used in heavy lifting industries such as manufacturing

Other Types of Specialist Lifting Clamps

These clamps represent the additional types of clamps that you are likely to find being used across industries for very specific lifting operations:

• Board Clamps – These are commonly found on building sites for gripping and lifting items such as plasterboard, plastics, stone, wood and MDF.

• Drum Lifting Clamps – These clamps are used to lift a variety of drums, including oil, chemical and sometimes beer drums.

• Pipe Lifting Clamps – These clamps are typically used to lift, manoeuvre and lower pipes of a variety of materials into required positions.

• Pile Pitching Clamps – These clamps are often used with shackles and rope to safely lift and remove piling from within the ground.

• Rail Clamps – These specialist clamps are found within the rail industry and are used to lift and move individual pieces of rail track into the correct position.

• Manhole Clamps – These clamps are specifically designed and used to lift manhole covers.

SafetyLiftinGear’s Collection of Lifting Clamps

All of the above clamps are available to purchase or hire directly from SafetyLiftinGear. Depending on your lifting application, our range of clamps can be modified to suit your exact lifting requirements, ensuring your tasks are completed in the safest and most efficient way possible.

For more information on our collection of lifting clamps, be sure to contact us today by calling 0117 9381 600 or emailing sales@safetyliftingear.com.