Tag: health-and-safety

04 Aug 2016

More Height Safety Disasters!

mike Health & Safety

As we've noticed so many terrible examples of poor, or even non-existent height safety during the past few weeks, we decided it was about time that we created a post to highlight our concerns, and show just how common these idiotic actions can be! Just try to look at these photographs without feeling a little bit ill...

(Pinterest)

Lesson #1: The material lift equivalent of giving your mate a boost is never a good idea...

(Pinterest)

In fact, getting your work mates to hold you up is probably one of the worst ideas when it comes to height safety, which is why lesson #2 is to avoid a dizzying situation like the one pictured above!

(Stupid Humans)

Lesson #3: Your workplace probably isn't the best place to practise your tightrope skills. Stick on a harness, and learn how use a scissor lift properly!

(Pinterest)

Lesson #4: If you really want to be air lifted, just keep working like this! The emergency services will soon have you sorted...

(Pinterest)

Lesson #5: For goodness' sake, use the right ladder! It will save you the hassle of improvising this contraption, as well as a few dozen broken bones...

We hope that our latest disaster round-up inspired you to avoid any improvised shortcuts and crazy solutions in the workplace! If you'll excuse the pun, working at height is dangerous on all levels, which is why you should always have the proper safety measures in place, and ensure that you're making full use of the correct height safety equipment!

26 Jul 2016

Event Rigging Equipment from SafetyLiftinGear

mike Health & Safety , Products

Here at SafetyLiftinGear.com we have expansive range of Event Rigging Equipment for live performances and staged events. We have a great record when it comes to event rigging. We have supplied equipment to a number of big names, including the BBC and Pinewood Studios, and we've even been used by touring rock bands including the legendary Foo Fighters.

Our rigging department includes hoists, harnesses, clamps and many more, and the majority of our range is black in colour, so they're less visible on stage. All of our equipment is fully certified and tested, so you can rest assured that they will keep the live event running safe and efficient.

Here are some of the products in our Event Rigging Range:

Beam Clamps

View Here >

These Beam Clamps have been designed for live events and are capable of supporting extremely heavy loads but the maximum weight capacity varies between products so please ensure the beam clamp you've selected is fir for purpose before purchasing. All of our beam clamp range is painted black to ensure that they don't attract the attention of the audience at the live event.

Chain Hoists

View Here >

Our Chain Hoists can be used to lift weights of up to 1 tonne but maximum weight capacity differs between products, so please check before purchasing. Our chain hosts are lightweight and compact and coloured black to blend into the background.

Load Arrestors

View Here >

It's important when lifting a heavy load that you ensure the load will not be allowed to fall to the ground. Our Load Arrestors halt the descent of overhead loads if the primary support system fails. All of our Arrestors come in a range of maximum lengths and weight load limits, so it's important you check you've chosen the right one that meets your requirements.

Safety Harnesses

View Here >

If you're providing a stage rigging service, you may find yourself working at height. To prevent any injuries resulting in accidents or falls you must ensure that the correct safety equipment is worn. We stock a fantastic range of harnesses, and we're confident that no matter what you're requirements are, we are confident you will find the harness to ensure you conduct your work safely.

To see our full range of Event Rigging Equipment, Click Here.

26 Jul 2016

Event Rigging Equipment from SafetyLiftinGear

mike Health & Safety , Products

Here at SafetyLiftinGear.com we have expansive range of Event Rigging Equipment for live performances and staged events. We have a great record when it comes to event rigging. We have supplied equipment to a number of big names, including the BBC and Pinewood Studios, and we've even been used by touring rock bands including the legendary Foo Fighters.

Our rigging department includes hoists, harnesses, clamps and many more, and the majority of our range is black in colour, so they're less visible on stage. All of our equipment is fully certified and tested, so you can rest assured that they will keep the live event running safe and efficient.

Here are some of the products in our Event Rigging Range:

Beam Clamps

View Here >

These Beam Clamps have been designed for live events and are capable of supporting extremely heavy loads but the maximum weight capacity varies between products so please ensure the beam clamp you've selected is fir for purpose before purchasing. All of our beam clamp range is painted black to ensure that they don't attract the attention of the audience at the live event.

Chain Hoists

View Here >

Our Chain Hoists can be used to lift weights of up to 1 tonne but maximum weight capacity differs between products, so please check before purchasing. Our chain hosts are lightweight and compact and coloured black to blend into the background.

Load Arrestors

View Here >

It's important when lifting a heavy load that you ensure the load will not be allowed to fall to the ground. Our Load Arrestors halt the descent of overhead loads if the primary support system fails. All of our Arrestors come in a range of maximum lengths and weight load limits, so it's important you check you've chosen the right one that meets your requirements.

Safety Harnesses

View Here >

If you're providing a stage rigging service, you may find yourself working at height. To prevent any injuries resulting in accidents or falls you must ensure that the correct safety equipment is worn. We stock a fantastic range of harnesses, and we're confident that no matter what you're requirements are, we are confident you will find the harness to ensure you conduct your work safely.

To see our full range of Event Rigging Equipment, Click Here.

13 Apr 2016

Height Safety Breaches Lead to Fines, and Even Jail Sentences!

mike Health & Safety

As our regular followers will know, we often write about the vital necessity of height safety measures, particularly in the workplace. We do this to remind employers and workers about the importance of abiding by the correct height safety regulations, by conducting through risk assessments, following best practice guidelines, and using the correct equipment.

