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Safety & Health Expo Review Safety showcase Protecting personnel from injury remains a high priority as last month’s Safety & Health Expo showed. We review the latest products that were launched. Telescopic duo from Youngman Youngman unveiled two telescopic aluminium work platforms that fold flat for easy storage and manoeuvrability. The telescopic legs enable height adjustment to be made without specialist tools and facilitate work on stairs. Gate access provides 360° of secure guard railing. The Telescopic 7 tread model gives working heights from 3.26-3.78m, and the Telescopic 10 tread adjusts to provide 3.57-4.35m working heights. The company promoted its work at height training programme, The Knowledge, which is aimed at hirers, tradesmen and other industry professionals. It comprises a full-day course during which delegates are taught how to advise, organise and plan work at height safely, and to select and inspect the equipment used. On successful completion of an exam following the session, delegates receive a certificate of competence. T
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130360 Castle meter measures the risk Castle Group’s new Excieo human vibration meter is designed for conducting HAV risk assessments to the requirements of the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations. The user interface allows each measurement to be stored with an employee and/or a tool reference. This means the results can be interrogated to give daily exposure values or tool type data. The meter can also be used to measure whole body vibration with the use of an appropriate accelerometer pick-up. Supplied as part of a kit, the included software allows for reporting and data management via USB connection and has a feature enabling simple copying and pasting into word processors or spreadsheets. T
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584250 Proper inspections with PASMA PASMA (the Prefabricated Access Suppliers’ and Manufacturers’ Association) launched the Tower Inspection Record, completion of which is said to constitute compliance with the appropriate requirements of the Work at Height Regulations. Measuring 195mm by 70mm and printed on both sides, it quickly indicates the status of a tower on site. On the green side, managers write details such as their name, their company, a description of the tower and its location. The red side, headed Do Not Use, shows when the tower is incomplete, damaged or unsafe. PASMA also announced its new standard training course, plus two courses on working at height and low-level access developed in association with the Electrical Contractors’ Association. T
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4041 Coyles rolls out HAV limiter Shown at the exhibition as part of Speedy Hire’s display of safety solutions, the HAV-Safe device from Coyles Ltd is designed to limit the use of hand-held power tools within specific parameters. An authorised supervisor can input data regarding anticipated usage time, the tool’s quoted vibration magnitude and previous exposure points accrued within the working day, via a password protected keypad. Power to the tool is cut when preset conditions are met, such as reaching the prescribed exposure limit and action values. Coyles is developing versions for use with tools using different power sources, such as pneumatic, petrol and battery machines. T 0151 652 9876 Alto’s mobile solution Alto Towers’ Mobi-Platform is a self-propelled aluminium work platform that enables a single operator to undertake overhead tasks independently. The product is moved by the user and offers multiple platform levels. Made of aluminium alloy, it requires no power source and packs flat to facilitate transport and storage. T
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596644 In safe hands with Impacto Impacto Protective Products reports growing interest from hirers in its comprehensive range of hand and wrist protection products. European Sales Manager, Eric Lehtinen, states that they can reduce the effects of HAV and impacts. “We offer 12 kinds of gloves to suit a variety of requirements and situations. Some have inbuilt wrist supports for use with heavier equipment, and others are finished in special leather for extra grip. We also supply a liner style to be worn underneath disposable gloves.” Impacto’s range also includes various Air Gloves that incorporate a cellular air bladder lining to protect the palm, fingers and thumb from vibration while maintaining flexibility. If one of the 160 individual cells breaks, the performance of the others is unaffected. T
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740230 Scafftag system indicates HAV status Equipment tagging specialist, Scafftag, offers Microtag, a safety system for identifying small plant, equipment and lifting gear. Colour coded and date qualified, it can also be used to highlight any items that are in a ‘prohibited’ status. A further application for Microtag is for monitoring HAV. Inserts show the quoted vibration level of the tool and the maximum duration for which it can be used within legal limits. The system has been specified to all Heathrow T5 contractors. Scafftag offers other tagging products for use with scaffolding, ladders, harnesses, valves and chemicals. T
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725300 Laddermaster for gutter safety The Laddermaster is designed to provide a ladder with a rigid fixing point to a gutter. Supplied by SAI Industries, it was invented by Managing Director Steve Gilderdale to help in his roofing business. Launched at the Show, the product features a studded bracket that adjusts to the width of the user’s ladder. The ladder is then pitched against the wall or fascia board and the product’s sleeve is placed inside the gutter with the studded brackets on the outside. These are then attached by thumbscrews. The ladder can be placed on to the Laddermaster between the brackets, which include tie-off holes. The company reports that several hirers have already expressed interest in the product. T
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791301 Sound advice from Oi-Noise The new Control of Noise at Work Regulations suggest tests employers can use to estimate whether workers are at risk. HSE guidance suggests that if conversation at 2m is not possible, then the noise level is probably greater than 80dB, the threshold at which damage to hearing can start. The key ring sized Oi, from Oi-Noise Ltd, is a simple device for quick assessment of workplace noise hazards. It emits 80dB at the push of a button, and if the sound cannot be heard at 2m, employers know they need to take appropriate measures. T
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369 Speedy safe in high places Speedy Hire’s commitment to providing specialist safety equipment and training throughout industry was clearly demonstrated on its stand, with each division showing the solutions it offers. Last year, Speedy launched its ‘Safety from the Ground Up’ communications campaign to raise awareness of the Work at Height Regulations, and recently the company introduced its ‘Get a Grip’ initiative to promote wider understanding of HAV. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath, the Minister responsible for Health & Safety, visited the stand and tried out a Pop-Up battery-powered platform, a low-level access product with a maximum 1.63m platform height (www.pop-up-platform.co.uk). He said, “The work Speedy Hire is doing is an excellent example of how, by working with people in the industry, we can improve safety for people who work at height.” On each day of the Show, visitors could enter a free draw to win five places on courses run by the Speedy Training division, ranging from basic Health & Safety awareness to powered access platforms, mobile access towers, abrasive wheels, gas monitors and HAV. A grand prize of a whole day’s training from a Speedy Hire expert at the winner’s place of work was also awarded. T
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2300 UpRight builds a Pyramid UpRight International launched the Pyramid Tower, initially available in versions with platform heights of 1m and 1.25m. Both feature a one-piece design with no items to misplace and they can be assembled in less than 30 seconds. The Pyramid fits through a standard doorway and is easily transportable. At the end of April, UpRight International announced that the Tanfield Group was purchasing its powered access division and related distribution companies in the USA and Japan. Tanfield will now undertake the design, production and sales of all UpRight powered access equipment. UpRight will concentrate fully on its aluminium tower systems, including the Instant and ZipUp brands, plus the Spandeck walkway systems and F-System aluminium façade scaffolding. Facelift shows latest scissor lift Facelift Access Hire promoted a variety of work at height solutions, including the Haulotte Optimum 8 scissor lift, which was recently added to the fleet. The battery powered machine has a maximum platform height of 5.76m and is 1.91m high when stowed. It is 0.76m wide and has a platform capacity of 230kg. The company has also opened Safety Shops in Hickstead and Southampton, selling equipment, high-visibility clothing and other accessories, which can also be ordered on-line. T
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521595 Executive Hire News › Archives › June 2006 › Safety & Health Expo Review › Safety showcase
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