A scaffolding company located in Dorset has been sentenced after a 49-year old worker fell victim to serious, life-changing injuries as a result of falling five metres through a skylight whilst working.
Paul Norris was working for Solar Scaffold Services Limited, who were contacted to erect an access tower and guard rails on the roof perimeter of industrial units in Christchurch during April 2017. On completion of the work on the access tower, Mr Norris proceeded to assist his co-workers with work on the guard rails, gaining access via the roof. As he was doing this, Mr Norris fell through a skylight which was approximately five metres above the floor and suffered a number of serious injuries to his arm, elbow, wrists, ribs and pelvis as a result.
Following the injuries, Mr Norris remained in the hospital for three weeks, undergoing several operations with much physiotherapy still required. This has resulted in him being registered disabled, forced to move into an adapted flat, the inability to return to work and his wife having to give up work in order to provide full-time care.
Following an investigation conducted by the HSE, it was found that the employer Solar Scaffold Services Limited, failed in their duty to provide adequate safety measures, through poor planning, supervision and execution. Insufficient measures were taken to prevent the fall whilst work was carried out on the fragile roof.
This has resulted in Solar Scaffold Services Limited pleading guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and being fined £10,000 and ordered to pay costs of more than £3,000.
HSE Inspector Caroline Penwill stated after the hearing that "falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work-related fatalities and injuries in this country. This serious incident could have been avoided if the work had been properly planned to reduce risk."
To ensure you are properly protected whilst working at height, take a look at our range of Height Safety Equipment by clicking below - if you have any questions regarding any of our products, then please contact us today!
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When operating a cherry picker, it’s important that proper safety procedures are in place and that the right safety equipment is selected so that falls and other height related accidents don’t occur.
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Respiratory protective equipment, often referred to as Respiratory PPE is worn when an individual is working in an environment where they are exposed to hazardous substances in the air. Choosing the right Respiratory PPE for a particular working environment, and ensuring employees are using it properly is essential to their safety.
If there is a respiratory hazard in your workplace your employer should:
A half mask respirator covers the nose and mouth of the wearer and is held in place using adjustable straps. As the wearer breathes, air travels through the filters and is cleaned before being inhaled. At SafetyLiftinGear, we supply A1 Cartridges to filter out organic vapour and gases. We also supply the Half Mask Respirator itself, which has been carefully designed to ensure a secure and comfortable fit when worn.
SafetyLiftinGear stocks a range of Dust Masks, including:
Please ensure that you read the details of these products carefully before purchasing to ensure you are choosing the right mask for the job.
Emergency escape breathing apparatus is a self-contained breathing system that incorporates a half mask, a hood, and a cylinder of air that can be used in extreme situations where an individual requires breathable air immediately. For example, in a confined space or during a fire. This equipment should only be used in emergencies – the cylinder will provide oxygen for approximately 10 minutes.
We hope that this makes choosing the right respiratory PPE for your workplace an easier task. If you’d like to look at our entire range of PPE and Workwear, click here.
If working at height is a regular part of your job, you know that proper fall protection equipment is imperative when it comes to getting the job done efficiently and safely. The dangers of working at height do not stop once the worker’s fall-arrest equipment performs effectively to reduce the consequences of a fall from height. The worker may now be at risk of an equally life-threatening emergency; suspension trauma.
When carrying a heavy load, it is paramount that you are using the correct equipment to keep you, and your colleagues, safe. But when it comes to carrying heavy loads upstairs it is even more crucial that you are tackling the task with the appropriate equipment, having fully evaluated potential risks.
The added hazard of falling and/or crushing means carrying loads upstairs is something you should take very seriously. The good news is, Safety Lifting Gear offers the equipment you need to make lifting loads upstairs easier and more efficient! Read on, to find out How to Safely Carry Loads Upstairs:
Working at height comes with high-level risk – it goes without saying that you need the right equipment to keep you safe. Our height safety services are of an incredibly high calibre (no pun intended). To prove we’re not afraid to put our money where our mouth is, we’d like to share the story of an exciting installation done for the Clifton Observatory in Bristol.
Before we delve into the details of the installation – and the height safety equipment used – we need to turn back the clock to tell you all about the Clifton Observatory and how it came to be:
In the 19th century, the artist William West renovated the Clifton Observatory from what was then a humble derelict mill and turned it into the observatory building it is today. It was West who first introduced the camera obscura – in England, this is the only camera obscura open to the general public.
