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Executive Report: Sophisticated sanitation EHN reports on the PSE Expo held in Staffordshire on 6 and 7 March, where the latest equipment and services for the industry were highlighted. The strong growth in the portable sanitation industry in recent years has been driven largely by Health & Safety regulations concerning facilities at construction sites, highway projects, events and other activities. Portable Sanitation Europe (PSE) estimates there are now as many as 75,000 portable toilets throughout the UK industry. General Secretary Phil Mist states that the association is involved in the revision of the sanitary services section of the Events Safety Code (often referred to as the Purple Book) that recommends levels of provision. Closer links with bodies like the Health & Safety Executive and the Environment Agency are also said to be further promoting the industry. Growing sophistication is also evident. Regulations concerning on-site facilities have led to demand for features like hot water washing installations, rest areas and on-site welfare suites with integral generators. This requires careful site planning so that workers are in close proximity to facilities and that access for service is adequate. A wide range of equipment was displayed by suppliers at the Expo. Thal’s range includes the Mondo portable toilet, which features a new forearm sized wash basin. The tank seat area is offset for extra leg room and a hand flush or a foot flush can be specified. Thal (www.thal.com) also offers the Matterhorn special needs toilet designed for ease of wheelchair access. Shorelink International’s (www.shorelink-int.com) Meridian Zenith portable toilet has been designed for greater internal space and larger waste capacity. Its two-piece construction is said to prevent forklift damage. The unit features a large wash hand basin and a durable non-slip floor. Mobile welfare units GenQuip’s Groundhog was one of several mobile welfare units displayed. It can be towed into position by a Transit-type vehicle and secured into its static position in three minutes, being lowered to the ground using a patented retractable undercarriage. An integral petrol, diesel or lpg generator provides power, and the product is designed to meet HSE regulations for on-site provision of sanitary conveniences, washing facilities, drinking water, changing and eating. GenQuip (www.genquip.co.uk), a sister company to GenSet, says that extra features for the Groundhog will be launched at SED next month. The Whisper weekly site station from Elstons (www.elstons-ltd.co.uk) is a rechargeable battery powered mobile welfare unit designed to provide a week’s power between recharges, and which can be fitted with a solar panel. It incorporates four 250Ah batteries and a meter displays their charge status. Units can accommodate up to six people and facilities include a kitchen, storage areas, heating, a toilet, hot water washing, drying facilities and a rest area. Being battery powered, the Whisper produces no noise or exhaust emissions. Several companies displayed service vehicles for emptying waste from toilet facilities and disposing of it. At the top end of the scale was the 3,000-gallon capacity Volvo tanker from Davlav, part of Davro Services (www.davroservices.com), which has construction and event industry clients throughout the southeast. Davlav Tanker Services has a fleet of 15 vehicles working with suppliers of toilets and temporary buildings, plant hirers and construction groups. Also being promoted by Isuzu (www.isuzutruck.co.uk) was an NKR 3.5-tonne truck adapted by the portable sanitation hirer Challenger Site Services (www.challenger-site-services.co.uk) of Lancashire. Isuzu says its vehicles are designed for easy low-loading and for better than average payload capacities. The NKR is popular because 3.5 tonnes is the maximum weight of vehicle that can be operated without having to fit a tachograph. Manual handling EHN has previously highlighted the risks associated with the manual handling of portable toilets. One solution shown by Avant Tecno (www.avanttecno.co.uk) was its 200 Series articulated multi-purpose carrier, which has recently been supplied to Portable Conveniences of Darwen. Fitted with a pallet fork, the machine can be transported with the hirer’s delivery trucks for offloading at the customer’s site. This not only avoids manual handling, but also heightens productivity during preparations for events and other attractions where many toilets have to be delivered and positioned within tight time frames, and often on soft ground. The provision of heaters in portable sanitation units to provide hot water has created additional demand for portable appliance testing (PAT) equipment. 2000 Test Equipment (www.2000testequipment.co.uk) promoted products from a wide range of manufacturers, including Seaward Electronic and Clare Instruments, as well as labels for Health & Safety requirements and other hire-related activities. The company also offers an electrical test bay for hirers complete with shelving, wiring, sockets and appropriate electrical fittings, creating a dedicated testing area complying with appropriate standards. Originally designed for tool testing, larger versions to accommodate portable toilets can be supplied. inspHire (www.inspHire.com) was one of several suppliers exhibiting computer software for hire organisations. The company reports growing interest from the portable sanitation market, particularly among tool and plant hirers who diversified into toilet hire some time ago and now see a need for a dedicated operation with its own management systems. inspHire offers its Express starter package, which can be augmented and expanded as a business develops. Higher Concept Software (www.higherconcept.co.uk), which provides the Syrinx system, lists several toilet hirers amongst its customers, including Site Equip in Surrey, Universal Site Services in Merseyside, MT Loos in Buckinghamshire and Mercian Masterplan in Shropshire. Different service schedules can be calculated together with appropriate paperwork for drivers. This shows all items on a site, even if their required service date has not yet been reached, allowing the operator to include them and avoid a repeat visit. Seminar programme PSE organised several seminars during the Expo. These included presentations by the Environment Agency on waste disposal, by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) on tacograph regulations, and the Peninsular employment consultancy discussed new workplace legislation. Technical sessions were given on PAT testing by 2000 Test Equipment, while Honda Engines discussed key service points on its popular power units, in association with dealership Seddons (Plant & Engineers). During the PSE’s annual general meeting, the association launched its Gold Award for members, the final stage in its Quality Assessment Scheme. This will involve the creation by each member of a detailed folder containing insurance certificates, tacograph records, operator licences and other essential documentation. A copy will be issued to every operative for easy on-site confirmation of qualifications and approvals, and the scheme should be rolled out by September. • T
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8811 Executive Hire News › Archives › April 2007 › Executive Report › Sophisticated sanitation
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