Sadly, however, it seems to make little difference how often this issue is discussed either by ourselves, or by other safety professionals. Without fail, a new case of neglected height safety seems to rear its ugly head almost every week. Recently, two news stories came to our attention, both of which had serious consequences for both the workers and the companies employing them. Here's what went wrong, and what the consequences were:

The first case involves a roofing firm in Worcester, who were fined £66,000 after an employee was seriously injured at work. Whilst replacing a fragile roof in April of last year, the worker fell through a skylight and broke his wrist. After an investigation by the HSE was conducted, they found that this accident was a result of the company's failure to implement proper fall protection measures. If edge protection, nets and guardrails had been provided, the risk to the individual and other employees would have been significantly reduced.

In the second case, two construction bosses were sentenced to eight months in prison, and were ordered to pay a £90,000 fine along with £45,000 in court costs, following a worker fatality back in 2014. The incident occurred while C Smith and Sons were dismantling a building set for demolition, which required workers to operate at height. Following one near-miss, and an incident which left a 47 year old man with a fractured spine, pelvis, leg, heel and wrist, work was shockingly allowed to continue. Just hours after his co-worker was injured and only a day after one close call, Paul Harrower fell through a skylight, and died of serious head injuries.

Both of these incidents could have been prevented by the implementation of proper health and safety measures, which would have helped to save the lives and livelihoods of all those involved. Incidents like these can damage reputations and wreck lives, for the victims and their families, as well as those who are responsible. If you conduct operations at height, please take note of these regularly occurring tragedies, and avoid the same thing happening to you! Set the correct measures, follow them, and always use the correct equipment!

For all the latest H&S news and advice, follow us on Twitter.

13 Apr 2016

Height Safety Breaches Lead to Fines, and Even Jail Sentences!

mike Health & Safety

As our regular followers will know, we often write about the vital necessity of height safety measures, particularly in the workplace. We do this to remind employers and workers about the importance of abiding by the correct height safety regulations, by conducting through risk assessments, following best practice guidelines, and using the correct equipment.

Sadly, however, it seems to make little difference how often this issue is discussed either by ourselves, or by other safety professionals. Without fail, a new case of neglected height safety seems to rear its ugly head almost every week. Recently, two news stories came to our attention, both of which had serious consequences for both the workers and the companies employing them. Here's what went wrong, and what the consequences were:

The first case involves a roofing firm in Worcester, who were fined £66,000 after an employee was seriously injured at work. Whilst replacing a fragile roof in April of last year, the worker fell through a skylight and broke his wrist. After an investigation by the HSE was conducted, they found that this accident was a result of the company's failure to implement proper fall protection measures. If edge protection, nets and guardrails had been provided, the risk to the individual and other employees would have been significantly reduced.

In the second case, two construction bosses were sentenced to eight months in prison, and were ordered to pay a £90,000 fine along with £45,000 in court costs, following a worker fatality back in 2014. The incident occurred while C Smith and Sons were dismantling a building set for demolition, which required workers to operate at height. Following one near-miss, and an incident which left a 47 year old man with a fractured spine, pelvis, leg, heel and wrist, work was shockingly allowed to continue. Just hours after his co-worker was injured and only a day after one close call, Paul Harrower fell through a skylight, and died of serious head injuries.

Both of these incidents could have been prevented by the implementation of proper health and safety measures, which would have helped to save the lives and livelihoods of all those involved. Incidents like these can damage reputations and wreck lives, for the victims and their families, as well as those who are responsible. If you conduct operations at height, please take note of these regularly occurring tragedies, and avoid the same thing happening to you! Set the correct measures, follow them, and always use the correct equipment!

For all the latest H&S news and advice, follow us on Twitter.

12 Feb 2016

Company Fined After Carrying Out Dangerous Window Installation Work Eight Metres above a West End Street

admin Health & Safety

A window manufacturer and installer has been fined £36,000 after their workers were seen installing a window without any safety precautions, 8 metres above a busy west end street.

Westminster’s magistrates court head that the company carried out window installation work, which put their workers and members of the public at risk of serious injuries or fatalities.

A member of the public provided photos of the workers leading out of a window 8 metres above the street, they also provided a video, filmed on their phone, of the workers accidentally dropping a part of the window which fell to the ground narrowly missing a pedestrian.

The health and safety executive investigation found that the company failed to provide basic safety equipment, including scaffolding – which would have prevented the workers and the window from falling. On top of not providing the essential safety equipment, health and safety executive also found that the workers had not received any formal training, and there was no supervisor present.

It was also found that no risk assessment had been conducted, and the company had failed to invest in the correct safety equipment needed for when people are working at height.

Andrew Verrall – Withers, an HSE Inspector said – “The Company’s standards were appalling, and this was particularly unacceptable as previous warnings had been blatantly disregarded.”

In this day and age, there is no excuse to not take the relevant safety precautions when you are carrying out dangerous work.

Working at height is extremely dangerous so it is incredibly important to adhere to the working at height regulations and take the correct safety precautions at all times. These laws are in place to help protect workers, and the general public. In this case, if the pedestrian was under the window at the wrong time, there could have been a fatal accident.

If you have been asked to work at height make sure you have all the correct equipment for the task ahead. Remember to inspect your equipment for damage before use. If you equipment is damaged in any way, do not carry out the work until you have sourced a replacement, or had it repaired.

Here at SafetyLiftinGear we have a whole department dedicated to height safety. Here you will find a variety of specialist safety harnesses, fall arrest blocks, lanyards, safety lines, rope access equipment, anchors and more.

If you are looking for a specific item but cannot locate it on our website, you can contact us by telephoning 0800 123 69 69 or emailing sales@safetyliftingear.com and a member of our team will be more than happy to assist you.