In order to ensure the continued safety of operatives and maintenance personnel who have to access roof areas, it is a legal requirement that the roof safety systems are inspected regularly and re-certified annually.

SAFETYWORKS & Solutions personnel are fully trained to undertake inspections, testing, and re-certification, and if so required, can supply and install replacement systems.

To discuss your roof safety systems annual inspection requirements, please contact SAFETYWORKS & Solutions on 01487 841400, email beth@safetyworksandsolutions.co.uk or visit www.safetyworksandsolutions.co.uk

High flying Redditch business wins Queen’s Award for Enterprise 2011

A quadrupling of export earnings over six years has led to Redditch-based Uniline Safety Systems today (21st April) being granted a Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.

Uniline, which designs and manufactures fall protection and rescue equipment for people working at height, has a strong customer base in the UK but it is its extraordinary growth in its markets in North America, Europe, Australia, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates and China, which caught the eye of the Queen’s Awards Office.

The young business also recently grabbed the attention of major competitor Capital Safety Group who decided at the end of last year that, if they couldn’t beat Uniline, they should acquire them to really steal a march on the global market.

Simon Luke Managing Director, who founded Uniline Safety Systems in 2000, praised his team, “The global and domestic markets have been very tough and, you could argue, we have achieved our growth against the odds. But our secret weapon is our workforce.

“We have brilliant people working here in Redditch with some really inspirational designers and a business development team who have given their all to help build the business. I’d like to congratulate all of the Uniline staff on everything they’ve achieved”

Uniline have utilised their considerable experience in engineered fall protection risk control to win favour and project installation contracts with international architects, building custodians, risk managers and constructors on recent prestigious projects such as the Zayed University (Abu Dhabi), Gamesa Wind Turbines (Worldwide) Dubai Business Village, Alliander, Dutch Airforce (Netherlands), Sacramento Airport, (USA), Durban World Cup Stadium, and others across Europe, Asia, America, Africa and Australia.

Kee Walk® is the only system of its type which complies fully with the harmonised European Standard EN 516:2006 (Prefabricated Accessories for Roofing – Installations for roof access – Walkways, treads and steps) which became mandatory in January 2006. It exceeds the deflection criteria and slip resistance requirements of this standard and achieves almost double the friction requirement of BS 4592 in both wet and dry conditions. Specifying Kee Walk® will help those companies needing to meet the requirements of Work at Height Regulations. The system is fully compatible with all horizontal safety line systems including Kee Safety’s own KeeLine® system.

Providing a level, anti-slip walking surface, Kee Walk® modules can be easily connected together to form a clear demarcation route. This ensures that the roof is protected from unnecessary damage with the pedestrian weight uniformly loaded across the surface of the walkway.  Kee Walk® is ideally suited to flat, barrel and sloping surfaces.

Kee Walk® is supplied in standard modules, which can be supplied ex-stock for rapid installation on virtually any rooftop project. The modules are supplied as 1.5m and 3m pre-assembled sections to suit the requirements of different roofs.  These lightweight modules are constructed from glass reinforced nylon treads attached to aluminium support beams that are fixed to the roof surface. Steps and a traverse option, complete with an adjustable hinge, enable a Kee Walk® installation to be adapted to roof configurations from 0 through to 35 degrees. The installer can easily set the angle of the steps, by removing the locating bolt in the hinge, adjusting the angle and replacing the bolt at the desired point on the hinge. No bespoke parts are required.

For full details on Kee Walk® and the company’s range of compatible Personal Protection Equipment, including harnesses, lanyards, helmets, knee pads and boots, visit www.keesafety.com/uk. Full technical support and advice on walkway requirements is available direct from the company.

Kee Safety Ltd is the UK division of Kee Safety International, a global safety company with offices in Canada, France, Germany, Poland, UAE and USA. The Kee Safety International business is divided into four sectors; Safety Components, Safety Systems, Safe Access Solutions and Safe Fixings. Safety Components incorporates the top-selling Kee Klamp^® fittings, the corrosion-resistant Kee Lite^® range and DDA compliant Kee Access® fittings typically used in handrailing and other tubular structure applications. Safety Systems incorporates a number of collective and personal fall protection solutions, including KeeGuard^® roof edge fall protection, Kee Dome^® skylight guardrail, Kee Walk® rooftop walkway system and the Kee Anchor^® portable deadweight man anchor system. Safe Access Solutions covers the industrial flooring and hand railing systems provided by the group’s British Standard Gratings business. Finally, in Safe Fixings the company offers the versatile BeamClamp^® and BoxBolt^® steelwork fixing solutions widely used in curtain walling and other secondary steelwork applications.