To keep the camera obscura in tip-top condition, maintenance staff were required to clean the lens. Doing this meant getting pretty high up – and considering all the health and safety consequences that came with that.
To keep staff safe, we provided a bespoke fall restraint solution meaning staff could navigate the observatory rooftop sure in the knowledge the equipment provided by Safety Lifting Gear would prevent any dangerous falls.
While the heights weren’t for the fainthearted, the gorgeous views of Clifton bridge from the top of the observatory definitely make for some pictures to remember.
We know that safety is of the uppermost importance when there is a need for working at height – this is why we provide a wide selection of equipment to meet all of your height safety needs. From our safety harnesses to our wide selection of climbing cord and rope, you can rest assured any job can be done safely from falls.
For those who haven’t worked at height before, or if you’d like a refresher on best practice when working on a height-based project, check out our comprehensive height safety training courses! From reliable products to effective training, we can make your job easier and safer.
There are some important differences between the terms fall restraint and fall arrest, and it's extremely important to understand these differences (and use the correct safety equipment) when working at height.
According to current height safety regulations, you must:
All fall protection systems - including fall restraints AND fall arrests - consist of three essential pieces of equipment: anchors, lanyards and harnesses.
Anchors Lanyards Harnesses
Let's take a closer look at the two different types of fall protection system...
Fall restraints prevent the worker from being able to reach fall hazards in the first place. Fall restraint systems normally includes a fixed-length lanyard connected to a suitable anchorage point at one end and the worker's safety harness at the other. The length of the lanyard is adjusted to prevent the worker from being able to reach a fall hazard. Fall restraint systems are also referred to as work restraint or simply restraint systems.
A fall restraint system should always be considered before a fall arrest system (in accordance with the current working at height regulations) since fall restraints prevent falls from happening at all. A fall restraint system might also be considered where limited ground clearance is available below the work area. Restraint equipment typically requires less intervention from the worker as they're able to work continuously at a fixed distance from the anchorage point.
Fall restraints are also typically more cost-effective than fall arrest systems due to the fact that shock absorbers are not necessary, and you're not required to have a rescue plan in place for the duration of the work as there should be zero chance of the worker falling or being suspended in their harness.
A fall arrest system provides maximum freedom of movement for the worker - however, in doing so, it also enables the worker to reach a position where an accidental fall could occur. In the event of a fall, the fall arrest system ensures the worker will be caught before descending. Fall arrest equipment must be selected and positioned to limit the distance and consequences of the fall.
When using a fall arrest system, you will need to utilise a fall arrest harness and an appropriate lanyard. Fall arrest harnesses decelerate the momentum of a fall by absorbing the kinetic energy. Fall arrest harnesses are ergonomically designed to provide utmost comfort, both while working at height and in the event of a fall.
When using fall arrest systems, it's essential that you always use the correct equipment. Click the links below to browse the wide range of fall arrest anchors and fall arrest blocks available from SafetyLiftinGear.
Fall Arrest Anchors Fall Arrest Blocks
IMPORTANT: When choosing a fall arrest harness, you must ensure that it is fit for purpose. A fall protection harness that's designed to restrain the worker may not be able to safely halt a worker who has fallen from height. Choose a harness that's specifically designed to be used as part of a fall arrest system.
A fall arrest system should be used where it is not possible to restrict the worker from reaching a fall hazard. Fall arrest systems would typically be used when work needs to be completed on fragile surfaces, or when the worker is required to work over the leading edge of a fall hazard. If a worker is able to reach a fall hazard, fall arrest equipment (e.g. a fall arrest harness) must be used. Following a fall, consideration must be given to the rescue of the worker - leaving the worker suspended in the air for an extended period of time can result in suspension trauma.
The law states that, when planning work at height, consideration must be given to a full and comprehensive rescue plan. The rescue plan is intended to reduce the risks associated with the worker being suspended after a fall has occurred, and must ensure that the rescue is completed in a prompt and safe manner.
There are several methods of rescue available that are specific to the work environment and location of a fall. Here at SafetyLiftinGear, we offer variety of emergency rescue systems to allow the fast and efficient rescue of a suspended worker.
Click the button below to explore our full range of fall arrest and fall restraint equipment...
Fall Protection Equipment
...and if you have any questions about our fall protection systems, don't hesitate to contact SafetyLiftinGear today.
0117 9381 600