In order to ensure the continued safety of operatives and maintenance personnel who have to access roof areas, it is a legal requirement that the roof safety systems are inspected regularly and re-certified annually. The process ensures that all components are inspected for signs of damage/wear and tear, or corrosion, as well as testing relevant fall arrest and restraint products to confirm that they remain fully operational in terms of sustaining their designated load issued upon installation.

SAFETYWORKS & Solutions highly experienced personnel are fully trained to undertake inspections, testing, and re-certification, and if so required, can supply and install replacement systems.

Companies need to be aware that if the certification of a roof safety system does expire, then they must ensure that no one uses the system until the relevant legally required inspection, testing and re-certification measures have been put in place.

To discuss your roof safety systems annual inspection requirements, please contact SAFETYWORKS & Solutions on 01487 841400, or email beth@safetyworksandsolutions.co.uk

This arrangement marks the first major group agreement between Lavendon and all of Skanska UK’s operating units. The agreement positions Lavendon as Skanska’s preferred supplier of powered access in the UK in a deal worth over £1 million.

The deal sees the alignment of Europe’s largest powered access provider with Skanska, one of the most dynamic global providers of building and support services.

The aim of the agreement is to reduce operating costs by the efficient use of powered access equipment and resources, and by the promotion of an environment of cost consciousness. The agreement will promote health, safety, quality and environmental issues throughout both businesses.

Skanska’s Procurement and Supply Chain Director, Andrew MacAskill, said: “By combining all of our group companies within this agreement we will be able to realise considerable economies and operational efficiencies. This national agreement places a clear emphasis on the importance of safe and efficient ways in which to work at height. With this new alliance, our main aim is to increase productivity whilst maintaining a safe and injury free environment.”

Lavendon Access Services’ Chief Executive for the UK and Middle East, Andy Wright, said:

“As the largest provider of powered access in Europe, we are delighted to have concluded this agreement and look forward to working closely with Skanska.

“We operate in nine countries and have over 100 locations across Europe and the Middle East, so there is great potential to develop this mutually beneficial relationship even further.

As the market leader in powered access, we have an excellent understanding of our customers’ needs. We provide the best possible service, not just by supplying equipment, but by understanding how it is most efficiently used. We provide solutions, we are always looking to innovate, and we are determined to push the boundaries of our industry.”

For further information regarding Lavendon Access Services please contact Emily Lowth: Tel +44 (0)1455 206719 or email emily.lowth@lavendongroup.co.uk

Nationwide Platforms played a key role in bringing to life Audi’s dramatic ‘Mirror, Signal, Outmanoeuvre’ TV ad for its new supercar. Rogue Films, the makers of the advert, hired a mixture of electric scissor lifts and booms for the shoot, which took place at the Excel Centre in London’s Docklands.

The machines were used to support lighting rigs and camera equipment while, 10 metres below, 22 drivers were filmed manoeuvring ‘beast’ cars in a seemingly chaotic fashion, avoiding the supercar by a matter of inches.

A number of outdoor machines were also used at North Weald Air Field for a series of practice sessions. In addition to supporting lighting and cameras, the platforms allowed the ad team to watch from above and accurately plot the choreographed action.

James Marchant, Sales Manager – Media Sector at Nationwide Platforms, supplied the equipment. He said: “Rogue Films hired quite a variety of machines for the practice sessions and the shoot to cover any eventuality. They also had 3 Audi R8 Spyders available for the duration of the project and, as far as I know, all survived unscathed!”

For further information regarding Lavendon Access Services please contact: Emily Lowth. Tel: +44 (0)1455 206719 or email: emily.lowth@lavendongroup.co.uk.

KeeLine® comprises an 8mm Gr.316 stainless steel wire, electro-polished brackets, detachable travellers and powder coated anchors which can be assembled to create spans of up to 15m for simultaneous use by up to three users. The system also incorporates an Inline Shock Absorber. This ensures that KeeLine® can be installed on a wide variety of lightweight, modern roof constructions whilst minimising the load to an acceptable level. The system’s unique ‘see-through’ top fix posts require minimal roof penetration and eliminate the need for expensive ‘fall-over’ posts at every support.

A range of KeeLine® fixing options provides maximum versatility. The system can be installed on most modern roof types or where fixing to the main roof structure is required, KeeLine® is compatible with our existing Postanka® anchors. If no roof penetration is desired, then KeeLine® can be used with the Kee Safety Wireanka® range of deadweight anchors for a safe temporary or permanent solution. A KeeLine® for Structures option is also available to allow mounting directly to concrete, steel, brick or stonework either in a horizontal or overhead application.

KeeLine® is straightforward to specify using bespoke calculation software. CE approved, it conforms fully to EN795 Class C, OSHA 1915.159, 1926.502M, ANSI Z359.1 2007 and AS/NZS 1891.2.

For full details on KeeLine® and the company’s range of compatible Personal Protection Equipment, including harnesses, lanyards, helmets, knee pads and boots, visit www.keesafety.com/uk. Full technical support and advice is available direct from the company.

Kee Safety Ltd is the UK division of Kee Safety International, a global safety company with offices in Canada, France, Germany, Poland, UAE and USA. The Kee Safety International business is divided into four sectors; Safety Components, Safety Systems, Safe Access Solutions and Safe Fixings. Safety Components incorporates the top-selling Kee Klamp^® fittings, the corrosion-resistant Kee Lite^® range and DDA compliant Kee^® Access fittings typically used in handrailing and other tubular structure applications. Safety Systems incorporates a number of collective and personal fall protection solutions, including KeeGuard^® roof edge fall protection, Kee Dome^® skylight guardrail, Kee® Walk rooftop walkway system and the Kee Anchor^® portable deadweight man anchor system. Safe Access Solutions covers the industrial flooring and hand railing systems provided by the group’s British Standard Gratings business. Finally, in Safe Fixings the company offers the versatile BeamClamp^® and BoxBolt^® steelwork fixing solutions widely used in curtain walling and other secondary steelwork applications.

To be one of the companies to receive the accolade in 2010, Lavendon had to demonstrate that it had reduced the number of accidents and cases of ill health at work – and has robust health and safety management systems in place.

The award was presented at a ceremony at the Hilton Metropole Hotel, at the NEC, near Birmingham last month.

David Rawlins, RoSPA’s Awards Manager, said: “Lavendon Group PLC has shown a commitment to protecting the health and well-being of its employees and others. Organisations which do this deserve to have such dedication recognised and that’s where the RoSPA Awards come in.

“As well as there being clear ethical reasons and legal requirements for good health and safety management, there is also a strong business case. RoSPA is delighted to publicly honour organisations which have demonstrated their work to improve performance in this sphere.”

Andy Wright, Chief Executive of Lavendon Access Services, said: “Winning the RoSPA Gold Award is fantastic news and reflects the incredible amount of hard work our staff put in to maintaining the focus and commitment that Lavendon Access Services has towards improving health and safety. We are determined to take a leadership role in continuously raising health and safety standards in our industry.

“Many of our clients set the same high standards of excellence in health and safety, so it is very important that we have been able to show, through this RoSPA Gold Award, that we are continuously striving to ensure their workplaces are as safe as possible.”

Highlights of the entry included the ‘Safety Starts with You’ campaign, which continues to introduce an innovative, common approach to health and safety across the company’s 43 UK depots.

The TechX programme, designed to set consistently high standards of practice in key operational areas (including engineering and equipment maintenance, environmental management, procurement, housekeeping and health and safety) demonstrated a significant impact in promoting more efficient, effective and safer practices.

This is just the latest award in recent months for Lavendon and its companies. Earlier this month, Lavendon Access Services won the Tool, Equipment and Plant Hire Company of the Year and the Effective Health and Safety Management awards at Hire Awards of Excellence 2010, given by the Hire Association of Europe. Last month it was also named Company of the Year in the International Awards for Powered Access.

For further information regarding Lavendon Group PLC please contact: Emily Lowth. Tel: +44 (0)1455 206719 or email: emily.lowth@lavendongroup.co.uk